Don't run on Monroe Ave.
Don't run at night.
And most importantly, don't run on Monroe Ave at night.
I decided to switch my route up a bit and run down some different streets. Last night, I chose to run on Monroe Ave, which can be really nice in places, and can be really ghetto in others. I chose to run in the ghetto area... well I shouldn't say that, it was more of where it makes its switch to becoming ghetto so it's like half and half. Anyway, creepers were out at every corner and bus stop and instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt, I freaked myself out.
It actually wasn't SO bad, but once I started thinking crazy things in my head - particularly after I saw the boy dressed in full camo wearing a ninja headband - the thoughts started flowing. Then I started laughing, and the man walking his dog passing by me probably thought I was a crazy that escaped from the asylum, I mean why else would some girl running down the street burst into a fit of giggles for no particular reason? The laughing however, was because I thought about how freaked out I was by a few hoodlums hanging out on the corner, when in actuality, I had a better shot of slipping on the wet leaves I was running on than being abducted by them.
The mere fact that I really thought I was going to be abducted is enough to laugh, but then when I started thinking about all the ways I could hurt myself running is where I really lost it...
I am pretty clumsy sometimes, and tripping on my own feet happens more often than I would like to admit, add some bumps in the sidewalk and that could be a pretty funny faceplant.
I also fear animals of all kinds (as mentioned in earlier posts, please keep your dogs away from me) so being attacked by one naturally comes to mind.
I run past many bushes that I fear I may trip and fall into - because that happens on a regular basis?
I do live in the city, where there are cars, maybe someone will drive up on the sidewalk and run me over? The accident has to take place on the sidewalk because I am too scared to run in the street. No, really.
See, there are so many (funny) things that are more likely to happen than being abducted by someone waiting at the bus stop. However, I don't think I am going to risk it and run down Monroe Ave in the dark again... at least not anytime soon.
XOXO
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STATS
25 Minutes: Run 90-seconds, Walk slowly 2-minutes
Miles Ran: 1.7
Cumulative Miles: 10.85
Days until Race: 22
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Woo for Two Miles
On my latest run, in which I was ready to collapse at interval 2, I broke a milestone... 2 miles! And, it wasn't just two miles, but 2.18 miles. Go Me!
I am very excited about the end result, but since I don't map my runs until I return from them I was instead miserable during these 25 minutes. I have been sick for sometime now, without an ending in sight. It happens every year, it starts with my allergies - that I do not take care of - this causes excess mucous to build up and cause a sinus infection and usually results in an ear infection (luckily I did not have one of those this time around). I usually see it coming for a few days, followed by a few really bad coughing/nose running days, and then I wake up perfectly fine. This time, not so much. I don't feel sick, but that excess of mucous loves staying in my head. Depending on the day, I am stuffed, blowing my nose, or choking on what my nose drains down the back of my throat. Gross, I know. Sorry. Anyway, this creates a problem when I am trying to run and my nose is stuffed so I have to breathe through my mouth, and this is when my nose decides to drain into my mouth and I cough and choke my way through multiple intervals of my run... or my nose is stuffed and I have to breathe through my mouth and it gets dry so I have to close it for a second, and my body acts like I have completely stopped breathing and am dying at any second... then I re-open my mouth to wheezing and coughing as if I had been suffocated. It's interesting I tell you. I wish you could all witness it, and then I would die of embarrassment so please don't ask to run with me.
Oh and I also did a quick check over my running calendar/training schedule and saw that this week marked 25 minute runs. So of course I continue to do 1-minute run, 1-minute walk instead of the recommended 90-second run, 2-minute walk. Silly girl, I might not have been so winded had I followed directions.
XOXO
-----
STATS
25 Minutes: Run 90-seconds, Walk slowly 2-minutes
Miles Ran: 2.18
Cumulative Miles: 9.15
Days until Race: 24
I am very excited about the end result, but since I don't map my runs until I return from them I was instead miserable during these 25 minutes. I have been sick for sometime now, without an ending in sight. It happens every year, it starts with my allergies - that I do not take care of - this causes excess mucous to build up and cause a sinus infection and usually results in an ear infection (luckily I did not have one of those this time around). I usually see it coming for a few days, followed by a few really bad coughing/nose running days, and then I wake up perfectly fine. This time, not so much. I don't feel sick, but that excess of mucous loves staying in my head. Depending on the day, I am stuffed, blowing my nose, or choking on what my nose drains down the back of my throat. Gross, I know. Sorry. Anyway, this creates a problem when I am trying to run and my nose is stuffed so I have to breathe through my mouth, and this is when my nose decides to drain into my mouth and I cough and choke my way through multiple intervals of my run... or my nose is stuffed and I have to breathe through my mouth and it gets dry so I have to close it for a second, and my body acts like I have completely stopped breathing and am dying at any second... then I re-open my mouth to wheezing and coughing as if I had been suffocated. It's interesting I tell you. I wish you could all witness it, and then I would die of embarrassment so please don't ask to run with me.
