The half marathon is next Saturday so by this time next week, I'll be done (probably in more ways than one). But I think I am actually getting a little excited.
The training plan I have been following had my longest run at 10 miles. But I have found that for me, half the battle in running is mental. I know some people say "if you can run 10 miles, you can run 13." But for me, I feel like 'if I can run 10, then I can run 10.' So I was hoping to try and do a 10-mile and a 12-mile run before the race.
A couple of weeks ago I did a 10-miler and it went better than I thought it would. Last week, I did my first 12-miler! I just decided to take it one mile at a time, trying not to think about how much farther I had to go. It went pretty good for the majority of it - but I did feel like I was slowing down on the 11th mile and then the 12th mile really hurt - pain in muscles that had never hurt before. I decided to just listen to my music and take it slow - my goal was just to keep going without stopping.
I finally made it and was sooo glad to walk again. I walked it out some and then got in the car to head home - then I found out really quickly that I hadn't walked it out enough! My calves started just burning like fire and my calves had never ever hurt after running before. I called Kim when I got home and she told me to ice them so I did the ice bath thing and popped motrin and that helped tremendously.
I'm sure I will get sore at the end next weekend but I feel better just mentally knowing that I have run 12 miles before and just have to go a little bit further this time. Hopefully adrenalin and the sight of the finish line will help me do that last mile!
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Running...
I started back running about a year ago. Running is a term I use loosely, because I'm not really a runner. I mean, I go out and I run, but I still don't feel like a runner. I'm still not very fast but my goal is to just go the distance without stopping.
Anyway, I decided a few months back that I would 'maybe' do the Richmond Half Marathon in November. I said 'maybe' because I wanted to leave the door open for me to back out of it. So I ran through the summer (which is miserable in the heat and humidity) and did a few races the past couple of months.
A few weeks ago, I paid my money and signed up for the half! I can't believe that I am actually paying someone money, a huge chunk of money, to torture myself for 13.1 miles. But since the money is paid, there is no backing out now!
Training has been going pretty good - the distance has increased now. This is my second 20-mile week so we'll see how I feel after Friday morning. I am sort of enjoying it - I really like how I feel after I'm done running but I am starting to enjoy other parts of it as well. I am not normally a morning person so I have been working hard to get my tired self out of the bed at the crack of dawn (actually before the crack of dawn). I listen to my praise music and try to use that time to think and pray. It's been good for me to have that time in the mornings.
So the half is coming up soon - I still wonder if I can do that many miles. But I have a friend who just did her first half (go Kelly) and she is giving me some inspiration!
Until then, the training continues...
Anyway, I decided a few months back that I would 'maybe' do the Richmond Half Marathon in November. I said 'maybe' because I wanted to leave the door open for me to back out of it. So I ran through the summer (which is miserable in the heat and humidity) and did a few races the past couple of months.
A few weeks ago, I paid my money and signed up for the half! I can't believe that I am actually paying someone money, a huge chunk of money, to torture myself for 13.1 miles. But since the money is paid, there is no backing out now!
Training has been going pretty good - the distance has increased now. This is my second 20-mile week so we'll see how I feel after Friday morning. I am sort of enjoying it - I really like how I feel after I'm done running but I am starting to enjoy other parts of it as well. I am not normally a morning person so I have been working hard to get my tired self out of the bed at the crack of dawn (actually before the crack of dawn). I listen to my praise music and try to use that time to think and pray. It's been good for me to have that time in the mornings.
So the half is coming up soon - I still wonder if I can do that many miles. But I have a friend who just did her first half (go Kelly) and she is giving me some inspiration!
Until then, the training continues...
Saturday, April 05, 2008
And We're Done!
Not the most attractive picture but black and white made it look a little bit better. I had on no makeup except mascara and we were running a little behind schedule. And we only took 1 picture ... so there you have it. They took professional ones at the race, but no telling what those will look like since it was misty and raining most of the time.
Well, I met both of my goals. I ran the entire race without stopping and my time was under 1:10. I had 1:07:44 so we'll round down and go with 1:07. That actually put me at a 10:53 mile pace, which is under 11 minutes, even though just barely. They posted other interesting facts on the internet about the racers. I was in about the 12,400th place, which isn't too bad when around 30,000 were in it. That means I did better than 50 % of the people right? It's all about perspective!
