I'm attempting nine miles this morning. Yikes.
Wish me luck!
2.06.2010
2.03.2010
Oops
NERD ALERT: Last night, I decided to skip my training run to go to a social media "tweet-up" in Broken Arrow. I learned more about Twitter and its applications in five minutes from a book publisher there than I have in years of reading articles and working with professors. Amazing stuff, @PublishingGuru. Thanks for your tips.
Feeling guilty about missing my run last night, I made a promise to myself to run this morning. I did it. I ran 3.8 miles. It was cold, but I feel great.
So why the title "Oops" title? I'll tell you.
I have no idea how long it took me to run because I have no idea when I left my house. I know I got home at 5:30 a.m., the time I would have sworn I set my alarm to wake up. I guess I accidentally jumped the clock forward an hour?? That's the only thing I can figure. So I got up at 4:30 to run? I'm not sure. How did I not notice?
I don't know. But I'm making lemonade of this life lemon. I am back at home ready to start to my day early.
Feeling guilty about missing my run last night, I made a promise to myself to run this morning. I did it. I ran 3.8 miles. It was cold, but I feel great.
So why the title "Oops" title? I'll tell you.
I have no idea how long it took me to run because I have no idea when I left my house. I know I got home at 5:30 a.m., the time I would have sworn I set my alarm to wake up. I guess I accidentally jumped the clock forward an hour?? That's the only thing I can figure. So I got up at 4:30 to run? I'm not sure. How did I not notice?
I don't know. But I'm making lemonade of this life lemon. I am back at home ready to start to my day early.
2.02.2010
Oh what a beautiful morning
I have good news to report.
I stepped on the scale this morning to see that I have lost three pounds since I began running. That's not much of a change, but it's enough to put me in the "healthy weight" category, based on my Body Mass Index. (If you're interested in figuring out your BMI, there are several calculators. Just Google "BMI calculator.")
This is the first time in my adult life to be in that category. I am thrilled. (I have also noticed some once-tight clothes fitting a little better.)
I made up for my lazy snowed-in weekend with a six-mile jog down Riverside last night. I ran by myself.
I had no idea what a difference running with a group makes! Six miles on my own felt like such work. I had to keep motivating myself, telling myself I was close and doing well.
I'm too proud to even consider giving up when I'm running with the group. I couldn't let them leave me behind.
So, thanks, my fellow Halfsquatches, for making this doable. See you Saturday (if not before then).
I stepped on the scale this morning to see that I have lost three pounds since I began running. That's not much of a change, but it's enough to put me in the "healthy weight" category, based on my Body Mass Index. (If you're interested in figuring out your BMI, there are several calculators. Just Google "BMI calculator.")
This is the first time in my adult life to be in that category. I am thrilled. (I have also noticed some once-tight clothes fitting a little better.)
I made up for my lazy snowed-in weekend with a six-mile jog down Riverside last night. I ran by myself.
I had no idea what a difference running with a group makes! Six miles on my own felt like such work. I had to keep motivating myself, telling myself I was close and doing well.
I'm too proud to even consider giving up when I'm running with the group. I couldn't let them leave me behind.
So, thanks, my fellow Halfsquatches, for making this doable. See you Saturday (if not before then).
2.01.2010
Confessions of a lazy half-marathoner
I didn't run on Saturday. Or Sunday.
I have 82 days left until the half marathon.
I need to get back on track.
I'm headed to Riverside after work. I pinky promise.
I have 82 days left until the half marathon.
I need to get back on track.
I'm headed to Riverside after work. I pinky promise.
Searching for the perfect running playlist
I am in the market for the perfect running playlist.
I have an iTunes giftcard left over from Christmas that I plan to use for this mission.
I get e-mail updates from SparkPeople — a cool online community for weightloss, which I definitely recommend to anyone serious about shedding pounds. Through that site, I found an article raving about using music to intensify workouts. The site suggested the following playlist:
"The Sign" by Ace of Base
"Caught Up" by Usher
"Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
"Lose My Breath" by Destiny's Child
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
"When It's Over" by Sugar Ray
Anyone have any other suggestions?
I have an iTunes giftcard left over from Christmas that I plan to use for this mission.
I get e-mail updates from SparkPeople — a cool online community for weightloss, which I definitely recommend to anyone serious about shedding pounds. Through that site, I found an article raving about using music to intensify workouts. The site suggested the following playlist:
"The Sign" by Ace of Base
"Caught Up" by Usher
"Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
"Lose My Breath" by Destiny's Child
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
"When It's Over" by Sugar Ray
Anyone have any other suggestions?
1.25.2010
Tips from friends along the way
Since starting my blog, I've gotten some great tips from other runners and fitness experts with far more experience than I have. I thought I ought to share that knowledge. That's what the Internet is for, right?
