Yeah. Bronchitis now. I haven't been updating my blog because I have been sick with a severe case of acute bronchitis. I went to the doctor on Tuesday night where I was told to do nothing but rest. Naturally I asked her if I was compliant with this so-called "resting", if I might be able to run in my 5k that is scheduled for this coming Saturday. I took her exaggerated laughter as a no. Oh, and the fact that she said "honey, if you tried you would get worse.. and you probably wouldn't make it to the finish line."
Anyhoo, I've done this "resting". I haven't run all week. I'm still coughing and can't breath as well as I would like to...and the race is tomorrow. The rebel in me wants to prove that darned doctor wrong, but what if she is right and I do get worse and miss out on even more marathon training? I'm considering walking the measley 3 miles.
Ya know, I'm just a sucker for a finish line. What do you all think?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Leg Injuries Get In the Way
I'm an eternal optimist. It's what I do. I see the glass as half full, I see a steep hill as an opportunity to run down instead of up, and I refuse to believe whatever is wrong with my left calf muscle is something serious. Due to my lack of medical insurance, I guess we will never know. I do know that my last three or four runs were really painful. My last run on Monday, a six-miler, has done quite a number.
So what is wrong? My calves have been cramping up and swelling pretty bad as soon as the ASICS hit the pavement, but it usually goes away after the first mile or two. Now my left one is sort of stuck swollen and it feels like someone is inside my leg with a tiny drill going up and down the length of my calf, if that makes sense. I walk like an 80 year old woman recovering from a shark attack... or arthritis or something.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off and it's getting a little bit better. A very little bit. So what do you guy think I should do? Power through it? Take a week off? Permanently sew an ice bag to my leg? Quit running and pursue my even bigger dreams of becoming the world's fattest woman?
I'm scheduled for a seven mile run this coming Sunday. I am also scheduled for a 5k race the following Sunday. I'm no quitter.
So basically I'm asking, what the crap am I gonna do? Are there any sports medicine doctors out there reading this that think I'm just precious enough to see/fix me for free? Anyone know of a good starter plan for someone looking to be sedentary and gain like 500 lbs?
Thanks.
So what is wrong? My calves have been cramping up and swelling pretty bad as soon as the ASICS hit the pavement, but it usually goes away after the first mile or two. Now my left one is sort of stuck swollen and it feels like someone is inside my leg with a tiny drill going up and down the length of my calf, if that makes sense. I walk like an 80 year old woman recovering from a shark attack... or arthritis or something.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off and it's getting a little bit better. A very little bit. So what do you guy think I should do? Power through it? Take a week off? Permanently sew an ice bag to my leg? Quit running and pursue my even bigger dreams of becoming the world's fattest woman?
I'm scheduled for a seven mile run this coming Sunday. I am also scheduled for a 5k race the following Sunday. I'm no quitter.
So basically I'm asking, what the crap am I gonna do? Are there any sports medicine doctors out there reading this that think I'm just precious enough to see/fix me for free? Anyone know of a good starter plan for someone looking to be sedentary and gain like 500 lbs?
Thanks.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
My Full Marathon Training Schedule
Just in case any of you folks were interested in joining in the on the fun, or even if you wanted to keep track of all of my running that you can be laughing at, I took the liberty of posting my training schedule. We are in week 1 currently. Thanks, Hal Higdon!
Week Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6 cross
2 rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7 cross
3 rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5 cross
4 rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9 cross
5 rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10 cross
6 rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7 cross
7 rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12 cross
8 rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13 cross
9 rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10 cross
10 rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15 cross
11 rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16 cross
12 rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12 cross
13 rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18 cross
14 rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14 cross
15 rest 5 m run 10 m run5 m run rest 20 cross
16 rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12 cross
17 rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8 cross
18 rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest rest race
I realize this might be kind of hard to read or follow. That makes it all the more fun! :)
Week Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6 cross
2 rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7 cross
3 rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5 cross
4 rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9 cross
5 rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10 cross
6 rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7 cross
7 rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12 cross
8 rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13 cross
9 rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10 cross
10 rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15 cross
11 rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16 cross
12 rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12 cross
13 rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18 cross
14 rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14 cross
15 rest 5 m run 10 m run5 m run rest 20 cross
16 rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12 cross
17 rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8 cross
18 rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest rest race
I realize this might be kind of hard to read or follow. That makes it all the more fun! :)
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Beginning of Marathon Training
Oh Dear Lord. 26.2 miles. Twenty-six point two. Miles.
