Lament (or perhaps, whine)...

Today was tough physically and mentally, and that surprised me so I am left feeling a bit deflated. I suspect that when I shake it all down the culprit will be my own poor planning.

First of all, the weather could not have been more ideal if I had ordered it up specially for me. It was sunny, mid-80's, slight breeze, not humid (which it tends to get around here, and which I have a hard time tolerating). *side note: this beautiful, and unusual, weather following an impressive hail storm this AM.* Anyway, all afternoon I was thinking about how great it was gonna be to get out on the trail and even put aside some paperwork unfinished so I could leave work a few minutes early. Once I got out there I did my usual walk for 5 or 6 minutes then stretch. Almost as soon as I started jogging I just felt so tired and I began breathing hard after not too long at all. I really struggled through my first 3 reps, just waiting for me to really get warm, or hit my stride, or scrape up some endorphins, or somethin'. Following the 3rd run/walk rep I had to walk for 2 minutes rather than 1 before I could run again, and had to do that again after #'s 4 & 5 too. On my 6th rep of running I only lasted 2 minutes, then had to walk the rest of the way out, and it took me quite awhile, a bottle of water, and orange, and a tootsie pop to feel anything more than overall crappy. The whole time I kept thinking, "hey! I'm supposed to be getting stronger with time and practice, not weaker!!" Thankfully, what I do not suffer from are any aches or pains, which surprises me as my hips were always old and crabby before I started running, but not since.

What went wrong...

Ok, in truth, as disappointed as I feel, my common sense tells me that I am not getting weaker and I am not a big wuss. In really trying to analyze what went off track today, here are my thoughts on some of the possibilities:

1. The weather - as beautiful as it was, it was a good 30+ degrees warmer than what I'm used to running in. Even though I was not overdressed, I was hotter alot faster (though it took me awhile to really start sweating, as much as I was struggling), and I was also dry alot faster - which leads me to...

2. Hydration - I didn't think of it till after but I did not drink as much water during the day today as I usually do because I had a soda at lunch. I make sure to drink before and after the run but up to this point I have never really had the need to carry water with me - today I really really needed it and it was so miserable that I will not make that mistake again. My saliva was so thick it was gagging.

3. Pre-Run Snack - I usually have a piece of fruit or a granola/energy/Special K bar shortly before the run and today I had a salad at lunch then a cup of popcorn about 1/2 hour before going out. I only ate the popcorn because someone handed it to me, but it was enough to make me forget about the granola bar, though not enough to give me energy to sustain the running.

4. Need a Rest Day - I have either run or worked out at Curves every day since Sunday. For many this probably isn't a big effort but for me this is only the 2nd week that I have made a sustained effort at routine exercise, rather than sporadic episodes. It certainly feel like I should take a rest day sooner than Sunday, as I had planned. I will probably go to Curves tomorrow as usual as I will not have an opportunity on Saturday if I take tomorrow off, but I think I will wait for Sunday to run again. I also think I will spend Sunday continuing the 4:1 running/walking as based on today, jumping to 5:1 might be a little premature. I'll reevaluate then.

To Make a Long Story Longer...

Analysis complete - I am going to work hard to not let this be a discouraging experience, but an educational one. I am not going to blame my body and just accept that some days are not going to be prizewinners. I am not going to expect more than is reasonable and then quit in disappointment. I am going to crack open a cold Bud Light!

Ending On An Up Note...

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm. ~ Collette

Setting of the goals...

I notice that alot of people are publicizing their running/race goals and I read time and again that this is a great technique for any goal - dieting, quitting smoking, etc. because you make yourself accountable to someone other than yourself and you garner added support systems. In the past, I have staunchly avoided this tactic so that when my little schemes fall apart my crap-out is a private misery rather than a public humiliation <--- "and how's that been working for you?" the Dr. Phil in my head asks.

So at the risk of being a big ol' copycat here is a tentative goal list - and yes, "tentative goal" is somewhat oxymoronic but it's only tentative in the sense that I believe there are several other 5K's in my area throughout the summer that I just haven't found the info on - what I have is info from one running club only, so it's probably better to say my preliminary goals.

June 27 Summer Sizzle 5m (?? - can I get to 5 miles in 8 weeks time - dunno, since I've never done this before - but heck, I'm gonna put it down!)
July 11 Boilermaker 5k Training Run
July 18 Millers Mills Sundae Run 5k
Aug 21 Canalway Run 5k
Sept 26 Falling Leaves Race 5k
Oct 2 Camden Copper Wire Run 5k

So there's that - is it apparent that that I'm really anxious to get out there and go? Now all I have to do is be able to run :-)

Mother Natures smiles...

Hooray, no snow!! As a matter of fact, it was pouring when I took the guinea pig to the vet but the sun was shining when I got back home so I scooted out to the trail before the weather changed its mind. It was cool (high 40's maybe) with a moderate wind but with the sun shining I warmed up in no time.

