I have been terribly neglectful of our training blog. I apologize to our reader for that. :)
Like Kristin, even though I haven't been diligent in posting here, I've been doing my workouts. We've pretty much done away with the idea of mandatory cross-training, but I'm also trying to lose weight, so I'm still doing workouts other than the runs to keep burning calories and include a variety of activities so I don't get bored.
I rode six miles outside on Billy's bike Saturday night. Despite the cold and wind, it was a lot of fun. I ended up riding uphill into the wind, which gave me an incredible legs workout. It worked muscles that running doesn't work, so I think I'm going to try to ride at least once a week.
It's getting pretty chilly here in Oklahoma, so I'm trying to play around with my winter gear so that I'm warm (but not hot) and that I retain freedom of movement. It's been tricky. I wore my long tech pants for the first time on yesterday's 5-miler, and they kept falling down every time I'd increase my pace. Guess I'll be going down a size!
The marathon is 55 days from today, and with each passing day of training, I am better able to visualize my and Kristin's success!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Half-Marathon: Week 4 Recap (Kristin)
So I finally, FINALLY, got to run each of the four runs this week. That means I did my long run!! Yay! I never thought I'd be cheering at the fact that I ran 5 miles, but I really needed to, and I'm genuinely happy that I did. This week should be much much better for my running schedule. I'm finally on the mend, so I shouldn't need to skip any runs or move them (unless something comes up with the kiddos). Next week will be great, too, but the two weeks after that are going to be a bit of a challenge.
As most of you know, I can only run when both of my kiddos are at school. That leaves me with a 2 hour window, which it's really less than that when you count drive time and shower and lunch. Anyway, in two weeks, both of my kids will be out of school for Christmas break. FOR TWO WEEKS! Most stay-at-home moms would love this, and I normally would, too, except that it throws a wrench into my training schedule. I haven't talked to her about this yet, but I'm hoping my grandma can watch the kids three days for me so I can run. If she can, then everything will be as smooth as peanut butter. If not, then I'm going to have to get really creative, or wake up in the wee hours of the morning and run before the hubby goes to work. I really am hoping she can watch them. (Fingers crossed!)
My times were slower this week than I wanted them to be, but I'm giving myself a break because I've been sick. I'm really just happy that I got to run all four times. Mind you, I did them all four days in a row, which probably wasn't exactly smart, but I needed to get them in, and that was the only way I could do it and not kill myself.
Here's to hoping THIS week is great and my runs are normal/spectacular! :-)
-Kristin
As most of you know, I can only run when both of my kiddos are at school. That leaves me with a 2 hour window, which it's really less than that when you count drive time and shower and lunch. Anyway, in two weeks, both of my kids will be out of school for Christmas break. FOR TWO WEEKS! Most stay-at-home moms would love this, and I normally would, too, except that it throws a wrench into my training schedule. I haven't talked to her about this yet, but I'm hoping my grandma can watch the kids three days for me so I can run. If she can, then everything will be as smooth as peanut butter. If not, then I'm going to have to get really creative, or wake up in the wee hours of the morning and run before the hubby goes to work. I really am hoping she can watch them. (Fingers crossed!)
My times were slower this week than I wanted them to be, but I'm giving myself a break because I've been sick. I'm really just happy that I got to run all four times. Mind you, I did them all four days in a row, which probably wasn't exactly smart, but I needed to get them in, and that was the only way I could do it and not kill myself.
Here's to hoping THIS week is great and my runs are normal/spectacular! :-)
-Kristin
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Half-Marathon Training: Kristin --CATCHING UP
Instead of trying to keep this up daily, like I did the last go 'round, I think I'll just update this at the end of every week. But for this post, I'd like to catch you up on what's been going on with me.
I've been sick...a lot. And it's put a damper on my running/training schedule. I've gotten most of my runs in, but not on the days they're supposed to be on, and I've not been able to do a long run yet. Luckily I trained so intensively for the 15K that I'm going to be fine, but I really can't afford to get sick like this anymore.
My running time has improved with each run, which is nice. I just hope that I stay healthy enough to get in my long run on Sunday. As it stands this week, I haven't done either of my two runs yet. However, I do have Friday and Saturday available to make those up, which is what I intend to do. I know that having an ear infection and bronchitis is probably slowing me down, and it's probably not the smartest thing in the world to keep running. BUT, I don't have time to stop. I can't afford to take any more time off. If I'm going to run this half-marathon, I have to push through this sickness. I'm taking antibiotics, so I figure I'll be fine. And I'm not going to kill myself. Obviously, if it gets worse, I'll take it easy. But I have to at least try.
So there's where I am. My weekly updates will probably not have any times or statistics in them. They'll be like conversations. I think I'll be more apt to keep up with it if it doesn't seem like a job to me. I don't have any time for that, honestly. And I don't have the energy.
There you have it.
-Kristin
I've been sick...a lot. And it's put a damper on my running/training schedule. I've gotten most of my runs in, but not on the days they're supposed to be on, and I've not been able to do a long run yet. Luckily I trained so intensively for the 15K that I'm going to be fine, but I really can't afford to get sick like this anymore.
My running time has improved with each run, which is nice. I just hope that I stay healthy enough to get in my long run on Sunday. As it stands this week, I haven't done either of my two runs yet. However, I do have Friday and Saturday available to make those up, which is what I intend to do. I know that having an ear infection and bronchitis is probably slowing me down, and it's probably not the smartest thing in the world to keep running. BUT, I don't have time to stop. I can't afford to take any more time off. If I'm going to run this half-marathon, I have to push through this sickness. I'm taking antibiotics, so I figure I'll be fine. And I'm not going to kill myself. Obviously, if it gets worse, I'll take it easy. But I have to at least try.
So there's where I am. My weekly updates will probably not have any times or statistics in them. They'll be like conversations. I think I'll be more apt to keep up with it if it doesn't seem like a job to me. I don't have any time for that, honestly. And I don't have the energy.
There you have it.
-Kristin
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Half Marathon: Kristin (Week 2 - Part 1)
I need to finish up last week's training schedule documentation. Last week was a terrible week for me in so many ways. However, I was able to do my 3 miles on Thursday as scheduled. We also had strength training to do on that day. Here's what I did
Thursday (Week 1):
50 calf raises
50 2-legged bridges
25 squats
10 planks
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 30 minutes
Now, for the rest of the week, let's just say it was horrendous. I went to dinner with my husband on Saturday night and got food poisoning. That meant that I was not able to do my 4 mile run on Sunday. I also wasn't able to do the extra cross-training (which I'm substituting with strength training) because of that. I was really busy on Saturday during the day, so I planned on doing it on Sunday. Yeah, that didn't happen. And you know what? I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I was sick, for goodness sakes. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I just decided to not worry about it, and take Week 2 as it came.
So, on to Week 2. On Monday, I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I decided to move my stretching and strengthening to Tuesday. I'm glad I did, because I didn't want to push myself too hard, just to be set back again.
I also had a 3 mile run to do on Tuesday. Before the run, I forgot to put on my knee brace. I knew something felt weird about a quarter mile in, and then it hit me that I didn't have my brace on. I felt it, too, after the run was over with. I will not make that mistake again.
