Thursday, October 21, 2010

Denver

I know I have been absent in the world of blogging and well that is because my hopes and dreams of running an entire half marathon were shattered with the news of my injury. I have been taking it easy and only doing small 3 mile runs lately to just test thing out and so far I have been good to go. Pain but nothing outrageous like before. I had decided that I am not built for running 5 days a week and that 3 day of running with cross training would be best for me. I have also been lacking on the blogging because I have not been working out everyday like I wanted to so I had fallen off the wagon of exercise... ish (three days a week aka not enough time in the gym). and was feeling totally bummed because my Denver trip was coming up and that was the day i was supposed to run my half marathon.


So last week on Thursday I hopped on a plane to head to the mile high city. I am not such a good flier so I always stop into the bar for a little bit of courage. Here is a picture of my courage of choice ( 20oz beer and Crown Royal on the rocks) and my drinking buddy ( no judgment there).

I got off the plane was greeted by my nephew and my sister who made the short..ish trip to the airport to come pick me up and then we headed back to their place about 25 mins outside of Denver. At this point I am just a supporter of this half marathon and I get to enjoy this much needed vacation. As I am riding in the car with my sister she begins to tell me the farthest she has gone in her training is 8 miles so I begin to start thinking if she is going to do this then I can. I mean I know I can't RUN it but who's to say I can't walk and run, walk and run the darn thing. So now she's got me thinking......

The next morning I wake up to my precious little nephews trying to get their Aunt out of bed with their silly faces of course I made them smile once too. We headed out to get a cupcake at the cupcake store and then off to the arcade and bowling I will have you know I was the big winner I bowled a 161 ( a score I will probably never duplicate or come close to again in my life). We head back to the house and wait for all the other to arrive. My mom and her two friends are also joining in on the 13.1 mile madness. I am now watching everyone printing out their release forms and talking about corral numbers and I decide well heck might as well giver
NOw that the whole crew has arrived and I have decided to take on this challenge (UNDER TRAINED) I do what all run walker do to get ready..... A hay maze with my nephews!!


Well with that complete and one cup of coffee down it is time to head into Denver and pick up packets and meet up with the last member of the team.


When the directions to packet pick are go inside the building with the big bear they were not kidding. This is where we'd be meeting up with the last member of the A squad Jamie (who by far is no rookie runner The Denver half was her 11th of the year I believe). As for most of us this was our first time doing the rock and roll half marathon so we took picture and tried to get as many free thing as possible. My sister and I made out like bandits.

Now for the pre race day tradition
It was game time and well I trapped on my shoes and went for it i walk the majority of the race because I had not run in 6 weeks but the walking was wearing on me so I did about a 4 mile running portion and then ended with a hellish mile of running. All in all it was a great event and I had fun but was not able to reach my goal but I did finish :)

Friday, October 1, 2010

tried again

Just 2 miles tonight with a 2o mins row workout after but I just wanted to see how the foot would hold up and so far so good. For you runners out there when you take time off and you come back your first run always feels great you feel like you could run forever but then the next time you go out two days later it not quite as easy as it was the first time. There are always good days and bad days with running but I am just happy to be back putting some miles on not many but still more then I have ran in the past 4 weeks. My sister has now started training too so it is fun to have a buddy. Although we can't run together because I think one of her strides is about one and a half of mine. She is making great time on her runs so we could start together then she can stretch, drive home and put dinner in the oven by the time I am wrapping up a run. It is nice to have someone that is training anyway. I think she will be happy when I can go more then 4 miles again:). Off to bed this girl has got to get her beauty rest.
-RR-

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Surprise!!!

I went to workout tonight and thought you know what I'm going to try and run again!!! I did and it went great I ran 3.1 miles. I can tell I am not completely healed I could feel some discomfort but nothing to really write home about. So this means I can't get back on the running wagon yet but I am going to slowly reintroduce it into my routine so probably once a week maybe twice a week and see how it feel with a lot of no impact cross training ice elevation and keeping the boot on more then I have been. But this was an encouraging outing but i don't want to go too fast on my end!
-Rookie Runner-

HELP ME WALK

Okay I am going for another test this weekend and it is only a walk, it is to help fight heart disease and I'm asking for your help. Here is the link to my web page to donate and help support the fight. This walk in only three mile I am still kinda worried that is may be too long for me but my foot has been feeling good but it still get VERY swollen after any activity so we shall see. Thanks so much for all your support.

http://blba.us/i.asp?id=327158-305386919-1




Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Doctor's Report Part 1

So last Thursday I went back to the doctor to see what our next step was going to be. I reported on my test run and told him that I still have pain no where near where it was but still can't run. HE was debating on whether I need MORE/Stronger steroids to take or pain meds, but before he was going to make any decisions he wanted to have me get a bone scan. So yesterday I headed to the hospital to become radio active and have them scan my right foot. I got there at 830 am and the injected me with a tracer (that would be the radio active part of the process). After that they took a few still shots of my foot then off I went to work. I had to go back at noon to get the the bone scan part of things. They took 5 different picture that took about 15 mins each and they are looking at where the blood is concentrated because that will indicted a brake or injury. So as of right now I am doing the waiting game. The people at the hospital have to go over the scan and write a report then send it to my doctor who will then figure out a treatment plan. I should hear from my doctor by Thursday I am hoping. The bad news with all this is that i am still int he boot and the doctor say no half marathon for you!! he said that I will not be healthy enough to run/walk it so looks like I am going on a Denver vacation on instead. I can't handle all the inactivity so maybe not to the best of doctors orders but close I have been biking and rowing at the gym everyday and concentrating on lifting. Last weeks routine was 20 mins on the bike and 20 mins of rowing.. this week I will be upping the ante and doing 30mins on the bike and 25 mins of rowing. Until the doctor's phone call on Thursday.
-Rookie Runner-

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Test run results.

So this is how it goes. The doctor told me to go on a test run to see if I still had pain.....Turns out I do. Last night I went to the gym and gave running a shot. First off I wanted to warm up so I did a 5 min bike followed by a good stretch (My dynamic stretch routine) then I hit the treadmill and well I went for 1.25 miles..... NOT WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR.... But it didn't hurt like pain but it was bothersome so I shut er down. After that I hit up the row machine for more cadio after I knocked out 20 min there I was feeling really good and so was my ankle so I tried the out running one more time I got about .5 miles in before I knew I should stop. I lifted my arms after that and was out the door. I headed home and was feeling good about how things went no pain after and so I think I'm on the road to recovery.........Then came Wednesday, this morning I went in for a A.M. workout after getting up enjoying a cup of Joe and a nice ten minute ab burner I was ready for the gym. Today's trial was warm up on the bike for 10 mins then stretch then row for ten then run. Well today the running did not go well at all. I now have pain when I walk again not a lot I just can tell I'm injured I was only able to get in .75 miles in today. So it looks like I am still laid up for awhile but we shall see what the doc says tomorrow am. Good news is I am loving my gym and there are a bunch of things I can do there to stay in shape I will just not be in running shape but by the end of this I think I may have to join a crew team of sorts because I'm a rowing fool these days. My arms are so sore it hurts to hold them in the air for any amount of time. Just typing is a stretch but at least I do not have to lift them until tomorrow if I possibly will be able to. 8am tomorrow and I will have a game plan from Dr. B.
-Rookie Runner-

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Here we go its test day!!

