On Monday I got into downloading app mode. It started with syncing up my Nike Fuel band with it's app, and following a link to find the Nike Run app. Then I was looking over the c25k app and the next thing was the 10k app. So I downloaded that as well.
I ran on Tuesday and Thursday using my usual GPS app, and the Nike Run app. I'm debating dropping the GPS app, because they basically do the same thing. But, when the GPS app tells me I've run a mile, the Nike Run app will tell me I've run a mile, and how long it took, and what my average mile per minute is.
From what I can tell they record the same information, so there really isn't any need to use both. It's also pretty silly on the weekends to have three different apps running while I run.
Because the 10k training is around hour long runs, I can't do that on the weekdays. Well, I guess I could, but I really don't want to wake up at 4:15 in the morning so I can be out the door by 4:30. 4:45 is already early enough. I want that extra 30 minutes of sleep. So, Saturdays are my long run days. Even though today it was run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat 4 times. The weekdays I did not walk except to warm up and cool down. Today I walked a little more then the app wanted, but I was okay with that. I went 5 miles, so that's longer then I have gone all summer.
But now, the late summer bugs are emerging. When I get back from my run, and I'm walking through our field, I am attached left and right. I spend more time swatting bugs and trying to get home as quick as possible. Today I was kicking myself because I was going to put bug spray on, and forgot. They attached big time during my third walk cycle, I was worried about that, as there was a ditch on one side, and horses on the other.... horseflies... Ugh.
As soon as I was running, I was running as fast as I dared to get away from the bugs. It seemed to work. The last half a mile I started walking about ten seconds before my app said to walk. Then I just had to walk back home. I had a little schnauzer dog came barking up to me. Then it just followed me for a yard (most likely his yard) and left me along.
The mornings are getting darker and darker. I listen to the Radio from Hell show on X96 out of Salt Lake City in the mornings (I stream it on my phone, as I am not even in the same state) and they have a segment called "Things that must go" One thing that was read recently was runners without reflective clothing running in the dark. And I realized, I'm one of them. I didn't think about the fact that my running "jacket" didn't have anything like that on it. The hoodie I was using does. I'm going to have to find something reflective. But, with the darkening mornings, I think I might end up joining a gym going into the fall so I can keep up running on a treadmill. I was looking at buying one, but I'd like to see if I can keep it up first. I know that running a treadmill is much different then on the road outside, so I want to give it a fair shot at the gym before I seriously think of purchasing one.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
The 5k
Today was the 5k color run. I got there with my husband and 3 year old about half an hour before the run was to start. I signed in, got my shirt, and walked around waiting for the start. I had a slight shirt issue, and had gone into the bathroom to fix it. When I came out everyone was walking to the start line. As I headed over, I ran into a co-worker who was also participating. We chatted for a bit as the run started. I started out walking, because I had a difficult time getting to my playlist on my phone. I had been walking around with the phone in my armband, and when it came time to run, and I looked at it, I could not see anything on the screen. The plastic cover was causing a mad glare. So, rather then running right at the start, I was fighting to take my phone off my arm, and starting my music. Then putting the phone back on my arm. As soon as I got the music started, I told my co-worker I would see him at the finish line, and I started to run.
The first mile went well. The squirt guns were a shock of cold, that quickly felt good. Although the hit of water got in my ear, and it knocked my ear bud out of my ear. After a few tries, I gave up trying to get that one in, and tucked it into my shirt, and kept going. I was passing quite a few people, even though I wasn't in it to be the fastest. At the second water and color station I grabbed a drink of water, which was nice, but distracting because I don't know how one drinks water and run at the same time.
At the 1.5 mile mark the road started to go up a hill that started to kick my butt, and caused me to start slowing to a walk for a bit. It seemed to have that effect on everyone around me though. There was a few of us that would play the passing game, but for the most part at this point in the run, we were mostly set in where in "line" we were.
The next station that had water to drink, I decided against getting a drink and kept going. Then I went around a turn and I could see the finish. Since I was not nearing any more hills, I kept running at a decent pace. As I closed in on the final half a mile, there was another color station. I lost my 2nd ear bud at this one. If fell out, got covered in color, and I had so much color on me that I had no where to clean it off with. So I tucked it into my shirt and kept going.
I'm not sure why I slowed down to a walk the final time. It just happened, and I didn't argue it. As the end came closer, I sped up and finished running.
Immediately following was the best tasting water and apple I have ever eaten. I think between the hills, and the fact that the run was at 9am, which was 3 hours later then I run on the weekends, so the heat was more intense then I had been running in, it wore me out. Now that last sentence wasn't a run on or anything.... My blog, my grammar. ;-)
Anyway. My first mile was my fastest. 9.7 minutes. then it went up 10.7 for the 2nd and 11.3 for the 3rd. My husband was impressed by how fast I ran it (even with my walking moments) I think for my first 5k I did really well. Then we went to leave and I realized. I forgot to take towels to put on the car seat. I am covered in all kinds of color.
