A Personal Milestone

On Saturday, April 9th 2011, I ran in the Charlottesville half marathon. I had been training for weeks and weeks and then all of the sudden, the race just popped up out of no where. I was excited, nervous, anxious, giddy...so many emotions the night before the race and the morning of. My mom came into town to support me since I couldn't convince anyone to sign up for a half marathon in C'ville. Hmmm, wonder why? Hills, anyone? Or perhaps it was the entry fee? I know college kids hate paying for extra stuff. Anyway, I had trouble sleeping because I was feeling all of these emotions. I ended up getting about 4.5 hours of sleep in the end, waking up at 5 AM to get ready, snag half of a bagel with peanut butter, head downtown to find parking and show up at the starting line by 6:30 AM.

Now, I've never ran in a race before like this one. The closest thing to a race I've done was a 5K in Old Town Alexandria and that was probably 6 or 7 years ago. The energy was amazing. Everyone was pumped for the race. It was of course still dark out and FREEZING. It was set to be an overcast, foggy day with highs of 45 for the race. I did a few jogs in place, and before I knew it, the whole mass of runners, both half marathoners and marathoners, started pushing forward to the start of the race. It was a feeling I've never felt before...just the sense of camaraderie, the energy, the support from the onlookers. WOW. We all ran in a huge clump of runners down main street, which was probably the flattest part of the course. After that, it was hill after hill, or so it seemed. I crossed the finish line at 2:41:31. I was elated when I caught a glimpse of the finish line. I had survived. I had done what I have never done before. I had reached a huge goal. I had achieved what I set out to achieve.

In retrospect, I know I should have trained harder during the last two weeks of training and even during my training plan. Between work, interning and being a full-time student, I found it hard to stay motivated during the middle weeks of my training. Then during the last two, my boyfriend visited, during which we ran only 1 day. Oh well. I tackled the hills as best as I could, pausing to walk now and then. Another thing that I was afraid of was my ankle. It had been giving me trouble during my runs for the past month or so...it feels like tendonitis (I NEED NEW SHOES) and that started acting up during mile 8 or so. Luckily, I felt kind of numb by the end/other parts of me were hurting, so it took my mind off of my ankle. Oh well, lesson learned.

Needless to say, I am THRILLED and eager to sign up for another race. Hell, I'm even eager to go running today, but my legs are telling me 'not yet.' I'm currently trying to find another half marathon in San Diego for the fall. That's right folks, I'm moving to San Diego!

Anyway, for my next race I will:

A. buy new shoes that support flat feet and control pronation (looking at Brooks or Pacers)

B. be more dedicated to my training

C. choose a training plan that does not span 2 months...maybe 6 weeks instead?

D. set a new PR !!!

Also, if you're a person that's not sure of signing up for a race or if you're even nervous about starting up running...I recommend BOTH. Sign up for a 5K. Just RUN. Your life will never be the same.

Well, I feel like I've ended one chapter of my running career and am about to start another one. I'll be sure to update it with my future training and future races!

On My Way

I'm such a bad blogger. Oh hey, March, where'd you come from? Anyway, I'm sitting on the floor of my room, legs feeling like jello after an 8 mile run. It's my first time running 8 miles. In fact, two weeks ago, the long run for the weekend was a 10K. Lazy me skipped that long run and didn't train that hard the following week. The following weekend, I was home in Arlington and was able to run the bike trail for 7 miles. I was so frickin' proud of that 7 miles...that slowwww 7 miles...but hey, I didn't stop once. Well, I swore to myself that I was going to train this week. And then midterms happened, sending me into a crazed, stressed, sleepless (well not really, but I averaged 5 hrs a night) week. I did not go to the gym or run ONCE this week. Nope. I felt bad for having not worked out at all, but I was too stressed and too tired to care too much. But then the thought of the half marathon being on April 9th kind of freaked me out. So today I ran 8 miles. I started out on some seriously hilly terrain...C'ville certainly doesn't lack hills. By mile 3, I was running at a snail's pace up an incline, but then I sort of went into "my legs are going numb" mode where I stopped feeling them too much. This got me to mile 5.5 where I decided I was getting ridiculously tired, especially after having to make a wide circle around this stupid car wash some high school kids were doing. By mile 6.5 I was faced with another ridiculous incline, which is what I walked up. But then I ran pretty much the entirety the rest of the way, stopping for water once at the gym as I passed it. So despite my couple of stops, I finished the 8 miles in about 1.5 hours. I find it ridiculous/awesome that my body can exercise for THAT long!! A month ago, I wouldn't have imagined my body could do this--that I could push myself this hard. To tell you the truth, I was even skeptical about following the training plan I had found. But...it has worked. I am completely on schedule for my half training. This week I plan on dedicating a fair amount of time to training as it's spring break and I'll actually have some free time (omg). So there you have it. I'm so damn proud of myself. It was also a beautiful day outside to run. Partly sunny, not too windy, not too cold.

