WEEK 23: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Hello all,


I have been working 7 days a week for the past 4 weeks, while maintaining my running regimen. I should feel like this guy here, but surprisingly I'm OK. At first I felt tired because I thought I was supposed be tired from the busy schedule. But really, my body felt fine; I just had to get my mind on board. But all that hustle and bustle has come to an end as my vacay from my regular job has started and I'll be off until January 5th. Whoo-hoo!


WEEK 23 Recap:

• Monday: 2 miles
• Tuesday: 3 miles, speed intervals
• Wednesday: cross training
• Thursday: 2 miles, light tempo
• Friday: rest
• Saturday: 5.5 miles
• Sunday: rest
• TOTAL: 12.5 MILES

This week was a good week to cut back mileage. I've changed my training strategy a bit since I began training with K; adding speed intervals and tempo runs. I also needed to step back because I had been increasing weekly mileage steadily for a few weeks. I've learned that it's good to cut back every few weeks.

Another first for me this week too: I ran with a group outside for the first time. I met K and M at Forbidden Drive for about 5.5 miles on the trail. We ran a pace a bit faster than I'm used to but I was able to keep up with no problem! And the cold weather wasn't too bad either; it was about 28*F. I'm looking forward to running with those guys again soon!

Injury/Health Report: Still feeling fine!

Tech Report: I spent all my money on Christmas gifts for my family, so I don't think there will be anything to report on for a while :(

Happy Holidays!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 22: 6-MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!

Hello all,

This week marked 6 months of running for me and I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on DAY 1. I figured that this would be a good time to reflect on the top 10 things I've learned about running and myself over the past 154 days:

1. Running is fun.
   
2. Halloween candy is not good running fuel.
   
3. It's not a good idea to run after happy hour.
   
4. Being tired is not a good excuse to skip a run, I often feel more energized afterwards.
   
5. No matter how many days a week I force myself up at 4:30 am to run, I'm still not a morning person.
   
6. My open-toe shoe days are numbered.
   
7. Running does get easier if you stick with it.
   
8. Running injuries are preventable if you train properly.
   
9. Running in temperatures below freezing is not for me (yet).
   
10. I am a runner.

WEEK 22 Recap:

• Monday: 3 miles
  
• Tuesday: My first speed intervals, 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Cross training
  
• Thursday: My first tempo run, 3 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 7 miles
  
• Sunday: Rest
  
• TOTAL: 16 MILES

This week, I started training with K and it went well. He showed me how to do speed intervals and tempo runs on the treadmill. I also met a few other runners in his group and I'm looking forward to learning from them. Next week, I think I'll do some hill repeats with them, if the weather permits.

Injury/Health Report: I feel great!

Tech Report: No new gear to report, but that will change soon. I'm on the hunt for more socks, tops, tights, and sports bras. Oh, and another pair of sneakers. Basically, everything.

From only being able to run for 2 minutes at a time to running 7 miles straight: I've come a long way in the past 6 months. And I'm looking forward to another productive 6 months as a newbie runner! And that ever-illusive six pack still would be nice ;)

Almost Thirty

WEEK 21: 7 MILES DOWN, ONLY 19.2 MORE TO GO!!!

Greetings,

Another busy week...I worked 7 days again. However, I managed to get my first 7-miler in on Saturday morning before my 6-hour shift. I was really determined...maybe I'm a runner after all.

Despite the agony of spending 80 minutes straight on the treadmill, it was a piece of cake. The first 5 miles went by fast because I was chatting with a fellow runner who convinced me to join his running group to train for the Broad Street Run. Did you get that?....I was chatting while running for FIVE MILES!! I used to marvel at the runners who ran their mouths during their runs, while I struggled with my breathing when I first began. I've really come a long way.

WEEK 21 Recap:

• Monday: Cross training
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 5 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 7 miles
  
• Sunday: Rest
  
• TOTAL: 15 MILES

This week my excess of rest days were actually days I had to work literally all day, so I don't feel so bad about it.

Injury/Health Report: I feel fine but I really need to start eating better and hydrating everyday. I eat like a pig and I don't drink enough water.

Tech Report: No new gear to be excited about, but my new sneakers are working out well. It makes me feel official to rotate between different pairs.

Next week, I'll join my new running buddy K for some guidance on training workouts. I was a bit hesitant at first because he and his buddies are hard-core runners, but his knowledge and dedication to running convinced me that they may be a good bunch to hang out with to get tips and get better at running.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 20: 7 MILES...HERE I COME!!!

Greetings,

WEEK 20 was super busy due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the biggest shopping weekend of the year. While Thanksgiving was relaxing, I ended up working at my seasonal job (cashier at premium clothing store with a sweet employee discount) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Somehow, I still managed to get my long run in on Sunday even though my legs were killing me after three consecutive 5 to 7 hour shifts.

WEEK 20 Recap:

• Monday: Rest
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 4 miles
  
• Friday: 3 miles
  
• Saturday: Rest
  
• Sunday: 6 miles
  
• TOTAL: 16 MILES

Injury/Health Report: No injuries to report and I am perfectly healthy!

Tech Report: I finally found the fuel/hydration belt I was looking for.

I ran with it on Thursday and it wasn't too bad: no uncomfortable flopping and no shifting around. It wasn't annoying but it is definitely something I will have to get used to.