So we are looking for a hoodie, or something and my husband pops the trunk and hallelujah there is an emergency blanket I had forgotten about in there! My car seats will not be a mixed shade of blue, yellow, and pink!
And then I discovered the hardest part of the color run. Washing all the color off
What was interesting was that after it was over, and I had cooled off, I though, huh, that was fun. I want to do it again.
What!? Is this the same person who swore she would never run after making it out of the mandatory school classes that force you to run?
So, next Tuesday, I will be at it again.
The first mile went well. The squirt guns were a shock of cold, that quickly felt good. Although the hit of water got in my ear, and it knocked my ear bud out of my ear. After a few tries, I gave up trying to get that one in, and tucked it into my shirt, and kept going. I was passing quite a few people, even though I wasn't in it to be the fastest. At the second water and color station I grabbed a drink of water, which was nice, but distracting because I don't know how one drinks water and run at the same time.
At the 1.5 mile mark the road started to go up a hill that started to kick my butt, and caused me to start slowing to a walk for a bit. It seemed to have that effect on everyone around me though. There was a few of us that would play the passing game, but for the most part at this point in the run, we were mostly set in where in "line" we were.
The next station that had water to drink, I decided against getting a drink and kept going. Then I went around a turn and I could see the finish. Since I was not nearing any more hills, I kept running at a decent pace. As I closed in on the final half a mile, there was another color station. I lost my 2nd ear bud at this one. If fell out, got covered in color, and I had so much color on me that I had no where to clean it off with. So I tucked it into my shirt and kept going.
I'm not sure why I slowed down to a walk the final time. It just happened, and I didn't argue it. As the end came closer, I sped up and finished running.
Immediately following was the best tasting water and apple I have ever eaten. I think between the hills, and the fact that the run was at 9am, which was 3 hours later then I run on the weekends, so the heat was more intense then I had been running in, it wore me out. Now that last sentence wasn't a run on or anything.... My blog, my grammar. ;-)
Anyway. My first mile was my fastest. 9.7 minutes. then it went up 10.7 for the 2nd and 11.3 for the 3rd. My husband was impressed by how fast I ran it (even with my walking moments) I think for my first 5k I did really well. Then we went to leave and I realized. I forgot to take towels to put on the car seat. I am covered in all kinds of color.
So we are looking for a hoodie, or something and my husband pops the trunk and hallelujah there is an emergency blanket I had forgotten about in there! My car seats will not be a mixed shade of blue, yellow, and pink!
And then I discovered the hardest part of the color run. Washing all the color off
(And that's just one hand)
What was interesting was that after it was over, and I had cooled off, I though, huh, that was fun. I want to do it again.
What!? Is this the same person who swore she would never run after making it out of the mandatory school classes that force you to run?
So, next Tuesday, I will be at it again.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Day 21, 22, & 23 the final week before the 5K
No, I did not take this week off. The rest of my life got crazy busy this week, and I just haven't had a chance to write anything.
On Sunday, I was up and out the door, deciding that after the 5k, this is the last Sunday I will run. I spend my Saturday nights talking with my family, far too late into the night to be waking up early.
During my run I ran further then I ever had, but had to walk four times. Two of them I don't really count because they were walking to make sure it was safe to cross the busier street. The other two were just because I needed to catch my breath. On Tuesday I ran the same time, but went considerably shorter distance, so I think I was just running a little too fast.
One very cool sight on Sundays run was the setting super moon. And of course I don't have a photo because I decided I would get that on my way back after my run. By that time the moon was too far into the horizon, and the lighting was just right that you really couldn't see it very well. And it would not have shown up on my phone.
One change on my Sunday run, was another person walking! This is the first time I've seen anyone out the same time as myself. For the most part my weekend runs vary on when I go out, so it was bound to happen. It was just a nice nod and hello to a fellow person on the street.
And during this run, really during one of the walks on my run, I came to the conclusion that I will never subscribe to the mindset of "if you don't faint, puke, or die, keep going" No. I want to feel good after my workout. Not spend the rest of the day recovering from a failed attempt at suicide via over working out. Yes, I realize I will never have the compleatly cut body of those that faint, puke or die. But I will not be dead. I don't enjoy fainting, and lets not even think about puking.
Just had to get that off my chest. I do subscribe to the mindset, though, that if you are going to sit on the couch, and not even walk yet critique how fast I am running, I will remind you that I am running faster that you. Yes, there was a conversation with someone who apparently is an armchair personal trainer. Needless to say, I shall not be discussing my running with them again anytime soon.
Now. Tuesday. I didn't write down notes for Tuesday like I did for Sunday, so I do not remember much about it. I ran the entire time without walking. And I recall it was nice out. On Sunday I did eat a decent breakfast after my run, and did not acquire the headache. So on Tuesday I searched around for food to eat something, thinking this might help. I then recalled something I read a few years ago about chocolate milk being good for a post run drink. So I gave it a shot. Then I googled it. I also drank the chocolate milk today, and no headache. So whether that has helped or not remains to be seen. I think I will continue with it, unless I get a headache (which would prove it doesn't work...)
