1. A plan.
Last night as I was running around in the dark, I was reminded yet again that I need to formulate a different strategy for the coming months. It's not going to be smart or even possible at times to do 4-mile runs at 10:30 pm in November. It's going to be extremely cold, dark, and unpleasant. On the upside, there probably won't be as many ne'erdoell youngsters hanging about under the streetlamps.
My options are few. I can just continue to run at night, I can run indoors (UGGGGHZ), or I can run in the morning before work (DOUBLE TRIPLE UGGGGHZZZZ). In addition to the night bit, I'm going to have to worry about the cold and snow soon. Cold air + my lungs = sometimes severe coughing fits due to something a Scottish doctor called "reactive airway disease" (which I developed over ten years ago while living in a country where everyone smokes in public). It is NHS diagnosed so I take it with a grain of salt, but still. Something to think about. I'll at least be purchasing some nice winter running clothes - mainly tights, gloves, and something for my ears. So at least I get a field trip to the New Balance Outlet out of this.
2. New shoes.
While they're generally fine, my Asics Equation 2s need to be replaced and upgraded. After going through several pairs of unsatisfactory shoes, I've found that the Asics fit my feet the best by far of any, but they still aren't exactly what I need. I need more cushioning, especially in the forefoot. Sometimes my current sneaks make me feel like I am forcefully applying the ball of my foot directly to the concrete of the sidewalk. The girl at Marathon Sports told me I have perfect biomechanics, but I think I might need a touch of stability because of how small my feet are - when I get fatigued they tend to roll in to take the pressure off my ankles. I'm going to look at the Nimbus (though it might as well be plated in solid gold) and the Adidas Supernova Cushion (which I had good luck with back in college, I memory serves me correctly).
3. A crazy running buddy (or several).
I don't need someone to train with - while I've gotten over my complex about running with people, I mostly prefer to run alone, especially given my preference for wacky running conditions (dark, rain, large bridges with water on both sides and no lights). But I would really like to have a buddy who would do races with me, and not just local ones. For example, I'd love to know someone crazy enough to take the ferry out to Martha's Vineyard this Sunday to run the the Vineyard Haven Run to the Chop 5k with me. Or go to Portland, Maine. It's not that I mind racing alone, it would just be more fun travel-wise. My bro is too cranky and I always have to pay his race fees (though he is my best running pal), roommate C is too fast and she's busy training for a tri, roommate D is also too fast and training for a marathon. Nobody else I know runs. Or like to take crazy random road/ferry trips.
4. Speed.
I have a need for speed. Not for any real competitive reason, I'm never going to be FAST. It's just getting slightly ridiculous that no matter what I do and how long I've been running, I'm still stuck at a 10 min/mile average (Nike lies so I try not to listen to its sweet siren song of 8:30 miles. Last night I did some intervals at the end of my run and let me tell you, I was blaaaazing along. Still, it was just under a 10 minute mile average for those four miles. What gives? However, speed intervals are definitely a faster way to get home, so I'll be keeping those in my arsenal. Perhaps I also have to find a track? We shall see.
5. Better food.
When I first starting "seriously" training (anything that involves a calendar with stuff written on it that regards some action on my part I consider "serious") I went first became totally ravenous. It's settled down a bit now, and I've gone back to my ways of eating candy for at least two meals per day. Not okay. I need to base my diet around healthy things. Luckily, I have access to the school cafeteria for cheaps and can get on a decent meal plan for staff and load up on salad and delicious veggie pastas and perhaps take a banana for the road.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Race report - Thompson Island 4k
Busytimes.
I didn't even ask for the afternoon off, but I had roped my bro into doing the Thompson Island 4k, which kicked off at 3:30. We had to both sneak out of work to make it to the ferry, which took us on a leisurely ride out to the island. Pat was super cranky because his knee has been hurting for a really long time, and because he was hungover, and because he hadn't asked for the day off. When we got there, I made him go over to the sports chiropractors table. The girl helped stretch him out and massaged his leg and just like I had thought, he has ITB syndrome. In fact, so bad that the chiro girl was calling over all her co-workers to feel his scar tissue.
