Tonight I ran about 2.5 miles after a 92 day hiatus. I felt like Forest. We ran 1.8 miles in 15 min. We completed 3 miles in 25 min. It was a great run! Rachael and Bill went with us. On the way back into town they slowed way down so we slowed down, too. I felt like we were going rather slow, but J had her gps device that told how far we were going. I wasn't supposed to go hard on the run so it was probably good to have them behind me keeping me in check. It felt great to be back!
As we were headed up the first hill I could feel some pull on my ankle but it wasn't awful. On our way back into town I could feel some achiness creeping into the heel. Not convinced I'm totally healed yet. I just may keep my appt next week. We'll see. I'll run again in a couple days and see how it all goes.
The past few weeks have been absolutely gorgeous! Friday the temps started to drop. OK, they started to plummet. I knew I was going to run no matter what, even if it was snowing or raining! At least it was just chilly and not wet tonight. Frost started forming on my headband, however. Temp was about 30, wind chill in the mid 20s. It was the coldest Rachael or Bill had ever run in so they were a little surprised how chilly they were.
Also, I have had a nasty cold so wasn't sure if I'd be able to run. I lost my voice and the head cold started settling into my chest. The cool air cleared out my lungs and I felt really good when I got home. Hope this continues!
I have been running in the pool a couple times a week for the past few weeks. I try to "run" a mile and swim 1/2 mile. My arms feel it every time I swim laps. My calves and glutes are really getting a workout with that, which is good. Yesterday my butt felt achy! eeks. My legs tonight felt strong and ready to run. I think those times in the water are really paying off for me. It has been good cross-training and I'd like to keep doing it. I'd also like to learn more about efficient swimming techniques. I think I can do the breast/side stroke much faster than the crawl stroke. Somehow that doesn't seem to make much sense.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Membership
Well, I broke down and got a family membership at an indoor pool and rec facility. This way the whole family can enjoy the pool, weights, gym, and other opportunities all year. I figured even after I can start running again I probably won't be running far so this will be a good opportunity to cross train and also keep up the endurance and muscle tone.
Rachael went with me today so I had a companion. I walked for 40-45 minutes and swam for 15-20 min. I completed an hour in all. There were some other little girls in the pool, but it was mostly empty. Ironically, there were two lifeguards this time. Not sure if it was because there were younger kids there or why they had two of them. They also had two ropes across the pool so I couldn't swim the entire length of the pool. I was really hoping to get some long laps in again today. I wonder if it was the timing in it all.
While swimming today I realized a few things. I really need to count laps rather than look at the block. I push myself harder with the laps rather than the clock. No matter how many laps I put in I will still be in the water the same amount of time. Next time I will count laps. Also when I was actually doing the long laps I tried to do the breast stroke again, but became quite frustrated with not being able to do the breathing so I tried to do it with my head above water. I'm sure I looked pretty silly, but I was able to swim much farther that way. I think I'm afraid I will swallow water or something. Also it doesn't seem to be as efficient pulling my arms down through the water as it is pulling the around and to the side of my body. Seems like I gain more yardage that way.
40 min walking; 20 min laps
Rachael went with me today so I had a companion. I walked for 40-45 minutes and swam for 15-20 min. I completed an hour in all. There were some other little girls in the pool, but it was mostly empty. Ironically, there were two lifeguards this time. Not sure if it was because there were younger kids there or why they had two of them. They also had two ropes across the pool so I couldn't swim the entire length of the pool. I was really hoping to get some long laps in again today. I wonder if it was the timing in it all.
While swimming today I realized a few things. I really need to count laps rather than look at the block. I push myself harder with the laps rather than the clock. No matter how many laps I put in I will still be in the water the same amount of time. Next time I will count laps. Also when I was actually doing the long laps I tried to do the breast stroke again, but became quite frustrated with not being able to do the breathing so I tried to do it with my head above water. I'm sure I looked pretty silly, but I was able to swim much farther that way. I think I'm afraid I will swallow water or something. Also it doesn't seem to be as efficient pulling my arms down through the water as it is pulling the around and to the side of my body. Seems like I gain more yardage that way.