Tuesday:
Stretching and strengthening first:
100 oblique crunches
100 calf raises
100 2-legged bridges
50 squats
5 planks
10 minutes stretching
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 30 minutes
Today's schedule has us doing a 2 mile run or cross-training. I'm going to do the run. I'll post all the details from that at a later date. I just wanted to catch you up on what's been going on with me.
-Kristin
Thursday (Week 1):
50 calf raises
50 2-legged bridges
25 squats
10 planks
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 30 minutes
Now, for the rest of the week, let's just say it was horrendous. I went to dinner with my husband on Saturday night and got food poisoning. That meant that I was not able to do my 4 mile run on Sunday. I also wasn't able to do the extra cross-training (which I'm substituting with strength training) because of that. I was really busy on Saturday during the day, so I planned on doing it on Sunday. Yeah, that didn't happen. And you know what? I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I was sick, for goodness sakes. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I just decided to not worry about it, and take Week 2 as it came.
So, on to Week 2. On Monday, I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I decided to move my stretching and strengthening to Tuesday. I'm glad I did, because I didn't want to push myself too hard, just to be set back again.
I also had a 3 mile run to do on Tuesday. Before the run, I forgot to put on my knee brace. I knew something felt weird about a quarter mile in, and then it hit me that I didn't have my brace on. I felt it, too, after the run was over with. I will not make that mistake again.
Tuesday:
Stretching and strengthening first:
100 oblique crunches
100 calf raises
100 2-legged bridges
50 squats
5 planks
10 minutes stretching
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 30 minutes
Today's schedule has us doing a 2 mile run or cross-training. I'm going to do the run. I'll post all the details from that at a later date. I just wanted to catch you up on what's been going on with me.
-Kristin
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Week 1: Wednesday
Yesterday we had the choice to do a 2-mile run or some cross-training. I didn't want to exercise until Billy had left for class, and by that time it was almost dark out (stupid daylight savings!). So, I did a few exercises on the Wii Active.
Nothing fancy.
20 minutes
85 calories burned
Nothing fancy.
20 minutes
85 calories burned
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Kristin: Half-Marathon
I may not always be able to update this on a daily basis like I was able to the last go 'round. School has gotten me quite flustered as of late, and I'm busier with the kids than I have been in awhile. I will do my best, though, to get these on here at least two or three times a week. If I haven't posted, it doesn't mean that I'm not doing the work-outs. I promise.
This is the first official week of half-marathon training. I have been looking forward to this since running the Tulsa Run because I want to know that the end is in sight. I had to take a week off, however, because of a foot injury. That week we had between training could not have come at a better time. I was able to rest, take some steroids and ibuprofen, and really rehab that foot. So, yesterday when I went out for my first official run, I was a little apprehensive with the foot. It was fine, though. I'll get to that later.
Monday:
This is a strength and stretch day. For this, I would do what I normally do. I amped it up a little, though, this week.
I stretched for 5 minuets.
Then, I did 100 of each of these:
oblique crunches
squats
calf raises
2-legged bridges
I also threw in 10 planks. These were very difficult. You have to hold the position for ten seconds. It's supposed to strengthen your core, which I need help with tremendously. I'm going to do this every time we have a strengthening day, as well as to take the place of the one cross-training day (Saturday) we have a week. Our training schedule this time around allows for us to add an extra "light" running day in a week. I'm going to take full advantage of that. I promise to take it easy, though.
Tuesday:
This was supposed to be a 3 mile running day on the schedule. I woke up super early because I had gone to bed really early the night before. I was having a really stressful day, and I needed sleep. Stress does that to me. I love my hubby for allowing me to go to bed while he took care of things around here. He's an angel, really! Back to the run, though. I wanted to get up before my hubby had to go to work. He leaves at 6:30 am, so I got up at 5:30 am. I figured, it's only 3 miles, so I'll be back in plenty of time that he won't have to worry about being late. Everything was going great, until a dog caught sight of me from his back yard and decided he wasn't pleased. He busted his head through his stockade fence and it really freaked me out. I called Ryan to come get me because I was afraid that on my turnaround the dog would bust all the way through the fence and come after me. I'm sure that wouldn't have happened, but I didn't want to take any chances. Needless to say, I only got through 1.6 miles of the 3 mile run. So, since Wednesday's schedule calls for a 2 mile run, I decided to call it a day and use this for Wednesday's run. It doesn't equal 2 miles, but it was also my first day running since the Tulsa Run, and I wanted to baby that foot a little more. Glad I did!
Run totals:
Total distance = 1.6 miles: all running
Total time = 16 minutes: I had a great pace going! Stupid dog!!
Wednesday:
As I said above, I switched Tuesday and Wednesday. Today's run, however, was brutal. It was not a fun run. I haven't been feeling 100% the past two days. My stomach has been really achy and I think it could be the steroids I was taking for my foot. The pharmacist and the doc both said that could happen. Whatever the case, my run was rough. My legs felt like jell-o and my stomach hurt really bad. At some points, it felt like my heart was going to explode. I chose to slow way down when it felt like that, so as to not overdo it. Because of that, I have a much slower time. I really don't care at this point. I'm just glad the run is over. I've taken my last steroid pill, so hopefully I'll start feeling like myself again. Who knows? Anyway, here's the details for today's run:
Run totals:
Total distance = 3.1 miles: 2.9 running, 0.2 walking
Total time = 35 minutes
-Kristin
This is the first official week of half-marathon training. I have been looking forward to this since running the Tulsa Run because I want to know that the end is in sight. I had to take a week off, however, because of a foot injury. That week we had between training could not have come at a better time. I was able to rest, take some steroids and ibuprofen, and really rehab that foot. So, yesterday when I went out for my first official run, I was a little apprehensive with the foot. It was fine, though. I'll get to that later.
Monday:
This is a strength and stretch day. For this, I would do what I normally do. I amped it up a little, though, this week.
I stretched for 5 minuets.
Then, I did 100 of each of these:
oblique crunches
squats
calf raises
2-legged bridges
I also threw in 10 planks. These were very difficult. You have to hold the position for ten seconds. It's supposed to strengthen your core, which I need help with tremendously. I'm going to do this every time we have a strengthening day, as well as to take the place of the one cross-training day (Saturday) we have a week. Our training schedule this time around allows for us to add an extra "light" running day in a week. I'm going to take full advantage of that. I promise to take it easy, though.
Tuesday:
This was supposed to be a 3 mile running day on the schedule. I woke up super early because I had gone to bed really early the night before. I was having a really stressful day, and I needed sleep. Stress does that to me. I love my hubby for allowing me to go to bed while he took care of things around here. He's an angel, really! Back to the run, though. I wanted to get up before my hubby had to go to work. He leaves at 6:30 am, so I got up at 5:30 am. I figured, it's only 3 miles, so I'll be back in plenty of time that he won't have to worry about being late. Everything was going great, until a dog caught sight of me from his back yard and decided he wasn't pleased. He busted his head through his stockade fence and it really freaked me out. I called Ryan to come get me because I was afraid that on my turnaround the dog would bust all the way through the fence and come after me. I'm sure that wouldn't have happened, but I didn't want to take any chances. Needless to say, I only got through 1.6 miles of the 3 mile run. So, since Wednesday's schedule calls for a 2 mile run, I decided to call it a day and use this for Wednesday's run. It doesn't equal 2 miles, but it was also my first day running since the Tulsa Run, and I wanted to baby that foot a little more. Glad I did!
