Post race blues

(posted on my other blog accidentally a couple weeks ago)

So I ran for the first time tonight since the marathon. At first I was taking a week or so off to rest my knees, but then life got crazy, and then I got my lousy cholesterol numbers back. It's been hard to get back into it. I haven't been eating as well as I should these past couple of weeks, and started to feel it today. Tonight I ran 30 minutes, and it was a workout...but no pain, which is good. Now I have to find a race for the spring. Perhaps a 10k would be nice.

Annoying cholesterol

So my cholesterol is back up to the pre-medication levels (230 total) which is discouraging. I really thought that the running would overcome the issues I've been having with it over the years. Back on the statins... :(

Yes, a week later

Now that I am finally dry, I think I might be able to start again. :)

Actually, I ran 3 miles on Sunday, which was gorgeous (why couldn't the half had been on *that* day?), but my left knee is still bothering me quite a bit. I have to plan what to do for the winter. I'm thinking about trying to finally learn how to swim, which might complement my running well (low impact). I also have to figure out this knee thing...

I'm really glad I have this blog for training. There were several things that helped me train for the half, directly related to this blog. It was nice to see someone else struggling with injuries, and overcoming them, so that I didn't feel quite so alone. I also liked Becky's comment that the first couple miles of a run are often the worst, which helped me on more than one occasion to keep going. I also like looking back at the beginning to see how far I've come.

Now I have to find a race in the spring to train for! If I learn to swim, perhaps I'll look into triathalons. :)

A Week Later...

... and I am finally feeling back to normal.

Wow! I can't believe that the Newport half has come and gone. This run shot right to the top of the list for most interesting. Despite the insane weather, I managed to come close enough to my goal time to call it a victory. 2 hours and 24 seconds... I suppose I shouldn't have called Dan at mile 10! I spent until Wednesday limping around with sore knees and ankles, but I am feeling much better.

Did a 4 mile run on Thursday afternoon. My legs were really tired after about 2 miles! Today I went out for another 4 mile run. It was pretty good, but my muscles are still a bit sore. Thinking it would be a good time to get a massage!

Today I found out that the 10k I wanted to run just before Thanksgiving is actually a 5k, which is a bummer. There aren't any other races in the area longer than a 5k around the same time. Guess this is going to be a true test of dedication, as I try to maintain a base through the winter.

I am going to cut down on mileage (I guess probably upping the mileage as of late) and try to do an equivalent of 20 miles per week. That should be enough to destress and stay in relatively decent shape so that my interviewing suits fit me!

First Half Marathon!

So I got home from my first half marathon, which I did in 2 hr 23 minutes (gun time, PR). It was wet, cold, and windy right along the ocean in Newport. After the first mile, the wetness didn't affect me until the last 0.1 mile, when the wind picked up and it sleeted horizontally. My knees got bad at times, but I noticed that for some odd reason, if I ran along with the song "Duck and Run" by Third-eye Blind, my knees wouldn't hurt. I'd notice immediately if I ran too fast, or too slow, but right at that rhythm I had no knee problems. Weird! Of course it meant that I had to listen to that song for an hour! :P

When I got back home, the hot shower never felt so good. The girls had painted a nice congratulations sign for the door, and heated up a neck warmer for me when I got home. Very nice welcome!

Two days and semi-confident

Two days to the half, and I ran 6 miles on the treadmill Wednesday without a lot of pain. I needed to walk every 2.5-3 miles to keep my knees going ok. Weather is supposed to be horrible on Sunday, but I'm going to make it!

Today I was asked what my goal for the race is. I answered "to finish".

Discouraged...barely able to run 7 miles due to knees...and one week to go

My knees started hurting today at the 2-3 mile mark, got worse for a while, and then were off and on. I walked part of it, and decided to run fewer miles (planned on 10), and hopefully I can give these knees a break somehow. I'm just wondering what it's going to be like for 13!

Can't Believe It's Next Week

Another week in the books. It has been insane how fast time seems to be flying. Had a decent running/working out week. Did some cross training on Monday, treadmill on Tuesday, 5 mile outdoor run on Thursday, and a 10 mile run today. The best workout of the week was by far the Thursday 5 mile. I felt fantastic for the entire run. The 10 mile run today was a bit tough. I did a hilly course and I have a blister on the back of my left foot from wearing non-running shoes that killed me on the uphills. My knees were really tired at the end. Just planning a few easy runs this week and lots of hydrating and maybe eating something other than pizza or Chinese food!

