Today was the worst treadmill run ever. I was bombarded with the nastiest, smelliest scent I've ever experienced while running. Think a cross between BO and curry, mixed with sweat. It was awful.
I tried everything to escape the smell: fan on, fan off, breathing through my towel, turning my head away from the stinker. But it was so strong that you could taste it in the air. It was awful. I was going to change treadmills, but they were all full. It was awful. Please don't ever let this happen again!
Miles logged: 4.0
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Anniversary of Run
Today is the day, my one year anniversary of running!! And I memorialized it with the same run that started it all for me!
Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I ran down to the convenience store and bought the newspaper. The trip is just under 1.5 miles and I remember not being able to run the whole thing. I also distinctly remember hating every step. Today, was a completely different day for me. Instead of thinking "when will this be over?" I thought instead "do I have enough time to go further?"
So on this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and for a (mostly) healthy body and mind that allow me to continue pursuing my passion. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Miles logged: 4.5
Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I ran down to the convenience store and bought the newspaper. The trip is just under 1.5 miles and I remember not being able to run the whole thing. I also distinctly remember hating every step. Today, was a completely different day for me. Instead of thinking "when will this be over?" I thought instead "do I have enough time to go further?"
So on this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and for a (mostly) healthy body and mind that allow me to continue pursuing my passion. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Miles logged: 4.5
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Running in Texas
Today was one of those days where I was reminded that I really do live in Texas. It was in the mid 70s at 8am this morning with 100% humidity. There aren't many parts of the country where you can wear a pair of shorts and a tank top in late November and arrive home dripping wet, but that is Texas for you.
In addition to the oppressive heat (it was hotter and more miserable than training in July, I swear), it was sunny, cloudy, drizzly, and pouring down rain, all in the span of about 2 hours. There is a saying here: if you don't like the weather, wait a day, it will change. And it is oh so true.
And I also met this little guy, another reminder that I live in this great state!
Miles logged: 8.0
In addition to the oppressive heat (it was hotter and more miserable than training in July, I swear), it was sunny, cloudy, drizzly, and pouring down rain, all in the span of about 2 hours. There is a saying here: if you don't like the weather, wait a day, it will change. And it is oh so true.
And I also met this little guy, another reminder that I live in this great state!
Miles logged: 8.0
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Can Running Cure a Head Cold?
Apparently not. I tried this today and I have to admit, running helped clear my sinuses, but only for a little bit.
I started feeling poorly a few day ago, but I was hoping it was just horrible allergies. Now I'm on my second day of a full blown head cold and I'm terrified of losing my current level of cardio fitness. I've worked so hard to get to this place, that I don't want to have to take a step backward.
I also haven't run since the Fort Worth Half Marathon last Sunday, so I was feeling a little guilty. I thought a short run would at least help me with the guilt!
As soon as I got past about a half mile, I started feeling great. I could breathe and the headache actually subsided! Weird thing was, I hardly sweat at all today. Usually I'm drenched when I'm done. The good feeling was gone as quickly as it arrived. I started sneezing during the cool down and barely made it back to the locker room before I had to start blowing my nose again.
At least I got to feel well for a little while today!!
Miles logged: 3
I started feeling poorly a few day ago, but I was hoping it was just horrible allergies. Now I'm on my second day of a full blown head cold and I'm terrified of losing my current level of cardio fitness. I've worked so hard to get to this place, that I don't want to have to take a step backward.
I also haven't run since the Fort Worth Half Marathon last Sunday, so I was feeling a little guilty. I thought a short run would at least help me with the guilt!
As soon as I got past about a half mile, I started feeling great. I could breathe and the headache actually subsided! Weird thing was, I hardly sweat at all today. Usually I'm drenched when I'm done. The good feeling was gone as quickly as it arrived. I started sneezing during the cool down and barely made it back to the locker room before I had to start blowing my nose again.
At least I got to feel well for a little while today!!
Miles logged: 3
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Recovery
The body is amazing. It's ability to recover from being beat up is unmatched.
I attended a seminar recently about how to keep your employees engaged (I'm an HR geek) and the speaker said something that really hit home. The speaker said his definition of fitness is your ability to recover. The fitter you get, the faster you recover. The faster you recover, the fitter you are. And now I actually understand what he means.
One day after running 13.1 miles, I feel like a million bucks! My hip hurts (it always hurst now) and I have a tiny amount of muscle soreness in my quads, but otherwise I feel fantastic! I've never felt this good after a long race! Now I'm looking for my next big race and can't wait to do it again!!
