Wednesday, April 29, 2009
3
i could have turned around, but i decided to do 3. i hadn't run since saturday and i
wanted to go so bad.
pace: 9:02
hoping to run 10 this weekend.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
ipods, etc.
Can I run with an iPod/headphones?
Yes. USATF, the governing body of the sport, recently amended the ban on headphones, ipods, etc. Only athletes competing in Championship races for awards, medals or prize money may not use electronic devices such as headphones.
What is NOT allowed on the course?
The use of video devices, cell phones, computers, cameras or any similar devices by participants in the event is prohibited. The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the course shall be strictly limited to (a) authorized and registered competitive wheelchair participants and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles. Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled device will not be permitted.
sadly, no running for me today. it's a super busy day here. i did do jillian's shred video though. i am really liking it, but haven't ventured into level 3 just yet. if you've been doing it, i'd love to hear what you think!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
10k
i think this was my first 10k race. it was high 40's and drizzling the whole time, which i didn't mind at all once i started running. i ran in my new shoes today, which is a definite no-no and i knew it. you should never run in new shoes for a race, but it was fine. they are really lightweight and felt great. the only thing is, during the last mile my left foot was falling asleep. it was so weird. i'm wondering if maybe i tied my laces too tight on that shoe? i didn't want to stop and fix it though because i was so close to the finish and i really wanted to pass those two girls that passed me at mile 4. speaking of that, that was another weird thing today. i was actually being a little competitive (usually i just run my own race and don't worry who passes me), but today i kept picking out people i wanted to pass and made that my goal. i did end up passing the two girls in the beginning of mile 6. woo hoo!
according to my watch, i ran it in 54:48. they didn't have timing chips for our shoes, so my official time will just be based on their start, not when i actually crossed the start line. not sure what the official time was yet. i am happy with that time, considering there were some hills.
i think i like 10k's.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
5
my legs were still a little sore from the 9 on sunday. hoping to run a little tomorrow and then take the day off on friday before the 10k on saturday.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
new shoes
saucony, of course. they are supposed to be very lightweight - 6.2 oz. my other ones were about 9 or 10 oz., so i'm expecting to notice a difference. they are actually a 'racing shoe' for distance, so i probably won't do all of my training in them.i signed up for a 10k this saturday. i don't think i've ever run a 10k. i know i will like it much better than a 5k, but probably not as much as a half marathon. my friend sherri will be running it, she has lost over 60lbs. in the last 6 months. i am so proud of her!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
9
my friend amy biked by me while i ran 9.
it was so nice, we talked the whole time. and, i felt great
today. i felt like i could have kept going. this was my longest
run in quite awhile. it feels so good to get back into it.
Friday, April 17, 2009
My Journey
the college years: during my first semester of college, i walked onto the cross-country team. i was an average runner and not very competitive, so the coach really could have cared less if i was there. i didn't really care about being on the team either, i just wanted to run. i loved running. i finished the season, but decided i was done with anything competitive. the following year, i ran my first 5K and i really loved it. i continued to run a few times a week, but usually nothing over 6 miles.
the post college years: in 1998, i met my friend kelly who also had a passion for running and wanted to train for a marathon. we started training on january 11, 1999 (i still remember the exact date because it was such a big day in my life!). we trained in every adverse condition imaginable...rain, sleet, snow, and ice. i remember looking in the mirror after a run and laughing because our eyebrows and eyelashes were snow covered and frozen. we finished the marathon on may 2nd, 1999. i crossed the finish line in 5 hr 8 minutes, which ended up being right under 5 hours for my actual time. it was a great day! but when i was done i said, "it's out of my system, i won't ever do that again." in 2000, we had our first child and running took a back seat - as it should have.
in 2002, we had our second child and i was even busier.
i ran a few races, but wasn't very consistent in running from week to week.
in 2005, we had our third child.
it was the same pattern - i ran a few races, but wasn't very consistent in running from week to week.
in 2007, i decided to start training for my 2nd marathon. it wasn't out of my system afterall. in fact, about a week after completing my first marathon, i was dreaming about running another one. i finished my 2nd marathon in october of that year. i ran it in almost the exact same time as my first. i was really proud of that, considering i had three kids, trained, and ran the whole thing by myself.
today: now that my kids are a little older, i have been able to run more consistently. in 2009, i ran 2 - 10k's, a 20K (12.4) in may, a 1/2 marathon, a 7 mile cross-country race, and finished my 3rd full marathon (chicago) - totaling over 1,000 miles for the year.
this year, i am planning to run 3 - 1/2's, 2 - 10k's, and possibly another full. i'm hoping to run more in 2010 than i did in 2009. i am excited for all that God is going to teach me through the miles and i am thankful for the gift of running. i know it is something i may not always be able to do.
and, here are some random things about me.