Oh and I also did a quick check over my running calendar/training schedule and saw that this week marked 25 minute runs. So of course I continue to do 1-minute run, 1-minute walk instead of the recommended 90-second run, 2-minute walk. Silly girl, I might not have been so winded had I followed directions.
XOXO
-----
STATS
25 Minutes: Run 90-seconds, Walk slowly 2-minutes
Miles Ran: 2.18
Cumulative Miles: 9.15
Days until Race: 24
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Help!
I need some advice... Currently in Rochester, NY the sun has been setting at around 6pm, the same time I am usually leaving work. However, daylight savings doesn't start until this weekend, so the sun isn't rising until around 7:30am. This creates a problem because I do NOT like running in the dark. If I wait until the sun rises, I will be late for work, but when I get home from work, it's already dark.
What do I do?!?
What do I do?!?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Finally, A New Update
Don't think that by not updating this blog for a few days, I haven't been very active, because I promise I have been.
Let's start back on Friday when I realized that there is a serious and notable difference in my performance when I am not very well hydrated. I have been trying very hard to drink eight glasses of water in a day, but I'll be the first to admit, I don't hit that goal as much as I would like. I have been averaging about six glasses a day, not including water-based drinks. Well, on Friday I ran into my old nemesis, Diet Pop, and so instead of my usual afternoon snack of water (because I try and drink all my water while at work since I know I am lazy at home and will not get up to refill my glass every time it is empty), I drank a serious amount of artificial sweetners. That being said, when I went for my run after work, I noticed a BIG difference. I felt fatigued and a little light-headed and that I wasn't able to concentrate on the music more than the actual running as I had been able to do in the past. I also started to cramp a little, which is never fun. I also ran after it had poured all day and the ground was pretty wet and slippery, especially since all the trees are losing their leaves, and the leaves are covering the sidewalks along my entire route. Of course I have to slip on some leaves and roll my ankle... which hurt a lot upon rolling it and was a little sore on Saturday, but is better now. I assume that it would have hurt less on Saturday if I had stopped running after hurting it, but I turned and ran home instead. I ended up cutting my run short by about 5 minutes because of this injury so I did yoga when I got back.
This was my second attempt at the yoga video, and in terms of knowing how to do the required moves, it was a better experience. In terms of muscle pain, this was a worse experience. Since yoga is a great way to stretch out your muscles, I thought it was a perfect after-run activity... except the yoga video I have is geared toward your abs, and in order to work your abs, there are a lot of leg movements involved. I didn't realize how much your legs are used in this video until they were shaking worse than my abs. I made it through the video, and then laid dead on the floor for a few minutes in a pool of sweat. I ran with a suit of spandex on under my shorts and t-shirt since it was cold out, and never took it off when doing the video. I am a wuss and have had my heat on for several weeks now and with a temperature of 68 degrees aka I did not need all that clothing on.
I didn't get much sleep Friday night, so Saturday was kind of a wasted day. It was surprisingly nice out, so I did go for a short walk - to Subway for lunch, but at least it was a walk. The rest of the day was spent mainly on a couch.
Sunday was another story though. My sister and I convinced my dad that he wanted to go apple/pumpkin picking and we drove out to a farm near our house. We spent about two hours outdoors frolicking through the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. We also thought it was a good idea to stuff our bags as full of apples as possible, and pick the biggest pumpkins we could carry with one hand - since our other hand was carrying apples. This was only a good idea, until we had to hike back to our car, which was not as close as we had originally thought.
