As my first half marathon approaches I am realizing that I will have to enjoy it and celebrate it alone. That has been very frustrating to me. We do not have anyone to watch our children for my husband to attend. It is times like this that I get mad that we live here without family. This is something that I have been working towards for months now and here it is and I will be at it alone. It does make me a little depressed. Especially when I know thousands of friends and families will be there in support of their loved ones running the race.
I have to ask myself: Do I love running enough to do it alone and have no support? I think I do but it is hard. Running for me has become a large part of my life and who I am. Often times I feel like I am at this alone. Once I met a dad in my daughter's pre-school class that has run 30 marathons and 3 Ironman's. I asked him what was the main thing that has kept him going all this time and he told me it was spousal support. You can't do anything 100% without it. I am not saying I don't have it, but I certainly don't have it completely. Running has truly become something that I do just for me. I will never win and race for my speed but I feel like I win every time I complete a long run. I feel a great sense of accomplishment. There is a selfish part of me that wishes I had someone to celebrate it with me.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Running Is A Long Journey
Running can get boring. Let's be honest. Isn't that why most people seem to give up and stop. Well, what if I suggested to you that the monotony was kinda the point? If you want to become a real runner and build your body up to that point where is is at optimal running condition you must run. Then run some more. Then, when you are wondering if there is anything else to this, run some more. The only way you are going to be able to consider yourself a runner and finish that race is to run.
I recently read a great article in Runner's Magazine that I just have to share. It was comforting and encouraging to me as someone trying to build up my running ability.
Oscar Wilde once said that consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. Well, if that's true, then most successful runners I've known are downright boring. A good runner follows one workout with another over and over again for days, weeks, months, and years.In today's quick-fix society, some might confuse consistency in training with being in a rut. To those who say, "What I need is a sure-fire, four-week program to run a new PR," I would advise: Change that to four months and you stand a better chance; make it four years and your odds will improve even more. That's because it takes years to develop your physiology and program the neuromuscular pathways that help you run faster. When you do the same thing over and over again and it leads to progress, you're being consistent. That said, if repetition leads to stagnation, boredom, and a decline in performance, you're in a rut.It took Dathan Ritzenhein more than a decade to set an American record of 12:56:27 in the 5000 meters in Zurich in August. Back in 1999, Ritzenhein won his first of two Foot Locker National High School Cross-Country Championships. In college, he won a national title in cross-country and broke the American collegiate record in his 10,000- meter debut. In 2004, he made his first Olympic team in the 10,000 meters, and in 2008, beat his much-heralded team-mate, Ryan Hall, in the Olympic Marathon, finishing ninth in Beijing.Throughout this period, Ritz had four different coaches and trained in at least four different locations. Despite these changes, one principle remained constant—the devotion to putting in the miles. Ritz's dedication drove him out the door day after day to repeat key workouts, be they long intervals, long runs, or two-a- days. Such consistency over time has built the aerobic stores that have propelled him to greatness.Take that, Oscar Wilde!Stick to ItThese four principles should be part of your training plan throughout the year. Tailor them according to your goals, interests, and needs.GET MOVING You don't need to run every day, but be sure to run more days than you don't.GO HARD At least once a week inject speed into your routine. For example, perform four- to five-mile tempo runs or long intervals at 5-K race pace. Mix up repeats by running 4 x 1 mile one week, 5 x 1200 meters another, and 3 x 2000 meters another.EASE BACK Follow hard workouts with at least one easy day and don't worry about how fast you're going. Let your energy level be your guide.RUN LONG Once a week, run 1.5 times longer than your normal run. by Ed Eyestone
I recently read a great article in Runner's Magazine that I just have to share. It was comforting and encouraging to me as someone trying to build up my running ability.