Today's run was a bit different. I had to manipulate the training because of that week I took off sick. So I did two days of week 7, and today was week 8 That way I could work in the longer run before my 5k. On top of that I ran a different route then usual. The way I prefer to go, I have it memorized how far I need to go, when I need to start my cool down, and all that. It will help starting next week when I don't use the app anymore, and just run. But today, was followed by yesterday. And yesterday was full of tornado warnings, hail, heavy rain, and flood warnings.
I don't live in the tornado ally of the country. I live in an area that, in the last nine years, has had one tornado that touched down and did damage to buildings. the other two or three have been in remote areas where there are no structures or people. And usually all the tornado warnings happen in the early spring. So for there to be a tornado warning yesterday was out of the ordinary.
For the storm system, that did produce a funnel cloud, to be less then a mile from my house, was downright freaky. There was no damage, but I was worried the entire time the warning was going on.
But it made my run today change at the last minute. I walked my warm up the same as usual. Toward the end I was admiring the strange (almost chevron) patterns that were left in the path I run. I imagine from the force of the rain and water running down the slight hill. Then I hit a pretty good sized puddle, where I have not previously seen a puddle. I was maneuvering my way around it when my warm up was over, and I was instructed to run. So I did the best I could, and not fall into the slippery muddy mess. Then I came around the slight bend, to a mini pool of a puddle, and decided that I would run around our "block" instead. I made two complete circles around it before my run was over. A total of three miles (counting the warm up walk).
It was just something different, and now I know how many times I need to go around the block, when future puddles derail my chosen path.
I will continue to post my running journeys, after my 5k. But I might end up with less frequent posts. I can't really say right now. I will just see what the future will hold. But I don't have to remember what day I'm on anymore. I do know that I plan to run longer on weekends, and as the sun is rising later and later in the morning, I will eventually not being running weekdays. Not unless I acquire a treadmill, and nobody want's to read about someones adventures running in place. ;-)
But, I am looking too far ahead. So until Saturday, when I run the 5k.... I apparently need a sign off.
On Sunday, I was up and out the door, deciding that after the 5k, this is the last Sunday I will run. I spend my Saturday nights talking with my family, far too late into the night to be waking up early.
During my run I ran further then I ever had, but had to walk four times. Two of them I don't really count because they were walking to make sure it was safe to cross the busier street. The other two were just because I needed to catch my breath. On Tuesday I ran the same time, but went considerably shorter distance, so I think I was just running a little too fast.
One very cool sight on Sundays run was the setting super moon. And of course I don't have a photo because I decided I would get that on my way back after my run. By that time the moon was too far into the horizon, and the lighting was just right that you really couldn't see it very well. And it would not have shown up on my phone.
One change on my Sunday run, was another person walking! This is the first time I've seen anyone out the same time as myself. For the most part my weekend runs vary on when I go out, so it was bound to happen. It was just a nice nod and hello to a fellow person on the street.
And during this run, really during one of the walks on my run, I came to the conclusion that I will never subscribe to the mindset of "if you don't faint, puke, or die, keep going" No. I want to feel good after my workout. Not spend the rest of the day recovering from a failed attempt at suicide via over working out. Yes, I realize I will never have the compleatly cut body of those that faint, puke or die. But I will not be dead. I don't enjoy fainting, and lets not even think about puking.
Just had to get that off my chest. I do subscribe to the mindset, though, that if you are going to sit on the couch, and not even walk yet critique how fast I am running, I will remind you that I am running faster that you. Yes, there was a conversation with someone who apparently is an armchair personal trainer. Needless to say, I shall not be discussing my running with them again anytime soon.
Now. Tuesday. I didn't write down notes for Tuesday like I did for Sunday, so I do not remember much about it. I ran the entire time without walking. And I recall it was nice out. On Sunday I did eat a decent breakfast after my run, and did not acquire the headache. So on Tuesday I searched around for food to eat something, thinking this might help. I then recalled something I read a few years ago about chocolate milk being good for a post run drink. So I gave it a shot. Then I googled it. I also drank the chocolate milk today, and no headache. So whether that has helped or not remains to be seen. I think I will continue with it, unless I get a headache (which would prove it doesn't work...)
Today's run was a bit different. I had to manipulate the training because of that week I took off sick. So I did two days of week 7, and today was week 8 That way I could work in the longer run before my 5k. On top of that I ran a different route then usual. The way I prefer to go, I have it memorized how far I need to go, when I need to start my cool down, and all that. It will help starting next week when I don't use the app anymore, and just run. But today, was followed by yesterday. And yesterday was full of tornado warnings, hail, heavy rain, and flood warnings.
I don't live in the tornado ally of the country. I live in an area that, in the last nine years, has had one tornado that touched down and did damage to buildings. the other two or three have been in remote areas where there are no structures or people. And usually all the tornado warnings happen in the early spring. So for there to be a tornado warning yesterday was out of the ordinary.
