Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Brief hiatus.

I was going to run tonight, but found out in the past several hours that a close friend of mine died unexpectedly and suddenly this afternoon. I'm taking some time to myself tonight and will resume the craziness that my life is tomorrow.

Monday, April 26, 2010

On a journey to becoming a runner

Hi New Followers! Thanks for joining and reading. :)
I appreciate the comments about music. I bought a little bit of new music last week. I haven't had time to update my iPod yet, though. (I feel like I talk too much about having no time.)

I wish that I could convince my cat to go running with me. She could use some exercise... but the furthest she will run is from the bed to her food dish. Trust me, I've tried to take her on a walk. Did you know that cats hate leashes? They do. You can't even psychologically trick a cat into being a dog by putting her on a leash as a kitten. Well, I guess I could have by giving her a treat every time I took her out for a walk. Too late now. She's a huge fan of sleeping and eating. Aren't we all? Oh to live life as a cat...

I got new running shoes yesterday! So excited. I still have a few dozen miles left on my old shoes, but I really have been ready for my new ones. I got the Nike Lunarglide+. I have yet to set up my Nike+ account, but that will come in the next few days. Right now my main focus is getting things lined up for the end of school, but I'm still planning on running as much as possible for the next week.

For one of my classes, I'm working on a memoir about my journey becoming a runner. Yes, I've only been running for a little over a year, but running has become a huge part of me. I feel like I'm just beginning in this new lifestyle that is going to have an impact on who I am for the rest of my life. I'm going to post my memoir when I'm done with it, probably at the end of the week. That's something to look forward to, I suppose.

My graduation is  in less than two weeks! May 8, which convienently (or not) is the day of the Indy Mini. Being from Indiana and moving away soon, I would really like to be able to run the biggest half marathon in the country. However, I'm going to graduation instead. I actually have thought about wearing my running shoes under my cap and gown as a way to commemorate the race that is going on. I think it is a creative idea and I'm proud of myself for thinking of it.

Tonight's run was fast and... on the treadmill. I'll have so much more time to really train as soon as this week is over. I have a ton of stuff due this week plus more hours of work than usual (like... 45-50ish), so most of my runs will be indoors. I got to lift weights a little, which was really nice. I broke in my new shoes, which I'm not going to use on the treadmill anymore after today. I just wanted to use them this once. Now I'm intending to use my old shoes on the treadmill and my new shoes for outdoor runs.

I'm getting really serious about my running though. I want to be a serious runner. I'm not quite to that point yet, but I'm getting there. I'm looking forward to who I'm seeing myself become. Sometimes I think back on running a mile in school. I hated it. I still hate running my first mile and, after talking to other people, I feel like that won't change, but I enjoy running as a whole. There's just something addicting about it.

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 290.73 miles/170 days
To go: 709.27 miles/195 days

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Running Through My Eyes.

I took some pictures of my run today and I thought I would share. These are some of the places that I often run by on my typical running route. I thought that a visual would be neat to share. I apologize for some of the blurry pictures. I didn't stop running to take them, ha. Just don't tell my high school photography teacher. She would be upset that I broke so many photography rules.

My run went very very well today, considering I almost quit before I completed my goal for the day. I pushed myself harder than I have in a long time and was able to run further than I have since NOVEMBER when I ran my last half marathon. My pacing and timing was great too. I ran 9.27 miles in 2 hours and 2 minutes. I'm very impressed with myself.

Again, my first mile was really difficult. Any suggestions on how to make the beginning not so tough? I'm not sure that I understand why it's so hard to complete the first mile. I've noticed it time and time again. I also feel like I need to download some new music to my iPod. I like my music, but I need some new stuff to help keep me going when I feel like quitting. I like my acoustic music a lot, but it doesn't help me to complete a long run.

My next seven miles went well, but I almost quit when I was at mile 8. I almost sat down and waited for Katherine to get off of work so that she could come and pick me up. I'm glad that I finished, though. I walked a lot at the end, which I have mixed feelings about. I am going to try to stay positive about it, because I, at least, kept moving my legs.

The Indy Mini is the same day as my graduation. I might wear running shoes to graduation under my cap and gown. In a sense, I'm completing a huge marathon, though I won't make it to the Indy Mini. I think it would be fun to wear my running shoes to graduation. I do want to have my new running shoes by then, which means that I'm going to have to order them SOON. Decisions, decisions.

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 285.15 miles/168 days
To go: 714.85 miles/197 days

Pacing myself.

Today was exhausting... even though I took a long nap after I got out of class and before I went to work. (Seriously, my day started with work at 8 and is just finishing now at 1 am.) Though most of my big final projects aren't due until next week, I'm working a LOT this week... so I have a feeling that I'm going to be working a lot next week too. I'm trying not to let it cut into my running, but I think that it's going to cut into my sleep. Something has got to give, I guess.