40 min walking; 20 min laps
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Alternative running
It has been 9 weeks, exactly, that I have run. The hills combined with a change in running form without backing off on mileage gave me a stress fracture. It has been so hard to not run, but I'm following orders to get back on the road. I was in a boot for about 4 weeks and will be not running for at least the next 3 months.
I feel like I have been gaining weight, losing muscle, and overall getting back into a depression like I was last year, before I started running. Last Sunday was the Des Moines Marathon. I felt so down all day. All I could think about was I should have been running that marathon! My biological issue has also arisen again. This was perhaps the biggest push to get me to take action.
Tonight I went to an indoor pool to try to keep myself in shape. I knew I wouldn't be able to do as many miles as I would when I was out pounding the pavement, but I was hoping to at least get in one mile. I also wasn't sure how much I would be able to take of the water running. The pool was completely empty! I was the only one there. That was good. As I entered the pool a lifeguard climbed into the chair. I knew it would be either 10 min or an hour. In the back of my mind I wanted to reach a goal of at least 30 min in the water.
I quickly realized that I couldn't actually run in the water. At best I had to do a fast walk. The resistance was much more than I was anticipating. I walked as fast as I could for about 40 min, doing 32 down and back laps. It was actually 64 - 1/2 laps so I figured 32 full laps, right? Once the water reached my chest, it was too much to move so I stayed in the shallow end. I then swam another 8 full down and back laps. I had to do a lot of resting for the swimming part. I started off doing the breast stroke, but made it only about 1/2 way down. :( I just can't do that one. So, I did about everything else during those laps. Seriously, I need some major lessons in how to do that!! I just hold my breath the whole time. I think I'm afraid I will swallow water or something. I can exhale, but inhale is out of the question. So, vardotrichic, my question for you is how far is this really? Did I get at least a mile? I can't remember our conversation.
Anyway, when I got out of the pool and left the building I felt so awesome! It was that euphoric feeling that even though it was a ton of work and I was really tired and sweaty in there, it felt great. I want to do it again! It is certainly not my first choice of exercise, but it definitely felt great to be doing something again. We'll see how jello-y my legs are the next couple of days.
Next time I think I need to just walk about X min and then swim a few laps. I was trying to figure out how far I could go in X min however. I was also very consciously stepping on my toes and pushing off with them.
40 min walk; 20 min swim
I feel like I have been gaining weight, losing muscle, and overall getting back into a depression like I was last year, before I started running. Last Sunday was the Des Moines Marathon. I felt so down all day. All I could think about was I should have been running that marathon! My biological issue has also arisen again. This was perhaps the biggest push to get me to take action.
Tonight I went to an indoor pool to try to keep myself in shape. I knew I wouldn't be able to do as many miles as I would when I was out pounding the pavement, but I was hoping to at least get in one mile. I also wasn't sure how much I would be able to take of the water running. The pool was completely empty! I was the only one there. That was good. As I entered the pool a lifeguard climbed into the chair. I knew it would be either 10 min or an hour. In the back of my mind I wanted to reach a goal of at least 30 min in the water.
I quickly realized that I couldn't actually run in the water. At best I had to do a fast walk. The resistance was much more than I was anticipating. I walked as fast as I could for about 40 min, doing 32 down and back laps. It was actually 64 - 1/2 laps so I figured 32 full laps, right? Once the water reached my chest, it was too much to move so I stayed in the shallow end. I then swam another 8 full down and back laps. I had to do a lot of resting for the swimming part. I started off doing the breast stroke, but made it only about 1/2 way down. :( I just can't do that one. So, I did about everything else during those laps. Seriously, I need some major lessons in how to do that!! I just hold my breath the whole time. I think I'm afraid I will swallow water or something. I can exhale, but inhale is out of the question. So, vardotrichic, my question for you is how far is this really? Did I get at least a mile? I can't remember our conversation.