I also ordered some new running shoes that were on clearance at Nike.com. The Nike Structure Triax 11+ is the next generation of the model that I have been wearing since I started running. They fit a bit more snug that my old sneakers but they weren't too tight. They felt good to run in too.

December is the month to hit 7 miles...wish me luck!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 19: MY FIRST 8K!!!

Hello all,

I was on a brief hiatus but I'm back now...

WEEK 19 Recap:

• Monday: Rest
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 4 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 3 miles
  
• Sunday: 5 miles
  
• TOTAL: 15 MILES

WEEK 19 ended on a bitter sweet note with my first 8K. Keep reading to find out why.

Abridged version:

IT WAS FREEZING on the morning of the race, but I ran a phenomenal race even though my fingers and toes were numb during the first two miles. If it weren't for my $4 space blanket that kept me warm for an hour at the start, I would have definitely gone home with a DNS (did not start). My official finish time was 51:19 and placed #847 out of 1469 finishers.

Un-abridged version:

THE EXPO...I went to the expo on Saturday afternoon and pick up a few items without spending an arm and a leg:

• sun glasses for running on sunny days
  
• neck warmer (came in handy on race day)
  
• running skirt (so cute!!)
  
• 3/4-length running tights (hot pink...love them!!)
  
• sports tank top

THE WEATHER...On the morning of the race the temperature was 23*F and it was a bit breezy. I stepped out of the car and immediately stepped back in to open up my $4 space blanket. I figured if it didn't work as well as advertised, I would be going back home because there was no way that I was gonna stand outside for an hour waiting for the start in the freezing cold. But fortunately, the space blanket worked wonders!!! I also had a gang of disposable 'hand' warmers strategically placed all over my body and they also worked like a charm.

THE CROWD...There were thousands of people at the race: marathon runners, half-marathon runners, Rothman 8K runners, volunteers, race staff, spectators, police officers, etc. Offically, over 18,000 runners registered. Despite the crowd, the start/finish area was well organized in my opinion. Some of the volunteers were clueless but it was all good. The first 6 or 7 volunteers couldn't tell me where to line up or where to check my gear, but I eventually found both without a problem.

THE RACE...The race started in 3 waves for crowd control purposes and the Rothman 8K runners were part of the third and final wave. I was soooo glad to finally start running because I was very uncomfortable with the temperature. I had grown so attached to my space blanket that instead of chucking it when the race started, I folded it up as best I could and stuffed it in the back of my tights.

Anyway, I finally crossed the start around 7:25am and I was off. I kept the first mile really slow because my fingers and toes were numb, and my backside had started to get cold without my space blanket. People were passing me and I was tempted to run a bit faster to warm up faster but I just kept at my super slow pace. After the first mile, I had warmed up a little (fingers and toes still numb), so I picked up the pace a bit for the second mile. And it was during Mile-2 that I started passing people because a lot of runners had started to walk. I was pretty surprised. There was no way I was gonna stop now that the heat had started to kick in.

By Mile-3 my fingers and toes had warmed up thanks to my nifty hand warmers, and I was feeling pretty good, so I kicked it up another notch. At this point, I realized that I was seriously weaving in and out of people: runners and walkers alike. I felt awesome at the start of Mile-4, so I gave it a bit more gas.

Finally, when I hit the start of Mile-5 I felt like I could run a few more miles, so I kicked in to the highest gear I could sustain for a mile. I had to slow down just a tad during a slight uphill stretch around 4.5 miles, but I was still flying by people.

With the finish line in sight, I gave it all I had with a smile on my face. I was so excited to finish but I REALLY wanted to continue running just to keep warm. But I was directed to the food tent where I was given some water, snacks and some steaming hot chicken broth...nice.

Here are my mile splits:

• Mile 1 - 11:34 min
  
• Mile 2 - 10:52 min
  
• Mile 3 - 10:16 min
  
• Mile 4 - 9:19 min
  
• Mile 5 - 8:56 min (my fastest mile EVER!!!)
  

Talk about your negative spilts....

So, even though I spent an hour before the race and an hour after the race in the most uncomfortable weather I've ever had to withstand, I had an awesome time running the Rothman 8K and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Injury/Health Report: With all the rest days between WEEK 18 and this week, I was well rested and have no injuries or ailments to report. I felt absolutely fine.

Tech Report: In addition to the items I purchased at the race expo, I went to the Nike Outlet and picked up 4 long-sleeved winter running shirts: 2 base-layer shirts and 2 heavier mock turtle necks with super long sleeves and thumb holes. I also found a nice sports bra. They were all on clearance with an additional 30-50% off, so I made out well.

See you next week!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 18: UNPLANNED TAPER

Hello all,

This week I was out of commission Monday through Thursday due to a pesky little head cold. I felt like a serious sinus was approaching, so I fell back and rested. I really wanted to run, but I chose to rather be safe than sorry.

It worked like a charm. I ended up having three great runs at the end of the week, including my best 6-miler ever. I shaved 3 minutes off last weeks time, despite cold temps and wind gusts up to 30 mph. The wind was so strong, I swear I was running in place sometimes.

WEEK 18 Recap:

• Monday: sick & resting
  
• Tuesday: sick & resting
  
• Wednesday: sick & resting
  
• Thursday: feeling better
  
• Friday: 4 miles
  
• Saturday: 3 miles
  
• Sunday: 6 miles
  
• TOTAL: 13 MILES

Injury/Health Report: I feel completely fine. Even my hip feels fine. Those few days off really paid off. I felt strong on Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday.