Tonight, I ran on the treadmill, because I worked and went to the grocery store after I finished class. I think that a treadmill isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't the best training mechanism for me. For my sanity, I have to spend some time outside. There's nothing quite like running in the fresh air. On the treadmill, I push myself too hard and I run much more quickly than I typically do. I also strain myself and feel completely drained when I'm done. I cannot get myself to run at a steady pace on the treadmill. Sometimes it feels like a problem.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go on a 9-10 mile run outside and try to pace myself evenly. I haven't run more than 7 miles in a while, so it's going to be a big deal. I know that I normally hit a wall at 5 miles or so and then I get over it at 6 or 7, so it might go really well. I am hoping that the run will go really well.

I really just want to figure out my pacing. That's the biggest problem right now. I really like the idea that I will be able to complete a full marathon in a respectable time. I'm not sure what a respectable time is in my opinion right now, but it's going to take a lot of work. I'm worried about it. I'd like to be able to do well. I feel like I can be a successful runner and that I will be able to be the runner that I want to be. I also know that it takes a lot of work. I haven't put the work into my running lately, but I want to change that. I think that I can. Well, I know that I can. I'm just concerned about the work that I'm going to have to put into it combined with the amount of time that I do/don't have.

It would be really convenient to have five more hours in a day. That's not asking much is it?

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 275.88 miles/167 days
To go: 724.12 miles/198 days

Monday, April 19, 2010

is obsession too much?

I pushed myself pretty hard tonight. I guess that I can't expect to have great mileage or times when I haven't done much running for the past few months. I just need to keep at it... keep working toward my running and improvement. It's sometimes tough to be able to push myself when I feel like I have so much going on.

I wish that I had more people to run with. I run with Katherine when I can, but it's hard because she hurt her foot a while ago so I know she worries about hurting herself worse. (Plus with her two jobs and my three jobs and my classes, it's hard to find time that we can both run together.) I've talked to people at work about running with them, but usually just lightheartedly. It's mostly taken as a joke. I'm a little bit serious about it though. It would be really nice to have someone to run with, someone to keep me going. I can motivate myself though. I know that I'm not going to just find someone to run with everywhere. I mean, I work in two ice cream stores and then in dining for my university... not very many people that I work with are too concerned with being careful of their health. Even fewer actually want to train for races with me.

I would like to join a running group, but it is really hard to find the time. My life is all about being in a rush, so it's hard to actually find something to do one more thing. Maybe when I'm in grad school, I can make it a priority to join a running group. I'd just like to have more running friends, I guess.

It's nice that Megi has started to run and that she has been talking to me a little about her journey. It makes me feel like I'm more connected in a sense, I guess. I like to be able to talk about running. Sometimes, though, I feel like I'm obsessed with it, which scares me a little. I'm not neccessarily obsessed. I just get really into the things that I enjoy. I immerse myself in things. Right now, I'm immersed in running stuff. I'm also really immersed in media information and with writing. One thing that I'm really into right now is running. I like the positive reactions that I'm getting from what I'm doing and I really enjoy the way that people compliment me for different things or seem impressed with me and what I'm doing. I'm just not so excited about how there is some negativity in my circles.

I'm reading Marathon by Mal Higdon from Runner's World. I'm only on chapter 3 or so, but it's really inspiring. I've been trying to find motivation and some of the things that Higdon wrote about really have inspired me to keep going. I will probably have plenty to say about the book later.

I'm just trying to figure out when I should schedule my first full marathon. I have some decent endurance right now. I am going to keep at it and add more miles. I just need to be able to run Goofy's Challenge in January. That's my big goal right now. I think that I'm looking at running a full marathon sometime in the fall. I'm not totally sure though.

My run today was almost 7 miles. It was nice to be able to run with Katherine. I think that we both pushed ourselves pretty hard and I know that my muscles will be sore tomorrow. (That's unfortunate, because I work two of my jobs tomorrow. ha.)

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 270.84 miles/166 days
To go: 729.16 miles/199 days

Getting started on a long run.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, April 15, 2010

heat, exhaustion, soreness..

Running is HARD. Everybody who says that running is a simple sport, because all you need is a pair of shoes is a liar. It's not simple and it isn't easy. I'm exhausted. My feet are sore and my legs are tired. I have a million things going on in my life, but I'm still going out and running like an insane person.

Today was the pinnacle of my semester. I'm finally done with the majority of my most difficult assignments, so I finally got to run today. Naturally, this month has been much more warm than April in Indiana typically is, so tonight it was HOT out. I'm not used to running in the extreme heat anymore. My muscles fought with me for the entire six miles. I came home covered in sweat. It was pretty awful.