I continued with the 4 min:1 min running and walking and went about the same distance as on Sunday. Speaking of which, I had thought that the distance was about 4 miles (2 out & 2 back) but it turns out it's 1.5 out/back. So even though it feels like I'm running 10 miles *sigh* I'm actually running 3. That's ok, it's a little to early for me to get caught up in speed and distance when I'm still working on not hacking up my spleen. Ok, it's not that bad but I did feel like I worked harder, or maybe I should say I wore out sooner today, even though it was the same distance, time, and weather conditions. I didn't take that extra minute of walking 1/2 way through like I did last time and my the 6th running rep I was alot more breathless and just didn't feel like I was finishing strong. Once I stretched and began walking the rest of the way out I recovered pretty quickly though. Overall, this time out seemed too take more effort but I was still able to do it and keep my same pace so I can't be disappointed.

What I think about...

All I do is count my steps in different sequences (8's or 15's usually). I try thinking motivational thoughts or concentrating on my form, or singing a song in my head but I always come back to counting. It's not very exciting but it's kind of meditative I guess. I have been toying with getting an mp3 player but I read where some people discourage relying on music for your pace or motivation or distraction or whatever. I also am not sure I want to cover my ears as the trail I run on is wooded and often I am alone. I carry an attack cat (a small hard plastic weapon that fits over your knuckles) and I am an orange belt in karate, which is not too far advanced but enough to know a few defensive moves and hits, but if I'm not alert and aware of someone nearby those things would likely not help much. As I think more on it now I'm thinking the mp3 player is not such a good idea.

The view from here...

Ok, tomorrow is Curves and next run is on Thursday. I will stick to the 4:1 on that day and on Saturday and then try 5:1 x 6 reps next week. I am also awaiting delivery of a book called Run for Your Life: A Book for Beginning Women Runners which seemed to have positive reviews, particularly on the motivation piece.

Can't Change the Weather...

Snow is forecast for tomorrow (though temps in the 70's forecast for Thursday - that's Central New York for you). I am psyching myself up now to suck it up and packing some warm clothes in my bag.

In the beginning...

Being 36 years old and having lived a life of devout non-altheticism up to this point, I think I am as surprised as anyone that I have suddenly gotten a bug to run. My first foray into any kind of exercise at all was joining Curves about a year ago - I stuck with it for 6 months but then kind of crapped out. Since I've begun running (and at this point I use the word "running" loosely - more on that later) I decided it would be worthwhile to rejoin Curves as it is aerobic and strength training and will surely be a compliment to the running.
This past December I was walking on a treadmill and thought I would try a slow jog - to my amazement I did not tangle up my feet and get flung off, and I was able to tolerate almost a mile! I was up to 2 miles pretty quickly and was pretty excited - planning on running a 5K in February and thinking I was the wind --- until I tried to run outside! I had no idea just how much that treadmill motor helped me along because I didn't last a 1/2 mile running down my road. By the first (tiny) incline I was ready to fall over in the ditch. This was discouraging enough that I didn't run the 5K, and in fact didn't run again till recently.

Where I'm at...

Living in Central New York State, the weather is just starting to get decent (the last of my yard snow melted last weekend) and I just felt drawn to trying again. I have found some nice, groomed dirt and gravel trails that run along side the Erie Canal and have been slowly building up my time doing actual jogging.
So I will begin here, today, and take it from there. I have my eye on a few 5K's this summer and the Boilermaker 15K next summer (some people think I could do the 15K this summer if I worked at it but I do not want to screw this up). Onward....

Sunday April 25

It was pretty cool today (low 50's) and threatening rain so I didn't know if I'd be able to get out before the downpour (and forecasts of thunder & lightening) began. I layered up (a little too much it turned out - could've done without the fleece) and drove to the trail. This day begins my week of 4 minutes jogging/1 minute walking x 6 repititions. I walked briskly for about 5 minutes then did some stretches and began - I was tolerating 4 minutes running (slowly, I'll admit) and 1 minute was sufficient rest time, which I wasn't sure it would be as I have been doing about 50:50 prior to this. At the 4th rep I had to walk 2 minutes as I was pretty out of breath but that really helped because I felt much stronger for the last 2 reps. All in all, I felt like I did well with it and came away feeling invigorated, not tired. The air was cool and the breeze strong - which felt good. The rain held off for the most part - just some sprinkles here and there. The trail is not well marked for mileage but I think I went a little over 4 miles in about 50 minutes - though I am not really worried about distance at this point. I will be repeating this on Tuesday and Thursday with Curves workouts on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, then rest on Saturday. I feel good about what I did today. I have been doing so much walking vs. running that it felt like real progress today to cut back on the walking time. Also, my hips, which have always been a stiff, creaky part of my body, are not very sore at all this evening as I expected they would be *hooray!* Tuesday's supposed to be another cool, rainy day but I am totally looking forward to my next run.