Tech Report: Nothing to report, but I'm looking forward to getting some goodies from the Philadelphia Marathon Expo. Things to scope out (and possibly buy of the price is right):

• Fuel/hydration belt
  
• Headband/ear-warmer
  
• Long-sleeved Under Armour
  
• Sports bras
  
• Post-long run slip-ons
  
• Running sneakers

Did I mention that I'm totally stoked about my 8K this weekend? Well, if I haven't...I'm REALLY excited about the race this weekend!

Run Well,

Almost Thirty

WEEK 17: KEEP IT MOVIN'

Greetings,

This week was a test of my commitment to running. Despite being crazy busy at work and hanging out with co-workers at happy hour, I managed to get all my runs in this week. I was really surprised at myself. I even worked 11 hours one day, then sat for an hour in traffic, THEN hit the gym for a few miles even though I was exhausted. I thought to myself, nothing is gonna keep me from getting my miles in...gotta keep it movin.' So that's what I did.

Unfortunately, I didn't eat much better this week. I have absolutely NO control when it comes to dieting. I've always eaten what I wanted with virtually no consequences, but now I need to be conscious about what I eat and when I eat it. Again, I'll continue to work on this. Suggestions are definitely welcome.

WEEK 17 recap:

• Monday: Cross training


• Tuesday: 3 miles


• Wednesday: Rest


• Thursday: 4 miles


• Friday: 3 miles


• Saturday: Rest


• Sunday: 6 miles


• TOTAL: 16 MILES

My 6-miler was much better this week! It was still tough, but at least I could walk straight afterwards. This distance is a real challenge for me but I know it will get easier.

Injury/Health Report: My hip has still been acting up, sporadically. One day I actually had a few almost painful strides, but it didn't last. It's usually fine after I stretch, so I'm not stressing over it...yet.

Tech Report: Still on the market for a hydration belt. I tried a few this week, but I'll shop around for another week. I definitely want to get one before my next long run. Also, I ran in my new Champion tights from Target and the verdict is out....they were actually pretty comfortable. And cute. I think I may get another pair in a different color, especially now that they're on sale.

Run well,

Almost Thirty

DAY 116: RUN FIRST, THEN GO TO HAPPY HOUR

Hey All,

A long time ago, I learned a very valuable lesson in math class that can be applied to other areas of life called the order of operations. I was reminded of its importance today...

NEVER go to happy hour, have a few drinks, eat a plate full of nachos, potato skins and fries and THEN go run 4 miles. Always run first, then go to happy hour.

I made this mistake today and I paid for it by struggling to keep the contents of my stomach/intestine from coming out of either end of my digestive track. But I was determined to get my run in. Thanks to a great outer sphincter muscle, some level of voluntary control of my gag reflexes and channeling the image below, I was able to finish my run on the treadmill without making a mess.

So much for adopting a runner's diet...oh, well.

Run well,

Almost Thirty

WEEK 16: BYE-BYE JUNK FOOD, HELLO RUNNER'S DIET

Greetings,

Through my research on running, I've read about the importance of a runner's diet. However, I felt all that runner's diet stuff should be reserved for real runners.....WRONG!!! I learned all about it first-hand during WEEK 16.

My gross underestimation of the importance of a runner's diet came to a head during my first 6-miler on Sunday, but I got a preview on Halloween during my 4-miler. Let's just say that a bucketful of Halloween candy, especially chocolate, is NOT good running fuel. It ran through my digestive system faster than I could run 4 miles.


Sometime during the week, I got a craving for Cap'n Crunch and that's pretty much all I ate leading up to my 6-miler on Sunday. The good news is that I made it through the entire 6 miles a lot faster than I thought I would, 1:06:08. On the other hand, I could barely walk when I finished. My legs were so wobbly, a woman on the trail actually stopped her workout to ask me if I was OK. I felt fine from the waist up, but my legs were completely done. I wasn't really in pain, my legs just didn't want to move anymore.

Therefore, I've come to the realization that I may actually be a runner now and I may need to start eating like one. So long to the Junk Food Pyramid!


WEEK 16 Recap:

• Monday: Rest


• Tuesday: 2 miles
  
• Wednesday: 4 miles


• Thursday: Rest


• Friday: 4 miles


• Saturday: Cross training


• Sunday: 6 miles


• TOTAL: 16 MILES
  
  

Injury/Health Report: I feel fine now, but my legs were a mess after Sunday's run. I'm guessing it was a result of eating poorly all week and not hydrating properly during the run, which leads me to the Tech Report.

Tech Report: I've been shopping for a hydration belt in order to hydrate on the run. I'm getting into longer runs now, and there aren't too many water fountains on the paths I frequent. I'm still in my research phase, so I haven't purchased one yet. But I did buy some more running gear. I decided to try the Champion C9 line from Target again, but with better luck this time. I got some sports bras, moisture wicking shirts, a pair of running tights, and a wicking zip-up jacket. The sports bras are a no-no: those have to be returned. The short-sleeved tops serve their purpose and I haven't tried the running tights yet, but they look good when I tried them on.

I'm really going to try to get through this week without eating any junk food, but I don't know if I can do it. I definitely need a better plan to eat healthier without depriving myself of the treats I love. Any suggestions?

Almost Thirty

WEEK 15: BRING ON THE WINTER GEAR

Do you think I could run in this get-up?

