New in my (running) life...

I've neglected to update this blog because I was starting to feel like a poser. 

Who was I to have a running blog? I could barely run a mile without gasping for breath and wanting to lie down on the side of the road. 

I've come a long way since then. In the past four months I've gone from running 1/4 mile at a time to running 4 miles for the first time (in my entire life). 

In 10 days I have a 4 mile race. 

And the best part is...I am almost ready for it. 

In the meantime, I've collected quite a few new runner goodies. Including...

Garmin Forerunner 10

StrideBox Subscription

More updates on these and other new addictions (Cliff Shots and Brooks Adrenaline 13's) to come.  

Today, despite the temp being in the low 40's and the fact that I'm currently fighting off yet another cold, I ran. They're calling for quite a bit of snow tomorrow, so I thought I should get in an outside run while I had the chance.
   

Three cold, slow-ish miles.

Always,

Tudder 

Mentioned in this post...

Garmin Forerunner 10 
StrideBox 

C25K (Week 2, Workout 1)

Instead of running on the dreadmill today, I took advantage of the beautiful day and went on a two mile run with Moby.

Even though I've run with Moby before, it is normally off-lead trail running. I ended up stopping at PetSmart first for a new leash. I ended up with one that has two padded handles. One normal handle and one about a foot away from the clasp for times when I need to keep him nearby. Despite his best efforts, he didn't end up tripping me and leaving me stranded on the trail. (In reality, he was actually extremely well behaved, reminding me why I love running with him in the first place.)

While I didn't follow the C25K workout exactly, I did base my run on time instead of distance, alternating between walking 90 seconds and running 90 seconds. When I was almost back to my car, I just decided to walk around/cool down until I hit two miles exactly.

According to my Garmin, my average speed was about 3.6 mph, but considering I was walking more than half of the time (including warm up and cool down) I'm not surprised.

Overall, I'm happy with my progress thus far. I'm confident that I'll be able to maintain my training (even if it is mostly on the dreadmill over the winter, and that I WILL run 13.1 miles in less than a year...broken foot, Moby, and all.

Twitter

C25K Treadmill

I made the somewhat insane decision that I want to run a half-marathon. Despite the fact that I've barely been running for months.

I reasoned that one of the main reasons I haven't been putting much effort into running is that I don't have a set goal. Before my first 5K, I was relatively consistent with my training, and I did much better than I originally thought I would.

So...September 6th, 2013. Me. Running 13.1 miles. And then possibly dying.
 

Last week, I decided that this week I would start the C25K Treadmill running schedule that I found here. On Tuesday, I woke up with a painfully sore neck, for no obvious reason. So, again, I procrastinated.

Then, this morning...

I put my child on the bus wearing my pajamas. This is NOT ok.

Renardo would agree...

And made the decision that it would be better to skip the first workout of the first week and stay on schedule than it would be to push it back yet another week (and perhaps another, and another).

C25K Treadmill
Week 1, Workout 2

I ran 1.76 miles in 30 minutes.

Speeds:
Warm-up: 3.3 mph
Walking: 3.3 mph
Running: 4.3 mph
Cool-down: 3.0 mph

My plan is to run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tuesday may have been a bust, but today...today I did what I set out to do.

Other tidbits from my not running life...

Always, Tudder

My week in running...and new shoes.

Wednesday: 2 miles (treadmill) 30 minutes

Sunday: 3 miles (treadmill) 36 minutes

I did not stick to my running schedule this week. Because I've been sick, I've been running when (and as long as) I can. I didn't run on Monday since I ran on Sunday, and I didn't run on Friday because I felt awful. Yesterday, I ran twice. I ran two miles in the morning because I wanted to run before I went to try on new shoes. The best part of that run was that I felt like I could have run further. I finished my run doing 1/4 mile at 5.0 mph and 1/4 mile at 5.3 mph. I normally run around 4.5 mph, because I'm trying to work on my endurance instead of my speed. 

I've been having trouble with my pinkie toe on my left foot going numb when I run. I've come to the conclusion that it probably has something to do with the treadmill, because it doesn't happen nearly as often when I'm running outside. My shoes are only a year and maybe 150 miles old, so I didn't think they were the problem. My first idea was to try Lock Laces.

