I'd like to run every day. Every blessed day.
I love to run. I love how it makes my head clear. I love how it makes my body tired. My muscles strong. My confidence bloom.
Post marathon, my next plan will be to add a 4th, then 5th, running day each week. I want the run more often. 3 days a week no longer satisfies me.
I would just love to be able to run every day without getting hurt.
I am finding that I don't have a place anywhere that I can talk about my running aspirations and ideas while fitting in. I am sure other runners feel emotional about running like I do, but I sure don't hear about it much. I feel like a gushy new mom, or a girl in first love. I just want to talk about it all the time, drool about it, plan it . . . and at best, I am boring the socks off of all the innocent bystanders. At worst, I am irritating them or offending them.
So, I've decided to do this gushing over here on my blog from now on instead of anywhere else. I figure that noone needs to read this unless the come here on purpose, so I can say whatever I want. If you don't want to hear it, then, by all means, please go read something else!
40 more hours until my next scheduled run, but I am really not 100% sure I can wait that long. I am really, really tempted to do my week's long run tomorrow instead of waiting until Saturday. But, then I'd just be delaying the inevitable, because then there'd need to be 3 days before the NEXT run, since next (training) week doesn't start until Monday. Damn.
I really need to run. Right now. At least tomorrow. Damn.
And, I have to say . . . I really love vinyasa yoga, especially hot yoga, and especially tonight's class since it was 75 min instead of 60 min. But, really, the yoga mellow still only lasts a couple hours for me. A run mellow, now that'll do me for 24 hours for sure. I need my fix. I want my fix.
I want to run. Every. Damn. Day.
Couch2MarathonMom
Friday, April 6, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Best. Run. EVER!! 19 miles of perfection!
I want to put this run report here because I never want to forget his run.
It was 19 miles of perfection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weather was good -- mid to upper 50s but cloudy. Great temps for me.
I fueled well, with gels at miles 3, 8, and 14.5, plus a clif blok at mile 10. Gatorade for hydration (40 oz) plus two enduralyte capsules (miles 10ish and 15ish). Seemed just right.
Quick potty and water refilling stops (2-4 min each) at miles 3.5, 7, and 12.5. I had planned to stop again at mile 16.5, but didn't need anything, and was just wanting to keep rolling on, so that I did.
19.01 miles 3:31:45 total time (11:08 mm avg pace, 87 avg cadence, 171 avg HR)
1: 11:20
2: 11:40
3: 11:27
4: 11:17 first half, then 11:47 second half (accidentally hit lap button when I was in the bathrooom, oops)
5: 11:40
6: 11:32
7:11:33
8: 11:34
9: 11:39
10: 11:39
11: 11:42
12: 11:27
13: 11:22
14: 11:11
15: 11:14
16: 10:42
17: 10:23
18: 9:28
19: 8:34
My heart rate was strangely high the entire run, avg 171, and, even stranger, it didn't go higher when I sped up. Mile avg HR ranged from 168-178, but it didn't track my speed at all, lol. My 8:34 final mile had one of my lowest HRs -- 169. If anything it went lower when I sped up. I felt more tired and like I was working harder when I sped up, but my HR didn't go up. Strange stuff. Whatever. My heart is a funny thing on many levels, lol.
Legs felt pretty solid. Left knee was achey for a while -- maybe miles 2-12, but it never got bad, and it actually felt fine by the last 5 miles. My right calf felt a bit tight most of the run, but it didn't cause problems. My right piriformis (yes, my ass) was probably my worst pain, and it was a bit achey for much of the run, but it wasn't bad. Nothing interfered with my run or gait.
My husband, Steve, joined me at mile 4.5 for the remaining 14.5 miles of the run. He had some piriformis troubles early on, and got pretty pissy a few miles into it when he was in pain and contemplating bailing out, but he shook it off and kept moving. Neither he nor I was sure if he was going to do the full 14.5 until mile 10 when he decided to not go back to his car (when we passed it on the return route of the outnback), but he was feeling well enough to continue. He pulled it out, and completed his miles. He's twingey now, but not too bad, so we'll see how the next 24 hours treat him (and me, lol). He was so grumpy when he was in pain and considering quitting, and I was afraid to say the wrong thing, so I pretty much let him run his own run, and he put on a brave face and was pretty cheerful after that couple grumpy miles. We chatted a bit every once in a while, and ran close to eachother, but not really together, as he'd run faster, then walk more, whereas I just kept plugging away. And, then those last 4-5 miles, I kinda' kicked up my heels and flew back to the car, whereas he kicked it up a bit, too, but not so much as I did. I was kinda' depressed miles 6-13 when I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to complete his run, and knowing there was nothing I could do or say to make it any better. Once I knew he was going to complete his run, I felt a lot more cheerful. Plus, every additional mile past 13, when I wasn't hitting a wall, it was such a milestone. I fear the miles past 13 since on those two 17 milers the last miles were so brutal. But, this time, just like the 18 miler, the wall never came, and I just got happier and happier as I realized that the curtain was NOT descending!
Some great songs came on the playlist around mile 15-18, and I did quite a bit of trail dancing while running. I'm not talking just a little hand wave or humming. I'm talking air-drumming to REM and full body jumping, loud singing, major hip wiggling, all-out dancing like a lunatic while still running down the trail. This lasted at least a mile or three, sporadically. That was when I was speeding up more and more, lol. I must also disclose that these miles were not on a desolate trail. Rather, they were on one of the busier sections of the trail, just outside of town. I was passing innocent pedestrians at least very quarter mile. It didn't phase me one bit. I am wondering if THIS is what they mean by runner's high?
So, anyway, around mile 18, I was getting tempted to add an extra mile at the end. I figured if I didn't keep speeding up, I'd surely have enough juice to do the full 20. I argued with myself for a while about it, and then I couldn't resist speeding up more and more, so I eventually argued myself out of adding the 20th mile.
Dh trotted up (also having sped up and doing about 10:15 mm for the last few miles) a few minutes after I arrived at the trail head, which was fortunately in a more isolated area, because apparently the runner's high was still in effect, and I flashed him, as he was approaching the car.
