Against my will this morning, I got myself out of bed to run. I even managed a total of 2.36 miles running and 0.67 miles walking. I know. Not too impressive. That's ok. Before I ran, I walked quite a ways. My toe kept hurting then feeling perfectly fine, then hurting again, repeat. I've learned better than to run on an injury in training and make it worse. But, I tried running a bit anyway, and the slight pain only popped up a couple times and very briefly. It's very odd.
The Podrunner podcast Definitive helped me along today. It even was coming to a peak right as I was making my final uphill push towards home. Felt good! I was thinking about how I respond to listening to music while running. I have a long history of moving to music beats. When I was active in making music, my foot would tap the beat, in marching band of course my feet were dropping in time to the beats, and hubby and I also competed for a while at a lower level in ballroom dancing. It's no wonder that I like to move my legs to a beat!
I had thought of going to a 5k tomorrow. I'm not sure my feet are up to that yet. I know I could finish, but I'm not sure it's the best idea quite yet.
Showing posts with label 5k. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5k. Show all posts
Friday, August 27, 2010
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Pi mile run
Yes, I did it. I finally ran in the Pi Mile Run, a 3.1415... mile run, rounded to 3.1 miles (5k). LOL! It's put on by an engineering group that I was a member of back in college. It was a super small race... 12 people. But, because of that, I came in 5th! The 4th place person just beat me. I didn't have the energy left to kick it more at the end. My Garmin read it at 3.25 miles or so. I'm pretty sure that is correct, because they took a longer route on that course than I have in past races held there. It was a friendly race. I finished the course in 33 minutes. Which means I finished 5k in about 31:29. That would be about my best time, I guess! I need to check my Garmin log and see if it agrees.
It was cold and windy. I'm sure that didn't help turnout. Not horrible for a run, though.
Update: I finally took a look at my Garmin output and although it's not 100% on the mark, I don't see any glaring errors in the GPS tracking. So, I hit 3.1 miles at about 31:06. Not bad! Maybe I'll break 30 minutes some day. The race course was about 3.3 miles.
My HRM was losing contact every now and then. (There is no way I was at 130bpm in the middle of the race!!) But, it looks like my heart rate was around 185bpm for the last 9 minutes of the race. Wow! I guess I did push myself and it's no wonder I was only able to muster a short 8min/mile kick at the end!
It was cold and windy. I'm sure that didn't help turnout. Not horrible for a run, though.
Update: I finally took a look at my Garmin output and although it's not 100% on the mark, I don't see any glaring errors in the GPS tracking. So, I hit 3.1 miles at about 31:06. Not bad! Maybe I'll break 30 minutes some day. The race course was about 3.3 miles.
My HRM was losing contact every now and then. (There is no way I was at 130bpm in the middle of the race!!) But, it looks like my heart rate was around 185bpm for the last 9 minutes of the race. Wow! I guess I did push myself and it's no wonder I was only able to muster a short 8min/mile kick at the end!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Back to the streets
I had a week off while at a sailing regatta then I lazed around a week without much movement. So, this morning, my brain was trying hard to get me to sleep in. Luckily, I didn't let it. Although, it did manage to delay my run a little.
All I did was run slowly for 30 minutes. In fact, I ran at what is now for me a slow pace of 11:53 minutes/mile. So, in 30 minutes, I only went 2.53 miles. Ack! Oh, well. My goal was to break my two week hiatus, and I did. The temperature was a beautiful 65F with a very slight breeze.
During the run, I kept thinking about the 10k I signed up for. At first, I was kind of scaring myself. There are also a marathon and a half-marathon being run at the same time, so I will be running with around 3,000 of my closest friends. A friend who used to run in lots of races was mentioning how pushy and crowded these runs can be. I don't like huge crowds. I have somewhat of a phobia of being trampled!
So, I started thinking about how I was going to keep from falling during the race. I'm sure it's mostly at the start that I have to worry about really tight crowds. Hopefully, they will have pace designations, so I can correctly group myself and not be behind too many slower people or in front of too many faster people. My guess is the former is more likely. Not because I'm fast, more because I underestimate myself.
It's kind of bad that I had that 2 week break right now. This Saturday is a 5k race. In fact, it's the one that I ran as my first 5k last year. It would be cook to run it again, but I'm not really prepared. We'll see how I feel when Saturday rolls around. Maybe I'll sign up on site if I feel up to it.
Bunny count: somewhere around 12
All I did was run slowly for 30 minutes. In fact, I ran at what is now for me a slow pace of 11:53 minutes/mile. So, in 30 minutes, I only went 2.53 miles. Ack! Oh, well. My goal was to break my two week hiatus, and I did. The temperature was a beautiful 65F with a very slight breeze.
