Mon, Feb 28
Around 1:30pm
Ran 35 minutes at indoor track at LifeCenter
Distance: 3.46 miles; Pace: 10'08"
After two false starts today I finally got my training run in. I am bound and determined not to miss one! First, I slept in because I was kept up all night by a crazy thunderstorm that seemed to go on, and on, and on! Then the plan was to run at lunch. Great plan...until I got to the locker room and realized I forgot my towel. Crap...foiled again! Okay, so plan C included leaving work a little earlier than planned (I had Zach's conference at 3pm), run at LifeCenter and then head to the conference. That was the ticket!
So, success! No workout missed. However, I have another dilemma of sorts. I had a particular pain in the neck right after my run today. Thankfully, it went away in about a half-hour after my shower, but it is really strange. I'm wondering if I'm holding my neck tilted to one side when I run. I was just reading in my running magazine how you can get your form videotaped in order to correct form problems (for lots of money). I'm not going that far, but I did go so far to ask my husband if he had ever noticed if I do that. Without missing a beat he said, "yeah, you tilt your head to one side". Okay, good to know! Now, I just have to figure out how to counteract that in order to fix it Hmmm. I'm wondering if going the opposite direction on the track would help. Need to ask my runner friends, I guess!! The only problem is that the track direction is already predetermined and I go the same direction on M, F and Sat. Wed is different so that is good. And, of course, all of this doesn't matter once I'm back outside. Come on spring!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sensitivity Training
Happily I was down 2.2 pounds at the scale this morning!! Granted, I still had to pay my $11 because I'm still more than two pounds above my goal, but who cares! The important part is that I'm moving in the right direction, as I had to remind the clerk this morning who rudely announced that I needed to pay BEFORE acknowledging that I was down. Now, I don't need cartwheels, hoots and hollers, noisemakers, and flowers, from her, but come on...let's lead with the fact that I'm going the right direction, rather than that I have to still pay, shall we??!! Most of the time I have had excellent experience with the staff at WW, but his morning I was disappointed. But hey, maybe she was just having an off day. We've all had those! So, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and see what happens when I'm down again next week!!!
Thank you for the Music
Sat, Feb 26
8:30am - ish - Ran the track at LifeCenter
Distance: 5 miles; Time: 51'57"; Pace: 10'22"
Good run this morning! I felt strong and it felt a little bit easier to run 5 miles this week than last week (my first time at that distance). And I think I was a bit faster today so that is always good, I suppose. I was trying to make a mental note about how I felt throughout the run.
Here's the breakdown of today: I felt good and warmed up after the first mile. Then, by the half-way point I felt like I was flying. Between mile 3 and 4 was the hardest part - I really had to push it through. Probably partly because this has been my "go-to" distance for so long - 3 miles. Good thing I had my son's crazy frog song version of "Cotton-Eyed Joe" as well as some Dixie Chicks ("Good-Bye Earl") to propel me. Oh, and I can't forget the 80's throw-back, "Money For Nothing", by Dire Straits. Those were all good motivators. I'm pleased with my new long run track I created last weekend. Then between 4 and 5 miles I felt like I was on autopilot. I told myself...just one more mile. I mean, it is just one more mile, right?? Just one more mile. Simple. Sound like a new mantra to me!
8:30am - ish - Ran the track at LifeCenter
Distance: 5 miles; Time: 51'57"; Pace: 10'22"
Good run this morning! I felt strong and it felt a little bit easier to run 5 miles this week than last week (my first time at that distance). And I think I was a bit faster today so that is always good, I suppose. I was trying to make a mental note about how I felt throughout the run.
Here's the breakdown of today: I felt good and warmed up after the first mile. Then, by the half-way point I felt like I was flying. Between mile 3 and 4 was the hardest part - I really had to push it through. Probably partly because this has been my "go-to" distance for so long - 3 miles. Good thing I had my son's crazy frog song version of "Cotton-Eyed Joe" as well as some Dixie Chicks ("Good-Bye Earl") to propel me. Oh, and I can't forget the 80's throw-back, "Money For Nothing", by Dire Straits. Those were all good motivators. I'm pleased with my new long run track I created last weekend. Then between 4 and 5 miles I felt like I was on autopilot. I told myself...just one more mile. I mean, it is just one more mile, right?? Just one more mile. Simple. Sound like a new mantra to me!