I can do this, right? Well it is officially 18 weeks until my big day. Technically my Hal Higdon training schedule doesn't require me to do any running until Tuesday this week, but I thought I might get a jump on things yesterday. Can we say disaster? I ran two miles. Just the two. I bought new running shoes and it was my first time breaking them in, so I blame ASICS for my poor performance mostly. They should make pre-worn-in shoes. I also blame cottage cheese and Triscuit crackers for my 15 pound weight gain that seems to be slowing me down quite a bit. Furthermore, I blame polution, the city of Puyallup (for hilly sidewalks), and oh.. just for the heck of it, I blame you. The fact that I was huffing and puffing after running half of a mile couldn't possibly be due to the fact that I've been running about once a week (on average) for the last two months.
Anyhoo, I'll take my terrible run yesterday with a grain of salt and hit 'er hard again this evening. I mean, I have to be (at least) able to hit the 5k mark without feeling like I need a stretcher, right? Maybe it was just a bad day.
I can do this, right? Well it is officially 18 weeks until my big day. Technically my Hal Higdon training schedule doesn't require me to do any running until Tuesday this week, but I thought I might get a jump on things yesterday. Can we say disaster? I ran two miles. Just the two. I bought new running shoes and it was my first time breaking them in, so I blame ASICS for my poor performance mostly. They should make pre-worn-in shoes. I also blame cottage cheese and Triscuit crackers for my 15 pound weight gain that seems to be slowing me down quite a bit. Furthermore, I blame polution, the city of Puyallup (for hilly sidewalks), and oh.. just for the heck of it, I blame you. The fact that I was huffing and puffing after running half of a mile couldn't possibly be due to the fact that I've been running about once a week (on average) for the last two months.
Anyhoo, I'll take my terrible run yesterday with a grain of salt and hit 'er hard again this evening. I mean, I have to be (at least) able to hit the 5k mark without feeling like I need a stretcher, right? Maybe it was just a bad day.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Training Myself to Cross-Train
Well, I will start off by saying I have gained roughly twelve pounds back since last June when I hit my peak of 55 pounds lost. No big deal. I am only a few short weeks away from the beginning of my full-marathon training so I'm sure it will come back off. In preparation for the training, and to skim off a few extra pounds before it starts, I have been trying to find a good cross-training exercise I can stick too, or at least enjoy doing a few times a week.
I think I should remind you that I am a very busy mother of three little kids, and also a stay-at-home maid/teacher/cook/referee/girl scout troop leader/love machine...or mom. Getting to the gym is about as realistic for me as auditioning for America's Next Top Model. Therefore, I turn to a little thing I like to call Exercise TV on On Demand. I'm sure most of you are familiar. It has just about every workout you could ever hope for at just a click of a button. I have been experimenting with all kinds of fun stuff, and making myself look extremely sophisticated while doing it.
Cardioke. Oh yes, it is just as fun and ridiculous as it sounds. It is hosted by Billy Blanks'(the creator of Tae Bo and renowned neon spandex enthusiast)son. You dance around and move your body in a somewhat suggestive-hip-thrusting manor, and you are instructed to sing the lyrics to the songs playing as they appear on the screen. I was having a blast and belting out "Let's get it started" by the Black Eyed Peas. But then I began to feel a little bit uncomfortable at the end of the video, when Mr.Blank's wife performed a ballad she wrote for the fans. My medium-intensity bliss was pulled to a screeching halt when it turned into a sappy, overly-emotional musical. Emo + Cross-training = not for this lady.
On to belly dancing. And belly dancing it was. This video was instructed by a woman whose "belly" was rock-solid and when she gave instruction to push my belly out as far as I could, she said it like it would really be a difficult thing to do. She kept telling me to embrace my "curves" and to look down and admire my own gorgeous body. I have given birth to three children and have fluctuated between the same 70 lbs for eight years. My gorgeous curves resemble something out of a horror movie, and my beautiful belly looks like a road map. She kept telling me to act and feel sexy, but I couldn't help laughing hysterically at all of my body parts that were shaking when they weren't supposed to. I appreciate what this broad was trying to do, but I think to keep any shred of the self-esteem I have left inside, I should find another core-toning work out, no?
So alas, I am left with yoga. I have been doing this off and on for about a year, and it really helps with my flexibility and balance. I am still on a hunt to find another fun workout I can do in addition to yoga.
