The past few weeks have been pretty rough for me running-wise. Summer finally came back to West Michigan and brought with it humidity and warm weather. These things are not my friends when it comes time to run, and my runs have suffered lately.
Crap is starting to get REAL when it comes to the half marathon training, folks. My "short" runs are supposed to be 5 miles long now. That didn't quite work out for me this week, but I did get in 10.5 miles worth of short runs this week (2.5, 3, 5), so I'm calling it good. Most days, it isn't an issue of being able to run the miles, but actually finding the time needed to do so before it gets dark. I had to hit the dreadmill to get in the mileage for those 2 shorter runs this week because it got too dark for me to feel safe enough to finish outside. That was not so fun. (I hate that thing.)
This week's long run was 9 miles, and I ran it this morning. First, I have to say that I am SO thankful to the people who clued me in to the port-a-potty locations along my route in North Muskegon, because I had a little potty emergency about halfway into my run. I hate public restrooms, and especially port-a-potties, but I was in love with that thing this morning, spiders and all. We were fast friends, and then I was back on my way.
The first 7 miles or so were actually pretty great. I kept a nice pace and aside from the potty emergency, I felt good. Mile 8 wasn't awful, but I started to get hot because I was running in direct sun for most of that mile. I was a little slower, but still not awful. Mile 9 was tough. My asthma started to bother me and I ran out of water. It was hot, and I struggled to finish. I may or may not have run into a few yards with sprinklers on to get myself wet to try and cool down during mile 9. Alright, I admit it. I totally did...and it felt wonderful. Anyways, I survived the 9 miles and didn't die, so we'll call that run a success.
And then something weird happened when I got home. I drank chocolate milk. I stretched, and then I sort of had a little mental breakdown. It took me 2 hours and 2 minutes to run those 9 miles, and by the end I was tired. I laid on my living room floor thinking, "How the hell am I going to run 13.1 miles in 3 weeks? At today's pace, that would be another HOUR of running!" I cried a little. I'm still not feeling super confident and that makes me sad. I made it through my run today and most of it was good. I should be feeling proud instead of this. Maybe I'm all emotional because my monthly visitor is here, I don't know. I just know that I need to find my confidence again somewhere between now and September 15th. I need to believe that I can do this thing. I cannot let the self-doubt ruin this for me. I just can't.
So, that is where I am right now. I need to get in a new head space, and quickly. This next week is bound to be interesting, as I have some really exciting stuff on my plate. I am going to need to be flexible to get my runs in with everything going on, but I'll make it happen. I hope!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I've gotta feelin'....
I've been trying to figure out exactly how to put what I'm feeling into words. And no matter how I do it, I am pretty sure that it will sound corny and silly. Oh well, I'm going to try anyways.
For the longest time after I started running, I didn't feel like a runner. I felt like, I don't know...a running imposter who was pretending to be a runner or something. I'd heard the whole "If you run, you are a runner" thing, but I wasn't buying it. I didn't feel like I'd earned the right to call myself a runner.
Somewhere along this journey, not too long ago, something changed. I started to feel like a runner...still a beginning runner, but a runner. I've still got lots to learn and that is okay. I think it is part of the journey. Somewhere along the line, running changed me and became part of who I am. I may not be the fastest person out there, (Let's be honest...I know I won't be!) or the most experienced, but it doesn't matter. I run for me. I don't run to meet someone else's perception of what a runner is or isn't. I am a runner, and my runs are mine alone. Fast, slow, in-between...they are all part of my journey.
So now that we've established that I am a runner, let's move on to the corny and silly thing.
It is kind of hard to put into words the changes that have gone on inside my brain. I joke that I went crazy and decided to run, and lots of days I still feel like that is true. But in all seriousness, running has changed me for the better. I'm not talking about physical stuff. I'm talking about changes in my psyche or something. I've found this strength and confidence inside me that I had lost somewhere along the line. It makes me feel sad to admit this, but for a long time I have felt very self-conscious about clothes and particularly colors. I made myself wear lots of dark colors and stayed away from anything fitted for the most part, because that hid the fat the best in my mind. I wasn't happy with my body, and I'm only now starting to see it as a work in progress. The change started with the running clothes. I found myself willing to wear a hot pink shirt, or those cute argyle print socks when I ran. I didn't care what other people thought about how I looked, because running in those things made ME feel happy. Slowly, that confidence and willingness to add color back into my life is creeping into my regular wardrobe. Not only that, but for the first time in YEARS, I'm willing to wear a dress in public...and because I WANT to, not because it is what is appropriate for some occasion. Not only have I worn dresses, but I've even felt (gasp!) a little bit pretty in them. I cannot even tell you the last time I really felt pretty before this summer. Sad, but true....but I'm getting there and I blame running. Instead of hating my entire body, I can look at myself now and find things that I do like. (My legs are looking pretty darn awesome these days, I think.)