More of the same...knees!

So I did 10 miles yesterday, and my knees were a pain, and still are. With my schedule, I was slacking on my quad exercises. Now I need to get back into them for the next two weeks or the half will be a real challenge. It seems to kick in after 5 or so miles, so in the winter when I run less I probably won't have the issue as much.

It's the sort of thing that makes me feel a bit nervous about the half. I'm glad you have to put some money down to go, because it does help get one over the motivational hump!

Squeezin' it in

This week was an improvement for me in the running department. I worked out Mon, Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Thursday was a 5 mile outdoor run in the nice 40 something degree, drizzly weather. Friday was an hour on the elliptical. Saturday was a 10 mile run in a quite warmer and sunnier day.

Not quite sure, since I fell off the training schedule wagon a few weeks ago, but I think that this is my last long run before Newport. Now it's going to be tapering and trying to not reinjure myself. The knees held up pretty well today. Just had a little blistering in the arch of my left foot and was a bit thirsty. I have to start drinking more water! Goal for the week.

It's official!

So I finally registered for the half-marathon on Oct 18. I'm still a little nervous about it, especially given my knee issues of late (which have mostly disappeared). Next year, if I do a half, I want to do one in September rather than October. I have underestimated how much time school takes, and kids take, and how dark things are early.

Although I ran 5.6 miles last night on the treadmill, I find it very very hard to run any more than that on a treadmill. Now that things are dark, I am afraid I won't be able to run at night or in the morning again until spring! I might try a head lamp to help me out.

I Agree

It has certainly been an interesting week of running, or not running. I think I ran only 5 miles in total last week, but it was a nice 5 miles.

Planning to get back in the saddle this week. I did an hour on the elliptical today and it felt really good. I am completely stressed out with my job market paper and presentation and the gym is pretty much the only thing that makes me feel better. Will try to do 6 tomorrow, but it might have to be indoors due to early darkness.

I can't believe the Half is less than 3 weeks away! I hope I am still in shape... it's been a battle since the Arc Half!

about 9 miles...but need to get back on schedule

It's been very busy this week, and I neglected running too much. 3 weeks to go! yikes!

I need to pick up my mileage a little bit, but really just run more frequently. I have to not be afraid to do 2 days in a row running, but I also need to avoid injuring my knee again (which was giving me some trouble on the last mile of my run today). Back to the quad exercises too!

Can't believe it's only 3 weeks away!

A bit of this and a bit of that

I ran 7.2 miles two days ago, and rested yesterday. It felt good to run outside again, which I don't get a chance to do except on the weekends. It's tough with 3 kids, running hither and yon. Feeling good about the half-marathon, although I have to say that the last mile of my 7 was a bit dragging. Mid-day runs are not the best for me, I think because it is hard to figure out when I should eat and how much.

Four Weeks to Go

Can't believe that Newport will be here in 4 weeks! That is crazy.

Over the weekend, I did a 9 mile run. I was in NH for a wedding and found a running club in Portsmouth that meets on Saturday mornings. It was a nice run, but my knee was absolutely killing me by the end.

Today I went out rollerblading, but only lasted for a half hour. My body is physically (and mentally) exhausted. I also don't think that wearing heels all weekend helped.

Have to drive back to Syracuse tomorrow, so I am not sure if I will be running.

Busy

Just wanted to write a quick post. This week I was in recovery mode from last weekend's half. My legs are still quite sore and I've experienced some pain that I've never had, so I wanted to take it easy. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill on Tuesday and did 40 minute elliptical sessions Thursday and Friday. I am going to Maine for a wedding this weekend. I want to meet up with a running club in Portsmouth, NH tomorrow morning at 8. They do an 8 mile run. We'll see how feasible that is with everything else going on! Happy running!

More treadmill

Because of time, I have only been able to run on the treadmill, but I did do 4 miles last night. I totally prefer running outside. I wonder if there is a way I can get over the darkness during the winter, so that I can run outside over the hard months.

Back in the saddle

6 mile run yesterday, no pain, yay! I was a bit winded, and I got the side cramp for a while in my run (what causes that anyway?), but knees and feet fine. My friend Plantar started acting up a bit last night.

First Half!