Danny Cahill, Broken Arrow's own winner of "The Biggest Loser," responded to a Facebook message from me asking for advice on marathon running. (Yes, I did feel like a celebrity when he wrote back.) He suggested I look into books about the Galloway method. I haven't checked out any books, but I did look at Jeff Galloway's Web site (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html) for some tips. His method sounds a lot like the training schedule Kathy and Brian already gave me. Don't overdo it. Walk some. Build up distance. I'm thankful I have a group to do this with. I would hate to train by myself. Thanks for the tip, Danny!
Aaron Henson, president of Fitness Together, told me I need to do some weight training to go along with my running. This will prevent injury and balance my muscles, he said.
Below is his message:
"A moderate weightlifting program helps marathoners strengthen muscles that aren’t used in running. If running is your only form of exercise, certain muscles, such as the hamstrings, will become stronger, but the quadricep muscles will not. This imbalance can set the stage for an injury.
"When you are working out with weights, try to use the same or similar amounts of weight for opposing muscle groups, such as the biceps and triceps, or the quads and hamstrings. The weights you are lifting with your hamstrings may feel easy, but that’s OK. Your hamstrings get plenty of exercise from running. If the amount of weight you need to challenge your hamstrings is a struggle for your quads, it is better to lift less weight with the hamstrings than to overtax your quads. Once you build more strength in your quads, you will fell comfortable lifting the same amount of weight with both muscle groups.
"You don’t need to spend hours in the gym for effective weight training. In half an hour, you can fit in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for a few key muscle groups:
• hamstrings/quadriceps
• adductor/abductor muscles (inner and outer hip)
• the calf muscles
• biceps/triceps
• shoulders
The weight should be heavy enough that your muscles start to feel tired during the second or third set."
I have started doing some moderate weight training in my living room. I've been using a set of workouts from "Women's Health Magazine." Thanks for letting me know how important weight training is, Aaron.
Deborah, a run group leader for a different pace group, sent me a recipe for homemade protein bars. I haven't made them yet because I'm afraid they would taste too good, and I'd eat WAY TOO many of them. (I've been eating like a pig after runs!) But here's the recipe for those with more self control than I have:
1 1/2 cup honey ( I found this to be a one pound jar )
2 cups peanut butter ( again a one pound jar )
microwave until soft ( I skip this step )
Stir in 2 cups protein powder ( I use Whole Foods store brand of whey protein powder--chocolate flavor of course ! )
3 cups of old fashioned oats
press into a 9x13 pan and refrigerate
After they are chilled, you can cut them into serving sizes. We do ours about a one-inch cube (think fudge). We keep ours in the fridge and pull one out for runs as needed. I had my youngest daughter figure out the calories in a batch that we made, and it came to 143 per cube.
Thank you for the recipe, Deborah.
I hope these tips help. Let me know if you have more. I'm always looking to learn more.
Thanks to everyone!
Danny Cahill, Broken Arrow's own winner of "The Biggest Loser," responded to a Facebook message from me asking for advice on marathon running. (Yes, I did feel like a celebrity when he wrote back.) He suggested I look into books about the Galloway method. I haven't checked out any books, but I did look at Jeff Galloway's Web site (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html) for some tips. His method sounds a lot like the training schedule Kathy and Brian already gave me. Don't overdo it. Walk some. Build up distance. I'm thankful I have a group to do this with. I would hate to train by myself. Thanks for the tip, Danny!
Aaron Henson, president of Fitness Together, told me I need to do some weight training to go along with my running. This will prevent injury and balance my muscles, he said.
Below is his message:
"A moderate weightlifting program helps marathoners strengthen muscles that aren’t used in running. If running is your only form of exercise, certain muscles, such as the hamstrings, will become stronger, but the quadricep muscles will not. This imbalance can set the stage for an injury.
"When you are working out with weights, try to use the same or similar amounts of weight for opposing muscle groups, such as the biceps and triceps, or the quads and hamstrings. The weights you are lifting with your hamstrings may feel easy, but that’s OK. Your hamstrings get plenty of exercise from running. If the amount of weight you need to challenge your hamstrings is a struggle for your quads, it is better to lift less weight with the hamstrings than to overtax your quads. Once you build more strength in your quads, you will fell comfortable lifting the same amount of weight with both muscle groups.
"You don’t need to spend hours in the gym for effective weight training. In half an hour, you can fit in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for a few key muscle groups:
• hamstrings/quadriceps
• adductor/abductor muscles (inner and outer hip)
• the calf muscles
• biceps/triceps
• shoulders
The weight should be heavy enough that your muscles start to feel tired during the second or third set."
I have started doing some moderate weight training in my living room. I've been using a set of workouts from "Women's Health Magazine." Thanks for letting me know how important weight training is, Aaron.
