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