Running Tips
1. A garmin. I just started using one last year and now I wonder how I ever survived without it!? I love knowing my pace per mile, overall time, and distance. It really pushes me to be better. Before getting one of these, I used mapmyrun and a regular watch and that worked too.
2. Music. It's hard for me to run without it, unless I am running with a friend. I recently bought the ipod shuffle and I LOVE using it on my runs. It is so lightweight and you can clip it on anywhere.
3. My favorite running shoes. I think I have tried almost every brand and I have settled on Saucony. They work well for me.
4. Some kind of dri-fit running shorts. Nike tempo track shorts are my favorite right now:
5. For long runs, the fuel belt works well. Although, I wish the pocket was bigger. I ended up buying a spibelt to hold my phone and gu gels. I really like it, and I hardly notice I'm wearing it.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
5
distance: 5 miles
pace: 9.27
i finally figured out how to calculate average pace on my garmin.
it has been hard to get miles in this week. yesterday i was dressed and ready to run, but it just never worked out. thankfully, today a friend offered to watch the kids. we're hoping to take turns watching each other's kids from time to time.
i'm hoping to run 8 sometime this weekend. my friend amy said she would bike by me. i feel safer doing that for my longer runs, since i don't have someone to run with. and, especially since running by myself has been a problem in the past.
btw, have you seen jane's running blog? i love the eric liddell quote she has in her sidebar:
"When I run I feel His pleasure." so true, i love that!
Monday, April 13, 2009
3
i'm not into exercise videos, but i keep hearing so many good things about this from other runners. i'll let you know if i try it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
6.5
my first mile today was tough, like normal. i don't think i have too many runs where i feel awesome the first mile. usually after a few miles, i settle in to a comfortable pace and start feeling better.
so, today was no different. i started feeling pretty good around mile 3 and tried to run some hills today. i've been seeking out hills lately. i want to get stronger and not hesitate to run up a huge hill. the good news is chicago will be flat, but the 20k in may does have some hills.
i'm considering getting involved in a running group for my long runs on saturday mornings. the only bad part is i think they start running pretty early. in some ways that is nice though because then i have the rest of the day ahead of me and my run is done. we'll see how it goes.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
4.5
i've been feeling really *off* on my runs lately, just.can't.seem.to.get.into.a.consistent.pace. BUT, tonight i actually felt good. it was 50 degrees and i'm thinking maybe my legs were just numb enough not to notice they were moving along.
i'm praying for a running partner for the training part of the marathon this summer.
or, a friend that will bike next to me while i run. i'll keep you posted.
why?
“You pretended the snooze button didn’t exist. You dragged your butt out of bed while others slept. While others ate their pancakes you had a feast of protein, glucose and electrolytes. You double-knotted. You left the porch light on and locked the door behind you. You ran 5Ks, 10Ks, 26.2 miles. Some days more, some days less. You rewarded a long run with a short run. And a short run with a long run. Rain tried to slow you. Sun tried to microwave you. Snow made you feel like a warrior. You cramped. You bonked. You paid no mind to comfort. On weekends. On holidays. You made excuses to keep going. Questioned yourself. Played mind games. Put your heart before your knees. Listened to your breathing. Sweat sunscreen into your eyes. Worked on your farmer’s tan. You hit the wall. You went through it. You decided to be man about it. You decided to be woman about it. Finished what you started. Proved what you were made of. Just kept putting mile after mile on your interval odometer. For 25 years, you ran. And we ran with you. How much farther will we go? As far as you will.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
a break
i'm back now and looking forward to getting back into a better routine tomorrow.