During the run, I kept thinking about the 10k I signed up for. At first, I was kind of scaring myself. There are also a marathon and a half-marathon being run at the same time, so I will be running with around 3,000 of my closest friends. A friend who used to run in lots of races was mentioning how pushy and crowded these runs can be. I don't like huge crowds. I have somewhat of a phobia of being trampled!
So, I started thinking about how I was going to keep from falling during the race. I'm sure it's mostly at the start that I have to worry about really tight crowds. Hopefully, they will have pace designations, so I can correctly group myself and not be behind too many slower people or in front of too many faster people. My guess is the former is more likely. Not because I'm fast, more because I underestimate myself.
It's kind of bad that I had that 2 week break right now. This Saturday is a 5k race. In fact, it's the one that I ran as my first 5k last year. It would be cook to run it again, but I'm not really prepared. We'll see how I feel when Saturday rolls around. Maybe I'll sign up on site if I feel up to it.
Bunny count: somewhere around 12
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Envi-run 5k!
This morning was a dreary morning. It was lightly raining with some distant thunder. About 44degF (7Cdeg). Not a beautiful day. However, it turned out to be wonderful weather to run a 5k in! They had a short little run for the kids, but my husband and kids decided not to go to that. So, I went alone. I was running late and my husband had thrown away the entry form I had filled out and had not made it to sending it. I was just going to hand it to them. Not a big deal, but it seemed so at the time, since I was running late anyway. As it turns out, I made it there with enough time, filled out a registration, and got my number, number 42. (Isn't that the meaning of life?) I jumped and jogged in place a lot to keep warm. It was a pretty informal race with around 50 participants. Unfortunately, a lot of them were young, fit grad students at the local university. That's ok. I enter for me, not to win!
At the start there were a few sprinkles, but they stopped and it was dry the rest of the run. The first km was a bit faster than normal for me. But, I evened out and settled into a comfortable pace. I picked it up a bit in the last km, but mostly towards the last half km, since the first half was into the wind. I kicked it towards the end and finished with something around 32:40. I don't know the official time yet. It took me a few seconds to cross the start line, so the official time wouldn't be that accurate, either. I did forget to look at my watch right as I crossed, though. I looked at it a bit later and it said 32:53.
All in all, it was a good race. Afterward, as usual, I felt like I could have tried harder, but the truth is I was over 180bpm for a decent portion of the run. I tried to keep the flats under 180bpm.
I'm ok with the time. I haven't been able to run longish distances in the past several months due to my knee. I think those two 3 mile runs in the past week or two were the only runs over 1 mile, but I'll have to go back and check.
I brought my music equipment with me, not knowing whether I would actually use it. After seeing the small size of the run and the althetic appearance of most of them, I decided the tunes would be fine. After the first 1km or so, I was mostly on my own, so it was good that I had my beats. I used a 157bpm Podrunner podcast called Native Suns.
At the start there were a few sprinkles, but they stopped and it was dry the rest of the run. The first km was a bit faster than normal for me. But, I evened out and settled into a comfortable pace. I picked it up a bit in the last km, but mostly towards the last half km, since the first half was into the wind. I kicked it towards the end and finished with something around 32:40. I don't know the official time yet. It took me a few seconds to cross the start line, so the official time wouldn't be that accurate, either. I did forget to look at my watch right as I crossed, though. I looked at it a bit later and it said 32:53.
All in all, it was a good race. Afterward, as usual, I felt like I could have tried harder, but the truth is I was over 180bpm for a decent portion of the run. I tried to keep the flats under 180bpm.
I'm ok with the time. I haven't been able to run longish distances in the past several months due to my knee. I think those two 3 mile runs in the past week or two were the only runs over 1 mile, but I'll have to go back and check.
I brought my music equipment with me, not knowing whether I would actually use it. After seeing the small size of the run and the althetic appearance of most of them, I decided the tunes would be fine. After the first 1km or so, I was mostly on my own, so it was good that I had my beats. I used a 157bpm Podrunner podcast called Native Suns.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
AMRAP done, sub 10 minute mile!
Today started out with a mile, which I ran in 9:55! Of course, now that I sit down and type it out, I realize I forgot to dial in my 1% incline. Doh! That kind of takes some of the excitement out of it. This time, I started at 5.7mph and after about every 0.1 mile, I increased the speed 0.1mph. So, in the end I was running at 6.6 or 6.7 mph, which is pretty darn fast for me.
I did the AMRAP B workout today. I forgot my log at home, I had to wing it. I'm glad AMRAP is done. I did get sore muscles from it, but I don't feel like I did as much. Strange. I don't feel as exercised.
I will restrain myself and not complain about the person who left 45# weights on the bar today. Oops, I guess I just did. They have a sign up requesting that you unload the bar when done. I thought about making my own and taping it to the squat rack rather than on the wall.
I want to get in a 3 mile run tomorrow. I hope it's a tad warmer. It was super windy and just above freezing this morning. Not exactly what I want to run in. Unless it's raining, I'm going to have to force myself out the door for a run, since I want a little recovery time before Saturday.