Run totals:
Total distance = 1.6 miles: all running
Total time = 16 minutes: I had a great pace going! Stupid dog!!
Wednesday:
As I said above, I switched Tuesday and Wednesday. Today's run, however, was brutal. It was not a fun run. I haven't been feeling 100% the past two days. My stomach has been really achy and I think it could be the steroids I was taking for my foot. The pharmacist and the doc both said that could happen. Whatever the case, my run was rough. My legs felt like jell-o and my stomach hurt really bad. At some points, it felt like my heart was going to explode. I chose to slow way down when it felt like that, so as to not overdo it. Because of that, I have a much slower time. I really don't care at this point. I'm just glad the run is over. I've taken my last steroid pill, so hopefully I'll start feeling like myself again. Who knows? Anyway, here's the details for today's run:
Run totals:
Total distance = 3.1 miles: 2.9 running, 0.2 walking
Total time = 35 minutes
-Kristin
Week 1, Tuesday: Joyful
On the schedule: 3 mile run
Billy has been trying to find a way to work out with me without having to run (for now). We came up with the idea of him riding a bike alongside me while I run. We tried it out last night, and it was awesome!
I loved having him by my side the whole time. Even though I couldn't really hold a long conversation with him because of my breathing, it was great to be able to spend that time together. Because he was obviously going faster than me, I tried to push my speed a little more to keep up.
This was my first run in over a week, so I had to take more walk breaks than I would have liked, but I felt strong the whole time. I also managed to beat my best time on the route by three minutes! It'd be great to consistently get under a 15-minute mile.
3 mile run, golf course loop, 2x
346 calories
Billy has been trying to find a way to work out with me without having to run (for now). We came up with the idea of him riding a bike alongside me while I run. We tried it out last night, and it was awesome!
I loved having him by my side the whole time. Even though I couldn't really hold a long conversation with him because of my breathing, it was great to be able to spend that time together. Because he was obviously going faster than me, I tried to push my speed a little more to keep up.
This was my first run in over a week, so I had to take more walk breaks than I would have liked, but I felt strong the whole time. I also managed to beat my best time on the route by three minutes! It'd be great to consistently get under a 15-minute mile.
3 mile run, golf course loop, 2x
346 calories
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Week 1, Monday: Joyful
BRAND NEW TRAINING SCHEDULE!
First up on the all-new training schedule for the Half Marathon was a Stretching & Strength Training day.
I chose to do a circuit training workout on the Wii Active. It's a much more intense workout than with the Wii Fit. I did some new exercises - like calf raises while in a squat. Ouch.
By the time I was finished, my legs, back and shoulders were definitely jello.
Some of what I did:
squats
calf raises
tricep extensions
back rows
lateral shoulder raises
bicep curls
47 minutes
274 calories
First up on the all-new training schedule for the Half Marathon was a Stretching & Strength Training day.
I chose to do a circuit training workout on the Wii Active. It's a much more intense workout than with the Wii Fit. I did some new exercises - like calf raises while in a squat. Ouch.
By the time I was finished, my legs, back and shoulders were definitely jello.
Some of what I did:
squats
calf raises
tricep extensions
back rows
lateral shoulder raises
bicep curls
47 minutes
274 calories
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A New Start! - Twelve Weeks to go!
As Kristin posted a few days ago, she and I took this past week of from training in order to rest, recuperate, and gear up for a brand new training schedule. Tomorrow starts our official training for the half marathon in January.
Unlike the training for the Tulsa Run (9.3 miles/15k), this schedule has us running 4 times each week instead of three, plus strength training, stretching, and cross-training. Kristin and I discussed this recently, and we decided to make the cross-training optional. Training for a marathon is very time-consuming, and the other workouts are vital to our success. So we've decided that if any part of this schedule must suffer because of time constraints, it will be the cross-training.
Now, then. Everything I've read about long-distance running has said that a strong core is key to prevent lower back pain in the final miles of a long run. I have definitely found this to be true! However, during the Tulsa Run last week, my shoulders were also particularly sore - more so than my back. As such, I'm going to focus my strength training on my core, shoulders, and legs. I'll still do some arm work to stay "even," but my focus is definitely be for getting strong enough to carry myself for 13.1 miles in January.
I have all the tools right here at home to complete my training, so tomorrow I start this new schedule feeling refreshed, excited, and ready to take on 13.1 miles!!
Here's a taste of the schedule, this is for Week 1. Over the next 12 weeks the times and distances will increase:
Monday - Stretch & Strengthen
Tuesday - 3 mi. run
Wednesday - cross-train or 2 mi run
Thursday - 3 mi. run
Friday - Rest day
Saturday - 30 minutes cross-train
Sunday - 4 mi. run (Long Run Day)
**SIDENOTE: It's weird that even though I've been looking forward to having this past week off from training, there have been several times where I've wanted to get outside and run, bike, etc. Knowing that I've got 12 weeks ahead of me where I'll be working out six days a week kept me from acting on that inclination. I know that by January, I'll feel ready for a training break again, so I made myself take time off regardless this week. Summary: I've become one of "those" people who crave exercise! Who knew?!
Unlike the training for the Tulsa Run (9.3 miles/15k), this schedule has us running 4 times each week instead of three, plus strength training, stretching, and cross-training. Kristin and I discussed this recently, and we decided to make the cross-training optional. Training for a marathon is very time-consuming, and the other workouts are vital to our success. So we've decided that if any part of this schedule must suffer because of time constraints, it will be the cross-training.
Now, then. Everything I've read about long-distance running has said that a strong core is key to prevent lower back pain in the final miles of a long run. I have definitely found this to be true! However, during the Tulsa Run last week, my shoulders were also particularly sore - more so than my back. As such, I'm going to focus my strength training on my core, shoulders, and legs. I'll still do some arm work to stay "even," but my focus is definitely be for getting strong enough to carry myself for 13.1 miles in January.
I have all the tools right here at home to complete my training, so tomorrow I start this new schedule feeling refreshed, excited, and ready to take on 13.1 miles!!
Here's a taste of the schedule, this is for Week 1. Over the next 12 weeks the times and distances will increase:
Monday - Stretch & Strengthen
Tuesday - 3 mi. run
Wednesday - cross-train or 2 mi run
Thursday - 3 mi. run
Friday - Rest day
Saturday - 30 minutes cross-train
Sunday - 4 mi. run (Long Run Day)
**SIDENOTE: It's weird that even though I've been looking forward to having this past week off from training, there have been several times where I've wanted to get outside and run, bike, etc. Knowing that I've got 12 weeks ahead of me where I'll be working out six days a week kept me from acting on that inclination. I know that by January, I'll feel ready for a training break again, so I made myself take time off regardless this week. Summary: I've become one of "those" people who crave exercise! Who knew?!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Taking a Week Off
This week is kind of an in-between week for us. We have 13 weeks until the half-marathon, and our training schedule is 12 weeks long. So, we decided to take a week off. It couldn't have come at a better time for both of us, too. Joy has been really sick this week, possibly with some virus or infection or something. And I hurt my foot after the Tulsa Run. It's still sore, and I'm kind of worried about a possible stress fracture. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it's better by next Monday, that way I can start running on it again. I had planned to run once or twice this week, just 2 or 3 miles. That's not going to happen now. If I have a stress fracture in my foot, that means I'm not going to be able to do the half-marathon. I am praying very hard right now that it's not. It's slowly getting better. It doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did on Sunday, so that's good...right? Please keep both Joy and me in your prayers for the next few days. We both need them right now!