Deborah, a run group leader for a different pace group, sent me a recipe for homemade protein bars. I haven't made them yet because I'm afraid they would taste too good, and I'd eat WAY TOO many of them. (I've been eating like a pig after runs!) But here's the recipe for those with more self control than I have:
1 1/2 cup honey ( I found this to be a one pound jar )
2 cups peanut butter ( again a one pound jar )
microwave until soft ( I skip this step )
Stir in 2 cups protein powder ( I use Whole Foods store brand of whey protein powder--chocolate flavor of course ! )
3 cups of old fashioned oats
press into a 9x13 pan and refrigerate
After they are chilled, you can cut them into serving sizes. We do ours about a one-inch cube (think fudge). We keep ours in the fridge and pull one out for runs as needed. I had my youngest daughter figure out the calories in a batch that we made, and it came to 143 per cube.
Thank you for the recipe, Deborah.
I hope these tips help. Let me know if you have more. I'm always looking to learn more.
Thanks to everyone!
8 Mile
So, Saturday's run was eight miles. I've spent the past 48 hours trying to come up with a clever play on Eminem's movie, "8 Mile." As it turns out, I'm not that clever. A Wikipedia entry and an IMDb post later, I still don't have any clever lines for you.
I guess I'll have to go all journalist and give just the facts.
This was, by far, the least fun run I've done yet. It was raining. Really raining. Last week was a bit misty, but this was straight rain. It hit me in the face — taunting me, torturing me — for the first five miles.
Thankfully, one of my fellow Half Squatches let me borrow a poncho. (You're a goddess, Becky.) There's no way I would have made it without that bright red, BOK-logoed gift. I would have been soaked.
For the first leg of the run, I was leading my pace group, running right alongside Sue, one of our group leaders. She was going faster than I would have if I were picking the pace, but I liked the challenge of trying to keep up. That challenge was the only distraction I had from the rain.
The rain was so unpleasant, a few of our group members cut out early. I don't blame you, friends. Without that poncho, I would have made the same choice.
I tried an on-trail snack. At the water stop/five-mile mark, Sue shared a couple of sports beans with me. They were delicious. After eating them, I had a lot more energy. But that might have been because the rain died down rather than because of the sports beans. Still, Sue deserves a thank you. I'll definitely get my own beans for our next long run.
The last three miles were great. I spent some time getting to know some of my fellow group members. I talked to Archie, who's in training because he wanted a challenge. I met Chad. He was wearing a Mythbuster's T-shirt, so I instantly knew we could be friends. I met Jeff, a new member of our group. He has run a half marathon before but was looking for people to run with. And I raved about the new radio station, GenX 106.1, with Heather and the Ambers (we have two of them). They're close to my age and a lot of fun.
Our group finished the run at the same time as another group — only the other group ran 12 miles, instead of just eight. I must admit, that bruises the ego a bit. But Jason, my other group leader, assured me that it's OK. You can't train for distance and speed at the same time, he said. First, I have to build up my distance. Then I can work on my speed.
For now, I'll just try to feel accomplished with my eight miles in 93 minutes.
Next week is a relaxing six miles. Who would have thought I'd look at six miles as a short run? Half marathon training is pretty cool.
I guess I'll have to go all journalist and give just the facts.
This was, by far, the least fun run I've done yet. It was raining. Really raining. Last week was a bit misty, but this was straight rain. It hit me in the face — taunting me, torturing me — for the first five miles.
Thankfully, one of my fellow Half Squatches let me borrow a poncho. (You're a goddess, Becky.) There's no way I would have made it without that bright red, BOK-logoed gift. I would have been soaked.
For the first leg of the run, I was leading my pace group, running right alongside Sue, one of our group leaders. She was going faster than I would have if I were picking the pace, but I liked the challenge of trying to keep up. That challenge was the only distraction I had from the rain.
The rain was so unpleasant, a few of our group members cut out early. I don't blame you, friends. Without that poncho, I would have made the same choice.
I tried an on-trail snack. At the water stop/five-mile mark, Sue shared a couple of sports beans with me. They were delicious. After eating them, I had a lot more energy. But that might have been because the rain died down rather than because of the sports beans. Still, Sue deserves a thank you. I'll definitely get my own beans for our next long run.
The last three miles were great. I spent some time getting to know some of my fellow group members. I talked to Archie, who's in training because he wanted a challenge. I met Chad. He was wearing a Mythbuster's T-shirt, so I instantly knew we could be friends. I met Jeff, a new member of our group. He has run a half marathon before but was looking for people to run with. And I raved about the new radio station, GenX 106.1, with Heather and the Ambers (we have two of them). They're close to my age and a lot of fun.
Our group finished the run at the same time as another group — only the other group ran 12 miles, instead of just eight. I must admit, that bruises the ego a bit. But Jason, my other group leader, assured me that it's OK. You can't train for distance and speed at the same time, he said. First, I have to build up my distance. Then I can work on my speed.
For now, I'll just try to feel accomplished with my eight miles in 93 minutes.
Next week is a relaxing six miles. Who would have thought I'd look at six miles as a short run? Half marathon training is pretty cool.
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