I will give an update on my actual test run when it is over. I am not so sure it am 100 percent yet but we shall see how today goes. I did a small test yesterday not with running but with walking with out the boot on for a small portion of the day. When I went to the gym I left the boot in the car. I lased up my tennis shoes and went for it...ish. I did some work on the recumbent bike and that was great because I did not have to move my ankle at all really so i did a nice warm up and earthing felt great. then off to the rowing machine after I got a good stretch in. and when it come to rowing well I did it one legged because the position your foot stay in is total extension and I am not supposed to do that at all, so I worked away with my arms and leg. then when that was done I headed to the weights. I only did a leg workout because I will be doing arms today and i want to be able to get a good work out in even if I can't run. So after the gym I head to my softball game and for the first time and sat and watched and played the cheerleader card, I still had a great time because I have a great team. After I worked up and appetite by watching our team score 26 runs we all decided because it was our last game and it was only 7pm ( we usually get done lat like 9) we all went to dinner and a great little Mexican joint. Dinner was deliouse now I have to convice a certain someone to take me there again:) now that softball is over. Getting very excited to try out the foot but also quite nervous time will tell nothing I can really do about it now beside following the doc's orders.
-Rookie Runner-

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Days, Years, Weeks, Months.

It had been ages since I have checked in with the blogging world it is just a lot harder to talk about lifting and ab workouts which is all I have been up to these days. I made a trip back home last weekend to attend a wedding and sing. So I skipped a training day but I am back on the straight and narrow and have been hitting the every other day work out pretty consistently. Due to the fact that I am lifting I have been doing it every other day for recovery. Right now I have an ab video with 3/10 minute work outs and I start with one of those then I stand up and do my Dynamic stretching (not static stretching which is holding one position for 30 secs or so). Dynamic stretching is when you do butt kicks, walking lunges, high knees and skips, and do them slowly and the gradually speed up. It warmps up the muscles and get your heart rate up. I tweak some of the stretching due to the boot and I do not want to over do it. Then after that I head into my heavy arm work out and my legs. I am pretty limited on my legs only can really do two lifts but its better then nothing. After all the heavy lifting I go back to my abs I have core exercises I have to do for my back ( I have a birth defect that has cause one of my vertebra to shift 50% out of place). So to the balance ball I go concentrating on balance and form then I hit another ten minute ab routine to finish up the work out. I am getting bored with this little workout plan and I got a once in a life time offer from a gym near my work ( 2 block away) and jumped on it. All fees waved and the first month free and its cheap too so I will be canceling my Netflix and a tanning package ( mom I don't use it very ofter because it is not healthy gym much better choice) I have had for some time now so it will be a wash. This will be nice because it is so close to work. Lunch hour workouts coming at ya hot. I have a lot more verity at the is gym and I will be adding rowing into my non running workouts now that I have a gym. When this is all said and done and I am back on my feet the training schedule may be altered a bit to three days running and two days of cross training. I need to work back into things slow and 5 days a week of running may have been too much to start out with. But we shall see what the doc says. Only 6 more days and I am back on the running wagon and I can't wait for it.
-RR-

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Broken Hearted. Diagnosis.

The Diagnosis: Today was the day I went to the doctor. I know in my last post I said this would only be failure if I let it be. Well I just got the news not but 1 hour ago so your getting the "fresh wound" out look right now. Zero positive attitude coming at you hot. Right now I feel like I just finally had momentum on my running I finally became a runner. I was even into the stage of having to buy real running gear like body glide and nice socks and good sports bras. I guess I can save my rubles. The doctor does not have a solid diagnosis yet but it could be one of two things. The first being - Achilles Tendinitis ( a runner hell!! but what I'm hoping for). The second being torn Tendons- I have grinding and that is what he is worried about that is definitely not normal. I have to wear the walking boot for two weeks 24 hours a day well I get to sleep without it and shower but other then that nothing. I asked him about no or low impact activities and he said absolutely not. After the two weeks we take the boot off and run. If it still hurts that is a bad sign because if I had option "A" I would be good to go and I will be able to continue running and there would be no pain because it only takes a few weeks of rest and it would be healed. With option B- I would be going back to get a bone scan to see if it's a stress fracture and or if my tendon have ripped. I would then likely not even be able to participate in the half marathon at all. Needless to say even if I am only out for an additional two weeks that is a total of three weeks with no cardio training at all. and It would be near impossible to run the whole half. So my goal is no longer attainable. I have now decided that the Seattle half is going to be my new goal its 5 weeks later. Well that is what the doctor said so there you have it.

The reaction: I must say right now I feel like I can't do anything right!! I was doing everything the right way and going slow and steady but I still got injured. I feel like I am going to be a bump on a log now for the next two weeks and turn into a big fat blob!! Nothing works like running does to get into shape. I feel like in two weeks time I will be back in my fat pants and feel like running was a stupid idea to begin with. I am currently in tears because no matter what anyone tells me I don't feel like they understand. I know that they are being supportive and caring and what not but right now I don't care. They were not the ones giving up Seahawks games and beers with friends and getting 5 hours of sleep and waking up at 6 am on weekends to get in a 5 mile run. So it all falls on deaf ears right now. I mean this was my big fear I was even worried about playing my beloved game of softball because I didn't want to get injured. I created a habit and stayed with it pretty well only missing two days in 5 weeks. I have accomplished something I didn't think I could do when it come to running and training and now I have to stop. I want to sit and cry...more. This may all sound dramatic to you all because it is just again two weeks. I was also debating if I should even post my reaction paragraph. But I figure It might help me get it all out there. Or it may show someone else that they are not alone. I said that this blog would be the documentation of my adventure and I wanted to stay true to that. The good bad and the UGLY. So there you have it.

