Logged my first 4 miles today. Averaged an 11 min. mile but hey, it's progress! I felt like a million bucks today, I should have pushed it and run 5 miles. Oh well, I will get there soon enough. The 10K isn't till September 1, so I am tracking well for that. The ING Half-Marathon looms in March '09 so I need to get on it! So far so good. Running is becoming a passion for me. It is an excellent weight-loss tool, but I love the emotional high I get from it. Amazing... here's to many more miles!
Another three miles logged. I felt better then ever today. Three miles is starting to feel easier and easier. Hopefully, by the end of next week I can get in my first 4 mile run ever. Sad, I know, but in my 34 years I have never run 4 miles at once. Well hopefully that will end next week. I am certainly feeing good about the 5K coming up on May 24th. I will attack that one... it is the 10k in September that has me a bit nervous. I know by then I should be running 6 miles pretty routinely, its just that course is simply one hill after another, all the way down Hwy. 41. Life is good, I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of running, more so then I ever felt possible. Here's to the 4 miler next week!
Pace Distance
Warm up 5 minutes: 9.06 .73
Fast run 5 minutes: 8.27 to top of bridge .60
Regular run 5 minutes: 8.55 to bend .72
Fast run 3 minutes: 8.20 .39
Regular run 9 minutes: 8.59 to St. Marks 1.0
Fast run 3.5 minutes: 8.03 to Roosevelt .43
Total: 4 miles 35.04 minutes at 8.46
Another 3 miles and feeling great. These three mile runs are not getting any easier yet but I know over time I will be able to add miles. Overall, feeling great, I have my first 5k in 10 years coming up on May 24th in Atlanta so I should have no problem with that. The U.S. 10k in September is the one I have my eye on... of course that and the ING Half-marathon in March. One goal at a time. I hope to start running a few 4 milers by next week. My average heart rate is still a bit high (157) on my 3 mile runs, and I am still running 3 miles in 33 minutes so I am going pretty darn slow as is. I assume my HR will come down the more I run. My diet suffered a bit over the Cinco de Mayo weekend (too many chips, beers and cheese dip!). So, now I GOTTA get serious about what I am eating and how my running effects my weight loss. I am burning a good 560 cal a run, that is 1500 cal a week, I should be dropping some weight! Stay focused!
I remind myself of lyrics to a certain alternative song that says, "Looking back at me I see that I never really got it right". My unwiilingness to admit that another runner is better than me has created several problems for myself. In this running community and in another commmunity I belong to my EGO has been a major downfall. Anything good thats happened to me in running or in life in general has been a result of humility. And the last two and a half years have absolutely been a gift. I have accomplished much, some would call it a miracle for someone who came from the streets I escaped from, and they are right. It's a miracle I can take little credit for. But, I can take credit for nearly throwing it all away. Over my 42 years of life, 30 of them were spent living wrong and putting very harmful substances into my body, including a pack a day of nicotine. I was delivered from this way of life and given an opportunity to do something I love. Run!!! Then I was connected with a great g... Read full entry
Well, the second three mile run was MUCH tougher then the first. Partly because the route I ran today was extremely hilly. I feel great. a two mile run is starting to feel like a one mile felt two months ago... challenging, but very doable. As I move to running at least three miles every time I go out, I look forward to my stamina building. The great news is I got in 8 miles this week. I would like to get to a 12 mile a week average in the next month, early June. Two three mile runs, a four mile run and a two miler on the weekend would be great. So, overall feeling good about where I am. We have the 5K coming up on May 24th, I look forward to running that with Katie. The only puzzling thing to me now is how do I keep dropping weight? I lost a quick 11 lbs at first and now I have leveled off. I have PLENTY more to lose, but it isn't dropping. Oh well, I will stick with what I am doing for now and see what happens next week. If there is still no change, then I will worry.
Well, we are in week three and things are looking good. I got in my first 3 mile run since I last ran a 5K (over 10 years ago). I have a challenging route around the town I work in, Clarkston, GA. Lots of hills but mostly quiet residential run. I have dropped 11 lbs. since the end of March (8 lbs since I started running). I am down to 252 and starting to see results. Running has become very motivating to me, I love the time alone to think and push myself to keep running. It ahs been three weeks and I have seen my heart rate drop and steady out. My average heart rate on my runs are still a bit high (156-159), I am working to slow down my pace and stay in a 'heart rate zone.' For me it is tough to slow down when I feel like I can push harder, but I know it is best to do as I add miles and work towards the consistent 5 mile run. I am over half way there! At the three mile route, I feel I can add half mile increments every week or so and do pretty well with it. After running the three mile... Read full entry
I'm just getting back to running after almost a 5 week layoff..needless to say I was a basketcase the whole time...My first 2 days were slow and painful. It seems I've lost a good part of my cardio and my stride doesn't feel quite right. But, you know those 2 days were like being in paradise. I love everything about running, especially running with the group. I even love the blisters I get on my feet. I love the diet, the glide, the getting up in the wee hours of the morning to meet with other insane people who love to run as well. I love the feeling in my lungs that tells me I better stop, and the fever in my head that doesn't let me. I love my crazy team mates that no matter how poorly I do tell me how great I'm doing. I love the hurts I get after the run, and the ibuprofen I take for it. I love the medallions hanging on my wall, and the possibility for future ones. I love El Guapo, but mostly I love having another opportunity to run again!!!