I am applying ice. I have clean compression socks in place. I will likely take some advil the next time I get off the couch.
I am very hopeful for a good recovery, as I know I did a good number on my poor body today, but, man alive, it was FUN and SO worth it!
My yoga teacher & Bowen Work therapist sent me a tiny bottle of peppermint essential oil for energy. (She gave it to my husband when he was having his first session right before the run.) I sniffed it a few times, and put a smear on my hand so that I could sniff at will. It really did smell great and give me some energy. I think I'll use it in future runs, too.
An old friend (my sweetheart from 6th grade, lol), who I am facebook friends with, gave me a good mantra that I used a lot today, "Don't think. Just run." I used that many times when I started worrying about my husband or myself or the coming miles. It really was very helpful.
Happy running, everybody!!
It was 19 miles of perfection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weather was good -- mid to upper 50s but cloudy. Great temps for me.
I fueled well, with gels at miles 3, 8, and 14.5, plus a clif blok at mile 10. Gatorade for hydration (40 oz) plus two enduralyte capsules (miles 10ish and 15ish). Seemed just right.
Quick potty and water refilling stops (2-4 min each) at miles 3.5, 7, and 12.5. I had planned to stop again at mile 16.5, but didn't need anything, and was just wanting to keep rolling on, so that I did.
19.01 miles 3:31:45 total time (11:08 mm avg pace, 87 avg cadence, 171 avg HR)
1: 11:20
2: 11:40
3: 11:27
4: 11:17 first half, then 11:47 second half (accidentally hit lap button when I was in the bathrooom, oops)
5: 11:40
6: 11:32
7:11:33
8: 11:34
9: 11:39
10: 11:39
11: 11:42
12: 11:27
13: 11:22
14: 11:11
15: 11:14
16: 10:42
17: 10:23
18: 9:28
19: 8:34
My heart rate was strangely high the entire run, avg 171, and, even stranger, it didn't go higher when I sped up. Mile avg HR ranged from 168-178, but it didn't track my speed at all, lol. My 8:34 final mile had one of my lowest HRs -- 169. If anything it went lower when I sped up. I felt more tired and like I was working harder when I sped up, but my HR didn't go up. Strange stuff. Whatever. My heart is a funny thing on many levels, lol.
Legs felt pretty solid. Left knee was achey for a while -- maybe miles 2-12, but it never got bad, and it actually felt fine by the last 5 miles. My right calf felt a bit tight most of the run, but it didn't cause problems. My right piriformis (yes, my ass) was probably my worst pain, and it was a bit achey for much of the run, but it wasn't bad. Nothing interfered with my run or gait.
My husband, Steve, joined me at mile 4.5 for the remaining 14.5 miles of the run. He had some piriformis troubles early on, and got pretty pissy a few miles into it when he was in pain and contemplating bailing out, but he shook it off and kept moving. Neither he nor I was sure if he was going to do the full 14.5 until mile 10 when he decided to not go back to his car (when we passed it on the return route of the outnback), but he was feeling well enough to continue. He pulled it out, and completed his miles. He's twingey now, but not too bad, so we'll see how the next 24 hours treat him (and me, lol). He was so grumpy when he was in pain and considering quitting, and I was afraid to say the wrong thing, so I pretty much let him run his own run, and he put on a brave face and was pretty cheerful after that couple grumpy miles. We chatted a bit every once in a while, and ran close to eachother, but not really together, as he'd run faster, then walk more, whereas I just kept plugging away. And, then those last 4-5 miles, I kinda' kicked up my heels and flew back to the car, whereas he kicked it up a bit, too, but not so much as I did. I was kinda' depressed miles 6-13 when I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to complete his run, and knowing there was nothing I could do or say to make it any better. Once I knew he was going to complete his run, I felt a lot more cheerful.
Plus, every additional mile past 13, when I wasn't hitting a wall, it was such a milestone. I fear the miles past 13 since on those two 17 milers the last miles were so brutal. But, this time, just like the 18 miler, the wall never came, and I just got happier and happier as I realized that the curtain was NOT descending! Some great songs came on the playlist around mile 15-18, and I did quite a bit of trail dancing while running. I'm not talking just a little hand wave or humming. I'm talking air-drumming to REM and full body jumping, loud singing, major hip wiggling, all-out dancing like a lunatic while still running down the trail. This lasted at least a mile or three, sporadically. That was when I was speeding up more and more, lol. I must also disclose that these miles were not on a desolate trail. Rather, they were on one of the busier sections of the trail, just outside of town. I was passing innocent pedestrians at least very quarter mile. It didn't phase me one bit. I am wondering if THIS is what they mean by runner's high?
So, anyway, around mile 18, I was getting tempted to add an extra mile at the end. I figured if I didn't keep speeding up, I'd surely have enough juice to do the full 20. I argued with myself for a while about it, and then I couldn't resist speeding up more and more, so I eventually argued myself out of adding the 20th mile.
Dh trotted up (also having sped up and doing about 10:15 mm for the last few miles) a few minutes after I arrived at the trail head, which was fortunately in a more isolated area, because apparently the runner's high was still in effect, and I flashed him, as he was approaching the car.
I am applying ice. I have clean compression socks in place. I will likely take some advil the next time I get off the couch.
I am very hopeful for a good recovery, as I know I did a good number on my poor body today, but, man alive, it was FUN and SO worth it!
My yoga teacher & Bowen Work therapist sent me a tiny bottle of peppermint essential oil for energy. (She gave it to my husband when he was having his first session right before the run.) I sniffed it a few times, and put a smear on my hand so that I could sniff at will. It really did smell great and give me some energy. I think I'll use it in future runs, too.
An old friend (my sweetheart from 6th grade, lol), who I am facebook friends with, gave me a good mantra that I used a lot today, "Don't think. Just run." I used that many times when I started worrying about my husband or myself or the coming miles. It really was very helpful.
