Week 5: Run 2

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

It was a tough run, I was feeling tired and really didn't want to go, but my sister got me an early birthday present so I wanted to try it out. It's called a camelback, which is basically a water pouch that you wear on your back. It was pretty great except I think I should wear it around my hips rather than my waist, as it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

I'm getting really tired of running. Hopefully this is just a phase, this annoyance with the time I'm spending on it.

Catch (my iPod Shuffle) is awesome and I love him.

Week 5: Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

This was a tough run for some reason, I wasn't running too fast, but my lungs were really burning. I blame the woodsmoke in the area. It smells great when you walk outside, but is a little tough on my chest. The weather was gorgeous, didn't rain a drop on me.

All in all a great run.

Week 4: Run 4

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 4

I'm in Shoreline, WA right now, and the weather is... well, rainy. But it is gorgeous. I ran from my sister's house down to the ferry and back. There are quite a few hills here, so the run was tough. Add to that the sporadic pouring rain and then sprinkling and then clear and it was definitely a change of pace. Exhausting, but a change of pace.

Week 4: Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

Oh. My. God. Last night sucked hard. I had just about convinced myself that I would "run in the morning" which is code for, I'll never run again, when I sucked it up and got dressed. I walked over to the track. And. IT WAS CLOSED! LOCKED UP! Fucking Christmas Break.

So, I was going to just walk home and call it quits when I convinced myself to run the reservoir, which is roughly three miles. I wanted to die.

The night got worse. Just wait till I tell you about it on the regular blog. Just. You. Wait.

Week 4: Run 2

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5+
RPE: 5

This was the first time I had to run this distance on a week day. I was all keyed up about it. Very nervous for some reason. I think because I knew I couldn't torture myself on the track for that long so I was going to have to run at night in an area I'm not entirely sure is completely safe.

The area I ran in was heavily used last night, lots of joggers and dog walkers and only a couple of people looked suspicious. I'm pretty sure I should invest in some pepper spray though, it would make me feel a lot better.

I pushed really hard on this run and actually ended up doing it in 52 minutes, which is fast for me, not for most people, but fast for me. I was pretty proud of myself.

Week 4: Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

I really pushed hard on this run. After hurting my quad stretching (of all things) the day before, I was hurting a bit. But it seemed like the faster I ran, the less it hurt, so I just pushed really hard the first mile and a half. I was dragging ass the next quarter of a mile, my quad was killing every step. So I decided to try this technique I read about in some cancer novel. (Actually, I have no idea where I read about it, but I must have read about it somewhere, because I don't think I would make this kind of shit up.)

The technique is kind of a pain management/out of body type thing. What you do is focus on something external, like say a tree on the horizon, and put all of your pain into that tree. For some reason (and I know it sounds hokey and new agey) all the concentration on mentally giving your pain a physical space to reside in that isn't your body, makes you forget about or lose your pain. The weirdest part is, one would think that my quad would start to hurt again once I stopped doing this technique (which I guess I need to give a name for) but today, my quad doesn't hurt at all. I did stretch immediately after my run, so that I'm sure is playing a large part in this, but I swear that it works. I did this once before when I had really bad cramps and no Advil. I imagined the pain as tiny threads that I could pull out and throw away. So I would mentally go into the pain and find a thread, pull it out and work on the next one, until eventually the pain was gone. Like I said, I don't believe in this shit normally, and if it didn't work for me, I wouldn't be talking about it. But it totally works and I'm a big fan.

Week 3: Run 4

Scheduled: 7
Actual: 7
RPE: 4

Saturday - Dec. 17th
So, everything was going fine for my first mile and a half. I was cruising along at a good clip, my Christmas present from Louie (an iPod shuffle named Catch) was spinning some tunes, I was wearing a new pair of pants. The morning was crisp. All things good. Until, I fell. In the mud. Green, diarhea colored mud. All down my leg. And on my hand. I spent the next mile and a half thinking everyone thought I shit my pants. It was a tough run mentally, to say the least.

I managed to hurt myself stretching the next day. More about that on the next entry.

Week 3: Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual:3
RPE: 4

I ran one mile on the track then ran through the neighborhood for the last two miles. I got a little freaked out because there were nefarious characters hanging around. Leering. I might be switching to morning runs. Or get a pitbull to run with me.

Week 3: Run 2

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 4

I ran two on the track and then down to the bridge and back up the hill for the last two.

Not to make this all "Tamara's Continuing Declining Health Corner" but I have this weird bump near my bikini line that I thought was an ingrown hair, but now sort of looks like a blister or a bite, and it kind of hurts. So... that's bothering me, but I don't really notice it all the time, and I have health insurance! So I can get it checked out.