This morning, as I got on the treadmill, my mind started playing tricks with me and was telling my that this mile was going to be hard (it wasn't, probably the lack of incline helped with that) and that I wouldn't be able to make it through the 5k this weekend. Darn brain! I know it's wrong, but I thought I had tamed that mental crap more.
I'm even more sure that my HRM transmitter is on the way out. My max heart rate was 205 today, which I know isn't true. After that, it sank to ~90bpm, which was also not true. I'm going to try running without it a bit, I think. Maybe I can get by without one for a while. Save money... for the Garmin 305... LOL!
I did the AMRAP B workout today. I forgot my log at home, I had to wing it. I'm glad AMRAP is done. I did get sore muscles from it, but I don't feel like I did as much. Strange. I don't feel as exercised.
I will restrain myself and not complain about the person who left 45# weights on the bar today. Oops, I guess I just did. They have a sign up requesting that you unload the bar when done. I thought about making my own and taping it to the squat rack rather than on the wall.
I want to get in a 3 mile run tomorrow. I hope it's a tad warmer. It was super windy and just above freezing this morning. Not exactly what I want to run in. Unless it's raining, I'm going to have to force myself out the door for a run, since I want a little recovery time before Saturday.
This morning, as I got on the treadmill, my mind started playing tricks with me and was telling my that this mile was going to be hard (it wasn't, probably the lack of incline helped with that) and that I wouldn't be able to make it through the 5k this weekend. Darn brain! I know it's wrong, but I thought I had tamed that mental crap more.
I'm even more sure that my HRM transmitter is on the way out. My max heart rate was 205 today, which I know isn't true. After that, it sank to ~90bpm, which was also not true. I'm going to try running without it a bit, I think. Maybe I can get by without one for a while. Save money... for the Garmin 305... LOL!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Last Stage 1 workout A
Today, I did a mile in about 10:17minutes. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to get up to 5k by the 25th, when I would like to do a run. That would mean I NEED to start getting out to run. NOW. This morning it was 43F when I went to the gym. I should be able to run in that temperature, but it has given me problems in the past. It will be a bit colder tonight, I think.
After the "measly mile" I hit the weights. There was someone using the squat rack, so I started with the B exercises. That was the first time I had to re-order the lifts. Of course, when he was done, he left the bar loaded. *grumble* I guess he could have forgotten. I probably have at one time or another. It is annoying, though. And it's usually people who are lifting rather heavy. Sure, taking 35# or 45# weights off the barbell is not beyond me, but it's the principle of it.
I did much better push-ups this time. I did them without winging my arms out. I'm not sure exactly why. I did lift the bar I do the push-ups on one notch. Yesterday at yoga, I realized I could lower into chaturanga from a plank and hold it for a while. I guess my hands were a little far forward, though, which makes it easier. These "yoga push-ups" have you keep your elbows in, too. I guess the only difference between this time and last was the one notch on the Smith machine. I had done some on counter edges here and there over the weekend, but nothing intense. Maybe that was all I needed. Weird.
Squat continue to improve, but still seem to get better as the set progress. I tried adding an extra 5# and didn't feel it was right, so I went back. I feel weird squatting with only 10# total on the Olympic bar, but that's where I am. That still adds up to 55#. That sounds better! My son is 45#, so maybe I should practice squatting with him on my back! I think these will help my running, though.
Step-ups went well. I was able to increase the weights to 15# each dumbbell. For the last set, I thought about trying 20# dumbbells, but as I prepared to start, I could just tell it wasn't going to work before I even stepped up. As it happened, my left leg was right at the point of failure as I finished the eight reps with 15# weights. So, it worked out!
The jackknives continue to challenge me. 12-13 reps seem to be a comfortable finishing place each set, and those last three or so reps are torture. I fell off the ball at rep 14 on one set today and had to get back on to complete it! ha! These seems to challenge me so much more than the Swill ball crunches. Sorry, I'm repeating myself.
I think I'll stick with one repeat of the 8th week. I should move on. There are so many stages to get through, although I think stage one is by far the longest.
After the "measly mile" I hit the weights. There was someone using the squat rack, so I started with the B exercises. That was the first time I had to re-order the lifts. Of course, when he was done, he left the bar loaded. *grumble* I guess he could have forgotten. I probably have at one time or another. It is annoying, though. And it's usually people who are lifting rather heavy. Sure, taking 35# or 45# weights off the barbell is not beyond me, but it's the principle of it.
I did much better push-ups this time. I did them without winging my arms out. I'm not sure exactly why. I did lift the bar I do the push-ups on one notch. Yesterday at yoga, I realized I could lower into chaturanga from a plank and hold it for a while. I guess my hands were a little far forward, though, which makes it easier. These "yoga push-ups" have you keep your elbows in, too. I guess the only difference between this time and last was the one notch on the Smith machine. I had done some on counter edges here and there over the weekend, but nothing intense. Maybe that was all I needed. Weird.
