kinda freaking out

I got new running shoes and I registered for a race.

Now I'm freaking out.

I haven't tried out the shoes yet, but they felt good in the store. I decided that meant I had to start my training schedule again. And basically I'll probably have to start over since I did nothing for about two weeks now.

That's okay though... I charted it all out last night and am ready to start next week.

I registered for the Dismal Swamp Stomp in Chesapeake. It's a half-marathon in April. I have no idea if I'm going to be ready for it. So I'm all worried now that I'm going to die trying to run it. Ugh.

But I'm planning to register for a 10K in Richmond that takes place April 5. Hopefully finishing that will give me confidence for the half. C is running both of those races.

The new schedule starts next week and I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be able to wake up early before work and do it... you can all stop laughing right now. I think I can do it...

Anyway, I'm going to start out with slower and shorter runs this time because now I'm paranoid about injury.

But I am getting kinda pumped up again :)

running... what?

So I haven't gone running since last Wednesday. I'm kinda thrown off by the shin splints and am not 100% sure what to do. I've gotten a lot of advice and I want to try it all, but I also feel like I should wait for the new shoes since I think they will help with everything. It's also getting real cold -- and I'm not ready for that.

But, M keeps telling me about how crazy his schedule is getting with all his onsite interviews and it's depressing me. So I need to start running again to get my mind off it. And I think it will help me stay level-headed.

I'm going home for Thanksgiving and getting my new shoes and hanging out with the fam... When I get back I'm going to start a new schedule. Not sure what the schedule will be like, b/c I'm pretty sure I'll have to build back up to where I was. Ugh. Shin splints are not cool. They hurt. A lot.

Lame.

But I'm really gonna conquer this annoying stuff.

shin splints grrr#$%^*!!!

So I was running last night and it hurt so freaking bad. Like burning in my lower left shin. I wanted to die. Not happy. J and I only ran 15 minutes. Had dinner with M and we decided it sounds like shin splints. Ran into his sister at dinner who had shin splints when she played soccer. She described it as "this burning" in your shin. Which is exactly how I described it. AWESOME.

So basically I feel like I need to take it easy the next few days. I wish I had access to the gym so I could at least do some cardio on a bike or the elliptical. I think I'm gonna have to break down and join a town gym. Ugh.

I'm getting new shoes over Thanksgiving when I'm home. I think that will really actually help. My whole routine is just gonna have to be changed now, I guess. Like I'm gonna have to back off on some of the times and start with fewer this time. M talked to me about how I step when I run. I really have no idea, but I need to focus on that. And then there are specific stretches for shin splints. I'm gonna have to add those to the stretching I already do.

I do not have time for this and am very unhappy about it. Lame. Laaaaaame. LAME! Super lame.

Oh and it's snowing today. I'm not ready for that kind of cold!

Not happy.

Not at all.

Trying not to hurt myself...

Ran on Monday night around the DF. Had some pretty big issues that night: tingly sensation in my left foot for probably the last 7 minutes of the run. Could tell I was running heavier on my left foot but couldn't seem to adjust my running form to address the issue. Need to email C for some ideas.

Talked to M while he was waiting for his layover on his way back from an interview Monday night. He said it could be a few different things like old shoes, my form, or pushing too hard too fast. I think my pace was a little bit quicker than normal. Ended up doing about 2.75 miles in 26 minutes. I think I defintely need to slow my pace. M told me to slow it way down and not run so hard for a few days so that I don't serioulsy hurt myself. Definitely going to take his advice for my run tonight.

Wednesday: Run 28 minutes, walk 2. Not sure where I'll go. It may also rain. Ugh. Tired today, but going to stick to the schedule and hopefully today won't hurt.

sticking to the schedule

G got into to town on Friday afternoon and I left work around 2. Went for a run when I got home and G came with me. It was tough... run 24 minutes and walk 6. I had to go slower for G sometimes because she doesn't run very often. Good for her for coming though. We ran around town a bit. I still need to go figure out the mileage.

Rest on Saturday (AWESOME GAME!)

Sunday was run 12 and walk 18. G came again. Really cold this time, my ears hurt. But we did it.

Proud of myself for sticking to the schedule even when I had friends visiting and almost lost motivation. Definitely picking up on the "mental" work out this schedule entails. M mentioned that in the beginning. That part of the schedule was just making yourself stick to it and hang in there until the time is up. That's what Sunday was all about for sure.