So hey kids, don't run on old crappy shoes for a year. Mkay?
The race itself sucked. I'm not going to mince words here. It was severely unfun. I took off too fast, there were tonnnns of hills (as it was a trail race on an island) and it was possibly one of the hottest days this summer despite being September. My lungs were burning. I managed to get through a mile without walking, but after that I had a couple spots when I just had to stop. My mouth was full of dirt, I was sweating like a hoss, and I couldn't even enjoy the beautiful view because I had to look at the ground to make sure I didn't step into a hole or on a rock.
I honestly thought I might not make it. Also, probably should have eaten more than a slice of watermelon and a hunk of cheese all day. Oops.
Soon enough, it was over, and I'd earned myself a nice crappy time but not anything to be proud of. Not last though.
It's always the races with free beer and food that I do the worst at.
But I still get the free beer and food and t-shirt, and in this case, and awesome picnic on a friggin' island on a Thursday when I otherwise would have been at work.
So, awesome.
I need to find a running club or something. I just need to get better, take it to the next level, whatever you want to call it. I shouldn't be crapping out on a 2.5 mile run.
Anyway, back to watching the politics!
I didn't even ask for the afternoon off, but I had roped my bro into doing the Thompson Island 4k, which kicked off at 3:30. We had to both sneak out of work to make it to the ferry, which took us on a leisurely ride out to the island. Pat was super cranky because his knee has been hurting for a really long time, and because he was hungover, and because he hadn't asked for the day off. When we got there, I made him go over to the sports chiropractors table. The girl helped stretch him out and massaged his leg and just like I had thought, he has ITB syndrome. In fact, so bad that the chiro girl was calling over all her co-workers to feel his scar tissue.
So hey kids, don't run on old crappy shoes for a year. Mkay?
The race itself sucked. I'm not going to mince words here. It was severely unfun. I took off too fast, there were tonnnns of hills (as it was a trail race on an island) and it was possibly one of the hottest days this summer despite being September. My lungs were burning. I managed to get through a mile without walking, but after that I had a couple spots when I just had to stop. My mouth was full of dirt, I was sweating like a hoss, and I couldn't even enjoy the beautiful view because I had to look at the ground to make sure I didn't step into a hole or on a rock.
I honestly thought I might not make it. Also, probably should have eaten more than a slice of watermelon and a hunk of cheese all day. Oops.
Soon enough, it was over, and I'd earned myself a nice crappy time but not anything to be proud of. Not last though.
It's always the races with free beer and food that I do the worst at.
But I still get the free beer and food and t-shirt, and in this case, and awesome picnic on a friggin' island on a Thursday when I otherwise would have been at work.
So, awesome.
I need to find a running club or something. I just need to get better, take it to the next level, whatever you want to call it. I shouldn't be crapping out on a 2.5 mile run.
Anyway, back to watching the politics!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Faster with family
When I first started running, the idea of running with someone else was kind of scary and just not something I wanted to do. That's why I adjusted my typical "I want to run a 5K" goal to "I want to be able to run the 5K distance but not actually do a race because that would mean running with people". Ironically, changing that goal to better suit my abilities at the time is what gave me the confidence to actually run my first 5k race, and the subsequent five races I've run this year to date.
However, I've still not been one to run with other folks aside from at races. But, my brother has been getting more into running since I started (it's contagious!), and we've talked about doing a short run together for awhile and since I love my new running route in Southie, he came out to visit last night and we did a 3-mile loop.
Pat had to stop after about a mile or so and we walked the rest of it, since he's been plagued with knee pain. (which sounds very much like ITB syndrome, but he refuses to go to the doctor. I have e-mailed all our friends at his work and instructed them to harass them until he makes an appt.)
So we only really managed about a mile run, but hoo boy was that the fastest and most consistent mile I've ever run. My bro is 6'4" with long legs and I am most decidedly not that. His slow jog is my all-out sprint.