This is how I imagine myself dressed for running in the cold. I really, really, really dislike cold weather, meaning anything less than 60*F. I would perfer temperatures in the hight 70's and above, but I know I can't have everything my way.

Either way, I'm determined to run during the winter, and not just on the treadmill. So, I'm currently on the market for winter running gear. Wish me luck!



WEEK 15 Recap:

• Monday: Cross training
• Tuesday: 4 miles + Cross training
• Wednesday: Cross training
• Thursday: 3 miles
• Friday: 2 miles + Cross training
• Saturday: Cross training
• Sunday: 5 miles
• TOTAL: 14 MILES

My 5 AM punishment felt soooo good! It was the perfect plan to get myself back on track. I felt great but I may have overdone it a bit: My legs were completely tired during the last 2 miles of my 5-miler on Sunday, but I pushed through to the end.

Injury/Health Report: Everything feels fine:) No real aches and pains, even after pushing myself through my 5-miler on Sunday. I was expecting some soreness, but it didn't kick in...yet.

Tech Report: Started shopping around for winter running gear, but I'm not quite sure what to invest in. There's so much to choose from.

Up-Coming Race: You may have noticed that I deleted a race from my Up-Coming Race List, the Free to Breathe 5K on November 2. I've decided to keep my races to one per month, for financial reasons. Race registration starts to add up: The Rothman 8K of the Philadelphia Marathon set me back 45-bucks. That's not too bad, but I could be putting more money into my running gear.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 14: WELCOME TO SLACKERVILLE!!! POPULATION: ME

Hey all,



Week 2 of my slackerness has come to an end. I only ran 3 days this week and cross trained only 1 day. What's my excuse? I'm no longer around the corner from the gym (it's a 10-minute drive away). It's getting colder, so it's harder to motivate myself to go out. I have a 13 year-old little girl in my care who I don't feel comfortable leaving alone for more than an hour. I have been parked in front of a 52" plasma TV with hundreds of premium cable channels OnDemand. This list could go on and on, but I'll stop there. Either way, I have become a total couch potato and I feel wretched. This behavior is totally unacceptable, so I am putting myself on punishment next week.


To make up for my lack of activity, I will be hitting the gym at 5 am EVERY morning this coming week. I'll get to the gym by 5 am and leave by 5:45 am to be back at the house to wake the Kid up at 6 am, as usual.



WEEK 14 Recap:

• Monday: Cross training


• Tuesday: 3 miles


• Wednesday: Slacker Day #1


• Thursday: 4 miles w/ my first REAL HILLS!


• Friday: Slacker Day #2


• Saturday: Slacker Day #3


• Sunday: 5 miles w/ MORE HILLS!
• TOTAL: 12 MILES

As you can see, there was a bright side to WEEK 14, despite the lack of training.

This week was actually a week of a few firsts for me: my first time running on open roads with cars and my first real hills. I didn't want to leave the Kid for too long, so I decided to run in the neighborhood: through the beautiful hills of Gladwyne, PA.

I was super nervous at first to run on the road with cars, but there isn't much traffic around here and most drivers were pretty cautious not to hit me. I did have to jump off the road once, though. Once I got into a groove, I was eventually distracted by the enourmous estates surrounded by immaculately groomed landscapes, the exotic cars in the driveways, the deer watching me watching them, and did I mention the HILLS! Little hills, big hills, double hills, never-ending hills, all kinds of hills.

Running up the hills was hard at times, but I just kept a slow, steady and controlled pace...key word: controlled. Running down the hills posed more of a problem: it didn't feel good on my knees and I often felt like I was going to topple down, head first. I was out of control and I definitely need to learn some down hill running techniques. I must say that I'd rather run UP a hill, than DOWN a hill. Plus, when I got to the top of a hill, I felt accomplished and victorious! Bring on the next one!!!............ just let me catch my breath first.

Injury/Health Report: Beside feeling 10-lbs. heavier (I know, it's psychological), I feel OK. The hip feels better, as long as I stretch it regularly. My legs felt a bit wobbly after running those hills on Thursday and today, but nothing hurts. I'm sure my legs would feel stronger if I had been keeping up with my cross training and strength training.

That's enough for now. Especially since I have to get up at 4:30 am to go to the gym.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 13: 5 MILES DOWN, 21.2 MORE TO GO!

Greetings,


I have been seriously slacking over the past few days, in more ways than one. I haven't done any cross training since last Tuesday, I've been eating like a pig, and I haven't been keeping up with my blogging. Apologies to my faithful followers, all three of you. Even though I've been running as scheduled, my overall routine has been interrupted. Therefore, my whole life seems out of order.


Let me back up a bit...On Saturday, I started a 3-week baby-sitting stint for a family that I've been sitting for over the past 7 years or so. So, I've basically moved into their house, which is not too far from mine. But my whole routine has been disrupted and I have to get into a new groove, so to speak.


Despite of the rift, I managed to run as scheduled on Friday evening and on Sunday. I was so eager to run my first 5-miler on Sunday morning on the trail that there was no way I was going to miss it.


Friday's run after work was grueling because I was dreading having to pack later on that evening. But Sunday's 5-miler was awesome! And my mom ran with me! Good thing she did because running with her forced me to run slower than usual. If I had run at my normal 10-11 minute/mile pace I would have been winded. Instead, we ran 12-13 minute miles, and it was eazy-breezy for me. I barely broke a sweat. I felt like I could have run 2-3 miles more, but after I stopped I definitely felt the effects of running for an hour. Nothing specific hurt or was in pain; it just felt like all my joints could have used some WD-40.


