I Tried, I Really Did (Loss)

Motivation:

I really tried this morning, I did.

It was a tough run. I barely made it through the first five minute segment and then during the eight minute segment I had a stitch in my side so bad that I had to start walking.  Then, I had trouble starting again. So I backed up my C25K app to give it another go at the eight minute segment. But it just wasn't working this morning.

Tomorrow I am going to give it another go and hopefully has a better run.

Friday I am going to hike Telegraph Pass with teachers from school. Hopefully, that goes well too!

20 Minutes, Well 17 Actually... (Win)

Motivation:

I was worried about this morning's C25K run. It starts off with the same five minute warm up, then twenty minutes of running, and the same five minute cool down. Yes you read that correctly, twenty as in 20, minutes of running.  What?! I just conquered eight minutes and now I have to do more than that, more than double?  Okay, I am up for the challenge.  I will see your twenty minutes but give you only 17 minutes.

Seventeen minutes is still kind of awesome!  I took a walk break for less than three minutes when the C25K app told me I was half way there.  I walked for the remainder of the song I was listening to and when it was over I was back to running.  I had a slower running speed this morning than I've had lately but I tried to keep it slow to conserve my energy to be able to last the full 20 minutes.  I am just glad that I didn't give up around 12 minutes, or stop to walk and never go back to running.

All was well, and I am glad to be done with Week Five.  Week Six starts off with five minute and eight minute segments, and then Day Two is ten minute running segments.  Oh but wait, Day Three is running for 22 minutes.  Week Seven is full of running with no walk breaks, and Week Eight is a full 5K, running! I think after I finish the program I will work on 3 mile runs for a while and try to get my time down. Then, I'll move on to the 10K Trainer app and work on distance.

Eight Minutes-I Kicked Your Butt Today (Win)

Motivation:

 

I had my doubts about the eight minute running segments in Week Five, Day Two. But I decided I was going to run as much as I can and then I would walk the remainder of the time. If I needed to, I would try again tomorrow. But I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I was able to run the full eight minutes both times!  I has just conquered the full five minutes only days ago, and didn't think I was ready to increase my running time by more than 50%. 

The new challenge will be Week Five, Day Three. That's twenty minutes (or two miles) of running.  I think that something is out of place here, because I am going from eight minutes to 20 minutes. Then, Week Six, Day One is 5 minutes/8 minutes/5 minutes. But, I am up for the challenge. I'll give myself a walking break if I need it around the ten minute mark. As long as I keep going I think I will be okay.  I'll just make sure that I have the best music play list for tomorrow! Since I've hit these longer running segments I have been relying on music a little more to take divert my concentration. Usually it works until I get to the end of the song and I try to guess how long the song was and how much of the next one I have to listen to.  It keeps me going, so it's a good way to train.  

Time/Weather:

     I stayed in bed only until 05:00 and was out the door at 05:25. It was lovely out, clear without a breeze. My phone's weather app couldn't decide what temperature it was outside. On the map is said 72ºF but it was telling me 77ºF. That's quite a difference.  It was nice though, that's all I have to say.  I didn't mind running in the weather this morning. 

Summer Solstice 5K School Supply Drive Run/Walk (Win)

Yes, I am going to call this one a "win" even though I didn't run. I was very wishy-washy about going to this event.
Pro: I would get some school supplies!
Con: It was at 19:00 and would be very hot and mostly sunny.
Pro: My parents were participating also!
Con: It was at 19:00 and would be very hot and mostly sunny.
Pro: It was an event sponsored by a running group that I want to join!
Con: It was at 19:00 and would be very hot and mostly sunny.

Still, even after starting out my morning with a nice run, taking the summer school kids to the water park, packing up my stuff because it was the last day of summer school I still made it to the event (despite my worries about the weather). I walked the whole thing, even though my legs were still sore from Wednesday's "leg day" at the gym.

The weather did not turn out to be a problem. Yeah, I was hot, and was a little sweaty before I even started; but it wasn't the major buzz kill I thought it was going to be. I bet that had I run at the event I would have been complaining about the hot weather more.

So, after yesterday, I decided I would take today as a rest day.  Here is how I feel about today's rest day...

Tomorrow morning I am going to get up early and run. I am going to try for Week Five, Day Two and see how awesome I am at eight minute running segments. I should be well rested and ready for it!  Only packing today, but that is a different kind of workout in itself.