Oscar Wilde once said that consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. Well, if that's true, then most successful runners I've known are downright boring. A good runner follows one workout with another over and over again for days, weeks, months, and years.In today's quick-fix society, some might confuse consistency in training with being in a rut. To those who say, "What I need is a sure-fire, four-week program to run a new PR," I would advise: Change that to four months and you stand a better chance; make it four years and your odds will improve even more. That's because it takes years to develop your physiology and program the neuromuscular pathways that help you run faster. When you do the same thing over and over again and it leads to progress, you're being consistent. That said, if repetition leads to stagnation, boredom, and a decline in performance, you're in a rut.It took Dathan Ritzenhein more than a decade to set an American record of 12:56:27 in the 5000 meters in Zurich in August. Back in 1999, Ritzenhein won his first of two Foot Locker National High School Cross-Country Championships. In college, he won a national title in cross-country and broke the American collegiate record in his 10,000- meter debut. In 2004, he made his first Olympic team in the 10,000 meters, and in 2008, beat his much-heralded team-mate, Ryan Hall, in the Olympic Marathon, finishing ninth in Beijing.Throughout this period, Ritz had four different coaches and trained in at least four different locations. Despite these changes, one principle remained constant—the devotion to putting in the miles. Ritz's dedication drove him out the door day after day to repeat key workouts, be they long intervals, long runs, or two-a- days. Such consistency over time has built the aerobic stores that have propelled him to greatness.Take that, Oscar Wilde!Stick to ItThese four principles should be part of your training plan throughout the year. Tailor them according to your goals, interests, and needs.GET MOVING You don't need to run every day, but be sure to run more days than you don't.GO HARD At least once a week inject speed into your routine. For example, perform four- to five-mile tempo runs or long intervals at 5-K race pace. Mix up repeats by running 4 x 1 mile one week, 5 x 1200 meters another, and 3 x 2000 meters another.EASE BACK Follow hard workouts with at least one easy day and don't worry about how fast you're going. Let your energy level be your guide.RUN LONG Once a week, run 1.5 times longer than your normal run. by Ed Eyestone
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Stroller Weather Shield
It has been very cold here in South Florida lately. In fact, we are at a 9 years record low these days. I feel really guilty running with my son in this weather. So, I am thinking about getting one of the weather shields for his stroller so he doesn't have to feel the cold air on him when I run. I guess it would be nice to have too when it is raining. If anyone has one and had an opinion about it please let me know.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Following up on "Just Being Honest..."
So over the past few days my weight has fluctuated about 5 or 6 pounds due to being in the hospital watching my son. And guess what? You can't tell. I can't tell. Nobody can tell over a few measly pounds. So I say to myself, "Don't worry about it. Doesn't even matter!"
A Little Randomness
I have not run much over the past week. My son was admitted into Intensive Care so my mind and body was totally focused on him. Praise God he is home and okay but it was scary for a while. As I type this blog my son and my daughter are playing "silly" which is just the was life should be. Sometimes it takes a horrible event to remind us what really just doesn't matter in life and that is just about everything but the well being of your kiddos.
So, my son is home and I decided it was time to get back to my running. I ran 10 miles yesterday. Felt wonderful! My 1/2 marathon is at the end of the month and I think I am so ready. Pending I don't get injured I should breeze through. My time should be at about 9 1/2 minute miles. I have found that once I get past like 6 miles my body goes into a different mode and it seems easier to finish. As long as I listen to my body and don't over do it by running faster. That is why I got a Polar watch with foot pod. It tracks my heart rate, pace, distance and calories lost. Sadly though I did not realize that by buying the watch ($130) I had to buy the S1Foot Pod ($120) just to get the pace and distance and calories. I was a little upset by that. But nonetheless I got them both so now I can track everything.
So, my son is home and I decided it was time to get back to my running. I ran 10 miles yesterday. Felt wonderful! My 1/2 marathon is at the end of the month and I think I am so ready. Pending I don't get injured I should breeze through. My time should be at about 9 1/2 minute miles. I have found that once I get past like 6 miles my body goes into a different mode and it seems easier to finish. As long as I listen to my body and don't over do it by running faster. That is why I got a Polar watch with foot pod. It tracks my heart rate, pace, distance and calories lost. Sadly though I did not realize that by buying the watch ($130) I had to buy the S1Foot Pod ($120) just to get the pace and distance and calories. I was a little upset by that. But nonetheless I got them both so now I can track everything.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I'm Just Being Honest...
