These past few days have not been the best. I'm bummed that my visit with my sister Khai was marred by illness, and I'm bummed that I haven't run since last Thursday. I'm not sure if running has anything to do with my sinus and ear infections - Kyle (my guru) did say that intense work-outs can lower one's immune system. I do know that I have never had either, at least to my knowledge, and it was miserable.
I am just now getting out of the "head full of stuff". Yes, there is still some fluid in my head, and it still gives me some trouble, but I'm not feeling seasick every time I move my head. That's an improvement, and I'll take it. And I'm going to run tomorrow - it may only be a couple of miles, but I really need to get out there and do it. I have a 10K to run this weekend with Bonnie, and I'm not bailing on her!
So, nothing really interesting to say, other than TGIFB!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Bonkity Bonk Bonk
"In endurance sports, particularly cycling and running, hitting the wall or the bonk describes the condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued, the result of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles becoming depleted."
Ok, whatever, I'm no science-y nutrition-y type (although I DO like some science, just not the technical bits). But this is what Kyle thought happened to me on Saturday, and he's probably right.
Jeni and I ran together on Saturday for the first 10.5 miles. I felt incredible the first 6 miles or so, but then my energy started to flag. By the time we returned to our cars and I took off solo for my last 5 miles, I was pretty much toast.
I managed to push it for 3 more miles, though, when suddenly I just couldn't go any further. I was DONE with a capital D-O-N-E. Even walking the last 2 miles back to my car (ok, minivan) was brutal. I was spent, physically and mentally, and I actually felt like crying.
I want to feel good about the 13 miles, I really do. But this is only the 2nd time in training that I haven't been able to complete what I set out to do. I said I'd do 15 miles - by God I was going to do 15 miles! - but I didn't mean that I was going to walk the last 2. So that sucked.
I set myself a huge goal, I know that. I don't want to let myself down, so I've got to figure out the whole re-fueling thing so I don't "BONK" again the next time I set out on a long one.
Ok, whatever, I'm no science-y nutrition-y type (although I DO like some science, just not the technical bits). But this is what Kyle thought happened to me on Saturday, and he's probably right.
Jeni and I ran together on Saturday for the first 10.5 miles. I felt incredible the first 6 miles or so, but then my energy started to flag. By the time we returned to our cars and I took off solo for my last 5 miles, I was pretty much toast.
I managed to push it for 3 more miles, though, when suddenly I just couldn't go any further. I was DONE with a capital D-O-N-E. Even walking the last 2 miles back to my car (ok, minivan) was brutal. I was spent, physically and mentally, and I actually felt like crying.
I want to feel good about the 13 miles, I really do. But this is only the 2nd time in training that I haven't been able to complete what I set out to do. I said I'd do 15 miles - by God I was going to do 15 miles! - but I didn't mean that I was going to walk the last 2. So that sucked.
I set myself a huge goal, I know that. I don't want to let myself down, so I've got to figure out the whole re-fueling thing so I don't "BONK" again the next time I set out on a long one.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sore Kneecaps
I really didn't know if I could do it, and I'm a bit surprised that I did, but I ran 12 miles yesterday morning. I didn't break any speed records or anything. It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes. But that is a lot faster than I thought it would be. I thought it would take me 3 hours!
Running 12 miles when my body is really in no shape to do so takes its toll, however. My kneecaps hurt. My lower back hurts. My legs hurt. But the silver lining to all this soreness? I can totally justify getting a massage!
Running 12 miles when my body is really in no shape to do so takes its toll, however. My kneecaps hurt. My lower back hurts. My legs hurt. But the silver lining to all this soreness? I can totally justify getting a massage!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Double the Trouble, Double the FUN
Is running fun? Hmmm. Not fun, exactly. Satisfying? Is that the right word?
Well, I've been so satisfied with the past 6 weeks (Is that all it has been? Geesh!) that I decided, as some of you already know, to run the FULL marathon instead of the half.
Why would I do something so... foolish? Crazy? Exciting? Amazing? Lengthy? Because I can. Because I never do things in a sensible manner.
I'm having a blast, really. My scale hasn't changed (At all! Not even the BMI part! WTF?) but my body has changed. And I hope I've changed too. Not the things that were already good. The bad bits... you know.