My sister and I had to take a break from carrying our things, while we waited for our hayride back from the pumpkin patch:
Let's start back on Friday when I realized that there is a serious and notable difference in my performance when I am not very well hydrated. I have been trying very hard to drink eight glasses of water in a day, but I'll be the first to admit, I don't hit that goal as much as I would like. I have been averaging about six glasses a day, not including water-based drinks. Well, on Friday I ran into my old nemesis, Diet Pop, and so instead of my usual afternoon snack of water (because I try and drink all my water while at work since I know I am lazy at home and will not get up to refill my glass every time it is empty), I drank a serious amount of artificial sweetners. That being said, when I went for my run after work, I noticed a BIG difference. I felt fatigued and a little light-headed and that I wasn't able to concentrate on the music more than the actual running as I had been able to do in the past. I also started to cramp a little, which is never fun. I also ran after it had poured all day and the ground was pretty wet and slippery, especially since all the trees are losing their leaves, and the leaves are covering the sidewalks along my entire route. Of course I have to slip on some leaves and roll my ankle... which hurt a lot upon rolling it and was a little sore on Saturday, but is better now. I assume that it would have hurt less on Saturday if I had stopped running after hurting it, but I turned and ran home instead. I ended up cutting my run short by about 5 minutes because of this injury so I did yoga when I got back.
This was my second attempt at the yoga video, and in terms of knowing how to do the required moves, it was a better experience. In terms of muscle pain, this was a worse experience. Since yoga is a great way to stretch out your muscles, I thought it was a perfect after-run activity... except the yoga video I have is geared toward your abs, and in order to work your abs, there are a lot of leg movements involved. I didn't realize how much your legs are used in this video until they were shaking worse than my abs. I made it through the video, and then laid dead on the floor for a few minutes in a pool of sweat. I ran with a suit of spandex on under my shorts and t-shirt since it was cold out, and never took it off when doing the video. I am a wuss and have had my heat on for several weeks now and with a temperature of 68 degrees aka I did not need all that clothing on.
I didn't get much sleep Friday night, so Saturday was kind of a wasted day. It was surprisingly nice out, so I did go for a short walk - to Subway for lunch, but at least it was a walk. The rest of the day was spent mainly on a couch.
Sunday was another story though. My sister and I convinced my dad that he wanted to go apple/pumpkin picking and we drove out to a farm near our house. We spent about two hours outdoors frolicking through the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. We also thought it was a good idea to stuff our bags as full of apples as possible, and pick the biggest pumpkins we could carry with one hand - since our other hand was carrying apples. This was only a good idea, until we had to hike back to our car, which was not as close as we had originally thought.
My sister and I had to take a break from carrying our things, while we waited for our hayride back from the pumpkin patch:
So that is my fitness update for the weekend. I have a scheduled run after work today, so I will blog more tomorrow.
XOXO
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STATS
20 Minutes: Run 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.18
Cumulative Miles: 6.97
Yoga video - 30 minutes
Apple/Pumpkin picking - 120 minutes
Total fitness minutes: 165
Days until Race: 26
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Success
When I played softball, we used to have one day off a week, and the day after our day of rest, I always felt out of shape and like I was unable to move as well. So I was worried that by taking off three days, I would get that feeling back. My friend Allison, who played softball with me, and is currently training for a marathon, told me that comparing practice to a run is not the same. I admit, I had my doubts, but she was right. When I went for my run yesterday, I felt completely fine, if anything I felt better than I did last week. My muscles were no longer sore and I was actually able to sprint the last two intervals. This may also have been attributable to the fact that it is getting darker sooner now, and when I started my run at 6:30 it was still light, but the longer I ran the darker it got SLASH it definitely was the reason because I'm a huge wuss and hate the dark.
There were quite a few more people out running yesterday than I saw last week, but luckily I saw no dogs. I did however run past an all white cat with red eyes... that was a little spooky, but I lived to tell about it, so I guess we're all good.
In short, after my three day hiatus, I finally got myself moving again!
----
STATS
Day of Training: 3 (should be 4)/18
20 Minutes: Run 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.95
Cumulative Miles: 5.79
Days until Race: 34
There were quite a few more people out running yesterday than I saw last week, but luckily I saw no dogs. I did however run past an all white cat with red eyes... that was a little spooky, but I lived to tell about it, so I guess we're all good.
In short, after my three day hiatus, I finally got myself moving again!
----
STATS
Day of Training: 3 (should be 4)/18
20 Minutes: Run 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.95
Cumulative Miles: 5.79
Days until Race: 34
Monday, October 19, 2009
Slacker Part II
I did not run once this weekend even though I promised myself I would Saturday morning... and when I didn't, I promised I would after watching the Bills game... and then I said I would get up and run before work this morning... and now I am promising to run after work today. Since I am posting about it, I feel I have a much better chance of actually doing it.
Kate - I know you will appreciate a motivating quote, so here is a good one I found: There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results. Kenneth Blanchard. So far I only appear to be interested in running, but hopefully I will become committed after this week? month? soon?