The solution: I was driving back to the office and was racking my brain on activities I can do to stay in shape ( and not a round shape). I was on the fence back and forth be positive or crack. I am still on the face emotionally but mentally I have decided that this will slow me down but it will not stop me. I am going to become a strength training machine, I recently had a goal of doing 100 consecutive push ups (there is a training program). I did not make it but I am going to get back on that band wagon and I am also going to work my core until Victoria ( from Victoria Secret) calls me herself and asks me to be an "Angel" aka bra model. I am going to do join a gym to get more access to different exercise equipment where I will not be using my foot. I am going to need to come up with a training program that I can post and check off just Like I was doing with running. I know I said a lot of this last week but I didn't think I'd be out another two weeks so I did lift and bike last week and tried to run ( unsuccessfully) to stay in shape but its got to be in high gear now. I am going to have to watch my nutrition a touch closer now, but I should have done that anyway. I am going to have a positive mental attitude and practice P.S.T. ( positive self talk). I got that from my coaching friends back home (thanks Jim and Simpson). I also am going to need some help from the big guy up stairs on this one so I will be praying for strength along the way so that I do not get discouraged. I know I have it in me to get through a set back but it is just disheartening.
That was the long and the short of it. I'm feeling pretty good about things and I know it could be worse so I am thankful its not.
-Rookie Runner-

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Mileage Stand Still

Time for a breakdown, I called my mom last night to inform her about the injury and what I have read on the internet ( which means it must be true). I found out that I probably pulled or strained my Achilles tendon, and they all say rest rest rest. NO running what so ever!! Well I never thought that if I found out I could not run it would result in tears well let me tell you it did. By tears we mean I went straight into the "ugly cry". I was debating because I will not be running if I should even do blog posts because I have looked at 65 miles now for four days straight and it has not gone up at all and its killing me. After talking with my mom i found out she sent me some voodoo magic stuff in the mail when hearing about this set back I feel a lot better. I am now going to be doing some strength training this week along with biking and anything else I can to that does not cause stress on my ankle. So as long as I can get back to running in about ten days I will be okay I hope. When I stated above that Jackie "The Mother" sent me VooDoo stuff I am reffurring to a sports cream and some small magnants. I am not sure if they will help but one thign is for sure they can not make me worse so... I am currently magnetically charged and smell like menthol. I have been icing as much as I can I am on my 2nd round of ice today and I am at the office:). I am also taking some noninflammatory meds that I got for my back injury ( situation). I even called in injured to my slowpitch games tomorrow ( something I never thought I would do) but I have to get on the road as soon as possible and because I know I am incapable of taking it easy on the field I think it is better to not even put myself out there for risk. I have some great people around me who been making sure A- I don't run through the pain and B- know that is okay to rest when your hurt ( something that is foreign to me, I mean I played softball last week after taking a ball to the jaw). I really do not want to fail and I first assciated this with failure. I don't get hurt, I don't take days off, I have a program and I am sticking with it,!! I am now starting to realize that this will only be a failure if I let it be. If I give up and say now that I have lost a week of training I will no longer be able to run the whole 13.1 miles, and give up on my goal. My goal is still to run the whole way and I believe I will still be bale to do so. So my updates for the next week or so are not going to be about running but about different types of work outs and staying active while I heal. I will stay on my schedule and stay active 5 days a week but with different things. So the emotional roller coaster has begun.
-Injured Runner-

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Heart breaking.

Tuesday time to get back on the running train and put in 5 miles. Well that didn't happen!!! I tried on two different occasions to run and something is defiantly wrong with my right Achilles area. I am very upset about this new draw back I am not sure if I should rest or if it is something I can run out of and it just needs to be warmed up?? Today is my interval day and I am only supposed to do 3 miles but I think that I am going just see if i can get my 5 mile easy jog in from yesterday I do not want to lose the mileage I have built up so far and I am nervous that if I do a short three mile with high intensity that it could get worse. I am not sure if i should go to the doctor for this yet or not. If it does not feel any better after today I will be heading to the doctor soon so that I can get this taken car of and back on my running schedule. I hate to report bad news but i did some work on the bike last night and did a lift routine so that I was still moving but no running.....Boo.
-Injured Rookie-

Monday, August 23, 2010

Race weekend!

Getting ready to race in the rain the swelling has gone down!!
Rain in Seattle what is this!! Running in the rain.
1,000 of my closest friends running with me.
Don't mind the laundry I'm in the middle of doing that's day two Friday was worse.
Swollen cheek/Face


Don't mind that all these pics were from my cell phone but it was all I had on me :) This past weekend was my big 10k race on Sunday the 22nd of August. I had quite the busy weekend from Friday night to Sunday evening. When I got work off on Friday my focus of the weekend had shifted to preparing for the race on Sunday. I had a lapse in judgment this weekend with my preparation like playing in my slow pitch game on Friday night without taking a warm up jog and stretching. This resulted in a tight hamstring it was not completely pulled but I could feel it when I walked as soon as I felt the strain I took it easy. That however did not protect my face from the next draw back I was catching and in slowpitch catcher do not wear anything protective on their faces (until now) and i took a foul ball right off the bat into my face. I was lucky enough that it hit me right below the cheek and the only damage was pain and a bruised mouth. I looked like I had gotten in a bar fight Friday night but with the help of some Mac n Cheese and a little icing I was feeling better before bed. I woke up on Saturday morning and still had quite a bit of pain in my hamstring so I decided that it would be best to rest and skip my 3 mile run I am all about training and following this program but I can't run if I am not healthy so I skipped it..oops I was also concerned about my mouth situation I knew that I would be running for an hour the next day and that the inside of my mouth would be rubbing against my teeth the whole time and was wondering how that would work out. I know it is not a normal concern with most runner but i had a rough go Friday night. So I headed to pick up my race packet and get all the details of the race at about 1 then did some retail theory ( not the best thing to be walking around with a hurt hammy but I had to do something). I went and picked up some running clothes at the Under Armour outlet and then headed back home for the Pre season Seahawks game that started at 7pm. I got to thinking and decided to sit this game out so that I could be down at the race venue feeling as refreshed as possible. But I still walked down to the stadium to sell my friends ticket for her. I got a touch of the atmosphere and then whet home to mentally prepare/ eat pasta until I couldn't eat anymore. I know that the whole carbo loading thing does not really work but it does wonders to your mental prep. My goal was to finish the 6.2 miles in 1:15:00 I did not take any kind of stop watch or clock with me because I just wanted run and find out what my natural pace is. I got to running and I think I was a great decision to hold off on the running the day before it took me about 2 miles to really feel good but my leg felt okay the whole time the more I ran the better it felt. There were a couple of hill that gave me leg some trouble and i had to baby it a bit but other then that I finished the race in 1:10:00. So I was happy with that. It hard to know how much energy to expend when you have never run a distance before because you don't want to burn out so I think that if i did this distance again I could get done faster. Today I am feeling good with the exception of a few aches and pains but my hammy feels great so I have no worries. On to a rest day today and 5 miles tomorrow. I am going to see if I have a picture of my beat up face to throw on here but not sure I have one but stay tuned.
-RR-

Friday, August 20, 2010

Motivation from the boss.

