Week 7
Total Miles: 19.0
Long Run: 7 miles
This week I was pretty on target with all the training workouts despite the insane heat and humidity. I hate to wish summer away, but I cannot wait until the cooler temps that fall will bring! I just think it will make running so much easier!
So, this whole running thing has really made a huge impact on my feet. My feet aren't pretty to begin with. I was sadly blessed with what I would refer to as Hobbit feet. It's never really bothered me though, I mean, they are feet. How much time does one really spend looking at them? However, running has taken them to Ugly Troll Feet status. From calluses on my toes and heals to the blisters that have just popped up, they are now hideous. I shouldn't even complain about them. Tim has lost toenails because of running! That has not happened to me yet! Thank goodness!
The long run was actually harder for me this week. Honestly, if it wasn't for my running buddies (Leah, Jaime & Tim- you guys are awesome!) I am not so sure I would have done it. I just could not wait for it to be over with! The last 2 miles felt like I was running in sand. Mentally, I was thinking, "How in the flip am I going to be able to run more than this?!" It was terrible. I know it's hot outside, and that is making an impact, but it's just frustrating. When I have a crappy run, I just question myself and let the fears seep in: being last, being slow, looking like a wet rat (this is more of a reality than a fear), not finishing... Tim tries to tell me to trust the training and not worry about all of those things. I never said I wanted to run 13.1 miles as fast as I could! I just want to finish it!
And after I accomplish that, I am getting a darn pedicure!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sweaty Betty
Week 7 (Modified)
Total Miles: 14.76
Long Run: 7.75
My goodness it was crazy hot this past week! Heat indexes were above 110 for almost 3 days in a row! Crazy. This meant I would be running at the Rec. Ugh. I'm not sure if there is anyway to make running less fun, well, maybe a treadmill. Running around the rec makes me insanely aware of every single second. I look at my watch constantly and I even get annoyed with the music that pops up on my mp3 player. It makes me terribly cranky. Poor Tim. He deserves an award for putting up with me!
I realize I have a lot of complaints when it comes to running. Heat, chafing, etc. Running seems to make me a whiner. So, this weeks annoyance is sweating. Man, I am a hot mess when I run! Just call me Sweaty Betty. As I was running at the Rec, I saw the sweat just flinging off of me! Disgusting! The sweat gets in my eyes, even in my ears! Even after I am done running, I am still a dripping mess, sometimes even hours later, I still have a layer of shine to me. I am not sure how I will look after 13.1 miles, but I am pretty sure it will not be pretty!
Regardless of the heat and sweat, Tim & I still met up with Leah and Jaime for our long run on Saturday. We weren't sure how far to go because we all had off weeks. In the end, we went a little over 7.5 miles, which means I'm getting closer to being back up to the 8 mile mark I had previously ran over a month ago. I'm actually feeling a lot better about increasing the miles now that I've been running with them. Just setting up a time to meet with them, makes it easier to do the run. They are awesome!
So, next week is a new week. My goal is to be more positive, less grumpy and more appreciative for the friends and family that inspire and encourage me. Without them, I wouldn't have even started this journey.
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Total Miles: 14.76
Long Run: 7.75
My goodness it was crazy hot this past week! Heat indexes were above 110 for almost 3 days in a row! Crazy. This meant I would be running at the Rec. Ugh. I'm not sure if there is anyway to make running less fun, well, maybe a treadmill. Running around the rec makes me insanely aware of every single second. I look at my watch constantly and I even get annoyed with the music that pops up on my mp3 player. It makes me terribly cranky. Poor Tim. He deserves an award for putting up with me!
I realize I have a lot of complaints when it comes to running. Heat, chafing, etc. Running seems to make me a whiner. So, this weeks annoyance is sweating. Man, I am a hot mess when I run! Just call me Sweaty Betty. As I was running at the Rec, I saw the sweat just flinging off of me! Disgusting! The sweat gets in my eyes, even in my ears! Even after I am done running, I am still a dripping mess, sometimes even hours later, I still have a layer of shine to me. I am not sure how I will look after 13.1 miles, but I am pretty sure it will not be pretty!
Regardless of the heat and sweat, Tim & I still met up with Leah and Jaime for our long run on Saturday. We weren't sure how far to go because we all had off weeks. In the end, we went a little over 7.5 miles, which means I'm getting closer to being back up to the 8 mile mark I had previously ran over a month ago. I'm actually feeling a lot better about increasing the miles now that I've been running with them. Just setting up a time to meet with them, makes it easier to do the run. They are awesome!
So, next week is a new week. My goal is to be more positive, less grumpy and more appreciative for the friends and family that inspire and encourage me. Without them, I wouldn't have even started this journey.
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Friction Sucks
Week 6 (Modified)
(So, last week, I was wrong and actually did Week 5 of the training plan. This week, I did a modified version of the Week 6. Oops.)
Total Miles: 20 miles
Longest Distance: 6.67 miles
This week was a much better running week for me. I was more focused on my workouts and less of a whiner about them. Because of the holiday on Monday, I did get an extra run in because I didn't have my usual Zumba Tone workout that day.