Anyway, when I got out of the pool and left the building I felt so awesome! It was that euphoric feeling that even though it was a ton of work and I was really tired and sweaty in there, it felt great. I want to do it again! It is certainly not my first choice of exercise, but it definitely felt great to be doing something again. We'll see how jello-y my legs are the next couple of days.
Next time I think I need to just walk about X min and then swim a few laps. I was trying to figure out how far I could go in X min however. I was also very consciously stepping on my toes and pushing off with them.
40 min walk; 20 min swim
Monday, August 16, 2010
My achilles heel
J emailed and suggested doing a 4-mile run tonight. Sure! Then I only need 11 miles yet for my goal for the week. About 8:45 I called her and she was getting ready to leave. I did a little stretching and was out the door.
On my way over I could feel my left heel acting up but thought I could run through it. We took off and I knew it would be a problem. It was only 4 miles thought. I didn't even wear "good" running clothes. About mile 2.5 I knew the last half would be difficult. By the end of mile 3 J was pulling me along. We had some really good conversation and venting going on so we just kept going. The last 1/2 mile was the worst. I felt every. single. step. My left foot felt like I couldn't even lift it. I was doing a heel strike with my left foot and a toe strike with my right. I'll probably be walking in circles tomorrow. My left foot felt like an 80-yr-old and my right foot felt like a 20-yr-old. Guess that evens out to a good age!
4 mile run; .2 mile walk; RPE - 3.5
On my way over I could feel my left heel acting up but thought I could run through it. We took off and I knew it would be a problem. It was only 4 miles thought. I didn't even wear "good" running clothes. About mile 2.5 I knew the last half would be difficult. By the end of mile 3 J was pulling me along. We had some really good conversation and venting going on so we just kept going. The last 1/2 mile was the worst. I felt every. single. step. My left foot felt like I couldn't even lift it. I was doing a heel strike with my left foot and a toe strike with my right. I'll probably be walking in circles tomorrow. My left foot felt like an 80-yr-old and my right foot felt like a 20-yr-old. Guess that evens out to a good age!
4 mile run; .2 mile walk; RPE - 3.5
Saturday, August 14, 2010
heat exhaustion
OK, It was 100% humidity and 75 degrees this morning at 3:30AM! It was starting to get foggy so I didn't go out in the country running. After about 5 miles I met up wtih J and we did another 8. When we got back into town Racahel met us and we did a couple more.
It was so insanely humid that I was just drenched with sweat! About mile 7 I got a chill. I thought maybe it was a cool breeze that was out in the country, but about mile 8 I got a chill that wouldn't go away and thought I wasn't sweating anymore either. :( I finished about mile 9. I would have completed the run, but knew I'd be going to the state fair where it would hot and humid again. I just didn't want to risk getting sick so I stopped.
14 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 5
It was so insanely humid that I was just drenched with sweat! About mile 7 I got a chill. I thought maybe it was a cool breeze that was out in the country, but about mile 8 I got a chill that wouldn't go away and thought I wasn't sweating anymore either. :( I finished about mile 9. I would have completed the run, but knew I'd be going to the state fair where it would hot and humid again. I just didn't want to risk getting sick so I stopped.
14 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 5
procrastination
Ok, I really ran this run last Tuesday, but have been procrastinating getting it posted. I went out with J and she wore her Vibrams toes hoes. It was her longest run and it completed my goal for the week. During the last couple of miles we saw Jaci and ran with her. That was nice to break up the run a little.
5 mile run; .1 mile walk; RPE - 4
5 mile run; .1 mile walk; RPE - 4
Sunday, August 8, 2010
new group
Last night someone on FB said they were going running so I asked if I could join the group. They were planning to do 15 miles this morning. If I add on 8 that I would run roundtrip to Ellsworth that would be 23 miles. yikes. Not sure I'm up for that today as there are heat advisories out for today. If I don't run back to Jewell and get a ride with one of them that would only be 19 miles. That's still a big run.