Any suggestions?
I think I should remind you that I am a very busy mother of three little kids, and also a stay-at-home maid/teacher/cook/referee/girl scout troop leader/love machine...or mom. Getting to the gym is about as realistic for me as auditioning for America's Next Top Model. Therefore, I turn to a little thing I like to call Exercise TV on On Demand. I'm sure most of you are familiar. It has just about every workout you could ever hope for at just a click of a button. I have been experimenting with all kinds of fun stuff, and making myself look extremely sophisticated while doing it.
Cardioke. Oh yes, it is just as fun and ridiculous as it sounds. It is hosted by Billy Blanks'(the creator of Tae Bo and renowned neon spandex enthusiast)son. You dance around and move your body in a somewhat suggestive-hip-thrusting manor, and you are instructed to sing the lyrics to the songs playing as they appear on the screen. I was having a blast and belting out "Let's get it started" by the Black Eyed Peas. But then I began to feel a little bit uncomfortable at the end of the video, when Mr.Blank's wife performed a ballad she wrote for the fans. My medium-intensity bliss was pulled to a screeching halt when it turned into a sappy, overly-emotional musical. Emo + Cross-training = not for this lady.
On to belly dancing. And belly dancing it was. This video was instructed by a woman whose "belly" was rock-solid and when she gave instruction to push my belly out as far as I could, she said it like it would really be a difficult thing to do. She kept telling me to embrace my "curves" and to look down and admire my own gorgeous body. I have given birth to three children and have fluctuated between the same 70 lbs for eight years. My gorgeous curves resemble something out of a horror movie, and my beautiful belly looks like a road map. She kept telling me to act and feel sexy, but I couldn't help laughing hysterically at all of my body parts that were shaking when they weren't supposed to. I appreciate what this broad was trying to do, but I think to keep any shred of the self-esteem I have left inside, I should find another core-toning work out, no?
So alas, I am left with yoga. I have been doing this off and on for about a year, and it really helps with my flexibility and balance. I am still on a hunt to find another fun workout I can do in addition to yoga.
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics
Do you like feeling like you are part of a group?
Enjoy flaunting your athletic abilities as much as possible?
Do you like to wear singlets that announce your addiction to running races?
If you answered yes to the questions above, I have come across the perfect solution for you! If you can run 2 full marathons (26.2 miles people!) within a 16 day time frame (and can prove it) then you have earned yourself a bronze level membership in the exclusive Marathon Maniacs club. You can also earn a titanium membership if you simply finish 52 marathons within 365 days. That doesn't sound too hard does it?
Of course, if you are like me, and can't even imagine racing 1,362.4 miles in a one year time span, but still want to rock a singlet that screams "I'm the bomb" you have other options.
I've become pretty intrigued with the Half Fanatic's running club. It's a lot like the Marathon Maniacs, but you might not die trying to become an elite member. One way to earn a bronze level membership is to run three half-marathons in a 90 day time frame. And naturally, you can earn top ranks in the club if you complete 52 half-marathons in a 365 day time frame.
The best part about these clubs, is that race time is not an issue. All that matters is that you finish the race. That sounds like my kind of gig.
With both the Maniacs and the Fanatics, after you achieve the criteria, and pay a reasonable membership fee, you will receive your exclusive singlet and be running in style. You can also meet other runners like yourself, earn awards, and log into their website.
If you want more information about becoming a Marathon Maniac or a Half Fanatic (and who wouldn't?) visit their websites:
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com or http://www.halffanatics.com
Don't be surprised to see me with my kids at a local grocery store in a shiny, new Half Fanatics singlet in the fairly near future. I think I have set yet, another goal for myself.
Enjoy flaunting your athletic abilities as much as possible?
Do you like to wear singlets that announce your addiction to running races?
If you answered yes to the questions above, I have come across the perfect solution for you! If you can run 2 full marathons (26.2 miles people!) within a 16 day time frame (and can prove it) then you have earned yourself a bronze level membership in the exclusive Marathon Maniacs club. You can also earn a titanium membership if you simply finish 52 marathons within 365 days. That doesn't sound too hard does it?
Of course, if you are like me, and can't even imagine racing 1,362.4 miles in a one year time span, but still want to rock a singlet that screams "I'm the bomb" you have other options.
