I've finally gotten around to adding a photo of me running to the blog (on the bottom). One of the best runs of my life and coincidentally, my favourite "action" photo. So many photos don't exactly look as hoped - it makes me wonder if I don't look a little awkward when I run!
Hopefully not so awkward! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Rage Run (& the new shoe debut)
Yesterday, a bout of food poisoning cancelled my run. I rested this morning with plans to run in the arvo if I felt better. After work, I happily - and somewhat guiltily - found an excuse not to go for a run despite the beautiful weather and the promise I'd made myself.
I got home and discovered an unaccountably sarcastic email where the person - someone for whom I was a client, nonetheless - called me rude names. It took me half an hour to sort out why this email had come out of the blue. I resolved the problem (which had been a third party error unrelated to me) and responded in snide -er, in kind. I could have taken the higher road, but where's the fun in that? Sometimes I am not a nice person.
And suddenly, a run sounded pretty good. Imagine that.
So I laced up my running shoes and RAN. So fast I cracked the first few minutes at a 3.30 pace. So fast I flew up the 1km long hill with barely a struggle.
It was also debut of the new shoes - and they held up well. Running as much as I do, no sense getting a shoe that "will" mould to my foot and "will" fit better with time. I know in the first few steps in the store whether my feet will like their new companion or whether I'm setting myself up for shin splints and a world of injuries & tears. But no amount of simple in-store jogging can compare with the first real run. And what a debut to have! Trial by fire - almost like hazing for shoes. So, welcome to the family, new shoes!
Distance: 5.31
Time: 32.51
Elevation: 61
Pace: 6.11 (this may not seem fast, but it is much improved for this season! And keep in mind I am still running lots of hills. It gives me hope for training camp).
Ah, rage runs! If not a favourite, certainly satisfying! Rage runs are not about split times, or intervals, or really any sort of training. They are about running as hard and as fast as you can until all that frustration goes away. If nothing else, rage runs are motivating. I might have gone longer, but the setting sun dictated my return.
The true answer to how I can speed up in my running: rage runs. Of course, I'd rather not have so many problems that I go on them often! Once on the rare occasion is much better.
I got home and discovered an unaccountably sarcastic email where the person - someone for whom I was a client, nonetheless - called me rude names. It took me half an hour to sort out why this email had come out of the blue. I resolved the problem (which had been a third party error unrelated to me) and responded in snide -er, in kind. I could have taken the higher road, but where's the fun in that? Sometimes I am not a nice person.
And suddenly, a run sounded pretty good. Imagine that.
So I laced up my running shoes and RAN. So fast I cracked the first few minutes at a 3.30 pace. So fast I flew up the 1km long hill with barely a struggle.
It was also debut of the new shoes - and they held up well. Running as much as I do, no sense getting a shoe that "will" mould to my foot and "will" fit better with time. I know in the first few steps in the store whether my feet will like their new companion or whether I'm setting myself up for shin splints and a world of injuries & tears. But no amount of simple in-store jogging can compare with the first real run. And what a debut to have! Trial by fire - almost like hazing for shoes. So, welcome to the family, new shoes!
Distance: 5.31
Time: 32.51
Elevation: 61
Pace: 6.11 (this may not seem fast, but it is much improved for this season! And keep in mind I am still running lots of hills. It gives me hope for training camp).
Ah, rage runs! If not a favourite, certainly satisfying! Rage runs are not about split times, or intervals, or really any sort of training. They are about running as hard and as fast as you can until all that frustration goes away. If nothing else, rage runs are motivating. I might have gone longer, but the setting sun dictated my return.
The true answer to how I can speed up in my running: rage runs. Of course, I'd rather not have so many problems that I go on them often! Once on the rare occasion is much better.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
There Will Be Rain
I woke up, laced up my running shoes, grabbed my keys and...it started pouring. Ugh! I stopped at the front door, staring in misery at the wet. I had planned to do a 12k today. I was supposed to do it yesterday (keeping in line with the Saturday = 'long run', Sunday = rest) schedule. But on Friday my gluteus was maximus sore. I think it was more about my hamstrings than my glutes, but regardless, Friday was an unfortunate day. I climb on average 12 flights of stairs at work, and I could feel each and every one on Friday. So I took Saturday as my rest day - no sense pushing, right?
But then came Sunday.
Then came the rain.
There were two and only two thoughts that pushed me out the door into the rain.