Kate - I know you will appreciate a motivating quote, so here is a good one I found: There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results. Kenneth Blanchard. So far I only appear to be interested in running, but hopefully I will become committed after this week? month? soon?
XOXO
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Training Schedule
Many of you have asked where I got this training schedule from, so here is the link... http://run5miles.com/. There are three separate training programs based on how far you can currently run. They suggest you do the "intial test" to see how far you can run without stopping to determine your group number, but I knew I was meant for group 1 without doing so.
Happy Running!
Happy Running!
MotionTraxx
Also, if you checked out MotionTraxx like I suggested and you liked it, vote for them for the People's Choice Podcast Awards. I copied the email below with all the details.
XOXO
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Hey Motion Traxx fans,
Hope you're staying in 'motion' and that Motion Traxx is making your runs and workouts fun and effective. More great episodes are on the way.
I would like to personally request your support with helping us win this year's People's Choice Podcast Awards.
First, we have to make it through the Nomination Phase. Nominations will close very soon (this Sunday!), so please take a minute to nominate us today, and please spread the word. We would appreciate it GREATLY.
Here's what to do:
1. Visit this link: http://www.podcastawards.com
2. Scroll down until you see the form.
IMPORTANT: please nominate us ONLY for the two categories below:
3. At the TOP LEFT of the form, nominate Motion Traxx under the "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" category (podcast name: Motion Traxx, podcast url: www.motiontraxx.com)
4. At the MIDDLE RIGHT of the form, nominate Motion Traxx under the "HEALTH / FITNESS" category
5. At the BOTTOM LEFT, fill out your details, check 'Listener' and click on the SUBMIT button
Once you're done, please FORWARD this email to a friends and ask them to nominate us too.
That's It! Thanks again so much!
~ Deekron 'The Fitness DJ'
XOXO
----
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Hey Motion Traxx fans,
Hope you're staying in 'motion' and that Motion Traxx is making your runs and workouts fun and effective. More great episodes are on the way.
I would like to personally request your support with helping us win this year's People's Choice Podcast Awards.
First, we have to make it through the Nomination Phase. Nominations will close very soon (this Sunday!), so please take a minute to nominate us today, and please spread the word. We would appreciate it GREATLY.
Here's what to do:
1. Visit this link: http://www.podcastawards.com
2. Scroll down until you see the form.
IMPORTANT: please nominate us ONLY for the two categories below:
3. At the TOP LEFT of the form, nominate Motion Traxx under the "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" category (podcast name: Motion Traxx, podcast url: www.motiontraxx.com)
4. At the MIDDLE RIGHT of the form, nominate Motion Traxx under the "HEALTH / FITNESS" category
5. At the BOTTOM LEFT, fill out your details, check 'Listener' and click on the SUBMIT button
Once you're done, please FORWARD this email to a friends and ask them to nominate us too.
That's It! Thanks again so much!
~ Deekron 'The Fitness DJ'
23 and Fabolous
Yes, I know that is not how you spell fabulous, but every time I try and spell it, I just think of the song "Young'n" where Fabolous (the singer) spells out his name F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S. And then I think about how stupit (spelled wrong on purpose because my sister hate's how I pronounce it like this) I was when the song came out in 2001 and really believed that was how fabulous was spelled. And today I feel fabulous/fabolous because it's my birthday!!!!!
Anyway, I went for run day-2 yesterday, and since day-1 ended about a block from my house I didn't feel I had an adequate cool down. Therefore I added an extra set of blocks into the run thinking it would give me a little longer of a cool down. I calculated it on http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and found that it only added about 0.06miles to my last run, which I thought would be perfect. I was wrong.
If you recall, when I ran the first time, I sprinted my first few intervals. Well this time, I was much better at pacing myself and therefore should have stuck to the same route, because I finished my run about eight blocks from home. Now I can't complain because that was an extra walk and the more serious cool down I was looking for, but it was also FREEZING in Rochester, NY yesterday where the high was 40 degrees!!!!! So by the time I got back home I had already cooled down my body and was shivering.
On a positive note, pacing myself really paid off, because I felt so much better after this run. I even felt like I had more in me and could have gone longer... of course I didn't because, but the thought was there. I also am WAY less sore today than I was after day-1, but in a good way, not a I slacked off and didn't really try way.
I also posted previously about controlling your dogs. Well, I need to add children to that list, and the fact that small children that look to be three feet tall should not be allowed to walk the family dog. With that said, I will explain why...
