Weekly Update

Great LSD today! Weather was nice--overcast and cool so no sun beaming down making it hotter than it needed to be. Lots of people were out at my spot with dogs, dogs galore. It was actually a little annoying, but I won't get into that. All in all, a successful run. I got about a mile into it and looked over to my right, and saw a beautiful female deer walking around calmly. She looked at me but didn't seem alarmed. We were about 15 feet from each other, which is rare in the city, so it excited me! Then, a young deer, spotted and cute as could be, ran out to her. I couldn't believe it! As if it couldn't get any better, as I was about to pass the clearning where they were, a male deer snuck out of the wooded area, eyeing me and walking toward them. It was such a cool scene! I had chills and a little extra adrenaline for about 10 minutes after that!

I had an awesome day out today, eating lunch on the river with mom and then going to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona! Glad I got my run in early because I had too much bad stuff today, even while TRYING to do well!

Oh as an update, I'm fairly certain I'm not going to compete in the half-marathon in October. I didn't chicken out but I really had to be honest with myself, and I'm just not ready. My goal was to be able to run the whole thing, and I know that with my longest run at 7 miles, there's no way that will occur. So to avoid injury, frustration and SHAME, I am not going to do it. But when that Kentucky Derby Festival approaches, you can DEFINITELY count me in, it's a no brainer. I'll be GOOD and ready by then!

I've done pretty well all week and I'm proud that I've stayed strong. I've started the 100 Pushups in Six Weeks Plan and I can't wait to see how that goes. I'll keep you updated.

Oh, another update--actually two. First, the back pain I was experiencing has gone away as far as I can tell. I was worried about it because I thought it had something to do with my running form, or something physically wrong with me. But when I started dissecting the possible causes, I realized I've been doing a lot of core exercises that included some pretty intense back strengthening exercises and I'm PRETTY sure that the "pain" was actually a soreness from the poor muscles actually getting USED for once! Whew!

Also, I've had to start experimenting during my LSD days to see if there's a way to rid myself of the awful runner's trots. Today, I decided to eat my favorite yogurt, Activia, before my run. I was hoping that by eating, it would help force out a bowel movement before my run AND that the natural bacteria in the yogurt would actually help my belly during the run too. I went 80 minutes without cramping, and I'm so happy about that! I don't know if the cooler weather had anything to do with that outcome but I'll try the yogurt method again next week and let you know! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I'm on Team Margaritaville Miles (Runners World Forum) and I'm really excited to have a team and some cool people to share with and support. It's great to have accountability, it's actually helping force me out of the door to run!

Happy Running for the week ahead!

Things I've learned in the Last Month

Who knew that my half-marathon training would take my mentality to a whole new level and actually help me in other aspects of my life?

To become a stronger, more efficient runner, I realized that the only thing to do was to KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON! That means to keep running with purpose; put some muscle into my workouts and don't be a sissy; don't give up just because it's not easy; push past the points where you didn't know you could go; don't stop when you WANT to, only when you need to; and pretend to be stronger when you feel weak, it'll get you through better than pretending to be weak when you've got strength within.

So I've been talking myself through my workouts, especially when they get tough. If I have to start out slower to get more distance out of the workout, I do it. If I have to FORCE myself to pick my knees up when I'm going uphill, I do it. If I have repeat mantras in my head, I do it. If I have to look around and take in the scenary the way you do when you're too tired to drive, I do it. What does all of this mean? It means that a large amount of my physcial success has greatly depended on my mental strength. When my mind is in the game, my body can play and it can play well. I've learned that by pushing myself just a little, I receive gains from that. I can have strength, muscles popping out, more energy, better success the next time around, and so on.

Which leads me to the second thing I've learned...when you do something once. It can be difficult. When you do something a second time, you remember what went wrong and you can plan for it, making it easier. The more times you do something, the easier it becomes. Valuable info to remember--in running and in life.

Oh, I've also learned that I can actually run 7 miles. Which means I bet I can probably run 8 later, and maybe 9 or 10 later than that. Revelations for days, I tell ya...

Easier the Second Time Around

On Sunday, I went out for my long run for the week. I told myself to just do one lap around my route, which would have been 3.3 miles. Instead, I felt too good and decided to go twice and then some, rounding out at almost 7 miles. Last week, when I ran my 7 miles, it was horrible and I felt weak. Although I was glad I had completed the distance, I wasn't really proud of anything else I had done. This week was different, I felt like I had actually accomplished something great for myself. I still feel that way. This time, it was definitely easier to run the 7 miles. But why?

I went earlier, so it was a tad cooler. We all know I run better in cooler temperatures. Was it the weather or was it the fact that I had actually done this before...and my body remembered somehow?

