Hey everyone! Believe it or not this blog is not to tell you that I have been failing in my training, or even slacking off. I have kept to my half-marathon training schedule and should be rocking and rolling in Seattle on June 25th! It's very exciting, but for some reason it seemed a little bit less tedious to train last year. Maybe because running was so new to me and now I'm some kind of one-half-marathon veteran? Perhaps as Dr.Phil would say, "This aint my first Rodeo". Either way, I'm sure I'll get that exciting running bug soon.
I have been following a strict diet and doing a ton of strength and cross-training and have lost 22 pounds since February. This has cut my miles down to about 10 minutes or so. If you know me - the former slowest runner in history - you would be amazed. It's like my body wont LET me run really slowly anymore. I ran 6 miles the other day in a just a little over an hour. Go me!
On another note, I think we should all reflect on how fun short races are! 5ks, 10ks, etc. They are a great opportunity to build your speed, improve your time, make new friends, and hang yet another race shirt in your closet. Might I suggest a fantastic race in my area?
City Blast 5k/10k is a race put on by Puyallup Foursquare Church on July 4th, 2011. Can you think of a better day to take on an easy-breezy and fun race than on the Fourth of July? I know! Me neither! There are a ton of cool activities after the race, not to mention it gives you a reason to check out beautiful little Puyallup (for something other than that thing that clogs up traffic for two weeks in September). The proceeds benefit the Strong Kids Campaign of the YMCA. Don't want to run but love to hear about other folks running? Well, help to sponsor the gathering! I will be running in the race and I hope I will see you there!
I promise to get better about updating the blog.... and you folks get better about letting me know what is going on on YOUR race schedule!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sometimes Life Really Does Get in the Way of Running....
Gracious. I am a bad, bad blogger. You see, I have all these small people constantly running around me asking for things and screaming. Then, there is this bigger person who wants meals cooked when he comes home from work and even asks me to keep our house sanitary. These crazy people have been keeping me from the beautiful, blog-reading community. I apologize and will have a talk with them (especially that little one who is always asking for milk) very soon.
So as you all know I registered to run the Rock and Roll Seattle Marathon in June. Not the half - the full. I have now decided to run the half - not the full. Why? I wont lie to you guys... my right leg fell off. I'm not sure what happened.. probably all of those 20 mile training runs. Anyway, my left leg is still perfectly intact so I can bust out the half-marathon on June 25th, don't worry.
Ok, that wasn't nice. I mean no disrespect to anyone with only one leg. I'm sure there are quite a few people that have finished a full marathon with one leg - yet both of my legs are still alive and kicking, and I'm just not ready.
I simply don't have the time for the long training runs. I really don't. I have been beating myself up about it so much and I really think for my own sanity, and for the sake of my family needing clean underwear and food in the refrigerator, I am raising my white flag. Maybe next year, eh?
On another (less pitiful) note, I am doing that P90x I have heard so much about. I have said before, I know I could run so much faster if I weren't a miniature cow and if I had stronger muscles in my core. I'll tell you something, blog-reader, it's working. In three weeks I have lost 11 lbs and cut a full minute off of my usual mile. The other day I ran 4 miles in about 40 minutes. That is wild for me. I used to be proud of a 12 minute mile. So I'm going to keep going with that and the half-marathon training schedule and keep everyone posted.
What are you all up to? What races do you have coming up? Do you think because I decided not to run the full marathon in June I am a loser and a quitter?
So as you all know I registered to run the Rock and Roll Seattle Marathon in June. Not the half - the full. I have now decided to run the half - not the full. Why? I wont lie to you guys... my right leg fell off. I'm not sure what happened.. probably all of those 20 mile training runs. Anyway, my left leg is still perfectly intact so I can bust out the half-marathon on June 25th, don't worry.
Ok, that wasn't nice. I mean no disrespect to anyone with only one leg. I'm sure there are quite a few people that have finished a full marathon with one leg - yet both of my legs are still alive and kicking, and I'm just not ready.
