tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25154172251917700472024-03-13T20:33:03.847-07:00"I Was Running!"-Forrest GumpNicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-7615716100243720902013-02-01T17:13:00.003-08:002013-02-01T17:13:48.924-08:00All the Runnin' LadiesI'm in training for a 10k. The Phoenix Marathon 10k. In just one month's time I'll be running from Fitch Park to Bass Pro Shops. For better or worse.<br />
<br />
I've slacked on my runs this week. I've been so fatigued and have had some really weird and breath-catching joint pain. But mostly fatigued.<br />
<br />
Still, I skipped a nap today to go for a run. So, there's that.<br />
<br />
3 non-stop miles in 36:07. <br />
<br />
My spit was working against me. I'm seriously thinking of having a shirt made for race day that says "Watch OUT: I spit!" <br />
<br />
And then there was Gaga on the iPod. I recently ditched my "Workout" playlist in favor of "M's Workout" playlist. And he has Gaga.<br />
<br />
Which got me thinking. I have a pretty good running poker face. Face forward, expressionless, focused. Mouth set in a small "o", breathing steadily in, out, in, out.<br />
<br />
Oh, but do I ever have a tell. <br />
<br />
I hand-dance.<br />
<br />
That's what I said! I. hand. dance!<br />
<br />
And the occasional little head knod. <br />
<br />
And maybe some lip-syncing.<br />
<br />
And a hard-set facial expression when running up a hill to Nine Inch Nails' "Only".<br />
<br />
And then there was that moment today, when I almost had myself a little Beyonce moment, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHSPzY5N2_c">Dizzy style</a>, when listening to "Single Ladies". It was very nearly a cross between Dizzy and. . . well, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGj-D0Bw5Y">this</a>. It was nearly a horrible mess. <br />
<br />
So, there's an experiment for you: try to run and listen to that song and <i>not dance</i>!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-59680535238893031442011-04-17T12:10:00.000-07:002011-04-17T12:13:49.470-07:00Wait It OutSo, three months later. . . I ran again. Apparently, I had to wait until I was ready?<br /><br />Either way, on Friday I went out for a 2 mile run before heading out to work. I thought I stretched down well enough, but my have I been sore in places that I didn't know were possible! Like my groin muscles? And muscles in my back that hurt when I clear my throat? What the. . . ?<br /><br />Funny how finally getting back out there and running will make you excited to get out and do it again. I have big plans for tomorrow morning.<br /><br />Perhaps this means my "no love" dry spell is waning?Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-57076222720568614092011-03-03T13:19:00.000-08:002011-03-03T13:40:08.212-08:00The RecoveryFirst, my low back went out.<br />Then, I got a stupid cold that lasted for weeks.<br />Then, heavy period.<br />Now? I (think I) am in the throes of a full on Epstein-Barr attack.<br /><br />But! I did yoga last night and it felt SO good. I've been feeling off center and have needed it. I want to do it every non-run day (except maybe Sundays).<br /><br />The other day we drove by our new house. We are cautiously excited about it and try not to get ourselves to worked up over its better location and all its other good points that sold us on it.<br /><br />But! I saw a runner coming up the canal bank and it was really really hard not to get excited about the fact that even though we'll be "in the city" we won't be so close to the city that I'll be breathing smog when I run. Oh, and, of course, the challenge of running on the canal banks nearby!<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm fighting fatigue with activity. First, yoga. Next, running!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-78556435254476340442011-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:002011-02-05T07:30:00.372-08:00No LoveI don’t know exactly how to say this, but, then again, there are only so many ways to slice a pie, you know? Here it is: I am SO not feelin’ the love part of this hate-love relationship I have with running! I missed it (almost) the entire time I was away, and now that I’m back, I just am not feeling it.<br /><br />Back to my pie-slicing theory: excuses are excuses, whether they come in the form of being dog-tired from one-year old induced midnight wakings (as in several) or not going first thing in the morning (which was always my recipe for success last time) precisely because I am so tired and then ending up with a headache/shoulder ache/back ache/bad attitude that makes me not want to go later in the day. Like I said, any way you slice it, I’m just not feeling the love.<br /><br />It feels more like work than anything. Like I <span style="font-style: italic;">have to</span> run, instead of I <span style="font-style: italic;">want to</span> run. Which, I do. Want to run, that is. I just don’t want to <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to run. It feels like there are too many other things crowding my understanding (and my time!) right now and running is the thing that gets left at the bottom of the barrel (well, running and laundry are keeping each other company down there. . . )<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong – I am still excited about doing the 8k in a few weeks. And I will be able to do it, I just don’t know how well. I cannot seem to get to running 3 times a week: last week it was only once and not a single time so far this week. I want to run because I want to, not because I have to. And that seems to be part of the battle I am waging with myself right now. As it is, my stubborn streak is winning out (I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not go</span> and you <span style="font-style: italic;">can’t make me</span>!) which is kind of disheartening to the part of me that is willing and wanting to make it work.