On a different note, I need to figure out how to successfully carry water with me. I hate holding things when I run though. I've seen people with strappy water bottles around their waste...but that looks expensive. Meh. Also! I realized what my running mantra is. When I get tired, I start repeating "just keep running" over and over. It works...go figure. Ok, have a good weekend workout, everyone!

Triumph!

So I haven't written in a while. I've been disappointed with my lack of motivation and lack of hardcore training. I got sick with the flu and essentially had to take a week (6 days-ish) off of training, which put me a bit behind as you can well imagine. It was tough getting back into it after my body had rested for a week. I'm always SOsosososoosSOsoso busy and finally my body crashed and, well, it felt awesome to just be able to sleep. However, it felt good to get back into training. I haven't taken the last week too seriously though. I had a lot going on--was in the middle of making a lot of decisions and was busy with school and my internship and work and was incredibly STRESSED. I let training slide. I took probably 4 rest days last week. Yeah, I know. But man, it felt awesome. This weekend I was supposed to run 6 miles but I couldn't get myself to wake up early and run at home. I went home for the first time in ages and I just wanted me time. Well, me time I got. I think it prepared me for my training this week. Yesterday was Valentine's day and I slacked yet again, but today I came back into training full force and ran 6 miles. 6 loooong treadmill miles because it was getting dark by the time I got out of class. Don't ask me how I did it. Mile 1 was fine. Mile 2 was okay. Mile 2.5 I wanted off of the treadmill. Mile 3 I was getting angry and fighting a losing battle with my mind that told me to just stick with 3 for the day and be happy. But I paid a lot of attention to my breathing...and then I made the grave mistake of drinking water while running which gave me a cramp from hell. Well, it went away around mile 4. Then I knew I had it--6 miles was attainable as long as I pushed myself. I slowed my pace and picked it back up when I was ready. Mile 5 I was going strong and mile 6, I did some sprints mixed in with a steady paced run. So there ya have it, folks. I ran 6 miles for the FIRST TIME EVER tonight and I am damn proud of myself. It's amazing to see how far you can push yourself even when you think you can't do anymore. Now my legs feel like jello. I'm going to sleep so well tonight. Tomorrow I think yoga is in store. Agh, I'm going to be so sore. But it was worth it. I love seeing progress! :)

Sick

Hey all. Haven't posted in ages it seems. Well, like the title of this post says, I got hit really hard by the flu. Or something very similar to the flu. After body aches, a fever, sniffles, coughing, and all sorts of fun things, well...I'm still sick. Anyway, I was forced by my aching self to put training on hold for 3 days. THREE WHOLE DAYS. I was devastated. I was THIIIS close to going running on Sunday night, but I was told I'd be crazy to do so. Well, I suppose I was crazy tonight too because after being holed up in my room for 3 days (actually no, I went to class and interned, sorry to those folks I most likely got sick) I went to the gym and did 30 mins of stationary biking just to get myself back into the swing of things. It felt good, but right after I stopped wheezing (yes, wheezing) I started sneezing. So I'm obviously not back in the game yet. I haven't decided what tomorrow will bring. I might do some yoga orrr...I might try to run, but breathing is hard with a stuffy nose. I think I'll do what I can for the rest of the week without pushing myself too hard and then I'll have to repeat this week of training next week, which will put me a week behind, but since the half is on April 9th, I still have time to do that.