Tonight: 3 miles

Week 3: Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

I pushed pretty hard last night, because I just wanted to get my run over with. I'm having a supreme amount of anxiety for some reason and I really need to get it under control. I talk about it more on the main blog, for those of you who are interested in the minutia of my multiple self-diagnosed disorders.

I didn't have any pain and my heart felt good. I'm still more freaked out about it than I probably should be, so tomorrow I'm not going to have any caffeine, or relatively none. I'm going to drink decaf, which still has a touch of caffeine in it, so I won't have a killer headache.

I'm bored of this entry now, so I'm stopping.

Week 2: Run 4

Scheduled: 6
Actual: 6
RPE: 3-4

This was my first 6 mile run. It wasn't bad. I had a gorgeous clear day and moderately difficult route. I had a little weirdness from my heart. Sort of felt like a skipped beat, but I didn't feel dizzy or nauseous or any pain, so I think it was nothing. I'm definitely a hypochondriac, and I think I was just a little too up from the coffee and sugar. I'm monitering it from now on, and if it happens again, I'll go see a doctor about it.

Week 2: Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

It seems as though I am never pleased with every part of my run. The temperature was warmer, but my knees were creaky and I delevoped a severe side cramp (in grade school we called them a "side ache" heh) at mile 1.5 that didn't go away until I was sprinting my last 1/8th of a mile.

Cuddling in a warm bed with Louie while eating cookies made it all better though.

Week 2: Run 2

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

I fully expected as I set out for my run to have nothing to say about it this morning. I write these entries as I'm running sometimes. Thinking about how to cleverly tell you that I had cramps that made me want to crap my pants is a good way to forget that those cramps are real and that I might actually crap my pants.

I had 4 miles to run last night, and was planning on doing it all on the track. On my drive home when I hit Vermont, I saw my mileage thing tick over. My tripometer doesn't work, so I can't see tenths of a mile. I watched it my odometer until it went to another mile, which conveniently happened right in front of my house. So as I rounded lap 7 on the track I started to think if I did my second 2 miles on the street it might ease some of the boredom. All of lap 8 I was freaked out about leaving the track, which is when I decided that I needed a little push out of my comfort zone and onto the street. The rest of the run was nice, it felt good to run through my neighborhood. My only problem was the stop lights. I'm not comfortable with jogging in place, especially at big intersections. I feel like everyone is watching me. So, I just stand there. And then I think everyone's judging me for not running in place. The inside of my head is very tormented. I don't really know what to do about it, except try to not think about all the cars and all the people in the cars, especially since when I run the marathon there will be a lot of people specifically standing on the side of the road to watch me (and thousands of other people) run.

Yesterday was my 4 week anniversary of quitting smoking. Yay me!

Week 2: Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3

This is what goes on in my head on my way home from work, and then when I'm actually home, and then when I'm getting dressed for my run, and then as I'm procrastinating by fooling around with the TiVo.

You could just run tomorrow, it's super cold. But it will be cold tomorrow. And you hate waking up. You could run tomorrow night. But then you'll have to run three days in a row and you won't enjoy tonight like you will tomorrow when you don't have to run. Who are you to tell me that I won't enjoy not running? But you'll feel so superior and smug if you just run tonight. I'm not running TONIGHT! I am eating. I will eat tonight. Eat and watch tv and catch up with myself. I should go for a run though. It will be so much better if I just run in the morning. It will be brisk. It will be freezing. But the street lights are out again tonight and it is dark. And it is cold. I will run tomorrow. Or just get dressed and see how I feel. I will put on these bandaids and then I will have to run. But it sure is looking dark and cold. Tomorrow morning will be dark and colder and you know how you feel about waking up.

And on. And on. And on. Until I'm finally on the track, running. Freezing. But feeling very smug for convincing myself to just get it over with. I hope this gets easier. Or it warms up. Or someone gives me some awesome running gear for Christmas.

Week 1 (ACTUAL): Run 4

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 3-4

Beautiful day on Saturday. Clear, crisp and brisk. My run was good. My iPod was almost thrown into the lake from frustration. And I almost punched a dumb smoker standing on the sidewalk who purposely wouldn't get out of my way, causing me to have to dart off the sidewalk and almost twist my ankle. I gave her the finger.

This week I have 3, 4, 3, 6 miles to run.

Week 1 (ACTUAL): Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3

I wore three sports bras last night. THREE! And the run was fine. It's been pretty cold outside at night, but I'm trying to deal with it.

