Momentum. It's powerful! I never thought the day would come when I was disappointed that it was a rest day. After some successful attempts at running last week, I'm itching to try the next step in the preliminary training.
The temperatures have plummeted yet again so I suppose if we have to have a rest day...today is perfect for it.
I'm so glad some other new runners are visiting here. The more the merrier!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Just A-Walkin' in the Rain
I believe I've attained some degree of legitimacy as a runner. I, the most painfully unmotivated, non-athlete on the planet, actually ran in the pouring rain tonight. Bully for me.
We did the entire run5/walk5 for 30 minutes, then had our cool-down stroll. I'm so glad we went. It will make the runs on the nice days that much easier. Woo Hoo!
Moral of today's run: The wise runner never consumes three cups of soup within an hour of running.
We did the entire run5/walk5 for 30 minutes, then had our cool-down stroll. I'm so glad we went. It will make the runs on the nice days that much easier. Woo Hoo!
Moral of today's run: The wise runner never consumes three cups of soup within an hour of running.
Friday, May 9, 2008
I Did It!
Yesssssss!! Just got back. I walked five, ran five, walked five, ran five, walked five, ran five! Just three days ago I was doubting that it was even possible. I did better on the third leg than on the first. The second was the hardest. I just can't believe I did it! Now I can't wait to try it again!
Just like last time, Jim kept telling me to slow down and that seems to be the key. It's nice having him along.
Just like last time, Jim kept telling me to slow down and that seems to be the key. It's nice having him along.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pushing Forward One Minute at a Time
I just got back from walking. Tonight Jim came with. I'm glad he did. He pushed me to keep going during the run portions. I actually made it to 4 minutes tonight. I still walked the majority of the time but interspersed more 1-minute runs throughout. I figure that on Friday I'll be doing the full 5 minutes at a time.
My initial problem is that I have this mental block. I don't feel like I'm running when I'm going pathetically slow. It was good that Jim was there to keep reminding me to slow down, conserve energy, push toward the five minutes and move ----s-l-o-w-l-y! Jeff (#3 son) also reminded me to keep movement fairly limited and relaxed. Maybe these things come naturally to most but I am not self-aware in the least when it comes to athletics. I do all sorts of bonehead things, like running on my toes instead of landing on my heels first. So when I say I'm starting from zero, I mean it. I don't know how to run. I'm learning........and enjoying the process.
I looked at a few brochures from Running Fit. There are races all summer long in every distance. There's a 10-mile run in the middle of August which is exactly the mileage I'll need at that point. It goes right through Hell, MI......so I suppose you can guess the name of the race. Should I manage to complete the run (of COURSE I will...I'm a marathoner, remember???) I will get a lame t-shirt with a lame play on the name of the town. I kind of wish there was another race of that distance around here but the next best thing I could find around that weekend was a half-marathon in Chicago. That means staying in a hotel with crowds, eating out a lot, etc. I just want to worry about the running at that point. We'll see.
My initial problem is that I have this mental block. I don't feel like I'm running when I'm going pathetically slow. It was good that Jim was there to keep reminding me to slow down, conserve energy, push toward the five minutes and move ----s-l-o-w-l-y! Jeff (#3 son) also reminded me to keep movement fairly limited and relaxed. Maybe these things come naturally to most but I am not self-aware in the least when it comes to athletics. I do all sorts of bonehead things, like running on my toes instead of landing on my heels first. So when I say I'm starting from zero, I mean it. I don't know how to run. I'm learning........and enjoying the process.
I looked at a few brochures from Running Fit. There are races all summer long in every distance. There's a 10-mile run in the middle of August which is exactly the mileage I'll need at that point. It goes right through Hell, MI......so I suppose you can guess the name of the race. Should I manage to complete the run (of COURSE I will...I'm a marathoner, remember???) I will get a lame t-shirt with a lame play on the name of the town. I kind of wish there was another race of that distance around here but the next best thing I could find around that weekend was a half-marathon in Chicago. That means staying in a hotel with crowds, eating out a lot, etc. I just want to worry about the running at that point. We'll see.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
It's Been a Few Days....
....but I HAVE been training. I just haven't been posting. Last night I formally started incorporating running into it. The longest I could go was three minutes at a time of running, then back to walking extremely fast. I ran almost 1/4 of the time which isn't as good as I'd like to be doing, but it's still progress for a couch crumb like me! My knees and feet were fine....I just got winded and phlegmy...admittedly gross, but I guess that's part of being winded??? I don't know. This is uncharted territory for me.