Anyway, here's a Recap of WEEK 13:

• Monday: 4 miles
  
• Tuesday: Cross training
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 3 miles
  
• Friday: 3 miles
  
• Saturday: ANOTHER REST DAY! WTF!!!
  
• Sunday: My first 5-miler!
• TOTAL: 15 MILES

Injury/Health Report:

• This week was a bit up and down for me. Aside from the occasional stiff hip, my knees felt a bit achy early on in the week and I was sore from working on my legs on Tuesday...which led to the unplanned rest day on Wednesday. That was a good move because I felt fine by Thursday. As for my hip... still no pain, just a bit stiff. Once I get moving, it feels OK. I'll still keep an eye on it though.
• Upon moving in with the kids I'm sitting, my diet completely changed to what they had in their fridge: frozen waffles, chips, cookies, candy, and left-over take-out. The excess of processed junk food induced a craving for fast food, so I actually drove to McDonald's and ordered a cheese burger and a large fries...something I hardly ever do, but I did and it tasted great! However, I felt horrible afterward. Not just physically, but I also beat myself up for eating so poorly. But I won't deny myself the occasional junk food and/or fast foods, they taste too good. I'll just do it in moderation next time. Not all in one weekend.
  
• Also, I was feeling a bit blah over the weekend: probably the result of a combination of having to leave my comfy apartment for 3 weeks, shifting my schedule to fit babysitting, eating poorly, and starting a new prescription. I was just all out of whack! But I always felt better after running. I really have to remember to just run the next time I'm feeling sluggish.
  

DAY 90 Weigh-In/Photos: I didn't forget about the Weigh-In. I just didn't get a chance to do it this weekend, with the move and all. I promise I get it in sometime this week.


Almost Thirty

DAY 88: BUGGIN' OUT!!!

Greetings,

Today, the warm weather and humidity returned and I was totally excited to go for my run this afternoon, especially since I took an unplanned rest day yesterday. Unfortunately, the return of the heat meant the return of the certain insects...

I ran a different portion of the trail that I normally run on, just for a change of scenery. But that scenery consisted of walls of gnats! The little buggers are not half bad when your stationary, but they're a nightmare as soon as you start running.

During the first mile of my 3-miler, I tried my best to ignore all the tiny smacks against my face, because I was just glad to be running. But by the middle of the second mile, I started to pick up a bit more speed which required me to breath out of my mouth. Without being too grotesque, lets just say that I've had my share of protein for today.

At the turnaround of my out-and-back, I almost stopped and walked back, but I was determined to get my miles in. I started to try to dodge the swarm, but I quickly learned that was impossible. They were everywhere. At the beginning of mile 3, I just put my head down and trucked through the never-ending swarm. And although I emerged victoriously, having run more than 3 miles, it was not without consequence...

BEFORE MY RUN

3 MILES LATER



This is, hands down, the grossest thing that has ever happened to me. My front was covered from head to toe in gnats. Fortunately, I was able to get rid of the ones on my clothes with a few snaps of the elastic fabric. But unfortunately, the ones on my body were glued to my skin with sweat. I shook some from my hair, blew some from nose and I even fished one out of my eyelash.

Did I mention that I was completely grossed out?

On the bright side, I think this run qualifies me as at least one step closer to being a real runner. Three months ago, I couldn't have imagined running 3 miles, but I did today...while inhaling gnats. Who knew?!?!

The Human Windshield a.k.a Almost Thirty

DAY 85: WHAT'S UP WITH THE CAT CALLS?

Today I went out for my scheduled 4 miles after work on Kelly Drive. The weather was sunny and cool, and I had a stellar run. It seems this running thing actually does get easier.

Running after work on Kelly Drive literally means running alongside a busy, bumper-to-bumper 4-lane artery during rush hour. And while I can appreciate eye-candy as much as the next person, why do guys feel the need to yell out their windows and honk their horns like they're crazy when they pass by a nice looking female?

Not that I was much to look at with sweat dripping down my face and my hair bouncing all over my head, but several drivers thought it was a good idea to try to get my attention while navigating on this busy road. Not only was it rude, it was completely dangerous in today's case: 3 of the 5 offenders actually had to swerve or slam on breaks because they weren't paying attention to the road.

Is it written in some idiot handbook that women find cat calls attractive? Do guys really think we respond to that type of buffoonery?

There were lots of other runners on the path, females included, so I'm sure it happens to others, but I was a bit embarrassed. So much so that, at some point during my run, I thought I would avoid running on this path during rush hour in the future. But then I thought better...I'll get over it and take it as a complement, although distorted. I'm on my way to becoming a runner...I'm not gonna let a few meows slow me down.

But fellas, cut it with the cat calls already. Unlike the kitty in the pic, it's NOT cute!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 12: ENDED ON A GOOD NOTE!

This morning I ran my second 5K, Philly Health Cares held by Jefferson Hospital benefiting Overbrook High School. The weather was great, the crowd was great, and I had a great run...with my mom!


She totally rocked it! I told you before that she was a beast and she proved it today. She placed 1st in her age group and earned a metal! I was so happy for her! Even though we came in at 35:28 minutes (Garmin), she ruled the 50-59 age group!




Hopefully she'll continue running with me and rock more races in the future!



WEEK 12 Recap:

• Monday & Tuesday: Rest. Got my hair done on Monday and baby-sat my sweet-baby-niece on Tuesday, both unplanned. Oh, well...


