Two days post-race, I decided to go for a 3 mile run. The 3 miles did NOT happen. My legs cramped up something fierce and no matter how I stretched or tried to walk it out, there was no relief. And the wind. It was extremely windy, and I was heading into it probably 80% of my run. I couldn't get away from it. It was like trying to run straight into concrete. I made it 2.1 miles and was done. Finished. Worst run ever.
I got over it pretty fast though.
Today, 2 days after crappy run, it was a little windy and rainy and chilly. But I bundled up and headed out anyway. I didn't set a distance, just figured I would go with the flow. My calves cramped up somewhat and stretching helped. I stayed warm and dry in my clothes and managed 2.55 miles. I was happy with it.
I set a time frame for myself of a max of 2 weeks to get comfortable with a 2.5 mile distance. Then I will add a half mile for another 2 weeks and go from there. I hope to be doing 4 to 5 mile runs soon. And I still need to work on my confidence. But I am getting there.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Post Race
I am so proud of Caitlin, she did great!
Pastor ended up running with her, as Shaun ended up having to work. Her first 2 miles were 10 minutes miles and her third was nearly 15 minutes. She struggled. But Pastor encouraged her and kept her going. She ran the entire race in 34:52 and placed 10th in her age group. This morning she is sore and tired, but says she is going to keep running. She is awesome!
I did great my first 2 miles as well, I paced exactly 11:30 each one (those intervals are already paying off). And like Caitlin, I struggled that third mile. I did very briefly walk 3 times during that last mile, but I am still very happy with my race. I finished in 38:38, a personal record for me, by a minute and a half.
I think we both struggled that last mile because we have only been running 2 miles. I am going to start running 3 miles each time I go out instead of 2. And it won't be long until I am ready for my next race!
The race itself was a blast! It was very well organized and had a Halloween theme. Tons of great post-race snacks, hot apple cider, fun music, fabulous door-prizes, and the trophies were a hoot. People were dressed up in costumes. It was a great race for Caitlin's first, she had a lot of fun! Kudos to the organizers, we hope to do it again next year!
Pastor ended up running with her, as Shaun ended up having to work. Her first 2 miles were 10 minutes miles and her third was nearly 15 minutes. She struggled. But Pastor encouraged her and kept her going. She ran the entire race in 34:52 and placed 10th in her age group. This morning she is sore and tired, but says she is going to keep running. She is awesome!
I did great my first 2 miles as well, I paced exactly 11:30 each one (those intervals are already paying off). And like Caitlin, I struggled that third mile. I did very briefly walk 3 times during that last mile, but I am still very happy with my race. I finished in 38:38, a personal record for me, by a minute and a half.
I think we both struggled that last mile because we have only been running 2 miles. I am going to start running 3 miles each time I go out instead of 2. And it won't be long until I am ready for my next race!
The race itself was a blast! It was very well organized and had a Halloween theme. Tons of great post-race snacks, hot apple cider, fun music, fabulous door-prizes, and the trophies were a hoot. People were dressed up in costumes. It was a great race for Caitlin's first, she had a lot of fun! Kudos to the organizers, we hope to do it again next year!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Tomorrow is Race Day
I am pumped! Tomorrow is the Trek or Treat 5k. I am going to run the whole thing. Pastor has helped break down that wall that makes me want to walk. Between watching the Chicago Marathon and the interval training last Monday, I have confidence. Witnessing the marathon itself and how Pastor struggled with his training over the summer, made me realize how wimpy my 3.1 mile struggle is. A 5k is nothing. As for the intervals, Pastor definitely pushed me far beyond the point where my brain is telling my body to flip to the "Off" switch.
I can do this. I am ready.
Caitlin will be running in this race as well. I talked Shaun into running with her so I don't have to worry about her wimping out on me. I know she will struggle. Tomorrow will complete Week 6 for her (25 minute run). And the way she complains and cries about every ache and pain during her training, she will end up walking part of it.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of her, she is doing great! But she needs to toughen up a bit. I told her the other day that running is hard, there will be pain, that she needs to get past that in order to enjoy it. I think this race will be pivotal for her, she will either decide to continue running and yearn for more, or she will decide she is done and it's too hard. Either way, I am still proud of her. She had a goal, she worked hard for it, and she will meet it.
I can do this. I am ready.
