Heat relief... FINALLY!

I've been a bad runner!  But to my defense, it has been brutally hot here in the lower mitten!  Record breaking temperatures nearing (or over) 100 degrees.  Overnight it would cool down to the mid 80s. I was supposed to run twice in the last 4 days, and set the alarm, but when the time came, it was just too damned hot out. I did get out and walk on Thursday, and went along at an okay pace, but didn't put it in my running log, and (obviously) didn't write about it here (until just now).

This morning it was 70 degrees when I went out and 73 when I got back home, an hour later.  Not too bad!  My pace was slower than I would have liked, but not bad.  I've certainly been a whole lot slower!  We had a lovely thunderstorm in the night (I love thunderstorms, especially at night) that ended just 2 hours before I got up to run, so it was quite humid out, making my breathing a little harder than normal.  I ran all over our neighborhood, covering few places twice, and hitting every street, but one.  First time I've done that route.  Decided not to hit the gravel roads after the rain... I don't want my running shoes to get all dirty!

Before I run I usually have a class of water and about 8 oz. of coffee to give me my initial boost.  Sometimes, I also have a Fiber One bar for a little bit of carb energy.  Today we didn't have any bars in the pantry, so I had an oatmeal, chocolate chip, walnut cookie instead.  Probably not the best pre-run snack, but it tasted good!  Sometimes, when I'm doing a race and don't have any coffee, I'll drink a 5 Hour Energy, but don't like them very well.  I don't really like any of the pseudo-carbonated soda-pop-like energy drinks, especially not before running. I have a neighbor who loves him some Monster!  Enough to put ELEVEN stickers on his car that I can see from one side!  Seriously... there are 11 of them!  If you don't believe me, you can count them yourself!  Now, I'm all for showing support for the brands that you're loyal to, but I think this is just a little extreme.


Close to the end of my run I got to see Charlie and he loudly encouraged me to go, go, go!  He's quite the cheerleader and I did, indeed, speed up a little when he said that I should.  I barely had a chance to say hello to his person!

Next run is Tuesday morning. I think it's supposed to stay a little cooler this week (cooler being upper 80s?) so I'm hoping for comfortable mornings for running.  Rock 'n' Roll Chicago is 2 weeks from today and I want to do well there but my Mackinaw Bridge Run is in less than 3 months and I'm not at the pace I need to be for that.  I may need to be more aggressive with my training (meaning not be such a wimp about the heat and get my butt out there, anyway!)  The half marathon is just 2 weeks later, so the clock is ticking!

Well, I set the alarm for 5:30 am so I could get up to run while it was still cool-ish out, but it was storming so I stayed in bed a little longer.  I did get up and out the door at 8:00.  Boy was I in for a shock when I stepped outside!  The air was on in the house, so it was quite cool inside, and I was fully aware that it was 75 degrees outside.  What I wasn't prepared for was the humidity.  Why didn't I think of that? It HAD just rained, after all!  It was like stepping into a sauna.  My glasses steamed up and it felt momentarily oppressive.  I stepped back inside to announce that it was "sweltering" out there, then headed back outside.

It turned out to be not so bad.  I mean, it was a little hard to breathe, but I persevered and actually matched my fastest speed, to date.  It helped that today was an exceptionally short run - only 30 minutes.  It may also have helped that there was another woman out there running.  I've never seen her before and don't know where, in the neighborhood, she lives, but our paths crossed twice and there was no way I was going to let her look like she was moving along faster than me!  I'm just a little competitive!  It was nice to see someone else out there doing the same thing as me, and we exchanged pleasantries both times that we saw each other.  

Not a new tattoo, but it means even
more, today!

About a mile into my run it started thundering again.  I was thinking of it as a crowd of fans clapping for me as I zoomed by on my Brooks branded go-fasters. Well, maybe I didn't exactly zoom, but I was keeping an eye on my pace and felt really good about it.  Then it started raining.  Not much - and certainly not enough to cool me off, but it felt kind of good to run in the rain.  There were quite a few people around. I guess 8:00 is the popular time to go to work.  