• Wednesday: 3 miles on the treadmill


• Thursday: Cross training


• Friday: 3.5 miles at Kelly Drive with my mom


• Saturday: Cross training


• Sunday: My 2nd 5K! 3.1 miles


• TOTAL: 9.6 MILES

So, WEEK 12 came to an end on a good note! I have been running for three months now and the newness still hasn't worn off. I still look forward to running, even after work. I feel awesome and I'm slimming down according to my baggy wardrobe. As I mentioned before, that really wasn't one of my goals but I guess it comes with the territory.

Injury/Health Report: My achy hip had been annoying me a bit, but not hurting or preventing me from running. I've found that stretching it well after running helps. Lately it's been a little stiff when I'm not running, but fine when I am running. I'll continue to stretch it out and keep an eye on it.

Tech Report: No new gear or gadgets to report. I haven't gotten a chance to use my new spiffy running gloves. Even though I'm eager to see how they perform, I can definitely wait until the weather gets cooler again.

The goal for WEEKS 13 & 14 is to run 5 miles once a week. I am officially registered for the 8K of the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23 and I plan to be prepared.

Looks like DAY 90 is coming up during this week, so stay tuned for the Weigh-In and Photos.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 11: THE DREADMILL CHRONICLES

Greetings,


This week I ran on the dreadmill twice, once for 3 miles and the other for 4 miles. It was raining on both days and since I'm not quite ready to run in the rain, so I ended up at the gym. But after struggling through 7 dreadfull miles on the treadmill, I'm more inclined to run in the rain. Recently added to my list of gear to buy: a water repelling jacket and hat for running in the rain.


WEEK 11 Recap:

• Monday: 3 miles


• Tuesday: Rest


• Wednesday: 4 miles


• Thursday: Cross training


• Friday: 3 miles


• Saturday: Cross training


• Sunday: 4 miles


• TOTAL: 14 miles

Injury/Health Report: For the most part, I feel fine. But I have a bit of an annoying ache in a tendon or ligament or muscle or something where my right upper thigh meets my pelvis, right in the crease that's made when you lift up your leg. I'm not quite sure what to make of it but on a scale from 1 to 10 on the 'annoying ache scale' (1 = barely an ache, 10 = boderline pain), I would rate it a 3. It started early in the week at about a 5 on the scale, but I have been icing after running, so it has gotten better. I don't foresee it becoming a real problem, but I'll keep an eye on it anyway. If it escalates to a 8 or above on the annoying ache scale, I'll take a few days off to give it a rest.

Tech Report: My sole pair of running shoes need some relief, so I'll be on the market for a new pair soon. They say running shoes should replaced after about 500 miles and my Nikes are nowhere near that, but I like a bit of variety.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 10

Greetings,

This morning, I had the honor of volunteering at the ING Philadelphia Distance Run, a very large half-marathon held here in my hometown (5 minutes from my house) every year. There were a little less than 17,000 runners this year, unofficially. If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would be REWARDING.

From 5 AM - 1 PM I was there helping in various capacities, including assisting runners with bibs and timing chips, setting up tables, handing out refreshments, and I was even able to calm down a anxious, hyperventilating runner at the start.

While I enjoyed every minute, my favorite part by far was cheering on runners/walkers at Mile-4 and at the Finish Line. I was excited for each and every runner who finished. I was even teary-eyed sometimes, like when couples were crossing the finish line hand-in-hand, or when seasoned AKA very old runners crossed. (Darn those female hormones!) The Kids' run was a blast too!

Anyway, I can't wait to be able to run in this race and cross the finish line myself!


WEEK 10 Recap:

• Monday: 3 TOUGH miles
• Tuesday: 4 nice-and-easy miles
• Wednesday: Cross training
• Thursday: 3 miles at the track
• Friday: Rest
• Saturday: 4 EXHILARATING miles on the trail
• Sunday: Volunteered at the Philadelphia Distance Run
• TOTAL: 14 miles

Injury/Health Report: I feel great!

Tech Report: I got a few things at the Expo on Saturday: 2 technical running shirts, a pair of socks and some running gloves. My fingers were numb during the first 2 miles of my 4-miler on Saturday morning. It was pretty chilly. Hopefully, those gloves will come in handy as the weather starts to get cooler.

Almost Thirty

DAY 60: WEIGH-IN / PHOTOS

DAY 60 fell within WEEK 9, while I was on vacation. I didn't have my nifty high-tech scale to weigh myself, but I did have a camera to take many photos. I don't have much to compare to DAY 0 or DAY 30, but here is one of my favorites...

Yep, that's me. I'm way too shy to post pics of myself in a bikini, but I will say that I got lots of complements from both men and women alike. I don't know how much I weigh, but it seems that all the running is paying off either way. Also, I think I can feel the workings of a six-pack emerging...Check back for the next weigh-in on DAY 90.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 9: A BUST, BUT NOT TOTALLY

Greetings,


WEEK 9, I mean, vacay in Mexico was AWESOME!!!!


It was a bust in terms of training...but not totally. I ran 3 times while on vacation but only 2 of those days fell during WEEK 9.

• Monday: 3 miles on the threadmill


• Tuesday: 1 mile + 20 min on the stationary bike


• And that's it...

Unfortunately, I only ran/cross trained 2 out of 7 days, as opposed to my usual 6 out of 7 days. I didn't beat myself up over it, but I definitely felt it when I picked back up with my 5 AM Monday morning run the day after I returned.