Squat continue to improve, but still seem to get better as the set progress. I tried adding an extra 5# and didn't feel it was right, so I went back. I feel weird squatting with only 10# total on the Olympic bar, but that's where I am. That still adds up to 55#. That sounds better! My son is 45#, so maybe I should practice squatting with him on my back! I think these will help my running, though.
Step-ups went well. I was able to increase the weights to 15# each dumbbell. For the last set, I thought about trying 20# dumbbells, but as I prepared to start, I could just tell it wasn't going to work before I even stepped up. As it happened, my left leg was right at the point of failure as I finished the eight reps with 15# weights. So, it worked out!
The jackknives continue to challenge me. 12-13 reps seem to be a comfortable finishing place each set, and those last three or so reps are torture. I fell off the ball at rep 14 on one set today and had to get back on to complete it! ha! These seems to challenge me so much more than the Swill ball crunches. Sorry, I'm repeating myself.
I think I'll stick with one repeat of the 8th week. I should move on. There are so many stages to get through, although I think stage one is by far the longest.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Faster mile, better deadlifts
Today, I ran my measly mile in 10:22. Not horrible, but not great. I used a 1% incline and ran at 5.5mph with some 6.2mph intervals. This weekend, we are supposed to get hit by a big snowstorm, so I likely won't be running outside, unfortunately. Maybe I'll get lucky and I'll find a break in the weather. Luckily, this weather has to be on the way out and spring will arrive. I hope to add two or three days of running a week to alternate with my lifting days.
During the run, my HRM freaked out and popped up to something like 213bpm. I know that wasn't right. It went back down to 163bpm, which was in line what I was feeling. Both the treadmill and my wristband registered the heart rate, so it must have been my transmitter that was having issues. If this equipment poops out, I might consider going overboard with one of the Garmins. I've proven that I'll actually consistently use the HRM over a long period of time, so it wouldn't be a huge leap to think I would actually use an even fancier toy. Although, I don't use my Polar F6 "Own Zone" calculated heart rate ranges. If I did, I would be over it all the time! I think it wants be to max out at something like 150bpm, which just isn't reasonable for me. Maybe I should set my own limits and have it try to keep me below something like 175bpm. Otherwise, I love my Polar F6.
Today was 1B7 of NRoLfW. I increased my weights on every set. That was a good feeling, but I was definitely pushing my limits on some of them. I tried to pay close attention to my form on the deadlifts. Looking straight ahead and squatting deeper than before seemed to help.
During the second set of lunges, I picked the wrong set of weights (20# dumbbells rather than 15# dumbbells) and my body told me. On a couple of the reps, I was at the point of muscle failure. (This isn't necessarily as bad as it sounds.) When I finished the set, I looked at my notes and realized my mistake. At least that tells me I'm picking the right weights! I normally don't want to train to failure, but rather somewhat close to it. For the 3rd set, I went back to 15# dumbbells and that set went as good or better than the first! For the previous workout I had used 12# dumbbells, although the rep count was 10 for that workout rather than 8 this time.
I'm still not feeling the burn for the Swiss ball crunches. This time I used a 25# or 30# dumbbell held over my head to increase the intensity. The reps increased from 12 to 15, but that still wasn't enough. I think I get more ab work out of the prone jackknives, which also use the Swiss ball.
My hips feel well worked today. It's a good feeling, not an alarming one. I wonder if the deeper squatting is helping that? I just hope it means my hips are getting stronger. That would be a good thing.
I've started looking at 5k races coming up. There is one in a couple weeks. I don't think I'm going to participate in that one. I'd have to drive about an hour to get to it. There is one on the 25th of April that I'm seriously considering. They even have a 200m fun run for kids. I think my son would enjoy that. So, the question becomes, will I be ready for a 5k in three weeks?? I'll have to look into that. The positive about that one is that I know the route and I know it's pretty flat. I ran a 4k race there last year before I finished C25K.
During the run, my HRM freaked out and popped up to something like 213bpm. I know that wasn't right. It went back down to 163bpm, which was in line what I was feeling. Both the treadmill and my wristband registered the heart rate, so it must have been my transmitter that was having issues. If this equipment poops out, I might consider going overboard with one of the Garmins. I've proven that I'll actually consistently use the HRM over a long period of time, so it wouldn't be a huge leap to think I would actually use an even fancier toy. Although, I don't use my Polar F6 "Own Zone" calculated heart rate ranges. If I did, I would be over it all the time! I think it wants be to max out at something like 150bpm, which just isn't reasonable for me. Maybe I should set my own limits and have it try to keep me below something like 175bpm. Otherwise, I love my Polar F6.
Today was 1B7 of NRoLfW. I increased my weights on every set. That was a good feeling, but I was definitely pushing my limits on some of them. I tried to pay close attention to my form on the deadlifts. Looking straight ahead and squatting deeper than before seemed to help.