They usually meet in Ellsworth and start from there. This sounds a bit silly as they are from Jewell, but ok. So, I started a 4-mile warm up run to Ellsworth and waited for them at Kum N Go where they were going to meet. Our first 4 miles was a run back to Jewell!! ugh. They were going to do the Ethanol Loop here and then back to Ellsworth and finish a few miles there. I already had 4 miles on them so I went an additional 11 and stopped when they got back to Jewell and before they went to Ellsowrth again.
I took 2 GU packs. I ate one when I got to Ellsworth the first time and the other around mile 11 because I was starting to feel drained. That helped a little. My Achilles tendon was acting up again and I could feel blisters forming. Their route included a number of hills so that didn't help. I started off still quite sore from the last run so I knew I'd be pushing myself to get in the full 19-23 miles. I was glad they decided to run around the Jewell area because I hear they usually go north out of Ellsworth and do an "out and back" run. I was really hurting around mile 10 and wanted to quit, but I kept going. I knew this would be a good run for me. With my goal of 30 miles/week this run will really help. Now I only need 3 more miles for that goal. I should easily make that as this gives me 27.
Yesterday I consciously drank a lot, too, so that I would be well hydrated. I went to bed at a reasonable time to be well rested also. When I got to Ellsworth I filled up my bottles and drank some of it while I waited. I think I had like 12 oz before starting mile 5! It was overall a good run, but it really pushed my limits today. I had to peel off my clothes because they were so incredibly wet!! I don't think I've been this wet when it wasn't raining.
I brought my watch so that I could keep a constant pace and not start too fast and darin myself before the end. It was so incredibly dark when I started that I had to use the light in the watch to see the time. Apparently I accidentally pushed the start/stop button and stopped the time. I think I ran about a mile before I realized this. I was off before I got to Ellsworth. Then I stopped it at Ellsworth again and was to start when we started running. Yeah, well, I forgot to start it again. I think I ran almost 3 more miles before I realized that. ugh.
15 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 4
They usually meet in Ellsworth and start from there. This sounds a bit silly as they are from Jewell, but ok. So, I started a 4-mile warm up run to Ellsworth and waited for them at Kum N Go where they were going to meet. Our first 4 miles was a run back to Jewell!! ugh. They were going to do the Ethanol Loop here and then back to Ellsworth and finish a few miles there. I already had 4 miles on them so I went an additional 11 and stopped when they got back to Jewell and before they went to Ellsowrth again.
I took 2 GU packs. I ate one when I got to Ellsworth the first time and the other around mile 11 because I was starting to feel drained. That helped a little. My Achilles tendon was acting up again and I could feel blisters forming. Their route included a number of hills so that didn't help. I started off still quite sore from the last run so I knew I'd be pushing myself to get in the full 19-23 miles. I was glad they decided to run around the Jewell area because I hear they usually go north out of Ellsworth and do an "out and back" run. I was really hurting around mile 10 and wanted to quit, but I kept going. I knew this would be a good run for me. With my goal of 30 miles/week this run will really help. Now I only need 3 more miles for that goal. I should easily make that as this gives me 27.
Yesterday I consciously drank a lot, too, so that I would be well hydrated. I went to bed at a reasonable time to be well rested also. When I got to Ellsworth I filled up my bottles and drank some of it while I waited. I think I had like 12 oz before starting mile 5! It was overall a good run, but it really pushed my limits today. I had to peel off my clothes because they were so incredibly wet!! I don't think I've been this wet when it wasn't raining.
I brought my watch so that I could keep a constant pace and not start too fast and darin myself before the end. It was so incredibly dark when I started that I had to use the light in the watch to see the time. Apparently I accidentally pushed the start/stop button and stopped the time. I think I ran about a mile before I realized this. I was off before I got to Ellsworth. Then I stopped it at Ellsworth again and was to start when we started running. Yeah, well, I forgot to start it again. I think I ran almost 3 more miles before I realized that. ugh.
15 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 4
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