Happy running, everybody!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Valentine to my Running Sweetheart
I know exactly how incredibly fortunate I am that my husband, S, runs with me. Not just runs with me, but does so cheerfully. Happily. Kindly. Lovingly.
We generally train on our own during the week when work & family schedules are tightest, but we nearly always do our long runs together on the weekend. Running independently during the week allows us to do some running at our own paces, on our own favorite routes, and it allows me (the social runner) to run with girlfriends, too.
I call our weekend long runs "date runs" if they are on Saturday or "worshipping at the Church of the Deserted Trail" if they are on Sunday. Our kids are old enough to be left home alone, which makes running together a lot easier. I don't know that we could have handled running logistics 10 years ago. I guess I am lucky we didn't discover running until our kids were old enough to be home alone.
At first, I dragged S along on this running project. In fact, I sort of hauled him and all the kids outside and made them do the first couple weeks of Couch 2 5k a few weeks after I started it in fall, 2010. We were at the beach on vacation, all together, and they had no way to avoid me, and no good excuse not to run for a half an hour. I also bribed S with massages for each week of c25k that he completed. It worked. In my experience with my husband and kids, I've found that well chosen bribery always works.
S has become a willing runner. Once through Couch 2 5k and running a half hour, he was soon heading out and running further and faster. Then there was that day a few months later when he had two or three spare hours on the trail while our kids were volunteering to pick up garbage, so he just went out and ran 14 miles just because he had the time to kill. Of course, upping mileage like that would have taken me months of careful planning and training. . .
Even though I am still the one setting all the goals and picking the races and training plans, he now enjoys running and, like I do, he enjoys the many benefits to his mental and physical health. He and I are doing our first marathon together in May. We've got a really nice hotel booked for the two nights, and my mom has agreed to babysit the kids at home, and so we will make it a date weekend.
I run more, cross train more, and plan out all our training, but he gets the running plan done, and importantly, he is generally willing to do whatever craziness I set out for us. He lets me plan routes and set the pace. Fortunately, our paces are not terribly far apart. Right now, our ideal training paces differ by just a minute a mile or so (and even overlap by a little window on my fast end and his slow end), and he is cheerfully willing to go slower for me, and, when I am feeling strong enough, especially on the second half of long runs, I push my pace towards my fast end for him, even though he never asks. He does love to do a fast last mile or so on our long runs, so we usually split up for the last half mile to mile at the end, and I get to watch him cruise back to the car, where he gets out the chocolate milk before I get there. It always makes me smile to see him kick up his heels and cruise to the trail head, even after 16 miles of hard running in a cold rain. He always has a spark left at the end of every run. His energy is bottomless, and his good cheer is unquenchable.
Of course, being a MAN, he is getting faster more quickly than I am, but I figure that if I keep training harder and longer than he does, I'll hopefully be able to keep my pace close enough to his that we can still enjoy long runs together forever.
There is nothing more awesome than puttering along together, along the river, just us and our dog, for a few hours, and then getting his high five and kiss at the end of a 15 mile long run. Or, when that runner's high hits at mile 10 or mile 15, I get to smile at him and share the bliss, and exclaim that I can suddenly run effortlessly (at least for the 5 minutes the high lasts). Or, when a favorite love song comes on the playlist, sometimes I sing the lyrics to him. (That might not be his favorite thing, since I am definitely a horrible singer, but he smiles at me anyway.)
Our runs together are my favorite part of the week. We usually chat some, and listen to our tunes some, too. I always keep an ear bud in one ear, and the other ear open, so I can always hear him to chat whenever the fancy strikes us. When conversation breaks, I just tune back into my playlist.
S is also super helpful in always handling the water, gatorade, gels, etc. logistics. I hate stopping on a run, but my husband doesn't mind. Our (awesome) dog carries a backpack with fuels, gatorade bottles, etc, and my husband will happily jog ahead a bit, grab stuff from the dog's pack, then catch back up with me, hand off bottles and gels, etc. He'll do that every couple miles or whenever I need something. When we stop for refilling water bottles, he always mixes the gatorade packets. When I run solo, of course I do all that myself, but there is something very wonderful about being nurtured and cared for that way in the midst of a long hard run.
Yes, I have the best running husband in the universe. I know.
(And, no, we're not newlyweds. We'll be married 17 years this June.)
So, sweetheart, thanks for running with me. On the trail, in life, every day, all the time, I am ever grateful that you are by my side.
We generally train on our own during the week when work & family schedules are tightest, but we nearly always do our long runs together on the weekend. Running independently during the week allows us to do some running at our own paces, on our own favorite routes, and it allows me (the social runner) to run with girlfriends, too.
I call our weekend long runs "date runs" if they are on Saturday or "worshipping at the Church of the Deserted Trail" if they are on Sunday. Our kids are old enough to be left home alone, which makes running together a lot easier. I don't know that we could have handled running logistics 10 years ago. I guess I am lucky we didn't discover running until our kids were old enough to be home alone.
At first, I dragged S along on this running project. In fact, I sort of hauled him and all the kids outside and made them do the first couple weeks of Couch 2 5k a few weeks after I started it in fall, 2010. We were at the beach on vacation, all together, and they had no way to avoid me, and no good excuse not to run for a half an hour. I also bribed S with massages for each week of c25k that he completed. It worked. In my experience with my husband and kids, I've found that well chosen bribery always works.
S has become a willing runner. Once through Couch 2 5k and running a half hour, he was soon heading out and running further and faster. Then there was that day a few months later when he had two or three spare hours on the trail while our kids were volunteering to pick up garbage, so he just went out and ran 14 miles just because he had the time to kill. Of course, upping mileage like that would have taken me months of careful planning and training. . .
Even though I am still the one setting all the goals and picking the races and training plans, he now enjoys running and, like I do, he enjoys the many benefits to his mental and physical health. He and I are doing our first marathon together in May. We've got a really nice hotel booked for the two nights, and my mom has agreed to babysit the kids at home, and so we will make it a date weekend.