Miles logged: 0
I attended a seminar recently about how to keep your employees engaged (I'm an HR geek) and the speaker said something that really hit home. The speaker said his definition of fitness is your ability to recover. The fitter you get, the faster you recover. The faster you recover, the fitter you are. And now I actually understand what he means.
One day after running 13.1 miles, I feel like a million bucks! My hip hurts (it always hurst now) and I have a tiny amount of muscle soreness in my quads, but otherwise I feel fantastic! I've never felt this good after a long race! Now I'm looking for my next big race and can't wait to do it again!!
Miles logged: 0
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Hardest Race Yet
So I did it! Not without a lot of hard work and pain, but I finished my second half marathon in 7 days! This morning I was so nervous that I didn't think I could do it, but I did!
The Fort Worth marathon is a small race, with 3 distances-full marathon, 20 miles, and half marathon. With approximately 800 runners in all 3 races, this is by far one of the smallest races I've run. It was the hardest though.
There were a couple of reasons this race kicked my butt, least of which was a 13.1 mile race last Sunday. I think there were 2 major challenges for me in this race-a very strong headwind for the first 7 miles and several miles of gravel trail. There was a steady wind blowing directly into my face for the first half of the race, and it was strong. I tried to draft off of other racers, but the angle of the wind was such that drafting wouldn't work. So by the time I hit the midway point, I was exhausted. At least the wind was at my back for the rest of the race! The other big challenge for me was the gravel trail. If you follow my blog, you know that I run in minimalist shoes-today's were my trusty Wal-Mart brand aqua sox. I should have known something was up when a lady asked me how I handled all the rocks with these shoes on. I had no idea that she was referring to the 2-3 miles of this race that were riddled with rocks! The gravel was hard on my feet and I only allowed myself to stop one time to empty the stragglers out of my shoes.
The course itself was beautiful and fairly flat. We ran along the Trinity River banks in Fort Worth. Very picturesque. I attempted to take several pictures of the course, but I am not very skilled at running and snapping photos!
The weather was also very warm today. It was almost 80 degrees by the time I finished. But the beer at the finish line was ice cold and really hit the spot!
This race had the best medal to date. It is not only a medal with a killer tye-dye ribbon, but it also doubles as a belt buckle!!! I now need to buy a belt (I didn't even know you could buy a belt without a buckle, I thought they always came together) to show off my new bling!
Miles logged: 13.1
The Fort Worth marathon is a small race, with 3 distances-full marathon, 20 miles, and half marathon. With approximately 800 runners in all 3 races, this is by far one of the smallest races I've run. It was the hardest though.
Ready with my Twinkies!
The course itself was beautiful and fairly flat. We ran along the Trinity River banks in Fort Worth. Very picturesque. I attempted to take several pictures of the course, but I am not very skilled at running and snapping photos!
The weather was also very warm today. It was almost 80 degrees by the time I finished. But the beer at the finish line was ice cold and really hit the spot!
This race had the best medal to date. It is not only a medal with a killer tye-dye ribbon, but it also doubles as a belt buckle!!! I now need to buy a belt (I didn't even know you could buy a belt without a buckle, I thought they always came together) to show off my new bling!
Miles logged: 13.1
Small crowd at the starting line
Beautiful scenery along the Trinity River
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Pre-Race FREAK OUT!
I'm in full panic mode over the half marathon race tomorrow! Maybe running 2 half marathons in 7 days wasn't the brightest idea I've ever had. Definitely brave, but maybe not so smart.
I'll be running the Fort Worth Half Marathon tomorrow and I'm really living on the edge because I will also be picking up my bib in the morning. Nothing like being unprepared on race day!
Hopefully I can calm my nerves enough to get a good night's sleep! I have to be out of here by 6:15 a.m.!
Miles logged: 3.0 (on the elliptical, so not sure it counts)
I'll be running the Fort Worth Half Marathon tomorrow and I'm really living on the edge because I will also be picking up my bib in the morning. Nothing like being unprepared on race day!
Hopefully I can calm my nerves enough to get a good night's sleep! I have to be out of here by 6:15 a.m.!
Miles logged: 3.0 (on the elliptical, so not sure it counts)
Friday, November 11, 2011
Carbo Loading is Exhausting
My 2nd half marathon in 7 days is right around the corner, and I'm carbo loading for the second weekend in a row. And I'm tired of it. Who would have thought that unlimited pasta and sourdoughbread would get old?!