I made it! I completed the ARC half marathon in 1:55 today. It was a great running day and the course was pretty flat. This is the first race that I've run where I kept a positive attitude throughout! I am really excited but definitely ready to pass out right now.

Five with the Roommate

As I have stated here before, I dislike running in the morning. Today I was faced with a five mile run on my training schedule, but no time to run this afternoon. I had two choices, scrap it or suck it up and get out of bed early. Normally I would have scrapped the run, but right now my classmate Ryan is living on my couch and he is a morning person who just happens to have been running 5 miles several times per week. So, I made Ryan drag me out of bed and go running this morning. We did 5 miles from the apartment and we did it at a pretty good pace.

The foot wasn't too bad during the run, but now when I walk around it hurts quite a bit. I have a massage this afternoon, so I will see if there is anything the massage therapist can do for me! Day off tomorrow and my first half marathon on Saturday!! The weather is supposed to be cool and cloudy-- perfect!

Cross Training Yesterday, Intervals Today

After taking Sunday off and icing my knee and ankles, I did an hour of cross training on the elliptical on Monday. I actually felt better than anticipated. After about 45 minutes or so, I started to get a little knee pain and that same pain near my left ankle. Iced when I got home and kept a compression sleeve on the knee for awhile last night.

This afternoon, I went back to running. Today was a tempo interval day, so I went to the gym. I did a total of 6 miles, 1 mile warm-up and 3 x 1.5 miles at 8:40 pace and whatever was left over to recover after the tempo runs. I had zero knee pain which was nice, but my left foot is still screwed up. It hurts when I push off, under my ankle bone and kind of through the arch. Overall, I was pretty satisfied. Off day tomorrow.

Time to start applying for jobs. Scary.

5.2 yesterday...no knee problems

Did a 5.2 yesterday, no motrin, and no knee problems all day (until late in the day, when I was running around with kids playing football. Not a good idea). Did my leg workout tonight, and feeling good. First day of school tomorrow! I'll do a run tomorrow night to celebrate. Perhaps an hour on the treadmill, because I probably won't be able to get out before dark. I've got to look back at the half-marathon training schedule, to see how far behind I am!

12 Down 1.1 to Go

On Saturday night I ran 12 miles. The course took me out to DeWitt and then back to the city on rolling hills, and it seemed a lot more uphill than downhill. This is the farthest I've ever run, and after running 12 I question whether I could ever run a full marathon. The first 7 or so miles weren't too bad, but on the way back I had to run on sidewalks because it was pretty dark and that just absolutely killed my knees. It is really frustrating to feel fully in control of your cardiovascular system but not in control over the aches and pains in the knees, ankles, etc. Oh well, I suppose with a little (or a lot) of Motrin I will be able to get through 13.1 next weekend.

Surprises

So it's been a bit over a year since I started running, and I think it is time for a bit of philosophizing or psychoanalysis. Looking back at the old posts, like this one, I can see how far I really have come. I just ran 30 straight minutes, and could probably run farther if I wasn't watching my knee.

There have been a number of surprises about running for me. I always expected that running was limited by your cardio-vascular system, and that having asthma growing up I'd never be able to do it. Even when my asthma went away, I always thought that running would be too strenuous for me...but I never thought that it would be my legs that would give me the hardest time. This plantar injury, and then the knee issues have really taken me by surprise. I hope that in a year I can look back at this and be like me looking back at this other post, with a slight grin of knowledge and experience.

Finally, I am surprised that I actually like running, that I miss it when I can't do it. That to me is the most remarkable thing, and I still don't completely understand it. But it is now the longest I have maintained any exercise regimen, and not without some hurtles!

At last!

So I finally am to the point where I ran 3 miles without ending in a limp (I did the treadmill, just in case). Icing my knee as we speak (or, rather, as I type). I feel totally out of shape, but it probably isn't as bad as I think. And I have several weeks to go to get back into the swing of things. Now I have to start worrying about my classes...

Crazy Week

Just a quick summary of the week's running related activities. Did a 10 mile rollerblading outing on Monday night. Tuesday did 5 miles on the treadmill alternating 1/2 mile 8:00 min mile pace and rest periods. Hamstrings were sore after that. Took Wednesday off and played a little golf. Today I was thinking about doing a long run, but had five hours worth of meetings and it was too late to go outside for a run. Went to the gym and did an elliptical workout instead. That's about it.