Well, I've been so satisfied with the past 6 weeks (Is that all it has been? Geesh!) that I decided, as some of you already know, to run the FULL marathon instead of the half.
Why would I do something so... foolish? Crazy? Exciting? Amazing? Lengthy? Because I can. Because I never do things in a sensible manner.
I'm having a blast, really. My scale hasn't changed (At all! Not even the BMI part! WTF?) but my body has changed. And I hope I've changed too. Not the things that were already good. The bad bits... you know.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Awesome Weekend in So Many Ways
What a great weekend!
I was planning a weekend filled with fun - probably too much fun, so I asked our coach what I should do about our planned 8 mile run on Saturday morning. Our family was going to a hotel with friends/neighbors on Friday night, and I just knew too much alcohol would probably be involved and a very late night, considering no one had to drive home. And Saturday night was our big LLS benefit with Tim Mahoney, so I knew I would be in no shape to run on Sunday, either. Our coach told me to switch Monday's run for Saturday's run if I could - run 3 miles on Saturday and the 8 on Monday; otherwise, just take the weekend off and run 8 on Monday.
The kids had a blast at the mini water park, and we adults had a good time both in the pool and pool side. The kids were up late, and by the time I laid down with Griffin at about 11:00 to put him to bed, I was pretty tired myself. I didn't mean to, but I fell asleep and never made it back out to our little party!
Needless to say, I didn't have an excuse not to run on Saturday, so I mapped out 8 miles at http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and set off. Since I've never run 8 miles before, I really wasn't sure how I'd do. I know that our hill workout was supposedly 7.5 miles last weekend - and that monster HILL 3x to boot - but since I never officially confirmed that number I am not 100% positive.
I am happy to say that I ran those 8 miles. And I felt good doing it. Cardiovascularly, I felt great. It's my legs that took a beating. As soon as I was done running, I think they turned to jelly. I had to come home and get ready for the big TIM MAHONEY BENEFIT. The night we've been waiting for and planning for. Getting dressed, my calves hurt. So I decided to wear my running shoes out last night. Hey, they were comfortable!
The show was so much fun, and it was a sell-out - I heard there were plenty of people who didn't get in - what a bummer! I had a lot of fun getting up on stage with Tim and making my announcements because deep inside I'm a rock star myself - just without the song-writing and singing skills. :) We sold our remaining TV raffle tickets and some glow-in-the-dark bracelets. And Tim auctioned off the autographed guitar. I had no idea going in how much that would bring, but we were lucky it was a crazy night at the Basement, because it fetched $1150!
All told with the raffle, bracelets and guitar - minus our expenses (our cost for the bracelets, the TV), Jeni and I each made about $1150. I have some raffle tickets that haven't been paid for yet so I'll take the loss if they aren't paid as Jeni didn't sell any on "credit". With those donations, I have raised about $2750 for LLS. So, $1050 until I reach my goal of $3800. Getting closer! :)
I was planning a weekend filled with fun - probably too much fun, so I asked our coach what I should do about our planned 8 mile run on Saturday morning. Our family was going to a hotel with friends/neighbors on Friday night, and I just knew too much alcohol would probably be involved and a very late night, considering no one had to drive home. And Saturday night was our big LLS benefit with Tim Mahoney, so I knew I would be in no shape to run on Sunday, either. Our coach told me to switch Monday's run for Saturday's run if I could - run 3 miles on Saturday and the 8 on Monday; otherwise, just take the weekend off and run 8 on Monday.
The kids had a blast at the mini water park, and we adults had a good time both in the pool and pool side. The kids were up late, and by the time I laid down with Griffin at about 11:00 to put him to bed, I was pretty tired myself. I didn't mean to, but I fell asleep and never made it back out to our little party!
Needless to say, I didn't have an excuse not to run on Saturday, so I mapped out 8 miles at http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and set off. Since I've never run 8 miles before, I really wasn't sure how I'd do. I know that our hill workout was supposedly 7.5 miles last weekend - and that monster HILL 3x to boot - but since I never officially confirmed that number I am not 100% positive.