Brian did really good and made it in under an hour, around 58 minutes. He was around the 7,500th place or something. It was a fun morning. The weather was misty and raining but I love to run in the rain and that made it much cooler, which is a good thing!
Here's what the winner of the race, Abdi Abdirahman, had to say about the race, “I like this course,” said Abdi. “It’s a flat course, very fast. I’d like to come back and race it again.”
I'd just like to say to Abdi - the course IS flat but it's not the course that's fast - it's YOU that's fast!
The worst part of the day was using the Porta Potty before the race. Do you know you can't flush those things? Eeeew! I think that was my first Porta Potty. Ugh. But I needed to go before I ran since it took us about 30 minutes to get to downtown for the race because I didn't want to experience the Mommy bladder during the race (see the post about the race on November 16).
Brian stayed with me for a bit then headed on to the finish. I was proud of myself as I passed a few people, I mean, who cares if they were 90-year old ladies with walkers? I passed them. And then these little boys that looked like they were 10-years old were passing me! Oh well, pride can be humbled so easily, right?
At least I didn't fall and become the Mary Decker of Chester! (That's for you Lurker!)
Thank you guys for all of your encouragement! Now I am going to rest on the couch and possibly indulge in some birthday cake!
Well, I met both of my goals. I ran the entire race without stopping and my time was under 1:10. I had 1:07:44 so we'll round down and go with 1:07. That actually put me at a 10:53 mile pace, which is under 11 minutes, even though just barely. They posted other interesting facts on the internet about the racers. I was in about the 12,400th place, which isn't too bad when around 30,000 were in it. That means I did better than 50 % of the people right? It's all about perspective!
Brian did really good and made it in under an hour, around 58 minutes. He was around the 7,500th place or something. It was a fun morning. The weather was misty and raining but I love to run in the rain and that made it much cooler, which is a good thing!
Here's what the winner of the race, Abdi Abdirahman, had to say about the race, “I like this course,” said Abdi. “It’s a flat course, very fast. I’d like to come back and race it again.”
I'd just like to say to Abdi - the course IS flat but it's not the course that's fast - it's YOU that's fast!
The worst part of the day was using the Porta Potty before the race. Do you know you can't flush those things? Eeeew! I think that was my first Porta Potty. Ugh. But I needed to go before I ran since it took us about 30 minutes to get to downtown for the race because I didn't want to experience the Mommy bladder during the race (see the post about the race on November 16).
Brian stayed with me for a bit then headed on to the finish. I was proud of myself as I passed a few people, I mean, who cares if they were 90-year old ladies with walkers? I passed them. And then these little boys that looked like they were 10-years old were passing me! Oh well, pride can be humbled so easily, right?
At least I didn't fall and become the Mary Decker of Chester! (That's for you Lurker!)
Thank you guys for all of your encouragement! Now I am going to rest on the couch and possibly indulge in some birthday cake!
Friday, April 04, 2008
Race Day
Well, tomorrow is the BIG race day. The weather is looking like it might rain, but I actually love to run in the rain. But if it rains, the kids will be staying home and not meeting us at the finish! :(
Brian has been saying all along that he wants to stay with me during the race, but I really want him to run his own race and beat his time from last year. Plus if he stays with me, I may feel pressure to run his faster pace and might pass out by mile 3 or 4. So I have been begging him to run his faster race and I'll just bring up the rear! (We'll see what he does but I know deep down he'd love to beat his time from last year, who wouldn't?)
I am excited about tomorrow and a little nervous. I am glad we ran 6 miles 2 weeks ago so I know mentally that I can actually run 6 miles so I am not too nervous about that. I am a little nervous about doing something crazy like bumping into someone and falling down, or making someone else fall down, or needing to spit (I've had some sinus drainage this week, I know - too much info) but the race etiquette says you can spit (or throw up?) during the race, just move to the side before you do so. But what if I accidentally spit on someone? Anyway ... I'll try to keep it all together.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Brian has been saying all along that he wants to stay with me during the race, but I really want him to run his own race and beat his time from last year. Plus if he stays with me, I may feel pressure to run his faster pace and might pass out by mile 3 or 4. So I have been begging him to run his faster race and I'll just bring up the rear! (We'll see what he does but I know deep down he'd love to beat his time from last year, who wouldn't?)