It's OK, because I'm determined to get back on track. There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking time off for vacation. Therefore, I don't feel guilty about it. But I am worried about being set back in my training, so I'll make sure to put more effort into working out more during my next vacation.

Injury/Health Report: No injuries or health concerns to report, knock on wood.

Tech Report: Nothing new to report here either, but I'm looking forward to coming across some cool things during the Philadelphia Distance Run Expo.

Adios


Almost Thirty

WEEK 8: ENDED UP IN MEXICO!!!

Greetings,

Even though I was in Mexico and not actually able to post while there, I decided to 'post-post' to fill you in on my training, or lack thereof, while I was on vacay. I'm going to insert posts for the past by changing the Publish Post date, so they'll be post dated.

So, if your interested, scroll back a few posts. There will be new posts back there. Sorry for the confusion.

WEEK 8 Recap:

• Monday: 2 miles


• Tuesday: Cross-training


• Wednesday: 3 miles


• Thursday: Cross-training


• Friday: 2 miles


• Saturday: Rest, leave for Mexico


• Sunday: 3 miles


• TOTAL MILES: 10 miles

Injury/Health Report: No injuries, aches, nor pains to report. Still keeping an eye on that heart rate, though.

Tech Report: Garmin worked like a charm in Mexico!

Bitter sweet end for WEEK 8, but I was still stoked to be on vacation in Mexico!

Almost Thirty

DAY 56: DREAMS OF RUNNING ON THE BEACH IN MEXICO...

WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!

During my first night in Mexico, I had dreams of running in my favorite place...on the beach. I was sooo looking forward to lace up my Nike's and hit the sand for a few miles on the following morning. I even slept soundly through the thunderstorm that pounded through the night, evident by the drenched patio furniture on the balcony of my suite. So, when my alarm went off at 7 AM, I was eager and ready to get going. However, it was still pitch black outside and there was no boardwalk or lights to guide one's feet on the beach where I was, in beautiful Puerto Vallarta.

The waiting game ended about an hour and a half later, when the sun began too peek over the horizon around 8:30 AM. I darted out anxiously to the shoreline just a few steps outside my door. It was hot, muggy, sticky, hazy, humid, and every other adjective used to describe tropical, jungle-like conditions. But, I was amped none the less.

With a huge grin on my face, I took my first few strides and the smile on my face quickly transformed into the look of someone in a physical struggle of confusion: someone having an unexpectedly hard time with the task at hand. I was in the process of fulfilling a dream and I seemed to be having some difficulty with something that seemed so effortless in those dreams.

As it turns out, running in sand saturated with rain from a storm the previous night, on a slight down-hill slope toward the water as a result of heavy waves from said storm, is NOT a good combination for a novice, or ANYONE else for that matter, to attempt to run ANY distance.

But I wasn't alone. I even encountered several other runners, some bare-footed who looked like locals, who were struggling almost as much as I was. The sand just gave completely with each step, literally leaving a hole to push/pull yourself out of with whatever quad strength you could muster up with little stability.

It was awful, to put it simply. Not just because I was virtually unable to run; but more so because my dream of finally merging my long-term love of the sandy beach with my new love affair with running, was transformed into a nightmare in one short, fell swoop.

After several unsuccessful attempts to find dry spots or less-sloped areas, I gave up about a half-mile north of the resort. Completely frustrated, I turned around and walked back to the hotel as best I could. Even walking in the sand was difficult. I almost took off my sneakers to get better footing.

Back at the resort, I promptly asked if there was a nearby path or trail I could run on safely, and that turned out to be a no-no. I was directed to a long stretch of unpaved road just outside the resorts front gate. There was not much around the resort except several unfinished, up-and-coming resorts with lots of local construction workers. I wouldn't run past a bunch of English-speaking construction workers, so there was no way I was going to run on a foreign road in a tiny running skirt and a sports bra, amongst construction workers gawking and cat calling in Spanish. But, I digress...

Back at the resort, I found the gym and the dreadmill. Except, with nowhere else to run, the treadmill was actually my savior on the trip.

I ended up running 3 good miles to close out WEEK 8:

• Mile 1 at 5 mph (12:00 min/mile)
• Mile 2 at 5.5 mph (10:54 min/mile)
• Mile 3 at 6 mph (10:00 min/mile)
  
  
  

Sorry for the long post. I totally planned on keeping it short, but I guess the descriptive narrator in me took over.

Almost Thirty

DAY 52: MY MOM IS A BEAST!!!

...And I mean that in a good way, with the utmost respect.

Last night, my mom told me that she would run with me this morning...at 5 AM...in the morning. My first thought, "Yeah, right! You are not gonna get up that early and run with me. I'll believe it when I see it."

A bit of background: My mom is 50+, barely 5' 4" and an avid gym-junkie. She does those aerobics and spinning classes at the gym a few times a week AND she used to run track in high school. She's no stranger to exercise, so she's pretty fit, but she hasn't run in years. After my first 5K last Saturday, she felt inspired and said she would run the next one with me. She asked when I was running again and said she would go with me.

So, I told her to meet me at my house at 5:15 AM this morning, and much to my surprise, she called me before my alarm went off at 5 AM and told me she was on her way. Wow! She's serious.