I run more, cross train more, and plan out all our training, but he gets the running plan done, and importantly, he is generally willing to do whatever craziness I set out for us. He lets me plan routes and set the pace. Fortunately, our paces are not terribly far apart. Right now, our ideal training paces differ by just a minute a mile or so (and even overlap by a little window on my fast end and his slow end), and he is cheerfully willing to go slower for me, and, when I am feeling strong enough, especially on the second half of long runs, I push my pace towards my fast end for him, even though he never asks. He does love to do a fast last mile or so on our long runs, so we usually split up for the last half mile to mile at the end, and I get to watch him cruise back to the car, where he gets out the chocolate milk before I get there. It always makes me smile to see him kick up his heels and cruise to the trail head, even after 16 miles of hard running in a cold rain. He always has a spark left at the end of every run. His energy is bottomless, and his good cheer is unquenchable.
Of course, being a MAN, he is getting faster more quickly than I am, but I figure that if I keep training harder and longer than he does, I'll hopefully be able to keep my pace close enough to his that we can still enjoy long runs together forever.
There is nothing more awesome than puttering along together, along the river, just us and our dog, for a few hours, and then getting his high five and kiss at the end of a 15 mile long run. Or, when that runner's high hits at mile 10 or mile 15, I get to smile at him and share the bliss, and exclaim that I can suddenly run effortlessly (at least for the 5 minutes the high lasts). Or, when a favorite love song comes on the playlist, sometimes I sing the lyrics to him. (That might not be his favorite thing, since I am definitely a horrible singer, but he smiles at me anyway.)
Our runs together are my favorite part of the week. We usually chat some, and listen to our tunes some, too. I always keep an ear bud in one ear, and the other ear open, so I can always hear him to chat whenever the fancy strikes us. When conversation breaks, I just tune back into my playlist.
S is also super helpful in always handling the water, gatorade, gels, etc. logistics. I hate stopping on a run, but my husband doesn't mind. Our (awesome) dog carries a backpack with fuels, gatorade bottles, etc, and my husband will happily jog ahead a bit, grab stuff from the dog's pack, then catch back up with me, hand off bottles and gels, etc. He'll do that every couple miles or whenever I need something. When we stop for refilling water bottles, he always mixes the gatorade packets. When I run solo, of course I do all that myself, but there is something very wonderful about being nurtured and cared for that way in the midst of a long hard run.
Yes, I have the best running husband in the universe. I know.
(And, no, we're not newlyweds. We'll be married 17 years this June.)
So, sweetheart, thanks for running with me. On the trail, in life, every day, all the time, I am ever grateful that you are by my side.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Run to Read Half Marathon Race Report: Situation Normal All F*&%ed Up
Run to Read Half Marathon
Fairmont, WV
January 8, 2012
Official time 2:24:44 (11:03 mm pace)
My goal was 9:40 mm (calculated via McMillan Calculator based on my Thanksgiving 10k time of 57:30), or at minimum to beat 10:00 mm which was my single prior HM -- but that was at Decker's Creek which is all downhill. I'd been working at pacing, and I felt optimistic. I was ready to work hard.
I was so excited to start this race. I was jumping out of my skin. So happy. Such a pretty day. My husband and my other favorite running friend, plus some other acquaintances were on hand. It was a beautiful start at 2:00. Such a perfect beginning.
If you heard some subliminal sobbing around 2:10, that was me.
I had a nice fast first mile (9:20ish. Felt on top of the world), and then I started having an asthma episode, which reminded me that:
1) I forgot to use my inhaler pre-race as I had planned and
2) my inhaler was in the car
3) my husband (ahead of me) had the key
4) the course did not get back to the car until about mile 5
FUCK!
Excuse my language. But, really, that is exactly what I said in the moment that I made all those realizations. If ever I am allowed to talk like a sailor, today is that day. If you don't like it, I really don't give a damn.
I knew my husband would run by me after the turn around point, so I could get the key from him then. But, I'd have to make it 4 more miles while having an asthama episode if I didn't want to completely quit the race one mile in.
Here I was, one mile into a 13.1 mile race, and it was all over. I could quit, or I could finish, but either way, all my carefully laid plans were toast.
So, I walked for a while. Most of mile 2. I wanted to sob. I wanted to sit down in my car, sob, and just sob some more.
However, today was my husband's first HM. I didn't want to spoil it for him by hosting a massive pity party. Plus, I now know a handful of other runners who were there, and I also didn't want to look like a whining brat in front of my new friends. Plus, I knew I'd eventually have to come back here and admit to you all what a whining brat I was who gave up instead of soldiering on. Plus, I just started a new How to Run an Ultra book that an online running friend from the c25k forums (my Secret Santa) gave me, and those ultra books really underline the idea of just doing your dang best.
So, I sucked it up. Seemed like the only option. I chose to do my best for today. Whatever that was.
After walking most of mile 2, I was able to run again at a slower pace without extreme distress. I was still uncomfortable, but I was OK. So, I jogged those few miles. I did pass my husband and collect the key from him, plus reassure him I was OK. (A friend had been running the first mile with me, then I told her to go on w/o me as I was going to have to walk it, so she had told my husband what was going on, so he was ready with the key.)
For me, my asthma episodes are just very uncomfortable. I have only had to go to the ER once and that was b/c I didn't have an inhaler. Even then, I'd likely have been just fine medically if I had just waited it out, but I was very uncomfortable, and I am not a martyr. So, anyway, when it happens running, I just can't get enough air. I can move at maybe HR 160ish, but I am not able to push to 170s. Just won't happen. I *feel* awful at a much lower HR than when my lungs are working right. So, anyway, I was able to run slow. Maybe 11 mm those miles 3-5 after walking most of mile 2 (15 mm that mile, I think).
Around mile 5, I passed the parking lot and took a 0.2 mile detour off the course to get my inhaler from the car. The 0.2 extra mile really pissed me off, lol. 13.1 is bad enough, but 13.3, with no credit? F%^% that.
After a few nice puffs of albuterol, I was ready to rock.
