A Snowy Run

I noticed the bank indicated it was 29 degrees when I got done with school today so I thought I would run outside. The streets appeared only a little snowy, and with the warm temps and no wind I thought I would try it. I did not like that! It was like running through wet sand. I didn't like not being able to get traction. I even had to drag my feet a few times to get rid of the packed snow on the bottom of my shoes.

I missed my "short" run last night because I fell asleep on the couch rather early again. I woke up around 11:00 and thought maybe I could get up in the morning and run again. Nope. I woke up around 4:00, perfect time to go for a quick run in the basement, but the next thing I knew, it was 5:00 and time to get up. Dang.

After school today I called J and asked if she wanted to do the Ethanol Loop since I have a 6 mile run tomorrow. For some reason, this run is one of my fears so I'm glad she is going with me. She will keep me going to the end. It's a 5-mi loop so I just have one more mile when I get home again. Shouldn't be too awful. We'll start at 6:30 in the morning.

3 mile run; 1/2 mile walk; RPE - 3.5

Reflections

While running tonight I was watching Lost. During the "commercials" (ie blackscreen) I saw a reflection in the screen. I did not recognize it. It was someone with very nice muscular arms, trimming waist, etc. I later looked to the side and saw my reflection in the window. Hmmm, those are nice-looking legs.

Somewhere in the middle of the run I reflected on how much I have accomplished so far. I realized that I am at a point where 3 miles is a short run and it's easy to get it over with so I see every 1/10 mile go by, making it a difficult run. Anything 4 miles and over seems to be easier because I know I have a ways to go and look to the future for what I have yet to accomplish. I envision that feeling and sights at the end of the race, my family cheering my on along the way, the feeling of accomplishment and success.

While I am really only starting the whole process, it was a reflective run tonight. I'm sure this will happen again as I get closer to a race, but it was a nice, peaceful run tonight.

4 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 3.5

Uuuuugh...I mean that was great.

Ok, positive thinking, visualization, inner voice, mental distraction, what else can I do to get through this really short run tonight? Only 3 short miles, but it was work all the way through. I could even feel my heart pounding at mile 2.5 I can do better than that! Argh. I had a 3-hr nap this afternoon, too. Darn. Tomorrow's 4 miles and a new day.

3mile run; 1 mi walk; RPE - 4

Overcoming fears

Before starting any of this training program, pre or current, I must admit I had some fears, mostly fears of failing, which led me to procrastination. When I was in high school I wanted to do triathlons. Now, my ultimate goal is a marathon. My "real" goal is a 1/2 marathon, because I fear not meeting my ultimate goal. However, if I can easily achieve my real goal, I may go for my ultimate goal. I like what I'm doing and seeing right now.

My run today was 4 miles. I went to mapmyrun.com and found a 4-mile Jewell street route. As I was running I realized within a run I also have fears that I have overcome in this short time. I feared cold-weather running. I was currently running outside in 31 degree temps with a light breeze. I feared windy days. I ran in 35 mph gusts with J. I feared hills - like no other! I adjusted my course after 3 miles (near the end of my run tonight) to run the school hill in front of my house. I feared not being able to run as far I "had" to. I ran 6 miles last week without stopping. I recently fear running distance and breaking down in my form. I had a great 6-mi indoor run with consistent form. I had a great 4-mi run tonight without breaking down quality form. I fear losing mental confidence. I have learned to create an inner voice. I fear physical pain will overtake me. I imagine myself like a snake who sheds a thin outer layer of skin. This skin is a layer of pain leaving my body. If that doesn't work, I call on the "ducks" to help me through the pain. I run more like a duck with webbed feet pushing through the water. This makes me run with my toes pushing away the ground below me. It gives my shins and muscles a little break and gives them a proverbial second wind; it's quite refreshing, it's my "duck run" for a few feet. lol. I fear not maintaining a consistent speed as I run. I ran 4 miles with about 1/2 mile walking afterward. I walked in the house at exactly the time I should have for that run. I AM a marathoner!

4 mile run; ~.5 mile walk; RPE - 3

I'm late!

Oh such guilt...Thanks vardotrichic for the encouragement. I was supposed to run 3 miles yesterday. I was struggling to keep my eyes open after supper. I decided I would finish my work and run after that. Hmm...it got to be 930, then 1000, then 1030. UGH. What's another 6 hrs? I will have a better run if I sleep and then run at 400 in the AM. I finally drug myself out of bed this morning thanks to a great hubby and ran! I may be 4 hrs late, but I got the run in. I am discovering many things about myself with this training. One of them is I like to pull nearly all-nighters Thurs PM to get things caught for the weekend so the kids have no excuses on Monday and we can get off to a "good" start. Thurs will be my challenge in all this.

3 mile run - 30 min; .25 walk - 5 min; RPE - 3.5

Wash my socks pleeeeaaaaasse

I bought 3 pair of good running socks about a month ago. I figure with 6 people in this house, washing them would be no problem. I think I need to get more. They are all dirty and I've been without for at least 2 days now. I think my blister is coming back now too. I'm blaming the socks. Oh, why don't I just wash them myself??? Uh, I'm not allowed to. I get in trouble everytime I do laundry.

OK, enough about my dirty laundry. Tonight was a 4-mile run. I was a bit dehydrated so it seems a little harder than it should have been. Overall it was good. I just keep thinking D2D and how Vardotrichic and all my family will be there cheering me on! It will be good to cross the finishline...running.

4mi run - 40 min; 1 mi walk - 20 min; RPE = 4

Let the training begin

Today officially starts the training. I did an easy 3 miles. I was hoping to innaugurate the training outside, though. The snow just won't stop falling.

Since I have transitioned to a new stage, I figured I would start posting my runs differently as well. My book suggests recording a Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) on a scale of 0 (resting) - 10 (maximal effort); with 3-5 being the ideal score for building heart muscle, increasing output, etc.

Tonight I couldn't find a matching pair of socks. So, I wore one cotton sock and one moisture-wicking running sock. I thought this would be a good test. I could tell a difference for sure, but it wasn't as big as I thought it would be.

3 miles run = 30 mins; .75 mile walk = 15 min; RPE = 2.5