Caitlin will be running in this race as well. I talked Shaun into running with her so I don't have to worry about her wimping out on me. I know she will struggle. Tomorrow will complete Week 6 for her (25 minute run). And the way she complains and cries about every ache and pain during her training, she will end up walking part of it.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of her, she is doing great! But she needs to toughen up a bit. I told her the other day that running is hard, there will be pain, that she needs to get past that in order to enjoy it. I think this race will be pivotal for her, she will either decide to continue running and yearn for more, or she will decide she is done and it's too hard. Either way, I am still proud of her. She had a goal, she worked hard for it, and she will meet it.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Braving it
Fall is here. Changing leaves, the crisp cool air, cooler temperatures. I love it!
This year, fall is bringing wind and rain along with it. While I don't mind the rain so much, I hate wind.
Today (and the last couple days) have been like that. Windy and rainy. I didn't run yesterday, I just wasn't feeling it. But I was determined to go out today.
I got up early, got the kids started this morning, and headed to the hospital for my blood work. Ate a granola bar on the way home and debated on running outside or as Pastor calls it, The Dreadmill. I definitely was not in the mood to stare at clutter, so outside it was.
Fortunately, it was only misting. The wind was gusty though. And it was under 50 degrees.
So I dressed for the weather in my new long sleeve running shirt, new jacket, and new headband (I love it, it says "One Bad Mother Runner"). Started stretching and had to run back inside and grab some gloves. I stayed pretty warm.
I wasn't too sure what my plan was, so I just started running. Three miles would have been fabulous, so in my head, I planned to go around the block twice and down this one road that would take me pretty close to three miles, maybe slightly over. I made it around my block and on down the road and I was getting a little tired, but I was feeling pretty good. Until I got close to my street and a huge gust of wind just about knocked me over!
I was done! I turned onto my road instead of going straight and headed home. I ran 2 miles exactly and I give myself mental credit for the third just for braving the elements.
My time was 25:26, so about a 12:43 mile which is great for me! I have been averaging about a minute slower per mile.
This year, fall is bringing wind and rain along with it. While I don't mind the rain so much, I hate wind.
Today (and the last couple days) have been like that. Windy and rainy. I didn't run yesterday, I just wasn't feeling it. But I was determined to go out today.
I got up early, got the kids started this morning, and headed to the hospital for my blood work. Ate a granola bar on the way home and debated on running outside or as Pastor calls it, The Dreadmill. I definitely was not in the mood to stare at clutter, so outside it was.
Fortunately, it was only misting. The wind was gusty though. And it was under 50 degrees.
So I dressed for the weather in my new long sleeve running shirt, new jacket, and new headband (I love it, it says "One Bad Mother Runner"). Started stretching and had to run back inside and grab some gloves. I stayed pretty warm.
I wasn't too sure what my plan was, so I just started running. Three miles would have been fabulous, so in my head, I planned to go around the block twice and down this one road that would take me pretty close to three miles, maybe slightly over. I made it around my block and on down the road and I was getting a little tired, but I was feeling pretty good. Until I got close to my street and a huge gust of wind just about knocked me over!
I was done! I turned onto my road instead of going straight and headed home. I ran 2 miles exactly and I give myself mental credit for the third just for braving the elements.
My time was 25:26, so about a 12:43 mile which is great for me! I have been averaging about a minute slower per mile.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Finally got some intervals in!
Saturday. It was too windy for me. 30+ mph winds. Crazy!
Sunday. We had a busy day hanging out with various friends. It was awesome and we had a blast.
Monday. It was chilly and breezy. No more excuses! I texted Pastor to meet me at the track and he complied. He is an awesome friend and coach like that! We did 2 laps to warmup and stretch. Then onto intervals. We did 4 laps, sprinting the long stretch and finishing the lap at a slow run. Then we stopped to stretch a bit and so I could learn to breathe again.
Originally, we planned to do 4 more interval laps. But Pastor had a different idea. He thought it would boost my confidence to beat my PR on a 1 mile run (which is slightly over 12 minutes). My brain immediately went into are-you-freaking-crazy-I-just-did-4-freaking-laps-of-intervals-I'll-be-lucky-to-have-2-more-freaking-laps-in-me-let-alone-4 mode. Then I shrugged my shoulders and said "Let's go".
Pastor decided I would do an 11 minute mile, about 2 minutes and 45 seconds per lap. He would pace me and annoy the crap out of me to keep me going. So I pushed. After the second lap, I felt done. I was exhausted. My side was started to cramp, my calves were burning, my nose was running, and my breathing sounded like an angry buffalo.