This morning I was reading this post, which got me thinking about running with friends. For me, it is not easier at all. It's harder, and that's probably why it's good. It's "Faster With Family".
However, I've still not been one to run with other folks aside from at races. But, my brother has been getting more into running since I started (it's contagious!), and we've talked about doing a short run together for awhile and since I love my new running route in Southie, he came out to visit last night and we did a 3-mile loop.
Pat had to stop after about a mile or so and we walked the rest of it, since he's been plagued with knee pain. (which sounds very much like ITB syndrome, but he refuses to go to the doctor. I have e-mailed all our friends at his work and instructed them to harass them until he makes an appt.)
So we only really managed about a mile run, but hoo boy was that the fastest and most consistent mile I've ever run. My bro is 6'4" with long legs and I am most decidedly not that. His slow jog is my all-out sprint.
This morning I was reading this post, which got me thinking about running with friends. For me, it is not easier at all. It's harder, and that's probably why it's good. It's "Faster With Family".
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Minor League Ouch
Welcome, it is time for out weekly installment of Aches & Pains : Whinging About Stuff that Hurts. It's a nice time for a break from all that wacky positive self-talk. Let's dive right in.
-Saturday is my cross training day. I hate cross training, because that usually means I have to go to the gym. I really hate the gym. Last Saturday I used the stationary bike for half an hour. It wasn't much fun, especially because the only thing on TV was that Lifetime movie about Amy Fisher starring Alyssa Milano. I kind of wanted to light myself on fire.
This past Saturday, I decided I didn't want to go to the gym and that I'd be "lazy" and stay home and do a kettlebell circuit for 30 minutes while watching the Red Sox get their arses handed to them. That's basically 30 straight minutes of minor squatting and swinging around 15 solid pounds of iron. Throw in some pushups and lunges and stuff, and you know what you get two days later? That's right, Tight Biker Shorts of Pain. I had a good 4 mile run on Sunday, but that didn't really help the TBSoP sitch. Currently I am hobbling around like an old cowboy. Stretching would probably be a good idea, I should get on that.
-Tuesday on my schedule says "2 miles or cross". So today I strapped on my trusty backpack again and ran to work. Boy, was it a perfect morning for a run. Sunny, cool, breezy. The problem is, I can not run in the morning. That worries me in and of itself, but is a discussion for another time. Anyway, I rolled my L.A. out of bed this morning, threw on my clothes and backpack, had some iced coffee and set off. It was tough. Yes, my 2-mile run is the toughest run of the week. Maybe because I had a backpack on, maybe because of the TBSoP, maybe because I had the wind in my face the ENTIRE WAY, maybe because I kept running past people walking around in their work clothes and wanted them to think I was badass so I ran faster than I should. It. Was. Harrrrd. To add insult to injury, I totally ate pavement right in front of South Station in the middle of the biggest crowd of suits ever. I did my best not to look at any of them and just got up and kept running. Urgh. My palms are all skinned.
-My knees are starting to bother me. I'm a bit oversensitive to pain since I started running, because I've historically had a habit of ignoring stuff until it turns out I have two sprained wrists or pneumonia or whatnot. So every time I have a twinge, the referee in my brain throws a flag on me faster than I can blink. I don't want to develop knee problems. I also don't want to have to buy new shoes every two months, which is what seems to help every time the knees start wimping out.
-Speaking of shoes, mine are too small and they make my toes go numb. I'm okay with this because I'm in the minority and like my shoes to fit small, especially in the forefoot. My feet are tiny, delicate flowers made of bones and stuff and they like to be cradled closely in the confines of high tech mesh and foam and not sliding all around in a "roomy toe box". My Asics are the same size as my street shoes (7) which I believe is somewhat unusual for running shoes. I'll probably go up a half size on my next pair.
-Also my back hurts and I think I'm coming down with a cold. And I have to go to the dentist today. Wah.