For the storm system, that did produce a funnel cloud, to be less then a mile from my house, was downright freaky. There was no damage, but I was worried the entire time the warning was going on.
But it made my run today change at the last minute. I walked my warm up the same as usual. Toward the end I was admiring the strange (almost chevron) patterns that were left in the path I run. I imagine from the force of the rain and water running down the slight hill. Then I hit a pretty good sized puddle, where I have not previously seen a puddle. I was maneuvering my way around it when my warm up was over, and I was instructed to run. So I did the best I could, and not fall into the slippery muddy mess. Then I came around the slight bend, to a mini pool of a puddle, and decided that I would run around our "block" instead. I made two complete circles around it before my run was over. A total of three miles (counting the warm up walk).
It was just something different, and now I know how many times I need to go around the block, when future puddles derail my chosen path.
I will continue to post my running journeys, after my 5k. But I might end up with less frequent posts. I can't really say right now. I will just see what the future will hold. But I don't have to remember what day I'm on anymore. I do know that I plan to run longer on weekends, and as the sun is rising later and later in the morning, I will eventually not being running weekdays. Not unless I acquire a treadmill, and nobody want's to read about someones adventures running in place. ;-)
But, I am looking too far ahead. So until Saturday, when I run the 5k.... I apparently need a sign off.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Day 20: Week 6, Day 3 22 minute run
Yesterday was a nice run. The weather was warmer, and humid. I had made it out the door before 5am, in fact I was awake before my husband. The night before I managed to restub my toe on my right foot. I don't know why I manage to keep jamming the same toe. I was worried about running because it hurt so bad when I woke up, but my shoes were tight enough that as soon as I laced them up, the pain seemed to diminish.
I started my walk, knowing how long I needed to run. I figured about where I would turn around at. That knowledge came in helpful, when the place that I usually have to end the warm up walk passed and my app didn't say anything. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and the notification said start jogging, and the time was listed as now. So, the audio was not going to play today. So, I ran until I got to the street I have never managed to make it before, turned around and about the place I usually start my cool down, I started walking. As I did so, I pulled out my phone and discovered that I timed that pretty much perfectly, because it declared that now was the time to start my cool down. So, when I am finished with the app, I know that I will not have a problem making it back to home in time without an app timing me.
As I was running away from home, I saw a big rig just barreling down the street that intersects the one I run on. That was enough for me to know I will never run down that street, and might not even dare to cross it. This guy was in a hurry.
On the way back home I was running toward one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen. I have to say, working out in the mornings, and especially running, has made me appreciate sunrises more.
I remember the first time I saw a sunrise. If I remember correctly, I woke up to see the sunrise that day. I was a teenager, and of course, I never woke early. But I was a bookworm, and had read so many books about how gorgeous sunrises were, that I wanted to see them. I have always loved sunsets, and sunrises were always written as more spectacular. Something people climb mountains at 3am to see. So, I got up early one summer day to see the sunrise. And yes, I would have woken up before the sunrise through the winter and such for school. But what kid really looks out the window before school? They're too busy denying that it's not the weekend. Anyway, I woke up waited for the sunrise, and was completely disappointed.
Now, at the time, I didn't think about the fact that you don't always get a spectacular sunset. Sometimes there just aren't enough clouds in the sky, or the conditions aren't perfect to get all the purples and pinks. So I didn't think about that going along with sunrises. I just remember that it was like the sky was a washed out yellow, that faded into blue. I then declared mornings a complete wash, and other then school or work, didn't worry about them.
Ah, how much has changed since then.
Sadly, my great run, and my great yoga stretch afterwards, was ruined by a headache on top of a headache. Not kidding. Got the migraine aura. Took a pain killer to beat the rush of headache before it hit me. The aura faded to a throb. Then about 15 minutes later, a new aura came along, followed by a mad headache that really wasn't helped by the fact that I hadn't eaten anything yet, so the alieve was sitting in an empty stomach making me feel nauseous. Ugh, I was kicking myself for not forcing more water down when I first came in. I thought I was fine. Of course, I'm not completely sure it's dehydration, so who really knows what the headache thing is about, but it sucks.
Hopefully I can avoid that after my run tomorrow. Speaking of, I had better get to bed. At this rate I won't wake up in time to run.
I started my walk, knowing how long I needed to run. I figured about where I would turn around at. That knowledge came in helpful, when the place that I usually have to end the warm up walk passed and my app didn't say anything. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and the notification said start jogging, and the time was listed as now. So, the audio was not going to play today. So, I ran until I got to the street I have never managed to make it before, turned around and about the place I usually start my cool down, I started walking. As I did so, I pulled out my phone and discovered that I timed that pretty much perfectly, because it declared that now was the time to start my cool down. So, when I am finished with the app, I know that I will not have a problem making it back to home in time without an app timing me.