As for training itself, it's been awesome. I run, I cross train either on the stationary bike or in the pool (I looove the pool and the sauna after!) and I do speed work on the treadmill, usually. The weather has been so cold that I've been doing mostly indoor running. But I need to start outdoor running so that I can get used to the terrain. Also, I really want a Garmin. Kind of random. Well, time to drink some tea and knock myself out with nighttime cold meds.

Winter, are we done yet?

The Words of a Stranger

Today was my 2nd day of training. I did yoga yesterday for strength training and oh my gooooodness was I sore this morning. It hurt just to sit up to get out of bed. I popped some advil and bravely went running this afternoon. Training day 2 consisted of 45 mins of running (mixed with a few walking breaks because of my soreness) which gave me about 4 mi. What was funny and motivating was while I was on the return route from the downtown stretch. This one guy stops and says "If you keep jogging, you'll be where you wanna be soon." This struck me as interesting. I figured, well, he could be talking about weight. I mean, I don't run to lose weight per se, but it kind of happens anyway, which I'm not exactly complaining about. Actually, I've come a long way. This time last year I was 15 lbs heavier, to be quite honest. Anyway, and if that guy wasn't talking about weight, then I really appreciate the comment! After all, if I do keep jogging, I will be where I want to be. I will reach my goals. So I turned around while running and gave him a huge smile and a thumbs up and continued on my merry way.

Well, the run today was pretty tough. The hills were killers but I can't avoid them, especially since it pushes my muscles, builds my strength, and will prep me for my race that is over similar terrain in April. I'm not used to exercising day in and day out. I ran on Sunday and then have completed my first two days of training. Let's just say every muscle hates me and my legs feel worn, but I feel awesome--like I'm completing something I've looked forward to for so long.

Post Run Munchies

Never have I felt so in need of food after a run. I guess I ate pretty light and pretty healthy today. I ran 5 miles at the gym, lifted a few free weights, did some death sit ups (where you balance on your butt and extend the arms and legs out simultaneously and then pull them back in) and afterward guzzled a bunch of water and decided to treat myself to sorbet (which turned into gelato) but I didn't eat too much of the bad stuff, especially since I need to eat right during my training. And then it hit me. I needed protein STAT. So I ran downstairs and cooked up some chicken, mixed it with some leftover rice and stir fry veggies all in about a 5 minute prep time and I must have finished that plate in 3 minutes. Anyway, this hasn't happened to me before and I thought it was kind of funny/shows me that I need to pay more attention to what I eat and how I'm eating before/after runs--especially after so that I can recover.

The run tonight was a really positive run. I've been feeling quite down lately and was having a serious case of cabin fever and having negative thoughts. I let it get to me and slept sooo much over the past few days to pass time. I had no motivation. Today I woke up at 2pm because I had insomnia 'til 4am, but then I was like, you know what? screw this. I'm being productive with my day. And I was. And on the treadmill (I was dreading the treadmill today), I kept thinking about why I run and thinking about how good I felt, I got lost in my music and the rhythm of my run. I kept thinking about my goals--running goals and goals for life in general--goals for the coming semester included. At mile 4 I was having a tough time with side stitches, but I pushed myself through the last mile, including several sets of sprints. I feel so much better after I run--I sleep better, I worry less, I'm proud of myself. It's intense how much running has such positive effects on my life. I like how it pushes me to get better too and these next few months will be the ultimate test--the true test of my willpower.

Tomorrow is my first day of training. I'm going to be doing a mixture of yoga and pilates to fulfill my strength training requirement for the day. Here goes nothin'.