I got home and my husband left for a long bike ride and when he gets back we are celebrating my 5 year cancerversary and meeting up with friends later tonight (did that last night, too).  I am thrilled to say that I'm officially no longer a cancer patient!  Five years ago I had no idea what the future held - today I'm preparing to run the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank International Half Marathon! Yay me!

First day of July and it's a mowing morning!

New territory

Today was a longer run than the rest of the week and it didn't go all that great.  Still not feeling quite up to par so I ended up walking a good share of the time, but went along at a decent pace, so all was not lost.  I tend to have some seasonal allergies and, naturally, there were a number of mowing.  It's been dry so lots of dust and stuff in the air.  That was nothing compared to the field that I went by where they were harvesting wheat!  Okay, I don't really know if it was wheat - could have been any grain, for all I know, but the combine was surrounded by a cloud of dust.  My eyes are still burning!

Looking to the right

I saw more people than usual.  Probably because I waited until 9:00 to head out.  That was dumb!  It was hot, and I was mostly in full sun.  The weather site said it was 84 degrees, but my iPhone said that it was 97 where I was running!  I believe it!  I covered more ground than I have in the past, at least since I started running on the gravel road nearby. Today I got to explore 2 more gravel roads on my trotting travels.  I ran by a couple of famers... their pick-up trucks stopped alongside the road, one guy leaning on the other's truck, chatting with his hands in his pockets.  They were friendly and said hello to me.  Another lady was backing out of her driveway and rolled the window down to wish me a good morning.  Plus, almost all the folks out mowing waved, and most people who passed in their cars did too.  I'm really not used to that many friendly people when I'm out there!

Looking to the left (you can see the combine across the
field in the middle of the picture)

My right calf is still feeling really tight.  I need to work on some extra stretches for that when I have a rest day tomorrow.  I'll be back on the road on Tuesday and Thursday, then both weekend days.  I'm not working this week, so I have lots of time - but will still plan to get up, and out the door, early.  It's supposed to be a hot week!

Better morning

This morning was much better for running.  The temperature was similar, but it was overcast and, at times, gusty!  Other times there wasn't a lick of breeze, but it made me really appreciate the gusts when they came along. 


My speed was better.  Possibly because I was trying to escape the deer flies...  The air was pretty heavy, so I did take a couple of short walk breaks - and I swallowed a bug so I had to stop and choke for a minute.  There weren't many people out at 7am. In fact I only saw 2 - one guy working in his garage and a neighbor who was out with her dog.  It was the fluffy little dog who always barks at me.  We actually got to meet this morning and his name is Charlie and I almost got to pet him!  I was done with my run by then, and walking back to the house and was (amazingly) not at all uncomfortable about the fact that I was talking to this neighbor for the first time and was a sweaty mess.  Maybe the fact that she was wearing a bathrobe and curlers helped.


I did see a goose walking down the road.  It was pretty funny... he was just waddling down the middle of the lane, like he had a driver's license. I also saw a cat, and apparently interrupted it's morning hunt and he ran into the woods.  


So I do feel like my running is improving, despite the little blips that I've had this week.  I am feeling less stressed today, but still experiencing the effects of my overstressed stomach. I have some things in the works next week that should help to eliminate that stress, so I foresee much improvement in how I feel - and my running - in the near future.  

How you feelin'? Feelin' hot, hot hot!

Yes... it's hot!  It was close to 80 degrees when I got done running this morning, and I was totally overdressed.  Definitely need to arrange to have some cooler running clothes available. I was wearing a pair of running capris, but shorts would have been much better, and my choice of an oversized non-wicking t-shirt was a poor one.  It weighed at least 10 pounds when I was done.  Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I truly was soaked when I got home.