We headed out to the rubberized track at St. Josephs University (5 minutes from my house) and to make a long story short, she ran 3 uninterrupted miles with me. No walk breaks, no water breaks, and we were talking the ENTIRE time. Although we were running at a very easy pace (12-13 minute miles), I was very impressed that she could get out there and run 3 straight miles. When I first started running, I could barely run 5 minutes without huffing and puffing.

So, that's why my mom is a beast. A running beast.

By the way, while running around and around the track can get monotonous and boring, my legs and joints really appreciated the softer surface. I will definitely be integrating more track runs into my schedule, as well as grass runs. There is a large soccer field in the middle of the track with nice, soft grass to run on...maybe on my Friday run.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 7

Greetings,

WEEK 7 comes to an end today. Here's a brief recap of this week, if you haven't been keeping up:

• Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Easy 2 miles.
• Tuesday & Thursday: Light cross training.
• Saturday: My First 5K!!!
• Sunday: Rest
• TOTAL MILES RUN: 9.11

Injury/Health Report: Still feeling strong, no injuries to report. However...

• Knees: Felt a bit achy about an hour after the 5K on Saturday and I was about to ice them. But the discomfort was short-lived and they feel absolutely fine now.
• Heart Rate: I was also a bit concerned about my heart rate during the 5K. According to my FR 305, my heart rate was above my maximum threshold for the latter half of the race: ~185-190 beats per minute (bpm), maxing out at 205 bpm at one point. Even though I knew I was exerting more effort than during training, I felt completely fine. I have to do a bit of research on this to make sure I'm not over-taxing my heart when I push myself a bit harder. I'll keep you posted.

Tech Report: I purchased some new technical running gear this week: my first running skirt, and a pair of calf-length tights. Both by Nike, made from their patented moisture-wicking material, Dri-FIT. I really like the running skirt; it fits pretty well (waistband slightly too big, but I just folded it down to fit more snugly) and it looks super cute! The tights fit and looked great too, but they made this annoying swishing noise between my legs when I ran. I though I was going to start a fire, but thankfully the noise stopped once I started to sweat a bit and the material got a bit moist.

In summary, this was an EXCELLENT week!

The goal for WEEK 8 will be to stick with 2-3 mile runs but up the intensity of my cross training a bit.

I'm headed to Mexico for a week-long vacation on Saturday, so I don't want to be spent during my vacay. I fully intend on running a bit while I'm there, but nothing too strenuous. However, when I return for WEEK 10, I will be coming off of 2 easy weeks of training, so I plan to ramp it up a bit.

I'll most likely have my laptop with me on vacay, but I'm not sure if/how my broadband will work in Mexico, or if the resort will provide free Internet access. So, you may or may not hear from me while I'm there.

Almost Thirty

DAY 48: MY FIRST 5K WAS A BLAST!!!

Greetings,

My first 5K was FREAKING AWESOME!!!

First and foremost, I gotta give a shout out to my family and friends for all the encouragement and support going into the race! It really meant a lot to me.

Abridged Race Report:
I finished. I had LOTS of fun. I felt great during and after the race. AND much to my surprise, I won my age group!!! SWEET!!!

Un-abridged Race Report:
This was a very small race (~100 runners) held by the Philadelphia Unemployment Project. My best friend forever (BFF) ran with me for support. Even though she didn’t train much, she rocked it!

I was really looking forward to getting one of those timing chips that everyone talks about, but unfortunately, they didn’t have them. But I did get to pin my first number bib to my shirt! #1939. And I got my first race t-shirt. NICE!!!

The course was completely flat, a simple out-and-back along a closed road running parallel to the Schuykill River near the infamous Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was about 75*F and the air was pretty muggy. The skies were overcast with lots of clouds threatening to pour rain, but the sun ended up breaking through eventually.

The start line was very unofficial and the race began with some guy yelling into a bullhorn. People were just sort of standing around chatting, when he randomly yelled “GO!” No ‘1, 2, 3’ or ‘On your mark, get set,’ just “GO!” So, my BFF and I ended up crossing the start line about 30 seconds after the race actually began.

We went out slow and comfortably, just like all my serious ruuner friends suggested. My BFF felt we were going too slowly because EVERYONE took off past us while we were putting along. But she followed my ‘slow’ lead and we ran the first mile in 10:22. As we picked up the pace just a bit during the second mile (9:59), we gradually started to pass people as they started to lose steam and slow down. I was still feeling just fine. My legs felt strong and I wasn’t huffing and puffing. When we hit the beginning of mile 3, I began to pick up the pace a bit more but my BFF started to get side cramps. Running along side my best friend was more important than my finishing time, so I slowed down with her. But when the finish line came into view at about the last half mile, I took off without her (she gave me her blessing) and came in at 30:29, according to my FR 305. However, I think my ‘official’ time was 31:08 according to the digital clock at the finish line.

My family was waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me on and taking pictures. Most of the other runners figured out that it was my first race because my family was making a spectacle out of the event: jumping up and down, rolling a digital video camera, flashing several cameras and of course yelling and screaming. They were AWESOME!

Then to top things off, it turned out that I finished first in my age group, which earned me my first piece of running hardware. I would have NEVER thought I would win anything, but I did and I was flabbergasted.

CLICK HERE FOR PICS FROM MY FIRST 5K


I am stoked about my next 5K race coming up on Oct 5, but I’m even more excited about volunteering at the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept 21.

I'm going to take a 'rest' day tomorrow and go rollerblading with my mom and sister.



Almost Thirty