As I was running down Barrington, hoping I didn't bump into the woman I babysit for (she's a talker) I see two little kids playing with their dog. As I come running toward them they come running toward me. I smile and pass by them and continue on my way. When I run, I am not one of those whose iPod can be heard down the street. I keep it low enough that I can still hear if a car is coming at me and more importantly, that I won't burst into song mid-run. Only a few houses past the little kids, and I hear hysterical laughter. I turn around to see the dog chasing me and the two children chasing the dog down the street. My minute run was ending so I came to a stop to begin walking. It was then, that the children were able to catch up to their dog and regain control, and I was able to walk-on alone.
As stated previously, today is my birthday and I am still young and plan on having a few drinks tonight. With that said, tomorrow morning's run might not be the prettiest. Stay tuned for that update (which may not come until Monday because I am too cheap to pay for internet and have to steal the neighbors).
XOXO
----
STATS
Day of Training: 2/18
20 Minutes: Run slowly 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.95
Cumulative Miles: 3.84
Days until Race: 38
Anyway, I went for run day-2 yesterday, and since day-1 ended about a block from my house I didn't feel I had an adequate cool down. Therefore I added an extra set of blocks into the run thinking it would give me a little longer of a cool down. I calculated it on http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and found that it only added about 0.06miles to my last run, which I thought would be perfect. I was wrong.
If you recall, when I ran the first time, I sprinted my first few intervals. Well this time, I was much better at pacing myself and therefore should have stuck to the same route, because I finished my run about eight blocks from home. Now I can't complain because that was an extra walk and the more serious cool down I was looking for, but it was also FREEZING in Rochester, NY yesterday where the high was 40 degrees!!!!! So by the time I got back home I had already cooled down my body and was shivering.
On a positive note, pacing myself really paid off, because I felt so much better after this run. I even felt like I had more in me and could have gone longer... of course I didn't because, but the thought was there. I also am WAY less sore today than I was after day-1, but in a good way, not a I slacked off and didn't really try way.
I also posted previously about controlling your dogs. Well, I need to add children to that list, and the fact that small children that look to be three feet tall should not be allowed to walk the family dog. With that said, I will explain why...
As I was running down Barrington, hoping I didn't bump into the woman I babysit for (she's a talker) I see two little kids playing with their dog. As I come running toward them they come running toward me. I smile and pass by them and continue on my way. When I run, I am not one of those whose iPod can be heard down the street. I keep it low enough that I can still hear if a car is coming at me and more importantly, that I won't burst into song mid-run. Only a few houses past the little kids, and I hear hysterical laughter. I turn around to see the dog chasing me and the two children chasing the dog down the street. My minute run was ending so I came to a stop to begin walking. It was then, that the children were able to catch up to their dog and regain control, and I was able to walk-on alone.
As stated previously, today is my birthday and I am still young and plan on having a few drinks tonight. With that said, tomorrow morning's run might not be the prettiest. Stay tuned for that update (which may not come until Monday because I am too cheap to pay for internet and have to steal the neighbors).
XOXO
----
STATS
Day of Training: 2/18
20 Minutes: Run slowly 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.95
Cumulative Miles: 3.84
Days until Race: 38
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sore Muscles
So since I lied to myself and didn't run on Monday when I was supposed to, my muscles were very sore yesterday. My last post discussed how just my quads hated me (I think? if not, I meant ot write it), but by the end of the day, many other muscles did too. I didn't want to risk pulling anything on day-2 and since the original workout called for a day of rest anyway, I figured it couldn't hurt to try something else instead.
Moral of that story: I did not run yesterday.
Instead, I decided to pull out this DVD I bought years ago and had yet to view. The DVD is a yoga workout focused on abs. I figured this was an okay thing to do since my abs could use some work and since yoga is a great way to stretch your bod.
The video started with some breathing excercises, but don't get fooled like I did because after the first three minutes I was in a full sweat. This man had me rolling around the floor bending, unbending, inhaling, exhaling, standing, sitting. I didn't know what was going on, and just as my abs were reaching their breaking point (because they have not been involved in physical activity in forev), we went back to breathing excercises, and then it ended. I was shocked actually, because that half hour completely flew by.
For my first yoga experience, I admit, it was pretty interesting. Afterwards I didn't feel winded at all, but very calm and relaxed. It was a nice feeling, except I normally like that winded feeling because I know I exerted myself. This morning, however, I could barely sit up. My abs are so tight, I can feel that six pack forming already, and my legs are no less sore than yesterday. If anything, I think they hurt worse.
