Sadly my days of running on the Orange Dirt Road came to a close. I was reverted back to the asphalt track with a stern reminder that I must train in the road conditions I will run in. *sigh* Surprised? So was I. I was so intimidated with the big track. In honesty though, I do better on the Orange Dirt Road. I felt less tired less early on than on the asphalt track. My theory is that because its big and you only get one run around, you dont get bored running a small circuit. The change of scenery is refreshing to this unfocused mind. The lower impact of the dirt track might also be to blame. Todays minutes per mile was 14:48, which is almost a 40 second increase from Wednesdays run.
Heres who I would REALLY like to blame: Gale. Force. Winds.
Today I was joined in training by S, another military wife whom I just met recently. I have to give it to her...she jumped right in and RAN. Somehow we had it that our walk session was on the side of the track that let the winds propel us while the jogging portion landed us in opposition to the wind. She couldnt hear me, I couldnt hear her. No one could hear my husband...though all we wanted from him was the "walk" command. While he trotted ahead of us, jogging stroller breaking the wind before him, S and I would lean into it and push so hard though it all felt like we were running in place. But we survived. 33 minutes and 40 seconds of track time and 2.21 miles. Boo yah!
*high five S!*
Lets just hope she returns Monday :$
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Follow the Orange Dirt Road
Ok ok, this post is about 2 days late. I tend to run on something my husband calls Cuban Time. Its kind of like Key West time. If you're unfamiliar with both, the best way to explain it is: I get there at my own lax time. Not a proud thing :/
Monday (2/14/11) was day 4 of training and as the beginning of the 2nd week, it was a new endurance training session. Running time was upped to 90 seconds and brisk walk to 2 mins. Being Valentines, the husband and I went out to lunch alone and I got to geek over my resurrected love for Manga at the bookstores. And promptly after that we headed out to Barton Field.
Typically, and im not sure if ive mentioned it, we run on a small asphalt track located at about the middle of Barton Field. Barton Field is the main PT field here where were stationed and its HUGE! This is where they hold most of the post public celebrations, fairs, carnivals, etc. Ive only ever walked a 1/3 of it and of course, run the asphalt track. When we arrived Monday, however, the asphalt track was being used by the Army for PT tests. There was a lot of grunting, screaming, sweaty, FAST looking soldiers out there and it didn't look like they were ready to give the track up any time soon. There was also NO WAY I was going to do my silly little attempts at running along (behind) them. Since we were there already, we hit the perimeter dirt track I affectionately call The Orange Dirt Road. Its Georgia Red Clay at its....well, dirtiest. Thousands upon thousands of feet have compounded this dirt track everyday for a thousand possible reasons. And yet its always intimidated me.
And I was right to be so! The first leg of the two mile run was BRUTAL. Remember that Valentines lunch and leisurely stroll at the bookstore? It made my tummy very eager to overturn, and my legs complain at the UPhill struggle. Did I mention the 60 mph winds? Ok maybe not 60...just 59. Would it have been too much to ask that the wind be at my back and not force feeding itself into my lungs as it shoved me off the hill?
When you trudge through that, the second leg is a breeze. Coming (somewhat) down hill toward my car was amazingly easy and for once I started to think that MAYBE just MAYBE...i might survive this one day.
I uploaded a few different training apps to my phone that track me through GPS, calculate my speed and minutes per mile, distance, total time and a few even let my friends on FB leave me pep talk messages that I can hear as I go.
Monday I was able to complete a mile in 15 minutes and 16 seconds using the run/walk endurance method I got from couchto5k. Today I clocked in at 14 minutes 9 seconds per mile on the SAME track :) Im sure the lesser buffeting winds had SOMETHING to do with it but it tells me im getting tired a little less quickly and able to keep a better pace. I know that marathons are not about speed but the thing is, you're given a time max for completion. I dont want to do all this work only to not finish in the allotted time.
It could also have been the Alien Ant Farm album though...its a good beat!
Monday (2/14/11) was day 4 of training and as the beginning of the 2nd week, it was a new endurance training session. Running time was upped to 90 seconds and brisk walk to 2 mins. Being Valentines, the husband and I went out to lunch alone and I got to geek over my resurrected love for Manga at the bookstores. And promptly after that we headed out to Barton Field.