I simply don't have the time for the long training runs. I really don't. I have been beating myself up about it so much and I really think for my own sanity, and for the sake of my family needing clean underwear and food in the refrigerator, I am raising my white flag. Maybe next year, eh?
On another (less pitiful) note, I am doing that P90x I have heard so much about. I have said before, I know I could run so much faster if I weren't a miniature cow and if I had stronger muscles in my core. I'll tell you something, blog-reader, it's working. In three weeks I have lost 11 lbs and cut a full minute off of my usual mile. The other day I ran 4 miles in about 40 minutes. That is wild for me. I used to be proud of a 12 minute mile. So I'm going to keep going with that and the half-marathon training schedule and keep everyone posted.
What are you all up to? What races do you have coming up? Do you think because I decided not to run the full marathon in June I am a loser and a quitter?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Latest on my Training and Such
Well hello there. Sorry it has taken me so long to update but I was really sick for a while and some other issues have come into play. I think I complained to you all earlier about my super tight calf muscle. I thought it was okay after I rested for over a week with the ol' bronchitis, but it's back. This is no good.
Let me back-track a bit. The last time I wrote I think I was asking for advice regarding whether or not I should have gone ahead and run the St.Patty's Day Run in Tacoma. Although every piece of advice I recieved was discouraging me from going ahead with the race, the rebel in me made me do it anyway. It actually turned out okay. I didn't get any more sick than I already was, and beat last year's time by over a minute. I did however stay sick for about a week or so after the race so I don't think running improved my health at all. So that was that.
I have tried to go running 4 or 5 times since then and every time I have another stinking issue that makes me dread the running. Usually it's my calves tightening up (and yes I stretch a ton) or my body is just super exhausted. I am probably still a little bit sick, but I also lost a lot of conditioning. UGH. We are what, 15 weeks from the Rock and Roll Marathon? My epic, first, life-changing marathon?
On to other things... for cross-training and to improve my strength, I have been doing that P90X every morning, and following it's nutrition plan. This is more my husband's idea because he wants to get "ripped" but I figure it's good bonding time and will help me shed some unwanted pounds, hopefully improving my running performance. It's really hard and making me really grouchy, but it isn't always easy to be a sexy beast, ya know? Yeah.. I don't either.
So I figure I'm gonna try to follow my training schedule this week and really force myself to get the miles in. This will include a 10 mile run on Sunday. If I can't get caught up by next week, I may have to change my registration to the half-marathon. And I will be sad.
Let me back-track a bit. The last time I wrote I think I was asking for advice regarding whether or not I should have gone ahead and run the St.Patty's Day Run in Tacoma. Although every piece of advice I recieved was discouraging me from going ahead with the race, the rebel in me made me do it anyway. It actually turned out okay. I didn't get any more sick than I already was, and beat last year's time by over a minute. I did however stay sick for about a week or so after the race so I don't think running improved my health at all. So that was that.
I have tried to go running 4 or 5 times since then and every time I have another stinking issue that makes me dread the running. Usually it's my calves tightening up (and yes I stretch a ton) or my body is just super exhausted. I am probably still a little bit sick, but I also lost a lot of conditioning. UGH. We are what, 15 weeks from the Rock and Roll Marathon? My epic, first, life-changing marathon?
On to other things... for cross-training and to improve my strength, I have been doing that P90X every morning, and following it's nutrition plan. This is more my husband's idea because he wants to get "ripped" but I figure it's good bonding time and will help me shed some unwanted pounds, hopefully improving my running performance. It's really hard and making me really grouchy, but it isn't always easy to be a sexy beast, ya know? Yeah.. I don't either.
So I figure I'm gonna try to follow my training schedule this week and really force myself to get the miles in. This will include a 10 mile run on Sunday. If I can't get caught up by next week, I may have to change my registration to the half-marathon. And I will be sad.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Running with Bronchitis
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?
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?
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.
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