Week 1 (ACTUAL): Run 2

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 4-5

Last nights run totally killed me. I had the wrong sports bra combination on and it was so painful to run. On the last three laps I was actually holding the boobs up. My form was a mess. My knees were killing me and it was very unpleasant. We've been moving and I am sore from that, so added with the bra sitch I was in hell. Hopefully tonights run will feel better.

Louie was a doll and gave me a massage. Love that man.

Tonights run: 3 miles.

Week 1 (ACTUAL): Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3

I ran completely without my iPod on this day. It was so weird hearing my own breathing. My form felt funky, but I really worked on it and my breathing and the miles flew by.

Week 1 (Part 3): Run 4

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

I ran on Saturday morning. The day was gorgeous. Clear sky, beautiful views of the mountains, crisp breeze. I ran with my iPod, but dropped it off at my house on the way by. Brought water with me (which is totally doable and am glad I did because it made my run so much more pleasant). I felt so good after this run that I started thinking ahead to the marathon, and knowing that I can probably do it. I will survive it.

Week 1 (Part 3): Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3-4

There is nothing more satisfying than running Thanksgiving morning. You feel so self righteous. It was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, but there was a chilly breeze. I ran with my iPod, but it was the beginning of the end of that I think. As these runs get longer I might feel badly about giving it up. But during my daylight runs, it seems a shame to miss out on the sounds of the morning.

Etc.: How I am doing this

JQ asked in the comments below if I'm reading any kind of book to train. And, the answer is yes. I'm reading "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer." It's a 16 week training program designed not to increase your speed or make you a super athlete, but to take the average non-runner and make them a marathoner.

The training is mostly about distance you need to run, but it also gives invaluable information on how to achieve those distances.

I have a 4 mile run tonight, and while I'm kind of dreading it, because it's my Friday, I'm also glad that I have this small bit of structure in my life right now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 1 (Part 3): Run 2

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

I don't remember much about this run, it's been so long ago, but I think it was pretty decent.

Week 1 (Part 3): Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3-4

Running on the track is kind of awesome and kind of the worst thing ever. But let me start at the beginning.

I got home last night starving. I think my stomach stretched a bit from all the eating I did this weekend and I couldn't wait to snarf down leftover chicken, stuffing, potatoes and corn casserole. Then I put on my pajamas and made like I was not going to run. "Fuck it," I thought to myself. I don't have to do anything. I'll run when I want to. I got under the covers and watched Desperate Housewives and Related. Which is when I decided to get up and go for a run.

Now, running on the track has its goods and its bads. Goods, flat terrain, soft surface, easy run. Bads, sometimes I forget which lap I'm on (twice it happened last night), sometimes there are people hovering behind me, pacing me (I'm super slow, I don't know why anyone would want to pace me) and sometimes it's super boring. That aside, I do like the track. I like having other runners around. It makes me feel more safe. And I like that it's close to my house. I can run 3 miles without having to run 3 miles away from home. Last night for some reason I could not keep track of which lap I was on. I was working on my breathing and my form and every time I'd round the start bend I'd think, "Was that 7 or 8? Shit." So, I ran until I'd run 32 minutes because I wasn't sure if I was really counting right and when I finished three miles in under 30, I was sure I'd screwed up. I have no idea what my point was.

Also I ate a shit load of Peanut M&Ms yesterday. I felt really guilty about it. Hopefully the cravings for food are going to settle soon.

Week 1 (Part 2): Run 4

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 5

I had a really tough time on this run. Cramping around mile 1.5 (again. I must be pushing too hard in that first mile...) and then I started to feel really thirsty (It was 90 degrees out. In NOVEMBER!) and then I got the chills. Which, I'm no doctor, but know that's not the best thing to be happening to your body when you're exercising in the heat. So I slowed way down, still running, and instead of going into the park I went up Riverside along the I-5 (not recommended).

I survived, but honestly, I was beat. My feet were tore up and I wanted to quit. I have to figure out how to keep my feet from shredding every long run, and also how to carry a water bottle with out wanting to fling it away from me at the first sign of trouble.

Week 1 (Part 2): Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3-4

I ate before I ran. That was a mistake. Also, I'm out of bandaids so my feet kind of bothered me.

Five mile run on Saturday! Woo!

Week 1 (Part 2): Run 2

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

This wasn't a tough run. I think my lungs are finally starting to feel the effects of not smoking and it's affecting my run in a positive way. (I have no idea how to use 'effect' and 'affect'.)

I worked on my breathing and my arm form, still very confused about what they're supposed to do, but it's coming along. They feel best, oddly enough, when I drop my arms completely and then slightly bend them at the elbow. So basically I look like a girl I used to watch at the track who I thought ran weird. I would think terrible thoughts about her Seinfeld-esque arms. Like she was some sort of freak. Now, I am the freak.