I am lucky enough to have a boss at work ( yes I realized I just said work and where else would you have a boss IDK just roll with it) that is training for a full marathon. I am not sure if i have mentioned this before but its nice to talk running with someone at work. He did the R&R 1/2 marathon here in Seattle so he has done all this before. I realize I have mentioned that I do my interval training on a treadmill so that I can measure my pace and speed easily. I mentioned this to the boss and he gave me a good old fashion speech about if there is any run you should not do on a treadmill its interval training. I said whatever, after a long discussion/debate I figured he was right and if I am taking this serious I need to put in the work. So last night I went to GL because they have 1/4 mile marks on the ground so this would be great for the interval of 800m I was going to be doing. Well I did a mile warm up and stretched it out before I began this hellish workout. Well it was not easy I decided to run without pace ( in fear I would not pick one fast enough) on my 800m I just ran as fast as I could without sprinting, the last interval of 800m I did was not much different the my slow jog to recover. I ended up covering 5.6 mile in 1:04:45. After 6x800m dashes I was beat. But I felt good I also felt like I could still run so that is always great. I had my first I hate this moment while experiencing a side ache from HELL, all I could think was damn you boss man why did I let you into my running world!! All in all I am glad I did now I have a new mental strategy on my short runs I am going to push the speed a bit more and try to get more out of those small runs. Well now I am out the door for a quick 4 miles before the daily grind. Happy running.
-RR-
P.S. I also know yesterday was a rest day but I did the classic switch from Wednesday and Thursday due to a long Wednesday nap. :)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tuesday 5 Miles 58:48 GIrl Talk.


This is a picture from my running route cell phone style sorry for the quality
They know what they are doing. Whoever makes these training programs knows what they are talking about because the workouts don't seem overwhelming, like I thought they would. Just enough of a mileage increase to keep you interested and excited about the whole thing. Now I know I have only run 5 miles at this point but I'm shocked at how I feel when I'm done.

DISCLAIMER: FOR ALL MEN WHO DO NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO SOME SERIOUS GIRL TALK OR YOU WANT TO THINK THAT US GIRLS ARE STILL ATTRACTIVE I SUGGEST YOU STOP READING IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER.

Girl talk this fine Wednesday is going to be about boobs. We all have them and they are something that we need to control during running. I have the blessing/curse of losing weight and not losing any of it in my chest. I am now on a bra hunt. When running for a hour at a time I have found that my chest will rub on any seam that is close to it and it never really hurts until after I am done. I am now on a hunt for a good sports bra that will keep me cool and eliminate hot spots. Now for all you woman out there that have any suggestions on where to start please fill me in. I know I have to get a handle on this soon because in a weeks time I am not sure I will be able to wear a normal bra to work anymore.....and well that is just not acceptable. I got a suggestion from a friend on a place to go that specializes in woman's sports and they have great bras from what I hear. Well today at work I put my measurements in their size calculator and they said they could not compute!! GREAT, PERFECT!!! Well I am going to go check this place out in person and see what I come up with. But wearing two sports bras at one time creates more heat then necessary and the rubbing and chaffing that is occurring will not fly after this week's run. Looks like I am becoming a runner and it is not as easy and as cheap as I thought this little gifty gift may cost be a bundle but if could just be worth it. I need comments on this one because I need help so I can shower without pain. Talk to me ladies.
-Rookie runner-

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Week 4 Training Schedule

Week 4

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - Run 5 miles easy.
  • Wednesday - Warm up with 10 to 15 minutes of easy jogging. Run 6 x 800 meter repeats at around your 5K pace or 15 seconds per mile faster than your 10K pace. Jog for 400 meters between repeats. Cool down with 800 meters of jogging.
  • Thursday - Rest or cross train. ( we all know that this should just say REST no CT for me)
  • Friday - Run 4 miles easy.
  • Saturday - Run 3 miles easy.
  • Sunday - Run 6 miles easy. ( My 10k Race day)

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Traning Continues....

Feels like forever since I have given a update. This weekend was a smashing success. I got my two miles in early Saturday morning and I got my 5 miles in on Sunday at about 6:30am. After my early Sunday run I watched my mom complete her second triathlon of the summer. I did not think I was going to cry when she finished but as soon as I was watching all the woman crossing the finish line I was in tears for a solid 20 mins. SO when I got home I needed to reward myself after the emotional and successful morning I had just had and this Sunday the reward happened to be laying in the sun on the rooftop and drinking some beers. My run took me 1:05:00 after moving that long you need your carbs (beer). A couple of my friends stopped to helped me on this venture and then we all headed to a concert and had a great little Sunday. I know that my mind set has changed in the past three weeks. I was thinking on Sunday night that I could have a few beers because I did NOT have to run on Monday.... turns out I still had to work on Monday and that had not really crossed my mind but oh well. So I enjoyed my day off by playing in my softball game and then going out to a fabulous dinner. With all my training that I have been doing I think that I might have finally broken into the "you can eat whatever you want phase" of my training. I have turned my body into a calorie burning machine and I seem to be hungry a lot more, hence the eating whatever I want. The problem with this is that bad food does not sound as appetizing as it once did. During the day I am concerned with what I eat because I want it to be good fuel for the run ahead and I want to be sure it also sits well in my stomach (nothing like running uncomfortable). But after I run I have treated my self to a trip to the ice cream shop and the occasional French fry feast ( delish by the way). Just a couple more hours at the job then I head out for a 5miler this evening.
-RR-

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday's Morning run. 4 miles 49 mins.

Its Friday so you know what that means up early to get my run in before work. Today my goal was to be up and at em at 5:45am so I could drive to my running location. I failed at that attempt. I was instead up at 6:20am and knew that I had to hustle to make my run before work. So I had half of a protein bar and some leftover pasta from the night before ( yeah that's right I had dinner for breakfast.) I knew I need some carbs for my run and my protein bar was not going to cut it I just ate it to feel like I had something in my stomach. So I drove to GL and hit the trail I felt good during my whole run today got into the grove early but at the end I did want to stop I could have pressed on but if felt good to be done. For the first time I felt exhausted after this run I walked in the door to my penthouse suite (aka a studio of about 430sq feet), and crawled right back into bed for 10 mins After a quick rinse. I don't think I had the proper nutrition today. I needed more food before I started but I had no time for a bigger breakfast (running late as usual) and I hate running on a full stomach so that's why I had what I did, lesson learned. I was reading a few articles on training and most of them say if you send your body into a calorie deficiency while you are running you feel more tired after and have a big appetite. So the experts say you should have a good meal before running and to keep consuming calories while running (if it is over an hour) so that your body can stay as consistent as possible when burning calories. I am not quite up to the one hour mark so I have not toyed with GU gels yet but I defiantly need to be aware of what I am eating before hand. I felt like I had not slept in days and that a nap was in order but I did not have that option due to this thing called work so after my 8min power nap I grabbed a G2 and headed to Starbucks to get food and a coffee. I felt like a million bucks after the food and a cup O Joe. For those of you wondering I do not drink what I like to call "fufu coffee" I drink black unsweetened iced coffee, it gives me the boost I need with out adding all the extra crap. I am trying to limit empty calories on drinks, I'd much rather eat. Well tomorrow I have an easy 2 mile jog and then my biggest run yet 5miles I'm getting into the runner realm where when you tell people you went and ran 5 miles they say "you are a runner??" or what I always liked saying " oh really just a 5 mile jog like that, no problem yeah right I'd die if I had to do that, nice work". I'm still a beginner until I have to buy running socks and Body Glide and GU pack. MY teammates ( Jackie "the mom" and Keri "the sister") say that will all come at about mile 7. So a few more weeks and I might just be a runner.
-Rookie Runner-