Okay, so I was going to blog about fueling up while running or other exercising but I have changed my mind. I have decided to blog about body image and weight. I have a scale in my room that needed a new battery. I have been putting off changing it because I know myself too well. I would get on the scale and be discouraged. Against my better judgement I went ahead and put a new one in. Sure enough I got on the scale and became very upset. Logically I knew to not be upset. Let me explain.
I have been running seriously for close to a year now. I have run over 300 miles in less than a year. I have not been eating out of control but yet I have lost NO WEIGHT! That's right, none! My very first thought was, "I must start eating less. What can I cut out of my diet immediately? This is horrible!!" However, have felt better and I can see my body changing for the better but no weight has been lost. I can only conclude that I was at my target weight when I started running and my fat has turned into muscle (which we all know weighs more than fat). My legs are more muscular and my arms are less flabby and more cut and I have almost no cellulite. So I get it, don't get me wrong. My clothes fit the same or better but I just thought that I would have lost at least a few pounds. I also know that I am healthier and reducing my risk for heart disease. That is very good since it is the leading killer ahead of cancer.
I just thought I would be honest. After thinking to myself I must start dieting (which I have not been since all of this running), knowing that I don't over eat and I am a relatively healthy eater, I realized that I was being crazy. I am where I am supposed to be. And to all of those people out there who get discouraged by the scale, maybe we should all just not get on them period. It's not like we walk around with a sign on our body stating our weight. NO BODY can tell if you are 3 pounds lighter or heavier. Only you can tell. Don't let all of your hard work be reduced to a few pounds especially if you are within your target weight. If you are not and you have some legitimate weight to lose that is a different story.
It's important to have healthy expectations for your weight. You can visit http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm to get a gauge of your ideal weight.
...and just to prove my morning insanity and to continue with honesty, here is my weight.
This morning on the scale:110 lbs.
I was upset by approx. : 2 lbs.
My ideal weight: 109 lbs.
I have been running seriously for close to a year now. I have run over 300 miles in less than a year. I have not been eating out of control but yet I have lost NO WEIGHT! That's right, none! My very first thought was, "I must start eating less. What can I cut out of my diet immediately? This is horrible!!" However, have felt better and I can see my body changing for the better but no weight has been lost. I can only conclude that I was at my target weight when I started running and my fat has turned into muscle (which we all know weighs more than fat). My legs are more muscular and my arms are less flabby and more cut and I have almost no cellulite. So I get it, don't get me wrong. My clothes fit the same or better but I just thought that I would have lost at least a few pounds. I also know that I am healthier and reducing my risk for heart disease. That is very good since it is the leading killer ahead of cancer.
I just thought I would be honest. After thinking to myself I must start dieting (which I have not been since all of this running), knowing that I don't over eat and I am a relatively healthy eater, I realized that I was being crazy. I am where I am supposed to be. And to all of those people out there who get discouraged by the scale, maybe we should all just not get on them period. It's not like we walk around with a sign on our body stating our weight. NO BODY can tell if you are 3 pounds lighter or heavier. Only you can tell. Don't let all of your hard work be reduced to a few pounds especially if you are within your target weight. If you are not and you have some legitimate weight to lose that is a different story.
It's important to have healthy expectations for your weight. You can visit http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm to get a gauge of your ideal weight.
...and just to prove my morning insanity and to continue with honesty, here is my weight.
This morning on the scale:110 lbs.
I was upset by approx. : 2 lbs.
My ideal weight: 109 lbs.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Do You Have A RoadID?
One of the best things I ever purchased for running safety is my RoadID. It has my important info on it incase I am hurt and unable to tell someone who I am. I am a street runner and never run with a wallet or anything like that. When I found this I immediately purchased one. They are only $20! You can get them at www.roadid.com
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