So, the biggest issue I seem to be having with running is finding appropriate running clothes. And by appropriate, I mean I need shorts that won't freakin' ride up or cause horribly painful chafing on my darn thighs! I have never been comfortable wearing shorts when exercising, but with all the running and the heat, I have no other option. Capris just aren't cutting it. However, my luck with shorts has "rubbed me the wrong way" (I'm hilarious, I know). Friction sucks. In order to reign in my "thunder thighs," I am now forced to wear compression shorts under my running shorts. This is just annoying to me. I know I shouldn't care what I look like when I am running, but I do. It's like I'm still the fat girl trying to wear clothes that I shouldn't be wearing. I try to remind myself that 3 years ago, running wasn't even something I could do--heck, I didn't even WANT to do it--so I shouldn't be stressing about how I look. I am running. Period. Although, running comfortably would be nice!
I ran with Jaime for my long run this week. (We missed you, Leah!) We ran a little over 6.5 miles at a pretty slow & steady pace. I felt pretty good about the run because I wasn't completely drained after. I felt like I still had some go left in me. I am trying to focus on distance, but I can't lie and say I am not concerned with speed or time. I have this irrational fear of being the last person to cross the finish line. I know it's silly to think like that. I am hoping with time (and increase distances) my confidence will improve.
Heck, at this point if I can just run the 13.1 miles without my thighs rubbing off, I will be happy! :P
"A lot of people think they look slow, or fat, or sweaty. Don't let any of that stop you. Among runners, you are golden." Kara Goucher, Olympic Runner
(So, last week, I was wrong and actually did Week 5 of the training plan. This week, I did a modified version of the Week 6. Oops.)
Total Miles: 20 miles
Longest Distance: 6.67 miles
This week was a much better running week for me. I was more focused on my workouts and less of a whiner about them. Because of the holiday on Monday, I did get an extra run in because I didn't have my usual Zumba Tone workout that day.
So, the biggest issue I seem to be having with running is finding appropriate running clothes. And by appropriate, I mean I need shorts that won't freakin' ride up or cause horribly painful chafing on my darn thighs! I have never been comfortable wearing shorts when exercising, but with all the running and the heat, I have no other option. Capris just aren't cutting it. However, my luck with shorts has "rubbed me the wrong way" (I'm hilarious, I know). Friction sucks. In order to reign in my "thunder thighs," I am now forced to wear compression shorts under my running shorts. This is just annoying to me. I know I shouldn't care what I look like when I am running, but I do. It's like I'm still the fat girl trying to wear clothes that I shouldn't be wearing. I try to remind myself that 3 years ago, running wasn't even something I could do--heck, I didn't even WANT to do it--so I shouldn't be stressing about how I look. I am running. Period. Although, running comfortably would be nice!
I ran with Jaime for my long run this week. (We missed you, Leah!) We ran a little over 6.5 miles at a pretty slow & steady pace. I felt pretty good about the run because I wasn't completely drained after. I felt like I still had some go left in me. I am trying to focus on distance, but I can't lie and say I am not concerned with speed or time. I have this irrational fear of being the last person to cross the finish line. I know it's silly to think like that. I am hoping with time (and increase distances) my confidence will improve.
Heck, at this point if I can just run the 13.1 miles without my thighs rubbing off, I will be happy! :P
"A lot of people think they look slow, or fat, or sweaty. Don't let any of that stop you. Among runners, you are golden." Kara Goucher, Olympic Runner
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Moving forward...
Week 6 of Training
(I started Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training awhile back. Before I went on vacation, I finished up Week 8. I am now going back to Week 6 just to get my mental confidence back.)
Total Miles: 16.91 miles
Longest Distance: 6 miles
Apparently going on vacation has made more of an impact on my motivation than I first thought. This past week has been HARD, both physically and mentally. Honestly, I think the mental aspect of running is what really messes me up. All it takes is one negative thought:
"This is stupid, why are you doing this?"
Yep, that is what got to me on Tuesday when I was running. I thought I could handle pushing myself in the heat, but soon found that I was gravely mistaken. For the first time in my short running life, I got sick. By sick, I mean I yakked. Yep, I will not be snacking on baby carrots for awhile. After spewing orange chunks (sorry for the visual), I decided that I was done. Some people may have felt better after throwing up, but all it did to me was piss me off and made me question the whole point of it.
Of course, I felt guilty when I got back home. Then Tim shows up after running a trillion miles and still smiling. I talked to him about how crappy running has been lately and he assured me that even he, Roadrunner Rock Star, has bad days. I just need to make a point to not let them get too me and just move forward.
On a happy note, my long run this week was great! Tim & I met his sister, Leah, and cousin, Jaime, to run on Saturday morning. They have signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and have also recently gotten into running. Running with them made me realize how awesome it is to run with folks that are having the same struggles, but continue to move forward. Jaime rolled her ankle the night before and still got up before 6am to run 6 miles. Leah has been battling blisters on her feet because of running, and there she was, bright-eyed and ready to knock out the miles. As we ran, we talked about how exciting the race is going to be, the problems we are having, the miles we still have to go...