My iPod continues to plague me. Last night the power died at mile 1.5. I had nothing to keep me from going crazy while running like a hamster on a wheel around that track. The book says I'm supposed to try and be more positive about shit like that. Like if my legs start to hurt, I'm supposed to think, "Hello pain, come run with me." But when my iPod dies, all I can think is, "Goddammit! COME RUN WITH ME BITCH! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!??" And that doesn't seem very positive.

Run tonight: 3 miles

Week 1 (Part 2): Run 1

Scheduled: 3 miles
Actual: 3 miles
RPE: 3

I had a pretty easy run last night. I worked on my form (which I've been reading about) and my breathing. The arm form is the one I'm confused about. Basically, I used to run like a girl, but I once read this millitary training book and got into the habit of running like a marine. Now I'm hearing that I will tire more easily if I run like that, so they're sort of suggesting I return to running more 'loosely' which means now, I'm running like a girl again.

No run tonight.

Week 1: Run 4

11/12/05
Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

Louie was so sweet this weekend.

The end.

Just kidding.

Not about him being sweet. Oh, nevermind.

My car's tripometer is broken. So I can't really get a good idea of how far things are while driving in my car. I can round up or down, but not be exact. And I am all about being exact for this running thing. God forbid I run an extra tenth of a mile, or even worse run less than I'm supposed to. (Actual, let's be honest running more, way worse than running less.) So I told Louie he had to drive me around and help me find a 5 mile running route. Which he did. Sweetly. Even when I started yelling about THE LIST OF THINGS HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO DO! (It appears in all caps in my brain. Quitting smoking has been so AWESOME!) Louie gets the gold star this week.

There was a point on my run that I got cramps so badly I thought I was going to crap my pants. Thankfully, I did not.

Tonight: 3 miles. Cursed track.

Week 1: Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

I think I've reached the point at which I'm sufficiently sick of running on the track. I tried to switch it up last night by running two miles the normal way, and the third mile the other way around. But that didn't help much.

I'm going out with Louie to find some routes around the neighborhood.

Saturday's run: 5 miles.

Week 1: Run 2

It was raining. I was tired. I now have a brand new blood-blister on my right big toe that looks like a fat tick. Of course, I wore flip-flops today to work. Everyone should see the glory of my tick-toe.

Scheduled distance: 4
Actual distance: 4
RPE: 4-5

A couple of you wondered what RPE stands for, it's from the book I'm using to train, it's Rate of Perceived Exertion. It goes from 0-10 with 0 being no exertion and 10 being Maximal Exertion. I really need to get a heart rate monitor, but I'm hoping Santa might come through on that one for me.

Today I have to run 3 miles.

Etc.: Um. HA!

Quitting smoking, I don't know, gave me ADD.

I was just reading something, and I opened a new browser window because I was sure I needed to look at something else. But...couldn't remember what that was. A fraction of a second had gone by and I had no idea why I was looking at a new browser window.

Also. I just went down to the gross candy dispenser in the copy machine room. It's one of those put a quarter in, turn the knobby thing, and flip up the metal doo-hickey to retrieve your candy type-machines And snarfed down two handfulls of Peanut M&M's that I'm pretty sure are circa 1922. But! I didn't smoke a cigarette.

So... lack of focus, check.
Inability to remember things, what?
Rotten candy, check.

Week 1: Run 1

So, I officially started the marathon training last night.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
RPE: 4

(those stats are for me)

I had a long talk with Allie about the LA Marathon (she ran it 2 or 3 years ago) and she gave me a little boost, saying, "You could totally do it. Not that it's easy, but if you're training, you could totally do it." So, yesterday I started. I ran 3 miles and thought I was going to die. The pack a day habit is over. Starting.... NOW! I didn't have my usual 3-4 cigarettes on the way to work. I thought about that 4-5 times. So that wasn't so bad. Louie is in for a treat! I might be cranky, but I won't taste like cigarettes!

Tonight I will be running 4 miles.

Aiee.

Can I commit to this? I have 21 weeks until the LA Marathon. I'm reading "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" and they're all hyped up about it. They seem to think I can.

1. I have to quit smoking.
1a. If I quit smoking my boyfriend might break up with me because... I am a bitch when I don't smoke
2. I have to run 4 times a week.
2a. That's a lot of running.
3. I really want to do it.
4. How long is 26.2 miles anyway?
4a. Answer: twenty - six point two miles is really long.
5. I'll keep you posted.