I went shoe shopping the other day and the salesgirl was this super chatty college kid. She asked me about when I started running and then how I liked it, since I'm only in about 4 months. I looked at her, smiled and said, "It has changed my life." And I meant it. Not quite 4 months ago, I was a lump. I couldn't chase my kids. I couldn't run around the block if I tried. Now, the kids struggle to keep up with ME. I can run for miles, and in less than a month I'll finish my first half-marathon. It is pretty darn amazing.
I ended up with these shoes on that little shopping trip. I love them, of course. How could I not love hot pink running shoes?!?!?
For the longest time after I started running, I didn't feel like a runner. I felt like, I don't know...a running imposter who was pretending to be a runner or something. I'd heard the whole "If you run, you are a runner" thing, but I wasn't buying it. I didn't feel like I'd earned the right to call myself a runner.
Somewhere along this journey, not too long ago, something changed. I started to feel like a runner...still a beginning runner, but a runner. I've still got lots to learn and that is okay. I think it is part of the journey. Somewhere along the line, running changed me and became part of who I am. I may not be the fastest person out there, (Let's be honest...I know I won't be!) or the most experienced, but it doesn't matter. I run for me. I don't run to meet someone else's perception of what a runner is or isn't. I am a runner, and my runs are mine alone. Fast, slow, in-between...they are all part of my journey.
So now that we've established that I am a runner, let's move on to the corny and silly thing.
It is kind of hard to put into words the changes that have gone on inside my brain. I joke that I went crazy and decided to run, and lots of days I still feel like that is true. But in all seriousness, running has changed me for the better. I'm not talking about physical stuff. I'm talking about changes in my psyche or something. I've found this strength and confidence inside me that I had lost somewhere along the line. It makes me feel sad to admit this, but for a long time I have felt very self-conscious about clothes and particularly colors. I made myself wear lots of dark colors and stayed away from anything fitted for the most part, because that hid the fat the best in my mind. I wasn't happy with my body, and I'm only now starting to see it as a work in progress. The change started with the running clothes. I found myself willing to wear a hot pink shirt, or those cute argyle print socks when I ran. I didn't care what other people thought about how I looked, because running in those things made ME feel happy. Slowly, that confidence and willingness to add color back into my life is creeping into my regular wardrobe. Not only that, but for the first time in YEARS, I'm willing to wear a dress in public...and because I WANT to, not because it is what is appropriate for some occasion. Not only have I worn dresses, but I've even felt (gasp!) a little bit pretty in them. I cannot even tell you the last time I really felt pretty before this summer. Sad, but true....but I'm getting there and I blame running. Instead of hating my entire body, I can look at myself now and find things that I do like. (My legs are looking pretty darn awesome these days, I think.)
I went shoe shopping the other day and the salesgirl was this super chatty college kid. She asked me about when I started running and then how I liked it, since I'm only in about 4 months. I looked at her, smiled and said, "It has changed my life." And I meant it. Not quite 4 months ago, I was a lump. I couldn't chase my kids. I couldn't run around the block if I tried. Now, the kids struggle to keep up with ME. I can run for miles, and in less than a month I'll finish my first half-marathon. It is pretty darn amazing.
I ended up with these shoes on that little shopping trip. I love them, of course. How could I not love hot pink running shoes?!?!?
As for my runs this week...I've had some crappy ones. My 8-miler on Sunday was rough, but I survived. The heat and humidity have kicked back up and that is always a challenge for me. But, I'll keep on keeping on. There is no other option for me, because the miles need to get done. Crappy or not, I'm running them! They can't all be great runs, and I sometimes think I learn more from the crappy ones in the long run anyways. With that said, I'm hoping today's run will be a good one. If its not, oh well...at least I'll have gotten in some miles!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Time for a little change...and other random stuff
Today's little installment is going to be a little bit scattered. I'll apologize in advance.
I know the blog is not that old, so this change may seem a little fast. But, let's face it folks, I'm definitely taking this journey past 5k and I want the blog title to reflect that. So, I'm changing it up a tiny bit. I hope no one minds!
After a few days of rest, stretching, cross training, and some super fun foam rolling (or not so fun), I went for a run last night. I had 4.5 miles on the schedule and it went really well! My first mile was around 11:33, which is good for me, and the following miles weren't bad either. I think I ended up with an average pace of 12:30. Its better than it could have been, so I'll take it!
