Wouldn't want to be kept away...

This is a very busy week and the weather is blustery and cool, so you can imagine that I've been making excuses!  GRR - I hate that.  But today, despite the ~20 mph winds, I wanted to get out there.  3.1 miles w/an added hill to the end.  Yes the end.  Despite being tired I pushed it almost all the way up.  I do not know the elevation change (ha! like it was a mountain!) but if I knew how to find that out I would.  I hope to add a few more hills before summer is over.  Like I told a friend, I felt like I deserved the burrito filled w/mac and cheese, meat, beans and squash  puree when I got home!!

16 tons

Since the weather is still in the late winter/early spring stage (yes, we are less than a week away from JUNE!), I couldn't bring myself to stand the elements today and decided that if I was going to get a run in, it would have to be at the Y.  No sun on my face there.  =(  I wasn't looking forward to it, but lots of people have been so encouraging and I just had to go.  I had to.  My body cannot be at a state of rest any longer and I don't want it to forget what to do!!  I set this goal for 2011 of running a 5K in under 30 minutes and I will not give up!!!  So.  "Treadmill."  (I talked to it before I got there!)  "I plan to chew you up and spit you out today!  We are going to be doing 3 miles, even if I have to walk.  You got that?!"  (I'm not very nice to the treadmill, although I probably should be.  I just wanted to be clear who was going to be boss today!)

I ran.  I walked.  I ran.  I walked.  I kept the speed up higher than usual, I sweat more than usual, and I tried not to obsess over the distance/time numbers.

Not only did I manage to do over 3 miles....BUT I BEAT MY LAST 5K TIME!!!  Ok, it was only by about 30 seconds, but

I DID IT!!!

Yes, I am overly proud of myself, yes I am celebrating, yes I am bragging, yes I am still slow, yes I am going to go again tomorrow, yes I can, yes you can too!!!  

I went 3.12 miles in 35 minutes and 7 seconds!!!

My total miles so far: 61.11

Out!

I put 3 miles on today...it was so beautiful!  T-shirt and shorts weather FINALLY and the wind to make me fly =)  Actually since I've had such a long break, my body was really complaining.  But I pushed on - had to walk more than usual, but hey, I was out of bed, kicking Monday's butt!

For shame!

I know, all 2 of you are wondering where I went for a week...or more...
Truth?
I haven't run since the 5K.
But today I was done feeling like a slug and went for a run.  2.5 miles outside - around the neighborhood.  I was actually quite impressed that my body remembered what to do =)  Felt so good to be out in the sun!!  It was still pretty windy (gusts of 15-20mph per TWC, which seems like nothing compared to the 30mph winds we've been having!) but in the 50*s and SUNNY!!  I felt the hot sun on my face, teasing me!  At one point I was in between buildings, protected from the wind and I had a flashback to summer running in college.  My body aches for that!!  Well, my body just aches since I am so much older than in college, but I really can't wait for some summer running...
I am about to sign myself up for another 5K - in my college town =)  Pretty much the same route I ran when I did my secret 5K back then.  Along the lake...can't wait - it's 11 days away!  Due to my (far too long) break from training, I don't expect to beat my previous race time.  I'm ok w/that.  The fact that I did one and now plan for a 2nd makes me feel like I kick butt anyway!  I do plan to wear less clothing and I pray the weather will cooperate w/that - break out the shorts maybe?  And no more 3 T-shirts...oh such plans!  Looking forward to more...

...and on to the next...

TODAY WAS THE 5K!!!

Just for the purposes of remembering, I am recording my time, slow as it was, but since I started this project, it has been helpful to have everything in the same place.

I ran 3.2 miles outside today in 35m24s!!!

So...if you know me, the following story will not surprise you.

Give you 3 guesses as to what I forgot today.

If you guessed shoes, you would be correct.

We were halfway there (it's an hour drive) when I remembered.  No point in going back.  I was wearing my regular tennis shoes, which were quite beat up and not sufficient.  Plan B was enacted so the day would not be a total loss - buy new shoes!  I know, I know, that's like the worst thing you can do on a race day!!  Story of my life.  But I am happy to report that the shoes were similar to the ones I left back at home and really didn't cause any noticeable problems.  I tried to make them one of my excuses but it just wasn't meant to be!