Miles 6-10 felt really good. I knew this was not going to be anywhere near a PR day, so I decided to try my best to enjoy it. I admit it was fun that since I'd had such a slow start, now I was passing people consistently which is actually pretty encouraging. Those middle miles were around 10 mm. I started feeling just smooth and happy around mile 8, as usual. Hit my mile 8-9 groove. Nice. I wasn't flying, and I wasn't trying to, but I was *gliding* and happy.
I saw my husband around mile 8 as he'd turned around already, so it was his mile 10. I knew he was close to his top goal of sub-2 hours (FIRST HM! He is a natural!) but I could see he was hurting, as he was walking. However, he is one to walk for a few moments every so often (not something I like to do), so I was hopeful he'd pull it out. It was lovely to see him. I had sort of shifted my hopes/goals for the race from me to him since mine were dashed. I wanted him to have a happy experience. As I was watching my watch and new he was getting into his final mile, I kept sending good energy his way, feeling happy for him that he was almost done!
My final 3 miles were harder. I was getting tired, and my asthma was kicking back up. I've never had two distinct episodes in a single run before. I think it was maybe due to the long time of irritation/inflammation during those first 5 miles. In any event, this will be the last race >1 hr I run w/o an inhaler on me. I'm going to buy one of those belts, or whatever. I promise.
So, the last 3 miles weren't awful, just slower as I couldn't get my HR up anymore, so I was slower, again more like 11mm.
Final time was 2:24:44. So, 11:03 mm pace. Pitiful compared to my goals and previous time, but, it was the best I could do today all considering. I am pleased that I managed to just pull it out and do my best, whatever that was going to be. I did it.
My ankles were and are a bit achey (started just the last 3 miles or so). New aches, lol. I think it's time for new shoes. I'm going to order a new pair this week. No real pain anywhere, so that is good. I am definitely wiped out.
My husband finished in just over 2 hours, 2:01:23 (9:16 mm pace). I am so excited for him. What an amazing feat!
I guess today was a good learning experience. I don't think I'll forget about my inhaler ever again.
As of now, I am now officially in marathon training, folks. Next up: 26.2 in May, come hell or high water.
Fairmont, WV
January 8, 2012
Official time 2:24:44 (11:03 mm pace)
My goal was 9:40 mm (calculated via McMillan Calculator based on my Thanksgiving 10k time of 57:30), or at minimum to beat 10:00 mm which was my single prior HM -- but that was at Decker's Creek which is all downhill. I'd been working at pacing, and I felt optimistic. I was ready to work hard.
I was so excited to start this race. I was jumping out of my skin. So happy. Such a pretty day. My husband and my other favorite running friend, plus some other acquaintances were on hand. It was a beautiful start at 2:00. Such a perfect beginning.
If you heard some subliminal sobbing around 2:10, that was me.
I had a nice fast first mile (9:20ish. Felt on top of the world), and then I started having an asthma episode, which reminded me that:
1) I forgot to use my inhaler pre-race as I had planned and
2) my inhaler was in the car
3) my husband (ahead of me) had the key
4) the course did not get back to the car until about mile 5
FUCK!
Excuse my language. But, really, that is exactly what I said in the moment that I made all those realizations. If ever I am allowed to talk like a sailor, today is that day. If you don't like it, I really don't give a damn.
I knew my husband would run by me after the turn around point, so I could get the key from him then. But, I'd have to make it 4 more miles while having an asthama episode if I didn't want to completely quit the race one mile in.
Here I was, one mile into a 13.1 mile race, and it was all over. I could quit, or I could finish, but either way, all my carefully laid plans were toast.
So, I walked for a while. Most of mile 2. I wanted to sob. I wanted to sit down in my car, sob, and just sob some more.
However, today was my husband's first HM. I didn't want to spoil it for him by hosting a massive pity party. Plus, I now know a handful of other runners who were there, and I also didn't want to look like a whining brat in front of my new friends. Plus, I knew I'd eventually have to come back here and admit to you all what a whining brat I was who gave up instead of soldiering on. Plus, I just started a new How to Run an Ultra book that an online running friend from the c25k forums (my Secret Santa) gave me, and those ultra books really underline the idea of just doing your dang best.
So, I sucked it up. Seemed like the only option. I chose to do my best for today. Whatever that was.
After walking most of mile 2, I was able to run again at a slower pace without extreme distress. I was still uncomfortable, but I was OK. So, I jogged those few miles. I did pass my husband and collect the key from him, plus reassure him I was OK. (A friend had been running the first mile with me, then I told her to go on w/o me as I was going to have to walk it, so she had told my husband what was going on, so he was ready with the key.)
For me, my asthma episodes are just very uncomfortable. I have only had to go to the ER once and that was b/c I didn't have an inhaler. Even then, I'd likely have been just fine medically if I had just waited it out, but I was very uncomfortable, and I am not a martyr. So, anyway, when it happens running, I just can't get enough air. I can move at maybe HR 160ish, but I am not able to push to 170s. Just won't happen. I *feel* awful at a much lower HR than when my lungs are working right. So, anyway, I was able to run slow. Maybe 11 mm those miles 3-5 after walking most of mile 2 (15 mm that mile, I think).
Around mile 5, I passed the parking lot and took a 0.2 mile detour off the course to get my inhaler from the car. The 0.2 extra mile really pissed me off, lol. 13.1 is bad enough, but 13.3, with no credit? F%^% that.
After a few nice puffs of albuterol, I was ready to rock.
Miles 6-10 felt really good. I knew this was not going to be anywhere near a PR day, so I decided to try my best to enjoy it. I admit it was fun that since I'd had such a slow start, now I was passing people consistently which is actually pretty encouraging. Those middle miles were around 10 mm. I started feeling just smooth and happy around mile 8, as usual. Hit my mile 8-9 groove. Nice. I wasn't flying, and I wasn't trying to, but I was *gliding* and happy.