Thursady Intervals 4 miles 45 mins

I got home from work today and it was beautiful out so what did I do, I hopped on the treadmill. Like I have mentioned the interval training is very tough to do when you don't have a way to measure your pace and so the treadmill got the bid ...for now. I Had to do 6 400m with 400m between with each and warm up and cool down. I know myself and know I would lose track so before I went to hit the gym I got a note card wrote down numbers 1 through 6 and and when I was done with my fast pace run I got to tear off the number it was great little game for me. My paper kept getting smaller and the task became more doable as time passed. When I hit my 5th interval I began to get a side ache and thought looks like I'll have to slow down my pace but then the competitive side took over and thought this is the exact moment that I am improving my running and getting a fast pace on my other runs. So I pressed on and it never became a full blown side ache and the 6th and final interval was great. Not a very exciting post but I felt good not great but good during my run and was even able to go get ice cream with some friends later that night so the switching of the rest day worked out.
-Rookie Runner-

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Workout EPIC FAIL

So on Wednesdays I have my ole interval training. This week it will be a Thursday interval training. I will have you know it is was not due to lack of motivation but lack of facility. I went and met my friend Rafter and crew at a local pub when I got off work to watch them have some beers. When I got home at 9pm I geared up for my workout and walked downstairs ( I have a work out room in my apartment). When I unlock the door someone was running on MY treadmill the nerve don't they know that, that treadmill belong to me??? SO I politly asked when they would be done and they said a half hour. This person on the treadmill I think is the only other person in the building that uses it and he also is the one I see out on my morning runs too. I think that we may be on the same plan. Run outside but when you have to the treadmill will do. So back upstairs to my glorious home I went and I got sucked into a TV show and well headed back down at about 10pm ( wow late I know). But another human had stolen my training device. So I chalked it up to a loss and will get the intervals tackled today NP ( no problem).
So my mother, Jackie is coming into town this weekend to compete in the Danskin Triathlon. She is one of my partners in crime in the Marathon.5 and she happened to scholarship my entry fee to the event as well. It should be a nice motivation for me, to keep on, keeping on. Watching her and her friends swim 1/2 mile then bike 12 miles then run a 5k WOW looking forward to being the official photog for this fine event. If you are not familiar with this triathlon it is a female only extravaganza and it is a blast to just be around all those amazing female athletes. So in talking to Jackie aka Mom she informed me that this could be an emotional journey as well as a physical one. She told me that she cried when she finished her first marathon ( yes the whole 26.2) and after the first triathlon she did. I was thinking great I am going to be a S*^! show at the end of the ROCK N ROLL because I cry when a good comical comes on or when people get kicked off American Idol. So I have that! to look forward to. I will probably cry this weekend when Jackie passed the finish line and I am there to watch. Go get em MOM.
-Rookie Runner-

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Week 3 Workout.

Sorry I never got Week 2's workout Schedule up, but here Is week 3.

Week 3

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - Run 4 miles easy.
  • Wednesday - Warm up with 10 to 15 minutes of easy jogging. Run 6 x 400 meter repeats at 10 seconds per mile faster than your 5K pace or about 25 seconds faster than your 10K pace. Jog for 400 meters between repeats. Cool down with 800 meters of jogging.
  • Thursday - Rest or cross train.
  • Friday - Run 4 miles easy.
  • Saturday - Run 2 miles easy.
  • Sunday - Run 5 miles easy. You make another increase in mileage here. Remember to keep you pace easy. You will increase your longest run by one mile each week.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Today's 4.1 miles 48mins 23 secs

The pace has finally gotten into 11 minute range and I am happy about that. I was supposed to do just 4 miles but when I was cruising Greenlake I had to run a bit farther (ha ha ha .1 miles) to make sure I was at least getting the miles in. Today was a day where I lacked complete motivation but from a few posting on facebook and a pep talk from my boss I drove to GL and headed out after a headache of a parking situation. So there I was waiting to pull into a spot on my left but had to yield to the car that had just pulled into the lot I was sitting WITH my blinker on. I very patiently waited for them to pass when much to my surprise they just pulled right into my spot. It took everything in my power not to just drive home and say the stars were stacked against me. So I cruised around the other two parking lots and got nothing there, so I headed right back to the location of "the incident" and a spot had opened up right next to the one I had originally wanted to park in. Now I had the option of saying to myself wow what a great parking spot its basically right where I wanted to be OR be filled with animosity toward the driver that was still in her driver seat and send evil vibes her way. I will have you know I went with option 2. But it gave me some great motivation for the beginning of my run. It was not the right thing to do but sometimes you don't have the discipline for the right thing and today I was just lucky to be running. So I am sorry to the woman that was the parked next to me and may have received an unfriendly expression. Now that I was off and running I found myself thinking what do you think about when you run like the song on the Ipod, work, boys, how far you have left and or how far you have gone. I always seem to get stuck on the how far until this is over topic. Then when I hit some random point it comes to me wow I've been running for while and could keep going, only a mile left wow that is totally doable. If someone would have told me two weeks ago that I would be running for almost an hour and feel good, I would have never believed it. So that was my silver lining and my victory of the day. I can run longer then I thought I would be able to and it's only week three. I started my run in a pissed frame of mind and well by the end I thought I will be able to do my 5 miler at the end of the week ( got to love endorphins!!). Once again running won I did not (I try to hate it but I always like and even enjoy the second half) and I am excited for my next work out.
-RR-

Week three Has begun.