None the less, I promise to go for a little jog after work today so that I have something interesting to discuss tomorrow.
XOXO
----
STATS
Yoga video - 30 minutes
Days until Race: 39
Moral of that story: I did not run yesterday.
Instead, I decided to pull out this DVD I bought years ago and had yet to view. The DVD is a yoga workout focused on abs. I figured this was an okay thing to do since my abs could use some work and since yoga is a great way to stretch your bod.
The video started with some breathing excercises, but don't get fooled like I did because after the first three minutes I was in a full sweat. This man had me rolling around the floor bending, unbending, inhaling, exhaling, standing, sitting. I didn't know what was going on, and just as my abs were reaching their breaking point (because they have not been involved in physical activity in forev), we went back to breathing excercises, and then it ended. I was shocked actually, because that half hour completely flew by.
For my first yoga experience, I admit, it was pretty interesting. Afterwards I didn't feel winded at all, but very calm and relaxed. It was a nice feeling, except I normally like that winded feeling because I know I exerted myself. This morning, however, I could barely sit up. My abs are so tight, I can feel that six pack forming already, and my legs are no less sore than yesterday. If anything, I think they hurt worse.
None the less, I promise to go for a little jog after work today so that I have something interesting to discuss tomorrow.
XOXO
----
STATS
Yoga video - 30 minutes
Days until Race: 39
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Liar Liar Pants On Fire
Okay so I know you expected a post yesterday morning about how my run went on Monday, but you didn't get one because I didn't actually run on Monday.
I know I know day-1 and I am already a slacker, but I had good reason. I had some grocery shopping to do after work because my friends ate me out of house and home this weekend (and I barely had food to start with before they got there)... and it doesn't help that I usually get out late on Monday's anyway, so by the time I got home it was after seven and dark and I am a female and didn't want to be out running at night alone AKA I was looking for any excuse to not go. I told myself I would wake up early on Tuesday and run before work so that I could still post something for you to read and hide from you the fact that I was slacking already, but that obviously didn't work out.
SO I eventually did the run, but it wasn't until after work on Tuesday. The workout was 90second walk followed by a 1minute run for 20 minutes. I wish I paid closer attention to the training schedule I printed out because I had my music set for 1minute intervals and I could definitely have used that extra 30seconds on each walk.
Speaking of the music, my friend turned me on to this website. It's motiontraxx.com and they have all these premade mixes you can download for your workouts. I downloaded the 20minute ciruit one and put it on my iPod. Technically it is not for a running workout (as you will notice if you listen because you are told to do jumping jacks and squat thrusts instead of walk and run), but I pretended that it was because the music did change every minute. Deekron the fitness DJ comes on and talks to you during it and it's pretty motivating, I am definitly interested in testing out some more of their music... and maybe on a non-run day I will attempt the jumping jacks and squat thrusts. Maybe being the operative word.
I guess you want to hear about the actual run/walk... well I started with some stretches because I love to stretch even when not doing physical activity and I got real loose and went outside (and it was FREEZING) and I started off with a warm-up walk and in my head I was telling myself "maybe your first race should be in summer where there is sun" but I didn't let that stop me. So Deekron the fitness DJ comes on my pod and he tells me were about to do jumping jacks and I get read to run and the bell rings and I take off... I mean really take off. I felt great sprinting down the street. My muscles felt good. My body warmed up. I started saying things like "why didn't you do this sooner" and "this is easier than I thought it was going to be" all positive, motivating things.
This happens for about 3 sets of the run/walk and then it starts to hit me. I am out of shape and should never have sprinted the first few sets, especially when the training schedule said "walk slowly 90 seconds" "run slowly 1minute" and here I was sprinting a minute, walking a minute. I really need to start reading directions!!!
There are also quite a few dogs that like to be walked at 6:30pm when I am trying to run, and if there's one thing I hate more than running, it's animals. I mean if you have a pet that is fine, just don't let it slobber or shed on me and we can still hang out... and by all means do not let it try and run after me down the street. Please control your dogs!
Half-way through this I started to say motivating things again because then I could count down the number of intervals left (even though Deekron the fitness DJ was counting up in my ears). I remember doing this many times during softball practice, especially during our dreaded first day of practice and the timed mile. That lasted the whole half-way mark, then I went back to saying obsene things in my head and my shoe came untied so I wasted part of my walking that I was enjoying so much with shoe-tying because knowing me I would have faceplanted otherwise. Note to self, double knot.