As usual, my first mile was the worst. I felt like I wouldn't be able to finish my run. I had to push myself to continue after I ran past my car. (I often run around a block on campus and parallel park my car on the side of the road. The block is a little more than a mile and a half.) After the first mile, my run got better, but my endurance was still off. It's been a while since I've been running regularly and I know that my muscles are mad at me about it. I know that I'm going to have to rebuild my endurace, but it's going to be really hard with the heat. My body will become accustomed to it, though. I just prefer that it's sooner rather than later. ha.

My second and third lap went pretty well, though. By the time I started running my last lap around the block, I was starting to really drag. I had to mentally fight with myself to continue running. I did, though. I ended up running a little over six and a half miles, which is pretty good. I took it pretty easy at the end, though, which I am a little disappointed with. However, I did finish the miles that I wanted to finish and my timing wasn't too terrible. It could have been a little better, but it wasn't horrible.

Hopefully, I can get accustomed to the warm weather soon. I will have more time to be able to run now that I turned in my huge 20 page paper. That will definitely help a lot.

I still have to make an official decision about the 10k on Saturday. Choices, choices...

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 264.07 miles/162 days
To go: 735.93 miles/203 days

Sunday, April 11, 2010

warm weather.

So, I have to be completely honest. I chose not to run the Holy Half Marathon at Notre Dame today. I really wanted to do it and even got the day off of work (which is a BIG deal for me, the girl who has had 1 or 2 days off since Christmas). Then I was looking at information about the race and saw that the awards ceremony was only two and a half hours after the starting time, which seemed a little odd, considering I probably wouldn't be able to run fast enough to make it in a half an hour. So I looked at the results from last year's race. The last place finisher finished in a faster time than my own PR. I made the decision that I wouldn't want to finish last. I know that it's okay to be last and that someone has to be the last finisher, but that combined with my lack of training in the last few weeks because of school... I decided it would be best for me to pass on the race this time. It would have been nice to be able to run, but I need to train more before I actually run a half marathon. Disappointing, but that's reality.

However, there's a 10k in Roanoke next weekend that I'm going to do. It will be on Saturday. A 10k is much more feasible than a half marathon right now and I'll be in Fort Wayne anyways to work... like every other weekend of my life. Anyhow, I'm excited to do it.

Today's run went okay. I ran with Katherine & we took it fairly easily. The weather is wonderful for a run. I wore my new running shorts and was comfortable with the temperature. We ran a little over four and a half miles. My legs aren't used to running as much as they have been, which is disappointing, but I'm honestly going to have a lot more time after this week is over. It's hard being in the last semester and working as much as I do. I didn't expect it to be like this at all. So yes, I was a little sore, but it was a good run.

I'm so thankful that winter is over and that my treadmill days are winding down for the year. I'm going to try to only use the treadmill when I'm short on time... like tomorrow because I have classes and work from 9-3, followed by night class at 6:30. My time is always limited on Mondays, unfortunately.

I'm looking forward to doing a 10k Saturday. It'll be nice to be able to race again.

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 257.55 miles/158 days
To go: 742.45 miles/207 days

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Struggling to find time.

Ah. This time of the year is the craziest. I'm preparing for graduation in a little over a month, while thinking about my move to Orlando in less than four months and grad school starting in August. I'm trying not to focus TOO much on the future, though, because I have to finish undergrad before I can work on my Master's Degree. It is a little mindboggling to think that things are changing so rapidly right now, though.

Anyways, my week was tough. It's that time of the year now when ice cream stores are getting busy. My hours on campus are still pretty much the same, though I dropped one shift. I felt my sanity slipping. My classes are crazy, insane, whatever you want to call them. I'm beginning to second guess this double major idea, but I think that it is a little too late for that. My running has fallen to the wayside, but that seriously needs to change.

I am dedicated to this thousand miles in a year goal. Absolutely. I also am dedicated to running Goofy's Challenge next January and the training starts now. Today.

My biggest issue is time. It never feels like there is enough time in the day to get everything done that I want to. I don't want to be the girl who always has excuses though. This is important to me, the running, the fitness, having something that I can teach myself to be good at. That's what this is. I've grown from hating running to appreciating it to really enjoying it, which I never expected for a minute.

I guess I'm wondering what other people struggle with in their running.. what motivates you to run when things are tough?

Anyways, I'm trying to keep to do lists and including my running in it. I'm also starting a food journal, because I know that eating the right things can make a difference in alertness, energy, and motivation. I've been slacking on the eating right idea lately.

Honestly though, the slacking and excuses have to end now. If I want to be a serious runner, I will be. Somehow, it has to be that simple.

Goal: 1000 miles/365 days
So far: 252.9 miles/150 days
To go: 747.1 miles/215 days