Thursday, July 29, 2010

Sorry it's been so long...

Alyssa pointed out today as we were huffing and puffing around the track that it has been nearly 2 weeks since I posted a blog.  Whoops!!!  On my behalf though, I have been quite busy at work and it hasn't been 2 weeks only 9 days. 

That said...

Today is day 54 only 2 days remain in the initial 8 week walk to run program, and shockingly I believe we are ready for it.  Today we ran for 40 minutes total - 2 sets of 20 minutes.  The program called for only a minute of walking between, but we figured that as long as we ran for the full 20 minutes it would be OK for a longer walk.  So we did a quarter mile.  Whatever, it's fine.

This morning we were at the track right when it opened at 5 and saw a security person there for the first time ever - I guess she was doing all the opening up things, good to know though that security does exist - not that I've ever thought about it before.  A family of deer has been watching us run this week, a mom and 3 babies, we watch them watching us as we run.  Our good luck bunny was around again this week, he tends to always be out when we have good runs, yet no where in sight when the runs are horrible awful! 

The first couple laps this morning were rough, my body waking up after being rudely awakened by the piercing alarm.  My house has been so warm recently that Ellie no longer sleeps in my room, instead she sleeps on the couch in front of a fan, so I can no longer count on her whining to force me out of bed.  Instead when I come trudging downstairs with my eyes barely open and my hair resembling a rats nest trying to locate my better sneakers she glares at me, possibly attempting to convey her annoyance with my having the nerve to wake her when she was sleeping so soundly. 

I would like to take this time to say that the weatherman lied.  He said it would be cooling off and not as humid.  LIAR!!!!!  It was warmer this morning at 5 am than it was on Tuesday at 6 am, and although it stormed last night, the air was so heavy and humid you could have cut it with a butter knife!  I just hope the forecast for Saturday is a bit more on par, with a low of 65 and a high of 80 - as long as it's closer to 65 than 80 when we run at 7 am I will be happy.

Our running speeds are increasing, not consciously though.  This morning we ran a 13:23 and a 13:48 mile (the rest of mileage was split between running and walking so it's hard to give a time estimate).  So if we keep this up we will definitely be under the 16 minute mile limit, and if our speed keeps increasing in this manner it would be nice to have between a 12 and 13 minute mile pace for race day (that would provided plenty of buffer room in case something goes wrong and we lose precious time mid-race, but not too fast where we burn out before mile 13).

I have come to the conclusion that really we will have to run together on race day, this is because when I run alone my train of thought goes something like this:  "OK, this isn't too bad.  I think there's something in my shoe.  My knee feels a bit funny.  It's hot.  What?!?  I've only run 5 minutes?!? Ughhh...  I should have stretched my calves before running.  Would anyone notice if I just passed out right here?  There's sweat dripping down my nose.  Why didn't I bring my sunglasses?  7 minutes, just 11 more to go.  I hate this, I should quit.  I hate runners, they're crazy.  Ooh, the hot shirtless guy is back.  Why can't I find a good song?  I need to reprogram my Ipod.  Yup, there's definitely something in my shoe."  And that's only the first 8 minutes, the big race will be more like 3 hours!  At least when I run with Alyssa I can complain out loud and not look like a freak, and we talk and keep each other motivated as the running gets hellish, definitely a good thing.

Since I have officially quit Bally's, my cross training days have been spent working around the house and doing ab work - neither of which is particularly exciting, oh well.

That's about it for now - until next time...

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Day 45 - and it's an important one too!

What's so important about Day 45?  Guess!  Can't guess?  Well take a look at that first little countdown over there on the right hand side of your screen...  Go on look, I'll wait.  (humming to myself....)  Done?  Figured it out?  Yup!  Today is halfway until our first race!!!  Craziness. 

It's been a while since I've written I think we're due for a little recap...