I wasn't really sure how far I would get in 20 minutes, especially since walking was involved so I just started running down this one street, got to the end, turned around and came back... and go figure it was perfect timing. The running portion finished three blocks from home so then I had a little cool down before I got back to my apartment to stretch. I live on the second floor, and walking up the stairs was a little painful, I got nervous I wouldn't be able to get out of bed this morning, but I must have stretched everything out pretty well because all but my quads are okay... however, sore muscles make me feel like I did something great so I'll take it. All in all it was a success. I completed the entire 20 minutes and using another website that I love (mapmyrun.com) I discovered that my route was 1.89 miles. Not too shabby... only 3.06 miles to go until I get to 4.97 (8k).
I plan on keeping Day-2 today, so I will have another post for you tomorrow.
XOXO
----
STATS
Day of Training: 1/18
20 Minutes: Run slowly 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.89
Cumulative Miles: 1.89
Days until Race: 40
I know I know day-1 and I am already a slacker, but I had good reason. I had some grocery shopping to do after work because my friends ate me out of house and home this weekend (and I barely had food to start with before they got there)... and it doesn't help that I usually get out late on Monday's anyway, so by the time I got home it was after seven and dark and I am a female and didn't want to be out running at night alone AKA I was looking for any excuse to not go. I told myself I would wake up early on Tuesday and run before work so that I could still post something for you to read and hide from you the fact that I was slacking already, but that obviously didn't work out.
SO I eventually did the run, but it wasn't until after work on Tuesday. The workout was 90second walk followed by a 1minute run for 20 minutes. I wish I paid closer attention to the training schedule I printed out because I had my music set for 1minute intervals and I could definitely have used that extra 30seconds on each walk.
Speaking of the music, my friend turned me on to this website. It's motiontraxx.com and they have all these premade mixes you can download for your workouts. I downloaded the 20minute ciruit one and put it on my iPod. Technically it is not for a running workout (as you will notice if you listen because you are told to do jumping jacks and squat thrusts instead of walk and run), but I pretended that it was because the music did change every minute. Deekron the fitness DJ comes on and talks to you during it and it's pretty motivating, I am definitly interested in testing out some more of their music... and maybe on a non-run day I will attempt the jumping jacks and squat thrusts. Maybe being the operative word.
I guess you want to hear about the actual run/walk... well I started with some stretches because I love to stretch even when not doing physical activity and I got real loose and went outside (and it was FREEZING) and I started off with a warm-up walk and in my head I was telling myself "maybe your first race should be in summer where there is sun" but I didn't let that stop me. So Deekron the fitness DJ comes on my pod and he tells me were about to do jumping jacks and I get read to run and the bell rings and I take off... I mean really take off. I felt great sprinting down the street. My muscles felt good. My body warmed up. I started saying things like "why didn't you do this sooner" and "this is easier than I thought it was going to be" all positive, motivating things.
This happens for about 3 sets of the run/walk and then it starts to hit me. I am out of shape and should never have sprinted the first few sets, especially when the training schedule said "walk slowly 90 seconds" "run slowly 1minute" and here I was sprinting a minute, walking a minute. I really need to start reading directions!!!
There are also quite a few dogs that like to be walked at 6:30pm when I am trying to run, and if there's one thing I hate more than running, it's animals. I mean if you have a pet that is fine, just don't let it slobber or shed on me and we can still hang out... and by all means do not let it try and run after me down the street. Please control your dogs!
Half-way through this I started to say motivating things again because then I could count down the number of intervals left (even though Deekron the fitness DJ was counting up in my ears). I remember doing this many times during softball practice, especially during our dreaded first day of practice and the timed mile. That lasted the whole half-way mark, then I went back to saying obsene things in my head and my shoe came untied so I wasted part of my walking that I was enjoying so much with shoe-tying because knowing me I would have faceplanted otherwise. Note to self, double knot.
I wasn't really sure how far I would get in 20 minutes, especially since walking was involved so I just started running down this one street, got to the end, turned around and came back... and go figure it was perfect timing. The running portion finished three blocks from home so then I had a little cool down before I got back to my apartment to stretch. I live on the second floor, and walking up the stairs was a little painful, I got nervous I wouldn't be able to get out of bed this morning, but I must have stretched everything out pretty well because all but my quads are okay... however, sore muscles make me feel like I did something great so I'll take it. All in all it was a success. I completed the entire 20 minutes and using another website that I love (mapmyrun.com) I discovered that my route was 1.89 miles. Not too shabby... only 3.06 miles to go until I get to 4.97 (8k).