I am excited about tomorrow and a little nervous. I am glad we ran 6 miles 2 weeks ago so I know mentally that I can actually run 6 miles so I am not too nervous about that. I am a little nervous about doing something crazy like bumping into someone and falling down, or making someone else fall down, or needing to spit (I've had some sinus drainage this week, I know - too much info) but the race etiquette says you can spit (or throw up?) during the race, just move to the side before you do so. But what if I accidentally spit on someone? Anyway ... I'll try to keep it all together.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Running Update
Well, the day of the 10-K is almost here! I am so excited! It is crazy to think back to October when I couldn't even run halfway down my street without getting a major cramp in my side and having to stop. All of this hard work has been rewarding. Running has helped me be more disciplined as well as to lose a few pounds.
But running isn't an easy sport. I found that the breathing came pretty easy and I don't usually get too sore - what's hard is the mental side of it. I know that I can run 5 miles and that I have already run 6 miles once, but it is still hard the first 1-2 miles. I always think "this is crazy - why am I doing this?" It seems that I can never get into a good groove until I have gone a couple of miles. But I know that if I just push through the funkiness, I will feel good in the end.
Despite the hard starts, it's nice to have that time alone listening to music on my IPOD. Some of my favorite music is David Crowder Band, mostly his fast songs. (Although I do need to find some more songs because I keep hearing the same old music...)
Brian has been training right along with me each week, although we run on different days so someone is at home with the kids. When my parents were in town a couple of weeks ago, we were able to run together on those mornings and that was fun. I could tell my pace was a little slower than Brian's (I like to pace myself to make sure I don't run out of steam) but he stayed with me the entire time. We also did our 6-mile run together a week and a half ago. It's nice to know going into the race that I can do 6 miles, that makes the mental aspect much easier.
I have a couple goals for Saturday. One is to do the entire race without stopping. The second is to do the race in 1:10 or better. I have been doing about an 11-minute mile on my neighborhood (hilly) route and about a 10-minute mile on the flatter route. So I hope to maintain that same pace on Saturday. We will see how it goes. (I know that is a slow time compared to some people, but considering I had an almost 15-minute mile pace back in January, I think I've come a long way)!
I'll let you know how it goes!
But running isn't an easy sport. I found that the breathing came pretty easy and I don't usually get too sore - what's hard is the mental side of it. I know that I can run 5 miles and that I have already run 6 miles once, but it is still hard the first 1-2 miles. I always think "this is crazy - why am I doing this?" It seems that I can never get into a good groove until I have gone a couple of miles. But I know that if I just push through the funkiness, I will feel good in the end.
Despite the hard starts, it's nice to have that time alone listening to music on my IPOD. Some of my favorite music is David Crowder Band, mostly his fast songs. (Although I do need to find some more songs because I keep hearing the same old music...)
Brian has been training right along with me each week, although we run on different days so someone is at home with the kids. When my parents were in town a couple of weeks ago, we were able to run together on those mornings and that was fun. I could tell my pace was a little slower than Brian's (I like to pace myself to make sure I don't run out of steam) but he stayed with me the entire time. We also did our 6-mile run together a week and a half ago. It's nice to know going into the race that I can do 6 miles, that makes the mental aspect much easier.
I have a couple goals for Saturday. One is to do the entire race without stopping. The second is to do the race in 1:10 or better. I have been doing about an 11-minute mile on my neighborhood (hilly) route and about a 10-minute mile on the flatter route. So I hope to maintain that same pace on Saturday. We will see how it goes. (I know that is a slow time compared to some people, but considering I had an almost 15-minute mile pace back in January, I think I've come a long way)!
I'll let you know how it goes!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Updates
Wow! It's been a while since I've posted. Life has just been ... well, life! I got strep throat a couple of weeks ago and that knocked me out for about 3 days. That means that everything got behind a little and well, you know how that goes.