1. At some point in my life, luck will run out. I will get up on race day to find - not clear skies - but a torrential downpour. At that point I will have to make a decision: get up and race in the rain or cut my losses and go back to bed? To increase the likeliness of the former decision being made, I will need to practise training in the rain.
2. Two weeks until training camp. I only have two more opportunities to get a "long" run in.
So out I stepped into the storm.
There are some people who like running in the rain. I know because they've told me. I say, if I wanted to be wet I would partake in triathlons. I can't say I enjoy the feeling of being damp all over. The chances of chaffing and blisters sky rocket, and I have enough tweaks and pains from running that I don't desire to worry over any more. Pure luck had my shoes staying relatively dry until the last 20min, when it poured. And then it felt as if I were running through a swamp. If this had happened at the beginning of the 12k, I can't say I would have finished it easily...or at all.
Sadly, my watch isn't working at the moment. Happily, it means I don't have to admit to my pace! I can't say that today was the best of days for my running either in terms of weather or me. I was one big ache all yesterday and last night and running with good posture was surprisingly difficult this morning. So let's just say:
1. I managed to reach my goal of 12k (~12.2km)
2. I ran almost the entire distance with 4 exceptions: (a. climbing stairs onto a bridge, b. stupid loose dog I had to walk by, c. traffic light, and d. a really steep hill right at the end where I had nothing left to give)
3. I kept the pace nice and easy. ;)
But then came Sunday.
Then came the rain.
There were two and only two thoughts that pushed me out the door into the rain.
1. At some point in my life, luck will run out. I will get up on race day to find - not clear skies - but a torrential downpour. At that point I will have to make a decision: get up and race in the rain or cut my losses and go back to bed? To increase the likeliness of the former decision being made, I will need to practise training in the rain.
2. Two weeks until training camp. I only have two more opportunities to get a "long" run in.
So out I stepped into the storm.
There are some people who like running in the rain. I know because they've told me. I say, if I wanted to be wet I would partake in triathlons. I can't say I enjoy the feeling of being damp all over. The chances of chaffing and blisters sky rocket, and I have enough tweaks and pains from running that I don't desire to worry over any more. Pure luck had my shoes staying relatively dry until the last 20min, when it poured. And then it felt as if I were running through a swamp. If this had happened at the beginning of the 12k, I can't say I would have finished it easily...or at all.
Sadly, my watch isn't working at the moment. Happily, it means I don't have to admit to my pace! I can't say that today was the best of days for my running either in terms of weather or me. I was one big ache all yesterday and last night and running with good posture was surprisingly difficult this morning. So let's just say:
1. I managed to reach my goal of 12k (~12.2km)
2. I ran almost the entire distance with 4 exceptions: (a. climbing stairs onto a bridge, b. stupid loose dog I had to walk by, c. traffic light, and d. a really steep hill right at the end where I had nothing left to give)
3. I kept the pace nice and easy. ;)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Runner Envy & Excuses
Today's run was short and easy. Well, tough for an early season neophite such as myself, but easy compared to when I'm in better condition. I like to think of this as my pre-season training. Pre-season training will end when I feel that I'm not a complete train wreck when it comes to running. When I can hold a pace of at least 6.30 for a 12k.
Despite it being 6am on backstreets (or maybe because it was 6am on backstreets) the roads were paved with good intentions...lots of runners & walkers out for some morning exercise before either work or heat drove them inside.
At the best I'm slow. Times like now a sloth could beat me on the uphills and look less gutted by it than I do.
'Run for yourself' is wishful thinking on the road. Any other person on foot is competition, be they 90 years old, dog walkers, or elite sprinters. If someone is behind me I push myself just that little bit faster. If someone is in front, I aim to close the gap. If someone is going the other way...well, I just give a tip of the imaginary hat and say good morning or - if I'm super winded such as running uphill - I give a grimace that could pass either as a smile or as an acknowledgement of mutual pain my fellow exerciser and I are enduring.
I was coming to the end of my pitifully short run when I saw a woman in front of me with legs I could only envy. She was doing a walk/run with her dog. Because of this I soon passed her on a downhill. I gave her a friendly nod, a thumbs up, and said 'great work!' as I ran past (with an inwardly satisfied feeling, not least of which because I was on the last km and it was all downhill from there).
Did she smile in acknowledgement? Exchange congratulations? Give me the smile/grimace? No. She picked up her pace so she could yell excuses after me. "I'd be faster but I'm just finishing up a 12k! I'm doing well for being three times your age!" (She looked to be mid 50s). More excuses were yelled out, but they were lost amongst the sound of my music.