<br /><br />Mostly, though, I really am pretty tired lately. I am taking lots of naps. Which, who knows what that’s all about, but whatever. I still never have gotten up to 4 miles, but have big plans next week (yeah, you’ve heard that from me before). So, we’ll see.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-61529442593397180032011-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:002011-01-24T21:23:59.486-08:00Doing the Can-can: Week 4, Day 1So. <br />So much for "plans".<br /><br />Did you guess by now that Saturdays are not my most successful running days?<br />Or that, try as I might, I can never make it up on a Sunday?<br />Did you know that my race is on a Sunday?<br />And I have no idea how that's going to work?<br /><br />Is my training all over the place?<br />Do I routinely skip my third run?<br />Yesity yes yes.<br /><br />Whatev.<br />Is all I have to say.<br /><br />Started fresh off today! Planned for 3 miles, but started running late in the day. It was getting dark, my husband had a no-good, horrible, F-word inducing work day, and at the end of mile two I just felt I had better get home. I called M and said "Wohahu?" and he told me a tale of a cranky backseat baby who had drunk all his milk and was a very hungry boy. <br /><br />So, good thing I was home.<br /><br />Relieved as I was to be making some dinner for the boys, I still felt the tiniest bit cheated out of my run.<br /><br />Whatev.<br />Is all I have to say.<br /><br />And?<br /><br />I'm on track to run 4 on Wednesday. So. . . Week 4 here I come! <br /><br />(Btw? Mile 1? Sucked. Mile 2? Infinitely better. Sad I had to stop. Glad I went, even though I tried talking myself out of it several times.)Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-55765160308176449262011-01-21T21:07:00.000-08:002011-01-21T21:40:41.584-08:00I DID IT! (Week 3, Day 2)I was tired. I had procrastinated. I had taken Excedrin. . .<br /><br />But, I had also left early from work with the intention of going on a sunset run. And so I did.<br /><br />That second mile is on an uphill grade, so it was a little tough. I was leery of a weirdo dude wearing jeans, sandals with socks, and a suit jacket and carrying all manner of boxy briefcase, plastic bags and cowboy boots. I wanted to say "wife kick you out?" but I didn't. I did, however, eye him suspiciously each time I passed him, which was three. (My point? Hmmm. Get back to you on that one.)<br /><br />I ran. (I suppose that's my point.)<br /><br />I also became more fully aware of just how much I'll miss non-smog air and mountain views when we move back into town. And how much my shins ache in the first 3 or so minutes of running. And how letting the <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/09/did-i-catch-fiver-in-there.html">mind lead, not the body</a> is really good and practical advice in all sorts of scenarios, not just running.<br /><br />Oh? And also? I run primarily for fitness, secondarily for weight loss/maintenance. Well into my second mile, I was all "wow! I feel really good doing this!" and then my brain recalled all the chocolate, butter cookies and <a href="http://bestuff.com/stuff/ben--jerrys-half-baked">Half Baked</a> I have consumed over the last 2-3 days (more butter cookies than the other two, and the chocolate was darkity dark. . . but still . . . ) and I realized this was probably barely a break-even kind of run. Man! I must do better on the eating thing!<br /><br />Here's the lovely thing that sometimes happens when running: I got into that third mile and my mind decided my body had quieted down enough such that I could run forever. Of course, my body quickly disagreed. They settled their negotiations on the original 5k. (Only the route I have always thought was 3.1 miles - 5k - was actually only 3 miles today - and probably every other day I ever ran it too. Bummer.) (Maybe <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/">this</a> would have helped?) (No. It wouldn't have. It says the route is 2.9 miles, which I know it isn't because I have driven it in my car and odometered it, man. . . )<br /><br />Either way, the hump distance of 2.5 was overcome today, triumphed by a full 3! I haven't done that in over <span style="font-style: italic;">2 years</span>!!<br /><br />I ran non-stop, but added the twist of following my seester's idea of pushing it in the last stretch. I ramped up my speed just as some bicycling and scootering little kids meandered in my path then saw me running fast and said "whoa!"<br /><br />I finished strongly at 31.15 minutes. 10.38 minute mile average. Not too shabby. But who are we kidding? It's no 9.3! (Mayhaps Wednesday's couple of spoonfuls of Half Baked followed with a massive butter cookie chaser, Thursday's mini chili dog and slider lunch, and today's dark chocolate squares and more spoonfuls of Half Baked had something to do with anchoring me down?) (Perhaps.)<br /><br />Good news? I am excited to go again tomorrow.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-46374139577605517992011-01-18T18:12:00.000-08:002011-01-18T18:20:44.681-08:00Week 3 Do-Over? Hated It!Today was a <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/08/another-off-week.html">hate-it</a> kind of running day. After struggling last week with timing and energy and such, I decided to do Week 3 over.