-Saturday is my cross training day. I hate cross training, because that usually means I have to go to the gym. I really hate the gym. Last Saturday I used the stationary bike for half an hour. It wasn't much fun, especially because the only thing on TV was that Lifetime movie about Amy Fisher starring Alyssa Milano. I kind of wanted to light myself on fire.
This past Saturday, I decided I didn't want to go to the gym and that I'd be "lazy" and stay home and do a kettlebell circuit for 30 minutes while watching the Red Sox get their arses handed to them. That's basically 30 straight minutes of minor squatting and swinging around 15 solid pounds of iron. Throw in some pushups and lunges and stuff, and you know what you get two days later? That's right, Tight Biker Shorts of Pain. I had a good 4 mile run on Sunday, but that didn't really help the TBSoP sitch. Currently I am hobbling around like an old cowboy. Stretching would probably be a good idea, I should get on that.
-Tuesday on my schedule says "2 miles or cross". So today I strapped on my trusty backpack again and ran to work. Boy, was it a perfect morning for a run. Sunny, cool, breezy. The problem is, I can not run in the morning. That worries me in and of itself, but is a discussion for another time. Anyway, I rolled my L.A. out of bed this morning, threw on my clothes and backpack, had some iced coffee and set off. It was tough. Yes, my 2-mile run is the toughest run of the week. Maybe because I had a backpack on, maybe because of the TBSoP, maybe because I had the wind in my face the ENTIRE WAY, maybe because I kept running past people walking around in their work clothes and wanted them to think I was badass so I ran faster than I should. It. Was. Harrrrd. To add insult to injury, I totally ate pavement right in front of South Station in the middle of the biggest crowd of suits ever. I did my best not to look at any of them and just got up and kept running. Urgh. My palms are all skinned.
-My knees are starting to bother me. I'm a bit oversensitive to pain since I started running, because I've historically had a habit of ignoring stuff until it turns out I have two sprained wrists or pneumonia or whatnot. So every time I have a twinge, the referee in my brain throws a flag on me faster than I can blink. I don't want to develop knee problems. I also don't want to have to buy new shoes every two months, which is what seems to help every time the knees start wimping out.
-Speaking of shoes, mine are too small and they make my toes go numb. I'm okay with this because I'm in the minority and like my shoes to fit small, especially in the forefoot. My feet are tiny, delicate flowers made of bones and stuff and they like to be cradled closely in the confines of high tech mesh and foam and not sliding all around in a "roomy toe box". My Asics are the same size as my street shoes (7) which I believe is somewhat unusual for running shoes. I'll probably go up a half size on my next pair.
-Also my back hurts and I think I'm coming down with a cold. And I have to go to the dentist today. Wah.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Running vs. jelly beans
Nike+ lies. But oh, what sweet lies it tells.
Look! I am so fast! Wheeeeee!
I also have absolutely no sense of pace, apparently. That's a cold hard truth right there.
This was one of those "I need to get these miles in and I'm going to run as fast as I can because it's 10:30 at night and what I really want to be doing is lying in bed eating jelly beans" runs. And I realized a few things.
1) I can run faster than I thought (but not as fast as that shifty Nike+ tells me).
2) Running faster than a 9 min/mile pace feels like an all-out-lung-busting-sprint.
3) I probably shouldn't eat candy in bed anyway.
Look! I am so fast! Wheeeeee!
I also have absolutely no sense of pace, apparently. That's a cold hard truth right there.
This was one of those "I need to get these miles in and I'm going to run as fast as I can because it's 10:30 at night and what I really want to be doing is lying in bed eating jelly beans" runs. And I realized a few things.
1) I can run faster than I thought (but not as fast as that shifty Nike+ tells me).
2) Running faster than a 9 min/mile pace feels like an all-out-lung-busting-sprint.
3) I probably shouldn't eat candy in bed anyway.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
For the love of food
I have a secret. I'm not very good at secrets, so I've managed to keep it for a whole week. Sort of. I mean, I told my friend McG and she told everyone we know because she's kind of like a proud mama, so I guess it's not really a secret any more. But I digress.