The run itself wasn't wonderful, either. I have a list of excuses for why I was kind of slow:

1. Calf cramp
2. Foot cramp
3. Tight muscles
4. Nausea from being a bit (or a lot) stressed
5. High temperature (the air, not me)
6. The smell of manure in the air
7. The distinct odor of a resident skunk
8. Too sunny

Okay, #8 probably isn't really a valid reason, but the rest certainly came into play.  I've been pretty stressed out this week, and I know that exercise is supposed to help. What I haven't figured out, though, is how to get past the constant feeling of needing to throw up so that I can run without feeling like I need to make a mad dash for the bushes!  And let me also point out that #s 6 and 7 did not help that situation!

I took a few walk breaks and was, consequently, a little slower than usual.  Slower than I usually am?  who would have thought it possible?  I used to run with the mantra "the more I run, the sooner I'm done" But now that I am going for time, rather that distance, that doesn't work.  I tried imagining that there was a dog chasing me and I had to run faster to  get away, but as it turned out, my imaginary dog was quite friendly and just wanted me to pet him.  Go figure!  All in all, it wasn't a bad run, but I'm looking forward to a better one tomorrow.

What a great day for a run!

Done running and headed for refreshments!

Fantastic weather for the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run! I'm here, just past the finish, watching the runners come in. Feeling very inspired. Men, women, all ages,all shapes and sizes. Most people looking satisfied... Every one of them a winner! There are people wearing banana costumes and people holding signs to encourage and motivate their friends, loved ones and teammates. My favorite sign so far: "Run like you stole something!" Seeing the heartfelt "congratulations" and hearing runners telling other runners how great they looked out there really demonstrates the relationships among the running community.  There was a man with his son (about 3 years old) watching for his wife to come in and they cheered for her when she came into site.  She waved and continued on to get some fruit after the finish line and then circled back to see them.  The little boy ran to her, and greeted her with a hug like he hadn't seen her in a week, and said "you ran fast, mommy!"

That's the way to relax after a race!

I ran this morning, too! Not as far or fast as these people!  But I ran, and am happy with that. It felt great with the exception of the humidity making the air feel really heavy to me.  I got to see my favorite things along the way... the new red Charger and the old El Camino, so that was cool.  The Charger hadn't been there for a while so I was worried that it may have actually been a visitor and I wouldn't see it regularly.  My training is changing, starting on Tuesday.  Rather than going for a specific distance with each run, I'll be running for a certain amount of time, and getting as much distance out of that as I can.  I'm looking forward to the change and seeing what kind of difference that makes in my speed

What is all this outside?

Wow!  I went out just after 9:00 am and I am definitely NOT used to running at that time of day. First of all, it's bright out!  Pretty overcast, but still kind of a stark bright, that I'm just not accustomed to.  It was windy, too!  Also, our neighborhood is having a community-wide yard sale this weekend.  We aren't participating, so I forgot about it completely.  There were cars everywhere. I never have maneuver around that much traffic!  Not to mention that everyone could SEE me!  In my bright yellow shirt!  Ugh!  Actually, one guy drove by - probably around 18 years old - and smiled and waved at me as if he approved of my efforts, so that made me feel a little better.  Why?  Still trying to figure out why I feel so uncomfortable when people see me run.  I'm doing something good for me and it has nothing to do with the other people out there.  I persevered and finished my run, and was proud of myself.  This afternoon I'm going to reward myself with a bike ride at the Metro Park.

I did have a bit of pain in the arch of my foot, so I slowed down a little for the last mile.  I finished up with a sprint and that was fine - or at least not any worse.  I'm thinking that it may have had something to do with the ankle sleeve or the way I had my shoe tied over it because it went away when I removed the shoe and sleeve.  I'll have to pay closer attention to how I put that on, tomorrow.

Running again tomorrow morning, before I go watch a bunch of other people run at the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run.  That will be inspiring for me.  I love seeing people finish their races, and hope to inspire others in the same way.  I think I'll do my blog from there tomorrow and post a few race pics. Til then...

Back to running today with a new "problem"...