During the second set of lunges, I picked the wrong set of weights (20# dumbbells rather than 15# dumbbells) and my body told me. On a couple of the reps, I was at the point of muscle failure. (This isn't necessarily as bad as it sounds.) When I finished the set, I looked at my notes and realized my mistake. At least that tells me I'm picking the right weights! I normally don't want to train to failure, but rather somewhat close to it. For the 3rd set, I went back to 15# dumbbells and that set went as good or better than the first! For the previous workout I had used 12# dumbbells, although the rep count was 10 for that workout rather than 8 this time.
I'm still not feeling the burn for the Swiss ball crunches. This time I used a 25# or 30# dumbbell held over my head to increase the intensity. The reps increased from 12 to 15, but that still wasn't enough. I think I get more ab work out of the prone jackknives, which also use the Swiss ball.
My hips feel well worked today. It's a good feeling, not an alarming one. I wonder if the deeper squatting is helping that? I just hope it means my hips are getting stronger. That would be a good thing.
I've started looking at 5k races coming up. There is one in a couple weeks. I don't think I'm going to participate in that one. I'd have to drive about an hour to get to it. There is one on the 25th of April that I'm seriously considering. They even have a 200m fun run for kids. I think my son would enjoy that. So, the question becomes, will I be ready for a 5k in three weeks?? I'll have to look into that. The positive about that one is that I know the route and I know it's pretty flat. I ran a 4k race there last year before I finished C25K.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Woo hoo! Back on the wagon.
I got up early again today, although a snooze-button-hit later than Wednesday. I got to the gym, ran a mile, then did NRoLfW 1A6 (I think). I feel so great today!
I was really worried about getting up to work out today. In fact, I lost some sleep over it. The strange thing is that I was alone at the gym on Wednesday. Someone was pulling into the parking lot as I was driving away, otherwise not a single soul. Today, however, there was already someone on a treadmill, and as I kicked out my mile, people kept coming. Soon, there were eight (!) people in the gym. Strange. The weather wasn't different, so I don't know why the difference. Maybe people don't want to work out Friday evening so they go in the morning??
Regardless, it was a good workout. I definitely need to run more when the weather gets nicer. My heartrate got way too high during that measly mile. There is no question that running is much harder for me than the elliptical.
I've been looking over the lists of 5k runs in the area and have added some to my calendar. I've got to decide specifically which ones I want to enter. That should help me kick my running into gear.
I wasn't as sore today from Wednesday's workout as I had anticipated. I had a mild amount of soreness yesterday, but I had expected to be waddling today. I guess that's a good thing!
I was really worried about getting up to work out today. In fact, I lost some sleep over it. The strange thing is that I was alone at the gym on Wednesday. Someone was pulling into the parking lot as I was driving away, otherwise not a single soul. Today, however, there was already someone on a treadmill, and as I kicked out my mile, people kept coming. Soon, there were eight (!) people in the gym. Strange. The weather wasn't different, so I don't know why the difference. Maybe people don't want to work out Friday evening so they go in the morning??
Regardless, it was a good workout. I definitely need to run more when the weather gets nicer. My heartrate got way too high during that measly mile. There is no question that running is much harder for me than the elliptical.
I've been looking over the lists of 5k runs in the area and have added some to my calendar. I've got to decide specifically which ones I want to enter. That should help me kick my running into gear.
I wasn't as sore today from Wednesday's workout as I had anticipated. I had a mild amount of soreness yesterday, but I had expected to be waddling today. I guess that's a good thing!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A "wow" day!
My last run wasn't a "wow" day, but today was!
I set my speed at 5.4 mph and took off! In a little under an hour I ran 5.15 miles!! I felt like I could run even more, but then the treadmill started telling me to quit. (It only lets you run for an hour and I had walked 0.15 miles to warm up.)
I was wondering if I would be able to work up to a 10k (6.2 miles) next year and I think the answer is an unequivocal "yes!" It still probably won't be a fast 10k, but that's ok! I bet my 5k time will be a lot better in the spring, too.
Last 4th of July at the 4 on the 4th race, the thought of running 4 miles sounded crazy to me. Now I realize it would be no problem at all! Wow!
I followed that with a thorough stretch and a round of weights. I skipped the lunges today. I think I beat my legs and knees up enough for one night.
I set my speed at 5.4 mph and took off! In a little under an hour I ran 5.15 miles!! I felt like I could run even more, but then the treadmill started telling me to quit. (It only lets you run for an hour and I had walked 0.15 miles to warm up.)
I was wondering if I would be able to work up to a 10k (6.2 miles) next year and I think the answer is an unequivocal "yes!" It still probably won't be a fast 10k, but that's ok! I bet my 5k time will be a lot better in the spring, too.