Miles logged: 0
Miles logged: 0
Monday, November 7, 2011
My favorite stretch
Let me begin by telling you that I hate stretching. I don't do it before I run, I occasionally do it after a long run, but I'm not a stretcher. I also don't believe in warming up. It's all a waste of time to me.
I read an article about a research study that found athletes that stretch before running were no less likely to sustain an injury than those that didn't stretch. I stopped stretching after this revelation. Other research ha suggested that athletes should warm up for 5-10 minutes, stretch, then start their activity.
But as someone that works long hours, is a single mother to a very needy Chiweenie (6 months out of the year), has a husband that I enjoy spending time with, I don't have a second more to waste at the gym if I'm going to be in bed by 9pm every night.
Stretching and warming up? No thank you!
While I despise both activities since they are a waste of time, it surprised me that I recently discovered a stretch that makes everything better. I call it the Indo Squat, named affectionately after the men in Indonesia that have perfected this pose. In order to perform the Indo Squat, place your feet flat on the ground, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Then squat down and let your butt hang down between your ankles, barely off the floor. You'll feel a stretch through every tight muscle in your legs.
It feels great after a long race and I have snuck into the ladies room at work to do it to ease some of my post half marathon soreness!
Miles logged: 3
I read an article about a research study that found athletes that stretch before running were no less likely to sustain an injury than those that didn't stretch. I stopped stretching after this revelation. Other research ha suggested that athletes should warm up for 5-10 minutes, stretch, then start their activity.
But as someone that works long hours, is a single mother to a very needy Chiweenie (6 months out of the year), has a husband that I enjoy spending time with, I don't have a second more to waste at the gym if I'm going to be in bed by 9pm every night.
Stretching and warming up? No thank you!
While I despise both activities since they are a waste of time, it surprised me that I recently discovered a stretch that makes everything better. I call it the Indo Squat, named affectionately after the men in Indonesia that have perfected this pose. In order to perform the Indo Squat, place your feet flat on the ground, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Then squat down and let your butt hang down between your ankles, barely off the floor. You'll feel a stretch through every tight muscle in your legs.
It feels great after a long race and I have snuck into the ladies room at work to do it to ease some of my post half marathon soreness!
Miles logged: 3
I'm Going for It!
I'm doing it!
I'm officially attempting to become a member of the Half Fanatics (www.halffanatics.com). Today I signed up for my 4th half of the year AND it is only one week away! If I am able to finish, and I will, I will be eligible to become a level one, Neptune, Half Fanatic!
Who would have thought that one year ago I wasn't even running?!
Miles logged: 0
I'm officially attempting to become a member of the Half Fanatics (www.halffanatics.com). Today I signed up for my 4th half of the year AND it is only one week away! If I am able to finish, and I will, I will be eligible to become a level one, Neptune, Half Fanatic!
Who would have thought that one year ago I wasn't even running?!
Miles logged: 0
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Half #3 is in the Bag!
I finished half marathon #3 today and it was an amazing feeling crossing the finish line again. It wasn't without pain, hard work, and a couple of conversations with myself not to stop!
The course around White Rock Lake was beautiful. There were some challenging hills, but I had prepared well for hills in my training, so I rocked them! The water stations were perfectly placed, at every 2 miles or so. I carried Cytomax in my water bottle and grabbed water at the stations. It was nice to not be sticky from spilling the electrolytes, and I didn't have any horrible stomach issues like after SFO.
There weren't may cheering stations, but I was able to get in a few high-5's. We were not able to manage negative splits this race-and if you've never run a race this way, you should. We finished the first half in 1:13, on perfect pace to finish under my PR of 2:26, but we ran the second half slower than the first.
The worst part of the entire race was a bridge at about mile 8. I don't know if there was an earthquake at the moment we were running across, or if it was about to collapse, but the damn bridge was moving. A lot. Felt like I was running across the bridge in that old video of the suspension bridge in Washington State that moves in waves during an earthquake. It was super difficult to run across, as at each step, you had no idea where the bridge would be under your foot. My hip started screaming at this point, as you can imagine, but I powered through to half marathon victory!!!
Miles Logged: 13.1!!
The course around White Rock Lake was beautiful. There were some challenging hills, but I had prepared well for hills in my training, so I rocked them! The water stations were perfectly placed, at every 2 miles or so. I carried Cytomax in my water bottle and grabbed water at the stations. It was nice to not be sticky from spilling the electrolytes, and I didn't have any horrible stomach issues like after SFO.