Yes, my runner-girl pendant has been looking like she's feeling neglected for the last 10 days, but I tested my ankle out and was able to do all of the activities and remain pain-free, so I headed out this morning.  It was great!  Not a long run... just 2 miles to see how it would feel, and I ran the entire distance without any difficulty.  I did, however, encounter a new problem.  My running tights are too big!  I had to hike them up every few minutes the whole time.  Yes, I have a goal of losing weight, but I just bought 2 pair of these tights a few months ago.  And they weren't cheap!  I'm going to see if I can have them taken in, so I can continue to use them.  I already have one pair that I've retired to just wearing around the house.  I hate to add two more pair to that list just yet.

I splurged yesterday and bought 2 more pair of Balega running socks!  I simply LOVE these socks!  I wish all of my socks felt like the ones that I run in.  At $11 a pair, I can't have these for everyday, but if I had tried these socks years ago, I would have started running much sooner just to wear the socks.  So, now, I have 3 pair of socks for running, and won't have to try to get them washed between every run.  My biggest concern is that they will go the way of so many of my other socks and one will disappear in the wash.  I don't know how that happens!  We do our laundry at home so it's not like we leave one in the dryer at the laundry mat!  I've decided  to pin my good socks together when I put the in the hamper, in hopes of keeping them together and not losing any of them.

Once again, I was in my 2nd mile and couldn't remember what route I had taken for mile 1.  That is such a weird feeling!  There are a couple different routes that I take in my neighborhood and I got to the opposite corner from where I live, for the 2nd time this morning, and truly had no idea when way I went the first time.  It was like it never happened!  I heard great music while I was out.  Oddly, my fastest song was Ice Ice Baby, which is not a particularly fast song.  I'll be out again on Saturday and on Sunday.  Speaking of Sunday, If you are interested in what I am doing with DetermiNation, how it works, or would like a little more information, I will be at the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run and you can stop by the booth after the run and I'll give you more info.  Just look for the ACS DetermiNation sail and I'll be there.

Sidelined for a couple of days...

I went for this great bike ride yesterday and was going to run just after dark last night - the temp was in the 90s yesterday, but at least riding a bike creates a breeze.  Unfortunately, toward the end of my ride, I was getting off my bike and, somehow, fell into a garden, twisting my ankle along the way.  You can see the swelling, here, but in addition, the right side is bruised. I've been following the RICE method of treatment, but am not quite sure how long I'm supposed to (R)est it.  I'm glad I got a pedicure a few days ago, since I'm sharing this foot photo with you.  I was going to flip it so that my flamingos are right side up, but that makes the room upside-down and made me kind of dizzy!  You can also see that the weekend is laundry time, so we had a pile of "lights" sorted in the background.   Because I was (E)levating the ankle, I decided not to get up and move the laundry pile for the picture... I figure, you all do laundry too, right?

Tashmoo

Since I have no running news to share at the moment, I will tell you that I had an awesome ride yesterday - with the exception of falling off my bike.  We parked in downtown Detroit, then rode out to Tashmoo, this pop-up bier garden in East Village, where we met up with a couple of my DetermiNaition teammates.  After that, we peddled to Belle Isle and around the island before heading back toward downtown and taking the Dequindre Cut  up to where we could loop back to the car (I fell just before Dequindre) after that we met up with some friends to go watch an awesome Detroit Derby Girls bout - and I mean awesome... It was an exciting grudge match and the score was tied several times!

So, I wish that I had something running-related to say, other than I'll get back to it in a couple of days.  Am heading to Kalamazoo for a "Dine and Donate" for my DetermiNation fundrasing (Bennigan's on Gull Road - all day... with this flyer, will donate 20% of the procedes to ACS in my name).  I'll be posting updates to let you know what's going on with my ankle and when I am getting back to running.  Hope it's soon because my half marathon is a mere 5 months away!

Seis de Mayo Run in Detroit

Yes, it was the Cinco de Mayo run, but the parade is always on a Sunday and the run is always right before the parade.  The run went very well.  There weren't a huge number of participants, but, as far as I know, I didn't come in last.  Actually, I have no idea where I finished in the line-up because the results don't seem to be available anywhere.  They probably are... I just can't find them.