Anyway, here it is, for the whole internet to witness.
I'm training for a half marathon.
That does not necessarily mean I am going to ACTUALLY RUN a half marathon. That is Crazy Talk. I am however following a training plan (the Hal Higdon Novice plan) at the end of which I will suppooooossedly be able to run 13.1 miles straight. We'll see about that. I mean, the last day of the plan does just happen to coincide with the Manchester City Marathon & Half Marathon, and I do happen to be a stone's throw away from good ol' ManchVegas. But that's just a coincidence.
Anyway, the point of this is that in order to step up my running and general fitness level, I have to step up my eating habits as well and I just don't know how to do that. I've noticed that since I started running more, I have been absolutely RAVENOUS. I don't generally have a huge appetite (especially in the summer), and I use most of that appetite eating tasty things that aren't good for me, so this newfound hungryness is kind of hard to deal with.
Yesterday was my "long run" day, and I ate a bag of butter lovers popcorn and half a pan of brownies for my after-dinner snack.
Now, I'm not sure if this is related, but this morning when I got to work and started sucking down my iced coffee as per usual, I started to feel so incredibly ill I almost didn't make it through the day. After a lunch of Pepto and saltines (reason #467 to love self-checkout) I started feeling better, but I still had to come home and take a nap.
I need sustenance. I need healthy sustenance and enough of it that I don't run out of all the healthy stuff in the house and start digging into the sour patch kids at 4pm on any given weekday. That is not going to make me feel good. At all. I'm starting to think that frankly, I can't eat vast amounts of candy any more or my blood sugar level is going to plummet, leaving my gasping for breath and dragging my feet halfway through a four mile run. And that will just not do.
I'm also wondering if I should try and give up caffeine. Just for a bit. The thought of that turns my blood to ice, but I can probably do it for a whole week. Next week. Or maybe the week after.
Also beer. But only crap beer, which I shouldn't be drinking anyway, because it is gross and I hate it. I refuse to give up Guinness. Guinness is good for me.
This should be interesting.
Anyway, here it is, for the whole internet to witness.
I'm training for a half marathon.
That does not necessarily mean I am going to ACTUALLY RUN a half marathon. That is Crazy Talk. I am however following a training plan (the Hal Higdon Novice plan) at the end of which I will suppooooossedly be able to run 13.1 miles straight. We'll see about that. I mean, the last day of the plan does just happen to coincide with the Manchester City Marathon & Half Marathon, and I do happen to be a stone's throw away from good ol' ManchVegas. But that's just a coincidence.
Anyway, the point of this is that in order to step up my running and general fitness level, I have to step up my eating habits as well and I just don't know how to do that. I've noticed that since I started running more, I have been absolutely RAVENOUS. I don't generally have a huge appetite (especially in the summer), and I use most of that appetite eating tasty things that aren't good for me, so this newfound hungryness is kind of hard to deal with.
Yesterday was my "long run" day, and I ate a bag of butter lovers popcorn and half a pan of brownies for my after-dinner snack.
Now, I'm not sure if this is related, but this morning when I got to work and started sucking down my iced coffee as per usual, I started to feel so incredibly ill I almost didn't make it through the day. After a lunch of Pepto and saltines (reason #467 to love self-checkout) I started feeling better, but I still had to come home and take a nap.
I need sustenance. I need healthy sustenance and enough of it that I don't run out of all the healthy stuff in the house and start digging into the sour patch kids at 4pm on any given weekday. That is not going to make me feel good. At all. I'm starting to think that frankly, I can't eat vast amounts of candy any more or my blood sugar level is going to plummet, leaving my gasping for breath and dragging my feet halfway through a four mile run. And that will just not do.
I'm also wondering if I should try and give up caffeine. Just for a bit. The thought of that turns my blood to ice, but I can probably do it for a whole week. Next week. Or maybe the week after.
Also beer. But only crap beer, which I shouldn't be drinking anyway, because it is gross and I hate it. I refuse to give up Guinness. Guinness is good for me.