Update- I am completely committed now! If for some reason it decided to quit this journey( which I do not plan on doing) It will cost me $227.98 Because yesterday I bought my plane ticket to Denver. What a great deal thank you Southwest. I will be getting there at 6:30 the Thursday before the race and will wake up Friday for a nice little two mile run the last run in my training schedule. This outing I am sure will be a good indication how different the air is up there. I am sure it will be more difficult but my goal is still to run the whole thing no walking. Even if I have to slow my roll that is okay. I got some good news yesterday A- My Seahawks tickets are in the mail. B-I get to go to a Bronco's game after my 13.1 mile jog. Who knows if I'll be up for it but I will make myself up for it. Nothing that a post run beer can't cure I say. On the docket today I have a 4 mile ez jog and I am looking forward to running in somewhat cooler conditions. Running in Chelan was a little different. I have also found that I don't so much enjoy the first two miles of my runs but after they are over I am in a bit a groove and actually have fun. Sorry I have no pics from the weekend oops.
-Rookie Runner-

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Friday early morning 3 mile.

Looks like my new favorite thing to do is run in the mornings on Friday. It is just a great way to start the day and I usually have something going on, on Friday night and have no time for a run. SO yesterday morning I hooked up the blackberry and went out for my three miler. First time I really enjoyed my whole run my pace was even faster then usual and I am getting more comfortable with it all. I still find myself messing with my form to see what the most efficient way to run is. I have really gotten sucked into this whole training thing and find myself online trying to learn as much as I can about nutrition, clothing and everything else. A friend of mine is currently training for a full marathon and so I like to pick his brain for tips and tricks he has learned during his training. It also gives me someone to talk about running with because as interesting as I have come to find it, my friends really don't care about pacing, hydration and the occasional blister I may have ( I know those all sound so very interesting). Today thank goodness is a simple 2 mile jog just to keep my body moving which is good considering I'm headed out of town to watch two of my friends get married. I will get to snap pics with a new camera lens I got. I'm very excited for todays events and to see if I can capture some of the magic with my camera. Well Off to hit the pavement before I hit the road.
-Rookie Runner-

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Interval Traning

Last week when I did intervals it was on a hill that equaled zero fun. This week maybe because I am used to running a little bit more it was my favorite workout of the training thus far. I ended up running 3.75 miles because my warm up was only 10 mins. I also realized once I was done with my last 800m interval I didn't have to run 400m then an 800m cool done I could just go straight to the cool down stage so that was a great little surprise. I am doing a little bit better on pacing, I know where my goal pace is for the faster speed and I just take it back to a slow jog for my recovery. So it didn't feel like I was running for distance even though this has been my farthest mileage yet. Lesson in this is - don't knock it until you try it. I went into this workout thinking it was going to be H-E-Double Hockey Stick, and it wasn't. I also had some distractions. Today I have the day off and well kinda find myself wanting to run anyway ( I won't but I could). Today is my day to get girlie, I am attending a wedding this weekend and I need a new dress and I have a $100 dollar gift card to Nordstrum burning a whole in my pocket so shopping I shall go. Once again I will be out of town and trying to get my workouts in so I hope it all goes as planned, I developed a bit of a blister on one of my feet and I am kind of freaking out because I don't want one of those annoying little things that make a run miserable. So off to a running store to see what they have for this fix. I am kind of excited for tomorrow because I will make it over the 20mile mark after my run I may have to wake up early and check out the "runner wave" on my pier route. I'm off to enjoy my day off and try and get some pictures on this blog of mine.
Rookie Runner- Out.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Week Two Day One


If you have been reading this blog you may have caught on to my erratic schedule I tend to keep. I always think that I have time to do it all and well, I don't. I thought that I would try and run at the same time every day and make this part of my daily routine but as you can see I kinda just squeeze workouts in between my social life. I mean come on I would hate to miss out on fun for my ever so rewarding runs I take myself on 5 days a week. I also said I was going to try and stay away from the treadmill but sometimes that is better then nothing. Which brings me to yesterday's adventure. I had let you know I would be running Greenlake a great hidden gem in Seattle (and by hidden I mean If the weather man says there is a 25% chance of sun this path is packed like bring a horn on your bike and or stroller cause things can get crazy out there!). Well in true fashion I was running late. I got home from work at about 5pm and had to meet my sister at 5:40 and thought I'll be good to go she'll be running late anyway I'll have just enough time to park and run. I may have under estimated a little thing we like to call rush hour... oops. So While driving I realized I was not going to make my Greenlake run but maybe I can just park at the zoo and run around the park there. That is exactly what I did and when I parked and looked down at the time I realized 3 miles was not going to happen so I ran for 1.5 miles. and had just enough time to meet my sister( the one on the right in the picture above) at 6 a little behind schedule but it was fine. We sat back in the park and had a great time listening to great music for about 2.5 hours then we headed home. I had a 3 mile run planned and I know that I need to work on my endurance. So going home and running another 1.5 miles and adding to the previous 1.5 I had run earlier was not going to cut it. It was dark so I headed down to the treadmill, where I decided I have to get my body used to running the correct mileage. So I hopped on and ran the 3 miles like I was supposed to, it was not outside but it better then nothing. I did this run in 33 mins so I was feeling good another small victory and back on the right path after the skipped run on Sunday.
Today I have interval training ( what I have come to call death training) it switches things up a bit but it is not easy. Today's workout will consist of 15 mins of an easy jog to warm up ( jogging for 15 mins for me is still not easy fyi). Then I proceed to run 4x800m at my 5k pace and because I skipped that 5k race this weekend I'm not even sure what that pace is. I just know it is faster then the easy jog I will be warming up with. After I run the 1st 800m I get my heart rate back down with an easy jog for 400m. This takes place 4 time then I get to cool down with an easy 800m jog. I am hoping that because I will be tacking all this information it will take my mind off the distance I will be covering (4.25 mile I have estimated). We shall see.
I'll be giving my update this evening hopefully. But I have friends coming over at 6 tonight to celebrate a birthday not mine) on the roof top. It has turned into quite the hip little joint. So once again I'll be finding a way to squeeze in a workout before the fun starts.
Rookie Runner-Out.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Time for my First confession-



What a wonderful weekend I just had. It was so great to be out on the lake playing beach volleyball for hours and sipping on a few beers here or there. I rolled into camp at about 10 pm on Friday night and chatted and caught up with old friends, and went to bed a little too late. After a semi good sleep I was up and at em. I knew it would be along day and if I didn't run early I would not run at all. So I strapped up my new running shoes (which I found out soon enough that they are not good running shoes at all, they just look fast) and hit the road. When I can back to my 20 plus friends I got teased about my fast looking shoes that were not carrying me very fast ( so they nick named me FloJo ha ha very funny guys). That and I missed out on red beer breakfast so I may have lost some cool point again. After a shower in the lake it was time to play and that is just what we did. This is where my confession comes into play I somehow this weekend got a touch over served Saturday day/night. So my 3 mile run that was supposed to take place on Sunday didn't end up happening I needed to have my beauty rest Sunday and just relax in the sun. We did not hit the road to home until about 6pm So by the time I go back it just was not going to happen. So, week one ended with a big F+. I got one out of my two runs in and that was it. But tonight I will have better news I will be heading out to Greenlake to hit the 3.1 mile loop before I head to the Mary Chapin Carpenter concert. That's right you heard me correct. I'm 27 years of age and the highlight of my week/summer is happening tonight with a Mary Chapin Carpenter Concert. My sister and I grew up listening to her and I got free tickets at work last week so we are heading for the show this evening. This week my workouts increase by a mile from last week so this should be a good test, to see if I can really be a runner. I think the real test is just not missing any workouts which I will not do this week.
Rookie Runner-
P.S. I almost forgot this weekend I got the chance to meet a couple that trains for marathons/ Iron man triathlons. What a great inspiration and wonderful to hear all about how they attack workouts. It makes it seem that a little 3 miles run shouldn't be too hard, you got to start somewhere right??
-RR-