I saw my husband around mile 8 as he'd turned around already, so it was his mile 10. I knew he was close to his top goal of sub-2 hours (FIRST HM! He is a natural!) but I could see he was hurting, as he was walking. However, he is one to walk for a few moments every so often (not something I like to do), so I was hopeful he'd pull it out. It was lovely to see him. I had sort of shifted my hopes/goals for the race from me to him since mine were dashed. I wanted him to have a happy experience. As I was watching my watch and new he was getting into his final mile, I kept sending good energy his way, feeling happy for him that he was almost done!
My final 3 miles were harder. I was getting tired, and my asthma was kicking back up. I've never had two distinct episodes in a single run before. I think it was maybe due to the long time of irritation/inflammation during those first 5 miles. In any event, this will be the last race >1 hr I run w/o an inhaler on me. I'm going to buy one of those belts, or whatever. I promise.
So, the last 3 miles weren't awful, just slower as I couldn't get my HR up anymore, so I was slower, again more like 11mm.
Final time was 2:24:44. So, 11:03 mm pace. Pitiful compared to my goals and previous time, but, it was the best I could do today all considering. I am pleased that I managed to just pull it out and do my best, whatever that was going to be. I did it.
My ankles were and are a bit achey (started just the last 3 miles or so). New aches, lol. I think it's time for new shoes. I'm going to order a new pair this week. No real pain anywhere, so that is good. I am definitely wiped out.
My husband finished in just over 2 hours, 2:01:23 (9:16 mm pace). I am so excited for him. What an amazing feat!
I guess today was a good learning experience. I don't think I'll forget about my inhaler ever again.
As of now, I am now officially in marathon training, folks. Next up: 26.2 in May, come hell or high water.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve Run
Today was a blissful 11 miler with my favorite person on the planet.
Who happens to be my best friend.
And the person I admire most of anyone I've ever met.
And, miracle of miracles, my husband of 16+ years.
And, he goes along with most of my crazy ideas, including this running lunacy, and so we got to spend this morning running together. We generally run long runs on Sunday mornings, worshipping together in what I call the Church of the Deserted Trail. It's become my favorite two (or so) hours of the week.
We have a half marathon on January 8, so this is scheduled to be our last LONG long run, although we'll do some sort of 8-9 mile long run next weekend.
Today's run was AWESOME.
11 miles. Total time 2:00:39! 10:58 mm avg pace. WOOHOO!
It is a level pea gravel trail along the river. Super pretty. There is a park with bathrooms and water where we turn around, so that is AWESOME! I stopped for 30-60 seconds once on the way there (to use my inhaler) and once on the way back (to tie a shoe). Other than that, I had a 3-4 min stop at the bathrooms for the obvious.
It was awesome!
I was aiming for 11-11:30 mm, as my (McMillan calculator defined) "goal long run pace" is 10:50 - 11:40, but that feels fast to me, so I really aim for the slower end of that. My husband's goal long run pace is more like 10:10 - 11:00, so when we run together, I kinda' feel like I should run on my fast end if I can. I thought I'd do 11:30 for the first half and then bump it up for the second half if I could handle it. I wanted to keep my HR in the 150s (75-80% MHR, which I admit is high by most standards, but seems to be my long run HR), and to keep my cadence high (>88, as close to 90 as possible), but if I could handle more speed within those parameters, I was cool with that.
Stats:
Mile 0.1 -- doesn't count b/c I forgot to push start on the Garmin, but I did run an extra 0.1-0.2 mile at the beginning. We'll count that as a warm up, OK? I couldn't bring myself to turn around until the watch actually said 5.5 miles, so I guess I actually ran more like 11.1 or 11.2, but if it isn't in the watch, it doesn't count, lol.
Mile 1: 11:29, HR 156, cadence 91
Mile 2: 11:35, HR 152, cadence 90
Mile 3: 11:36, HR 155, cadence 88
Mile 4: 11:21, HR 155, cadence 87 * ate my Clif gel in here. Mmm. 2nd time I've used them. Seems to give me an energy boost in my legs.
Mile 5: 11: 21, HR 158, cadence 89
Mile 6: 11:06, HR 164, cadence 87 * this is the turn around mile. There is a short hill in there, and then the bathroom break in the middle of the mile.
Mile 7: 11:20, HR 156, cadence 89
Mile 8: 11:08, HR 157, cadence 88
Mile 9: 10:49, HR 160, cadence 87
Mile 10: 9: 40, HR 173, cadence 89
Mile 11: 9:14, HR 179, cadence 93
WOOHOO! It was so fun!
In mile 9, I got my groove on. I felt like I could run forever. I still think it is bizarre that I don't get REALLY warmed up until I've run 8 miles (although I am fairly warmed up after 3). I said to my husband, "I could run a decent 5k if I just ran 8 miles before starting! I might not run it as fast as I would if I started cold, but I'd have a LOT more fun!" He kindly pointed out to me that, "I don't think 5k is your distance." No shit, Sherlock, lol.
(As you probably know already, I suffer through the first 3 miles of nearly every run. My idea of hell would include running three and only three miles frequently. Those first three miles are simply the price I pay for the subsequent many miles of bliss.)
In mile 10, I saw that I was running too fast, and for the first quarter mile I kept trying to dial it back to 10:30-11ish pace, but after a few tries, I just said, "F--- it!" and let 'er rip.
I was working very hard that last mile, but when I realized that if I pushed a bit harder, I could break 11 mm for the whole run, I couldn't help myself. I just wanted to do it, and I didn't want Mile 11 to be slower than Mile 10 (just on principle, lol), so I pushed it.
My husband actually stayed with me to the end instead of taking off ahead (as he generally always does for the last mile), so I was happy that I could keep up with him, and I was happy that I had a "fast run" with him, as it seems like often I am feeling slow when I happen to run with him, and then go out and have a really fast run solo a few days later, and he whines about that, as he likes to run fast and is usually having to take it easier than he'd like when we run together.
My post-long run mellow is going strong, and I feel ready to embrace the houseful of holiday craziness that in imminent.
