Running Fit

Beginning training

2009-07-20T23:37:00.002-04:00

This week I'm officially starting to follow my half marathon training. 13 weeks to go.
Started the week off with a 4 mile run. It was very hot today, and I ran at 4 pm. I was feeling really tired, and at some point half way in thought I should stop because I was very thirsty. I pressed on instead and completed my run.
Not the smartest thing: running in the heat, without water, and not very hydrated to begin with. I'll be more prepared next time.

Ouch!

2009-07-08T07:32:00.003-04:00

I am SOOO sore from my bootcamp workout, followed the next day by a 5 mile run!
I haven't felt this sore in a long time!
Being that it's packing time, I'm not so sure my timing was good :)
Today, I am "resting".

Counting Down...

2009-06-29T07:42:00.002-04:00

It's official!! I registered for the DFP Half Marathon!! When registering you have to indicate what your projected finish time will be. Last year I projected 2:30, which was 12 minute mile averages. I actually finished in 2:10, which was 10 minute mile averages. This year I estimated my finish time to be 2 hours. My goal is to finish in less than that. I'm hoping that I shave a ton of time off just because of pure adrenaline!! I'm so excited.....now if I could just get some good shoes!

2009-06-22T07:08:00.002-04:00

I didn't accomplish the runs I wanted, but the rest will make me stronger for this week!

2009-06-18T08:29:00.004-04:00

Picked up my new running shoes....the guy talked me into buying a size bigger than usual, that's what runners are "supposed to do". Well I guess I'm not your typical runner, because I hate it, and I'm taking them back to exchange them. Ugghh...I just want to run in my new stinkin' shoes!!

Today begins the 4 month countdown!! I'm so excited!!

NEW Shoes!!

2009-06-16T21:10:00.001-04:00

Ordered new running shoes yesterday, from Total Runner in Southgate.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 's!! They're great, feel wonderful, light, airy, supportive...can't wait to run in them....pick them up tomorrow!

2009-06-14T21:13:00.003-04:00

Sundays are truly a day of rest for me. But this Sunday, I couldn't make it to church because of Alexa's gymnastics recital, so I decided to run 5 miles this morning. My body KNEW it was Sunday, I started out feeling pretty sluggish....but I talked myself into it, I really do love running! I'll love it even more when I get new shoes, mine are through!!

2009-06-11T22:34:00.002-04:00

I've been feeling fantastic on my runs....I'm really excited at the prospect of whooping my own butt in the half marathon this year!!

2009-06-08T08:24:00.002-04:00

Starting a new week...looking forward to a few good runs, with a couple mid-distance runs. I could really use new shoes, I think mine have seen their last miles. My training will officially start at the end of July, for now I'm working on my focus and pace.

2009-05-22T08:14:00.001-04:00

Sandy ran 2 miles outside with me yesterday!! I'm so proud of her...she insisted she couldn't do it, which makes it so great!

2009-05-20T13:05:00.003-04:00

Time for new running shoes...my feet hurt while I was running today.
I was STARVING when I got back home; I instantly ate half a cookie, a dried fig, (say what you want, they're delicious!) a huge swig of passion fruit juice, and I made a yummy PB&J with a glass of milk...mmmmm!

2009-05-14T09:07:00.002-04:00

Craving a candy bar, but don't want to blow it?? Fiber One Chocolate Mocha bars are fabulous! Take it from me, I love sweets! Savor this bar and get 9 grams of your daily fiber, only 140 calories, and 2g saturated fat. Fiber is one of the key elements to helping you stay healthy; it fills you up, and helps keep things movin' on through!

2009-05-13T11:26:00.003-04:00

There is nothing more annoying to me than wanting to work out, but my body says, "no!" I LOVE working out, but the past 5 days or so I haven't felt well. Lord please help my body to heal!

2009-05-07T18:44:00.003-04:00

I walked 30 minutes today; I have a sinus headache, mild earache, and my throat hurts. I'm also having girl issues : (

Now I realize why I run...walking takes too darn long!

2009-05-05T10:44:00.002-04:00

I ran 4 miles today and I didn't experience any pain. Not sure what that was all about the other day, but it's gone.

My favorite thing about my run today was smelling the trees that have white and pink blossoms...not sure what they are exactly, but they literally line more than half of the path that I run, and their scent permeated the air! It was beautiful!

Hurting

2009-05-01T10:40:00.003-04:00

I trained for a half marathon last year and my goal was never to walk...which I didn't in training nor did I in the race.
However, today on my run after about a mile I got this very deep pain in my back at my bra strap, having nothing to do with the strap. It was hurting with every breath I took, so at about the 2 mile mark I had to walk. I'm mentally disappointed in myself. I can push through pain, and I'd like to think I have a high pain tolerance. Apparently not today....I'm off to cut the grass.