First Day of Summer (Win)

Motivation:
     First, see previous two posts about kicking ass during Week Four of C25K.
     Next,

General AWESOMENESS? No. Total, overwhelming AWESOMENESS!  Yes, I am feeling quite awesome this morning. This morning's mantra was "You're fine, just do this!"  It worked! My legs were sore from Wednesday's "leg day" at the gym, but I pushed through. Also, listening to some Flogging Molly really helped too. 

Week Five, Day One is three segments of five minutes for running, with shorter walking segments in between.  I just conquered the five minute running segments in Week Four and was ready to move on. Day One is only three segments of five minutes, but Day Two is up to eight minutes for running, Day Three is even more.  This week is going to be more challenging because it changes daily and does so for the rest of the weeks. But, I know that I am up for the challenge--I mean, I've made it this far already.  On my next run I might do Week Five, Day One again, just to become really confident in these five minute segments.

My Nathan 5K waist pack arrived yesterday, so this morning's run was my first run where I didn't need to be so concerned about my phone and my bra.  It was nice.  I still need to adjust it a little bit more but overall I was very happy with it.  It wasn't flapping or bouncing around while I was running, and my phone and ipod were snuggly contained and easily accessible.  And, the best part was not having to deal with a sweat covered phone!

I took a new route this morning. The canal near my house that I have been crossing over when I run near the park. I should have looked on Google Maps last night to check the route first.  There was a longish section before getting to the canal that didn't have a sidewalk.  It was okay, I just made sure to move over onto the dirt shoulder when cars were coming, and luckily it wasn't a busy section of road and I was still able to run on the asphalt. I have one more week of running these routes before I have to change them all up with a new starting location!

Time/Weather:
     I was out the door at 05:25 this morning. It was six minutes before sunrise. It was clear with no breeze. The temperature was 78º but there was a spot just before I reached the canal of really cool air.  It was a sweaty run this morning, too bad the temperatures are only going to be getting warmer and then I will have to make sure I am on the road for my run even earlier.

My Legs Are Going To Die (Win)

Motivation:

I felt it as soon as I stepped out of the house this morning--my right shin was already hurting.  I knew it was going to be a tough run, and in the beginning I wasn't sure if I was going to make it.  A few times I had to remind myself that I did the same run yesterday and that I would be able to do it again today. And, I did do it again today!  It wasn't as fun, and it hurt more than yesterday but I did it! I think one more day of the Week Four runs and I am ready to move on to Week Five. Finally, I survived the fourth week. I had my doubts about meeting the challenge of five minute running segments, but now I know I can meet the eight minute running segments in the next week.

Time for a shower and some KT tape. It is going to be a long day with a trip to the gym in the afternoon.  Tomorrow is sleeping-in day rest day, a well deserved rest day I think!

Two Options For a Win (Win)

Motivation:

I thought of this while I was getting ready for my run this morning. While I wanted to sleep in or at least stay in bed, what I want more is to become a runner, a good runner!  And, by getting up and out of bed (even after turning off my alarm) and running this morning I helped myself to become a runner, a better runner!  It turned out to be a great run this morning, and that feels even better!

I set out this morning with two options to help myself have a successful run: a distance run or a stamina run.  I would start out towards the stamina run, but if I couldn't do it, I could change my C25K app to a lower week and go farther than if I was doing a stamina run.  This way, I would still be able to have a "win" for today because I really need it!  And, I rocked the five minute running segments this morning and rocked the stamina run--which is always harder than a distance run!

Saturday was a rest day for me, a full rest day, a planned rest day. On Sunday, I went out to try a stamina run, but didn't even make it one mile. My back hurt, I felt like I had no form, and I was running in a new area and just all around wasn't off to a good start. Yesterday,  I was tired and didn't want to go out for a run, even though I probably needed it the most. So, last night I was preparing myself to get up and run this morning. To run and push myself, to run and run harder, to run and make it a good run.  And it was!  I was so happy that I did well this morning, I really needed it!

I finally ordered my Nathan 5K Waist Pack from Amazon.com!  I can't wait for it to arrive! I am so sick of having my phone slide out the bottom of my bra while I am running, or having to carry it in my hands. But, I need my phone--I need to have those great maps and other useful information from Endomondo while I'm running.  Look at the awesome information below!  A 40 minute run, a max speed of 7:47, and (my favorite part) three little trophies!  This morning I had a best 1 mile time of 12:22!