<br /><br />Following a particularly slow and dawdling morning, I self-imposed a shortened lunch hour today, which meant I would be running at the gym or somewhere near work instead of traveling home to go on my favored route. I could not bear the gym, so I improvised a route (2.35 miles) and set out.<br /><br />Only, I had forgotten the hills up and down that route. My shins immediately protested (which reminded me I must really get more serious about doing yoga), so I improvised an alternative route. Which only brought more inclines/mini-hills. In fact, that was the theme of today’s run, if you really want to know. They were everywhere I ran! But, upside? The weather was fabulous. Even so, I was sweating in the crease of my right elbow, which, truthfully, does not make me very excited about running into the summer months. <br /><br />Nonetheless, I totally <span style="font-style: italic;">won</span> the victories over each those mini-hills, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> victories over my protesting shins, over my tired body, and over the dreaded why-on-earth-am-i-doing-this speed bump that sits at the very beginning of nearly every run lately.<br /><br />So, party people, I am here to report that I continuously ran 2.49 miles in 23.19 minutes!! Even with the hills, Simon Says that’s a 9.3 minute mile! Woooo-freakin’-hooooooo!!!!!<br /><br />Now, here’s the trouble I had last week that I am hoping to avoid this week: I again delayed my first run of the week til Tuesday. Logic says my next two runs should fall on Thursday and Saturday – except I’m home with my kid on Thursday, which means I will have to run two consecutive days. <br /><br />I don’t know quite what my <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-happened.html">mental block</a> about that is, since I ran consecutive days back when training for the half. . . but I will have to overcome it if I am going to be successful this week. Oh, and I’ve banned my husband from going fishing this Saturday, so that takes care of that! <br /><br />So, look for me tomorrow. I’ll be attempting a back to back and doing a 5k (my first since. . . . well, since <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/10/tricky-eyes.html">this one</a>).Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-28959281966116477892011-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:002011-01-11T20:11:53.864-08:00Week Three, Day: the FirstIf you are looking for Week 2, Day 3, it disappeared in the midst of a busy Saturday and is probably strewn somewhere along the 4.5 mile trail I hiked on Saturday afternoon. I did run a small portion of that trail, though, so you’ll probably find it there. You know. If you’re looking.<br /><br />Monday should have been Week 3, Day 1. . . but I wasn’t feeling it. So, I didn’t bother. I did hold myself to it today, though. The thought of running more laps at the gym made me want to gouge my eyes out with a blunt kitchen gadget, so I opted to keep my eyes and run outside instead.<br /><br />Do you know what I forgot about running outside? Well, the cold, for one. Hard blacktop roads, for another. And also uphill grades and wind resistance. I quickly recalculated my route in my head (thank goodness for various and sundry prior running routes!) and opted to get off the grade and out of the wind pushing against me and making my eyes water. But the spitting – oh the spitting! – was glorious! In fact, I spit extra and with dramatic effect just because I could!<br /><br />As I ran, I thought about how while hiking on Saturday I had been trying to recall exactly when we were last on that trail and why I had been struggling. I told M how it couldn’t have been in 2008 because, a hint of fondness creeping into my words, “that was my running year”.<br /><br />Perhaps 2011 will also be a running year. When I first thought about doing this 8k, I just wanted fake it as far as I could make it and then walk the rest. Now, I want to do more than that. I want to finish with my head held high.<br /><br />Today, I broke the 2 mile barrier I had been struggling with on that blasted track! Man that first mile and a half was a doozy. I was tired and tight. Somewhere in the latter half of that second mile, things leveled out and, while still tired, I didn’t feel like I was going fall over – and I had stopped questioning my sanity over voluntarily choosing to be a runner.<br /><br />I ran 2.2 miles in around 20 minutes. People! Runners of the World! Do you know what that means? That means I averaged just over a 9 minute mile!! Which (hallefreakin’lujah) means I am not as slow as that stupid track has me believing I was! (13+ minute mile? Psshhawww!) Mark my words, something is amiss with that stupid suspended rubber mini-track!! Besides, I hate re-runs! (Unless its <span style="font-style: italic;">Friends</span>. I’m always up for watching re-runs of <span style="font-style: italic;">Friends</span>!) What I am saying is that track running is really (really!) not for me.<br /><br />Given the relative success of today, I am going full steam ahead into Week 3. Look for my first 3-miler report next time!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-33713374095848540292011-01-05T17:33:00.000-08:002011-01-05T17:39:47.467-08:00Two and Two, But Not Quite TwoTraining goal for today? 2 miles.<br /><br />Actual miles run? 1.88 in 27:26 minutes. Non-stop. (Is that slower than Monday? I really don’t know on account of I can’t figure out exactly what I did to figure it out two days ago.)