-Kristin
-Kristin
Monday, November 1, 2010
Catching up and the TULSA RUN!
The big workouts - the long runs. I did the 7 miler with Kristin two weeks ago and the 8 miler last week by myself at Hunter Park. The latter was tremendously successful. I continue to improve my pace with each and every run.
When I decided to start running this past January, I wrote down specific goals to keep me working throughout the year and I put them on the fridge so I'd see them every time I opened it. The first goal was to complete a 5k - and I've completed three of those now. The second goal was to complete the Tulsa Run. Saturday I got to mark that one off my list as well.
I ran almost all of the entire 9.3 miles through hilly downtown Tulsa. It was a beautiful day despite a chilly start. I was at the end of the pack, but I still managed to increase my speed by one minute per mile! I was shocked to find this out! This was the longest run I've ever done, and with the hills, I would have been pleased to have just matched my previous best pace.
Unfortunately, almost immediately after I crossed the finish line, I started having horrible stomach pains & nausea. Come to find out, I had a stomach bug that was holding itself off during the race because my body had to devote its energy to the running until I stopped. So, I spent the rest of the weekend sick as a dog! There were many times that I said I was never going to run again, because I thought it was the run that had made me sick. I am feeling a lot better today, and I can tell you that I am NOT going to stop running.
I've been able to mark the items off my 2010 list, and next week Kristin and I officially begin the training program for the Half Marathon in Miami. We'll be running 13.1 miles at sunrise on January 30, 2011!
Week 12, Day 6: Kristin
This post is about the amazing TULSA RUN!! This was on Saturday, and I've been ultra busy since then, so I haven't had time to post this until right now. Halloween was yesterday, so I was super busy taking my kids all around town, all day!!
Here's the good stuff. I woke up in a not so great mood Saturday, mostly because I had a horrible nightmare about the race. I tossed and turned all night, so I was extremely tired that morning. That dream was so stupid, but it scared me because everything that happened in it was possible. I went the wrong way. Something went wrong with my timing chip. I twisted my ankle. All possibilities for an actual race, and I knew if it could happen to anyone, it would be me. Luckily that stuff didn't happen, though.
I started off the race at a good pace. My friend, Monique, has a faster pace than I do, so I told myself that I would always keep her in my sight. This would give me something to strive for. As long as I could see Monique, I knew I was doing well. There was a point, though, where it became clear to me that I might be able to catch up to her and run with her for a little bit. So I did! And we ran together for about 5K of the total 15K. Running with her pushed me harder than I thought was possible for me. I am so glad I did, though, because it paid off in the end.
I don't normally run with music anymore because I run alone and I need to be aware of my surroundings. However, on race day, I don't tend to worry about that so much. So I wore my iPod. I used a new running band, and it rubbed my arm raw, to the point of bleeding and now it hurts pretty badly. I'm dealing with it. One great thing happened during the race, though, that involved my iPod. I was listening to the ever-so-fascinating shuffle my iPod was giving me, and the song "Linus and Lucy" came on. I have it on there to lighten the mood up a bit when I'm running. It gives a light-hearted feel to races. Well, when this song came on, I was at a spot in the race where I was at the top of one hill and could see the mass of runners before me as they were cresting another hill. Everyone was bobbing up and down, seemingly to the tune of the music, and I literally laughed out loud. It was AWESOME! I couldn't stop laughing. It was like I was in on this joke that no one else got. The joke was that this was a movie and the soundtrack to the race was "Linus and Lucy" but no one was watching this movie but me. I loved it!
I tried Gu for the first time on this run. It was not my favorite thing in the world. And I gagged while taking it. I don't quite have the hang of it yet, but hopefully I'll get it down before the half-marathon. :-\
So, all of this is to say that my Tulsa Run was an amazing experience! The highlight being that my husband got to see me finish. He works all the time, and usually has to work on Saturdays when most of the races are. So he never gets to see me race. This time, he had told me months ago that if I did the Tulsa Run, he would do whatever it took to see me finish. And he lived up to that deal. He took a long lunch (at 10:30 in the morning, mind you) just to come see me cross that finish line. It was one of the best days of my life, definitely my best race day ever. I cried when I hugged him, and I know he got emotional, too. I just can't even tell you how awesome it was to see him there cheering me on!
Here are my stats:
Total distance = 9.3 miles: ALL RUNNING!!!!
Total time = 1:39:43 (my chip time), which made my pace 10:42 min/mile
-Kristin
Here's the good stuff. I woke up in a not so great mood Saturday, mostly because I had a horrible nightmare about the race. I tossed and turned all night, so I was extremely tired that morning. That dream was so stupid, but it scared me because everything that happened in it was possible. I went the wrong way. Something went wrong with my timing chip. I twisted my ankle. All possibilities for an actual race, and I knew if it could happen to anyone, it would be me. Luckily that stuff didn't happen, though.
I started off the race at a good pace. My friend, Monique, has a faster pace than I do, so I told myself that I would always keep her in my sight. This would give me something to strive for. As long as I could see Monique, I knew I was doing well. There was a point, though, where it became clear to me that I might be able to catch up to her and run with her for a little bit. So I did! And we ran together for about 5K of the total 15K. Running with her pushed me harder than I thought was possible for me. I am so glad I did, though, because it paid off in the end.
I don't normally run with music anymore because I run alone and I need to be aware of my surroundings. However, on race day, I don't tend to worry about that so much. So I wore my iPod. I used a new running band, and it rubbed my arm raw, to the point of bleeding and now it hurts pretty badly. I'm dealing with it. One great thing happened during the race, though, that involved my iPod. I was listening to the ever-so-fascinating shuffle my iPod was giving me, and the song "Linus and Lucy" came on. I have it on there to lighten the mood up a bit when I'm running. It gives a light-hearted feel to races. Well, when this song came on, I was at a spot in the race where I was at the top of one hill and could see the mass of runners before me as they were cresting another hill. Everyone was bobbing up and down, seemingly to the tune of the music, and I literally laughed out loud. It was AWESOME! I couldn't stop laughing. It was like I was in on this joke that no one else got. The joke was that this was a movie and the soundtrack to the race was "Linus and Lucy" but no one was watching this movie but me. I loved it!
I tried Gu for the first time on this run. It was not my favorite thing in the world. And I gagged while taking it. I don't quite have the hang of it yet, but hopefully I'll get it down before the half-marathon. :-\
So, all of this is to say that my Tulsa Run was an amazing experience! The highlight being that my husband got to see me finish. He works all the time, and usually has to work on Saturdays when most of the races are. So he never gets to see me race. This time, he had told me months ago that if I did the Tulsa Run, he would do whatever it took to see me finish. And he lived up to that deal. He took a long lunch (at 10:30 in the morning, mind you) just to come see me cross that finish line. It was one of the best days of my life, definitely my best race day ever. I cried when I hugged him, and I know he got emotional, too. I just can't even tell you how awesome it was to see him there cheering me on!
Here are my stats:
Total distance = 9.3 miles: ALL RUNNING!!!!