Today is run 26 and walk 4 -- gonna be rough. Hopefully J will come this time :)

Run 22 / Walk 8

Ran with J at the gym last night on the indoor track because it was so freaking cold outside. My student ID didn't scan, but the guy let me in anyway. Thank you!

Ran about 2.3 miles in 22 minutes and walked an additional 2/3 of a mile, so all together did about 3 miles last night. Definitely hurt. But the time really motivates me.

Planning to run Friday when my friend G visits. I told her I was doing it, because it's gonna be really easy to skip out on with her here. She said she might come with me. But I have to do it. I don't want to get off schedule in the first week.

it's freaking cold

Sooo ... the weather forecast for today:

5PM 40 degrees, feels like 34
6PM 37 degrees, feels like 32

AWESOME.

Maybe I'll be able to get into the campus gym. Because holy crap. Def need to go shopping for warmer running clothes.

Talked to Dad last night and found out I have access the gym at home, so I'm good to go when I go home for holidays. I'll have to run on a treadmill, but it's an option.

I hate being cold.

Day 1!

First day of the schedule and I actually did it. Ran 20 min and walked 10 min. J came and we ran around the DF. 2 laps = 1.5 miles. We did about 2 miles running and then walked a little more than that. Today felt good. It wasn't too cold, and having J there really helped me keep my pace up.

Noticing some weird physical things, like my right foot feeling numb on part of the pad and arch about five minutes in. Not sure what that is about. Wondering about my form and if that is problem...

Tomorrow is a rest day. Run again on Wednesday :)

weekend update

I ran on Saturday around 4:00PM. Borrowed J's watch to time myself. Set a goal of 20 minutes. Parked behind the DP and ran out towards the barn and back to SP. Picked up part of the cross country course which was clearly marked so I didn't get lost haha. Pretty good run. It was hard at first and I wanted to stop, but didn't. Slowed my pace waaaay down at times, but by about 15 minutes I felt really good and probably could have gone for longer, but I don't want to overdo it.

Dinner with M on Sunday and we talked about how my schedule starts today. I told him I'm worried about what to do if it rains or is really cold. He told me I'd have to put on my "big girl panties" and bundle up. Said he'd come run with me or ride his bike next to me and yell at me (haha). Um, no thanks. Offered to let me borrow his spandex (haha) or to go shopping with me to help me pick out the appropriate attire. Mentioned he thought the idea of J and I running a marathon was pretty cool. I'm pretty happy he's so supportive.

Still pretty concerned by the prospect of running 26.2 miles... I mean, really? That's a lot. But I guess the training is the whole point. No one could do it without the prep. Also am kind of excited by the idea of having such a big goal and working toward it. I'll be happy just to finish a marathon without dying.

Actual schedule starts tonight. Calendars are up on the fridge. Plan is to get dressed to run immediately when I get home. 5:30ish: running 20 minutes, walking 10 minutes. Not sure what route I'll take. I like running on trails and such, but really like being able to later drive a route and clock the mileage... Will need to figure that out. Especially since the next part of the training is in miles, not minutes.

I hope it's not too cold this evening...

researching it

Checked out some websites today at work. The only one that seemed any good, is the one I looked at the other day. Marathontraining.com

I really like it. Art Liberman is the author and he provides detailed info on countless topics of interest. This is where I found the 3 step training schedule.

Today I also found a beginner's run/walk schedule. It starts off with walking a total of 37 minutes in a week. I know I'm past that.

There is a lot of information on the site about injury prevention and preparing for training. I realize I'm not experienced in running and I know I'm the type to jump into something hard core, rather than work my way up to something. This beginner's schedule will work really well for me, I think.

I'm going to start with week 11 which is a total of 78 minutes running and 42 minutes walking in one week. The schedule peaks at running 129 minutes in a week and ends at week 18 with running 86 minutes and walking 34. It just seems like something I can really stick to without feeling like I'm over doing it.

Another point on the website is that when running, it should be a relaxed, aerobic pace, where you can have a conversation without gulping for breath. It makes sense to me how all of the tips on the site will help me work up to being able to run a marathon.

I am starting to feel like my goal is so unrealistic. Mostly, I think, because I expect myself to be able to do things right away without practice or without working up to it. Maybe this is because I have such horrible self-discipline. It takes a lot to get me motivated and a lot to keep me motivated.