<br /><br />Form goal for today? Shoulders down, shoulders back.<br /><br />That scaled-down track and the counting lap sets is killing me! (No, seriously! The math is way too much. . . my brain starts trying to figure out how far I’ve run and I just don’t operate like that.) (True story: this one time in bootcamp at the gym, we were doing some abdominal thing and the instructor said “Only 99 more to go!” and I up and quit right there. Because I like things to be attainable. Yessiree!) <br /><br />Here’s the thing about today: I was sore, but I did not die. I was slow, but I did not stop. I was tired, but I did not quit. (When I was tired, I would just ask myself “are my shoulders down? Are they pulled back?”) (I hunch when I’m tired.) <br /><br />So, the run? Over. Done. Finito! And onward to Saturday. (Not a day too soon, either. Boy howdy do I want to start running outside!!!!! No laps!) <br /><br />Also? I think my right foot might be working harder than my left at keeping the heel/toe strike going. Form goal for next week, perhaps?Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-26063091712977313632011-01-04T20:28:00.000-08:002011-01-04T20:28:00.270-08:0013.1 Redeux?OK, so you all remember <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/09/demise.html">this</a>, right? <br />(How I totally crashed and burned?)<br /><br />Well, <a href="http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/disneyland-half-marathon/">THIS</a> might just be tempting enough to get me to try it again! <br />(Nothing like running your guts out at the Happiest Place on Earth, que no?)<br /><br />In other words, I may or may not be registering to run with Mickey ears come June-ish! <br />(How freakin' fun would that be!?!?!)Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-38688718402265686462011-01-03T20:13:00.000-08:002011-01-03T20:22:47.722-08:00Day One, Week Two = Death?So. Today was Day One of Week One the Do-Over. (I know, I know, it was technically supposed to be Day One of Week Two by now, but <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2011/01/8k-training-week-1.html">remember</a>? I was sick and stuff?)<br /><br />So.<br /><br />I ran.<br /><br />I fiddled with my iPod and got it to track laps for me. The track is miniature - scaled down to 1/16 of a mile rather than the typical (?) 1/4 - so while I stretched I did the math in my head:<br />1/16 of a mile times two miles means 32 laps.<br />My iPod stops tracking after 21.<br />OK. So, I'll log every two laps and then I'll only have to keep track of two.<br />But then how will I know how many sets of two I've done?<br />How many do I need to do?<br />32 divided by 2 is. . . 16.<br />OK. So 16. Won't the iPod tell me?<br />Negatory.<br />Well, I'll figure it out as I go, right?<br />I used to run an 11 minute mile, so I'll run for 23 or 24 minutes and call it good.<br /><br />First, the music wasn't loud enough. That's when I was still trying to figure out the tracking and didn't want to mess it up.<br /><br />But then, I was trying to keep track of how many sets of two I did and the whole thing made me blurry and fatigued. That's about when I looked at my watch and had only been running something in the neighborhood of 10 minutes.<br /><br />That's about the time I thought "Oh holy dying!!" My alter running ego said "A holy death? Righteous!!" "Death by running in the middle of this suspended air track?" I pondered . . . "Not so righteous."<br /><br />And so we continued.<br /><br />And then?<br /><br />I cranked the music.<br /><br />And then?<br /><br />Drugs, <a href="http://ms-adventures.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-body-doth-protest-too-much-or-i-do.html">glorious drugs</a>. In waves. In concert with my music.<br />(How do people run without music?)<br />Drugs! At least 3 times!<br />(Does anyone else air drum while running, by the way?)<br /><br />I ran 23.45 minutes without stopping.<br /><br />Turns out that was only 14.5 sets of two.<br />Math, please?<br />1.81 miles.<br />Technically, I walked two cool down laps, so . . . .<br /><br />Nope, doesn't count. I short changed it.<br />And?<br />My 11 minute mile has become a 13.4 minute mile.<br />Though I do suspect foul iPod play, truth be told.<br /><br />Only Week Two, Day Two will tell, right?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(pssst! Either way, I'm not doing Week One over. I'm going to hop along to Week Two and see whether the 3 miler this week kills me. If I'm not back by Monday. . . well, come looking for me.)</span>Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-77758649990816443572011-01-01T22:22:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:24:15.845-08:008k Training: Week 1So? Week one was a weak one! <br /><br />As in, my throat was still sore. If it was only the nasal and chest congestion, I would have hocked and spit to my heart's content.<br /><br />BUT, stupid throat was sore until Thursday.<br /><br />So, starting fresh on Monday.<br /><br />And so very very excited!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-90437906583671529242010-12-20T19:29:00.000-08:002010-12-20T21:55:39.126-08:008 weeks to 8kOK. So, it's pretty obvious I needs me some help with the running gig. I found a local 8k trail run that might be <span style="font-style: italic;">just the thing</span> to get me back into my running groove. It's on February 20th and I'm all jazzed about having a goal to kick start the new year and get me back in the zone.