Thursday, December 30, 2010

Two days to the race!

I ran Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I'm taking a much-needed break. I probably won't have time to run tomorrow, and then Saturday is the race!
Monday was a 25 minute run, done at a faster pace. Tuesday was 30 minutes at a slower pace, and boy was that a great run! I felt relaxed and light the entire time and I could have kept going, but I didn't want to overdo it. I've decided that I enjoy my runs the most at a slower pace, which is completely fine with me. I can be a runner without being fast. Times aren't very important to me - finishing my races in good spirits and living an active life are!
Yesterday I ran a faster 25 minutes - it was a little painful. Oh well. I'm taking it easier today.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. I'm meeting friends for lunch and then I have to work from 5-10 PM, so I doubt if I'll have time to run. That's ok - I feel confident that I will be able to run Saturday's race. And again, I don't care about pace or time. It will probably be freezing and I will never have run the course before, so I'm not expecting to PR or anything like that.
Then (very early) Sunday morning, I'm off to Vail for a week of skiing! I cannot wait!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Wrap-up and Today's Run

I didn't run Friday or Saturday (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) but I had planned on running yesterday (Sunday). But then I was presented with a ticket to see South Pacific at the Kennedy Center with my family, so I happily chose that over going on a run. It also meant spending an extra day with my cousins - and watching Love Actually, which is one of my favorite movies.
The holidays were wonderful. On Christmas Eve, we had some cooking fiascos and didn't eat until 9, but dinner was delicious. We watched a movie, chilled in front of the fire and had brownies for dessert! The next morning we had a beautiful waffle and berry brunch after opening presents. My dad got me an under-armour top, which will be perfect for the race this Saturday. Later we drove to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas dinner. It was a great weekend, and it even snowed on Christmas morning!
Today, I made myself get out of bed and go to the gym. I ran 25 minutes, walked 5 minutes and then headed home for a much-needed shower and some breakfast. I'll spend the day resting and reading - and I heard talk of going out to dinner tonight! Hopefully that happens.
The 5K is Saturday. I'll probably train tomorrow and Wednesday, and do a very short & light run on Friday. Then I'm off to Colorado for a week of skiing! I'll need a break from running by then.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Days 7,8, & 9. I've been runnin' but forgot to post.

Hey - sorry about the delay in posting. I have been running, just not posting! I took Monday off, after three days in a row of successful runs, and then ran Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday was a fabulous 30 minutes on the treadmill, out of the windy and freezing weather, and I was very pleased with how I felt throughout. Yesterday (Wednesday) I cranked up the pace and went for 25 minutes. I did a interval workout (kind of) by varying the pace (kind of). Still, I felt less tired after the run than I've been feeling lately and I'm happy with my training progress so far.

Today I'll do another 25 minutes, varying pace and incline and then I'll take tomorrow (Christmas Eve) and Saturday (Christmas Day) off. I'll be back at it on Sunday. The next few days will involve family and food - hopefully some yummy baking! Now, I'm off to the mall to tackle some Christmas shopping. Tonight, (post-run) I'll be meeting a friend for dinner. Exciting!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Days 5&6. Hanging in there!

Here's an overview of my workouts from yesterday and today:

Saturday: 25 min run (alternating pace and incline), 5 min walk
Sunday: 25 min run (increasing pace incrementally), 5 min walk

I'm happy with how these runs have been going and I think I'm on the fast track to getting in shape. Still, there's less than 2 weeks until my 5K. I'm getting pretty sore so tomorrow will definitely be a rest day, and I'll be back at in on Tuesday, hopefully for 30+ minutes. I really need to get some core exercises in, but I can't seem to remember. Tomorrow or tuesday, for sure!

I have been trying to increase my eating to fuel these runs, especially since I hope to begin strength training within a few weeks, and that's going to be very tough on my body. I'll try to remember to post some recipes later. Also, the Christmas baking will soon commence!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Day 4. Feeling good!

I just got back from the gym. I ran 30 minutes, and was really pleased with how I felt throughout. My muscles were a little sore and tight, but I'm guessing that's from all the work they've been doing after months of living a sedentary lifestyle. The run was quick and I changed my pace and level of incline every few minutes - to mix it up and not get bored.
I made sure to do a good cool down, too. Now, I'm sipping delicious hot cocoa and getting ready to head to the grocery store. My pantry is almost empty, and that just won't do. Maybe I'll bake tonight?!?!