Yes, it's true. Whether in a race or on a road, friendly competition & runner envy is always at hand. No runner likes to be passed by a faster runner without going through a mental checklist of why their run quality is superior in some way/shape/form to that other runner - be it distance, age, or good old 'pre-season training'. I haven't been passed by anyone yet, but that is through sheer dumb luck rather than impressive speed.
Total distance: 6.00km (6.01km, but that's a silly number)
Time: 39.55
Elevation: 89m
Avg pace: 6.39
Despite it being 6am on backstreets (or maybe because it was 6am on backstreets) the roads were paved with good intentions...lots of runners & walkers out for some morning exercise before either work or heat drove them inside.
At the best I'm slow. Times like now a sloth could beat me on the uphills and look less gutted by it than I do.
'Run for yourself' is wishful thinking on the road. Any other person on foot is competition, be they 90 years old, dog walkers, or elite sprinters. If someone is behind me I push myself just that little bit faster. If someone is in front, I aim to close the gap. If someone is going the other way...well, I just give a tip of the imaginary hat and say good morning or - if I'm super winded such as running uphill - I give a grimace that could pass either as a smile or as an acknowledgement of mutual pain my fellow exerciser and I are enduring.
I was coming to the end of my pitifully short run when I saw a woman in front of me with legs I could only envy. She was doing a walk/run with her dog. Because of this I soon passed her on a downhill. I gave her a friendly nod, a thumbs up, and said 'great work!' as I ran past (with an inwardly satisfied feeling, not least of which because I was on the last km and it was all downhill from there).
Did she smile in acknowledgement? Exchange congratulations? Give me the smile/grimace? No. She picked up her pace so she could yell excuses after me. "I'd be faster but I'm just finishing up a 12k! I'm doing well for being three times your age!" (She looked to be mid 50s). More excuses were yelled out, but they were lost amongst the sound of my music.
Yes, it's true. Whether in a race or on a road, friendly competition & runner envy is always at hand. No runner likes to be passed by a faster runner without going through a mental checklist of why their run quality is superior in some way/shape/form to that other runner - be it distance, age, or good old 'pre-season training'. I haven't been passed by anyone yet, but that is through sheer dumb luck rather than impressive speed.
Total distance: 6.00km (6.01km, but that's a silly number)
Time: 39.55
Elevation: 89m
Avg pace: 6.39
Monday, January 23, 2012
Getting back on track
If Saturday was the "pilot" of the season, today was the first episode. I did about 45min of weights before lacing up my shoes to hit the pavement. Some people say you should do cardio first, weights second. I say, running at 5am on my own is dark and scary. I prefer to go out when the roads are filled with other morning exercisers and I can see the ground beneath my feet. Hence, weights first. I only have so much time in a morning, after all.
My initial intention was a quick 5k loop around the hospital. But I had a bit of time...I thought a 6k out and back would work well instead. But then, I was going downhill. Why not reach the bottom before turning back around and heading up? So I went 7k total in the end. And I hit the hill twice. Go me! Slow? Check! Stiff? Check! Exhausted? Check! Happy I did it? Triple check!
Distance: 7.01km
Elevation: 102m
Total time: 46.02
Pace: 6.39
Yes, a *small* improvement. Keep in mind my pb in an 8k (that I've timed) was 42.25min...but on a flat course. Still, this is a lot slower! I did have to walk once, because some idiot left their dog out and it started to chase me. Running past a territorial dog is not smart. So I stopped, cowed it with my snarl, and started running again once it lost interest in me.
Someone asked me about elevation. No, this is not the total elevation gained/lost. Obviously, since I finish where I start there is downhill involved. But I never count that in elevation because going downhill is an easy break and adds nothing to fitness. All elevation is uphill only. Because uphill hurts. But a good hurt, of course!
My initial intention was a quick 5k loop around the hospital. But I had a bit of time...I thought a 6k out and back would work well instead. But then, I was going downhill. Why not reach the bottom before turning back around and heading up? So I went 7k total in the end. And I hit the hill twice. Go me! Slow? Check! Stiff? Check! Exhausted? Check! Happy I did it? Triple check!
Distance: 7.01km
Elevation: 102m
Total time: 46.02
Pace: 6.39
Yes, a *small* improvement. Keep in mind my pb in an 8k (that I've timed) was 42.25min...but on a flat course. Still, this is a lot slower! I did have to walk once, because some idiot left their dog out and it started to chase me. Running past a territorial dog is not smart. So I stopped, cowed it with my snarl, and started running again once it lost interest in me.