I ran a little better than my 5K three weeks ago for Feet and Friends Fighting Colon Cancer.  Just a few seconds, but I'm pleased with any improvement.  I was especially happy with the improvement since the race started at 11:30 and it was fairly warm out.  Most of the run was in the direct sunlight (you can see that in this picture of me at the start of the race) and since it was along the parade route there were a lot of people lining the street.  The runners were accompanied by police cars and motorcycles, so that was different, too.  All things that I'm not really accustomed to, and that doesn't even take into consideration the fact that I was out late last night seeing "Weird" Al Yankovic at the Fox Theater in Detroit!

It was a fun run and I'd love to do it again next year.  Apparently, last year was more rainy at this time, because the people running the race were talking about how the ground was too soggy in the park where the run started and finished.  Actually, the weather was perfect, if a little too warm for me - I'd always prefer that it be a little chilly as opposed to any too warm!

Later this afternoon I also went for a 10 mile bike ride at the Metropark, which was great.  Add a little swimming in there and I would have done a mini-tri!  This week I'll be running Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday I also have a bike ride that we are doing in Detroit, before going to a family function.  Since next Sunday is also Mother's Day, it's going to be a busy weekend. I'm already looking forward to it!  My next 5K is in three weeks (May 26) and is also in Detroit.  Lots of training between now and then, so I am looking forward to greater improvement with that race.

Early run in my neighborhood

What a gorgeous morning!  For a run, or anything else, it was a beautiful morning to spend a little time outside before getting on with the rest of my day.  It was 63 degrees with an ever-so-slight breeze.  It was humid, (90%) but was cool enough that it wasn't bad - and the sun wasn't quite up yet, or it might have been a lot less comfortable.

I haven't run outside for nearly a week and was amazed at how much lighter it was out there at 6:00 am than it was just a week ago.  The sun rising on the horizon made the sky a beautiful color.  I saw a few people on their way to work, but not many.  One man was walking his fluffy little white dog, who either wanted to kill me, or was telling me how excited she was to see me. She was a fast talker so it was hard to understand her.

I felt good while running and increased my distance by 50% (per Coach Luke's instructions).  I did realize my error in eating too much wasabi on my California rolls last night, though.  Remember my comparison of running to wasabi?  Well, the two  may be similar in my desire for them, but it turns out that, together, they just give you a really bad stomach ache!  Not a mistake I will make again!

Last night I was at a steering committee meeting for DetermiNation, and those are always fun.  I got my official DetermiNation tech shirt, which is so cool. I may wear it this weekend when I run in Detroit.

Tomorrow I'll be out again, rest on Saturday (like I haven't done a lot of that lately) then on Sunday I have my Cinco de Mayo Run in Mexican Town, Detroit.  The race starts at 11:30, which is later than they normally start, but I think the run goes just ahead of the Cinco de Mayo parade.  I'm grateful for the late start though, because Saturday night I may be out a little later seeing Weird Al Yankovic (also in Detroit - maybe I should just stay overnight in the city).  We've seen Al before and he puts on a great performance - funny... iSmoothRun tells me my fastest song during each run, and today it was Weird Al's Alternative Polka!

Martian Marathon TODAY!

But I'm not participating in that one! I actually already did my run this morning and it was pretty good.  Not by best speed,  but I've been having some chest congestion, making it hard to breathe deeply and I think that slowed me down.  I think tomorrow I'll try using my inhaler before I run and see if that helps any.

I was planning to get up at 7am and run so we can go to Eastern Market then stop by the Martian Marathon to pick up some stuff for DetermiNation that I will be taking to the Big House Big Heart run tomorrow.  Nope, I'm not in that one either, but I'll be there with information about DetermiNation to see if there are people interested in joining the team.  But, I was awake at 6:00 so I decided to get up then and get outside. Just as I was getting dressed I heard sprinkles on the skylight, but the rain held off until I was done.

Who gets up in my neighborhood at 6am on Saturday?  No one, that's who!  Actually, I did see one car leaving, and at the end of my run a neighbor was on her deck letting her little dogs run in the yard for a minute.  They are the funniest little dog... they bark and bark at me, like there going to tear me up, and each one of them is about the size of my foot (and I have small feet - they go with my short stride).