<br /><br />I've set up an 8 week training program I think is going to work for me. Without further ado, here it is:<br /><br /><name="title" content=""> <name="keywords" content=""> <equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <name="progid" content="Word.Document"> <name="generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <name="originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; 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margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Week of</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Mon</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tue</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Wed</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thu</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fri</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sat</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sun</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Total</span></u></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">12/27 </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">6 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1/3</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">7 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1/10</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">8 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1/17</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">9 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1/24</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">10 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1/31</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">11 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2/7</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">12 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 12.64%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="12%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2/14</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.18%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Yoga/ST <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 9.2%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rest <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 10.8%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1 mile<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.68%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">8k Race <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 11.6%; padding: 0.5pt;" valign="top" width="11%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">13 miles <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--EndFragment--><br />Wish me luck. I think I'm gonna need it!</name="originator"></name="generator"></name="progid"></equiv="content-type"></name="keywords"></name="title">Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-89562844045183003502010-10-16T23:46:00.000-07:002010-10-17T00:06:05.151-07:00What I Never Told YouThe last time I actually ran was. . . oh, a month ago? Maybe?<br /><br />Good times.<br /><br />Let's see. . . if I recall correctly, I ran 20 minutes without stopping. Around minute 17 or 18, I saw this skinnybutt girl in yellow yoga pants sitting on some quad weight machine. Her face was a movie screen and I saw her thoughts.<br /><br />Sure enough, 1 minute later she passes me on the track, her youthful bounciness enough to make me gag.<br /><br />"Little does she know" I thought, pointing eye-daggers at her head, "that I've been running for 18 minutes straight and <span style="font-style: italic;">that's </span>why I've been forced to settle into this slow jog!" Hummpphhh!<br /><br />[insert semi-evil thoughts about younger, skinnier MissFit kind of gym girls here. . .]<br /><br />Then, up from behind, and. . . there she went again, a yellowish, bouncy blur.<br /><br />[insert semi-evil thoughts about chicks that run like "look at me! i'm running!" instead of "running is a work out. period." you know the ones I mean.]<br /><br />And then, she disappeared. I scanned all around the track. Then, I spotted her. Walking. And nursing a stitch on the other side of the track.<br /><br />"I knew it!" I thought, my self-satisfaction taking over. "I knew she couldn't hack it! She thought she could out-do me? I've been running for. . .<br /><br />20 minutes! And done!"<br /><br />And that's how I know exactly the sort of not-very-nice competitive streak I have.<br /><br />__________<br /><br />Since then, no running. But lots of yoga, which I think will only make me a better runner, given that I'm getting much more flexible in my calves.<br /><br />Even so, I have big plans for getting more sleep, more energy and running through the fall and right on toward spring!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-68905089819498362662010-08-26T22:45:00.000-07:002010-08-26T23:17:32.278-07:00Zig and ZagI must have accidentally cursed myself last time with all my trying to be clear. I had to go and say tunes were a constant, and then the Universe said "oh yeah?? Bam! iPod dead!"<br /><br />And so it was when I showed up to run at the gym on Wednesday. Swallowing hot workout saliva AND no tunes. I knew I was in for it.<br /><br />It went something like this:<br />Crap! Really? Dead? Let me just make sure the lock switch is <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>off.<br />Dead. Ugh. This is going to be <span style="font-style: italic;">fun</span>. I can just tell.<br />Oh crap again! They changed the direction of the track. More fun!