I can't tell if they were helpful or not, but they certainly are convenient. I've been wanting a new pair of running shoes for a while. Mostly because if my current shoes get wet, I can't run again until they're dry. (Or I can run in soppy shoes, but that just isn't my taste.) Because I love my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11's so much, my plan was to get the 12's in pink. They didn't have pink, but I tried on a pair in blue thinking that if I liked them I could order a pair online. They weren't good. For some reason the toe box felt really tight and they just weren't nearly as comfortable. 

I tried on a couple pairs, and ended up choosing the Puma Complete Spectana 2's. They are definitely heavier than my Brooks, but they have so much more padding and support. I've only run in them once (and it was only a mile, and my legs were already tired to begin with) so I don't have a complete review. But so far, I think they're a good edition.

For reference sake...

My goal this week is to run at least 7 miles. But no promises. My plan for today is to do some "Yoga for Runners" and relax. I leave you with why I've been running on the treadmill this week.

Always,

Tudder

Running w/ Moby

Yesterday...

EXERCISE: 2.5 miles (outside) 36 minutes

There is a trail less than a quarter mile from my house that goes up the hill that I live on, and spits you out around the (rural) block. I've done the whole loop before, usually going up the steep side, down the more gradual incline (decline on the way down, I suppose) and home. It is 3.92 miles. Today, I was scheduled to run 2.5 miles. Yesterday, I woke up, and decided I wanted to run outside. It was cold. But, the treadmill is quickly becoming my nemesis, and I wanted to remember why I enjoy running in the first place. So I put on a whole bunch of clothes...

-running leggings

-running shorts

-tank top

-long sleeved running shirt

-fleece jacket

-gloves

-ear muff band thing (?)
-Garmin
-Brooks

I ran up the gradual side, to the very top, turned around, and came back. Despite everything that wasn't good, this was probably the best run I've ever had. And what made it good, was that I took my dog. 

There was nobody else on the trail, so I let Moby off lead as soon as we were far enough away from the road. He stayed close to me, never running too far ahead and never falling behind. Because he was there, I felt safe. Nobody is going to bother me when I have my dog. He is (a teeny bit) intimidating. I only had to focus on myself and my running. No music. No distractions. Just running. I also learned on this run (an age old lesson that I refused to accept until now) that it is OK to stop and walk. I only stopped twice, and only for a few seconds, but it helped me to relax and recover enough to keep going.

Let me go back to my dog for a second...I grew up terrified of dogs. A few years ago, I got a job at a pet store. I thought that maybe the exposure would help. It did, but I was still wary. So, I did what any rational dog fearing person would do. I bought a puppy.

He was about 14 lbs...smaller than the cats.

Now, he is about 90 lbs, almost two years old, and the best guard dog I could ask for. He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he will scare the words out of you if you try to come on our property. 

Today, for the first time in quite a while, my legs are sore and my dog is tired.

The Treadmill is Lame

EXERCISE: 2 miles (treadmill) 29 minutes.

I've made myself a plan for the next eight weeks. If (WHEN) I stick to it, I'll be up to running 5-ish miles a day by May. Then, I can run outside. And, most importantly, I'll have the endurance to actually run to explore. To see new trails and new neighborhoods. I really, really want to get to that point. I want to have the endurance to go out and run for an hour and a half. And as long as my foot holds up, I will get there.

I have noticed that I'm already starting to get my flexibility back. I know that runners have a tendency to not be as flexible, but I've always made it a point to work on my flexibility in addition to my strength and endurance. And on an even better note, I've already lost two of the pounds that I gained during my food obsessive stage. Less than two more pounds, and I'll be back in the 130's. Ideally I get to the 120's. My initial goal was 123 lbs, but I don't know it that's entirely realistic for me. But between 125-127 would be pretty decent as well. 

Next weeks goal: 7.5 miles

Some randomness...

Getting there...

EXERCISE: 2 miles (treadmill) 29 minutes

I ran again. Two miles. Technically, I only ran 1 1/2 miles, but I always count my warm up and cool down in my total distance. I plan to increase my distance by half a mile every week until I'm running 3 1/2 to 4 miles three times a week. Then I'll start working on speed work and hills. I wanted to run outside today. It is beautiful (and that doesn't happen in January in Pennsylvania). But, alas, my son is sick. Which means no Kindergarten. Which means no alone time. So, I ran on the treadmill while he played video games on my bed. I'll take what I can get.