Today was a stamina run, and a WIN. Tomorrow, I will try a tabata run again with more distance than last time. Hopefully it will go well--I can't wait to try the tabata run again!

New Route Distance Run (Loss)

Motivation:
     Yes, it hurts now, but one day soon a three mile run will be my easy run and I wont think anything about it.  I'll remember these days where I had trouble with a three mile run and be proud of how far I have come.  Still, I've come far in the six weeks that I have been running: From not being able to run for a 60-second segment to now being able to go three or five minutes straight.  I can't wait for those days when a three mile run is nothing.  But until then, I'll keep trying!

Time/Weather:
     I woke up with my alarm at 04:46 this morning, and only let it snooze once. However, I didn't get out of bed right away and could have had an earlier start than 05:39. Luckily, it was a lovely morning for a run at 77ºF and no clouds in the sky. The sun was low when I hit the road and there were only a few small clouds in the sky.  I think this is the coolest morning I've had for a run this week.

Thankfully, tomorrow is a rest day. I really need a break and I need to let my body rest. It will be a full rest day for me!  Today I felt like I pulled a groin muscle, and it feels worse than it did yesterday. I might have to take two Ibupofen before I go to work this morning, and maybe apply some ice this afternoon.  Depending on the weather this evening I might take my mom's dog for a walk and hopefully just a walk will help stretch out the muscle a little more.

I took a new route this morning. I mapped it out on Endomondo last night to be about 3.3 miles.  I went to new areas, and around a park that had a pond.  I saw ducks, and geese and baby geese. A group of four geese were on the sidewalk and followed me while I was still taking pictures of the babies in the water.  They probably were hoping that I had some bread and would feed them.  I can only imagine the frenzy there would have been if I did have bread with me.

I'll try this route again and again until I can run it.  A nice route with lots of new things to see.

Late Start Morning Run (Win)

Motivation:

And this morning, I DID IT!  I've had trouble moving on through the different weeks of C25K because I was having trouble with the five minute running segments; but today I did one full one, and four minutes of the second segment.  I stopped running when the program said one minute left which is usually says just before the cool down. So, I only make it four minutes that last time. Still, I was quite proud of myself!

Time/Weather:
     I had a very late start this morning and opted for an endurance run instead of a distance run like I was planning because I had less time than I would have liked. And, getting out the door at 05:58 it was a little warmer than if I would have left an hour earlier!  It was 78ºF by my phone, but I am sure it was a little warmer than that.  There weren't any clouds in the sky, and it was very bright.

Today I had my fastest mile at 12:58! Woohoo!  I know it will keep getting faster because I will soon be able to run longer segments and walk less. But still, 12:58 isn't bad!  I love that Endomondo looks at my fastest mile as the fastest part of my run and not necessarily from beginning to end of mile one, beginning to end of mile two, etc.  So, the beginning part with a five minute warm up was not included in my fastest mile.  If I remember correctly that would have been a three minute running segment, a 90 second walking segment, and the five minute running segment and a three minute walking segment.  My second mile could have been the fastest if I would have run the whole time.  But, for now I will just settle for the fact that I had a fast mile and leave it at that.

Tomorrow I haven't decided if I want to do a distance run, or if I want to do a tabata run.  The tabata run was fun yesterday even though it ended up being a really short run.  If I do that tomorrow I will make it for a longer amount of time.  If I run for distance tomorrow I am going to attempt to go 3.25 miles. Maybe I will map out a new route instead of just going farther than the library. I enjoyed running through the neighborhood near my apartment where I used to run, so a change would be nice.

Tomorrow a run, Saturday a rest day.

First HIIT Run (Win)

Motivation:

Using a new timer this morning I ran for a short distance in a short amount of time.  I used the HIIT timer this morning instead of the Tabata timer, but it was still the same idea: interval training to build strength.  This was quite a challenge this morning because when I run I don't usually go from walking to full speed running, but with this work out that's what you're supposed to do.  Short bursts of high intensity mixed with short rest periods.  I did 20 seconds of full speed (high intensity) running and 10 seconds of walking with a 5 minute warm up and cool down. It was only a 13 minute work out, but it was worth it.  Usually the only time I run that fast is when I am chasing a student who took off running from the classroom or the playground. The short bursts make it easier to maintain that speed for a short time/distance.  I mean, look at my max speed below: 7:25 minutes/mile! Wow--usually my max speed is around 8 or 9 minutes. So this is also pretty awesome!