Girls' Eyes Only

2009-04-05T22:02:00.002-04:00

Am I the only one that experiences premenstrual "heaviness"? Not weight gain, as in numbers on the scale, but just feeling heavier? I feel 10 pounds heavier, although the scale doesn't show it....yuck!! (Not that the scale indicating the latter would make me happy, no.)
I need to read back in my blog about drinking water, I guess!

Blah!

2009-04-05T19:55:00.002-04:00

I'm ignoring my inability to stick with a schedule this week, regardless of the reason, and I'm looking forward to next...

2009-04-02T22:36:00.002-04:00

So much for only one more day off from exercising this week...I did nothing of the sort today. Granny was taken by ambulance last night to the ER after a bad fall, and I was in the ER with her from 10pm until about 3am. She was sent home with "only" bruised ribs, thank God!
I was thoroughly exhausted and didn't wake up until almost 10am this morning, so that I could go back to Granny's to help her with some things.
I do not work well when I lack sleep. I felt dazed, and drowsy nearly all of the day, regardless of my hour long nap.
It's off to bed I go...I can't wait, how delightful!
Tomorrow is a new day!

2009-03-31T21:13:00.002-04:00

My little bro Kevin came over tonight for dinner, and a 3 mile run. I didn't work out this morning, anticipating our evening run. Things changed because it was quite cold and VERY windy down here.
Instead we ate dinner, and visited, which was great!
I have some catching up to do, only one more day off this week....
Tomorrow, depending on weather, I'll either head to the gym for a treadmill run (blah!) and core training, OR I'll do a 3 mile outside run, and core training at home....we'll see what tomorrow brings!

WATER

2009-03-30T13:09:00.006-04:00

Drink PLENTY of water. If you don't drink enough, your body will start to retain it....who wants that??
Not only does it help digestion, remove toxins from the body, carry nutrients to body cells, and improve joint function, it's great for giving a glow to your skin, too!!

Fitness magazine* advises you to take your body weight in pounds, and divide it by 2. This gives you the number of ounces of water you need per day. For example, if you weigh 160 lbs., your daily water intake should be atleast 80 ounces; Ten 8 oz. glasses.

I love adding crushed ice and a squeeze, or 5 ; ) of sliced lemon!

Check out the full article @
*http://www.fitness.com/articles/118/the_importance_of_water_consumption.php

2009-03-27T13:21:00.002-04:00

Decided to do a class today. A good stretch, and core workout sounded nice to me.

Pilates 60 mins.

Feeling Tired?

2009-03-27T08:20:00.001-04:00

Exercising is one of the most important things you can do in order to boost your energy level. I previously read that a consistent fitness routine is better than an anti-depressant at boosting mood! Upon starting a new fitness plan, you may feel a little bit less energetic as your body adjusts. Be consistent! Set a goal and give it about 2 weeks and you'll start to notice that if you DON'T exercise you'll feel sluggish!

Pre-training Training

2009-03-26T21:33:00.001-04:00

I'm hoping that by blogging my fitness goals, and training I can inspire someone....me!
I plan on registering for the Detroit Free Press Half-marathon again this year, October 18th.
I LOVED completing the half last year! I began training last summer and followed Hal Higdon's novice half-marathon training schedule. It consisted of 12 weeks of training, which should be preceded by a training routine that includes several 3 to 4 mile rus per week. (Although, when I started training I was only doing several 2 or 3 miles runs, rarely had I even run more than 3! So you can do it!) In short, if you can run several miles, several different days per week YOU can train for a half-marathon.
My goal last year was to finish without walking. That's it. I was very dedicated to my training, and I accomplished my goal in 2:10. It was fantastic, and I knew immediately that I had to do it again this year!
My goal this time will be different. I want to finish in less than 2 hours. I WILL do it!
So as the weather improves, I have ventured out to running outside. I missed running so much!
It's a time of focus, and relaxation all at once. It benefits me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Miles logged since Friday, March 20th:

Friday: 2 miles (outdoors)
Saturday: 1 mile (outdoors, I intended on 2, but it was a bit cold for me and Lex!)
Monday: 3 miles (treadmill)
Tuesday: 3 miles (treadmill)
Thursday: 3 miles (outdoors)

A point to note: I do not like running on a treadmill....I feel like I could fall face first into the console at any moment! Or slip to the side just enough to wipe out! The main concern is that the treadmill doesn't give the same workout to your body. I've read several suggestions that your unit must be on a 1 or 2 incline in order to mimic the same running conditions that you would have outside. My run on Friday left me a bit tight; however, running 2 days in a row on the treadmill, I wasn't sore at all. This confirmed to me that running outside IS more challenging and is preferred over a treadmill anyday!