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Gift of Today
Fri, Feb 25
9am - Ran 30 minutes on the Indoor Track at LifeCenter
Distance - 2.95 miles; Pace - 10'13"
Racquetball and Basketball fun - about an hour
So today was a gift in a lot of ways. Hudson schools had a snow day (again) so Z was off and, miracle of miracles, John Carroll was actually closed!! Hallelujah, I still can't believe it! I got home at about 10:30pm last night due to late events at work and so I didn't get to bed until about midnight - way beyond by 10pm bedtime that I've come to enjoy (and need in order to get up at 5am). As I went to bed, getting up to run at 5am was not looking promising, especially with the snow in the forecast. But, like I said, I had a snow day! Ahhhh...I got up late (6:30am), had breakfast and coffee and for a hot minute thought of not running today. Relax, I said a hot minute. I quickly shook that off as I called LifeCenter to find out they were indeed open and were holding a racquetball court for me and the Z-man. After I finally convinced him that shorts and sweatpants were a much better option than wearing jeans to work out in, Zach grudgingly shut off the computer, shoved in a bowl of cereal and off we went.
I ran for my 30 minutes - Zach joined me for like a lap and a half. Then after "way too much stretching, Mom", we finally hit the racquetball around for a bit, and then played some hoops. He had to teach me the proper way to shoot that he has learned in gym class and I was a quick study, apparently, as I held my own in our game of "Around the World." It was so much fun! Not only did I insure that I was getting my workout in today, but I also had some physical fun with my dude. Much better than a morning filled with video games, me thinks. Oh, and I have to add that on our way out of LifeCenter the woman at the front desk made a point to tell me that Zach was a very polite little boy (asking for equipment, etc). Music to any Mom's ears.
Our afternoon was lazy, but equally delightful. We picked up some Subway and headed over to spend lunch, and the afternoon as it turned out, with Grandma P. and little Brittany. We watched some lifetime movies, Z played Legos and yes, I even took a nap. Ahhh, what a good day. I hope yours was equally good!
9am - Ran 30 minutes on the Indoor Track at LifeCenter
Distance - 2.95 miles; Pace - 10'13"
Racquetball and Basketball fun - about an hour
So today was a gift in a lot of ways. Hudson schools had a snow day (again) so Z was off and, miracle of miracles, John Carroll was actually closed!! Hallelujah, I still can't believe it! I got home at about 10:30pm last night due to late events at work and so I didn't get to bed until about midnight - way beyond by 10pm bedtime that I've come to enjoy (and need in order to get up at 5am). As I went to bed, getting up to run at 5am was not looking promising, especially with the snow in the forecast. But, like I said, I had a snow day! Ahhhh...I got up late (6:30am), had breakfast and coffee and for a hot minute thought of not running today. Relax, I said a hot minute. I quickly shook that off as I called LifeCenter to find out they were indeed open and were holding a racquetball court for me and the Z-man. After I finally convinced him that shorts and sweatpants were a much better option than wearing jeans to work out in, Zach grudgingly shut off the computer, shoved in a bowl of cereal and off we went.
I ran for my 30 minutes - Zach joined me for like a lap and a half. Then after "way too much stretching, Mom", we finally hit the racquetball around for a bit, and then played some hoops. He had to teach me the proper way to shoot that he has learned in gym class and I was a quick study, apparently, as I held my own in our game of "Around the World." It was so much fun! Not only did I insure that I was getting my workout in today, but I also had some physical fun with my dude. Much better than a morning filled with video games, me thinks. Oh, and I have to add that on our way out of LifeCenter the woman at the front desk made a point to tell me that Zach was a very polite little boy (asking for equipment, etc). Music to any Mom's ears.
Our afternoon was lazy, but equally delightful. We picked up some Subway and headed over to spend lunch, and the afternoon as it turned out, with Grandma P. and little Brittany. We watched some lifetime movies, Z played Legos and yes, I even took a nap. Ahhh, what a good day. I hope yours was equally good!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Radical Goal
John Carroll is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011 so there are lots of celebrations going on during the year. One of the priests who is really into running has put a challenge out to the community to see if we can get 125 people to run the Cleveland marathon, 1/2 marathon or 10K on May 15. So, I've happily joined this group. We are getting jerseys and there is a small fund raising part too. It is a neat thing. The priest who is organizing this sends us weekly motivational things to keep us training and inspired to keep going. I just got one this morning and I was blown away by it and I just wanted to share it. The priest had asked this hard-core runner guy to write a little bit about his running journey and I'll share part of it here...
He is currently a 54-year-old man, but he began his running journey on his 36th birthday feeling overweight. He decided to run 3 miles during lunch. He only made it for running for one mile and ran a 10:12 pace and then walked the other two. He continued running over the next three years during lunch for 3 miles and ended up losing 30 pounds. He started increasing his distance running with others for 4-6 miles outside. He ran his first marathon in Cleveland in 1999 and has run 52 others since. No, that is not a typo - I said fifty-two. Here are his current race totals: 53 marathons, 3-50K's and 2-50 milers. Oh, in addition in 2008 and 2009 combined he ran a total of 20 marathons. OMG.