That's me, running!  Yup!

So I run tomorrow, then next week on Tuesday and Thursday, before my 5K on Saturday.  I am hoping to build a bit more stamina by then, in hopes of not totally embarrassing myself in front of my D'Nation teammates.  Although I do find most runners to be very kind about us that kind of thing.  They are much more encouraging than they are critical.  When I am running and look down at the ground, it looks like I'm going fast to me.  And today I was wearing my new running capris and new run-girl tech shirt that I got from Women's Running, so I looked the part, and everything!  I felt great, even though it wasn't my best run!  Interestingly, my fastest song today was The Proclaimers' 500 Miles!

So this is where I stop yapping about running so I can get ready to go to Eastern Market.  Back tomorrow.

Brrrrrrrr... I thought Spring had sprung!

The alarm went off at 5:40 this morning and they were talking on the radio.  Current temperature was 36 degrees and it had snowed overnight, but didn't accumulate.  What?  36 degrees? snow?  It was about 70 when I went to the park to run on Saturday!  The daffodils have already bloomed and faded.  Tulips are out!  What do you mean 36 and snow?

Yes, it was cold out!  I decided that gloves were in order, along with my earphones that are inside a headband that covers my ears.  All in all, I wasn't that uncomfortable.  The wind was 11 mph, but I dressed warmly enough to get out and do my run.  I didn't do quite as well as Monday.  I slowed for a few walk breaks, but my pace was only slightly slower than the other day.  When I finished I was SO glad that I didn't consider staying in bed because it was cold outside.  AND I really didn't consider it.  I didn't even think of that today - the alarm went off and it was time to get up and go run!

I do a lot of thinking when I run, and when I'm not thinking, I'm counting.  More about the counting in a minute, but I was thinking about how discouraged I felt on the weekend, and how much better I feel now - just 4 days and 2 runs later.  I was really feeling like maybe I can't do this.  Maybe I'm not built for running.  I really wanted to do it, but I've had a lot of people tell me that I won't continue, I shouldn't run, it's not good for me, I need to be really careful and that running is bad for me.  This mostly comes from people I work with.  I was feeling like maybe the only reason I want to run is to prove them wrong - or prove that I can.  So this morning, while runnin' and thinkin' I decided that that isn't the only reason I want to run.  It may be part of the reason, now, but that's not such a bad thing, either.  The best way to motivate me to do something has always been to tell me that I can't!  But I've actually recently started calling myself a "runner" and THAT is the reason that I want to run.  I'm a runner!  Plus I like to prove people wrong when they think I'm unable to do things!  LOL  I read this yesterday: "You ran to eat and to avoid being eaten; you ran to find a mate and impress her, and with her you ran off to start a new life together. You had to love running, or you wouldn't live to love anything else. We were born to run; we were born because we run." - Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

The more I run, the quicker I'm done!  When I feel like I want to take a walk break, I try to look inside myself to find out why.  Am I out of breath?  Do my legs hurt?  Or do I just feel like it's time for a break?  Do I NEED to slow down, or do I WANT to?  I'm usually only slightly uncomfortable, and don't HAVE to slow down.  One of my favorite running quotes comes to mind.  Paul Tergat said "Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?' The answer is usually 'Yes'!"  That's so true!  That's when I start counting.  I know that 25 strides equals .01 miles and counting them off helps me to realize how much more I can actually do.

I'm running twice this weekend.  Saturday and Sunday.  You'll see me back here in a few days!

Well now... THAT was MUCH better!

I guess I truly am a morning runner.  I went out today at 6:00 am and did my run and it was SO much better than Saturday's run. Actually, my fastest pace yet, and the furthest distance running, without slowing to walk, since last year.  Granted, I am not, in any way, fast... but I ran just over 2 miles straight, which I am pretty proud of.  It was 41 degrees, and had rained over night, but long enough ago that the pavement was dry - and I didn't have to deal with the wind that we had last night, thankfully!  It was pretty gusty when I went to bed, and I was really hoping that would die down before morning!