There weren't may cheering stations, but I was able to get in a few high-5's. We were not able to manage negative splits this race-and if you've never run a race this way, you should. We finished the first half in 1:13, on perfect pace to finish under my PR of 2:26, but we ran the second half slower than the first.
The worst part of the entire race was a bridge at about mile 8. I don't know if there was an earthquake at the moment we were running across, or if it was about to collapse, but the damn bridge was moving. A lot. Felt like I was running across the bridge in that old video of the suspension bridge in Washington State that moves in waves during an earthquake. It was super difficult to run across, as at each step, you had no idea where the bridge would be under your foot. My hip started screaming at this point, as you can imagine, but I powered through to half marathon victory!!!
Miles Logged: 13.1!!
Pre race--in our Twinkie shirts!
The starting line!
Post race shenanigans!
A little post race carbo loading
Great medal!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Supporting All Racers
Tomorrow is the big day, so today is a day of rest for me. Instead I went out to support another race-the Susan G Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure. I went out, dressed in pink, to support my girls, Alli and Marti, in their 60 mile journey. And it was an amazing experience! I spent almost 2 hours cheering on complete strangers, giving out high-5's and having a great time!
From personal experience, there is nothing more motivational than someone yelling your name and words of encouragement during a race! I was so happy to be there to provide support to others who were walking for a great cause.
You ladies are doing a fantastic thing! I'm so proud of you!!
From personal experience, there is nothing more motivational than someone yelling your name and words of encouragement during a race! I was so happy to be there to provide support to others who were walking for a great cause.
You ladies are doing a fantastic thing! I'm so proud of you!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
I'm ready for the half!
I completed the final run of my training for the DRC half marathon on Sunday and I feel great! I sprinted the last 0.1 to prepare myself for the race. I ran that last 0.1 at a 6.5 mph pace... I've never run that fast on a treadmill before!
Carbo loading begins tomorrow!
Miles logged: 3.0
Carbo loading begins tomorrow!
Miles logged: 3.0
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Let the Tapering Begin (or End)
Less than a week until my 3rd half marathon ever and I'm super excited for it! Today was packet pickup and now that i have my shirt and my bib, I can't wait for race day to arrive. One more run and lots of carbo loading in my near future!
Since I will be eating Twinkies on my run, I also made this shirt to wear during the race! Iron-on transfer on a dri-fit shirt. The font is "Hurry Up"!
Miles Logged: 0
Since I will be eating Twinkies on my run, I also made this shirt to wear during the race! Iron-on transfer on a dri-fit shirt. The font is "Hurry Up"!
Miles Logged: 0
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Damn it is cold
As I near my 1 year anniversary of running, the temperatures are starting to drop. I dreamed fondly of this while I trained throughout the hottest summer in history. I would now like to retract these stupid dreams in favor of running in the heat again.
This morning I ran at about 8:15, a little later than usual since I stayed up late watching game 7 of the World Series. I'm one week away from the DRC Half Marathon, so this run was a shorter on, at only 8 miles. The temperature outside was a cold 44 degrees. So cold, that there was frost on the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood.
Dressed in running tights and a long sleeve shirt, I was ill equipped to handle the cold. I needed another shirt and gloves. I have forgotten how to dress for the cold! The trail that I run on is well shaded and is around a creek. This provides for cooler temps and relief from the oppressive summer sun. This provides for even colder temps when it is already chilly.
I guess it is time to dig my winter running garb out of the closet and get ready for a cold race next Sunday!
I already miss the days of putting on a pair of shorts and a tank top and going on my way!
Miles logged: 8
This morning I ran at about 8:15, a little later than usual since I stayed up late watching game 7 of the World Series. I'm one week away from the DRC Half Marathon, so this run was a shorter on, at only 8 miles. The temperature outside was a cold 44 degrees. So cold, that there was frost on the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood.
Dressed in running tights and a long sleeve shirt, I was ill equipped to handle the cold. I needed another shirt and gloves. I have forgotten how to dress for the cold! The trail that I run on is well shaded and is around a creek. This provides for cooler temps and relief from the oppressive summer sun. This provides for even colder temps when it is already chilly.
I guess it is time to dig my winter running garb out of the closet and get ready for a cold race next Sunday!
I already miss the days of putting on a pair of shorts and a tank top and going on my way!
Miles logged: 8