I am happy to say that I ran those 8 miles. And I felt good doing it. Cardiovascularly, I felt great. It's my legs that took a beating. As soon as I was done running, I think they turned to jelly. I had to come home and get ready for the big TIM MAHONEY BENEFIT. The night we've been waiting for and planning for. Getting dressed, my calves hurt. So I decided to wear my running shoes out last night. Hey, they were comfortable!
The show was so much fun, and it was a sell-out - I heard there were plenty of people who didn't get in - what a bummer! I had a lot of fun getting up on stage with Tim and making my announcements because deep inside I'm a rock star myself - just without the song-writing and singing skills. :) We sold our remaining TV raffle tickets and some glow-in-the-dark bracelets. And Tim auctioned off the autographed guitar. I had no idea going in how much that would bring, but we were lucky it was a crazy night at the Basement, because it fetched $1150!
All told with the raffle, bracelets and guitar - minus our expenses (our cost for the bracelets, the TV), Jeni and I each made about $1150. I have some raffle tickets that haven't been paid for yet so I'll take the loss if they aren't paid as Jeni didn't sell any on "credit". With those donations, I have raised about $2750 for LLS. So, $1050 until I reach my goal of $3800. Getting closer! :)
You know what I like best about that picture of us with Tim Mahoney and the winner of the auction? That my belly is hanging out. Nice! What happened there?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Big Switch
I don't know for sure, but I don't think anyone's going to care that I've switched half marathons. Originally scheduled to run in San Diego on May 31st, but now I changed to the Seattle RnR half marathon in June.
I have a couple of reasons for switching, one being financial. While I am commited to raising the same amount - $3800 - I have another 3-4 weeks to do so. My biggest reason, however, is that most of the gang on my team is running Seattle. And I want to run with the team! :)
Oh, and this gives me an additional month to train. The Seattle course is much hillier (!) than the San Diego course, so I'll need that extra month!
Today ran the hilly 3-mile course around my neighborhood. Ran with my friendly neighbor Susan. Man, the difference between that and running on the treadmill yesterday! With the wind and the hills, it's like a totally different run - for me, anyway!
I have a couple of reasons for switching, one being financial. While I am commited to raising the same amount - $3800 - I have another 3-4 weeks to do so. My biggest reason, however, is that most of the gang on my team is running Seattle. And I want to run with the team! :)
Oh, and this gives me an additional month to train. The Seattle course is much hillier (!) than the San Diego course, so I'll need that extra month!
Today ran the hilly 3-mile course around my neighborhood. Ran with my friendly neighbor Susan. Man, the difference between that and running on the treadmill yesterday! With the wind and the hills, it's like a totally different run - for me, anyway!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Holy Crap That Was Tiring!
I knew going into it this morning that it was gonna be tough. Although our schedule said 4 miles, coach had told me on Wednesday that we'd be doing hills. So it was with a great deal of apprehension that I drove to Normandale Lake for our run.
What I didn't know, and what no one knew, is that not only would it be hills, it would be the most horrifyingly terribly tiring hill in the world.
And the schedule wasn't completely wrong. We DID run 4 miles. However, that 4 miles didn't take into account the hill training. And we had to run up that hill (and down again, obviously) 3 times. And that added on extra distance - 3 EXTRA MILES, half of which was UPHILL. Did I mention that the hill was steep? The sign said 9% grade, which meant nothing to me, but when I told Kyle after I'd gotten home, he told me that when he was driving in the mountains with his sister years ago it was like 7-8%. SO IT WAS REALLY STEEP.
Man that was tiring. My calves are feeling it, definitely.
What I didn't know, and what no one knew, is that not only would it be hills, it would be the most horrifyingly terribly tiring hill in the world.
And the schedule wasn't completely wrong. We DID run 4 miles. However, that 4 miles didn't take into account the hill training. And we had to run up that hill (and down again, obviously) 3 times. And that added on extra distance - 3 EXTRA MILES, half of which was UPHILL. Did I mention that the hill was steep? The sign said 9% grade, which meant nothing to me, but when I told Kyle after I'd gotten home, he told me that when he was driving in the mountains with his sister years ago it was like 7-8%. SO IT WAS REALLY STEEP.
Man that was tiring. My calves are feeling it, definitely.
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