Stress seems to play such a big role in my running. Some people say that they run to relieve stress. I can't seem to run when I feel it. Evenings in our home get stressful, the day is over before I am ready, there are tons of things still to get done, the house still needs picking up, my children need attention, my husband needs attention.... before I know it, it's 11:00 and I know I can't get up at 4:45am to run and function at the level I need to that day! Don't get me wrong, I love life and all of it's busy-ness. I just want to stop being such an emotional runner. People say, "just do it", "don't make excuses"... of course, I agree with that! But I use that motto for my whole life. I "just do it" all day, everyday. I feel like I cram 3 days of life into every 24 hours.
Well, regardless of this small "emotional" struggle. I love running and am running far more than I ever have in my life. That is worth something! Now I want to break into a new level of running. Maybe on... Read full entry
Coy says:
I can relate...well all except the husband and kid thing...but cramming 3 days into 1 day every day and it seems like noones ever happy...everyone acts like they get shortchanged for time with me..and they probably do...but i just got to realize that i'm doing the best i can...and focus on the things on the list i checked off, rather than all of the things i didn't get to....the running i do for my sanity...it's the 1 thing i do selfishly for me...i just wish 5:15 am wasn't so early in the morning..LOL....ttys
I'm doing everything right-- stretching after runs, sticking to the 10% rule, running on the treadmill when I can, taking calcium-- and I STILL feel like I'm breaking my goddamn bones when I run. I did 10 miles yesterday, which was a painful reminder of the fact that a marathon is a little less than THREE TIMES that. I have a while before October, but I honestly am starting to wonder if this is even good for me. I can see a half marathon because 13 miles doesn't really damage you the way 26.2 does. In any case, I've had four stress fractures before and I can't see how I'll avoid them now. I have bruised bumps on the inside of my shins, and I lie awake at night FEELING MY BONES ACHE. This is not a good feeling; let me assure you. I like having a goal and sticking to it, and it takes a real lot for me to abandon my goals. So let's just say I'm sticking to it, but I'm almost positive that I'm doing permanent damage to myself right now. Great.
Well, it has been a few days but I just logged my second run. I shaved 30 sec off my time and dropped my average heart rate by 6 points. I guess it doesn't take long to see improvements! :)
I am feeling great and look forward to adding miles to my runs.
Woring my way up for a 10-12 week recovery plan. Took 2 months off during the winter due to strained IT bands and some tendonitis in my knee. Tendonitis still exists but after a check-up with my podiatrist, my IT pain is mostly gone.
Started out with 3 days a week, upto 10miles. Now at 5 days a week (6 weeks later) and about 18m. Hope to build to 5 days a week and 23-25miles before I start training for a race.
Looking to do a Fall marathon. Will target my first race for memorial day - a 5m "Run To Remember" in Boston.
Well, today was day one on my journey to the ING Half-Marathon in Atlanta, GA. Got in 2 miles today... it took me 23 min but I did it. First steps are the hardest they say. I am excited about the venture and look forward to journey. I am running the race with my wife so we are both training separately for the event. We have a 5k coming up at the end of May and a 10k on September 1 (U.S. 10K). Here's to many happy miles ahead!
Oh yea, I am also trying to drop 40 lbs. in the process! I am currently at 260 lbs. Even at 6' 3" tall, that is a lot of extra weight to carry around with you. Anyway, 2 miles in, many more to go!
Currently, it is sunny and windy and 46 degrees F with a high of 71. And that is just how I feel about my exercise journey at this point. I feel sunny and optimistic about completing a 5K in May. I know it will be windy as obstacles, mostly self-imposed, will be overcome. And, while the temperature may be lower than I would like right now as my ability to run a 5K is in doubt, I look forward to feeling the high of running through that finish line.
Some Q & A from friends and family that I received via email:
Q: How many miles is that?
A: 5 km is about 3 miles. (100 km = 61 miles)
Q: What are you doing for the training?
A: I am going to use a modified version of this Couch to 5K plan because I only have four weeks. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Q: You plan on walking, right?
A: I hope to push myself and jog at least half.
Training Log: I walked for 10 minutes and covered about one mile. My calves were really tight. I had to sto... Read full entry
It's hard to imagine how far one can fall off the exercise wagon in the course of a year (due to injury) or off the diet wagon in the course of two years (out of stupidity). Suffice it to say it's time to start over with a view of making lifestyle, lifetime changes.