Typically, and im not sure if ive mentioned it, we run on a small asphalt track located at about the middle of Barton Field. Barton Field is the main PT field here where were stationed and its HUGE! This is where they hold most of the post public celebrations, fairs, carnivals, etc. Ive only ever walked a 1/3 of it and of course, run the asphalt track. When we arrived Monday, however, the asphalt track was being used by the Army for PT tests. There was a lot of grunting, screaming, sweaty, FAST looking soldiers out there and it didn't look like they were ready to give the track up any time soon. There was also NO WAY I was going to do my silly little attempts at running along (behind) them. Since we were there already, we hit the perimeter dirt track I affectionately call The Orange Dirt Road. Its Georgia Red Clay at its....well, dirtiest. Thousands upon thousands of feet have compounded this dirt track everyday for a thousand possible reasons. And yet its always intimidated me.
And I was right to be so! The first leg of the two mile run was BRUTAL. Remember that Valentines lunch and leisurely stroll at the bookstore? It made my tummy very eager to overturn, and my legs complain at the UPhill struggle. Did I mention the 60 mph winds? Ok maybe not 60...just 59. Would it have been too much to ask that the wind be at my back and not force feeding itself into my lungs as it shoved me off the hill?
When you trudge through that, the second leg is a breeze. Coming (somewhat) down hill toward my car was amazingly easy and for once I started to think that MAYBE just MAYBE...i might survive this one day.
I uploaded a few different training apps to my phone that track me through GPS, calculate my speed and minutes per mile, distance, total time and a few even let my friends on FB leave me pep talk messages that I can hear as I go.
Monday I was able to complete a mile in 15 minutes and 16 seconds using the run/walk endurance method I got from couchto5k. Today I clocked in at 14 minutes 9 seconds per mile on the SAME track :) Im sure the lesser buffeting winds had SOMETHING to do with it but it tells me im getting tired a little less quickly and able to keep a better pace. I know that marathons are not about speed but the thing is, you're given a time max for completion. I dont want to do all this work only to not finish in the allotted time.
It could also have been the Alien Ant Farm album though...its a good beat!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Chain of Support
I was just too wickedly excited to keep this to myself. As you all know, Im trying to create as wide a base of followers possible for the simple act of encouragement and even advice. Anyone who has had to deal with the military knows that support is the biggest life raft we have. On my Facebook I am friends with an awesome organization called Miss Your Voice. The owner, who's name isn't posted (i caught it on one of her MANY posts but since its not POSTED, posted, I wont reveal), is a military brat with an Airman on her side. MissYourVoice creates custom and themed care packages for service members, families, ect. They're super duper cute and if I hadn't found her just shy of my husband coming home from deployment, Im sure to have become a regular customer. I mean i love to send the husband packages for him and the crew but really with two kids, teaching archery, keeping the house alive, and my sewing 'business', I cant make cool packages like her :/ You should go read her About on the website Miss Your Voice and look at all the other awesome support projects she's got under her industrial belt.
Anyhow, speaking of support, I put up a little blurb on the MissYourVoice FB page thanking her for her work and asking that she look into looking in on this blog every now and then (along with any other military supporters on her page) . Her reply?
She made it her status:)
Thanks MissYourVoice!! I just love the chain of support and camaraderie the military brothers and sisters can offer <3
Those of you who read this because of MissYourVoice THANKS!!
*sigh* ok back to trying to kick this bug so I can beat the asphalt some more tomorrow.
Toodles y'all!
Anyhow, speaking of support, I put up a little blurb on the MissYourVoice FB page thanking her for her work and asking that she look into looking in on this blog every now and then (along with any other military supporters on her page) . Her reply?
She made it her status:)
Thanks MissYourVoice!! I just love the chain of support and camaraderie the military brothers and sisters can offer <3
Those of you who read this because of MissYourVoice THANKS!!
*sigh* ok back to trying to kick this bug so I can beat the asphalt some more tomorrow.
Toodles y'all!
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Birth of Bionic
Yes I skipped a day in training-blogging but really I dont think you wanted to hear what I had to say that day. It was well after 5pm when the kids, husband, and I made it to the track thanks to a 2 hour Optometry appointment. Day 2 of running was BRUTALLY cold. I had scarfed a banana just to keep my stomach from growling over the music that the earbuds didn't exactly keep in my ears, and my mood wasn't much improved. Thin, cold, sharp air doesn't do much for me on the track. Between spitting every few minutes and the low light I was sadly ready to throw in the towel with 3 reps to go.
Thank you Hubby for NOT letting me quit. I hate to have let that moment of weakness creep in so early in the battle. Is that normal? Im hoping they go away with endurance and maybe with the help of warmer months.