A bit better

For the first time in quite a while, my knee is better than it was the previous day...and no Motrin today!

I did the leg/back workout two nights ago, and then last night some real easy biking for 1/2 hr. Going to do the leg/back workout again tonight, and then maybe try an easy run the next day. I think the icing is helping a lot!

Definitely Not a Morning Runner

I've known this for awhile, but today was strong evidence that I am a way better runner at 5 in the afternoon as opposed to 8 in the morning. I did a run from home this morning which was basically the first part of the Mountain Goat course and I struggled. I was hot, tired, very stiff... etc... etc... The best part of the run was that I felt a lot better at mile 3 than I did at mile 1! No sore knees today, but I am guessing that is because of the shorter distance.

Tomorrow is x-training day. Classes start, so the gym is going to be absolutely mobbed. What fun!

Foiled again!

Nice weather, thought I'd run 5 miles, or at least 3-4. My knee wasn't getting better, but not any worse, so I started to run. It seemed ok. I decided to stretch around the 1 mile mark, both as a break, and to stretch warmer muscles. After than, whoa! The knee pain came back with a vengeance, and I ended up getting to about 2 miles, and then walking (and limping) 2 miles back. I have a guess that the particular stretches actually made it worse. I am going to change that, and I plan to keep up with the schedule of alternating days, knee exercises and run.

It really is frustrating though. :(

Going Long

In a change of strategy, I moved my long run from the weekend to mid week. At least that way if I don't run over the weekend, I will still get a long run in for the week. I went 10 miles today and I didn't take my watch. The weather was absolutely perfect- no humidity, enough cloud cover that the sun wasn't beating down on me, and a nice fall like temperature. Amazingly I sweat a lot less during that run than I have in the past month!

I felt pretty good for the first 5-6 miles, but as I got closer to the end my right knee got pretty sore. We'll see how it feels tomorrow, but I think I might be dealing with a rejuvenation of lateral patella compression syndrome which I struggled with in the spring. Guess I will have to get back to the knee exercises after all.

Overall, today was a nice run. It was good to get outside and run a new route, which I think I will definitely use again!

Variables

Just to rule out some variables...I ran in my old shoes tonight and my knee still hurts a lot, once I stop. So it's not the shoes, or at least not only that.

Still struggling...grrr

A took a break for a bit, then yesterday I did a leg/back workout. I seemed "ok" today...not great, but a bit better. Not a lot of knee or plantar pain, but some. Today I try to treadmill, and get 20 minutes in and I feel my knee. If I had the same level of pain in, say, my stomach I wouldn't notice it all that much....but I don't want to exacerbate the problem like I did with my plantar.

I am going to a running store tomorrow to look at shoes, and to ask some questions also. I'm getting a little nervous about making the half-marathon in October, but there stlll is some time.

Time Keeps on Ticking...

Well, this is the first time in forever that I am uninjured minus a blister on my foot... but now it seems that my biggest enemy is time. I don't feel like there are enough hours in the day, and I really don't have any excuses. I don't have anyone at home to take care of. It's just me and my dissertation (and golf!). There are only three weeks until the ARC half marathon. I am not going for time on this run, but I am getting really worried about finishing. I did one 10 mile long run a few weeks ago, but between heat and orientation I haven't added any miles!

I am going to continue along with the training course that I have been on and I think that I should be fine (injuries pending) for Newport. So to start this week, I did an hour on the elliptical. And tomorrow is a 5 mile run.

I need some motivation to get my butt out of bed in the morning to run!!

Injuries suck

So I took a few days off, and my knee was getting better (a bit) and then getting worse. I find that has happened before, with my plantar injury, where one day off helps, but two or three do not. The thing about injuries is that I am in unknown waters again. I have to add quad strengthening exercises, but when? and how much? and how many miles can I run without making things worse? I have to re-discover the schedule, all the time risking making it worse.

Then come shoes, which I need new ones, and so I bought some and I am unsure...is my knee hurting today, and after last night's 3-mile treadmill run, because of new shoes, or because I haven't done enough quad exercises, or enough hamstring exercises, or because 3 miles is too much, or because I ran the 3 miles too fast? It's nearly impossible to determine, given so many variables. Using the old shoes doesn't change the number of variables, because then it becomes, are my knees hurting because my shoes are too old? Should I bike more? Should I try something else for cross-training? Is this whole thing a bad idea. :)

Too many questions!