This should be interesting.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Dread the tread.
I have always loathed the treadmill. It is evil, and I historically have partially blamed it for my running quitatude every winter. I have used it as a metaphor for my life when feeling particularly broody and existential. It is boring, it is annoying, and it hurts.
When I decided to really make the commitment to run again (by which I mean more than a mile or two, which was my former max) I took a different approach. I started my training on the treadmill in the winter. Poof, there went one quitting excuse (as this rapidly-flying summer draws to a close, it is remains to be seen how I will approach the winter months. But that is for a later date).
Many years ago when I was a youngster, I was at the gym with my baby bro and he decided to use the treadmill. He was maybe 11 or 12, and wanted to run to get ready for basketball season. Precious. Anyway, he gets on the 'mill and starts it up and starts chugging along. Soon, he realizes his shoe is untied and hops off the machine. He ties it, and hops back on. Without stopping the belt. Needless to say, he gets flung off the belt and against the wall. It was funny enough and nobody was hurt, but when I started treadmilling it up for serious back in January that image kept playing in my head like some sort of wacky Brain YouTube. I was afraid to set the darn thing above a 5mph pace lest I get thrown against the wall.
The last time I got on a treadmill was several months ago, back when it was still cold and I was still on a walk/run plan. So today when I was trying to squeeze in some quick lunchbreak miles, I went back to face my old foe.
Two miles, at a pace of between 6mph & 7mph.
And I didn't fly off.
Take that, treadmill.
Anyway. One more treadmill problem is that it kills my legs. It really really bangs the heck out of my shins. I don't know what it is, I always hear that a treadmill is an easier surface to run on, and I do most of my runs on concrete, but when I'm done with a treadmill workout my lower legs hurt something fierce. They hurt to the touch. Which I'm pretty sure is the very opposite of good.
I'm not sure what to do about that. I think I should keep my treadmill runs to a minimum of 2-3 miles, but in the winter I'm sure there will be some days I won't be able to hack it outdoors. I just won't. I'm being honest here.
The other solution is just, well, go faster. Then it'll all be over sooner. Right?
When I decided to really make the commitment to run again (by which I mean more than a mile or two, which was my former max) I took a different approach. I started my training on the treadmill in the winter. Poof, there went one quitting excuse (as this rapidly-flying summer draws to a close, it is remains to be seen how I will approach the winter months. But that is for a later date).
Many years ago when I was a youngster, I was at the gym with my baby bro and he decided to use the treadmill. He was maybe 11 or 12, and wanted to run to get ready for basketball season. Precious. Anyway, he gets on the 'mill and starts it up and starts chugging along. Soon, he realizes his shoe is untied and hops off the machine. He ties it, and hops back on. Without stopping the belt. Needless to say, he gets flung off the belt and against the wall. It was funny enough and nobody was hurt, but when I started treadmilling it up for serious back in January that image kept playing in my head like some sort of wacky Brain YouTube. I was afraid to set the darn thing above a 5mph pace lest I get thrown against the wall.
The last time I got on a treadmill was several months ago, back when it was still cold and I was still on a walk/run plan. So today when I was trying to squeeze in some quick lunchbreak miles, I went back to face my old foe.
Two miles, at a pace of between 6mph & 7mph.
And I didn't fly off.
Take that, treadmill.
Anyway. One more treadmill problem is that it kills my legs. It really really bangs the heck out of my shins. I don't know what it is, I always hear that a treadmill is an easier surface to run on, and I do most of my runs on concrete, but when I'm done with a treadmill workout my lower legs hurt something fierce. They hurt to the touch. Which I'm pretty sure is the very opposite of good.
I'm not sure what to do about that. I think I should keep my treadmill runs to a minimum of 2-3 miles, but in the winter I'm sure there will be some days I won't be able to hack it outdoors. I just won't. I'm being honest here.
The other solution is just, well, go faster. Then it'll all be over sooner. Right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