And then something weird happened. I woke up at 5am with this weird pain in my left inner thigh, especially when I rotated my foot. It was almost like a strange sciatica or something. This happened after my last 4 mile run too. I ate some cottage cheese, took some ibuprofen, and when I woke up at 9am, the pain was gone. Weird stuff, right? I'm just glad the pain is gone now and I am feeling good again.
I am feeling so good, in fact, that I am tempted to run a few miles this evening instead of doing the cross training I had planned. Maybe I will...we'll see.
OH and one more thing! Although the scale is still my mortal enemy because it refuses to move past the 5lbs I initially lost, I am noticing some good things. I used to always need to buy XL shirts to accommodate for my, um...ample, chest region. When I registered for the HEY 5k, I had checked the box for no shirt, but somehow I still ended up getting one. Its a large and it actually fits comfortably! I also bought some hoodies at an art fair last weekend because they were 2/$15. One is an XL and the other one is a L. I thought maybe I could shrink into it, but I put it on today and it fits great! I'm geeked about that, because it is super cute!
Really though, I want the scale to start moving. I read on another blog that for every pound lost, you gain 10 seconds of speed per mile. I could really use some of those darn seconds!
Soooo, in hopes of jump starting a bit of weight loss, I'm going to give up my beloved Coke. I don't drink a ton of it, but that caffeine is what gets me going each morning so I know I will have a few rough days. We have a 2 liter in the fridge and when that is gone, that is it. I know I will be healthier without it. Plus, if I can get myself to run all of these miles when I used to hate running, I can certainly give up this one little thing if it means I might lose some pounds and gain some speed.
I know the blog is not that old, so this change may seem a little fast. But, let's face it folks, I'm definitely taking this journey past 5k and I want the blog title to reflect that. So, I'm changing it up a tiny bit. I hope no one minds!
After a few days of rest, stretching, cross training, and some super fun foam rolling (or not so fun), I went for a run last night. I had 4.5 miles on the schedule and it went really well! My first mile was around 11:33, which is good for me, and the following miles weren't bad either. I think I ended up with an average pace of 12:30. Its better than it could have been, so I'll take it!
And then something weird happened. I woke up at 5am with this weird pain in my left inner thigh, especially when I rotated my foot. It was almost like a strange sciatica or something. This happened after my last 4 mile run too. I ate some cottage cheese, took some ibuprofen, and when I woke up at 9am, the pain was gone. Weird stuff, right? I'm just glad the pain is gone now and I am feeling good again.
I am feeling so good, in fact, that I am tempted to run a few miles this evening instead of doing the cross training I had planned. Maybe I will...we'll see.
OH and one more thing! Although the scale is still my mortal enemy because it refuses to move past the 5lbs I initially lost, I am noticing some good things. I used to always need to buy XL shirts to accommodate for my, um...ample, chest region. When I registered for the HEY 5k, I had checked the box for no shirt, but somehow I still ended up getting one. Its a large and it actually fits comfortably! I also bought some hoodies at an art fair last weekend because they were 2/$15. One is an XL and the other one is a L. I thought maybe I could shrink into it, but I put it on today and it fits great! I'm geeked about that, because it is super cute!
Really though, I want the scale to start moving. I read on another blog that for every pound lost, you gain 10 seconds of speed per mile. I could really use some of those darn seconds!
Soooo, in hopes of jump starting a bit of weight loss, I'm going to give up my beloved Coke. I don't drink a ton of it, but that caffeine is what gets me going each morning so I know I will have a few rough days. We have a 2 liter in the fridge and when that is gone, that is it. I know I will be healthier without it. Plus, if I can get myself to run all of these miles when I used to hate running, I can certainly give up this one little thing if it means I might lose some pounds and gain some speed.
And, in closing, here is my thought for the week. I've got a lot on my mind, which I'm sure I'll share soon. But this has been going through my mind lately....
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Mission Accomplished! YAY!
Back in June, right before my first 5k, I set two goals for myself:
1. Run the entire race without walking.
2. Finish in 40 minutes or less.
Now, if you've read my blog you already know that I didn't meet both of those goals. I finished without walking, but my time was 41 minutes and something seconds. I couldn't let myself feel bad, so I just told myself that I'd meet that goal next time.
TODAY, my next time came. I ran the HEY 5k this morning. Check out my lovely flat mama...minus the hot pink compression socks that were in the dryer. Cute, right?