Total time = 1:39:43 (my chip time), which made my pace 10:42 min/mile
-Kristin
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Week 12, Days 1-3: Kristin
Well, this Saturday is the Tulsa Run 15K! I'm super excited!! This is the first "big" test in our training for the half-marathon. If we can get through this, we only have to run 4 more miles for the half, so we know we can do it.
Here's what I've done so far this week:
Day 1
This is a stretching and strengthening day. I did a lot more stretching than I'm used to because my thighs are so sore from last Saturday's 8-miler. I did more calf raises and crunches than normal, but I kept it sort of light in the other areas because my muscles were still very sore.
Totals:
10 minutes stretching
100 calf raises
50 squats
100 oblique crunches
Day 2
This was a 3 mile run day. I figured "easy-peasy," right? Wrong. See, I had gotten sick, again, so my lung strength wasn't where it should have been. It wasn't a fun run, I'll just say that. I had a nasty taste in my mouth that was a cross between blood and metallic. And you know that sensation you get in your nose when you feel like you need to sneeze, but you can't? It kinda burns? Yeah, I had that too. And then when I got home, it took me a long time to catch my breath, and I was wheezing for most of the day. I'm hoping this goes away by Saturday, otherwise it'll be a loooooooong day.
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 32 minutes
Day 3
Today's schedule calls for 30 minutes of cross-training. Well, I'm choosing to ignore that nice little suggestion, and run 2 miles. I feel like I need to get in as much running this week as possible, so what could it hurt? Famous last words? Possibly. This run felt much like yesterday's run. Same taste in my mouth, same burning feeling in my nose, same wheezing effect/difficulty catching my breath issues as yesterday. I'm starting to get really sick of this. Get it, sick? *rolling eyes*
Run totals:
Total distance = 2 miles: all running
Total time = 19 minutes (personal best)
-Kristin
Wish Joy and me luck for our race on Saturday. I have a feeling I'm gonna need it. :-|
Here's what I've done so far this week:
Day 1
This is a stretching and strengthening day. I did a lot more stretching than I'm used to because my thighs are so sore from last Saturday's 8-miler. I did more calf raises and crunches than normal, but I kept it sort of light in the other areas because my muscles were still very sore.
Totals:
10 minutes stretching
100 calf raises
50 squats
100 oblique crunches
Day 2
This was a 3 mile run day. I figured "easy-peasy," right? Wrong. See, I had gotten sick, again, so my lung strength wasn't where it should have been. It wasn't a fun run, I'll just say that. I had a nasty taste in my mouth that was a cross between blood and metallic. And you know that sensation you get in your nose when you feel like you need to sneeze, but you can't? It kinda burns? Yeah, I had that too. And then when I got home, it took me a long time to catch my breath, and I was wheezing for most of the day. I'm hoping this goes away by Saturday, otherwise it'll be a loooooooong day.
Run totals:
Total distance = 3 miles: all running
Total time = 32 minutes
Day 3
Today's schedule calls for 30 minutes of cross-training. Well, I'm choosing to ignore that nice little suggestion, and run 2 miles. I feel like I need to get in as much running this week as possible, so what could it hurt? Famous last words? Possibly. This run felt much like yesterday's run. Same taste in my mouth, same burning feeling in my nose, same wheezing effect/difficulty catching my breath issues as yesterday. I'm starting to get really sick of this. Get it, sick? *rolling eyes*
Run totals:
Total distance = 2 miles: all running
Total time = 19 minutes (personal best)
-Kristin
Wish Joy and me luck for our race on Saturday. I have a feeling I'm gonna need it. :-|
Monday, October 25, 2010
Week 11, Days 3-7: Kristin
Let's catch up. Last week was so chaotic that I literally did not have the time or energy to post anything on the blog. For that, I apologize. Some amazing things happened on my runs, though, that I am excited to share. Let's break it down by day.
Day 3
This is supposed to be a cross-training day. Well, it got pushed back to Friday, again, but mostly because I had some things go on with my daughter at her school. She is being bullied by some snot-nosed little boy, and I needed to put my "mom hat" on and take care of it with her teacher. The issue has been addressed, but it put a kink in my training schedule. I don't mind because my most important job is to be a good mother to my kids. And on Wednesday, that's what I did.
Day 4
This was another different day. We were scheduled for a 3 mile run plus strength training. I wasn't quite sure how it was all going to work out this day because my kids were on Fall Break and we had a funeral to attend Thursday afternoon. However, I was lucky enough to be able to count on my Grandpa to watch the kids. We then went to the funeral together, so it all worked out. It was the first time I'd run in Sperry where I was not running on the trail. I was nervous about it because Sperry is a small town with little to no sidewalks. For the most part, the only sidewalks or shoulder areas are just through the "downtown" part of town. That was just a short part of my run. I just ran in the road and the people driving were kind enough to avoid me. However, I will never understand how the people of my hometown refuse to chain their dogs or put them in their back yards. It blows my mind. I was chased by two dogs that were very aggressive-looking. I slowed down a bit, even to a walk as to avoid any unnecessary conflict with the dogs, but was still followed and growled at. It was very scary. So, I'm making this plea to the town of Sperry: "Please chain your dogs if you're going to leave them in the front yard, or put them in your fenced back yard. It would save you a lot of heartache, and possibly some money if you were to ever be sued by someone who was bitten by your vicious-looking dogs. Thanks!"
Run totals:
Total distance = 3.2 miles: 3 miles running, 0.2 miles walking
Total time = 31 minutes
Cross training:
50 squats
50 oblique crunches
50 calf raises
50 two-legged bridges
Day 5
This was the designated "rest" day on the schedule. Since I had so much going on in my world on Wednesday, I decided to do my cross training this day. I've said this before, I have to get creative sometimes when it comes to these cross training days. I may be a stay-at-home mom, but I am a very busy stay-at-home mom. And when my kids are home on Fall Break, it throws a wrench into EVERYTHING that I need to get done. Most of the things I have to do are put on hold when the kids are here. They're only 5 and 7, so it's not like I can leave them at home while I go run for 45 minutes or something. So here's what I decided to do for my cross training. You may disagree with whether it's a workout, but it totally was. And I'm counting it for Sunday's cross training as well. For this one, it was supposed to be 45 minutes and Sunday's is supposed to be 60 minutes. I'm more than covered in the time allotted.
My daughter's room needed a complete overhaul. She had way too many toys and just stuff that she was unable to keep it clean and it was really disgusting in there. So, I shut myself up in there until I was finished while the kids watched TV and played in my bedroom. It took me 2 and a half hours to get it done, but it's completed. I was constantly moving and lifting things. I moved furniture around, hauled out two giant trash bags full of toys as well as two giant bins that were also full of toys. In the process, I believe I pulled a muscle in my stomach. I was quite sore there for the rest of the evening on into the next morning. I also woke up to sore thigh muscles the next day from all the movement. So, for those of you who don't believe that it was a workout, I wish you could have felt the muscle aches that I felt. You would kindly beg to differ, I'm sure.
Day 6
This was a very big day, not only for me but for my son, too. We signed him up to play basketball this year, and Saturday was the evaluation day. They got him fitted for his uniform and they got to see where he was at fundamentally in his skills. I wasn't sure how he was going to do, but he amazes me every day. I was so surprised, but so incredibly proud, at what he was able to do. I think he is going to really love playing basketball. He's actually quite good at it. But, I digress.