Thirteen point one miles. Nuts. When I really think about it, I honestly can't wait. It's going to be awesome.
(I started Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training awhile back. Before I went on vacation, I finished up Week 8. I am now going back to Week 6 just to get my mental confidence back.)
Total Miles: 16.91 miles
Longest Distance: 6 miles
Apparently going on vacation has made more of an impact on my motivation than I first thought. This past week has been HARD, both physically and mentally. Honestly, I think the mental aspect of running is what really messes me up. All it takes is one negative thought:
"This is stupid, why are you doing this?"
Yep, that is what got to me on Tuesday when I was running. I thought I could handle pushing myself in the heat, but soon found that I was gravely mistaken. For the first time in my short running life, I got sick. By sick, I mean I yakked. Yep, I will not be snacking on baby carrots for awhile. After spewing orange chunks (sorry for the visual), I decided that I was done. Some people may have felt better after throwing up, but all it did to me was piss me off and made me question the whole point of it.
Of course, I felt guilty when I got back home. Then Tim shows up after running a trillion miles and still smiling. I talked to him about how crappy running has been lately and he assured me that even he, Roadrunner Rock Star, has bad days. I just need to make a point to not let them get too me and just move forward.
On a happy note, my long run this week was great! Tim & I met his sister, Leah, and cousin, Jaime, to run on Saturday morning. They have signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and have also recently gotten into running. Running with them made me realize how awesome it is to run with folks that are having the same struggles, but continue to move forward. Jaime rolled her ankle the night before and still got up before 6am to run 6 miles. Leah has been battling blisters on her feet because of running, and there she was, bright-eyed and ready to knock out the miles. As we ran, we talked about how exciting the race is going to be, the problems we are having, the miles we still have to go...
Thirteen point one miles. Nuts. When I really think about it, I honestly can't wait. It's going to be awesome.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Because I Can
So, even though the longest distance I had ever run in my life was 3.5 miles, I decided back in January that I wanted to run a half marathon. I'm not sure what I was thinking at the time. I never really enjoyed running. I participate in 5k races and I find those fun, but I'm not competitive and I run pretty darn slow compared to most folks in my age group. I don't really like how red my face gets when I run, and I won't even tell you how gross sweating is. So, why decide to do a half? Why put myself through long training runs?
Because I can.
You see, about 4 years ago I was 60 plus pounds heavier than I am now. Walking 3 miles killed me. The thought of running was laughable. In 2008, the hubs and I decided to do the Couch to 5k training as a way to exercise together. Tim took to it like it was his destiny. I, on the other hand, did it just because if I didn't, I would have to find some other torturous exercise to replace it with. It took me over 6 months to actually complete the program. I would run for a few weeks, then get annoyed and stop for several weeks. I would watch Tim just run circles around the rec track. How could he love doing something so boring? Eventually, I picked a 5k to sign up for and forced myself to stick to the program. In March of 2009, I ran my first 5k in 35:24. I felt like a rock star!
I'd like to be able to say that after that, I loved running, but I did not. I still did 5k races and would run at least a few times a week, but I was never as serious as Tim was. I was jealous of him. I wanted to feel as awesome as he did after accomplishing a goal that took him months to train for. So, when I saw that there was going to be a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in St. Louis, I decided I would go for the half. We signed up really early so I would have plenty of time to start/stop my training and would already have made the monetary commitment. No backing out now!
And here I am. Training for my first half marathon and I'm actually enjoying it. I'm not the fastest runner, in fact, I am pretty slow. But that doesn't bother me much. I figure as long my two legs are moving, I'm all good. See, that is the great thing about running: anyone can do it. It doesn't matter how big or small, fast or slow- it's just one foot in front of the other.
I can do this. I WILL do this.
Because I can.
You see, about 4 years ago I was 60 plus pounds heavier than I am now. Walking 3 miles killed me. The thought of running was laughable. In 2008, the hubs and I decided to do the Couch to 5k training as a way to exercise together. Tim took to it like it was his destiny. I, on the other hand, did it just because if I didn't, I would have to find some other torturous exercise to replace it with. It took me over 6 months to actually complete the program. I would run for a few weeks, then get annoyed and stop for several weeks. I would watch Tim just run circles around the rec track. How could he love doing something so boring? Eventually, I picked a 5k to sign up for and forced myself to stick to the program. In March of 2009, I ran my first 5k in 35:24. I felt like a rock star!
I'd like to be able to say that after that, I loved running, but I did not. I still did 5k races and would run at least a few times a week, but I was never as serious as Tim was. I was jealous of him. I wanted to feel as awesome as he did after accomplishing a goal that took him months to train for. So, when I saw that there was going to be a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in St. Louis, I decided I would go for the half. We signed up really early so I would have plenty of time to start/stop my training and would already have made the monetary commitment. No backing out now!
And here I am. Training for my first half marathon and I'm actually enjoying it. I'm not the fastest runner, in fact, I am pretty slow. But that doesn't bother me much. I figure as long my two legs are moving, I'm all good. See, that is the great thing about running: anyone can do it. It doesn't matter how big or small, fast or slow- it's just one foot in front of the other.
I can do this. I WILL do this.
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