Someone asked me about elevation. No, this is not the total elevation gained/lost. Obviously, since I finish where I start there is downhill involved. But I never count that in elevation because going downhill is an easy break and adds nothing to fitness. All elevation is uphill only. Because uphill hurts. But a good hurt, of course!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Season 3 Premiere
I have not fallen off the edge of the world. I have, in fact, been off-season. Blissful, glorious off-season! For the past two months I have enjoyed partaking in netball, going to the gym with my dad, tobogganing, and a whole heap of other activities that were not running (although running may have been involved).
Reading up on my fellow runners who were still training made me feel guilty. Fortunately, I was able to wash away said guilt with a couple of brownies.
But now training season has begun again - hooray! Time to get off my lazy butt and get out the door. I started pre-season training last week, wherein I did yoga, weights, stretches...anything that would keep me in the nice air con (A/C) and out of the horrific Rocky heat. It hit 37C last week - no way was I enduring an outdoor run!
But Thursday night I caught up with a running friend from my group who was up in Rocky for a few days. Like me, he is partaking in the training camp in 3 weeks time. Unlike me, he has kept fit these past few months (if I were planning to run 100k race through the Blue Mountains in May, I imagine I would be trying to keep fit, too!). His description of the training camp gave me shivers. Three months ago, no problem. Now? ... 8 weeks off can do a lot of damage! As I found out today.
Distance 10.00km
Time: 1.08.00h
Elevation: 80m
Avg pace: 6.48
Yikes! I was hoping to manage at least a 6.30 pace. But man, by km 6 the only thing that kept me going was that I was doing a loop (smart thinking on my behalf!) and wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. Painful! I struggled and struggled. The other smart call I made was to hit the hill at the beginning rather than the end. As a result, I ran up the hill rather than crawled.
One would think I were doing twice that distance with the speed I was going. I was faster than a walk...barely. I had decided to take today easy. My goal was distance & time on feet, not speed. But yeesh! How scary. My knees twinged, my back whined...I can barely manage a 10k right now. Yes, I know I've been in worse condition than this, but at the same time, I've also had more time than 3 weeks to get my butt in gear.
The only good thing about such a slow time is I have LOTS of room for improvement!
Last year, my training goal was twofold: 1) run in 3 half marathons. 2) Get a PB in a half marathon. I happily achieved both. I haven't quite carved out this year's goals yet. Well, I have, but not enough to list them just yet. I think I might wait until after training camp to solidify them. Stay tuned! This is one slow runner who is coming back into training season! YYYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Reading up on my fellow runners who were still training made me feel guilty. Fortunately, I was able to wash away said guilt with a couple of brownies.
But now training season has begun again - hooray! Time to get off my lazy butt and get out the door. I started pre-season training last week, wherein I did yoga, weights, stretches...anything that would keep me in the nice air con (A/C) and out of the horrific Rocky heat. It hit 37C last week - no way was I enduring an outdoor run!
But Thursday night I caught up with a running friend from my group who was up in Rocky for a few days. Like me, he is partaking in the training camp in 3 weeks time. Unlike me, he has kept fit these past few months (if I were planning to run 100k race through the Blue Mountains in May, I imagine I would be trying to keep fit, too!). His description of the training camp gave me shivers. Three months ago, no problem. Now? ... 8 weeks off can do a lot of damage! As I found out today.
Distance 10.00km
Time: 1.08.00h
Elevation: 80m
Avg pace: 6.48
Yikes! I was hoping to manage at least a 6.30 pace. But man, by km 6 the only thing that kept me going was that I was doing a loop (smart thinking on my behalf!) and wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. Painful! I struggled and struggled. The other smart call I made was to hit the hill at the beginning rather than the end. As a result, I ran up the hill rather than crawled.
One would think I were doing twice that distance with the speed I was going. I was faster than a walk...barely. I had decided to take today easy. My goal was distance & time on feet, not speed. But yeesh! How scary. My knees twinged, my back whined...I can barely manage a 10k right now. Yes, I know I've been in worse condition than this, but at the same time, I've also had more time than 3 weeks to get my butt in gear.
The only good thing about such a slow time is I have LOTS of room for improvement!
Last year, my training goal was twofold: 1) run in 3 half marathons. 2) Get a PB in a half marathon. I happily achieved both. I haven't quite carved out this year's goals yet. Well, I have, but not enough to list them just yet. I think I might wait until after training camp to solidify them. Stay tuned! This is one slow runner who is coming back into training season! YYYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
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