Weeks 3 and 4 of 52: Recap

I only managed to get one run in during week 3, and this week I only got two runs in. So for the year so far, I'm six runs behind in my goal to do 30 minutes 3 times a week. Actually, for me, that's not that bad. So I'll take it.

Week 1 and 2 of 52: Recap

So the first two weeks of the new year, and already I've slacked. I ran three times in the two weeks, missing my goal by three runs. Oh well. It's been a nice change not to feel the added pressure of making all my miles and eating exactly perfectly, but I definitely do feel the difference in my body and my stress levels. Experimenting with my routine always opens my eyes to what goes into making me a happy, healthy human. Unfortunately for lazy old me, I really need to get at least three workouts in a week or I'm pretty miserable. The trickiest part is realizing that the misery during the workout is short-lived, whereas the misery of not working out lasts all week.

My back has been killing me recently and I think it's the extra weight I put on over the holidays plus the money stress that I seem to carry in my shoulders that's bringing me down. Then as I was getting dressed just a few minutes ago to go on a hike, I think I twisted a little wrong and I have a big ache in the middle of my back. I hate being 30.

Training Hiatus

So, I guess it's kind of obvious I'm not training anymore. I was beating myself up for not getting better and not being faster and not being as focused as I was last year. It made me really not enjoy my runs and so I just up and stopped running.

I made a resolution this year to be good to my body by doing at least 30 minutes of excersize 3 times a week. And yesterday I went on my first run since last month. It felt good to just go and not worry about distance. I felt good to listen to my music and get my heart pumping. And most of all it felt good to push just a little farther, but know that at any point I could stop and turn around. I was running because I felt like it and it's been a long time since I've done that.

I might not journal much over here for the next couple of months, except to keep a record of my resolution. That is most certainly a really boring read, so don't feel bad if you don't want to check in over here. If I get the notion to start marathon training again, I'll surely keep you posted, but there isn't going to be an LA Marathon for me this year.

Week 6 of 18: Cross

So, for the past six weeks, I've been struggling to complete just my runs, and have ignored the little day of the week that says I should XT. This week, I had it in me to get my bike out and go for a short ride. I only rode about 20 minutes, which is actually hardly worth it, but traffic was really heavy and I'm a little scared of riding my bike on busy streets. I puttered around my neighborhood and went up and down some big hills (still as fun as it was when I was a kid), tested myself on the street with actuall traffic going by, and then got just tired enough to call it quits.

Next week I hope to go into Griffith Park and tool around in there for a while, if I can get up early enough to avoid the scary traffic.

Week 6 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Chilly/neutral, dark
Pace: 11.61

I'm trying really hard not to be too hard on myself these days. A couple of days ago, I was driving to work and I realized if someone treated me the way I treated myself, with the constant criticism, the verbal abuse and the unreasonable expectations, I would cut them out of my life (or just cut them). So, as Oprah as this all sounds, I decided I needed to change some things. I enjoy challenging myself, and I like meeting goals, but there is really no need to abuse myself if I can't quite reach the mark I set. I just need to work on it until I can. Ok, this all makes me feel way too new agey to talk about any more, so you get the drift I'm sure.

This was a tough run. I felt sluggish and tired and stiff. I just couldn't get a good smooth pace set so I was running like one of those runners you feel kind of sorry for, like they just don't have it in them, but they're trying so hard. It's good to be back in the house sitting on the couch.

Week 6 of 18: 5 miles (2)

Distance: 5 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 4 miles rolling hills
Weather: Chilly, dark
Pace: 11.85

Ah yes, considerably slower than yesterday's run. Oh well.

This is a hard distance for me. I'm not sure why. I much prefer doing any mileage over 4 miles on the weekends, mostly because I don't like being out that late at night. But, whatever. I did it.

Week 6 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Weather: Chilly, dark
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Pace: 10.85 per mile

First of all, I guess I should address the fact that last week didn't happen. I have various excuses for that, one being it was really cold for little old me, two being I was having serious doubts about my life and my course in it and finally I guess I was just being stubborn. I haven't worked out my life, and obviously one week isn't going to make a difference in the long run of my training. These things happen. It would be better if they didn't, but it's just one of those minor bumps in an other wise relatively smooth life.

