Hiatus.

Not from running, just blogging. I've never been too consistent making entries into the many blogs I have started, I was hoping this one would be the exception. Heh. Well, I'll keep trying anyway.

Just a quick update, I have started a new training plan, which incorporates speed workouts and distance runs sprinkled with regular length slow runs. I'm into the second week of a 8 week repeatable schedule, and I really like it so far. Yesterday I did a 40 minute "fartlek" run (Swedish for "speed play") and I really enjoyed it! I went farther than I have ever gone with non-stop running, about 4 miles. I like that I have been able to progress at a nice steady rate so far, I hope I can reach my goal of a half marathon by next year, unless I get pregnant between now and then of course. ;-) I'm totally going to run as much as I can when I'm pregnant though, I'm sure  future baby would enjoy the ride! I've noticed that my pace has picked up, being an average of 10/min per mile, which isn't too bad for someone who started running a few months ago. I hope to cut it down to a 9-8.30min/mile pace in the future.

I like how when I finish a goal, I automatically have a new one, it keeps things exciting.

Oh and I signed up for my first 5k race on October 8th.  O_O

I'm a runner!!!!

I finally did it! I ran 30 minutes without stopping! WOW! I ran with a good friend, and it was awesome! My family has also been in town for the last few days and coming with me for my runs. I realized I really enjoy running in groups or with another person, running solo isn't as much fun. Maybe I'll enjoy running solo sometimes, who knows. Anyway, I'm done with the program, and now I am going to start doing my own thing as far as running goes. I'm so psyched!

Slowwww

I know this is my second post complaining about my slow pace, but it must be done.
I am so discouraged, I feel like I will never run fast than 11min/mile, and that is killing my motivation. I know I've only been at this 3 months, but I feel like I should be going faster than this, people who are twice my age go faster than I do. And despite what I hear about running being an accessible sport, I really don't feel like I am a real runner, more like a jogger. I dont want to be a jogger. Im hoping once I can run 30 minutes straight (next week is the week!) I can incorporate tempo/interval runs and hill repeats into my routine to amp up my speed. I want to run far and fast, and nothing can stop me (except pregnancy, no Im not pregnant)

 Anyway, here's the end of my whine fest.

Run Like A Mother

So I received a bunch of books for my birthday from my mother-in-law (shes a doll) and one of them was a book called Run Like A Mother : How To Get Moving -Without Losing Your Family, Job, or Sanity and I haven't been able to put it down! Its a really great book, goes from the angle of what its like to be a runner and a mom who works or stays at home. I really appreciate the practical advice, along with the humor! It has had me laughing out loud more than once. It also is super inspiring, talking about how running has its highs and lows, and you don't always move upwards or even just cruise. Life can get in the way, but you can still run again even after a hiatus (read: pregnancy and childbirth) which I really needed to hear. So like I said, I'm still reading it, but I'm sure I'll be done soon enough.

Next after I'm done with RLAM is Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running and I will let you all know (hah, like all 5 of you who read my blog, or is that too generous a number?) how it is.

Whoopsie

Sorry it's been a while, I havent felt particularly inspired to post this past week for some reason. As far as my running goes, I started week 10 of the 12 week program, and ran 13/walk 2 then another 13, a lot of running for me. I had a horrible side stitch most of it, and I was so mad. Also my IPod Touch was messing up, kept skipping songs when I wasn't pressing anything...so meh.

Yes this post is mostly complaining, but I figured if I want to be genuine about this whole endeavor I better post about the crummy stuff involved as well.

Anyway, I hope that I fare better on Wednesday, I hate it when I have crappy runs, sucks my motivation a little.

Its too darn hot!

Yesterday I went for my run in the afternoon, and man was it hot! The asphalt was radiating heat big time, and the sun was just melting my skin. It was also hard to breath. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy yesterdays run a whole heckuva lot. On the bright side, I did run 27 out of 33 minutes, 1walk/9run 3 times. I rean 11 minutes instead of 9 like I was supposed to, that was pretty cool.

I've gotta say, I have really felt my endurance kick up recently. The other day I cleaned the office, moving big boxes of books, things like that, and I wasn't absolutely hosed! In the past I would do cleaning sprees like that and would be exhausted during and afterwards. I'm really glad that running has helped in ways I didn't really expect! :)

Yuck

I went down to my usual spot to run, and I felt like a slug. It was so hot and humid, and my pace was super lame...But, I stuck through it, and I feel good about it NOW. Thats why I drag my butt outta the house, because more often than not I feel good about my run or good during my run. Its win/win!

New trail, new perspective

My hubby, B and I all went out to the West Virginia Pan Handle trail for a little run, I went about 2.5 miles. It was a really nice run because I could just focus on nature and not on how far/fast I as going. I felt like my pace was a little quicker towards the end, probably 10:30/mile. Thats an estimate of course, until I get my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS (hint hint) 

Anyway, can't stay, dirty diapers call.

Quarter of a century

Today is my birthday. I am drinking Pinot Noir(its good for me) and my husband is making an epic meal for me. Life is good.