Friday, July 30, 2010

Change of PLans

Cell phone pic
Today I got phone call, " hey you want to go to the ranch/camping for the weekend??" Hmm??. I knew I made plans all over Seattle but they said boats ( thats right with an s two of em). Friends I have not seen in ages, and hot weather.....Summer can come and go in Seattle so I said I'm game. I left work on my lunch break and gathered up all the things you can think you'll need (in the 10 mins you're home). Then I was out the door. I even had a bit of luck at work when my boss cut me lose early. So needless to say, that race I was scheduled to do Saturday night with the new running clothes and my big TV debut is now a thing of the past. I'm going to be beaching it for the weekend. So I leave the office and hit the road and when I'm doing my mental check list I realized I had grabbed my running shoe ( even though I'll be having fun I will be running as well) BUT left them at the office. So now I'm thinking how I can run with just flip flops then it comes to me I have Tevas in the back of my car!!! Saving grace I thought but then I was thinking I could get rocks in them it would be no good but I thought I can make it work (2 miles in Tevas?? maybe). Then I remembered a conversation I had with my friends about a year ago where they informed me that the "Teva train" had passed me about 15 years ago and if I didn't have them then, I sure as heck should not have and or wear them now. So I let my better judgement get a hold of me and I was looking for a new solution to this dilemma of mine. Then could it be a sign on the side of the road that reminded me that there was a perfectly acceptable pair of shoes I could buy off the next exit... The NIKE OUTLET there to save me. You know how I talked about those gifty gifts well today was the first day to explore what kind of gift I'd be buying myself. I knew it would be in the shoe department I just had to find a pair that would fall in the gift category. For those of you wondering what qualifies, my original plan was a gift would be around 20 bucks but today the gift was 34.99. Now I am set...ish I thought to myself...self you probably need a tank top to run in. I mean I was going to get one for the TV debut anyway so I got it for the lake debut instead. Well I am now ready to hit the road and as soon as my peeps show up with my ride I'll be on the road in eastern Washington with no service of any kind. I will be sure to keep running while I am in God's country. until next time.
Rookie Runner- Out.

2.5 30mins 10 sec

Friday morning and I was up with the cruise ship that docks across the street from my house/studio. I had a great run this morning I listened to music and downloaded a new app for my phone to help me track my run. I think I love running to music it helps when you are on the road by 6am. This may sound a little different but I think my favorite person to listen to while running is John Denver. This maybe because it was a nice quiet morning and it was just nice peaceful background noise. So something cool happened to me this morning. I was out on my route and found I am not the only one that gets up early to get a workout in. My mom can attest to this- you know how all motorcycle riders give each other "the wave" when they ride pass one another. I'm sure you do, that is 80% of my motivation to get a motorcycle. Well motorcycle no more i got the runner's wave this morning. I was beside myself I mean I have run outside on the same path and no love....but get out there in the early..ish am and your arm get sore before your legs do with all the waving that was going on ( this also maybe because I got one on the beginning of my run the felt it necessary to spread the love). That, I would have to say was today's small victory that and actually getting up at 5:30am. One more thing before I head off I know what one of my gifty gifts is going to be (and its not small so its going to have to be a half way gift) sun glasses. Today I put mine on and well no shot for wearing those, they do not go with my running clothes at all, and they fog up so if anyone has suggestions on what a good pair my be do tell.
Rookie Runner-

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Curve Ball

The Happy Hour Team
Not a bad Place to hang out on a Sunny day

Today I was very excited to share with you all the things I did besides working out, like: work, sleep in, hosted happy hour on my roof, drove up and down the Puget Sound... But I had a bit of a curve ball. Last night I had a couple of softball games and well I did not get home until about 10pm and after winning the league championship I was completing beat. So I declared yesterday my rest day, making today another day of running. It was a bit of a change because I had a hill workout. I thought a ten minute warm up and about 800m of running would be easy...er. Not so true I had to run longer then 100m to get my heart rate back down before running another hill so it was still a 2 mile run but with hills in it. It felt good to get in the swing of things and I even had time to hang out with some friends and watch them drink some brew. I though it would be a wise decision to stay away from the beer when I had a run planned. Well that's about if for me tonight. 2.5miles tomorrow looking forward to it.
Rookie Runner

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

New Plan

So, because I take a little extra motivating, I have come up with things to help me stay on track. I guess I can credit my boss for this because he is training for a big boy marathon (he completed a half about a month ago and I guess that was just not enough). So this weekend because I have to run three miles I decided to do a 5k race. Just so happens there is on Saturday night AND it is on TV so you know that means....New racing clothes:). I think that doing my run at a race will be more fun and it will switch it up a bit. This got me thinking what other races could I do along the way. So in the middle of August I have a 6 mile run to do and well there is a 10k( 6.21miles) on that Sunday. After that though its kinda slim pickings but I thought, you know, at least I have small goals and races to do to keep me going. I also think that I have a chance to get bored if all I do is run alone and in the same atmosphere. So I am now very excited about things.
Today I can defiantly feel the burn I think it may have something to do with the fact I think I am 18 and can do any activity without warming up. I'm sure the softball running combo needs to be handle a touch better, for example I get to the ball field and throw the ball for about 5 mins and call it good, no running, stretching, jumping,..nothing. I can feel it today for sure I am walking around my office like I went horseback riding last night. I think that a better plan is to realize if I do not warm up and cool down that my body will not rebound like it used to. So I should actually do a little pregame action before the softball madness takes place. Today's work out should be fast and simple it is not a standard run so I think that I'll like it a little more. We shall see it says hills and well I know I have never liked those before. I also wanted to say that after this weekend or maybe even just a rest day I plan on getting some pictures up and show you where these runs are taking place and how great my running gear is, but until then my words are going to have to be enough. I'll be checking in after my ups and downs later...literally my ups and downs. Wish me luck.
Rookie Runner-Out

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Official day one 2mile- 23mins 10secs