Friday (Day 41) was a rest day - easy peasy
Saturday (Day 42) was not a rest day - not so easy peasy:  At the South Side trail we ran 12 minutes walked 2 minutes, 2 times - now technically we were only supposed to walk 1 minute, but it was ridiculously hot (even for 8:30 in the morning) and neither of us was quite ready when the 1 minute mark rolled around to start running again.  The 2nd set of 12 minutes was awful!  It was hot, and uphill, and hot, and did I mention uphill?!? Note to self: do not run uphill - it's horrid.
Sunday (Day 43) was a cross-training day - we were supposed to go to the gym and take a spinning class.  I wussed out and decided tearing plaster off of the wall of the soon to be t.v. room in my house was cross-training enough, and for that matter spinning was cancelled anyways!  Alyssa met Andrea at the gym and they did a basic CT workout on their own.  We met up afterwards for lunch at Panera (Asian Sesame Chicken Salad - yum!) and our free Godiva.  If you do not have a Godiva card, you should totally get one - it entitles the holder to 1 free piece of chocolate a month - it's awesome!
Monday (Day 44) was a rest day - easy peasy.  I spent the evening laying on my couch reading A Walk In The Woods (for about the 5th time) while Ellie spent the night next to her fan looking out the front window - what exciting lives we lead!

Tuesday (Day 45) today....  I had planned to venture out bright and early to knock my run out early, but alas, my snooze button was much too accessible and my bed much too cozy.  And so tonight I will have to dodge raindrops as I run 15 minutes, walk 2 minutes, 2 times at the Baldwin Whitehall track - I would have gone to Ballys, but I quit :o(  Alyssa was sick yesterday and I was urging her not to run if she still was sick today, so we'll see what she feels up to...

Hopefully I won't get too drenched tonight - wish me luck!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Yoga Gods vs. Traffic Gods

I feel that the yoga gods and the traffic gods must have been plotting against us last night, or waging a battle all their own.  I parked downtown, sure it costs 3 times as much - oh well, since I wanted to get home quickly to spend as much time with Ellie before having to leave for yoga.  This plan did not go as I had hoped.  Due to construction, I could not get onto the Smithfield Street Bridge my usual way and was forced to go towards the Fort Pitt Bridge - now in my mind this was the worst possible thing, so I exited as soon as possible before getting on the bridge.  This was another big mistake, somehow I ended up in Oakland - oops.  I got myself turned around and back into downtown and was able to get onto the Smithfield Street Bridge by coming from the west as opposed to from the east.  A drive that should have taken me 15 minutes tops, ended up being closer to 45!!!  I should have just parked at Station Square and walked across the bridge...  While all this was happening, Alyssa was fighting a battle of her own with the traffic gods - she lost.  She arrived at her house about 15 minutes before she was to pick me up to take me to yoga, and so we scrapped the yoga plan.

Apparently my ying and yang weren't in the right house, my karma was screwy, and my dogma just wanted me to stay home!  We went to Ballys instead.  15 minutes on an exercise bike, until we were bored as could be followed by 15 minutes on an elliptical again - bored as could be.  It's strange, but we've gotten to the point where we'd rather be running!

This morning (Day 40) bright and early at 5:30 am, I picked up Alyssa and we were off to our same old stomping grounds - the Baldwin Whitehall High School track.  However, when we arrived there was another car there!!!  Two other runners had beaten us to the track this morning - unheard of!  It's tough to run at the same time as "serious" runner's - it feels like they're judging you - but luckily the two this morning were just running sprints.  So while we were plodding along at our snail's pace (which it perfectly acceptable by the way!  it's all about endurance baby, we're the tortoise not the hare...) they were sprinting the straightaways and jogging/ walking the bends.  And I think they only did a mile, whereas we did 2! 

Today's Accomplishment:  run 12 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeat 2 times - which totalled about 1& 3/4 miles, so we walked the last lap averaging 15 minute miles - maybe not the best time, but under the 16 minute/ mile requirement for race day - Yay!!!

It was a good day :o) 

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Jogging with Jeopardy!

While planning out the schedule for this weeks runs, I was blissfully unaware as to how crowded Ballys gets at 6:30 on a weeknight.  Imagine my surprise when arriving yesterday evening there was only one treadmill open in the whole joint!  After much waffling about who was going to run on said treadmill I made the executive decision that Alyssa would run and I would wait for another available one.  Luckily not 5 minutes later another was free.

It continues to astound me how I can run and run and run.  I was never one to be really in shape and so this is all new territory for me.  That said the plan for last night was: run 10 minutes, walk 1, repeat 3 times - we were both successful in completing this goal :o)

One good thing about running after 7 pm at Ballys is that Jeopardy! is on television, and so last night as I was sweating away while running, I exercised my brain too.  To make it even better, in double Jeopardy there was a whole category dedicated to the circus!!!  Needless to say, I rocked that one - woo hoo!

Tonight is yoga - ugghh...  Hot stinky sweaty bendiness.

Monday, July 12, 2010

All by myself...