I used my phone this morning to run Endomondo and the timer app. But, I am going to have to get the timer on my ipod because it has the Tabata timer which is a little different from the HIIT timer I used this morning.  Somehow when I checked my phone while out running I must have stopped or paused my Endomondo because it did not track my whole run. But I mapped it out to get the true distance that I went and luckily double checked my watch when I got outside so I knew what time I started.

Time/Weather:
     I was out the door at 05:39 this morning.  My phone's weather app said it was 81ºF outside. Yep, 81º that early in the morning.  No clouds really, a few around the horizon in the distance.  It seemed a little cooler and I was lucky enough to have a slight breeze to help keep me cool.  I knew I should have run yesterday so that today could be my rest day.

Official race pictures were posted on Facebook yesterday from Saturday's Fire Hose Fun Run.  Here are me and my mom. First picture is running past the last "soak" station.

The second one is only five seconds before crossing the finish line in record time for me!
>44:30<

Still waiting on official race times from Facebook or the website. I'll post it as soon as I have it!

First Day of Summer School Run (Win)

Motivation:

This morning's run was a distance run. I decided to add a little detour through the neighborhood I went through yesterday to increase the distance a little, but I didn't really work.  I didn't really cover that much more ground than I was before, it was just a different route.  Next distance run I will have to go past the library down to the next street light and then turn around. It should add on about a quarter of a mile.  

I ran the Week Two, Day Three program on C25K this morning, two times.  It was only 90 second running segments and is easier for a distance run.  I find myself getting tired when I run and ready for the next walk break and I try to set a distance goal.  I think "When I get to the next light pole I'll start walking" or "I'll walk when I get to that yellow diamond sign."  But it usually turns out that the program tells me it is time to walk just before I get to my distance goal.  Soon I'll have to try going on a distance run without using C25K to regulate running/walking and see how I do on my own.  It might be easier to push myself. During Saturday's 5K I didn't have the program and I was three minutes faster than I had done before. 

I taped up my legs last night with hot pink KT tape for shin splints and didn't really have any pain running this morning or during summer school this morning.  I'll be keeping the tape on for as long as it will stick, and maybe do a second application until the muscle gets stronger. Also, I'll make sure that "legs day" at the gym is the day before a rest day so that the muscles have time to relax and repair themselves.  

Time/Weather:

     I was out the door at 05:55 this morning. My phone said 72ºF and really, it was kind of nice out. The sky was clear and it didn't seem humid out. I was still pretty sweaty by the end of my run, but the sun was fully up and over the trees so I didn't have any shade at that point.   

What Didn't Work: 

     My bra was not doing a good job of holding my phone this morning. Luckily I was paying close attention and was able to catch it as it went sliding out the bottom in the middle of a running segment.  Yikes!  I ended up carrying it the rest of the way which really was not ideal.  I guess I am going to just give in and get the Nathan 5K Runner's Waist Pack from Amazon.com for $20.23 so that I don't end up dropping my brand new phone. My mom has one, and I know it will hold my phone and my ipod and probably chapstick and a couple kleenex.  Otherwise, I am going to have to get one of these bras:

A bra with pockets. Yeah right, I'd rather have the waist pack.  It doesn't flop around while running and is the perfect size for what I need.  I'll order it soon and hope that it arrives quickly.

Gym this afternoon with my mom. Tomorrow maybe a Tabata run, or a Week Four running program. Wednesday might be a rest day because the expected overnight lows are 81ºF--yuck!

Hot Morning Run (Win)

Motivation: 

     This morning I was tired. Very tired. I wanted to get up and run, but I was just too tired.  So, I had the best of both worlds. I slept in until just before 7am (yes, that is sleeping in) and then I went for my run.  I still didn't really want to. But I went out and did it anyways.  It felt good in the end, and I was glad that I went.

Time/Weather:

     It was a little after 07:15 when I was out the door this morning with all my running accouterments. My phone said that it was only 74ºF, but on the map of my area is showed temperatures of 77ºF.  I think it was actually the warmer temperature.  There were some light clouds in the distance and a little wind. I didn't mind the wind, I think it helped keep me cool while I was running. 