You are really interested in what was on the training schedule, aren't you? Well, it was a big one: 8 miles!! Eek! But, I was really excited about it. Seriously. I wanted to see what I was capable of. I was curious to see if I would be able to run a lot of it, or if I'd have to walk most of it. I actually ran all but 0.4 miles. Really! And my time proves it. I ran the trail in Sperry again, but this time was different. I was alone. Completely alone. There was only one other person that I saw on the trail the entire time I was out there. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact that it was gloomy and rainy outside. It rained on me for the first little bit of the run, then quit, then rained on me again for most of the second half of the run. Oh, that second half of the run, how I loathe you. The wind decided that it needed to pick up. It did alright, to the point where I felt like I wasn't moving in certain places. But, I never gave up, and I completed that 8 miles. I'm really glad that Joy sent me a text message telling me to stretch within 15 minutes of finishing, because I probably wouldn't have. My legs are still sore today from it, but I can't even imagine what I would have felt like had I not stretched.
Here's the good stuff you're interested in:
Total distance = 8 miles: 7.6 miles running, 0.4 miles walking
Total time = 89 minutes (!!)
Day 7
This was another cross training day on the schedule. As I stated earlier, overhauling my daughter's room is being counted for this day's workout. Also, let's add in doing the same thing with my son's room. This time, though, my hubby was home and we did this together. BUT, we completely rearranged his bedroom furniture. This was no easy task, either. His bunk bed is ridiculously large and it took the both of us to move it. I'm just glad it's over with. I'm not happy that doing that made me get sick. I'm sure it's from stirring up a lot of dust in his room by moving things around, but my throat is killing me today. My eyes and head were hurting me all day yesterday and my nose wouldn't stop running. I took some allergy medicine last night at bedtime and it completely wiped me out today.
There will be another post from me later on today, or possibly tomorrow, that will discuss the stretching and strengthening that's on today's schedule. But for now, this is all I can do.
-Kristin
Day 3
This is supposed to be a cross-training day. Well, it got pushed back to Friday, again, but mostly because I had some things go on with my daughter at her school. She is being bullied by some snot-nosed little boy, and I needed to put my "mom hat" on and take care of it with her teacher. The issue has been addressed, but it put a kink in my training schedule. I don't mind because my most important job is to be a good mother to my kids. And on Wednesday, that's what I did.
Day 4
This was another different day. We were scheduled for a 3 mile run plus strength training. I wasn't quite sure how it was all going to work out this day because my kids were on Fall Break and we had a funeral to attend Thursday afternoon. However, I was lucky enough to be able to count on my Grandpa to watch the kids. We then went to the funeral together, so it all worked out. It was the first time I'd run in Sperry where I was not running on the trail. I was nervous about it because Sperry is a small town with little to no sidewalks. For the most part, the only sidewalks or shoulder areas are just through the "downtown" part of town. That was just a short part of my run. I just ran in the road and the people driving were kind enough to avoid me. However, I will never understand how the people of my hometown refuse to chain their dogs or put them in their back yards. It blows my mind. I was chased by two dogs that were very aggressive-looking. I slowed down a bit, even to a walk as to avoid any unnecessary conflict with the dogs, but was still followed and growled at. It was very scary. So, I'm making this plea to the town of Sperry: "Please chain your dogs if you're going to leave them in the front yard, or put them in your fenced back yard. It would save you a lot of heartache, and possibly some money if you were to ever be sued by someone who was bitten by your vicious-looking dogs. Thanks!"
Run totals:
Total distance = 3.2 miles: 3 miles running, 0.2 miles walking
Total time = 31 minutes
Cross training:
50 squats
50 oblique crunches
50 calf raises
50 two-legged bridges
Day 5
This was the designated "rest" day on the schedule. Since I had so much going on in my world on Wednesday, I decided to do my cross training this day. I've said this before, I have to get creative sometimes when it comes to these cross training days. I may be a stay-at-home mom, but I am a very busy stay-at-home mom. And when my kids are home on Fall Break, it throws a wrench into EVERYTHING that I need to get done. Most of the things I have to do are put on hold when the kids are here. They're only 5 and 7, so it's not like I can leave them at home while I go run for 45 minutes or something. So here's what I decided to do for my cross training. You may disagree with whether it's a workout, but it totally was. And I'm counting it for Sunday's cross training as well. For this one, it was supposed to be 45 minutes and Sunday's is supposed to be 60 minutes. I'm more than covered in the time allotted.
My daughter's room needed a complete overhaul. She had way too many toys and just stuff that she was unable to keep it clean and it was really disgusting in there. So, I shut myself up in there until I was finished while the kids watched TV and played in my bedroom. It took me 2 and a half hours to get it done, but it's completed. I was constantly moving and lifting things. I moved furniture around, hauled out two giant trash bags full of toys as well as two giant bins that were also full of toys. In the process, I believe I pulled a muscle in my stomach. I was quite sore there for the rest of the evening on into the next morning. I also woke up to sore thigh muscles the next day from all the movement. So, for those of you who don't believe that it was a workout, I wish you could have felt the muscle aches that I felt. You would kindly beg to differ, I'm sure.
Day 6
This was a very big day, not only for me but for my son, too. We signed him up to play basketball this year, and Saturday was the evaluation day. They got him fitted for his uniform and they got to see where he was at fundamentally in his skills. I wasn't sure how he was going to do, but he amazes me every day. I was so surprised, but so incredibly proud, at what he was able to do. I think he is going to really love playing basketball. He's actually quite good at it. But, I digress.
You are really interested in what was on the training schedule, aren't you? Well, it was a big one: 8 miles!! Eek! But, I was really excited about it. Seriously. I wanted to see what I was capable of. I was curious to see if I would be able to run a lot of it, or if I'd have to walk most of it. I actually ran all but 0.4 miles. Really! And my time proves it. I ran the trail in Sperry again, but this time was different. I was alone. Completely alone. There was only one other person that I saw on the trail the entire time I was out there. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact that it was gloomy and rainy outside. It rained on me for the first little bit of the run, then quit, then rained on me again for most of the second half of the run. Oh, that second half of the run, how I loathe you. The wind decided that it needed to pick up. It did alright, to the point where I felt like I wasn't moving in certain places. But, I never gave up, and I completed that 8 miles. I'm really glad that Joy sent me a text message telling me to stretch within 15 minutes of finishing, because I probably wouldn't have. My legs are still sore today from it, but I can't even imagine what I would have felt like had I not stretched.
Here's the good stuff you're interested in:
Total distance = 8 miles: 7.6 miles running, 0.4 miles walking
Total time = 89 minutes (!!)
Day 7
This was another cross training day on the schedule. As I stated earlier, overhauling my daughter's room is being counted for this day's workout. Also, let's add in doing the same thing with my son's room. This time, though, my hubby was home and we did this together. BUT, we completely rearranged his bedroom furniture. This was no easy task, either. His bunk bed is ridiculously large and it took the both of us to move it. I'm just glad it's over with. I'm not happy that doing that made me get sick. I'm sure it's from stirring up a lot of dust in his room by moving things around, but my throat is killing me today. My eyes and head were hurting me all day yesterday and my nose wouldn't stop running. I took some allergy medicine last night at bedtime and it completely wiped me out today.