Decision

I know this might sound strange, but instead of continuing to train for a 10K, I'm going to start a plan for training for a half. I am able to run 5 miles pretty consistently. I came across a plan over the summer in some fitness magazine...to train for a 5k/10k/half. Well, in the interest of saving money and not taking time off of work to run the 10k, I plan on jumping into the 10K training plan during the 3rd of the 6 week training so that I can finish the 10K training in sooner than a full 6 because really, I've been working toward that all along. I plan on running the 10K by myself (not signing up for anything because I really can't spare the time to drive to DC and there are unfortunately no Richmond or Cville races anytime soon). Then I want to jump into half training, which is another 6 weeks, but this would leave me enough time to complete the training and then run in the Charlottesville Half! OH THE POSSIBILITIES. So now I'm pumped.

Oh right, running update. Not yesterday (because I slept in and then worked a LOOOOONG shift) but the day before, I knocked out 5 miles in 53 minutes on the treadmill. I felt pretty good too. What I noticed though is that I need some different running music or maybe just a playlist because I get bored and end up trying to switch up the iPod tunes every few minutes, which actually takes some energy and coordination which I can't afford to spare while I'm trying to stay up on a treadmill (I tend to zigzag and get rather close to the end of the treadmill when this happens).

And a little update on the plan I'll be following. This training plan consists of strength training (i.e. yoga, pilates, or toning exercises), cross training (i.e. swimming, cycling or other non- running cardio), and speed 2 workouts (speed 1 workouts were left behind after the 5K portion of the training) and those include warming up for 1 mile, "then alternate two hard minutes with two easy minutes for 1 mile" and cooling down for .5 mi to 1 mi after that. **Thank you Self magazine.** 5/7 days are spent doing these workouts and then 2 are for resting. I plan on starting on MONDAY!!! I'm pumped and yet sort of terrified.

I'm also kinda freaked out about working 15-20 hrs a week + interning 10 hrs a week + my 13 credit hours + training, but I guess this just means I'll be waking up earlier on some mornings. At least the days are getting longer and they'll gradually start getting warmer. April 9th, here I come.

Victory! (Kind of)

Well, I ran much better today. I think I was so frustrated about yesterday that I pushed myself more today. I ran outside in the bitter winter cold, wind and hills included. Lots of hills. It was sunny though, and I'm a big fan of running in sunny patches when it's chilly out. I headed out with the plan of running my usual outdoor loop when I thought of running downtown on top of the loop which boosted my run to a total of 4.32 miles in 47:06, which isn't horrible for me and hills--especially when I thought I was out of shape as of yesterday. Perhaps my body needed yesterday to be a simple run. I started getting tired on the last mile or so, but I pushed myself up the last of the few hills. Luckily, the stretch downtown is mostly flat, minus running over the train bridge. So all and all, happy with my run and it was definitely good to get some fresh air, even when it was quite cold outside.

Frustration

So. I'm going to be shamefully honest here. I haven't gone running since Christmas morning and that was only a 2.8 mile run around the neighborhood. I've been eating nothing but junk food it seems, too--cookies, candy, chips...I had no restraint for the past 2 weeks. I guess I was just preoccupied and happy, definitely happy. Not about the junk food or the lack of exercise, but about being around the people I love and being home and having fun without worrying about being at work because I had some time off. I think the only exercise I've done beyond Christmas morning was rock wall climbing, which isn't exactly cardio but is great for working the fingers and arms--oh, and a bit of swing dancing.

Anyway, so today I decided to try treadmill running to ease back into things. I've been scared to start up again after the hiatus because I've been too worried to face how my endurance has suffered. Well, the verdict is that, indeed, my stamina/endurance has suffered greatly. At mile 2 (running at a slowwww pace) I felt like my chest was going to explode. It was really tight and I was huffing and puffing. I knew my goal of 4 miles was not going to happen. I slowed my pace down even more to try to make it to 3 mi. Around mile 2.5, I was having such an internal battle between my mind and my legs that I had to stop. I was ashamed to stop. I was disappointed in myself and still am because I probably could have made it to 3 mi. if I had really tried. Well, I guess it can only get better from here. I feel like I've definitely fallen away from my goal of training for a 10K by February, but perhaps it'll still happen. I just have to get back into a rhythm and try not to let this affect me too much. : \