I can't believe I did it.  I can't believe I completed my goal.  I knew I wasn't going to be fast, but I am pleased.  I wasn't last!  I did that once already!

The best part about today was that my husband and kids did the walk, my dad ran alongside me, our friends were also running/walking...it was such a blessing to have so many people there!  I know it inspires me to be a part of something social like that.

Now to find another 5K run for my goal!

Say WHAT?!!!

I just did the neighborhood loop - but this time I went around the 2 big blocks closest to my house, too.  My thought was that I would add a quarter mile or so, putting me closer to 2.6 or something....so I just got back, I'm eating my breakfast of wanna-be-champions and I plugged my route into google maps.


Wait for it...
















no really...wait for it.......

3.1 miles!!!

I'm not saying it was pretty, and I'm not saying I was all that fast, but I am saying that I almost completed a 5K in my own neighborhood!  Say WHAT?!  No finish line, no time clock, and nobody literally pushing me on.  Yes I am super proud of myself and yes I am indeed bragging!  (Pride goes before a fall, so let's just hope I don't fall on Saturday!)  I am taking tomorrow off and then Saturday is the race.  WOW.  

Total training miles logged: 49.29

I know I did some before I began writing it down, so I am awarding myself a nice even 50.  I can do that.  =)

No more junk food!

I couldn't help myself last night...it was a fund raiser and I ate too many desserts...blech!  I felt it today!  But I knocked off 2.76 at the Y.  Getting antsy --  3 more days!!

RIP apathy!

Today I seriously struggled w/a sense of just not doing anything.  (Imagine me whining to myself....)  "It's a busy day and it takes too much time to get over to the Y and back...it's cold outside and cloudy!...I'm achy...I might need an inhaler and I don't have one...(sidenote - I really was having trouble breathing just sitting here)...I'm tired...etc..."



However!!



I really wanted to kick it into gear and not let myself down.  I started this whole project to run a 5K, not to sit on the couch and whine.



I bundled up (it's 38*, but feels like 31* according to TWC online) and went outside.  I ran/walked 2.4 miles around the neighborhood.  I felt like a cold slug, but I did it!  I refuse to be indifferent about whether or not I achieve my goals!  If I had some better/warmer running gear I think I could convince myself to get outside more often...too bad there is no running gear fairy!

Post Script

MY FIRST 5K IN OVER A DECADE IS IN SIX DAYS!!!

6 DAYS PEOPLE!!!

Gale and I don't mean Crystal!

Well, the Y is no longer open on Sundays and I needed to get a run in!  But there were gale force winds...not joking...up to 30 miles an hour!!  ARGH - the sun was shining and if it weren't for the wind, it would have been a beautiful day...yes, I'm complaining!  AT ANY RATE - I got out there and ran 2.4 miles in my neighborhood.  Again, I went faster than usual despite the terrain, the pain and the wind!  Maybe I take bigger strides when I'm outside??  Whatever...done.  Put it in the books!

MORE

2.91!!!

More on this later...

Well that was interesting...

Many of the treadmills at the Y were out of order today.  =(  Grumpy face.  I got on the elliptical, feeling annoyed but determined.  After about 12 minutes my knees hurt and I felt a 'crick' in my ankle.  However - I am proud to say I pushed through for a total of 20 minutes/1.24 miles.  Suddenly a batch of 'mills were open and I switched.  My feet and legs felt like lead!!  What is up w/that??  Different muscle groups were used, maybe?  Don't know.  I spent 17 minutes running/walking 1.33 miles, making my total distance 2.57 miles for the day.  Here's to hoping the 'mills are fixed by tomorrow!!

...don't look, don't look...

I ROCK!  Today I managed to run for 10 minutes straight!!  This may not sound like a big deal to you, but it's a first for me.  I felt so good that I didn't even look down at the timer on the treadmill.  I will admit though that I was awfully pooped by the time I was done!  I know that it's not like I can do a whole 5k yet (it's in 11 days!!!!) but I am pretty proud of myself for working up to this =)  I completed 2.51 miles today for a total of 35.55 miles so far....

Surprise

A weird health thing this last week so that is my excuse for not running much.  2.4 today.  Back at it on Monday - regular routine!!

On family, freezing, foot fungus and finishing!