I plan on keeping Day-2 today, so I will have another post for you tomorrow.
XOXO
----
STATS
Day of Training: 1/18
20 Minutes: Run slowly 1-minute, Walk slowly 90-seconds
Miles Ran: 1.89
Cumulative Miles: 1.89
Days until Race: 40
Monday, October 12, 2009
See ya later couch potater
I spend eight hours (sometimes more) a day working a sedentary job, in front of a computer, not walking more than a few times a day, the ten feet it takes to get to the bathroom. I then leave work after 6:00pm only to find myself ready for dinner and a night of tv on the couch.
At my ripe old age of 22 (23 on Friday!!), I don't find this behavior to be very healthy... especially since I was an athlete for seventeen years and am used to a schedule of workouts. Since graduating from college in May 2008, thus ending my athletic career, I have found that I no longer have motivation to go to the gym. I have also found, that my only motivation was the fact that my coaches and captains required these workouts and that I never really had much motivation to workout at all. I know this because I can count on one hand the number of times I have entered a gym since my last softball game of college - which was 16 months ago, not that I'm counting.
In an attempt to change my mindset about this whole "I hate working out" thing, I decided to run a race that my friends run every year. The race is the Turkey Trot sponsored by the YMCA in Buffalo, NY. It is held every year on Thanksgiving morning - hence the name - and is an 8k race. Though I thought it was a 5k when I agreed to run it :(
Since the race costs money, I know that by paying it I will force myself to show up to the event. However, the hope is that I actually run the entire event. There are some obstacles in the way - namely that the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of the year - but I have no doubts (okay maybe a few) that I can complete this. I find the whole running an 8k hungover pretty comical, so I decided to participate in Rochester's version of this race the Sunday before. I have promised myself that I will not drink before this event, and then compare times and see how alcohol hinders my ability to run an 8k. I found a training schedule online that tells me all I need is six weeks to learn to run five miles, so if it works I will share it, and if not I will probably share it as well, but with more hateful words. I plan on recording my thoughts of each workout after I complete each workout. I am a complainer by nature so I warn you the first few might be filled with yelling and screaming and why did I do this to myself type responses, but hopefully by the end I learn to love to run (ha) and will continue to want to run even after the races are complete and the snow season in Rochester is in full force (a girl can dream right).
Lou Holtz said "no one has ever drowned in sweat" - let's just hope he researched this statement before getting my hopes up.
Day-1 of training is TODAY. Expect a post later tonight/tomorrow morning of how it goes!
Happy Reading!
XOXO
At my ripe old age of 22 (23 on Friday!!), I don't find this behavior to be very healthy... especially since I was an athlete for seventeen years and am used to a schedule of workouts. Since graduating from college in May 2008, thus ending my athletic career, I have found that I no longer have motivation to go to the gym. I have also found, that my only motivation was the fact that my coaches and captains required these workouts and that I never really had much motivation to workout at all. I know this because I can count on one hand the number of times I have entered a gym since my last softball game of college - which was 16 months ago, not that I'm counting.
In an attempt to change my mindset about this whole "I hate working out" thing, I decided to run a race that my friends run every year. The race is the Turkey Trot sponsored by the YMCA in Buffalo, NY. It is held every year on Thanksgiving morning - hence the name - and is an 8k race. Though I thought it was a 5k when I agreed to run it :(
Since the race costs money, I know that by paying it I will force myself to show up to the event. However, the hope is that I actually run the entire event. There are some obstacles in the way - namely that the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of the year - but I have no doubts (okay maybe a few) that I can complete this. I find the whole running an 8k hungover pretty comical, so I decided to participate in Rochester's version of this race the Sunday before. I have promised myself that I will not drink before this event, and then compare times and see how alcohol hinders my ability to run an 8k. I found a training schedule online that tells me all I need is six weeks to learn to run five miles, so if it works I will share it, and if not I will probably share it as well, but with more hateful words. I plan on recording my thoughts of each workout after I complete each workout. I am a complainer by nature so I warn you the first few might be filled with yelling and screaming and why did I do this to myself type responses, but hopefully by the end I learn to love to run (ha) and will continue to want to run even after the races are complete and the snow season in Rochester is in full force (a girl can dream right).
Lou Holtz said "no one has ever drowned in sweat" - let's just hope he researched this statement before getting my hopes up.
Day-1 of training is TODAY. Expect a post later tonight/tomorrow morning of how it goes!
Happy Reading!
XOXO
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