I don't know what I'll end up doing tomorrow. I hope to get to the gym again for another run, although I might cut it down to 25 or 20 minutes, because I'm predicting some soreness in the morning. I'll probably try to do some yoga or ab work if the run is shorter or if I don't run. I was considering taking a yoga class this evening to try to loosen up my muscles, but I don't know if I'll feel like going BACK to the gym. We'll see.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 3. Rest, relax & SNOW!

I probably won't run today. I'm sore from the last two days. I did get my gym membership renewed, so if I feel better by this evening, I'll head over there for a short run or some yoga. I definitely want to get some core exercises in.

Today will be a fun and relaxing day. I'm going with a close friend to get our nails done. I haven't seen her in a very long time. Later tonight I'm going out to dinner with my grandmother, cousin and parents. Should be fun. Even just two days of running in a row have helped me to work up a BIG APPETITE. This is something to celebrate! And I will. With a glorious meal.

Anyways, the big news of the day is that it is snowing. It's really beautiful. I hope it sticks, because I believe that a white Christmas is in order this year!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 2. Slightly shorter, slightly easier.

So I did the morning run thing again this morning. Woke up a little earlier to eat half a cliff bar (cool mint flavor - with caffeine added!) and to drink some water. Wore fewer layers on top, and more on the bottom which seemed to keep me at a more comfortable temperature. Also, I switched to my other running shoes. My feet didn't hurt as much after the run as they did yesterday, but that could have been because I didn't run as long or because they weren't as tight.

I did a little under 2 miles today. I'm hoping to get up to 3 or 3.5 when I get to the gym (where there won't be a wind chill in the single digits!). First I have to renew my membership. I'll be doing that this afternoon.

Although my pace was still slower than I'd like it to be, I'm going to focus on the positives of today's run. Like yesterday, I didn't need to walk or stop at any point and the course was hilly again. I'm also proud of myself for running in the morning! I've really never been a 'morning runner' but I would like to be. It's the easiest time to fit in exercise. However, I think I'm going to take a few days off from morning runs, because my skin can't take another day in a row of the wind burn. Also, running in the cold (and it's like 20 degrees here) makes it easier to get injured.

My left quad feels a little sore, so I'm going to take it easy the rest of the day. I might do yoga this evening, if I get my gym membership renewed. Until then, I'm going to EAT EAT EAT. I want to make sure I'm replenishing my energy supply. I ate a good breakfast, but I'm thinking french toast for a late lunch? Yum. Perfect for a frigid day like today.

Tomorrow, I'll either take the day off or try to do a longer run at the gym.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 1. Square 1.

In high school, I was a devoted runner. I ran cross country and, although I was mediocre at best, loved every mile. I continued running after high school, but due to injury I was forced to scale back my intensity a little under a year ago. My injury didn't get better, and I haven't run consistently in six months.
Today, I am able to start over. But I'm nowhere in as good of shape as I was a year ago. My goal? To get back to that point. My first race is New Year's Day. It's a 5K - I've run plenty of these before. I have 2 1/2 weeks to train. It seems slightly impossible.

My first run was this morning. It was terrible. The temperature was 20 degrees and I was a mess. By the end of the 2.5 miles, my feet ached (I haven't been wearing shoes with much support lately) and my leg muscles were so tight that it took a 30 minute shower to loosen them up again. My fingers were nearly frozen - and I was wearing gloves!  Of course, I also chose a course that was mostly hills. I'm such an idiot.

But even though this run was painful and frustrating, I'm going to be optimistic. I mean, the conditions were horrendous and I still made it through without stopping or walking. I think that's good, considering I haven't really exercised in months.

After a long shower and big breakfast, I'm taking the rest of the day off: tv, books, computer, play with the cats and nap! I'm also going to eat A LOT, because I want to make sure I am fueling my efforts!

Tomorrow I'm going to try 3 miles, but I think I'll do it inside. On a treadmill. With music. Sounds more pleasant.