As I was running away from home, I saw a big rig just barreling down the street that intersects the one I run on. That was enough for me to know I will never run down that street, and might not even dare to cross it. This guy was in a hurry.
On the way back home I was running toward one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen. I have to say, working out in the mornings, and especially running, has made me appreciate sunrises more.
I remember the first time I saw a sunrise. If I remember correctly, I woke up to see the sunrise that day. I was a teenager, and of course, I never woke early. But I was a bookworm, and had read so many books about how gorgeous sunrises were, that I wanted to see them. I have always loved sunsets, and sunrises were always written as more spectacular. Something people climb mountains at 3am to see. So, I got up early one summer day to see the sunrise. And yes, I would have woken up before the sunrise through the winter and such for school. But what kid really looks out the window before school? They're too busy denying that it's not the weekend. Anyway, I woke up waited for the sunrise, and was completely disappointed.
Now, at the time, I didn't think about the fact that you don't always get a spectacular sunset. Sometimes there just aren't enough clouds in the sky, or the conditions aren't perfect to get all the purples and pinks. So I didn't think about that going along with sunrises. I just remember that it was like the sky was a washed out yellow, that faded into blue. I then declared mornings a complete wash, and other then school or work, didn't worry about them.
Ah, how much has changed since then.
Sadly, my great run, and my great yoga stretch afterwards, was ruined by a headache on top of a headache. Not kidding. Got the migraine aura. Took a pain killer to beat the rush of headache before it hit me. The aura faded to a throb. Then about 15 minutes later, a new aura came along, followed by a mad headache that really wasn't helped by the fact that I hadn't eaten anything yet, so the alieve was sitting in an empty stomach making me feel nauseous. Ugh, I was kicking myself for not forcing more water down when I first came in. I thought I was fine. Of course, I'm not completely sure it's dehydration, so who really knows what the headache thing is about, but it sucks.
Hopefully I can avoid that after my run tomorrow. Speaking of, I had better get to bed. At this rate I won't wake up in time to run.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Day 17 & 19 beginning of week 6 the busy week
I had every intention of writing on Monday. Especially since I was off on Tuesday, but the entire day just got away from me. I did turn my computer on in a sleepy haze Monday night. But tha was because my nike fit band was not syncing with my phone and I wanted to sort out the issue.
Tuesday was super busy with my little girl, so I didn't have a chance to think about writing. And now on Wednesday all I can remember about Mondays run was it wasn't the piece of cake I thought it would be. I think I had too many late nights over the weekend. So I was dragging on Monday
Now today's run, I worried I be dragging because Tuesday was spent outdoors, roasting in the sun. First a parade, then the carnavel. And not enough sun screen, so I'm a bit red. I really thought I would be so drained that walking would be a struggle. My only issue this morning was my first alarm not going off, so I was a little late heading out the door. Only 3 minutes though, so not horrible.
The crazy thing was on the warmup walk there was a strange flash of light, like a camera going off or something. I looked around and couldn't figure out what it was. A bit later there was a rumble tha was either a car starting or thunder. But the sky was clear, so my foggy brains suddenly went all Independence Day (the alien movie) on me and tried to freak me out. But as I looked around and behind me I found the sky wasn't as clear as I thought and it was just a bit of lighting and thunder. But it was well off in the distance, and didn't even bother heading in my direction.
The run itself was fairly nice. On the way back there was a cat, dog, fox, or something of that sort running ahead of me. Nothing like that reality check to make you realize how slow humans run.
The sunrise was gorgeous and I managed to get a pretty nice picture of the reflection of the rays on the opposite side of the sky from the sun.
My yoga plans were detailed by exhaustion or laziness. Can't be sure which. I rolled out he mat and had everything ready to go only to just sit there and just do a gental streach.
Friday I am to run 22 minutes without a break. Which means I might finally make it to the road I never quite get to.
My 5k that I am running is I the 19th. So just over a week away. I think I'll be ready for it.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Day 17: Week 5 Day 3 Day After Fireworks
Well, Happy Late 4th of July!
Fireworks on Friday started a little after 10 pm. Which means that I didn't get into bed until sometime after 11 pm.
So 6 am was just not my friend. I did eventually get up, about 20 minutes later then planned, but it is Saturday, so I wasn't too worried about time. When I did getup, I spent another couple of minutes on pinterest looking at running motivation. Because that is how unmotivated to wake up I was. But I made it up, out of bed, and out the door.
And I was one of the few people up that early. The only signs of life I saw that were human, was a sprinkler in someones yard, and a car down one of the side streets. Other then that it was quite.
The first five minutes, the warm up walk, was spent talking myself into the fact that I would run 20 minutes without a walking break. I was still worried about this, but I was working on telling myself I could do it. The first few minutes after I started running, I was too focused on the fact that I was running. I realize that when working out, it is best to be focused on what you are doing. But I think that applies more to weight lifting, pilates, yoga... Zumba even. I really don't think it does to running. Of course you want to focus on good form and breathing. But, I think if you focus too much on running, that is when your brain wants you to stop because your legs kinda hurt, or whatever. So while I was thinking form and all that, I was at the same time trying to distract my brain from what I was doing.