Body: What the hell is she doing?

Mind: Oh, she's just running 7 miles again. Remember? She did this last week?

Body: Yeah, I remember! That SUCKED!

Mind: Yeah, but you've done it once, so you'll be able to do it better THIS time, right?

Body: Oh, yeah. I guess you're right!

I think that has a little to do with it. But my mind definitely played a part in it this week. I have been talking myself into pushing a little harder over each workout. I tell myself "Ham Sa" or I play with my form. Sometimes I pretend I have little strings attached to the top of my knees when I'm going uphill, and there's some massive force above me pulling on the strings, raising my knees up so high that I can't help but keep running better, faster and stronger. It works for me.

One thing that bothers my good time out on these runs...runners trots. Usually occurring about 50 minutes into my sacred workout, I feel the cramping start deep within. I can push forward for about 30 minutes or so but it's not pleasant. I'm trying to figure out the best way to decrease the severity of these OR to eliminate them altogether. If anyone has any tips, please shoot them my way.

OH! Two good pieces of info to round out my post for the night. First, I had a nice run on Friday evening. I ran 3 miles, just played around to see what I could do. My first mile was 11:08, which for me, was actually pretty good because I wasn't putting forth a whole lot of effort. During my second mile, I ran 10:07, which was unbelievable to me. I've done that in the first mile before, but never in the second mile. After my 3 miles was up, I looked at my watch and it was 31 minutes and some change...which means I would have beat my PR for a 5K. This is a BIG DEAL for me, because my last (and best) 5K time was 36:49. Not only did I beat that but I did it in the horrid heat and humidity. I'm very proud.

Also, for the first time in my life, someone complimented me on my CALVES. I couldn't believe it. That is one body part that I've NEVER had anyone notice! Way to go, running!

Struggle Breeds Strength, No Point in Being Down

I woke up and thought I was going to be able to take it "easy" today but then it hit me..."Girl, you need to run today! DUH!"

So I did. I got up and got ready and hit the pavement (makes me want to sing that Adele song!). I pulled out a 3.5 miles in 40 minutes, which isn't good, no. But for me, it's okay. What's so bad about it is that I THOUGHT I was giving it a pretty good effort and going at a faster than normal pace. At the end, I just couldn't give anymore. I just calculated the distance to be a bit over 3.5 miles and I'm BUMMED! I thought for sure I had done a good 4 miles.

My pace for today's workout was roughly 11:19 and it didn't feel easy. I'm bummed but it's good to see reality. If I'm not out there giving it my best (even IF my best isn't good compared to others), I won't ever improve. So I can't be down on myself, I'm fighting through and with good reason. Like I always say, struggle breeds strength.

7 Miles

I ran a full 7 miles for the first time ever on Sunday morning. It wasn't easy at all, especially being on a hilly path like I was. But I did it, and I kept pushing myself with thoughts of why I was out there, and a couple of personal mantras to keep myself going when I didn't feel like it.

What I noticed about my workout: it was actually easy during flat parts, so I know I was keeping a good pace. I never felt like I was going to collapse because I couldn't breathe, and I felt pretty steady for the most part. The hills were difficult to attack after mile 4, though. Once I leveled up, I reminded myself that it WOULD feel better after my body adjusted to the flat ground, and it always DID feel better.

My biggest concern: my leg muscles (and even my arm muscles, to a certain extent--partially because of my 100 push-ups workout making them sore in the first place) were not able to endure for anything more than about 6 miles or so. They were sore during the run and were concerns. I kept pushing through though because I knew I had to get my muscles the oxygen they need and train them to know that they can hold me up for longer distances. So hopefully, next time I run my LSD, it will go a little bit easier.

Something that made me happy: Other than the fact that I actually DID it, I haven't been sore. I stretched before and after as I always do with every workout. But I also came home and had a shower. After tough workouts, I take a hot shower and toward the end, change it to cool/cold. That always helps my soreness too. Also, I stretched a couple of times later that day. I also had a great meal after the run at Havana Rumba, which was DEFINITELY beneficial! :) The Cubano Vegetariano is my favorite dish there so far. But I have some more experimentation to do there. I wonder how much a mojito would help? LOL

Yesterday was definitely a rest day after my LSD on Sunday and today is a rest/X-Training day. I might ride my bike a little bit after work today to get in a little bit of a workout, and it's going to be NICE out today. YAY!

Running for the Border and Why I Run in the AM

Just finished dinner, which was surprisingly DE-LISH! Drove past Taco Bell on the way to the Park to run and got the idea in my head to have that for dinner. I thought about it during my run too, so as soon as I cooled down and stretched, I hit the car and ran for the border. LOL I love their 79 cent, 89 cent, 99 cent menu. Sure, the food is high in EVERYTHING you can imagine that is unhealthy for you but it was a cheap meal and it sure tasted yummy!