I've become pretty intrigued with the Half Fanatic's running club. It's a lot like the Marathon Maniacs, but you might not die trying to become an elite member. One way to earn a bronze level membership is to run three half-marathons in a 90 day time frame. And naturally, you can earn top ranks in the club if you complete 52 half-marathons in a 365 day time frame.
The best part about these clubs, is that race time is not an issue. All that matters is that you finish the race. That sounds like my kind of gig.
With both the Maniacs and the Fanatics, after you achieve the criteria, and pay a reasonable membership fee, you will receive your exclusive singlet and be running in style. You can also meet other runners like yourself, earn awards, and log into their website.
If you want more information about becoming a Marathon Maniac or a Half Fanatic (and who wouldn't?) visit their websites:
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com or http://www.halffanatics.com
Don't be surprised to see me with my kids at a local grocery store in a shiny, new Half Fanatics singlet in the fairly near future. I think I have set yet, another goal for myself.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Running in the Rain
I have decided I actually really like running in the rain, which works out nicely in the Northwest. It's a great way to cool down, and the air feels so fresh and clean. Of course, you have to treat a rainy run a little bit differently than a dry one. I'm learning more and more on each run. There really is no reason for you to not enjoy your wet, Seattle runs.. you just have to follow a few easy steps!
1. Wear a hat. It's pretty important to be able to see while you are running. In fact, I'd almost say it's crucial. Grab a visor or one of those fancy hats with all of the little holes on the top, so your head doesn't overheat.
2. Bring a hanky. I can't be the only one who gets a runny nose everytime I run in junky weather. Frankly, when it's windy outside, the oh-so-fun snot rocket can have an ugly outcome.
3. Wear a jacket. Now, by "jacket" I don't mean your wool pea coat, nor am I implying you should wear your big, yellow rain slicker. Get yourself a nice, light, waterproof coat. The idea behind the jacket phenomenon is to keep your upper half less wet, and it might even protect your Ipod.
4. Stay as far away from the traffic on the roads as possible. I learned this first-hand the other night. A hard-working truck driver thought it might brighten his day to drive through a huge puddle.. and splash the poor, unsuspecting runner on the side of the road. That runner still had over two miles until she reached home, and nearly froze to death.
5. Wear your bright colors and reflective gear. Obviously it's hard for drivers to see us in the dark, but in the dark and rain, it's nearly impossible. This is another one I had to learn by trial and error. My friend, Lisa and I were on a run and were crossing (in a lit-up cross walk, mind you) and were almost slammed into by a pizza delivery driver. Luckily, I panicked and pushed Lisa a little bit (to give myself some more speed obviously) and her pink water bottle went flying into the air, allowing the punk to see us and promptly hit his brakes. Sorry about that, Lisa.
I'm sure I will learn more about running in the rain, and I'm sure you all have some wonderful tips to share. So share! Share away! Happy wet running!
1. Wear a hat. It's pretty important to be able to see while you are running. In fact, I'd almost say it's crucial. Grab a visor or one of those fancy hats with all of the little holes on the top, so your head doesn't overheat.
2. Bring a hanky. I can't be the only one who gets a runny nose everytime I run in junky weather. Frankly, when it's windy outside, the oh-so-fun snot rocket can have an ugly outcome.
3. Wear a jacket. Now, by "jacket" I don't mean your wool pea coat, nor am I implying you should wear your big, yellow rain slicker. Get yourself a nice, light, waterproof coat. The idea behind the jacket phenomenon is to keep your upper half less wet, and it might even protect your Ipod.
4. Stay as far away from the traffic on the roads as possible. I learned this first-hand the other night. A hard-working truck driver thought it might brighten his day to drive through a huge puddle.. and splash the poor, unsuspecting runner on the side of the road. That runner still had over two miles until she reached home, and nearly froze to death.
5. Wear your bright colors and reflective gear. Obviously it's hard for drivers to see us in the dark, but in the dark and rain, it's nearly impossible. This is another one I had to learn by trial and error. My friend, Lisa and I were on a run and were crossing (in a lit-up cross walk, mind you) and were almost slammed into by a pizza delivery driver. Luckily, I panicked and pushed Lisa a little bit (to give myself some more speed obviously) and her pink water bottle went flying into the air, allowing the punk to see us and promptly hit his brakes. Sorry about that, Lisa.
I'm sure I will learn more about running in the rain, and I'm sure you all have some wonderful tips to share. So share! Share away! Happy wet running!
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