That distraction did happen, but I can't for the life of me remember what my mind wandered off to think about. I know at one point there was a butterfly that looked like it was just trying to find a nice plant to spend the morning on, but it was scared of me and kept flying ahead just a little. Enough that it just hopped from plant to plant for a bit before taking off.
I was brought back into running when my app announced 1 mile.
When my halfway point was reached, I did slow down to an almost walk to turn around. But it wasn't by any means a I'm taking a break walk. It was completely a, If I try to run a U-turn I'll probably trip over my own feet because I'm graceful like that, walk. At that point I was just looking ahead to see where I was striving to reach before turning around. After the turn I was focusing on destinations. First the turn onto the canal road. Then the curve in the path. Then the fence of the house one property over from us. Then the end.
But I am glad to say that, except for the turn around, I ran the entire 20 minutes. And halfway through it, I decided that this is the last weekend run that I will be wearing a workout jacket. 5 am it is chilly enough that you need it. 6 am it is too warm. Next weekend I'm going to have to find my arm band for my phone.
After my run, I came into the house and was looking at the GPS app and discovered that it tells you how fast each mile went. So the first mile, that included the 5 minute warm up walk was 13.3 minutes a mile. the 2nd mile that was all running except for the turn was 10.2 minutes a mile. I don't think that's too bad for a beginner.
After I got my shoes off and drank water, I did a pretty intense yoga session. I debated on that particular class a few minutes, then decided to go with it. It had me sweating pretty good on top of my run. Which was good and bad. I don't think I drank enough water, so I got another aura/migraine. I think I need to watch my water intake better. I always think I'm doing good about drinking water, but I think the headaches are a sign that I'm not as hydrated as I should be. I drank a lot of water after the headache signs started, and even gulped a glass of iced tea for the caffeine (and I make a very strong Iced tea). When the headache did come, it wasn't too bad, and didn't stick around long. Which I am very happy about. So, I think I just need to get more water into my system, especially on run days.
Now, on Monday it's back to the 5 min run, 3 min walk cycle. I think that after today, that should be a piece of cake.
Fireworks on Friday started a little after 10 pm. Which means that I didn't get into bed until sometime after 11 pm.
So 6 am was just not my friend. I did eventually get up, about 20 minutes later then planned, but it is Saturday, so I wasn't too worried about time. When I did getup, I spent another couple of minutes on pinterest looking at running motivation. Because that is how unmotivated to wake up I was. But I made it up, out of bed, and out the door.
And I was one of the few people up that early. The only signs of life I saw that were human, was a sprinkler in someones yard, and a car down one of the side streets. Other then that it was quite.
The first five minutes, the warm up walk, was spent talking myself into the fact that I would run 20 minutes without a walking break. I was still worried about this, but I was working on telling myself I could do it. The first few minutes after I started running, I was too focused on the fact that I was running. I realize that when working out, it is best to be focused on what you are doing. But I think that applies more to weight lifting, pilates, yoga... Zumba even. I really don't think it does to running. Of course you want to focus on good form and breathing. But, I think if you focus too much on running, that is when your brain wants you to stop because your legs kinda hurt, or whatever. So while I was thinking form and all that, I was at the same time trying to distract my brain from what I was doing.
That distraction did happen, but I can't for the life of me remember what my mind wandered off to think about. I know at one point there was a butterfly that looked like it was just trying to find a nice plant to spend the morning on, but it was scared of me and kept flying ahead just a little. Enough that it just hopped from plant to plant for a bit before taking off.
I was brought back into running when my app announced 1 mile.
When my halfway point was reached, I did slow down to an almost walk to turn around. But it wasn't by any means a I'm taking a break walk. It was completely a, If I try to run a U-turn I'll probably trip over my own feet because I'm graceful like that, walk. At that point I was just looking ahead to see where I was striving to reach before turning around. After the turn I was focusing on destinations. First the turn onto the canal road. Then the curve in the path. Then the fence of the house one property over from us. Then the end.
But I am glad to say that, except for the turn around, I ran the entire 20 minutes. And halfway through it, I decided that this is the last weekend run that I will be wearing a workout jacket. 5 am it is chilly enough that you need it. 6 am it is too warm. Next weekend I'm going to have to find my arm band for my phone.
After my run, I came into the house and was looking at the GPS app and discovered that it tells you how fast each mile went. So the first mile, that included the 5 minute warm up walk was 13.3 minutes a mile. the 2nd mile that was all running except for the turn was 10.2 minutes a mile. I don't think that's too bad for a beginner.