Last 4th of July at the 4 on the 4th race, the thought of running 4 miles sounded crazy to me. Now I realize it would be no problem at all! Wow!
I followed that with a thorough stretch and a round of weights. I skipped the lunges today. I think I beat my legs and knees up enough for one night.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Change of plans
Warning: I was particularly long-winded today.
I really need to start running at night again. I set my alarm for 4:30 this morning, pressed snooze until 4:45am and didn't get out until 5:40 or so. At night, I don't seem to waste so much time. Running in the morning darkness seems safer for some reason, though.
Since this autumn is only going to get busier for me rather than calmer, I've decided to switch plans. The Gateway to 8k program is good and I love the podcasts, but the time needed gets longer and longer as you go on and I want to limit the time I use running right now. Maybe I'll pick it up again in the spring when the daylight hours are getting longer rather than shorter and our schedules have (hopefully) settled down a bit.
So, now the question is, what to do? I think for now, I'm going to stick to 5k and try to get it down to 30 minutes. Podrunner has fixed-bpm podcasts available. Today I downloaded a 154 bpm podcast. This was more my pace. The running segments of the g28k program were 146bpm, a little slow. It didn't really speed up my running. I ran for 31:16 and according to MayMyRun, covered a distance of 2.78 miles, for an average of about 11.24 minutes per mile.
Since I was running later than I wanted to, I kept having to talk myself out of quitting early. At about 10 minutes, I decided I would stop when I got back to my house. However, about 6 or 7 houses before mine, someone came out of her house and started running ahead of me. That motivated me to continue. It's funny how much of a mind game this is. That one little happening that actually had nothing to do with my own actions flipped my thoughts from quitting to continuing. So, I ended up running another 15 minutes and finishing out the 30 minutes.
That kind of head game is one reason why I'd rather have a plan like gateway to 8k. I let the podcast determine when I quit. My mind is left to wander onto other topics more because I must obey the podcast! Maybe there are subliminal messages in the podcast? It is kind of trancey music!
I think my goal for the time being will be to run at least three times a week and at least 30 minutes per run. I'll probably do two runs during weekdays and one on the weekend. I have enough activities spread throughout for cross training and some runs might be replaced by other activities. I thought about entering a 5k at the end of the month, but I think I might hold off, train for the winter and start entering races again in the spring. OR, I just noticed a group I belonged to in college is holding a Pi Mile Run, a 5k which is close to 3.14... miles (it's an engineering student organization - we're geeks, ok?). Maybe I'll do that instead. That is in town and on the same path as my first 5k. Even cooler that I'm an alum of the organization.
This morning, the bunny count was 9. Even with the full moon, it was rather dark, so I might have missed a few. They were all alive this time, although one didn't look very animated. Maybe it was too cold and just wanted to stay put. It was 45F degrees this morning (7.2C). Chilly, but not too bad. I did get a little squeaky in the lungs when I got home. I actually saw four people today. One was running (the one who motivated me to continue). The rest were going about their morning routine, it seems. I passed by the local coffee shop twice on my run. The first time it wasn't open, but by the second time I smelled the lovely scent of coffee wafting across the street. Some day, I'm going to plan my run to end over on that side of the neighborhood and bring a long a bit of money for a coffee. It smells so good!
So, as I mentioned, I used a fixed-bpm Podrunner podcast today. I had always thought that DJ Steve Boyett and DJ Beatsmith were one and the same and DJ Beatsmith was just an alter ego of Steve Boyett. But, it sure seemed like the voice on today's podcast was a different one than I heard oh-so-many times on the Podrunner Intervals podcasts.
I really need to start running at night again. I set my alarm for 4:30 this morning, pressed snooze until 4:45am and didn't get out until 5:40 or so. At night, I don't seem to waste so much time. Running in the morning darkness seems safer for some reason, though.
Since this autumn is only going to get busier for me rather than calmer, I've decided to switch plans. The Gateway to 8k program is good and I love the podcasts, but the time needed gets longer and longer as you go on and I want to limit the time I use running right now. Maybe I'll pick it up again in the spring when the daylight hours are getting longer rather than shorter and our schedules have (hopefully) settled down a bit.
So, now the question is, what to do? I think for now, I'm going to stick to 5k and try to get it down to 30 minutes. Podrunner has fixed-bpm podcasts available. Today I downloaded a 154 bpm podcast. This was more my pace. The running segments of the g28k program were 146bpm, a little slow. It didn't really speed up my running. I ran for 31:16 and according to MayMyRun, covered a distance of 2.78 miles, for an average of about 11.24 minutes per mile.
Since I was running later than I wanted to, I kept having to talk myself out of quitting early. At about 10 minutes, I decided I would stop when I got back to my house. However, about 6 or 7 houses before mine, someone came out of her house and started running ahead of me. That motivated me to continue. It's funny how much of a mind game this is. That one little happening that actually had nothing to do with my own actions flipped my thoughts from quitting to continuing. So, I ended up running another 15 minutes and finishing out the 30 minutes.