Secondly, I'd like to congratulate wamez on his first half marathon (he's done a marathon and several other 10k/5k type runs in addition to being a cross country guy in high school). The course went right through my neighborhood, literally a two block walk from my apartment, so I walked down and watched the run and cheered for the participants. Wamez looked like he was doing pretty well, and he sailed by so fast I didn't get a picture. He's one of those runners that makes it look easy. It makes me jealous and inspired. I've never cheered for runners before (aside from my brief stint in junior high track) and I have to say it was pretty awesome. So many runners are, like me, just out there to check off a life goal and they are so grateful to have a cheering section, no matter how small it is. I got thanked more that day than I did in a month as a customer service person in retail. I wonder if there's any way to get a job as a professional cheering section.

Finally, my run, my goals and what the hell is next. I'm thinking I'm back on track for the LA Marathon, but I didn't register early so they'll add another couple of bucks onto my entry fee. Which normally I would just shrug off, but things are tight around ol' casa del Tamara and I'm feeling the holiday pinch and the mechanical failure of my magical junk bucket has me a little more concerned about money than normal. I'm going to try and stay on track and see what the new year brings in terms of luck and fortune. As for this particular three mile run. I feel like I kind of rocked it. I knew I was running fast, especially when I stumbled and almost fell face first into the pavement. I had many visions of broken teeth and collar bones in the three seconds it took me to recover. I felt strong and good for most of this run. It might have something to do with the McDonald's McFlurry and french fries I treated myself with today. (Don't judge, there are some things such as bad car news, that only McDonalds McFlurries can heal.)

One run at a time.

Week 4 of 18: 9 miles (4)

Distance: 9.5
Course: Rolling and steep hills
Weather: Chilly, afternoon
Pace: 11.97

I'm kind of shocked I ran 11.97. I felt very unprepared for this run and about half way through it I started getting some tough pain in my hips. I finished without walking, but I'm not entirely happy with my performance. I just kind of wish I could lose this extra weight already. It would make all of this a lot easier on my body I think.

Anyhoo. I'm slayed.

Week 4 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3.2
Course: rolling and steep hills
Weather: between warm and crisp, mid-morning
Pace: 11.66

It was a great run. It always feels good to go running before a full 8 hours of eating and drinking is to commence. That's 8 hours of eating, you read right. I think if I ever eat again, I'll be pretty surprised. Wait, that's not true, I had pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning.

Tomorrow I have a 9 mile run. I'm not sure how I'm going to do that. I'll be really happy if I make it without walking.

Week 4 of 18: 4 miles (2)

Distance: 4 miles
Course: rolling hills
Weather: crisp, afternoon
Pace: 11.66

I took it relatively easy on this one. The route I take has some really amazing homes on this wide boulevard with lovely large trees and Griffith Park across the street. I really enjoyed this run. Maybe because I wasn't worried about how late it was getting or how I was going to fit in television, shower, and writing all before bed.

Tomorrow - 3 miles and lots of turkey!

Week 4 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Crisp, dark
Pace: 11.36

I'm slow. I just have to get used to that. It pains me every time I have to write my pace down. But, whatever. I enjoy the workout. I'm just not built for speed.

Tomorrow is supposed to be an early day off work, but we'll see how that goes. I'd love to get a workout knocked off before dark. Then Thursday, I'll run in the morning before the cooking and hanging out begins. I'm not supposed to be thinking about those runs yet, but I'm actually looking forward to them, so I guess it's ok.

Week 3 of 18: 4 miles (2)

Distance: 5 miles
Course: Treadmill
Pace: 12.25

Considering how fucking awful this run was, I'm actually pretty surprised I came in under a 13 minute mile. I had to walk several times. I just couldn't get into a rhythm. My iPod headphone cord kept touching my arm and making me really irritated.

I'm glad this week is over.

We're still working one day at a time, so I'll see how next week goes. Typically, when I don't have to work, I get a better run in, so hopefully the holiday will work in my favor.