Oh plus I picked 13 tomatoes and 7-8 peppers of different variety, and a sunflower. Yay. ^_^

Super Mario cake ftw. I wish I could eats it.

Yay food!

I just got back from the Farmers Gateway Market, and man did I get some awesome stuff!

zucchini, flatleaf parsley, lettuce, blackberries(huge suckers!) purple string beans, sweet corn(non gmo organic of course) onions, free range eggs from my friend Rebecca (the chickens are gorgeous gals!) bread baked this afternoon by Whits End Homestead, golden beets, and...I think thats it.

I know this post isn't exactly about running, but as I'm sure you know, healthy eating is vital to running well. I used to buy local and organic out of fear of pesticides and their ilk, but now its so much more than that, there is a beauty in fresh food grown by people you actually know that is unmatched even in the most fancy Whole Foods store (and cheaper no less!).
Anywho, I won't preach too much about that, (off soapbox now).

Oh I also rain in a light rain this morning, it was so nice!

ADD running

When I started running this past June, I had heard about people who could run and let their mind just, wander. They weren't so focused on the fact they were running, and could put miles behind them without realizing it. I thought these people we either: insane or always going to be better at running than I am. Well, today during my run, I was supposed to walk 2 run 9 minutes do that twice and then wrap it up with walk 2 run 8. I totally screwed it up, and not because I couldn't do it either. I was trying to count the loops I did when I ran my course, so I could calculate how far I was going. Well, I ended up running for almost 14 minutes, because I forgot to look at my stopwatch.

Oopsies. I mean, HOLY COW? I RAN 14 MINUTES WITHOUT DYING? WHO THE HECK AM I???

I was needless to say, shocked. This may not seem like a whole lot to you crazy people who run 4-5 miles on easy days (Ill join you soon enough I hope) but lets remember, I started out running only 1 minute at a time, which was in itself a great feat for me.

I was hoping when I started this program I would get bitten by the running bug, I didn't expect to get bitten so soon! Its a huge stress reliever, I feel like my old self again, and it makes me a better wife and mother for sure. My husband knows this, which is why he watches B without complaint. Did I mention I love my husband and he is the bestest?

Well at any rate, I feel it would be best if I at least TRIED to run and walk like I'm supposed to during this week of the program, just so I don't burn out. Hopefully I can stop myself from ADD running until I reach the 30 minute nonstop run.

I see you 30 minute nonstop run, and I'm going to kick your butt when I reach you.

Yoga is for hippies

I really enjoyed this article, I do yoga (dynamic stretching, lol) to keep myself loose and injury free, I really think it has helped me avoid soreness.

Runners Guide to Yoga.

     

 

 

The Runner's Guide To Yoga

Eight tips from a master yoga teacher to help make your practice flawless.By Erin HobdayPublished 01/08/2008

Before you set foot inside a yoga class, you should be able to wrap your legs around your head, keeping a beatific smile on your face while choking on incense and simultaneously engaging your bhandas (yes, that's legal).

Just kidding! None of this needs apply-provided you act on our advice. Here's how to avoid common pitfalls and surprises-and how to look like anything but a beginner. Baron Baptiste, a tough-love yoga teacher who specializes in boot camps for the uninitiated, is here to guide you. His need-to-know info:

Yoga is not a cult.
Closer to physiology class than a Trekkie convention, yoga is a bona fide science. Yes, some instructors talk of prana (the life force), display Hindu or Buddhist deities, or lead classes in brief chanting. Don't let this stuff spook you; just consider it something to focus on, rather than, say, the sirens outside or your neighbor's cute toe ring. Concentrate on the techniques you're learning, especially matching your movements to your breathing. "Focusing on the physical aspects of yoga is where you start,'' Baptiste says. "The rest is yours for the taking but entirely optional."

Give your Visa card a breather.
Your "new" yoga clothes are already in your chest of drawers. Forget baggy sweats and tees, though; form-fitting pieces help you get more out of class. "Tight clothes make it easier for teachers to see how your body is set from the feet to the shoulder blades, so they can adjust your pose," Baptiste says. A tank top with a built-in bra and capris or boot-cut leggings with Lycra will do the job. (Don't waste cash on yoga shoes, either.) Do buy a new mat. Germs thrive on studio-owned mats, and yours will probably pack more cushion and stickiness than the studio's tired stock.

Your yoga's only as good as your teacher.
Teachers registered with the Yoga Alliance have had 200 to 500-plus hours of training at an approved studio. In class you should feel a personal connection to your teacher and enjoy his or her style of teaching. An experienced instructor recognizes when a student is struggling and "allows the individuals to adapt each posture to themselves," Baptiste says. Another clue you're in good hands: The teacher asks new faces in the room to describe their experience levels and injuries.

The front row is for geeks.
Okay, not really. But new students should choose another spot. "Start in the second row or the middle of the room so you can see what the rest of the class is doing, and what the teacher is doing," Baptiste says. You might want to take a spot near the wall for support during balancing moves and standing stretches. (And, no, that's not considered cheating.)