<br />Better get going! [running finally commences, with iPod earphones stuck in my ears to block out various and sundry gym noises]<br />OK. I'm only running 15 minutes! Not 20! But I'll do it without stopping! ! ! !<br />I can't see the mountains from this track direction.<br />Why is that guy walking in my path? Walkers are supposed to stay to the <span style="font-style: italic;">inside </span>lane. Hello!?!<br />I wonder if today is the day I will run into this pole?<br />Oh, that's where my shins are!<br />Well, I guess I could count laps. But that might just be an acute form of torture in this music-less condition. I can't be sure.<br />I seem to be making more eye contact with gym goers today. I wonder if they can tell I'm not really listening to music because of my shifty eyes. . .?<br />Is someone calling my name?<br />Why is that elliptical chick staring at me?<br />Why are the walls painted that horrid blue/green color? Blech.<br />Man, I'm tired. But I refuse to look at my watch!<br />No, seriously! Is someone calling my name?<br />And now a basketball is being bounced below. That's gotta be one of the most annoying sounds, right?<br />Man, back to back sucks! Note to self: yoga workout the night before running = not a great idea!<br />I wonder if K from my office can see me running. She probably thinks I'm cranking the tunes. Little does she know I'm bored out of my ghord.<br />Oh great! I can see the wall clock from this track direction! That should make this all go much faster!<br />Ugh. Tired.<br />Oh look! Walking Girls! Quick! Pass them before this lap ends!<br />That was fun. But still (more) tired!<br />OK. Concentrate on form. Relax your shoulders. Heel strikes up to toes. Neck pulled back. Arms loose. Abs pulled in. Breathe. Breathe.<br />Maybe it's easier to concentrate on form when music isn't distracting me?<br />Maybe, but I still miss music.<br />Wait! Am I <span style="font-style: italic;">really ANSWERING</span> myself now? Oh, this is bad!<br />Walking Girls ahead! Quick! Pass them again before the lap ends!<br />OK. Am I done yet?<br />A few more minutes. . .<br />No, seriously! Back to back workouts <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>sucks!<br />Is that a <span style="font-style: italic;">stitch</span> in my side??? What the. . . ?<br />Want. to. spit!!<br />Man, I'm really running slowly. Where are those Walking Girls?<br />Halfway around the track from you. If you hurry you could try to pass them again.<br />Am I done yet?<br />Almost, but what is it you are going to do after 15 minutes is up?<br />Speed walk, of course!<br />Walking Girls! Quick!<br />Man, this pretty much sucks. Make sure you charge your iPod next time.<br />Aaaannnnnnd speedwalk! (Finally!)Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-90460631236534929962010-08-20T08:08:00.000-07:002010-08-20T10:40:50.391-07:00Once Again (and Again After That)It was Friday the 13th when I ran for the first time since. . . let me look . . . since <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/11/turkey-run.html">Thanksgiving 2008</a>.<br /><br />After the Cake Day Incident of 8/1/10, on which I gorged myself on waaaayyyyy too much retirement party cake, I sat down and identified some eating, workout, and weight loss goals. Given the heat, I decided I would run once a week (indoors until the weather is cooler) and do a yoga workout dvd two days a week. <br /><br />So, on my first day back, I decided to see just how long I could run without stopping, and whatever I could get in within 20 minutes was good. I was running on the indoor track of my local gym, which is 1/16 scale of a normal track, and was enjoying the air conditioning. Then, all the sudden, I was exhausted. I stopped.<br /><br />5:40. That's how long I had run. I decided I would walk just one lap.<br /><br />9:50. I stopped again. I walked two laps.<br /><br />17:05. I stopped again. <br /><br />I really really really wanted to spit. Really badly. I think I may have mentioned how much I spit when I run? <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/06/week-4-41.html">Maybe</a>? It's the only constant other than music. There's nothing worse to me, besides running without tunes, than swallowing hot workout saliva! For serious. But as I was indoors, I was forced to be civilized and <span style="font-style: italic;">not spit</span>. Oh, the things I do for air conditioning!<br /><br />I walked one lap.<br /><br />20:30. 20 minute goal reached. I walked a cool-down lap.<br /><br />My legs felt rubbery. My shoulders ached from tensing them up. My head pounded. My shins felt splinted. But. . . I felt <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span>!<br /><br />I ran again the following Wednesday. This time, I ran for 15:45 before stopping. Now, don't get me wrong, I was wicked tired and wanted to stop several times, but I slowed my pace and pushed through.<br /><br />I walked a lap (or two?) and then ran again until it was 20:30. <br /><br />Head? = less poundy<br />Shoulders? = less tight and achy<br />Legs? = less rubbery, but still splinty<br /><br />Another thing I miss about running outdoors (besides the ability to spit at will)? The fact that I have the <a href="http://myc25k.blogspot.com/2008/09/weeks-worth.html">white line of the bike lane</a> to help me push through fatigue. At the gym, I'm always worried I'm going to get too tired and run into a wall or a support beam or another person.<br /><br />Also? I can't easily track my distance. The track is 1/16. Meaning I'd have to go around it 16 times before I run a mile. Given that it only takes me about 50 seconds to run it and about a minute ten to walk it . . . .