Week 3 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 4 miles
Course: Rolling hills
Weather: cool, dusk
Pace: 11.92

Man. This has been an emotionally rough week for me. I don't know what the fuck happened but I was paralyzed with the weight of the world. It was pretty horrible. I would come home every night and just not want to see anyone, or talk, or move, or be touched. I let it get the best of me, and instead of taking control of the situation (which, now that I'm through it, can see ways that I could have taken control) and gone for a run, pampered my body that way, instead of coddling myself into believing I was unable to do it.

Anyway, today is the first time I've run since last weekend and instead of doing one of the three milers, I decided to do the 4 miler. I've promised myself from this day forward that I'm going to meet each run as it comes instead of thinking about the whole week in front of me. Right now I'm just too easily overwhelmed to look at my training any farther than what is scheduled for that day.

It was a tough run back. I had major cramps. I couldn't find my lungs. But in spite of all that, my legs felt good. My form felt good. It just felt good to be out of the house and acomplishing something.

One day at a time.

Week 2 of 18: 7 miles (4)

Distance: 7 miles
Course: treadmill
Pace: 11.62

My only goals for this run were a. to get through it and b. to run faster than my marathon pace of 12.0 per mile. Modest, yes. But also, goals I know I can achieve are still goals.

Anyway... that's week 2 complete. 16 to go.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: rolling and steep hills
Weather: Crisp, dark
Pace: 11.75

I am so sore today. I took it pretty easy in terms of speed, but I think I made up for it (in my head at least) in terms of difficulty. I couldn't stomach the thought of the track, so much so that I almost didn't run. I just promised myself I would do the run at whatever pace was comfortable and worry about the rest later.

Tomorrow I'm resting. I'll do my 7 miler on Sunday, most likely on the treadmill.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (2)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles steep downhill/uphill
Weather: Chilly, dark
Pace: 10.98

I'm beat and I still have two runs to go this week because I pussed out on Tuesday. crap.

Nothing much to report on this run. I feel like I should have tried to pick it up on the downhill but I was feeling comfortable so I didn't. I guess I'm maybe setting a goal for the marathon. I'd like to run faster than I did last year, but I'm a little scared that I won't be able to. I mostly just want to finish again... although there's a tiny part of me that thinks maybe that isn't quite enough. I'll keep you posted.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles steep up and downhill
Pace: 11.0 per mile
Weather: Crisp, dark

I almost talked myself out of this run tonight, but managed to force myself to get out there. I had to change up my course but it didn't help much seeing as I've run these places what seems like millions of times.

There's one part of the run where it's a choice between running in the bike lane or on this stone/grass path that has a couple of rooty trees and serious lack of lighting on it, and for some reason at top speed I decided it would be a good idea to run on it. I stumbled just in time to whack into a tree and almost poke my eye out. For some reason, that whole little incident sort of symbolizes why I run. I run because even if I almost fall, even if I get whacked in the face and almost poke my eye out, and the path is dark, and my lungs won't fill all the way, there is still ground in front of me and my feet are still moving across it.

Marathon Course

I was just cruising around the LA Marathon site and came across the 2007 Course Map. It is so dramatically different from last year, with a start in Burbank and a trip through Hollywood. I was shocked. And now I'm a little nervous, but also kind of excited. It's a whole new marathon next year.

Week 1 of 18: 6 miles (4)

Distance: 6 miles
Course: Treadmill
Pace: 11.77

I think I have to make the switch to Gatorade on my long runs, at about half way I'm hitting some kind of wall. Whether it's just me running too fast in the beginning or me sweating out too many carbs, I have no idea. Either way at 3.1 miles I was pretty sure I was done. I slowed way down and then got frustrated because I felt like shit and I wasn't really making much progress. I keep wishing I was faster.

Monday is a rest day. Yay.

Week 1 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: treadmill
Pace: 11.0

I had dueling stitches during almost the entirety of the run. At one point I both stitches were on, I couldn't find my lungs and I couldn't get the cap off my water bottle.

I'm irritated that I have to run tomorrow. I'm not going to push it very hard.