Just picture me alone on a treadmill singing:  "All by myself....." 

This past week it felt like we were never together!  Thursday we ran seperate because I couldn't bare the thought of having to run in humidity, and Saturday we ran seperate because we both had plans.

Saturday (Day 35) run 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeat 2 times

Alyssa ran outside at the track at 11 am (I think she's a little loco!!!)  It was exceptionally hot and she regretted her decision, but still powered through and completed the sets.

I ran at Ballys.  I arrived at approximately 7:35 and they close at 8 - I got in a 1 minute warmup before having to start in on the running if I wanted to get it all in before they closed.  It was strange being there at closing time, because when I first got there 2 other people were on machines (compared to the half dozen+ that are there at more reasonable hours), 2 people were lifting, and 1 person was on the indoor track.  By the time I was finishing my second running set, there was only 1 person on a machine and 1 person lifting.  And when I was done with my walking I was the only one left.  I then high-tailed it out of there and stretched at my car.  But I did it!  It continually amazes me how I am able to run for these lengths of time - remember back a month and a half ago when I could barely run 5 minutes total?!?  Granted my 20 minutes is nothing compared to the 3 hours I'll be running in November, but I'm getting more and more confident that I'll be running more than walking that day and that makes me happy :o)

Sunday (Day 36) we met at Ballys and did a longggggggg cross training day.  30 minutes (give or take) on the elliptical, followed by about an hour of arms and abs.

This week's cross training should be fun - Amazing yoga (stinky, sweaty, nasty, hot yoga) on Wednesday, and a spin class at Ballys on Sunday (thanks to Alyssa - goodness knows I wouldn't have suggested this one myself!)

Friday, July 9, 2010

A New Leaf

After a rough start to the week emotionally, I am feeling much better today.  I had an epiphany last night while running, which I first shared with Alyssa (we ran separate yesterday), and then with Boo.  They both were very supportive of my thoughts and helped me to find my happy place.

This week...
Tuesday morning (Day 31) Alyssa and I ran together at the Baldwin Whitehall track, I was running late and so we were running at closer to 6 than 5, and boy does that small amount of time make a difference!  It's been ridiculously hot and humid this week so running outside was pretty miserable.  We only had to run 2 reps of 8 minutes running and 2 minutes walking.  Won't lie - it was rough for me... Alyssa was blowing me out of the water and I felt like I was playing catch-up the whole run.

Wednesday (Day 32) was a rest day, which considering the news I found out Tuesday morning was much needed.

Thursday (Day 33) (yesterday) Alyssa and I ran separately, this was due to the fact that I woke up nauseous and couldn't face the idea of running at 5 am.  We both ran at Ballys - Alyssa right after work, and me at around 9 o'clock that night.  The schedule called for: run 8 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat 3 times - which we did with flying colors.  I was concerned, first because of how poorly I did Tuesday, second because I was still feeling a bit nauseous, and third because I was losing faith in this running thing, but somewhere in the middle of my first running set I found what I needed to keep going.

And so I have turned over a new leaf with my training - I know it's only going to get more difficult, but I think I now have the knowledge to power through it.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Too Young

No running post today...

I'll miss you Timmonte, I know you're in a better place but it seems too soon.  My favorite memory of you was when you used bungee jumping as a way to get a deeper connection with God, you were so moved.  I'll miss you my tiniest Telly, first Purple Honker, and Bert with the skinniest ankles.

Timmonte Hood
May 30, 1982 -July 4, 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

6 Minutes Running

Say WHAT?!?!? 

Yes, I ran 6 minutes in a row and did not die.  Actually I did it 4 times!  With a 2 minute break in between each set it was actually quite do-able.  Tomorrow is the same thing again, only with a 1 minute break in between.  I think I'll be fine.  Alyssa too, we'll both be fine. 

Quick run-down for the long weekend ahead:

Tomorrow (Day 28): end of week 4, halfway through the walk to run segment of our training, run 6 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat 4 times.  Following that, we're going to a local farm market - yay fresh berries!!!

Sunday (Day 29): cross training, weights at Bally's - who, by the way, finally got back to me and will be refunding my $29.99 within the next week or so.

Monday (Day 30): rest day, 1 month completed celebration with breakfast at Pamela's in the Strip District - yummm.... blueberry brown sugar crepe pancakes....

Tuesday (Day 31): back to work, back to running (run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeat 2 times), back to blogging...

Until Tuesday!!