Oh, and, since this week I did my long run on Saturday, but last week it was my normal Sunday, well, then TECHNICALLY, I've run 34.5 miles in the last 7 days Sunday-Saturday! That is definitely my runningest week to date! Of course, last week's Sunday run (9 miles) really shouldn't be in this weeks mileage, so insofaras my legs are concerned, it is a more reasonable (for me) 25.5 miles, which is a level I've been around for a couple months, so it's not like I am an overuse-injury-waiting-to-happen, but, still, it is a bit of a thrill to have such a running-y calendar week!
WOOHOO! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Who happens to be my best friend.
And the person I admire most of anyone I've ever met.
And, miracle of miracles, my husband of 16+ years.
And, he goes along with most of my crazy ideas, including this running lunacy, and so we got to spend this morning running together. We generally run long runs on Sunday mornings, worshipping together in what I call the Church of the Deserted Trail. It's become my favorite two (or so) hours of the week.
We have a half marathon on January 8, so this is scheduled to be our last LONG long run, although we'll do some sort of 8-9 mile long run next weekend.
Today's run was AWESOME.
11 miles. Total time 2:00:39! 10:58 mm avg pace. WOOHOO!
It is a level pea gravel trail along the river. Super pretty. There is a park with bathrooms and water where we turn around, so that is AWESOME! I stopped for 30-60 seconds once on the way there (to use my inhaler) and once on the way back (to tie a shoe). Other than that, I had a 3-4 min stop at the bathrooms for the obvious.
It was awesome!I was aiming for 11-11:30 mm, as my (McMillan calculator defined) "goal long run pace" is 10:50 - 11:40, but that feels fast to me, so I really aim for the slower end of that. My husband's goal long run pace is more like 10:10 - 11:00, so when we run together, I kinda' feel like I should run on my fast end if I can. I thought I'd do 11:30 for the first half and then bump it up for the second half if I could handle it. I wanted to keep my HR in the 150s (75-80% MHR, which I admit is high by most standards, but seems to be my long run HR), and to keep my cadence high (>88, as close to 90 as possible), but if I could handle more speed within those parameters, I was cool with that.
Stats:
Mile 0.1 -- doesn't count b/c I forgot to push start on the Garmin, but I did run an extra 0.1-0.2 mile at the beginning. We'll count that as a warm up, OK? I couldn't bring myself to turn around until the watch actually said 5.5 miles, so I guess I actually ran more like 11.1 or 11.2, but if it isn't in the watch, it doesn't count, lol.
Mile 1: 11:29, HR 156, cadence 91
Mile 2: 11:35, HR 152, cadence 90
Mile 3: 11:36, HR 155, cadence 88
Mile 4: 11:21, HR 155, cadence 87 * ate my Clif gel in here. Mmm. 2nd time I've used them. Seems to give me an energy boost in my legs.
Mile 5: 11: 21, HR 158, cadence 89
Mile 6: 11:06, HR 164, cadence 87 * this is the turn around mile. There is a short hill in there, and then the bathroom break in the middle of the mile.
Mile 7: 11:20, HR 156, cadence 89
Mile 8: 11:08, HR 157, cadence 88
Mile 9: 10:49, HR 160, cadence 87
Mile 10: 9: 40, HR 173, cadence 89
Mile 11: 9:14, HR 179, cadence 93
WOOHOO! It was so fun!
In mile 9, I got my groove on. I felt like I could run forever. I still think it is bizarre that I don't get REALLY warmed up until I've run 8 miles (although I am fairly warmed up after 3). I said to my husband, "I could run a decent 5k if I just ran 8 miles before starting! I might not run it as fast as I would if I started cold, but I'd have a LOT more fun!" He kindly pointed out to me that, "I don't think 5k is your distance." No shit, Sherlock, lol.
(As you probably know already, I suffer through the first 3 miles of nearly every run. My idea of hell would include running three and only three miles frequently. Those first three miles are simply the price I pay for the subsequent many miles of bliss.)
In mile 10, I saw that I was running too fast, and for the first quarter mile I kept trying to dial it back to 10:30-11ish pace, but after a few tries, I just said, "F--- it!" and let 'er rip.
I was working very hard that last mile, but when I realized that if I pushed a bit harder, I could break 11 mm for the whole run, I couldn't help myself. I just wanted to do it, and I didn't want Mile 11 to be slower than Mile 10 (just on principle, lol), so I pushed it.
My husband actually stayed with me to the end instead of taking off ahead (as he generally always does for the last mile), so I was happy that I could keep up with him, and I was happy that I had a "fast run" with him, as it seems like often I am feeling slow when I happen to run with him, and then go out and have a really fast run solo a few days later, and he whines about that, as he likes to run fast and is usually having to take it easier than he'd like when we run together.
My post-long run mellow is going strong, and I feel ready to embrace the houseful of holiday craziness that in imminent.
Oh, and, since this week I did my long run on Saturday, but last week it was my normal Sunday, well, then TECHNICALLY, I've run 34.5 miles in the last 7 days Sunday-Saturday! That is definitely my runningest week to date! Of course, last week's Sunday run (9 miles) really shouldn't be in this weeks mileage, so insofaras my legs are concerned, it is a more reasonable (for me) 25.5 miles, which is a level I've been around for a couple months, so it's not like I am an overuse-injury-waiting-to-happen, but, still, it is a bit of a thrill to have such a running-y calendar week!
WOOHOO! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
One Year Ago Today . . .
One year ago today, I graduated from Couch to 5k by running a hard, hot, awesome 5k with a friend.
Today, I began the day with a smooth 8 miler -- a distance I've ran three times in the last 5 days.
As I said in my facebook post today, I never thought I'd find a new love after 40 since I have already found my one and only true love, my husband. Then I started this nutty running thing. Even though I'd always hated running. I just decided, and once I decide something, well, it's pretty much going to happen eventually one way or another.
I still don't really know why it happened. Just somehow it clicked. I set my mind to do that c25k thing. It was 9 weeks. 27 runs. 30 minutes three times a week. How bad could that be?
It was pretty bad. OK, it was insanely hard. But, somehow, between the cursing at the squirrels, the sweating like a pig, the raw chub rub between my thighs, the injuries, the expenses, the PT . . . well, somehow, I met this person I really like. It was the new me.