(hold on while I do the math) . . . I ran about a mile and a half. Best guess. (because it could really drive a person mad counting laps! and I utterly refuse to try it.)<br /><br />I decided that if I really want to ramp it up a notch, I could add another run in per week. That would definitely get me back to a 5k by Labor Day (hey! that rhymes!). I might really need that after my crash and burn food day yesterday. There were chips. There was candy. Both were in obscene amounts. (there were also carrots and nectarines, but not nearly enough!)<br /><br />Either way, I can't wait to do it again next week!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-41502898986115658632010-02-27T22:38:00.000-08:002010-02-27T22:42:33.862-08:00In My (under)EstimationHere’s the thing: I underestimate life. A lot. When I was pregnant, I was sure I’d be running again at 3 weeks postpartum, do another 9-week C25k, and be running 5k again by the time I went back to work. <br /><br />I did not count on being so tired and sore after childbirth. I quickly saw that this goal was lofty. <br /><br />So, I slated my return to running to coincide with my return to work. I did not count on being so worn out and having days that stretched from 5:30 a.m. until well after 10 and that I’d count myself lucky to get anything over 6 hours of very broken sleep. I quickly realized that I would have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to fit running in. <br /><br />I already know how much lack of sleep sabotages my running efforts, how much it works against me. It always has in the past and sleep is a precious precious commodity around these parts. Something I’ll not give up easily. <br /><br />Still, as the weather warms, I’m seeing more and more runners out and about. Which makes me crave running! Lack of sleep aside, I worry whether resuming running will affect breastfeeding. I read several confusing articles on the subject; in short, it might, but maybe not. <br /><br />So, for sleep’s sake, I’ve decided to wait until the baby is sleeping through the night. I’ve decided to wait until my schedule is a little more smooth so that getting up at 5 a.m. doesn’t feel like torture. <br /><br />I’ve decided to wait until my body levels out, so that I don’t risk illness, injury, <br />or “drying up”. Besides, I’m still gradually dropping weight, but my tailbone and pelvic bones are still sore. <br /><br />With the recent unpredictably rainy weather, I’ve also decided to wait until it’s reliably nice out. <br /><br />I’m so anxious to get out there! I just can’t force it. I know my body – and too little sleep and more stress will only work against me. Stress and lack of sleep make me gain weight and take their hideous toll on everything else in my life. <br /><br />Hopefully all this waiting won’t amount to more than a few months’ time. Right now, my goal is to be running 5k regularly by Labor Day, and to work myself up to 10k (or more) by November.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-82006098045274235992010-01-15T23:22:00.000-08:002010-01-15T23:29:11.999-08:00Looooooooong (LONG) BreakWell, that was a long break.<br /><br />For a lot of reasons.<br /><br />Foremost among them: I didn't want running to mess with ovulation, especially after having had a miscarriage already.<br /><br />Then, came the morning sickness of my 3rd pregnancy. And that's pretty much 2009 for you.<br /><br />Now, it's 2010.<br /><br />I'm 9 weeks postpartum and ready to do another Couch to 5k.<br /><br />Right now, I'm sticking with walking before I go back to work in a few weeks.<br /><br />Come Feb 1, I'll be C25k'ing it for the next 9 weeks.<br /><br />(Wish me luck!)<br /><br />P.S. Got a new iPod. . . once it arrives and is loaded with my new songs, I'll be set!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-15527923571067809032008-11-28T14:22:00.000-08:002008-11-28T14:28:00.178-08:00Turkey RunI did, in fact, go for a run yesterday. With the hub and the dogs. I'm pretty convinced now, if I wasn't before, that I'm a loner runner. Running with hub isn't so bad. Running with dogs takes too much energy and effort! So much so that at 1.5 miles, I got a huge, spasming stitch on my right side - right under the ribs down into my stomach.<br /><br />I had to stop and hand the leash of the dog I was running with over to M. Once it calmed down, I made up some of the rest of my run, which I figure was just under 2 miles total.<br /><br />It was much nicer to be out running than to be at home cooking! Regardless, I'm still slow. I'd like to blame the track pants again, but I really do think it's just me. That and my iPod keeps dying on me. Time for either a new battery or a new iPod. . .<br /><br />I've got to search out my previous training schedule. I know it's around here somewhere. Starting Monday December 1st, I'll be running 4-5 times per week. I'd really like to get my mileage back up to 5 or 6 and get my weight back down to 145-150. My gift to myself for the holidays, I suppose.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-87487652442313560462008-11-26T22:24:00.000-08:002008-11-26T22:30:08.916-08:00What happened!?A) I've gotten to bed late (any time after 10:00) too many nights in a row. Hub is under threat of pain of death to get to bed by ten so he can stop "messing up my running"!<br /><br />B) I've had a mental block about running 2 days in a row. Kinda dumb since I used to run 5 days a week, since I used to run 2 and 3 days in a row when I was "in training". <br /><br />C) I'm plotting a big pre-Thanksgiving run tomorrow. By "big" I really mean more than my most recent 2-miler.