That kind of head game is one reason why I'd rather have a plan like gateway to 8k. I let the podcast determine when I quit. My mind is left to wander onto other topics more because I must obey the podcast! Maybe there are subliminal messages in the podcast? It is kind of trancey music!
I think my goal for the time being will be to run at least three times a week and at least 30 minutes per run. I'll probably do two runs during weekdays and one on the weekend. I have enough activities spread throughout for cross training and some runs might be replaced by other activities. I thought about entering a 5k at the end of the month, but I think I might hold off, train for the winter and start entering races again in the spring. OR, I just noticed a group I belonged to in college is holding a Pi Mile Run, a 5k which is close to 3.14... miles (it's an engineering student organization - we're geeks, ok?). Maybe I'll do that instead. That is in town and on the same path as my first 5k. Even cooler that I'm an alum of the organization.
This morning, the bunny count was 9. Even with the full moon, it was rather dark, so I might have missed a few. They were all alive this time, although one didn't look very animated. Maybe it was too cold and just wanted to stay put. It was 45F degrees this morning (7.2C). Chilly, but not too bad. I did get a little squeaky in the lungs when I got home. I actually saw four people today. One was running (the one who motivated me to continue). The rest were going about their morning routine, it seems. I passed by the local coffee shop twice on my run. The first time it wasn't open, but by the second time I smelled the lovely scent of coffee wafting across the street. Some day, I'm going to plan my run to end over on that side of the neighborhood and bring a long a bit of money for a coffee. It smells so good!
So, as I mentioned, I used a fixed-bpm Podrunner podcast today. I had always thought that DJ Steve Boyett and DJ Beatsmith were one and the same and DJ Beatsmith was just an alter ego of Steve Boyett. But, it sure seemed like the voice on today's podcast was a different one than I heard oh-so-many times on the Podrunner Intervals podcasts.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
G28K Week 2 comes to a close
This week was four intervals of 8 minutes run + 1 minute walk. Worked out well, but those one minute walks are SHORT!! :)
This morning was the chilliest yet. 45F (7.2C). I don't have but the slightest squeak in my lungs, but breathing sure seemed harder than when it was warmer. I'm not sure how regularly I will be able to run this winter. My light rain jacket turned out to be perfect over a cotton T-shirt today.
MapMyRun says I ran 3.03 miles in the 32 minutes running + 3 minutes walking. A little disappointing. Although, it's satisfying that that is disappointing! (Boy, this running thing is complicated!)
I think I might enter a 5k in the town where I work for later this month. It's 50 minutes away and $25 (!!!) to enter, $35 on the day of. Although, that includes a dry-wick T-shirt rather than a cotton one. It seems their focus is more on the 10k race they also have. The 5k should be half price... or less, since they are only giving prizes for the 10k. Maybe I'll be up to the point where I could run the 10k next year. Although with walking breaks, I'm sure I could finish a 10k, I'm not going to attempt it. I'm leaving on a business trip the next day.
I was going to run last night, but I went to bed instead. I had gotten 4.5 hours of sleep the night before. So, last night, I got 7 hours and that isn't counting the half hour of pressing snooze! So, I got underway at 5:20am. I really need to run at night, though. I don't mind getting up early, but I'm still at the point where I have to talk myself into getting up early to run. I know I'll feel good and I need to keep to schedule, but it's still hard. I can pop out of bed for other things, but somehow I guess deep down, my mind doesn't put enough priority on working out.
By the way, I'm liking the extra cushion in my Saucony shoes. Now I don't feel the need to run in the street to be on asphalt. They do a better job absorbing the shock of running on concrete than my previous shoes. I tried to see if I could get another back up pair from the discount store for the $37 I spent on these, but they were out of my size, of course. I found them at a local shoe store for $75, which is a fair price.
This morning was the chilliest yet. 45F (7.2C). I don't have but the slightest squeak in my lungs, but breathing sure seemed harder than when it was warmer. I'm not sure how regularly I will be able to run this winter. My light rain jacket turned out to be perfect over a cotton T-shirt today.
MapMyRun says I ran 3.03 miles in the 32 minutes running + 3 minutes walking. A little disappointing. Although, it's satisfying that that is disappointing! (Boy, this running thing is complicated!)
I think I might enter a 5k in the town where I work for later this month. It's 50 minutes away and $25 (!!!) to enter, $35 on the day of. Although, that includes a dry-wick T-shirt rather than a cotton one. It seems their focus is more on the 10k race they also have. The 5k should be half price... or less, since they are only giving prizes for the 10k. Maybe I'll be up to the point where I could run the 10k next year. Although with walking breaks, I'm sure I could finish a 10k, I'm not going to attempt it. I'm leaving on a business trip the next day.