Sleep 1, Running 1...tie game this week

So yesterday, I turned of my alarm and went back to sleep. This morning I got up at the crack of dawn, and went running. I did 4.2 miles in 42 minutes, and then my knee started to hurt a bit, so I walked back the last mile just to be on the safe side. Doing quad exercises for the knees does seem to help a lot! Thanks Becky!

I will be taking it easy for a bit, just to make sure I don't get injured. I learned my lesson last year, running through a plantar injury (out of ignorance), and having to deal with it for over a year as a result.

Back at It...

Did my first run since last Friday. Interval run on the treadmill, 4 x 1 mile at an 8:34 minute mile pace. It was extremely hot as it has been over the past few days.

This week will be interesting for me because I am working at a TA orientation that pretty much goes for 12 hours a day for the next three days. I guess if I run on Thursday, I can pick back up on Saturday.

A slight miscalculation...

...leads me to run 13.5 miles, instead of the 12.5 miles I had planned (which was a stretch without the extra mile). Otherwise, a very nice run. Saw some sheep, and the sunrise, and 2 deer. I made it, so I know now that I can run a half marathon! Unfortunately, the extra bit I planned on (going from 10 to 12.5 miles) was much hillier than I planned (or liked), and my knees are pretty sore right now. Knee soreness is new for me with running, so I need to make sure I take it easy for a while so I don't injure myself!

Light Run

Did just about 4 miles on the treadmill this afternoon between some data work and a meeting with Pete (my advisor). Nothing too exciting to report from the run. The ARC half marathon is now 30 days away. I am really finding running to be a great way to get away from the stresses that come with research and dissertation writing. Tomorrow will be a cross training day. Golfing on Saturday and hope to run 11 miles on Sunday.

Running or Sleep

That seems to be the choice I have a lot of the time. WIth 3 kids, I can't really run in the middle of the day. Even when I am teaching, during one of my non teaching days, I can't do it because I need the time to get research done. Except for the weekend, I am left with either running starting at 8pm or at 5am. I hadn't felt that this was particularly hard, until my standard run became an hour, and my longer runs closer to 2. Yesterday, I chose sleep instead of a morning run because I just felt that I needed the sleep. Sometimes at night I am tired, and want to go to bed early. It really is turning into a choice between sleep and running, which is a difficult struggle!

Last night I ran 7 miles on the treadmill until boredom finally won over.

Tempo Run

Recovered nicely from the 9 mile run on Sunday. Did some cross training yesterday and today I did a 5 mile tempo run. Warm up, rest, cool down at 9:22-9:30 minute miles and two 1.5 mile intervals at 8:34 minute miles. I ran on the treadmill and it was insanely hot. Had to take lots of water/sweat wiping stops. Day off tomorrow.

Been busy

I was off for a few days, and desperately needed to run, so I ran the treadmill tonight for an hour...5.6 miles. I am finding it interesting that a year ago, 3 miles was a stretch for me. Now, 3 miles doesn't even get me winded! I guess I will stop increasing when I just can't put the time into it, which I think will be somewhere around what I am running now...training for a half. I've heard that the half is the nicest race...hard enough to have to train for, and be impressive, but not so grueling as a full.

Long Run

Did a 9 mile long run with Ralf this morning. Weather was overcast, upper 60s/low 70s but was very humid. A little sore, but felt ok for the most part. Didn't take my watch, but I think it was about an hour and a half run. Let's see how I recover. Golf day tomorrow!

Sore

Did a 5 mile run (with some walking mixed in) this afternoon. I forgot my music in the car. This was the first time in a LONG time that I have run without music, and it was actually kind of relaxing. Just being outside in the beautiful weather was enough. I was extremely sore by the end of the run- my quads and calves are shot. Also, I have a bruise on the bottom of my left foot. Hope the day off tomorrow helps!

Cross Training

Trying to make up for lost mileage early in the week, so I did a hard hour of cross training on the elliptical yesterday. My legs are still pretty tired and sore today, but I am planning on doing a five mile run later in the day. We'll see how that goes.