What makes this story so unbelievable in addition to the sheer number of miles this man has run, is that he doesn't look at all like a "typical runner". He is a little stocky and you would never guess just by looking at him that he is a hard core runner.
I never thought I would or could run a 5K and now I'm training for 1/2 marathon. Now, some of us will never run a marathon or maybe even a mile or maybe don't even want to. But, my question is, what goal do you have that is just out of the realm of possibility for you? What is just so radical that would make you say right now, "no way, I could never do that"? Really think about it. Now, let me say to you...I double-dog-dare you...
He is currently a 54-year-old man, but he began his running journey on his 36th birthday feeling overweight. He decided to run 3 miles during lunch. He only made it for running for one mile and ran a 10:12 pace and then walked the other two. He continued running over the next three years during lunch for 3 miles and ended up losing 30 pounds. He started increasing his distance running with others for 4-6 miles outside. He ran his first marathon in Cleveland in 1999 and has run 52 others since. No, that is not a typo - I said fifty-two. Here are his current race totals: 53 marathons, 3-50K's and 2-50 milers. Oh, in addition in 2008 and 2009 combined he ran a total of 20 marathons. OMG.
What makes this story so unbelievable in addition to the sheer number of miles this man has run, is that he doesn't look at all like a "typical runner". He is a little stocky and you would never guess just by looking at him that he is a hard core runner.
I never thought I would or could run a 5K and now I'm training for 1/2 marathon. Now, some of us will never run a marathon or maybe even a mile or maybe don't even want to. But, my question is, what goal do you have that is just out of the realm of possibility for you? What is just so radical that would make you say right now, "no way, I could never do that"? Really think about it. Now, let me say to you...I double-dog-dare you...
Yoooowwwwzzzzaaaa!
Thurs, Feb 24
5:30am - Bootcamp at LifeCenter
That was a great overall workout! I think Troy was happy we were all there this morning and made up a kick-butt workout for us. We did lots of different circuits featuring some of our faves...many, many push-ups (lost count)...back exercises and lots of circuits using the whole gym. Those are fun - bring on the lunges. I had to bust out a story during the two minute plank...ugh.
We did a fun new thing Troy made up called the "UNFIT". It is sorta like the game "horse". We had to do a certain exercise (five different ones) for like 60 seconds and if any of us couldn't do it the entire time we would earn a letter. All of us had one bad one and each earned a "U", but hey, not bad! If we would have gotten all the letters, we would have had to run. No, not that! It is a cross-training day! I earned my "U" during the plank hold. We were supposed to do a plank hold for 2 minutes...with no breaks. We usually do one minute at a time. I made it with like 20 second left. Next time I'll get it!
5:30am - Bootcamp at LifeCenter
That was a great overall workout! I think Troy was happy we were all there this morning and made up a kick-butt workout for us. We did lots of different circuits featuring some of our faves...many, many push-ups (lost count)...back exercises and lots of circuits using the whole gym. Those are fun - bring on the lunges. I had to bust out a story during the two minute plank...ugh.
We did a fun new thing Troy made up called the "UNFIT". It is sorta like the game "horse". We had to do a certain exercise (five different ones) for like 60 seconds and if any of us couldn't do it the entire time we would earn a letter. All of us had one bad one and each earned a "U", but hey, not bad! If we would have gotten all the letters, we would have had to run. No, not that! It is a cross-training day! I earned my "U" during the plank hold. We were supposed to do a plank hold for 2 minutes...with no breaks. We usually do one minute at a time. I made it with like 20 second left. Next time I'll get it!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Going the distance!
Wed, Feb 23
Approx 6am - Ran the track at LifeCenter
35 minutes; 3.44 miles; Pace: 10'13"
Today felt like a hard run. My legs were sore during my workout. Now, they are fine, but they felt sore during the run. I felt slow today too - probably because there was a really fast woman who kept passing me on the track. I started feeling badly about my speed, but then realized that I recognized her from a 5K in October, I think. She placed for her age group (I think first!). So, speed is all relative I suppose. I have to just remember that it is not about speed for me. It is about getting it done. Showing up and completing the run - check. Maybe at some point I'll be about the speed, but for now it is all about going the distance, baby!
Approx 6am - Ran the track at LifeCenter
35 minutes; 3.44 miles; Pace: 10'13"
Today felt like a hard run. My legs were sore during my workout. Now, they are fine, but they felt sore during the run. I felt slow today too - probably because there was a really fast woman who kept passing me on the track. I started feeling badly about my speed, but then realized that I recognized her from a 5K in October, I think. She placed for her age group (I think first!). So, speed is all relative I suppose. I have to just remember that it is not about speed for me. It is about getting it done. Showing up and completing the run - check. Maybe at some point I'll be about the speed, but for now it is all about going the distance, baby!
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