We're getting ready to try again tonight. Jim's going, too. He just picked up his running shoes today. By the way, I bought a pair of compression shorts and some lightweight capri sweatpants to run in while it's still a little cooler. Those compression shorts are miracle workers! Very comfortable and they minimize the, um, not-yet-lost derriere fat! I wear the sweat pants over the shorts so it's all very modest and I feel less self-conscious. Then again, anything is a major improvement over my dufus-wear of the first few weeks.
I also got my first pair of running socks! Oh my! Those things are so comfy!
Tomorrow I'll give a rundown of upcoming races that I might enter just to have some short-term accomplishments along the way to the marathon.
We're getting ready to try again tonight. Jim's going, too. He just picked up his running shoes today. By the way, I bought a pair of compression shorts and some lightweight capri sweatpants to run in while it's still a little cooler. Those compression shorts are miracle workers! Very comfortable and they minimize the, um, not-yet-lost derriere fat! I wear the sweat pants over the shorts so it's all very modest and I feel less self-conscious. Then again, anything is a major improvement over my dufus-wear of the first few weeks.
I also got my first pair of running socks! Oh my! Those things are so comfy!
Tomorrow I'll give a rundown of upcoming races that I might enter just to have some short-term accomplishments along the way to the marathon.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Seen While Running
Today's walk was incredible. I did only a bit of running mixed in there but I felt very motivated and kept a great pace. I was less winded than I usually am.
You never know what you're going to see around here. Usually you have to try to avoid the geese near the park because they've all got their goslings and they get downright nasty when you get anywhere close. But.....today I saw a wild turkey (the bird, not the bottle) walking around one of the neighborhoods I walked through. Then I saw an antique sewing maching and a bathroom sink both used as part of a frontyard landscape. Interesting.
I was going to go out again tonight because Jim was going to go.....then we both had a plate of spaghetti and changed our minds. Probably a good choice. My knees are a little sore today.
You never know what you're going to see around here. Usually you have to try to avoid the geese near the park because they've all got their goslings and they get downright nasty when you get anywhere close. But.....today I saw a wild turkey (the bird, not the bottle) walking around one of the neighborhoods I walked through. Then I saw an antique sewing maching and a bathroom sink both used as part of a frontyard landscape. Interesting.
I was going to go out again tonight because Jim was going to go.....then we both had a plate of spaghetti and changed our minds. Probably a good choice. My knees are a little sore today.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Wednesday's Walk
Jim went with me last night. It was beautiful out! I did a little running throughout my walk but not the 5 on, 5 off. I decided I would work into that just a little slower...like run a minute or two at a time.....and NOT feel guilty about it.
I went to Target yesterday and got myself some running gear for the summer. I brought Carrie with me because she is brutally honest (aren't all 6-year-olds). I ended up with a running skort. I loved it. Most running items are so tight and show, excuse me, every dimple in your behind. This was different. The shorts underneath are very spandex-like so they pull it all in, and then there's a nice skirt over it all which isn't ridiculously short. I will more than likely put some self-tanner on so that the neon-like quality of my legs won't shock the early risers of Milford into thinking they're in the middle of a nuclear blast. I must say, it was nice to fit into a medium with no problem and have it not be tight. I guess even though I'm not really losing much, my body is changing somewhat and for that I am thankful.
I've got to say I'm growing accustomed to the exercise and chomping at the bit to keep moving ahead!
I went to Target yesterday and got myself some running gear for the summer. I brought Carrie with me because she is brutally honest (aren't all 6-year-olds). I ended up with a running skort. I loved it. Most running items are so tight and show, excuse me, every dimple in your behind. This was different. The shorts underneath are very spandex-like so they pull it all in, and then there's a nice skirt over it all which isn't ridiculously short. I will more than likely put some self-tanner on so that the neon-like quality of my legs won't shock the early risers of Milford into thinking they're in the middle of a nuclear blast. I must say, it was nice to fit into a medium with no problem and have it not be tight. I guess even though I'm not really losing much, my body is changing somewhat and for that I am thankful.
I've got to say I'm growing accustomed to the exercise and chomping at the bit to keep moving ahead!
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