I had to take it easy that week with running but I got back to the grind last week. A couple of weeks ago I ran my first 5-mile run! I can't believe that. This past Saturday I tried another 5-miler (on a flat route) and I completed it just a couple of minutes behind my husband! But I will have to say that the last mile seemed harder. I'm at the point that I feel pretty good after my 4-mile runs, but after the 5 miles ones I feel a little nauseous!
The 10-K is in about 4 weeks! Should be exciting!
Oh yeah! Kim wants some of us to run a 10-miler in the fall and I agreed before I really thought about it. I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into...
I had to take it easy that week with running but I got back to the grind last week. A couple of weeks ago I ran my first 5-mile run! I can't believe that. This past Saturday I tried another 5-miler (on a flat route) and I completed it just a couple of minutes behind my husband! But I will have to say that the last mile seemed harder. I'm at the point that I feel pretty good after my 4-mile runs, but after the 5 miles ones I feel a little nauseous!
The 10-K is in about 4 weeks! Should be exciting!
Oh yeah! Kim wants some of us to run a 10-miler in the fall and I agreed before I really thought about it. I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Running Update
The running is still going good. I have been consistently running 4 miles about 3 times a week. (Trust me, I'm not saying this to brag ... just to say that miracles still happen!) Twice a week I am doing some cardio on the elliptical and some strength training. It has been encouraging to do this with Brian, knowing there is a goal in site (the 10K in April). The hard part is getting up at 5:45 am 4 days a week (I try to do one of my runs on Saturday so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn).
A funny thing happened on my run this past Saturday. I was getting close to my 1-mile marker and I saw an old man/woman (not sure at this point) up ahead with a big stick in their hand. For some reason this person seemed a little suspicious, maybe it was the stick, or the fact that they were messing with the utility pole beside the street (plus I watch too much Dateline and have an active imagination). So I figured that since this person seemed pretty small, and I wasn't totally exhausted at this point in the run, that I could "take 'em" if they tried anything fishy.
As I approached the person and began to pass, I said "hey". They old woman jumped, screamed and almost knocked my head off with that big stick of hers! The first thought that ran through my mind was "young mother of 4 killed by old woman with stick." But the stick didn't hit me and the old woman apologized for being so jumpy! I told her that was fine, I understood, no problem - (just be careful with that stick)! Needless to say, that got my adrenaline going and I had a little more pep in my step for the rest of the run.
I was telling Brian this story when I got home and Emmie (my 5-year old) was listening (as she always does) to every detail. After I finished she said, "Mommy, an old lady was going to knock your head off with a stick?" Before I could try to explain to her that it was a 'figure of speech', she said "Well, that's wierd!"
A funny thing happened on my run this past Saturday. I was getting close to my 1-mile marker and I saw an old man/woman (not sure at this point) up ahead with a big stick in their hand. For some reason this person seemed a little suspicious, maybe it was the stick, or the fact that they were messing with the utility pole beside the street (plus I watch too much Dateline and have an active imagination). So I figured that since this person seemed pretty small, and I wasn't totally exhausted at this point in the run, that I could "take 'em" if they tried anything fishy.
As I approached the person and began to pass, I said "hey". They old woman jumped, screamed and almost knocked my head off with that big stick of hers! The first thought that ran through my mind was "young mother of 4 killed by old woman with stick." But the stick didn't hit me and the old woman apologized for being so jumpy! I told her that was fine, I understood, no problem - (just be careful with that stick)! Needless to say, that got my adrenaline going and I had a little more pep in my step for the rest of the run.
I was telling Brian this story when I got home and Emmie (my 5-year old) was listening (as she always does) to every detail. After I finished she said, "Mommy, an old lady was going to knock your head off with a stick?" Before I could try to explain to her that it was a 'figure of speech', she said "Well, that's wierd!"
Friday, January 25, 2008
Running Update
Friday before last I ran my first 4 mile run - and I was able to do it go the entire distance without stopping! I was so excited!
Last week I ran 3 miles on Monday, 3 1/2 on Wednesday and 4 more again on Friday morning. The runs have been good. My body feels good while I am doing it - the hard part right now is the COLD! Last Monday morning the temperature was 12 degrees so I waited to run after Brian got home, when it had 'warmed' up to about 30 degrees. Last Friday morning was about 19 degrees - the coldest it has been during an outside run of mine and man oh man it was cold. I have some warm running tights that I borrowed from Kim, which I wore under another pair of pants. I layered shirts and a sweatshirt. I knew I would probably lose the gloves and sweatshirt after the first mile, like I usually do, but those first few minutes are so chilly!
