Yay! I ran 4.25 miles last night.
It was ALL running, but it definitely included more running than I have been able to accomplish before. I'm slowly working up to running more consistently and I feel progress!
I also feel my feet today. It is definitely time for some new running shoes, which I will hopefully find soon. The shoes I have now are old and probably needed to be replaced awhile ago, but since I wasn't running much then it never was an immediate issue. Now is another story.
I got some tips from my friend Josh on what to do with my training, so I think I'm going to try it out. He suggested sticking with my regular 5K a few times a week, while focusing on speed and running consistently (as opposed to walking intervals) and then adding a mile each week to my long weekend runs. This seems like a really good option for me, so I'll give it a try for the next few weeks and see how it goes.
Also, I'm trying to get stronger so I'm incorporating some ab work into my routines. I feel a little burn today, which is a little sad as I didn't do *that* much. But, you gotta start somewhere, right?
Who knew that a little muscle soreness could make me feel so invigorated? I hope it continues. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Some Ups, Some Downs AND A Running Buddy!
So...I didn't do my Saturday run and Sunday cross train as I planned. Instead, I flew home to visit my family. I intended to at least run once and brought my running shoes with plans of borrowing my sister-in-law's treadmill for an hour or so. Unfortunately, my Dad was put into the hospital so my time was mostly spent with my family there. The downside of this was obviously that my Dad is in the hospital. Upside? The whole scene made me a little more mad at cancer which oddly motivated me. So, I will try to catch up with some training this week.
The other news is that I told a handful of my friends that I'm thinking of training for a half marathon and they were all really supportive. Beyond that, one of my friends has trained for the same half marathon I'm hoping to do for the last two years and was on the fence about doing it this year. After hearing I'm thinking about doing it she said she would if I would. So, we're going to become long distance running buddies! Yay!
The other news is that I told a handful of my friends that I'm thinking of training for a half marathon and they were all really supportive. Beyond that, one of my friends has trained for the same half marathon I'm hoping to do for the last two years and was on the fence about doing it this year. After hearing I'm thinking about doing it she said she would if I would. So, we're going to become long distance running buddies! Yay!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Week One
Last year, when I thought about training to run a half marathon I bought a book on the suggestion of a friend who had just trained called The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women. It is a pretty funny and practical approach to how to train and what to expect. It is also written by the point of view of a woman who was a self professed couch potato and just decided to run a marathon. I started reading it a year ago and got to page 30- probably an indication that I wasn't ready to make the commitment. I blame having to also write a graduate thesis at the time.
At any rate, I picked it up again this week and started plugging through. While inspiring in some ways, it kinda freaked me out in others. I am not particularly looking forward to some of the things she mentions having to expect- VERY sore muscles, popping Advil often, completely giving up your Saturday to run crazy lengths. However, I'm still convinced this is a good idea.
I've been looking at lots of training schedules and haven't decided which one to stick with yet. The book offers one where you run four days a week, cross train a fifth. I'm a little concerned about being able to actually get to the gym five days a week, but I'm going to do my best. I'm also still looking for other training schedule options. For now, I'm trying to run every other day and start trying to cross train a bit to get stronger. I feel like the key at this point is to get into better shape and raise my endurance level.
Last night I ran 3.5 miles in about 45 minutes. I pushed myself to run more of it, but am still walking a little too. I'm proud of my progress so far though because I feel like the running intervals are longer than last week, and progress is the thing I'm most focused on at this point.
I'm taking tonight off (it's Friday!) but am thinking of running tomorrow and trying to cross train a bit on Sunday. I hope the intense cold doesn't distract me!
At any rate, I picked it up again this week and started plugging through. While inspiring in some ways, it kinda freaked me out in others. I am not particularly looking forward to some of the things she mentions having to expect- VERY sore muscles, popping Advil often, completely giving up your Saturday to run crazy lengths. However, I'm still convinced this is a good idea.
I've been looking at lots of training schedules and haven't decided which one to stick with yet. The book offers one where you run four days a week, cross train a fifth. I'm a little concerned about being able to actually get to the gym five days a week, but I'm going to do my best. I'm also still looking for other training schedule options. For now, I'm trying to run every other day and start trying to cross train a bit to get stronger. I feel like the key at this point is to get into better shape and raise my endurance level.
Last night I ran 3.5 miles in about 45 minutes. I pushed myself to run more of it, but am still walking a little too. I'm proud of my progress so far though because I feel like the running intervals are longer than last week, and progress is the thing I'm most focused on at this point.
I'm taking tonight off (it's Friday!) but am thinking of running tomorrow and trying to cross train a bit on Sunday. I hope the intense cold doesn't distract me!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Half Marathon- Here I Come!
I made a decision on a bit of a whim yesterday to run a half marathon in May. I have wanted to run a marathon every since I saw my friend Matt cross the finish line in Chicago 5 years ago. A few years later I attended the NYC marathon and once again got excited about it. Last year I even got a book about how to train, but talked myself out of it once again because I had to finish my masters thesis. I also couldn't help but get hung up on one thing- I'm not a runner.
Small detail, right?
However, lately I have been able to find the kind of release from running that I'm unable to find in other aspects of my life. I had the ever so sought after Oprah "a ha!" moment last Sunday. After a frustrating, stressful and tiring day, I dragged myself to the gym. I really didn't want to go, but forced myself. I also really didn't want to run. I wanted to get on the elliptical and have an easy work out, but I decided that I needed that feeling of accomplishment I get after running a 5K on the treadmill. I did it, and faster than I ever have before! Afterwards I no longer felt stressed, I feel proud of myself.
So yesterday during some downtime at work I checked out the website for the marathon in my hometown. It is scheduled for May 9th, which seems like a doable timeframe to train for a half marathon. I'd still love to do a full someday, but baby steps people, baby steps.
I also am thinking of adding in a fundraising component to my training. The American Cancer society holds a special place in my heart and the marathon I'm looking at allows you to register and get people to sponsor you for that cause, along with several others.
If I register to do that I feel like it'll help me with the extra motivation I may need on the days I don't feel motivated enough on my own. Beyond that, running is giving me a release from a lot of stress in my life that is created through my challenges with cancer related issues, so this might be my small way to kick cancer in the stomach.
I ran another 5K yesterday after this decision and ran it faster than I have before which basically translates for me as more running, less walking. Progress!
Small detail, right?
However, lately I have been able to find the kind of release from running that I'm unable to find in other aspects of my life. I had the ever so sought after Oprah "a ha!" moment last Sunday. After a frustrating, stressful and tiring day, I dragged myself to the gym. I really didn't want to go, but forced myself. I also really didn't want to run. I wanted to get on the elliptical and have an easy work out, but I decided that I needed that feeling of accomplishment I get after running a 5K on the treadmill. I did it, and faster than I ever have before! Afterwards I no longer felt stressed, I feel proud of myself.
So yesterday during some downtime at work I checked out the website for the marathon in my hometown. It is scheduled for May 9th, which seems like a doable timeframe to train for a half marathon. I'd still love to do a full someday, but baby steps people, baby steps.
I also am thinking of adding in a fundraising component to my training. The American Cancer society holds a special place in my heart and the marathon I'm looking at allows you to register and get people to sponsor you for that cause, along with several others.
If I register to do that I feel like it'll help me with the extra motivation I may need on the days I don't feel motivated enough on my own. Beyond that, running is giving me a release from a lot of stress in my life that is created through my challenges with cancer related issues, so this might be my small way to kick cancer in the stomach.
I ran another 5K yesterday after this decision and ran it faster than I have before which basically translates for me as more running, less walking. Progress!
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