There will be another post from me later on today, or possibly tomorrow, that will discuss the stretching and strengthening that's on today's schedule. But for now, this is all I can do.
-Kristin
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Week 11, Day 2: Kristin
One more week and then it's the Tulsa Run!!! I can't believe it's almost here. This is the first real test for me. I'll be able to see if this half marathon is really doable or if I'm just kidding myself.
This week is going to be a hectic one. It's only Tuesday and it already has, but it's just going to get crazier because the kids have Fall Break at the end of the week. So, I'm going to move Thursday's run to Wednesday, I think. If I can find someone to watch the kids for me for a little bit, I can just keep the schedule sort of normal. If not, then I'll have to move it to Wednesday. Also, on Saturday, Alex has a basketball evaluation, so I'm going to have to figure out when I'll be able to do my 8 miles.
Yesterday was really not a good day. I had intended to do the stretching and strengthening that was on the schedule, but I got a call to pick up my daughter early from school. Apparently she was sick. I'm still not 100% convinced that it was a real sickness, or if she is upset by this boy who's been tormenting her at school, but regardless I wasn't able to do the training during my normal time. So, I was going to save it for after the kids got out of school. Nope. Didn't happen. Just as I finished my homework, our electricity went out here at the house. Someone had run into a electric pole which knocked the power out to my whole neighborhood. It took more than 2 hours to get it back on, so we went to stay with my grandparents for awhile. Once we got home, I was way too tired to do anything. So, I put it off until today.
Today was also a 5 mile run day. And it was raining. BUT, I did do my run. Luckily, my husband was off of work today so I was able to get the run in early this morning and had the afternoon free to spend with him. It was refreshing to run in the rain, but the raincoat I was wearing was very heavy. I need to find something I can wear when it rains that doesn't way 1000 pounds. I think it slowed me down some. Or maybe that's in my head, but it sure felt like it.
Today's successes:
5 minutes stretching
50 squats
50 calf raises
50 2-legged bridges
50 oblique crunches
Today's run summary:
Total distance = 5 miles: all running!!!
Total time = 61 minutes
-Kristin
This week is going to be a hectic one. It's only Tuesday and it already has, but it's just going to get crazier because the kids have Fall Break at the end of the week. So, I'm going to move Thursday's run to Wednesday, I think. If I can find someone to watch the kids for me for a little bit, I can just keep the schedule sort of normal. If not, then I'll have to move it to Wednesday. Also, on Saturday, Alex has a basketball evaluation, so I'm going to have to figure out when I'll be able to do my 8 miles.
Yesterday was really not a good day. I had intended to do the stretching and strengthening that was on the schedule, but I got a call to pick up my daughter early from school. Apparently she was sick. I'm still not 100% convinced that it was a real sickness, or if she is upset by this boy who's been tormenting her at school, but regardless I wasn't able to do the training during my normal time. So, I was going to save it for after the kids got out of school. Nope. Didn't happen. Just as I finished my homework, our electricity went out here at the house. Someone had run into a electric pole which knocked the power out to my whole neighborhood. It took more than 2 hours to get it back on, so we went to stay with my grandparents for awhile. Once we got home, I was way too tired to do anything. So, I put it off until today.
Today was also a 5 mile run day. And it was raining. BUT, I did do my run. Luckily, my husband was off of work today so I was able to get the run in early this morning and had the afternoon free to spend with him. It was refreshing to run in the rain, but the raincoat I was wearing was very heavy. I need to find something I can wear when it rains that doesn't way 1000 pounds. I think it slowed me down some. Or maybe that's in my head, but it sure felt like it.
Today's successes:
5 minutes stretching
50 squats
50 calf raises
50 2-legged bridges
50 oblique crunches
Today's run summary:
Total distance = 5 miles: all running!!!
Total time = 61 minutes
-Kristin
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Week 10, Days 5 and 6: Kristin
Day 5:
Yesterday was a "rest" day on the training schedule. But, since I wasn't feeling well on Wednesday, I still had that day's 45 minute cross-training to do. For that, I decided to force my kids to exercise. :-) We went for a walk around the neighborhood, but we walked further than they ever wanted to. It was good for them, and I really enjoyed it.
It took us all of the 45 minutes to walk 2.3 miles, but it was worth it. They weren't happy about having to walk that much, but it was an experience. I loved it!
Cross-training:
Total distance = 2.3 miles of walking
Total time = 45 minutes
Day 6:
Today is our 7 mile day. I decided that Joy and I needed to do this together. I wanted to push her harder than she's gone before, and I just really wanted to have another training session with her. It was great. I wish we could have run more of it, but I understand that that's going to come with time. For me, the time wasn't what I had hoped it would have been. However, my experience out there with her MORE THAN makes up for the slower time. I love her, and I am so proud of her for pushing through like we did.
My body did some weird things while we were out there today, too. It was very cold this morning. I mean, VERY cold. And I was in my running tank. Not a smart idea, but I didn't think it was going to be THAT cold. So my arms hurt, like really hurt, for most of our time out there. It was like little needles on the back sides of my arms. Weird. My left thumb was numb for a good part of the run also. And to add insult to injury (I suppose) my left big toe decides that it's going to start hurting too. Not sure what that's all about, but it's still hurting and I'm not sure what happened. I don't know what could have caused it or how to remedy it. Hopefully it'll be better in the morning. We shall see.
I'm not really sure how much of the 7 miles was walking and how much was actual running. I'm gonna guess that we ran about 2.5 miles of it, but again, that's a guess.
Total distance = 7 miles (!!): about 2.5 running, about 4.5 walking
Total time = 1 hour 56 minutes
Next time we do 7 miles, our time will be much, much better! I know it!!
-Kristin
Yesterday was a "rest" day on the training schedule. But, since I wasn't feeling well on Wednesday, I still had that day's 45 minute cross-training to do. For that, I decided to force my kids to exercise. :-) We went for a walk around the neighborhood, but we walked further than they ever wanted to. It was good for them, and I really enjoyed it.
It took us all of the 45 minutes to walk 2.3 miles, but it was worth it. They weren't happy about having to walk that much, but it was an experience. I loved it!
Cross-training:
Total distance = 2.3 miles of walking
Total time = 45 minutes
Day 6:
Today is our 7 mile day. I decided that Joy and I needed to do this together. I wanted to push her harder than she's gone before, and I just really wanted to have another training session with her. It was great. I wish we could have run more of it, but I understand that that's going to come with time. For me, the time wasn't what I had hoped it would have been. However, my experience out there with her MORE THAN makes up for the slower time. I love her, and I am so proud of her for pushing through like we did.
My body did some weird things while we were out there today, too. It was very cold this morning. I mean, VERY cold. And I was in my running tank. Not a smart idea, but I didn't think it was going to be THAT cold. So my arms hurt, like really hurt, for most of our time out there. It was like little needles on the back sides of my arms. Weird. My left thumb was numb for a good part of the run also. And to add insult to injury (I suppose) my left big toe decides that it's going to start hurting too. Not sure what that's all about, but it's still hurting and I'm not sure what happened. I don't know what could have caused it or how to remedy it. Hopefully it'll be better in the morning. We shall see.
I'm not really sure how much of the 7 miles was walking and how much was actual running. I'm gonna guess that we ran about 2.5 miles of it, but again, that's a guess.