Better than that low sodium V8 I drank earlier. Now, it wasn't HORRIBLE, I've had worse (like my brussel sprouts last night) but it definitely wouldn't qualify as a pleasant experience. The after taste was bearable, as long as you can deal with the taste of tomato soup. What was so nasty was the taste when you FIRST take a sip and it hits your tongue. I'll try it again, in a glass and with something, as my mom suggested.

The run today was murderous. I ran 3.5 miles, doing intervals and ended with some plyometrics. Prior to my workout and during my stretching exercises, I was very aware of how strong I felt and how ready I was to run. This all changed after I ran about a mile, it didn't feel so good at all and the humidity in the 90 degree weather was something that I could do without. I actually ended up walking a few times during my workout because I just couldn't deal with the heat. My legs felt heavy and a passerby told me she couldn't exert any energy today because of the heat, so I didn't feel so alone. During the entire workout, I kept thinking "This is why I do this at 7am, this is why..."

A young boy ran by me, ready to collapse at any moment and I just worried about him so much. It was far too hot for him to be running that hard in that heat. When I passed him again (or should I say when he passed me, because his pace was much faster than mine) he looked even WORSE than the first time I saw him and I just wonder why he was out there this evening, killing himself like that! I hope he got enough liquids when he finished!

I'm about to go do my Mammoth Workout, one of my favorite workouts, in case you didn't know! Here it is for any of you runners that want to know what it is...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1243489102/bclid1497991481/bctid1368763974

Why You Don't Buy Junk Food

Because you eat it.

Granted, I've had a valid excuse for the amount of junk food I've inhaled today, which is actually none of your business, thank you! But that doesn't make it RIGHT. So I've totally eaten like a piggie and it hasn't even been good food like a pizza or a Blizzard or anything, but just bits and pieces of empty calories (with the exception of dinner, which was a veggie plate with garlic bread) that do nothing to promote my health or advance me in my fitness goals. WAY TO GO!

Today was a day of rest for me too, which makes the intake of junk even worse. The Fair was lots of fun yesterday but all that walking ended up being a X-Training day (what? I can do that) and I gave myself today off. I will let you know if I hit the pavement tomorrow, which I so desperately need to do. I'm off schedule, my house is a mess and I feel totally off balance! NOT COOL!

Why Perfectionism Won't Work Here

Since discovering a local Half-Marathon earlier this year (scheduled for this fall), I decided it would be a great training motivator and a great way to push my running fitness to the next level. Part of me worried that I was jumping the gun, as the longest race I've ever run was a 10K, and my first ever race was recent in the history of my running experience--March of this year. But the other part of me wanted to have this to strive for and I figured that I would have enough time to get my body (and mind) totally prepared for the 13.1.

I'll be honest here--I haven't been diligent in my training. Now I wonder if I should even attempt the race. I COULD participate, finish it and move on, but I know that at my current fitness level, I wouldn't do WELL. And because of that fact, I feel like I shouldn't do it at all. I don't have any delusions, nor have I ever, so I never believed I'd finish with a sub 2:00:00 or anything like that but I just don't want to be out there for 3 or 4 hours. I'm afraid that's what will become of me, so like a good perfectionist, I procrastinate on the training (which REALLY helps the cause) and tell myself to wait for the Derby Half-Marathon, which is a noble goal but just another EXCUSE!

So I'm left with a dilemma. Keep pushing forward and participate and run the best race I can, even if it takes me 3 hours...or...give up on the idea of the October Half-marathon and set my sights for the one next Spring. I'll let you know.

I've said it before...

And I'm saying it now.

Bolt is a beast.

200m in 19:30. Go Jamaica, go.

Reminder of Why Running IS Fun

So I went for my run this morning at one of my favorite parks--it's got a nice bunch of uphills that really make you work, and at the same time, make you appreciate level ground a whole lot more. But my run this morning was so pleasant, the weather was just right for me--a little chilly first out of the house, so a jacket is a necessity, but once you're running, it feels perfect! I was taking it easy out there on those hills, which made it easier to take in the greens, browns and blues and of course, the golden sun light shining through them all! I was about halfway through my run when I just realized how awesome the whole scene was, and how good I felt running. I usually feel pretty good when I'm running, or at least AFTER the run, but once every few months or so, that day just flutters in and reminds you why you run, why it's fun and how good it feels to be one with the pavement, the trails, the gravel, the grass...today was my day.

My only hope is that it doesn't flutter by too fast!