I am from South Georgia and I feel cold all the way in my bones! I think the reason I start to feel good after I have been going about a mile is that everything in my body is FROZEN - so then I don't feel the cold anymore. Those first few minutes, I always start telling myself how crazy this is - especially when I could be in my nice, warm bed ... BUT I have to keep going because we are officially signed up for this 10K on April 5! Some days, it's been hard to keep warm during the day, I think because my bones are still thawing! I am longing for a little bit warmer weather, not hot, just above 25 in the morning, but until then, I guess I'll just bundle up!
This week I ran 4 again this morning. I am going to try 4 a couple more times this week, trying to improve my time. If you have any suggestions for helping me improve my speed, please let me know!!
Last week I ran 3 miles on Monday, 3 1/2 on Wednesday and 4 more again on Friday morning. The runs have been good. My body feels good while I am doing it - the hard part right now is the COLD! Last Monday morning the temperature was 12 degrees so I waited to run after Brian got home, when it had 'warmed' up to about 30 degrees. Last Friday morning was about 19 degrees - the coldest it has been during an outside run of mine and man oh man it was cold. I have some warm running tights that I borrowed from Kim, which I wore under another pair of pants. I layered shirts and a sweatshirt. I knew I would probably lose the gloves and sweatshirt after the first mile, like I usually do, but those first few minutes are so chilly!
I am from South Georgia and I feel cold all the way in my bones! I think the reason I start to feel good after I have been going about a mile is that everything in my body is FROZEN - so then I don't feel the cold anymore. Those first few minutes, I always start telling myself how crazy this is - especially when I could be in my nice, warm bed ... BUT I have to keep going because we are officially signed up for this 10K on April 5! Some days, it's been hard to keep warm during the day, I think because my bones are still thawing! I am longing for a little bit warmer weather, not hot, just above 25 in the morning, but until then, I guess I'll just bundle up!
This week I ran 4 again this morning. I am going to try 4 a couple more times this week, trying to improve my time. If you have any suggestions for helping me improve my speed, please let me know!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Running Update
Last week was a great week for running. The temperature was nice in the mornings, just a t-shirt and some jogging pants.
This week has been a little chilly for these South Georgia bones! The temp has been in the 20's in the mornings, but I have persevered ... knowing I have to keep going so I can keep up with Brian in the 10K. But man oh man it is cold out there! Next week it is supposed to dip into the teens in the mornings and I won't be able to do that. So, I will have to do the elliptical or run in the evenings when it is a tad warmer.
So far, things are going good. Everything is getting easier although I am still pretty slow, but at least it's consistently slow. I can do 3 miles pretty easily now and hope to try for 4 before the week is over. But I did have one minor accident last week. There is one portion of the road that doesn't have much of a shoulder and for some reason my left foot stepped off the road and went down into the leaves about a foot. So of course, I fall on my right knee and bang it up pretty good. But my injured pride got me up really fast, especially since a big tow truck was driving by at the same time. I'm sure he had a good laugh on his way to work that morning! Oh well - you know what they say, 'no pain, no gain'.
This week has been a little chilly for these South Georgia bones! The temp has been in the 20's in the mornings, but I have persevered ... knowing I have to keep going so I can keep up with Brian in the 10K. But man oh man it is cold out there! Next week it is supposed to dip into the teens in the mornings and I won't be able to do that. So, I will have to do the elliptical or run in the evenings when it is a tad warmer.
So far, things are going good. Everything is getting easier although I am still pretty slow, but at least it's consistently slow. I can do 3 miles pretty easily now and hope to try for 4 before the week is over. But I did have one minor accident last week. There is one portion of the road that doesn't have much of a shoulder and for some reason my left foot stepped off the road and went down into the leaves about a foot. So of course, I fall on my right knee and bang it up pretty good. But my injured pride got me up really fast, especially since a big tow truck was driving by at the same time. I'm sure he had a good laugh on his way to work that morning! Oh well - you know what they say, 'no pain, no gain'.
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