I can't quite put a handle on how much running has come to mean to me. It is a beautiful, terrible, hard, blissful thing. Nothing other than loving my husband and children has meant more to me as a human being, or changed me more, than this running thing.
It's not a way to lose weight (although it does that, too). It's not a way to meet friends (although it does that, too). It's not a way to get 'me time' (although it does that, too).
No, it's so much more. It is meditation on the move. It is 'digging deeper' on a spiritual level that strengthens my character and cleanses my spirit. As I run down the trail, I lose a lot of things. I lose my anger. I lose my perfectionism. I lose my worries. I lose my hopelessness. I lose the ability to focus on the negative.
I find a lot of things, too. I find little parts of my better self. I find some nice parts of other people, too.
I have a lot more miles left in me, and I am looking forward to finding more parts of myself and more parts of the rest of the world, too. If only I could run enough miles, I could find bliss. Of that I am pretty sure.
This past year had a lot of firsts for me. First day of c25k. First 20 minute run. (Oh. My. God. Week 5, Day 3 of c25k. I will never forget that run. It was my hardest yet.) First 5k. First hour run (with my very own brother, for the first time on neighborhood roads that have become my very favorite 9 mile hill loop). First 10k. First run with my husband. First run with the kids. First ten miler. First sports medicine doctor. First physical therapist. Then first GOOD physical therapist (thank God for him). First 5k race for my youngest kid. First yoga class. First half marathon. First regular massage therapist.
The coming year will hold some firsts, too. Many I can't imagine yet, but a few I already look forward to. First full family race on Thanksgiving. First day of Insanity (Halloween). First joint half marathon with my husband in January. First marathon for me (and hopefully my husband, too) in May.
I am looking forward to every minute of it.
We were all born to run. Our bodies and souls were made for this. I can't imagine anything better for the world than if everyone ran for an hour every day. I know I can't imagine anything better for my body and soul than lots of running.
Today, I began the day with a smooth 8 miler -- a distance I've ran three times in the last 5 days.
As I said in my facebook post today, I never thought I'd find a new love after 40 since I have already found my one and only true love, my husband. Then I started this nutty running thing. Even though I'd always hated running. I just decided, and once I decide something, well, it's pretty much going to happen eventually one way or another.
I still don't really know why it happened. Just somehow it clicked. I set my mind to do that c25k thing. It was 9 weeks. 27 runs. 30 minutes three times a week. How bad could that be?
It was pretty bad. OK, it was insanely hard. But, somehow, between the cursing at the squirrels, the sweating like a pig, the raw chub rub between my thighs, the injuries, the expenses, the PT . . . well, somehow, I met this person I really like. It was the new me.
I can't quite put a handle on how much running has come to mean to me. It is a beautiful, terrible, hard, blissful thing. Nothing other than loving my husband and children has meant more to me as a human being, or changed me more, than this running thing.
It's not a way to lose weight (although it does that, too). It's not a way to meet friends (although it does that, too). It's not a way to get 'me time' (although it does that, too).
No, it's so much more. It is meditation on the move. It is 'digging deeper' on a spiritual level that strengthens my character and cleanses my spirit. As I run down the trail, I lose a lot of things. I lose my anger. I lose my perfectionism. I lose my worries. I lose my hopelessness. I lose the ability to focus on the negative.
I find a lot of things, too. I find little parts of my better self. I find some nice parts of other people, too.
I have a lot more miles left in me, and I am looking forward to finding more parts of myself and more parts of the rest of the world, too. If only I could run enough miles, I could find bliss. Of that I am pretty sure.
This past year had a lot of firsts for me. First day of c25k. First 20 minute run. (Oh. My. God. Week 5, Day 3 of c25k. I will never forget that run. It was my hardest yet.) First 5k. First hour run (with my very own brother, for the first time on neighborhood roads that have become my very favorite 9 mile hill loop). First 10k. First run with my husband. First run with the kids. First ten miler. First sports medicine doctor. First physical therapist. Then first GOOD physical therapist (thank God for him). First 5k race for my youngest kid. First yoga class. First half marathon. First regular massage therapist.
The coming year will hold some firsts, too. Many I can't imagine yet, but a few I already look forward to. First full family race on Thanksgiving. First day of Insanity (Halloween). First joint half marathon with my husband in January. First marathon for me (and hopefully my husband, too) in May.
I am looking forward to every minute of it.
We were all born to run. Our bodies and souls were made for this. I can't imagine anything better for the world than if everyone ran for an hour every day. I know I can't imagine anything better for my body and soul than lots of running.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Running Gods Looking Out for Me Today
Who says there is no God? I've been bumming and bitching that I had no running buddies. I was lacking motivation after getting out of my habit during the road trip, and then facing crappy weather, crappy mood, overwork with the start of school and being behind at my actual work at the hospital, staying up too late reading a good novel, and . . . then I slept in and missed the cool morning. I've resurrected my No Excuses mantra, and so I headed out to the trail anyway. I decided to detour to the running store to get new shoes -- which I've been meaning to buy for a month -- first. I got my tried and true, cute & comfy shoes (the current color of the same shoe I've been using, Brooks Glycerin, is now a super cool turquoise on black!), and I had fun chatting with the salesman who is training for the Olympic trials in January for the marathon. (His marathon time is a minute under my HALF marathon time!) By the time I got to the trail, it was hot. I ran anyway. A mile in, a runner stopped me, recognizing me from the half marathon in June, where I'd apparently raved about my great PT, Derek Clark, because she wanted his name again. (She was at mile 10 of a planned 14 miler, and was struggling with IT band issues. Of course, she completed her 14, TYVM, as I passed her again at the end of my 6.) Anyway, we got to talking, and I told her I was looking for running buddies, and she gave me the name of facebook group of women distance runners here in M'town that hook up for runs regularly! If there is no God, there are definitely some good Running Gods looking out for me today, and I was rewarded for getting my ass out the door. Yay!
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