Total distance = 7 miles (!!): about 2.5 running, about 4.5 walking
Total time = 1 hour 56 minutes
Next time we do 7 miles, our time will be much, much better! I know it!!
-Kristin
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Week 9 wrap-up & Week 10 so far: Joyful
Okay, I'm sure you've noticed my posts have mysteriously disappeared for about a week. It's rough, but it's not as bad as it sounds. I'll just take it day-by day.
Thursday:
Had major car problems (for which we had to end up purchasing a new car for Billy) and had to pack for a trip to OKC for a Librarians' Conference and concert. I had zero time for a workout.
Friday:
Spent all day in sessions at the conference in downtown OKC. I managed to walk during the lunch break (found a Subway - BONUS!). That night was the Muse concert, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to call the hour and a half spent jumping, clapping, and screaming a workout. The concert was awesome, and my arms and legs were definitely sore afterwards. We'd also walked from the Ford Center to and from Bricktown for dinner before the show.
Saturday - Monday:
Between a combination of stress (see above regarding the car situation) and an issue with a medication, I hit a wall. I hit a major depressive slump - and I don't take the word depressive slightly here. I was completely apathetic about my training, finding a remedy for the car situation, school, etc. I turned my phone off and could barely drag myself out of bed. First thing Monday morning I made an appointment with my doctor about the medication in question, and my dosage was changed accordingly. I already feel a ton better.
Tuesday:
Was planning on doing my five miles, but Billy and I spent the evening at the car dealership getting him a new vehicle (2007 Jeep Compass).
Wednesday:
BACK ON TRACK! Did Thursday's strength training - 15 minutes. When Billy got back from class, he and I did a walk around the golf course perimeter together, with Bubba in his stroller (lay off - he's old!).
Today!
I just ran my 3 miles! I ran longer and faster, and I took fewer walking breaks. Some of the breaks I took, I did so at that point simply because I have taken breaks at that place in the past. However, I could feel my body telling me that I could SO do more - so I did! I feel like I might actually be able to do this thing!
I'M BACK, BABY!
Also - running outside is KEY! I accomplish WAAAY more outside than I ever have on a treadmill! Just need to remember chapstick!
Thursday:
Had major car problems (for which we had to end up purchasing a new car for Billy) and had to pack for a trip to OKC for a Librarians' Conference and concert. I had zero time for a workout.
Friday:
Spent all day in sessions at the conference in downtown OKC. I managed to walk during the lunch break (found a Subway - BONUS!). That night was the Muse concert, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to call the hour and a half spent jumping, clapping, and screaming a workout. The concert was awesome, and my arms and legs were definitely sore afterwards. We'd also walked from the Ford Center to and from Bricktown for dinner before the show.
Saturday - Monday:
Between a combination of stress (see above regarding the car situation) and an issue with a medication, I hit a wall. I hit a major depressive slump - and I don't take the word depressive slightly here. I was completely apathetic about my training, finding a remedy for the car situation, school, etc. I turned my phone off and could barely drag myself out of bed. First thing Monday morning I made an appointment with my doctor about the medication in question, and my dosage was changed accordingly. I already feel a ton better.
Tuesday:
Was planning on doing my five miles, but Billy and I spent the evening at the car dealership getting him a new vehicle (2007 Jeep Compass).
Wednesday:
BACK ON TRACK! Did Thursday's strength training - 15 minutes. When Billy got back from class, he and I did a walk around the golf course perimeter together, with Bubba in his stroller (lay off - he's old!).
Today!
I just ran my 3 miles! I ran longer and faster, and I took fewer walking breaks. Some of the breaks I took, I did so at that point simply because I have taken breaks at that place in the past. However, I could feel my body telling me that I could SO do more - so I did! I feel like I might actually be able to do this thing!
I'M BACK, BABY!
Also - running outside is KEY! I accomplish WAAAY more outside than I ever have on a treadmill! Just need to remember chapstick!
Week 10, Day 4: Kristin
Today, on our schedule, we have 3 miles plus strength training. It wasn't pretty, but it's finished. Being sick, or starting to get sick, has really thrown a wrench into my training schedule. While I was out there running, I found it hard to get any air. My chest was tight and it hurt to swallow. I don't like feeling like that period, much less after and during a run. I had to walk more of this than I ever wanted to, but I'm satisfied with the fact that it's completed.
Today's strengthening:
50 bicep curls (each arm) with 10 lb. dumbbell
50 calf raises
50 oblique crunches
50 2-legged bridges
Today's run:
Total distance = 3 miles: 2.7 running, 0.3 walking
Total time = 34 minutes
Side note: I'm not excited about my time, but seriously, at this point I don't even care. Today's training is over with and I couldn't be happier.
-Kristin
Today's strengthening:
50 bicep curls (each arm) with 10 lb. dumbbell
50 calf raises
50 oblique crunches
50 2-legged bridges
Today's run:
Total distance = 3 miles: 2.7 running, 0.3 walking
Total time = 34 minutes
Side note: I'm not excited about my time, but seriously, at this point I don't even care. Today's training is over with and I couldn't be happier.
-Kristin
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Week 10, Day 2: Kristin
This is from yesterday (Tuesday). I had such a busy day that I wasn't able to post it until right now.
On the training schedule, we had 5 miles to run. I was actually looking forward to it so I could see how much of the 5 miles I can actually run. With being able to run all 4 miles last weekend, I knew that 5 miles isn't totally out of the question. And, had it not been for that brutal side stitch that I got half-way through, I would have run all 5 miles. Still, it was an amazing run! I'm so proud of myself!!
Today's run:
Total distance = 5 miles: 4.9 running, 0.1 walking
Total time = 58 minutes
Side note: I do believe that I'm starting to get sick, which really sucks! As of now, it's just a really bad headache and incredibly sore throat. But that typically turns into worse. I'm going to move my 45 minute cross-training to Friday and just rest today. Hopefully that'll help the whole trying to get sick business. I will not let this set me back. At all!
-Kristin
On the training schedule, we had 5 miles to run. I was actually looking forward to it so I could see how much of the 5 miles I can actually run. With being able to run all 4 miles last weekend, I knew that 5 miles isn't totally out of the question. And, had it not been for that brutal side stitch that I got half-way through, I would have run all 5 miles. Still, it was an amazing run! I'm so proud of myself!!
Today's run:
Total distance = 5 miles: 4.9 running, 0.1 walking
Total time = 58 minutes
Side note: I do believe that I'm starting to get sick, which really sucks! As of now, it's just a really bad headache and incredibly sore throat. But that typically turns into worse. I'm going to move my 45 minute cross-training to Friday and just rest today. Hopefully that'll help the whole trying to get sick business. I will not let this set me back. At all!
-Kristin
Monday, October 11, 2010
Week 10, Day 1: Kristin
Today is really Week 10?!? Crazy!!
It's another strengthening and stretching day on the training schedule.
Here's what I did:
5 minutes of stretching
75 calf raises
75 oblique crunches
50 squats
50 bicep curls each arm (10 lb. dumbbell)
-Kristin
It's another strengthening and stretching day on the training schedule.
Here's what I did:
5 minutes of stretching
75 calf raises
75 oblique crunches
50 squats
50 bicep curls each arm (10 lb. dumbbell)
-Kristin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)