I was going to run last night, but I went to bed instead. I had gotten 4.5 hours of sleep the night before. So, last night, I got 7 hours and that isn't counting the half hour of pressing snooze! So, I got underway at 5:20am. I really need to run at night, though. I don't mind getting up early, but I'm still at the point where I have to talk myself into getting up early to run. I know I'll feel good and I need to keep to schedule, but it's still hard. I can pop out of bed for other things, but somehow I guess deep down, my mind doesn't put enough priority on working out.
By the way, I'm liking the extra cushion in my Saucony shoes. Now I don't feel the need to run in the street to be on asphalt. They do a better job absorbing the shock of running on concrete than my previous shoes. I tried to see if I could get another back up pair from the discount store for the $37 I spent on these, but they were out of my size, of course. I found them at a local shoe store for $75, which is a fair price.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
First 5k Race
Today I completed my first 5k race. I've run 5k a few times at the end of the Couch to 5k program and afterwards. I ran in a 4k race previously. All that put together made this 5k less stressful. I knew what to expect. I knew where to pin my number and how to handle the chute at the finish line. The C25k shirt from Zazzle worked well. It's some special material, like microfiber or something. The day was nice. Not too warm yet in the morning. Clear skies. Slight breeze. Couldn't ask for anything better.
I started off the first mile too fast. I was feeling good and even passing people. At one point, I got stuck behind a group that was running just a bit too slow for me. So, I had to figure out how to maneuver out of that. Interesting. The type of thing I don't have to worry about normally! I finished the first mile in under ten minutes, which is good for me. Then, during the second mile, I started doubting myself. I had to slow it down some because I wasn't sure I'd have enough juice left to get through the third. But, as I made my way into the third mile, I started telling myself: "Just one more mile!" and it worked. Earlier this summer it would have been hard to believe "just one more mile" would be a phrase that would actually motivate me rather than make me want to slow to a walk right then and there. I had run the course a few times before in practice, so I knew where the finish line would be. I made a bargain with myself that I could keep the slower pace until after the hill if I sped up after it. So, I did and then at about 0.2 miles left, I kicked it into a full fledged run.
Official time: 31 minutes and 32 seconds
I had hoped that somehow I would get superhuman strength and finish in under 30 minutes, knocking around 3 or 4 minutes off of my practice times. That didn't happen, but I did improve my time.
Overall, I was 68th out of some where around 90 runners. Not great, but ok. They didn't time all the walkers and I was WAY ahead of them, at least. The winner ran something a little over 17 minutes. As I passed the first mile marker at a little before 10 minutes, I figured we'd be seeing the first fast runners coming by. The course was an out-and-back with the exception that the turn around is a loop. A couple minutes past that first mile marker, I did see that 17 minute guy on his way back. Some of those fastest people didn't look like they were having much fun!
I started off the first mile too fast. I was feeling good and even passing people. At one point, I got stuck behind a group that was running just a bit too slow for me. So, I had to figure out how to maneuver out of that. Interesting. The type of thing I don't have to worry about normally! I finished the first mile in under ten minutes, which is good for me. Then, during the second mile, I started doubting myself. I had to slow it down some because I wasn't sure I'd have enough juice left to get through the third. But, as I made my way into the third mile, I started telling myself: "Just one more mile!" and it worked. Earlier this summer it would have been hard to believe "just one more mile" would be a phrase that would actually motivate me rather than make me want to slow to a walk right then and there. I had run the course a few times before in practice, so I knew where the finish line would be. I made a bargain with myself that I could keep the slower pace until after the hill if I sped up after it. So, I did and then at about 0.2 miles left, I kicked it into a full fledged run.
Official time: 31 minutes and 32 seconds
I had hoped that somehow I would get superhuman strength and finish in under 30 minutes, knocking around 3 or 4 minutes off of my practice times. That didn't happen, but I did improve my time.
Overall, I was 68th out of some where around 90 runners. Not great, but ok. They didn't time all the walkers and I was WAY ahead of them, at least. The winner ran something a little over 17 minutes. As I passed the first mile marker at a little before 10 minutes, I figured we'd be seeing the first fast runners coming by. The course was an out-and-back with the exception that the turn around is a loop. A couple minutes past that first mile marker, I did see that 17 minute guy on his way back. Some of those fastest people didn't look like they were having much fun!
And we're off...
Ok, so the bloggers on the c25k.com forum have inspired me to create my own blog. Part of the reason is that I'm now finished with the program and I need to find direction so I don't let all my hard-earned running ability (as weak as is it is) flounder. I'd rather not have to repeat the program.
One of my goals is to speed up to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. I don't know if I want to extend my distance much. What I like about the 5k distance is that I can run it in a reasonable amount of time including warm up and cool down. We'll see, I guess!
One of my goals is to speed up to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. I don't know if I want to extend my distance much. What I like about the 5k distance is that I can run it in a reasonable amount of time including warm up and cool down. We'll see, I guess!
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