Reading the articles makes me feel like it's more attainable. I think I can do this.

I'm planning to design a calendar tonight to track my schedule and what I actually do. I am really psyched about working hard and sticking to my training schedule. I've already talked to my friend, G, who is visiting next weekend. My schedule requires me to run on Friday and Sunday and she'll be here then. She knows I'm running, might come with me. But the fact that I've told her will hopefully help me to stick to it.

Oh, went to Barnes & Noble to see if there were any running books... none. Disappointed. There's a book on the website, The Everything Running Book... I think I might want it.

Planning to run tomorrow, just a little bit. My new training schedule starts on Monday, November 5th.

Training Day, um, 0?

11/1/07

Today at work I start browsing training sites. There are more than I imagined. Was only able to look at one, but it did suggest warming up to the "pre-marathon-training training". Basically, before you start training for a marathon (step 3) you need to train for training (step 2) and before that you need to make sure you are at the level to train for training (step 1). The guy suggests working yourself up to the first week of training on step 2. I think the numbers are something like 4 miles & 6 miles. I know I'm definitely not there yet.

The pre-training schedule is 19 weeks and I think the training schedule is also 19 weeks. Since the marathon we are supposed to run is in November of 2008 I have approximately 52 weeks, which is more than enough. So I decide to start step 1.

Which for me means, running. Just plain and simple, getting into a routine of running every other day for now. I make plans while at work to run when I get home. I also plan to check out more websites to get the best idea of how I can personally succeed. I feel like there is so much to know and think about and I have no clue about any of it.

On the drive home today I decide to clock the distance to my apartment from UCB intersection. 1 mile, almost exactly. Excited, because it makes it a 2 mile loop. Not excited that it is hilly. Everything out here is up and down... it's hard to find flat routes.

Get home and immediately change into running clothes. I don't even sit on the couch. I know once I'm there, I'm stuck. Take out the trash (that's been sitting for a week+) and then check the clock before going out. 5:43. I do a brisk walk around the parking lot before setting out.

The run starts off okay. The air is cold and I am not a huge fan of that. But my breathing seems okay and I'm not feeling the burn yet. Overall the run is good. The hills aren't as bad as I thought and I only have a few times where I feel like my lungs want to explode. And it would only be a mild explosion, not the fierce kind that I felt when I first started in June. I like the route, a new one for me, but dislike the stoplights and having to wait for traffic.

I make it home at 6:05 which is about 25 minutes. I approximate about 12.5 min miles. I don't know if that's good or bad or what. But for now it's a start.

Still excited about running. I'm definitely going to check out more training sites tonight. Probably won't run tomorrow, but will definitlely plan for Saturday. That will be a true test of my horrible self-discipline and motivation. Wish me luck.

Training Day 1 ... sort of

10/31/07

Happy Halloween.

Online at work, checking my friend's AIM away messages and J mentions she is going for a run later in the day.

"Run by yourself?" I text her.
"You can come" she replies.

We plan for 5:30 as soon as I get home from work. We're going to run behind the vet school which I am pretty sure is where the cross country course is, but am not certain.

I get home at 5:30 (tons of traffic on PF) and M is there, unexpectedly. I'm thrilled to see him, but know I have to resist spending time with him in order to run with J. See, if I had just planned to run alone, I would have never made it on the pavement with M at home. I might have gone out at 6 when he had rehearsal, but it's not likely. Once I get cozy on the couch, there's not much that can move me.

I tell M I'm supposed to run with J and he tells me to hurry up and get dressed. That simple encouragement is totally necessary.

I'm dressed and in the car with J and her dog, D, around 5:45. We drive to the vet school and walk with D on a leash for a bit, back towards a trail which must be part of the course. I need to ask M about it because the Crew team just had a 5K on the course and he was in charge. I'm sure he'll know the exact route.

We run a couple laps on the trail with D off her leash. D is obnoxious, real sweet and fun, but obnoxious. She's pretty good and staying with us, but likes to run under our feet sometimes. J mentions she won't bring D every time.

After running for about 25 minutes we head back to the car since J has a meeting at 7. I feel good after running, considering it's been over a month since I last went out. It's a little chilly, but in a good way. J and I discuss plans for our next run. She's found a marathon training guide. I guess she was serious about the marathon. It motivates me to start training again. We decide on Friday after work, but I later remember I promised my friend E I'd come to her boyfriend, A's, birthday dinner at 6. Timing is off for J and me. We agree to figure something out.