<br /><br />D) I'm gearing up for a rather serious self-lecture, in which I put myself back on at least a 4-day per week running program starting December 1.<br /><br />E) All of the above.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-76074913964774945812008-11-21T16:46:00.000-08:002008-11-21T16:58:42.950-08:00Give it all you gotI was up and at 'em yesterday - the only exerciser out on the streets, even though it wasn't that early.<br /><br />The weather was FANtastic!<br /><br />My head is still stuffy and I forgot to blow my nose. So, when I wasn't sniffing and snuffing, I was hocking and spitting. I spit a lot. The breathing was not so easy.<br /><br />It was S-L-O-. . . W going! I blamed the switch from running shorts to track/sweat pants. Really, it was the month-long break.<br /><br />Again, it wasn't really that early, but my slow plodding woke up slumbering dogs, who slurred their barks in my direction. I thought "C'mon dumb dogs! Give me all you've got!" Then I realized I wasn't really taking my own advice. But in my estimation, lingering head cold + recovering from recent health issues + 2 miles without stopping - my iPod (which died 10 minutes in) = pretty freakin' good.<br /><br />2 miles took me 23:45. Nearly 1 minute slower per mile than normal. I'm wanting to get back out there more regularly. It's going to take some time getting back up to speed, as manifested by my sore obliques and quads, which consistently attest that the break did <em>not </em>do me good!<br /><br />I'm hoping for a morning run tomorrow so I get 2 in this week.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-34385098521374517452008-11-16T10:44:00.001-08:002008-11-16T10:47:55.736-08:00Oh, how I've missed it!I haven't run in a month. . .<br /><br />Every time I see a runner, I lament my loss! In fact, just yesterday, we were traveling on the freeway and I saw a runner running over the overpass. I said to my hub "Look! She's running! Awwww!" <br /><br />I've been traveling and am now having some health issues, but should be ready to get back out there by Tuesday or Wednesday (I hope!). <br /><br />It will be colder, but I have a beautiful new track suit that's just calling my name! Can't wait!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-46952472510813604922008-10-15T20:53:00.000-07:002008-10-15T21:01:24.466-07:00Tricky Eyes"No excuses" huh? "No excuses"!? Sha right! <br /><br />Monday was a bust. The ominous headaches have returned. Whatever. Even though I woke up at around 4 a.m. today and couldn't go back to sleep (you all know how much I <em>love</em> that, right?), I went out for a run. I was SO excited to go. <br /><br />I ran just over a 5k in 35 minutes. Without a knee strap, without chapstick, without water, and without stopping. Oh, and without an iPod. Sort of. It died in the middle of my run. Running without it makes it seem agonizingly slow. <br /><br />But, hey, I'm just impressed I can still run that distance in pretty good time and health after the lengthy breaks I've been taking. I changed up my route on the 3rd mile and was glad I did.<br /><br />I don't know if it was the lack of mental abstraction from the no-music-thing, but my eyes were playing tricks on me today. Dead palm husks looked like rattlesnake skin. Pumpkin scarecrows looked like real people. <br /><br />Oh, and then there was Peter Cottontail. Or his cousin. That bunny just hopped across the street and we had a right old staring match. He eyed me warily and I watched him intently, each of us anxious for the other's next move. He won. I looked away first on account of my running in the opposite direction and all.<br /><br />The weather was freakin' awesome! I could have probably run another mile or two - if I had the time. But alas, the chicken in my fridge was calling me to marinate it so it could be my dinner. . .Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-44860486216378029092008-10-12T08:45:00.000-07:002008-10-12T08:48:35.528-07:00Jabber-walkyI didn't run but once this last week. I <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span>, however, get to go walking on Thursday night with my friend L. She and I went to the local high school track and walked and talked and yammered and walked and walked and jabbered for nearly 3 hours straight. It was great! <br /><br />So, I figure <span style="font-style: italic;">if</span> I can get myself back to some sort of normal running regime (M, W, F - 3, 4, 3), and walk with L on Tues and Thurs, I'll be pretty set. . . I start tomorrow. I'm off, and the weather is FABulous, so barring death or serious disease, I have no real excuse!Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515417225191770047.post-66734747462680301582008-10-06T08:32:00.001-07:002008-10-06T13:40:07.105-07:00Back in the SaddleI finally (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">finally</span>) finished my week of training last week. I wanted to run 3 times last week, but it didn't happen on account of my having to be at work "early" (a.k.a. sometime between 8 and 8:30).<br /><br />I got the chance to go this morning and I took it! Yeah!<br /><br />I ran only 2 miles today because I had time constraints. <br /><br />Easy peasy! No stopping (except to hug Michelle) and it was fun! Got a little pain in the ol' sciatic nerve (it's been almost non-existent for the last two weeks).<br /><br />I'm hoping to go at least 3 if not 4 times this week.Nicholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10911836222035780777noreply@blogger.com1