Well Tuesday the "real" start of training. This post came late because well I am exhausted. I of course slept in this morning and had no shot as running before the daily grind. So I gathered my softball stuff because I had another game after work today. Like I said you will never have to convince me to run, even sprint 60 feet. So After a disappointing lose I headed home and walked through the door around 8pm. I sat down to write a post about how the last thing I wanted to do was go for a jog after a lose and being gone from home for 12 hours. But when I sat down and opened my lap top no words were coming to mind in fact I just thought I'm kinda stoked to run off my lose and be outside. So I shut 'er down and suited up ( which is my favorite part I have decided because it's the part where I feel like a legit runner). Well I Googled my route today to see where this 2 mile a** whoopin was going to take place. I'm not so sure I got the mileage correct because today was a good running day one of those ones where you could keep going when you are done and you even pick up the pace at the turn cause you are feeling good. So I was kind of disappointed when I added 2 mins to my time, but oh well I was running right. Tonight was a perfect Seattle night and I got to run along the pier and watch the sun go down. As all this was taking place I found myself thinking about when I make the transition to "I'm glad I started this and what an adventure its going to be" from "why the "H" do I really think I can run a what I like to call a marathon.5." So while I wait for that to take place I'm concentrating on putting a smile on and just running without thinking too much. Which to those of you who know me, that may came as a surprise the whole thinking too much bit. Off to bed to rest up and forget about the bad softball game and get ready for the two I have after work tomorrow.
Rookie Runner- out!

Monday, July 26, 2010

2 Miles in 21mins 20sec

Well, I will have you know just because two weeks ago you could run three miles and feel good afterwards does not mean you feel the same after two miles when you have not ran in about three weeks. I mentioned that I was going to do a 2.8 mile run on the beautiful Greenlake. Well I will have you know I was running behind and made it to my game in enough time to get out of the car and realize I would have had to sprint my 2.8 mile fiasco so.... I got mentally prepared for my game instead. Tonight was my first mental battle of this program. I know that Monday is a rest day so I was about ready to say, you know I'll just start on Tuesday like the program says. I have always said that going to the gym is half the battle, just to start the habit and get there. So tonight I got on the treadmill and ran a 2 mile jog because it would have the beginning of a slippery slope if I took today off. I have also learned things in this first workout:
1-New clothes were fun!! but don't look great on, yet.
2-I need to make a plan because I don't like to miss important things like the bachelorette, softball games, and happy hour with friends.
3- pace is not an easy thing to tackle your first time out. I ran my first mile at a 9.5 min pace and the second one around 11.5. I need to keep a consistent pace and not play burn out then relax and jog.
4-I hate running and like it a little at the same time.
5- I love how running makes me feel when I'm done with it.

So that was the trial run and well tomorrow I have another 2 miles to do and I will be doing those outside and hopefully before I go to the office. My goal is to run 90% of my runs outside and never run a "long run" inside. Like I said small victories will keep me going, and tonight small victory was actually just walking into the door of the gym.
Rookie Runner-

Week One's Schedule

Week 1-
Monday - Rest. Rest is an important part of any training program.
(I like this day)
Tuesday - Run 2 miles easy. Run at an easy “conversational” pace.
Wednesday - Warm up with 10 to 15 minutes of easy jogging. Run 4 x Hill repeats. Run up a hill of moderate grade. Run at a pace that feels like 5K pace. Your pace will be slower, but will feel 5K pace because of the added difficulty of the hill. Run up the hill for about 100 meters. Jog down the hill and repeat.
Thursday - Rest or cross train. Rest or engage in a non-running activity.
Friday - Run 2.5 miles easy.
Saturday - Run 2 miles easy.
Sunday - Run 3 miles easy


http://www.runningplanet.com/training/half-marathon-training-program-recreational.html

I am starting today with a 2.8 mile run to see how I do ......and well because that is how long Greenlake is and that is where my softball game is tonight. This being my first day I don't really feel like I need to rest from my "long run" yesterday because I did not have a "long run" yesterday. Just a long ride home from Portland and well I think I could use the jog today. Getting all amped to leave work and begin this whole ordeal. I am mostly excited because like my sister says when you are training for a 1/2 marathon you can eat whatever you want.... I'm sure she meant with in reason. Don't think I'll start that plan until I am running more then 2 mile a day. Small victories folks that's what is going to keep me going. Well that and small gifty gifts I will be getting myself along the training program.
I have also added a mileage tracker on this blog so you can see just how far I have gone , and the link above is the link to the training program I decided to use.
Rookie Runner -OUT!

Day one!!

The shoes!! Thanks Super Jock And Jill!
The running clothes! Love them.
Well, today I start on an adventure I have protested for quite some time now. Training and committing to participate in a half marathon. I kinda like to jump on the band wagon for things and not finish them for example: I watched an Iron Man and was hell bent on doing one for about two weeks but I didn't, I also become a soccer fan right around the time of the world cup and never really watched a game after it was over. So needless to say I may not follow through on ALL my big ideas. Well Last year I said I was going to to do a half marathon in Phoenix AZ with my mom and sister. I found excuse after excuse not to do it. Whether it be work or the cost of the trip. Well NO MORE EXCUSES!! I will be doing the Rock and Roll half marathon in Denver CO on Oct 17Th 2010. I will be starting my training program today. I have done the essentials:

1-got a training program that looks fun/doable.

2-bought new running clothes so that I look cool/like a runner.

3- Started this blog to give myself some accountability.

4-Signed up so I can't back out.

5- Told My partners in Crime (my mom Jackie and sister Keri) That I am in. (They have already started training).

6-Spent more then 35 dollars on a pair of running shoes.

7-Told my place of work that I will be out of town for a weekend in Oct to run in a big big race.

8- Got the all clear from my doctor (he said the back is good to go).

9- Looking at cheap flight to Denver I think if I wait a touch longer I will have a better price.

10-Checked the Seahawks Schedule to see that they were out of town. My last excuse was all clear, they are in Chicago Hopefully beating the Bears on the 17th of October.



I am not sure that my little check list will help because I am a beginner I am really not sure what or how I am supposed to go about sticking to my training schedule. I am an athlete and have been involved in sports my whole life so I know what dedication is. I am still a little bit worried because I picked sports where the farthest you would have to run at any given time was about 60 to 120 feet. So this little 13.1 mile run is not something I can really wrap my head around. I will be posting my daily workouts and struggle that come with these so called workouts ( I know I call them workouts now but their name may change due to how tough they become). I hope you can find something entertaining and or motivating, about this little adventure of mine. I was a coach for many years so I really wanted to find a challenge for myself and 13.1 miles seems like its the one I picked. I know there will be times I want to quit this adventure so some words of encouragement are always welcome along with any tips you may have about any of this. Well I will be posting later to inform you all how run number one goes.
Until next time.
Rookie runner signing out.