Rest yesterday, short run today

I did 2 miles this morning, feeling a little sore for some reason, but I tried to put in some short bursts of speed to change it up a bit. I'm still a pretty slow runner, but that's fine with me...I'm not going for speed. I just wish that running wasn't so uncomfortable. :)

Hill Run

Got back to running today with a 5(ish) mile hill workout. One mile warm up and cool down with 4 long hill repeats in the middle. Run up Skytop road for 4.5 minutes and jog back down. Was quite warm during the run and I could have used more water. Legs are pretty sore right now.

Another 10 miles

With my friend Joe, we ran 10 miles this morning. It was a bit harder than the run I did on Saturday, not because the route was different, but I was feeling a bit worn. A little break tomorrow, and back at it on Friday.

Run this morning...we'll see

SUnday was a break, after my first 10-miler, and then Monday was a break because Tarynn was in the hospital. I got back yesterday afternoon, and did a warm-up 2 miles on the treadmill last night. This morning I hope to repeat my 10 miles again, with my friend Joe, but we'll see how that goes.

Home is Where the Heart Is...

... and where the running isn't happening! Just got back from a trip to New Hampshire where I ran a total of ZERO miles over the last five days. Was going to go out for a long run on Friday, but it was pouring rain. Saturday, I hung out with my family. Sunday, traveled to a wedding. Monday, drove back to Syracuse. Today, catch up day and golf lessons. So that leaves tomorrow to GET MY BUTT BACK IN GEAR!!

First double-digit run...a great thing

Today was my long run, so I planned to do a bit over 9 miles. I had mismeasured the distance, and found out later that it was 10 miles. I felt great during the run, and it was a real success at 1 hr 50 min. Even my exercise mp3 folder cycled through completely, and started again.

I had been feeling recently a bit daunted by the prospect of the half-marathon, but today I am more confident than I have been.

Transitioning to a training schedule

I did 5.2 miles yesterday, but today was hard to get up in the morning. Sleepy! I did manage to get out, and do a 5k, but I also started to add a bit of the speed intervals from the runningworld half marathon training schedule. The full training schedule, that I will try to follow as closely as I can (I can't always control which days I can run), I am posting here.

Tempo Tuesday

5 mile run this afternoon with 3 of them at "race pace". Ran on the treadmill because it was too hot outside for me. Felt good today. Off day tomorrow- probably playing golf in the evening.

Beautiful Day

Week 1 of training is officially under way. The "mileage" for the week is 22 miles. Today I went rollerblading for 45 minutes up at Onondaga Lake Park. It was a beautiful night, but there was a terrible stench coming from the lake! Tomorrow is supposed to be really hot, so I already know that I am going to be treadmilling it!

1 hour on the treadmill...hard!

Going about 5.5 mph or most of it, that seems a comfortable speed right now for longer runs. Now I programmed the treadmill for a 60 minute run. For some reason, my treadmills built-in programs are all for walking! I have to get my body used to being pounded on for an hour or so. :)

Ante Up

Just completed my registration for the Newport half. Game on!

The Shortest of the Long Runs

No running on Thursday, but I did play tennis for an hour and softball, so that's good enough. Quick three mile run on Friday followed by weight training. Today was the last short long run for a long time- six miles. Ran at the gym because it is too hot and muggy for me outside. Did the six miles in about 57 minutes. Day off tomorrow and then the real training begins! 12 weeks to go!

A bit over 4 miles

So I ran a bit over 4 miles in 43 minutes today, listening to LOTR so I run a bit slower than with music. Yesterday I just rested: I was really sore! :)

On days like that, with the various pains and my plantar always there in the background, I can't help but wonder if this is good for me. There have been times when I felt like that, ran anyway, and felt better so I think my body just has to get used to it.

Long run today...8.5 miles

So I ran 8.5 miles with my friend Joe. Having someone to talk to really does relieve a lot of the monotony. I said I wanted to do 8, and he didn't tell me it was 8.5 until we were almost done. I feel a bit sore right now, and need to do some more stretches through the day. Otherwise, I feel great!

Fartlek

Last week of base training before the half training program starts. 45 min of cross-training on elliptical Monday. 4 mile Fartlek on the treadmill today (Jogging pace, 9:31; Running pace, 8:34; Sprint pace, 6:58). Felt good to run today- got rid of some of the stress that comes with building a data set! I think I will officially register for the race sometimes this week.