This morning I decided that I was going to work on stamina instead of distance. So, I ran the Week Three, Day Three program on C25K and kept it a short run. A nice, short run the long way to my local Starbucks.  I went through a different neighborhood than I usually go through and it was very nice, and quiet too! I will surely be running through there again.  I also took a trip through a small business parking lot.  It was a short run this morning, only a mile and a half, but it was still a good run.

The best part was ending up at Starbucks.  Being very tired has been a reoccurring theme for me since school let out about ten days ago.  So, I thought that a little bit of coffee after my run would help keep me going through the rest of the day.  I had a grande drip over ice with non-fat milk and it was de-li-cious! The perfect way to end my run and begin my walk back home. I just felt bad for the people in line around me inside the Starbucks.  Because there was no wind inside the store, I was beginning to drip sweat from my hairline.  I tried to slyly catch it and pretend I was scratching an itch, but I am sure some people knew what I was doing.  Sorry fellow Starbucks customers.  But, there was just a group of five or six cyclists leaving when I got there, and I am sure some of them were pretty gross when they walked in too.  

Tomorrow I am going to get up earlier and run in the cooler part of the morning.  Hopefully it will be low 70s instead of high 70s.  I am working on distance tomorrow, and will probably try to run just a little further than the library. I am glad my replacement blades arrived in the mail so that I have have blended strawberries in my protein shake when I get home.  

Also, I am going to look into Tabata training for speed/interval work.  

First Race (Win)

Motivation: Survived my first race!

And I did!  It was kind of awesome too.  I pushed myself and set a new personal record (PR) this morning.  It was a lot easier to push myself during the race than it usually is to push myself when I am running out on my own.  I even ended up pushing my mom more than she was pushing me. She did great too! Now I feel guilty for not trying harder this week and for taking a sissy-ass rest lazy day yesterday.

I have to say, I am really proud of myself.  I wish that I wouldn't have sent home my race shirt with my mom for potential alterations so that I could wear it around the house with my finisher's medal for the rest of the day!  It was a tough race, I am not going to deny that--but I wish I could bottle the feeling that I have right now and take a sip of it now and then when I have trouble waking up in the morning, or think that it is too hot, or that I am too tired, or too sore.  Wait--did I just start listing excuses that I am going to try to not use anymore.  

Time/Weather:

     It was 78ºF when I got up this morning at 04:45.  I checked my phone twice to make sure that was really the temperature.  It was still almost two hours until race time.  It was clear and bright when the race started at 06:30. The morning started out breezy, but then was pretty windy by the end of the race. 

I can't wait to get my official race time, and see my official race photo. But for now, this will have to do:

> 44:30 <

Motivation

I haven't blogged in a week, probably because I am having trouble finding the motivation to run. Never mind finding the motivation to write about it afterwards.  Summer break has been cruel in that way. It suddenly got hotter as soon as school let out, which means I have to get up even earlier to run. But, get up very early, with no place else to go has been the hardest part.

I am on my second "rest day" in a row, which I don't usually like to do. But after frantically looking for my house key that I take running (it was in some shorts in the dirty laundry basket, I must have used it when going out to get the mail or something), it was too late to go. So, I took a morning nap instead and still made it out the door in time for summer school planning day.  I like to think that I am going to be well rested for the race tomorrow, but I might be kidding myself that I am as ready as I think I am. I can cover the distance, and I can do it in a certain amount of time, but confidence and fun might be lacking. Summer school starts next week--so hopefully that will be enough to get me out of bed at 04:45 am and out the door to run!

On Tuesday, I went running with a co-worker and she took me on a new route.  I liked the route and luckily we had great weather for running.  But, on Wednesday, I went to the gym for a run in the afternoon and was struggling with it.  It was taking forever and I wasn't going the same distances on the treadmill as I can do in the same amount of time out on the street.  That was kind of a motivation killer as well.

I am really hoping that tomorrow's race will help build up some extra motivation (and confidence) for me, and with the start of summer school I will also have a reason to get up (sort of) early and that I should get in a run first. I really thought that I was getting in the habit of running in the morning, but I guess not... It is going to be a tough summer getting up before the sun to go for a run. But, once I finish the 5K tomorrow I will again begin working on stamina instead of mostly distance and hopefully get back into the swing of things.  Maybe, to make it interesting, I'll have to mix up distance runs with endurance runs.

I guess I should keep this in mind:

A month ago I couldn't run for a whole minute. Now I am going three miles almost every day!

Please wish me luck that I can get back to running on the roads in the morning. And, let me know if you want to run with me!