But you know what's cool about Pastor? He doesn't let me give up. He knew I was struggling. But he didn't let up on me. He continued to pace me and spew motivational words at me and I managed that third lap, barely. The fourth lap, I was mostly numb. I had really been pushing. But I finally made it. Even managed to pick up some speed on the home stretch.
My time? Well, once I could breathe again, Pastor told me. We ran one mile in 11:07. Beat my previous PR by a whole minute. Woohoo!
And you know what else? I didn't decide I was finished then wither. I told Pastor that 2 more laps would put me at 3 miles for the day. My only stipulation was "Can we go slow?". So we did it. And plus one. Total mileage this morning 3.25.
Thanks Pastor! I don't think I could've accomplished so much today without you!
Sunday. We had a busy day hanging out with various friends. It was awesome and we had a blast.
Monday. It was chilly and breezy. No more excuses! I texted Pastor to meet me at the track and he complied. He is an awesome friend and coach like that! We did 2 laps to warmup and stretch. Then onto intervals. We did 4 laps, sprinting the long stretch and finishing the lap at a slow run. Then we stopped to stretch a bit and so I could learn to breathe again.
Originally, we planned to do 4 more interval laps. But Pastor had a different idea. He thought it would boost my confidence to beat my PR on a 1 mile run (which is slightly over 12 minutes). My brain immediately went into are-you-freaking-crazy-I-just-did-4-freaking-laps-of-intervals-I'll-be-lucky-to-have-2-more-freaking-laps-in-me-let-alone-4 mode. Then I shrugged my shoulders and said "Let's go".
Pastor decided I would do an 11 minute mile, about 2 minutes and 45 seconds per lap. He would pace me and annoy the crap out of me to keep me going. So I pushed. After the second lap, I felt done. I was exhausted. My side was started to cramp, my calves were burning, my nose was running, and my breathing sounded like an angry buffalo.
But you know what's cool about Pastor? He doesn't let me give up. He knew I was struggling. But he didn't let up on me. He continued to pace me and spew motivational words at me and I managed that third lap, barely. The fourth lap, I was mostly numb. I had really been pushing. But I finally made it. Even managed to pick up some speed on the home stretch.
My time? Well, once I could breathe again, Pastor told me. We ran one mile in 11:07. Beat my previous PR by a whole minute. Woohoo!
And you know what else? I didn't decide I was finished then wither. I told Pastor that 2 more laps would put me at 3 miles for the day. My only stipulation was "Can we go slow?". So we did it. And plus one. Total mileage this morning 3.25.
Thanks Pastor! I don't think I could've accomplished so much today without you!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Screw it
That's what I said yesterday morning. Screw it, I am going for a run. I still had a slightly sore shin and my foot felt a little tight, but I went out anyway and pushed myself. I ran 2.75 miles in 35 minutes and 49 seconds. Basically, I went around the block twice. I had to stop for a bathroom break after my first time around and I stopped to stretch once. I feel good about my run. Of course my shins are sore again today, but they aren't much worse. So I guess that is good.
I was telling Pastor yesterday, I want to get to the point where I am running 3, 4, and 5 miles at a time on a regular basis. I want 10-15 mile weeks. Right now, I am at 6-10 mile weeks. If I can get to that point, I would be comfortable starting training for a half-marathon.
I was telling Pastor yesterday, I want to get to the point where I am running 3, 4, and 5 miles at a time on a regular basis. I want 10-15 mile weeks. Right now, I am at 6-10 mile weeks. If I can get to that point, I would be comfortable starting training for a half-marathon.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Resting today
I did a 30 minute run yesterday. It was the first time my shins have bothered me since I started this running style. It was mild, but still a little bothersome. Not sure if it was from pushing a 25 minute and a 30 minute run back to back like that, plus all the walking in Chicago. Maybe my body just isn't quite used to that yet. So I am resting today to let my body heal up a bit.
I admit, this disappoints me a bit. Shin pain was the biggest reason I went with minimalism and I haven't had it since I made the switch. Hopefully this won't last and it won't bother me again.
I can't wait for the day I can just go out and run 5 miles without a second thought!
I admit, this disappoints me a bit. Shin pain was the biggest reason I went with minimalism and I haven't had it since I made the switch. Hopefully this won't last and it won't bother me again.
I can't wait for the day I can just go out and run 5 miles without a second thought!
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