You can take timeouts.
Anytime you feel that you can't hang with what the teacher and class are doing, just take a break by going into child's pose: Kneel on the floor, sitting on your heels. Bring your big toes together and your knees about hip-width apart, then lean forward, essentially lying facedown on the mat with your legs bent underneath you. Breathe. "At first, this might feel like admitting defeat, but it's really a sign that you own your own practice," Baptiste says, "and that you're cool with your body's limitations."

Sometimes blocking is a good thing, too.
Grab two of those foam or wooden bricks piled on one side of the studio, and keep them next to your mat. (Phonebooks work at home.) These props compensate if you can't bend over and reach the ground in standing poses, allowing students of all levels to stretch deeper and align better. You can wrap a canvas or cloth strap (even an old sweatshirt) around the foot of an outstretched leg during seated poses to help keep you from straining your back. If you're at all unsure about how to use these props, ask.

Sip it good.
Yoga can be hot, slippery, and thirsty work. Make sure you bring a water bottle-grab a biggie for vigorous Vinyasa or power yoga. Hydrate yourself, knocking back plenty of agua before class, then again both during and after. Have a headache? You haven't drunk enough.

Don't slip up.
To avoid pushing up into Downward Dog, only to have your hands whoosh out from under you, "place a towel over your mat and under your hands and feet," Baptiste says. And don't forget: "If you find yourself getting dizzy, go into Child's pose until you feel clearheaded again."

I need a Garmin...

So I went for my usual run today, down at the park, repeated a .5 mile loop 4.5 times, took me 28 minutes and 10 seconds. Dailymile put that at an 11:16 pace...

How is it yesterday my pace was 13:10?? Either I calculated yesterdays route wrong...or todays, which Im sure I didn't, I made a point of counting it. Anyway...like I said, I need either a Garmin, or I need to switch up my route so I can measure my miles as a back and forth, not a loop.

Meh, I didn't know running had so much math in it.

Slow poke.

So I finally timed how "fast" I run a mile. Drumroll please....

13.10 minutes.

O_O Uhm? Really? This was a major downer for me, I don't feel like I'll ever be a "real" runner...ever. There where a couple 2 minute walk breaks between the three 8 minute run portions, but still.

Ugh

I really hate that I can't figure out how far I am running and what pace I'm at, I think that's going to be my project tomorrow, figuring out how far I'm running my counting the laps around the track. Anyway, someday I will use my little mile widgit...someday.

Ooh, do want!

My friend Jodi over at Sew Fearless just posted about another blog called, ON{the laundry}LINE about a nifty sewing project for runners! My running place is down the street, so I walk, but this will be handy when I have to drive someplace later on.

How cool is that??? The tutorial looks easy enough, the last thing I attempted to sew (somewhat successfully) was a couple dish towels. I'm not nearly as talented as Jodi in the sewing department (seriously, go look at her blog, you will envy her sewing powers) but this looks like a super fun project that ties into my running. Neato. :)

Rest day, twiddling my thumbs.

Okay okay, so I started a little late with the blogging about progress thing. Lemme 'lone.

Today is a rest day, is it weird I'm disappointed?

I started the program June 13th, so I've been at it for a little over a month now. I've gotta say, never in a million, zillion years did I think I could do something like this, never ever. I can now run 8 minutes at a time, and I'm not dead or almost dead at the end of it. I really believe if you want to start running, an incremental plan is the way to go. I went throughout this thing just adding a minute or two into each running segment and subtracting the walking portion little by little, and that has been what works. My problem before when I'd take a stab at running was I was going at it too much and too fast. I felt like, "I can't be a runner unless I'm running the whole time, walking is for wusses!" o_o Lame-sauce, I know. I am now in the school of thought that preaches, "slow and steady wins the race." I enjoy running so stinkin' much it blows my mind. I'm still very much a beginner mind you, but I have high hopes of finishing a marathon some years from now. You watch.

Btw, this movie is the best inspirational running movie. Ever. Spirit of the Marathon

Hello, welcome, sit down and have some coffee.

     So, here we go again with the blogging thing. I've always wanted to blog, but never seemed to be very consistent with the darn thing, so I just forgot most of the time. I think having a baby will do that.

     The purpose of this blog is to be a venue for successes, struggles, and general venting and/or celebrating related to my new hobby, running.

     I've always wanted to be a runner, ever since I was a kid. My Dad very successfully was a runner, competing in multiple races and the NYC Marathon. He is now in his 60's and is running once more after a hiatus. He is my main inspiration for trying running again. Again you say? Well, I tried running when I was a teenager, and absolutely hated it! It was an acute torture, and I could not imagine people doing it just for the sake of doing it. How can anyone enjoy the shin splints, sore hamstrings, sucking air, throat aches...Madness I say.
     That was until I came upon a book called Run Your Butt Off from Runners World. No I am not sponsored by Runners World, I just really like this book.

Anywho, this blog is in theory a place to post about my progress. Hopefully I won't abandon this blog. Heh.