After I got my shoes off and drank water, I did a pretty intense yoga session. I debated on that particular class a few minutes, then decided to go with it. It had me sweating pretty good on top of my run. Which was good and bad. I don't think I drank enough water, so I got another aura/migraine. I think I need to watch my water intake better. I always think I'm doing good about drinking water, but I think the headaches are a sign that I'm not as hydrated as I should be. I drank a lot of water after the headache signs started, and even gulped a glass of iced tea for the caffeine (and I make a very strong Iced tea). When the headache did come, it wasn't too bad, and didn't stick around long. Which I am very happy about. So, I think I just need to get more water into my system, especially on run days.
Now, on Monday it's back to the 5 min run, 3 min walk cycle. I think that after today, that should be a piece of cake.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Day 16: Week 5 Day 2 Trickery
On Tuesday I wrote about how I thought I will make it through this week. Today I am back to being concerned. That must be the cycle of running or something.
Today I started out, and of course, did not want to wake up. First, my alarm went off, and my husband was still in bed. So I turned it off, and didn't immediately get up. Not sure if it was my alarm that woke him, or not, but he got up a few minutes later, and when he did I forced myself to get out of the warmth of the blankets and wake up.
I was ready to go fairly quickly after that, and headed out. I anticipated the same run cycle, so when I cleared the dirt road portion of my path and was still running past a few houses on the paved road portion the thoughts that ran through my head went like this: "oh, I must be running faster! No, no I am not running faster, my app must have shut off. Okay, I will give it until the end of this block, and if it doesn't talk to me I am checking on it." And just before I got to the end of the block it told me to walk. And the walk seemed extra long too.
I knew something was up when my halfway point was not during a run cycle like it was on Tuesday. But I kept going, didn't check my phone.
I had headed out about 1 minute later than usual, but I felt like the traffic had increased. Of course, that increase was from 1 car to 3 cars, but that's quite a difference if you think about it. And that is totally a random train of though as I was walking.
That thought was quickly followed by the annoyance of a bit of pain, when I managed to kick a rock into the top of the back of my shoe. I have no idea how that happens, except the paved road had been recently graveled, so there was quite a lot of loose gravel on it. But still, how do the little rocks kick up into the back of my shoe? I ended up having to stop to try to get it out. All that did was drop it into my shoe, where I tapped my toe and dealt with it. I can deal with bits of gravel in my shoe, just not between my ankle and the back of my shoe. That area is a bit too tender.
Then I was back to running, and I ran almost the entire way back to my house. Stopping one house away for the cool down. When I was finished and back in the house I looked at the app and found I went from the 5 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking on Tuesday to 8 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking. I had not skipped a day, that is just the way the app is set up. So I looked at what Saturday will be.
The 5 minutes warm up walk, followed by 20 minutes of running (no walking) o_0
Okay. That is why I am worried. Really, I feel like that escalated quickly.
So now's the time to start taking bets. Will I make it, running 20 minutes straight through, or will I end up having to walk at some point?
As you can see, I have great faith in myself. (insert eye roll here)
On a off topic note, today was my last day of Pilates on the machines for awhile. My teacher quit the gym I was attending these classes at, to move onto bigger and better things. I will be contacting her next week to see what those bigger and better things are, and how much they cost. Hopefully in a few months I will start it up again. I ended on a great note, a private lesson on the Cadillac. I really enjoy that particular Pilates "machine"
In the meantime, I will have to go back to working with my DVD's and doing strictly mat Pilates. Along with my Yoga and Piyo. I enjoy a mix, so much so that there is not enough time for it all.
Today I started out, and of course, did not want to wake up. First, my alarm went off, and my husband was still in bed. So I turned it off, and didn't immediately get up. Not sure if it was my alarm that woke him, or not, but he got up a few minutes later, and when he did I forced myself to get out of the warmth of the blankets and wake up.
I was ready to go fairly quickly after that, and headed out. I anticipated the same run cycle, so when I cleared the dirt road portion of my path and was still running past a few houses on the paved road portion the thoughts that ran through my head went like this: "oh, I must be running faster! No, no I am not running faster, my app must have shut off. Okay, I will give it until the end of this block, and if it doesn't talk to me I am checking on it." And just before I got to the end of the block it told me to walk. And the walk seemed extra long too.
I knew something was up when my halfway point was not during a run cycle like it was on Tuesday. But I kept going, didn't check my phone.
I had headed out about 1 minute later than usual, but I felt like the traffic had increased. Of course, that increase was from 1 car to 3 cars, but that's quite a difference if you think about it. And that is totally a random train of though as I was walking.
That thought was quickly followed by the annoyance of a bit of pain, when I managed to kick a rock into the top of the back of my shoe. I have no idea how that happens, except the paved road had been recently graveled, so there was quite a lot of loose gravel on it. But still, how do the little rocks kick up into the back of my shoe? I ended up having to stop to try to get it out. All that did was drop it into my shoe, where I tapped my toe and dealt with it. I can deal with bits of gravel in my shoe, just not between my ankle and the back of my shoe. That area is a bit too tender.