Today, however, is the 4th year anniversary of my car accident. Some time between 813 and 845 tonight I check off another year that im ALIVE and WALKING. So cheers, titanium bolt, pins, and wires...were still grinding those gears ;)
Yesterday we picked up a Runners Calendar Log Book full of tips and info that I tried to incorporate into our jog session today. Since it was once again bitterly cold out (even at 4 in the afternoon), I tried humidifying my breathing air by covering my mouth and nose loosely with my hoodie. The book says that using a bandana over your mouth and nose help warm up that other wise icy air and it helps with the breathing. I didn't want to wear a bandana (seems like a hassle) so now that I know it helps, I plan to pick up one of those sleeves I've seen Nick and other military guys on deployment wear for what Im guessing is protection against sand. I got to run about 3/4 of the planned session today before we realized how late we were to go grab our eldest from her Sock Hop at school. It was an ill planned session but better than skipping it all together. That and I think that im getting sick....Do you run even when you're sick?
Just saw the time. I started this blog late in the evening on the 11th of Feb 2011 and somehow I just got around to concluding it well into the 12th. I NEED to learn to get to bed earlier :/
Thank you Hubby for NOT letting me quit. I hate to have let that moment of weakness creep in so early in the battle. Is that normal? Im hoping they go away with endurance and maybe with the help of warmer months.
Today, however, is the 4th year anniversary of my car accident. Some time between 813 and 845 tonight I check off another year that im ALIVE and WALKING. So cheers, titanium bolt, pins, and wires...were still grinding those gears ;)
Yesterday we picked up a Runners Calendar Log Book full of tips and info that I tried to incorporate into our jog session today. Since it was once again bitterly cold out (even at 4 in the afternoon), I tried humidifying my breathing air by covering my mouth and nose loosely with my hoodie. The book says that using a bandana over your mouth and nose help warm up that other wise icy air and it helps with the breathing. I didn't want to wear a bandana (seems like a hassle) so now that I know it helps, I plan to pick up one of those sleeves I've seen Nick and other military guys on deployment wear for what Im guessing is protection against sand. I got to run about 3/4 of the planned session today before we realized how late we were to go grab our eldest from her Sock Hop at school. It was an ill planned session but better than skipping it all together. That and I think that im getting sick....Do you run even when you're sick?
Just saw the time. I started this blog late in the evening on the 11th of Feb 2011 and somehow I just got around to concluding it well into the 12th. I NEED to learn to get to bed earlier :/
Monday, February 7, 2011
Frick Fracking Earbuds
Today was my first day on the track in YEARS, and my first marathon training day. Know what I learned?
I have stupid worthless earbuds.
Running shoes? Check.
Running outfit? Check.
Music, jogging stroller, motivational blog? Check. Check....Check.
If there was anything that I thought would distract me out there on the track, I honestly didn't think that it would be the Mac earbuds constantly slipping out of my ears.
So the husband suggested that we go out to the track late this morning while our eldest child was at school. It started to sprinkle about immediately after we arrived in the parking lot. Coming from Miami, neither one was deterred by a light rain but the fact of the matter is...this isn't Miami. It sprinkled for the hour we waited in the comfort of the car. Not to mention that it was chilly and our youngest has a yucky cold.
So we trekked back home and tried again after picking eldest up from school.
As I believe I mentioned before, were somewhat following the schedule outlined by the Couch to 5k program. For week one, I will be running 60 seconds, and walking 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. The husband, being more experienced at running, was in charge of the time-watch.
Somehow I dont think that he kept up the 60-90 schedule...I know that 30 seconds isn't much time, but I felt the loss of those extra 30 seconds of brisk walking :/
I didn't note the distance I ran, but I did complete all 20 minutes. I cant say that I loved it and felt entirely accomplished with other joggers in their Army sweats whizzing by, but I do feel just a tad proud of myself. I didn't quit at the start and I didn't feel like I would die from it all. I did/do feel tired...when does the adrenaline start to last? How long did it take you to feel like you're whizzing by?
I have stupid worthless earbuds.
Running shoes? Check.
Running outfit? Check.
Music, jogging stroller, motivational blog? Check. Check....Check.
If there was anything that I thought would distract me out there on the track, I honestly didn't think that it would be the Mac earbuds constantly slipping out of my ears.
So the husband suggested that we go out to the track late this morning while our eldest child was at school. It started to sprinkle about immediately after we arrived in the parking lot. Coming from Miami, neither one was deterred by a light rain but the fact of the matter is...this isn't Miami. It sprinkled for the hour we waited in the comfort of the car. Not to mention that it was chilly and our youngest has a yucky cold.