First of all, we were visiting family this weekend which prompted a 3 day break from running.  I'm not blaming the family, but I am sort of making an excuse.
Then - we were in the western part of the state and it snowed!  We had to brush the van off!  Almost 2 inches of snow had fallen fast!!  It is super cold this week and they are predicting more snow, even here.  That's not all - it's windy and FROSTY.  On top of that - our water heater is officially dead.  No, we still haven't gotten it fixed.  So showers in this house are almost hypothermia inducing!  I took a shower at the Y today but...
I forgot my flip flops.  
Can you get foot fungus from the Y shower after going barefoot only one time?
 Wait - don't tell me.  I don't' think I want to know!  We really need to get that thing fixed.  The showers at the Y are plenty hot, so that's awesome but it's pretty inconvenient to haul all my stuff and then forget the flip flops.  I could have come home today, but no amount of foot fungus could stop me from a hot shower!!  I will not freeze, rather, I'll just fight the fungus!
Today I did 2.8 miles!  This is the furthest I've gone to date.  I'm not saying I was fast, nor am I saying I ran the whole 2.8, but I can tell my body is becoming accustomed to this routine!  A 5K is 3.2 miles and I am still not up to that...but regardless of how far I've gone or not gone, I plan to FINISH this 5K.  And I don't plan to make it my last, so I won't be finished w/them yet!
(Total so far: 32.64!  It's like I ran ten 5Ks, right?  Never mind that it was over what, 5 weeks?)

Dragging the pizza behind me

UGH - had pizza for dinner and leftovers for lunch the other day.  I felt like junk today!  Too many white flour carbs and dairy!  BLECH - isn't it crazy how something you used to crave like a junkie can suddenly taste so gross?!  I refuse to eat it again, despite there still being 4 pieces left in the fridge.  I was so sluggish on my run today and I want to blame the pizza.  I also think I didn't get enough sleep.  However, I pulled off 2.65 miles.  I should have pushed myself a bit more but I chickened out.  Next week?

Begin-orphins

I did 2.64 miles today!  It's a beautiful day but I felt cold and went to the Y anyway.  I ran for more than half the time I was on the 'mill!!  I was pretty proud of myself - and I decided not to call them endorphins b/c when I feel them I feel alive, like I'm just beginning to do something, like I'm ready for anything!

Just another mill-ic Monday

2.25 miles today.  Grand total being 24.55 miles so far...

Friday...feeling good...

2.4 miles on the treadmill...

Oh YES I did!!

I ran outside for the first time today!!!  It was nice =)  Cold, but nice!  I felt like I ran less than I usually do, ran slower and just generally more sluggishly.  HOWEVER - I managed to make better time than I've been doing on the treadmill!  My friend Liz shamed me encouraged me to get outside by posting a friendly comment on my face.book wall and I am so glad she did!!  While running outside, I realized that on the treadmill I really don't even think.  I did a lot of that today, though!  =)  I made up a list in my head about the good and bad things about both treadmill and outside running.  (I am a compulsive list maker, if you didn't already know that, well, you do now.)  So this may seem lame, but I am posting the list...(by the way, I did 2.3 miles.  Less than usual, but it was OUTSIDE!!!)

Treadmill

• Boring
• Joining the masses as I stare at mechanized screens and machines
• Can control my speed and time easily
• Water easily accessible
• Get to look at the lake out the Y window afterwards!  (The best part)
• Other equipment available, if I choose to use it
• Takes longer to get there, get going and then get home
• Atmosphere is full of peppy people interested in staying fit (mostly)
• Running surface is smooth, predictable, can control the incline

Running Outside!

• Lots of excitement!
• On my own – only passing cars see me
• Using the mp3 player clock to tell time and Google Maps to pre-plan a distance
• Don’t get a drink until I get home
• Get to see things like red-winged blackbirds, robins and even ducks literally in my path!  Not to mention looking into people’s windows (hey, don’t leave your curtains open!) and seeing their décor…so many other interesting sights…
• I have other equipment at home – ball, mat, rubber stretchy thingys, usually I use them
• Shorter time gone from home since I run around my neighborhood (hopefully no one sees me!)
• Atmosphere can be cold (I had to dress like a hobo today!  See last bullet point…), surface can be uneven and unpredictable, and traffic can be annoying…or it could be warm, sunny and exhilarating!