Then I was back to running, and I ran almost the entire way back to my house. Stopping one house away for the cool down. When I was finished and back in the house I looked at the app and found I went from the 5 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking on Tuesday to 8 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking. I had not skipped a day, that is just the way the app is set up. So I looked at what Saturday will be.
The 5 minutes warm up walk, followed by 20 minutes of running (no walking) o_0
Okay. That is why I am worried. Really, I feel like that escalated quickly.
So now's the time to start taking bets. Will I make it, running 20 minutes straight through, or will I end up having to walk at some point?
As you can see, I have great faith in myself. (insert eye roll here)
On a off topic note, today was my last day of Pilates on the machines for awhile. My teacher quit the gym I was attending these classes at, to move onto bigger and better things. I will be contacting her next week to see what those bigger and better things are, and how much they cost. Hopefully in a few months I will start it up again. I ended on a great note, a private lesson on the Cadillac. I really enjoy that particular Pilates "machine"
In the meantime, I will have to go back to working with my DVD's and doing strictly mat Pilates. Along with my Yoga and Piyo. I enjoy a mix, so much so that there is not enough time for it all.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Day 15: Week 5 Day 1, 46° F
I had one heck of a time waking up today. Honestly, the thought crossed my mind to just go back to sleep. You don't want to be awake before 5am.
Somehow, I got up though. I dragged my tired body out of bed, put my running cloths one, and bleary eyed stumbled into the living room. There I unwound my ear bud cables, tied my shoes laces, texted my husband that I was headed out, and started my apps. As I walked out the door I received his reply "be careful, and stay warm".
Now, I don't recall if I mentioned this last time, but he mowed the path in our backyard for me. So I, once again, walked that path as my warm up. I hadn't gotten far on the path when my brain kicked in telling me "he wasn't kidding about keeping warm".
I was feeling a bit of trepidation about today's run. Because Sunday was so difficult for me after being sick, I was worried that I would really struggle with today, since it was an increase in run time.
I figured one thing at a time, and at that moment, I was trying to remember why I thought I enjoyed 5am better than 6am. I wasn't quite awake yet at this time, and my bed was still taunting me, even as I walked further and further away.
Then it was time to run. At first I was more concerned about keeping my footing. Some places were still mud puddles, and others were dried clumps of road that were mud puddles. When my run was over I was surprised at how well I felt. As I started the walking portion, I was trying to calculate when the halfway point was. Then I was running again. Imagine my surprise when, as I was going along, the voice told me I was halfway there. So I turned around and continued to run. On the third walking portion, my enjoyment of 5am over 6am returned, and I was able to look around and enjoy life. Now that I was awake.
After my workout, during the cool down, I was walking the path through the backyard when I came across a barrel cactus. So I had to backtrack to the random golf ball I has passed earlier to mark it. I have a cactus garden, that grows with each one I come across. I only dig them up from our yard. It started with rescuing them from our driveway (or rescuing our car tires from the cactus's) I'm always surprised when I stumble across another one to add to my collection. I figure I'll be picking it up this weekend. Provided the golf ball doesn't roll away, and the cactus goes into hiding.
After I got home, I felt better then I had on Sunday. So that gives me hope that I'll survive week 5!
Somehow, I got up though. I dragged my tired body out of bed, put my running cloths one, and bleary eyed stumbled into the living room. There I unwound my ear bud cables, tied my shoes laces, texted my husband that I was headed out, and started my apps. As I walked out the door I received his reply "be careful, and stay warm".
Now, I don't recall if I mentioned this last time, but he mowed the path in our backyard for me. So I, once again, walked that path as my warm up. I hadn't gotten far on the path when my brain kicked in telling me "he wasn't kidding about keeping warm".
I was feeling a bit of trepidation about today's run. Because Sunday was so difficult for me after being sick, I was worried that I would really struggle with today, since it was an increase in run time.
I figured one thing at a time, and at that moment, I was trying to remember why I thought I enjoyed 5am better than 6am. I wasn't quite awake yet at this time, and my bed was still taunting me, even as I walked further and further away.
Then it was time to run. At first I was more concerned about keeping my footing. Some places were still mud puddles, and others were dried clumps of road that were mud puddles. When my run was over I was surprised at how well I felt. As I started the walking portion, I was trying to calculate when the halfway point was. Then I was running again. Imagine my surprise when, as I was going along, the voice told me I was halfway there. So I turned around and continued to run. On the third walking portion, my enjoyment of 5am over 6am returned, and I was able to look around and enjoy life. Now that I was awake.
After my workout, during the cool down, I was walking the path through the backyard when I came across a barrel cactus. So I had to backtrack to the random golf ball I has passed earlier to mark it. I have a cactus garden, that grows with each one I come across. I only dig them up from our yard. It started with rescuing them from our driveway (or rescuing our car tires from the cactus's) I'm always surprised when I stumble across another one to add to my collection. I figure I'll be picking it up this weekend. Provided the golf ball doesn't roll away, and the cactus goes into hiding.
After I got home, I felt better then I had on Sunday. So that gives me hope that I'll survive week 5!
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