The course promised to be flat and fast, and oh boy did it deliver! Well either that, or something magical got into my shoes, because it was an awesome race for me! My first mile was the fastest mile that I've run to date - 11:24. Miles 2 and 3 were 12:10 and 12:13 respectively. I felt great and it was a fantastic run. As far as I am concerned, I blew that 40 minute goal out of the water with my finishing time of 37:15!
I have to admit, when I was heading toward the finish line and I saw the time on that clock, I could have danced with joy. I was just so happy and proud of myself! Today, I feel like all of my hard work these past few months has paid off at least a little, because this 5k was almost 4 minutes faster than the one on 6/22. That is a huge improvement! So, I'm patting myself on the back today.
After finishing the 5k, I set out with a running buddy, Teri, and we did 3 more miles since we both had more mileage to get in today. After the quick drive home, and something to drink, I ran my last mile for today in the neighborhood with my son. In total, I got in 7.3 miles today and it took me 1:33:09....not too bad I think!
Once I got home, I ate a boiled egg and some cottage cheese (gotta get in the protein!), drank some water, and chilled for a little bit...and then I prepared for my new torture.
You see, I read a few articles and have had recommendations from several people about foam rolling, and I think I blogged a bit about it at some point. I am a wimp and holding myself up to roll is HARD...so I've come up with a new method. It is called, "Jen lays on the floor and the husband does the rolling instead." It works fabulously! Except, you see, my husband is not a wimp and when he rolls out the knots in my muscles it hurts! Looking at it, you wouldn't think that a foam log like this:
would cause me to writhe around on the ground and scream like a little girl. But, it does....and it also gets rid of any muscle tightness and knots, so I sort of consider it a necessary evil at this point. It is helping me to prevent injuries, so we'll keep on rolling! Plus, when there aren't any knots it sort of feels like a deep tissue massage, and that isn't so bad at all!
Now, I've been rolled. I showered and at a yummy lunch of leftover lasagna...so I think its time for a little nap. I'm in a great mood today. Perhaps is the afterglow of the runners high or something. Either way, I dig it. :-) Success feels good!
1. Run the entire race without walking.
2. Finish in 40 minutes or less.
Now, if you've read my blog you already know that I didn't meet both of those goals. I finished without walking, but my time was 41 minutes and something seconds. I couldn't let myself feel bad, so I just told myself that I'd meet that goal next time.
TODAY, my next time came. I ran the HEY 5k this morning. Check out my lovely flat mama...minus the hot pink compression socks that were in the dryer. Cute, right?
I have to admit, when I was heading toward the finish line and I saw the time on that clock, I could have danced with joy. I was just so happy and proud of myself! Today, I feel like all of my hard work these past few months has paid off at least a little, because this 5k was almost 4 minutes faster than the one on 6/22. That is a huge improvement! So, I'm patting myself on the back today.
After finishing the 5k, I set out with a running buddy, Teri, and we did 3 more miles since we both had more mileage to get in today. After the quick drive home, and something to drink, I ran my last mile for today in the neighborhood with my son. In total, I got in 7.3 miles today and it took me 1:33:09....not too bad I think!
Once I got home, I ate a boiled egg and some cottage cheese (gotta get in the protein!), drank some water, and chilled for a little bit...and then I prepared for my new torture.
You see, I read a few articles and have had recommendations from several people about foam rolling, and I think I blogged a bit about it at some point. I am a wimp and holding myself up to roll is HARD...so I've come up with a new method. It is called, "Jen lays on the floor and the husband does the rolling instead." It works fabulously! Except, you see, my husband is not a wimp and when he rolls out the knots in my muscles it hurts! Looking at it, you wouldn't think that a foam log like this:
would cause me to writhe around on the ground and scream like a little girl. But, it does....and it also gets rid of any muscle tightness and knots, so I sort of consider it a necessary evil at this point. It is helping me to prevent injuries, so we'll keep on rolling! Plus, when there aren't any knots it sort of feels like a deep tissue massage, and that isn't so bad at all!
Now, I've been rolled. I showered and at a yummy lunch of leftover lasagna...so I think its time for a little nap. I'm in a great mood today. Perhaps is the afterglow of the runners high or something. Either way, I dig it. :-) Success feels good!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Officially HALF CRAZY....I've done lost my mind all over again!
I'm freaking the freak out as I write this. Seriously, I feel like I could throw up. And WHY the sudden freak out?
I lost my mind all over again today people. I officially registered for the Capital City River Run Impression 5 Half Marathon. Wow, that is a mouth full! But the point is this - I'm in - 100% committed now, and there is no backing out. I registered and paid and in less than 6 weeks my butt will be running a half marathon. 13.1 miles of me and the road....Oh Em Gee! It is exciting and scary all in one!