More treadmill last night

I ran 45 minutes again on the treadmill, about 4 miles I think, and will have a break today. Tomorrow will be my long run, which I hope to do 8 miles but we'll see. I am not sure what it will be like running with someone, so that will be interesting. I know that I run better with music than with listening to the news or broadcasts, but I think that seeing someone next to me running might help.

I find it very hard to run a long time on the treadmill, because I can just step off the treadmill anytime and I'm home!

Sore this morning

So I am a bit sore this morning, which implies to me that I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. I will need to run again tonight...then rest on Wednesday, and then a 7-8 miler on Thursday. I'll be ready for that half-marathon yet!

45 minutes on the treadmill

4.4 miles, probably close to an hour running (I got interrupted a couple of times, once to put Aoife back to bed after she fell out). I am also trying to be more conscious of my eating, and am informally following weight watchers again. I have a nice spreadsheet I made some years ago, and when my weight gets around 160 it is usually a wake-up call to get things back into gear. I weighed in this morning at 157. I'd like to get back into the 140s. i recall that the first few weeks of weight watchers is very hard, and but then it should get easier.

A nice refresher...5.2 miles

So I ran 5.2 miles tonight, and it was hard but doable. I don't think it is realistic to double that by Friday, but I am going to try to run an 8 miler or so later in the week with my friend Joe.

I have found that I run much better with music than with recorded talking (news, seminars, lord of the rings radio show, etc...). Somehow it lets me tune out better, so I don't hear my own panting as much, and sometimes it helps me keep a rhythm not determined by my aching body, which really just wants to run as slow as possible. :)

Back from vacation...no running...lots of ice cream

So I am back from vacation, and need to get it into gear. I plan to run tonight, and tomorrow too. I may actually do a 10 mile race in Nantucket on Friday! I will have to see how I feel over the course of this week.

Slow, Sore, but Successful

5.92 miles (East Gate Rd) in 1hr 3 minutes. I was sore, and slow, but made it. I need to do more upper body work here and there.

Frustrating run yesterday

So I ran 5 miles, but for the first time since last summer I had to stop and walk for a bit.  Really frustrating (ended up 5 miles in an hour).  Could have been the sun, or the temperature (70 deg), or the 2-hr zoo visit previously, or the noon-time before lunch but it was annoying!

I need a goal, and am thinking about doing a half-marathon.  I just need to find one.

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10k!

So I ran 10k today, in an hour (I "sprinted" the last couple of minutes to come in 10 seconds under an hour). I felt strong for almost all of it, except the last mile which got tough. An hour is about all I feel like taking the time to run right now, so I may start going to better my time. I am also going to look for some 5-mile runs around, to run with other people.

New personal record (a.k.a. PR)

5k in 26 minutes! It was a very good run, on a cloudy day threatening rain. Then I came home, had lunch, and dug a bunch of holes for Heidi's garden. Then, in a fit of fitness productivity, I installed a pull-up bar in the basement. I am also looking into some running clubs, who do weekly 5-mile runs. It does look like my plantar needs some attention... :P

5k the day after tomorrow!

So I've been working up to it. I ran my longest run so far (5.5 miles) a couple of days ago, and then just ran a bit more (maybe 5.6 mi :) ). It was very hard this time, possibly because it was in the middle of the day and it was sunny (but not too warm...66 deg).

5k should not be a big problem on Saturday, with a day off. My plantar fasciaitis (sp?) has acted up again, and I know I will need to deal with it. I plan on going back to the foot doctor sometime soon.

Although it is uncomfortable, in general, to run, I find that I feel much better later in the day and for a couple of days. The sense of accomplishment is part of it, and being more fit.

I feel, however, that my exercise regimen lacks upper-body work so I want to install a pull-up bar in the basement, and start the P90X exercise program, at least as a guide.

Back in the saddle

So the dark of winter, new baby, new baby with heart surgery, and toddler with upcoming heart surgery has nearly derailed my running. I decided to sign up for a May 2 run (5k) to get me back. I started on the treadmill again a couple weeks ago, and ran outside for the first time since October two days ago. I ran 3.1 miles (and was very tired, sore, etc...), but I finished it. Tonight, I'm back on the treadmill with a Bruce Willis movie. Hopefully Saturday I'll be back outside.

I find that outside running is much harder than treadmill, but a lot less tedious. I also find that I do need a goal to work towards, so it is a good idea for me to keep signing up for runs. Now I need to find a nice 10k in September!