At home again, I'm feeling pumped up about running, like I did this summer. I make a mental note to check out marathon training websites at work tomorrow. Definitely planning to get into this. For real.

Intro: How I went from hating to run to, well, running

I really used to hate running. My best friend/old roommate, C, loves running and did it all through college. I think I went with her once and wanted to throw myself in traffic to put myself out of my misery. I ended up walking more than running. She ran circles around me -- literally.

I'm not even very good at exercising. Before college I danced for 13 years -- ballet, tap, jazz, some hip hop. But nothing serious -- I stopped dancing when I graduated high school. I went to the campus gym a few times in my five years of undergrad + grad school, but never got into a set schedule. Friends tried to get me to tag along with them to a yoga class or cardioboxing and I went a few times, but nothing stuck. I could list countless excuses, but in retrospect, they are all lame. Really lame.

In March 07 I started dating this guy, M, who is incredibly athletic. I think he has played every sport for at least one season and rows for our school's Club Crew team. He's totally in shape, all muscle. Extremely self-disciplined and motivated, in my opinion. He gets up at 4:30AM five days a week to practice with his team. He missed his first practice in 4 years the other day because his alarm clock lost power. And not only does he row at an ungodly hour everyday, he's also the men's VP on the Crew team; a mechanical engineering student in his fifth year only because he took on two co-ops (Honeywell and GE); plays trumpet and is a rank captain in the marching band; a team leader on his senior design BAJA team; an avid hiker/outdoorsman (he most recently mountaineered on a glacier in Alaska for a month); and an amazing boyfriend. Oh, and he's hot.

Why am I describing my boyfriend? Couple reasons: First, his athleticism really intimidated me in the beginning. I mean, I am slim and petite and definitely not out of shape -- but I wouldn't say I'm in shape either. When we started dating I was excited to go hiking with him but was concerned about keeping up with him. I didn't want to look like a wimpy girly loser on an easy trail. Second, his motivation and drive to be in top physical condition kind of inspires me. It's cheesy, but true. He really makes me want to get out there and get in shape so that I can hang with him on the tough hikes. For the most part, I think I'm pretty good at that. We've been on some moderate hikes and I've kept up. He calls me a "trooper". And I am.

So this summer, while I was stuck in college town working a 9-5 job, and he was gone to Alaska and working elsewhere, I felt like I needed to do something to 1) fill up the many hours I had after work before bed, and 2) get off my lazy butt and get active.

I chose to start running. Why? I can't really recall, to be honest. Despite my years of "hating" to run, I gave it a try.

I wanted to die after my short little run down G Road. It ended up being more of a walk/run, emphasis on walk. But after getting home, I got in my car and drove the route to see how long it was. Almost a mile... I was pretty impressed with myself. After that I tried to get on a good schedule, running/walking every other day. Each time I pushed myself a little bit farther. And each time I drove the route to clock the distance.

I ran without music or a watch. I tried to convince myself that no music allows me to focus on running and enjoy the beautiful area where I live... not so much. I am asking for an iPod for Christmas. The watch is something I have wanted since day 1. I just don't have one. I'm asking for that too.

Over the summer I ran off and on... I think I probably had about 3 weeks where I really stuck to my schedule. But it's hard to stick to something when you come home from work tired and lazy (I have a desk job). Running was hard for me too. If my chest didn't feel like it would explode, my legs and butt felt like they were on fire.

I did find that I was able to push myself more than expected. "Just to that tree, now just to that sign, just over the hill, you're almost there..." I could actually convince myself that I could make it even when I felt like dying.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with myself. I bragged to M about how amazing I was and got tips from C who couldn't believe I was actually running.

I'd love to say I kept this running up all summer and into the fall, but I did not. Everyone came back to campus and I got promoted at work. And I got lazy again. I forgot how good I felt after running 3 miles.

Then, in September, one of my good friends, J, mentioned she wanted to get back in shape (she ran cross country in high school). She was planning to run a marathon in November 2008. She suggested we kind of train together. Sure, I thought, no problem.

Problem. I haven't run since August. My motivation is non-existent. I love lounging on my couch after work and watching hours of free HBO. I think about running at work, and then never make it outside once I'm home.

J never really invited me to run with her and when I suggested it, she was busy with school or her dog, D. September turned into October and nothing happened.

So... when does training start?