So we trekked back home and tried again after picking eldest up from school.
As I believe I mentioned before, were somewhat following the schedule outlined by the Couch to 5k program. For week one, I will be running 60 seconds, and walking 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. The husband, being more experienced at running, was in charge of the time-watch.
Somehow I dont think that he kept up the 60-90 schedule...I know that 30 seconds isn't much time, but I felt the loss of those extra 30 seconds of brisk walking :/
I didn't note the distance I ran, but I did complete all 20 minutes. I cant say that I loved it and felt entirely accomplished with other joggers in their Army sweats whizzing by, but I do feel just a tad proud of myself. I didn't quit at the start and I didn't feel like I would die from it all. I did/do feel tired...when does the adrenaline start to last? How long did it take you to feel like you're whizzing by?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
If the shoe fits
When ever I need to be motivated to due something I know can cause me to lose track, I put money on it.
Im not a spendthrift by any means, which is why this works so well for me. If I spend money on a project for myself, I feel even more so compelled to follow through. That being said.... I bought running shoes.
Last week I was in Miami visiting family when I got a deal alert for a store called Runners Co. in Doral. We'd already decided that shoes were in order and the husband insisted that we get professionally matched with a shoe. Really I though this was crock. A shoe is a shoe. Right?
Wrong.
Let me tell you something real quick. Next time you decide to go to a RUNNING store...wear some awesome socks. Socks so cool you'd want to wear them AS shoes. DONT wear your husbands socks, excess folded up at the toe because you could not find your own pair in your luggage. Otherwise you'll cringe when the sales man asks you to roll up your jeans, take off your shoes and stand IN YOUR SOCKS on a fancy schmancy foot analyzer that takes a whole 60 seconds to map out your foot. But it doesn't end there, oh no. Thats when you're asked to step up on the treadmill and with a camera zoomed in at your FEET, you take up a little canter that is conveniently displayed on the flat screen plasma mounted on the wall for every one to see, folded up excess flopping about all free-bird like.
I tell you all this so I can say the following: you want to be analyzed. I dont know what exactly it means but I have a high arch which requires some support from a stabilizing shoe yet the way I walk (my foot rolls out on each step) requires a neutral shoe with certain support. The pricey Nike+ Shocks I bought thinking I was getting top of the line gear, were really just expensive foot decoration that did nothing good for my running. As a matter of fact, they inhibited me and caused my toes to go numb.
The sales man gave me 4 pairs of shoes to try out from Asics, New Balance, and K Swiss. I tried each one out for fit, comfort, feel, you know....stuff that should mean something for someone who knows about running. In the end I went with K Swiss while the husband went with Asics (his personal favorite). They're light, flexible, and generally run-enticing I suppose. They sure as heck made me wince when I handed over my debit card.... And so now im partially financially committed. Partially because up next are the marathon fees....
Im not a spendthrift by any means, which is why this works so well for me. If I spend money on a project for myself, I feel even more so compelled to follow through. That being said.... I bought running shoes.
Last week I was in Miami visiting family when I got a deal alert for a store called Runners Co. in Doral. We'd already decided that shoes were in order and the husband insisted that we get professionally matched with a shoe. Really I though this was crock. A shoe is a shoe. Right?
Wrong.
Let me tell you something real quick. Next time you decide to go to a RUNNING store...wear some awesome socks. Socks so cool you'd want to wear them AS shoes. DONT wear your husbands socks, excess folded up at the toe because you could not find your own pair in your luggage. Otherwise you'll cringe when the sales man asks you to roll up your jeans, take off your shoes and stand IN YOUR SOCKS on a fancy schmancy foot analyzer that takes a whole 60 seconds to map out your foot. But it doesn't end there, oh no. Thats when you're asked to step up on the treadmill and with a camera zoomed in at your FEET, you take up a little canter that is conveniently displayed on the flat screen plasma mounted on the wall for every one to see, folded up excess flopping about all free-bird like.
I tell you all this so I can say the following: you want to be analyzed. I dont know what exactly it means but I have a high arch which requires some support from a stabilizing shoe yet the way I walk (my foot rolls out on each step) requires a neutral shoe with certain support. The pricey Nike+ Shocks I bought thinking I was getting top of the line gear, were really just expensive foot decoration that did nothing good for my running. As a matter of fact, they inhibited me and caused my toes to go numb.