Now that I'm all in, I have to be totally committed to this training plan. I guess I picked a good time to commit, because I've reached the point in the plan where stuff starts to get real. Even my short runs are 4 miles long now. I know that I can tweak the plan as needed but I really need to follow it the best I can so that I'll be prepared when September 15th arrives!
I think I'm doing pretty well so far though. Last week, I did my first 10k (6.2 miles) and the plan only called for 5 miles. Yesterday night, I convinced my husband that he needed to run with me and we did HIS first 10k. He told me mid-run that he was nuts to agree to do the run with me. I told him that the crazy must be rubbing off on him.
I planned to use this run for a virtual 10k that I registered for, but I think I'm going to give the husband the medal instead. Grumpy cat suits him, and he deserves a medal for his first 10k. Also good to note, the man might be able to finish a 5k faster than I can, but *I* can run a 10k faster than he can. Bwaaa haaaa haaaaa! (That was my evil laugh.
My schedule has been off a bit because of the whole delayed 10k thing and then we went camping this weekend which messed me up some more. Word to the wise - sleeping on the ground when temps are in the upper 40's does NOT make the body happy come running time. I knew I wasn't up for 6 miles Sunday night after we got home, so it got postponed to yesterday night instead.
Now, I'm trying to get my crazy self back on track. Tomorrow, I'm planning to run 4 miles. Thursday, I'm only doing 2. I know, that isn't in my plan...but there is a good reason! You see, on Saturday morning, I have a 5k race and I'm tapering a bit so I'm not all tired and stuff.
Remember that goal I set way back when (in June...it seems like forever ago now!) of running a 5k in less than 40 minutes?
I'm planning to meet that goal this weekend, not hoping...PLANNING! Then after I finish the 5k, I'll run another 4 miles to get in my 7 total for this week's long run. Yes, it sounds a little crazy. Would you really expect anything less from me at this point?
So yeah, I'm riding the crazy train right on towards a half marathon, and it is official now. Even crazier? I have decided that I want to do a full marathon before I turn 35. That gives me 14 months to get it done. I figure that if I'm going to be crazy, I may as well go ALL IN!
I lost my mind all over again today people. I officially registered for the Capital City River Run Impression 5 Half Marathon. Wow, that is a mouth full! But the point is this - I'm in - 100% committed now, and there is no backing out. I registered and paid and in less than 6 weeks my butt will be running a half marathon. 13.1 miles of me and the road....Oh Em Gee! It is exciting and scary all in one!
Now that I'm all in, I have to be totally committed to this training plan. I guess I picked a good time to commit, because I've reached the point in the plan where stuff starts to get real. Even my short runs are 4 miles long now. I know that I can tweak the plan as needed but I really need to follow it the best I can so that I'll be prepared when September 15th arrives!
I think I'm doing pretty well so far though. Last week, I did my first 10k (6.2 miles) and the plan only called for 5 miles. Yesterday night, I convinced my husband that he needed to run with me and we did HIS first 10k. He told me mid-run that he was nuts to agree to do the run with me. I told him that the crazy must be rubbing off on him.
I planned to use this run for a virtual 10k that I registered for, but I think I'm going to give the husband the medal instead. Grumpy cat suits him, and he deserves a medal for his first 10k. Also good to note, the man might be able to finish a 5k faster than I can, but *I* can run a 10k faster than he can. Bwaaa haaaa haaaaa! (That was my evil laugh.
My schedule has been off a bit because of the whole delayed 10k thing and then we went camping this weekend which messed me up some more. Word to the wise - sleeping on the ground when temps are in the upper 40's does NOT make the body happy come running time. I knew I wasn't up for 6 miles Sunday night after we got home, so it got postponed to yesterday night instead.
Now, I'm trying to get my crazy self back on track. Tomorrow, I'm planning to run 4 miles. Thursday, I'm only doing 2. I know, that isn't in my plan...but there is a good reason! You see, on Saturday morning, I have a 5k race and I'm tapering a bit so I'm not all tired and stuff.
Remember that goal I set way back when (in June...it seems like forever ago now!) of running a 5k in less than 40 minutes?
I'm planning to meet that goal this weekend, not hoping...PLANNING! Then after I finish the 5k, I'll run another 4 miles to get in my 7 total for this week's long run. Yes, it sounds a little crazy. Would you really expect anything less from me at this point?
So yeah, I'm riding the crazy train right on towards a half marathon, and it is official now. Even crazier? I have decided that I want to do a full marathon before I turn 35. That gives me 14 months to get it done. I figure that if I'm going to be crazy, I may as well go ALL IN!
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