The sales man gave me 4 pairs of shoes to try out from Asics, New Balance, and K Swiss. I tried each one out for fit, comfort, feel, you know....stuff that should mean something for someone who knows about running. In the end I went with K Swiss while the husband went with Asics (his personal favorite). They're light, flexible, and generally run-enticing I suppose. They sure as heck made me wince when I handed over my debit card.... And so now im partially financially committed. Partially because up next are the marathon fees....
Friday, February 4, 2011
up and running
Its entirely too late ( or early? What do you consider 1:48 am?) for me to have uploaded this blogger app on to my phone just so I could log my first official entry. I still have an open edit page downstairs on the Mac patiently waiting for me to tinker with but what am I doing? NOT SLEEPING.
I have clips of Forest Gump running through my head, Jenny yelling: Run Forest, run! while pieces of Forest's orthopedic gear falls away behind him. Why I relate to Forest Gump? Im not entirely sure. Except to say that im a combination of titanium orthopedic gear, hip deterioration, and entire determination to run.
Im shy a few days from marking off 4 years since I about met my maker in a car accident. In the accident I broke my elbow, hip, and about split my skull. My elbow got 4 pieces of titanium with which I've come to terms with (Bionic Woman). My hip had the most damage with rotation, dislocation, and fracture. Nothing besides taking out the broken bits could be done and so here I am still kind of limping and bending slow in Yoga. Theres no real cartlidge, its arthritic, needs to be replaced. And I want to run a marathon.
I was handed this in life and I don't want to step away one day having NOT challenged it. I don't remember when I first decided that I wanted to run a mile, much less a marathon. But here we are. My husband is in the Air Force and its part of his job to run. While talking about the new PT requirements we came to talk about the AF marathon in Ohio that takes place every September. A friend of ours took part in it 2 years ago and he loved it. I didn't think about it, I simply said: let's do it.
What the hell was I thinking???
I have LESS than 9 months to learn to run anywhere between 12 and 26 miles without flat out eating assphalt face first. Oh and losing my leg. And I MUST commit. Look at those fees. There's no way the husbands gonna let me bail out for lack of motivation, ability, or left leg. I have to summon all legal forms of forward momentum in order to keep on track and train for this marathon.
What's my biggest motivator? Sadly, public embarrassment. This is where you and this blog come in. Its one thing to let myself (and a few 'in the know' friends ) down. Its a whole other thing letting readers watch it. So here's the game plan. Im going to blog as often as possible about my training/conditioning. Ill track my progress here, curse my decision, ask for feedback. You just have to be discriminatingly blunt, and encouraging. High fives are optional.
Wondering when I start? Like all successful projects: next week, Monday February 7, 2011.
With a number like lucky number 7 who can go wrong??
I have clips of Forest Gump running through my head, Jenny yelling: Run Forest, run! while pieces of Forest's orthopedic gear falls away behind him. Why I relate to Forest Gump? Im not entirely sure. Except to say that im a combination of titanium orthopedic gear, hip deterioration, and entire determination to run.
Im shy a few days from marking off 4 years since I about met my maker in a car accident. In the accident I broke my elbow, hip, and about split my skull. My elbow got 4 pieces of titanium with which I've come to terms with (Bionic Woman). My hip had the most damage with rotation, dislocation, and fracture. Nothing besides taking out the broken bits could be done and so here I am still kind of limping and bending slow in Yoga. Theres no real cartlidge, its arthritic, needs to be replaced. And I want to run a marathon.
I was handed this in life and I don't want to step away one day having NOT challenged it. I don't remember when I first decided that I wanted to run a mile, much less a marathon. But here we are. My husband is in the Air Force and its part of his job to run. While talking about the new PT requirements we came to talk about the AF marathon in Ohio that takes place every September. A friend of ours took part in it 2 years ago and he loved it. I didn't think about it, I simply said: let's do it.
What the hell was I thinking???
I have LESS than 9 months to learn to run anywhere between 12 and 26 miles without flat out eating assphalt face first. Oh and losing my leg. And I MUST commit. Look at those fees. There's no way the husbands gonna let me bail out for lack of motivation, ability, or left leg. I have to summon all legal forms of forward momentum in order to keep on track and train for this marathon.
What's my biggest motivator? Sadly, public embarrassment. This is where you and this blog come in. Its one thing to let myself (and a few 'in the know' friends ) down. Its a whole other thing letting readers watch it. So here's the game plan. Im going to blog as often as possible about my training/conditioning. Ill track my progress here, curse my decision, ask for feedback. You just have to be discriminatingly blunt, and encouraging. High fives are optional.
Wondering when I start? Like all successful projects: next week, Monday February 7, 2011.
With a number like lucky number 7 who can go wrong??
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