I encountered a young cat watching me run.  She didn't seem especially critical, but clearly had the opinion that I am not as graceful a runner as her.  When I approached, she delicately leaped away across the street, leaving me there by myself.  The birds were also out cheering me on.  The birds are always good about rising early to be my cheering squad.  It didn't hurt that the overnight rain brought a buffet of worms out of hiding for breakfast.  They did have a little scuffle, though.  One of the birds chased another directly at me at a ridiculously speedy pace, just missing my legs.  I felt the air move, and maybe even a feather, by my shins and, if I had been just a hair faster, might have been picking beak from my bare calf.  I don't know what the disagreement was about, but it nearly ended poorly for all of us.

I have 4 runs scheduled this week, so I'll be out again on Wednesday and then Saturday and Sunday.  I felt much better about the whole thing today, after doing pretty well.  Saturday I felt pretty discouraged, but it was pointed out to me that there were a number of factors that were different from my usual runs, of late.  Maybe that really does make a difference.  All I know is that I have the American Cancer Society Feet and Friends Fighting Colon Cancer 5K in 12 days and I would really like to run the whole thing.  I'll be back on Wednesday - hopefully a little faster.

More improvement while running with a group of people... that's encouraging!

So I did my 5K this morning and decided to incorporate my 2 mile training run into the 5K.  It worked out great!  I walked the first half mile and then started m run using iSmoothRun, on my iPhone, to record my 2 mile training run, then walked the last mile+ of the 5K.  The best warm up and cool down walks, ever!  I felt like I wasn't doing very well. Lots of people were passing me, and I was passing some people, but I kept comparing my speed to other people's.  I gotta learn to get beyond that and only compete with myself.  As it turned out, my pace improved a bit over my last run on my own, and I am doing fine and am right on track.  I came in 12th in my age group!  Okay... there were only 12 people in my age group!  I don't mind being last in my group, just not dragging my ass in last, overall!

Of course, I am starting this running thing all over again, and I'm not fast.  I know that!  I didn't even run the entire 2 miles - I took walk breaks.  I don't aspire to be particularly fast, just fast enough.  Fast enough to be able to keep up in the couple of races I have that there is a time requirement and fast enough to not come in last place, unless I choose to.  I also have a lot of anxiety running with a group.  What it I don't fit in, what if I AM last, what if look funny (I tend to prefer to blend in).  When we got to registration, I was looking around and thinking "my running tights look too tight" "I look ridiculous" "these people all look like real runners and I look like a poser" and other similar things.  Then, John told me that he turned around to help me find the registration area, and when he turned back he couldn't find me, because I looked just like everyone else in the room.  Hmmm... maybe I did blend in!  I WAS wearing my DetermiNation training shirt - the first time I've worn it to a race!  Yay!

This is the main reason that I want to try to do at least one "competitive" run each month.  The only way for me to get past the anxiety of running with a group of runners is to practice.  I have anxiety in any group/social situation already that I deal with and I train on my own, preferably in the dark.  I'll be working hard in this area, as well as training to run.

That said, my next public run is the Feet and Friends Fighting Colon Cancer 5K in 3 weeks.  Next training run is Monday, so I'll catch ya then.

Long time without running, but I'm back in the game!

Wow!  It's been months since I've been on here.  First, I was letting the colder months get the better of me and slacked off over the holidays with the intention of getting back to it at the beginning of the year.  Then... I injured my back and was told no running, no Zumba and no yoga.  Not even yoga!  Somehow I ended up with severe pain resulting from a sacroiliac joint dysfunction and nothing I did was comfortable.

I couldn't sit, stand or lay down without pain that, at times, brought me to tears.  After a couple of doctor visits and a couple of ineffective prescriptions for pain meds, I got into the Spine Center at University of Michigan Hospital and saw a Physical Therapist.  My PT quickly became my new BFF and gave me lots of homework to increase my flexibility and strength, which I did without fail most days.  Finally... relief!  But she wasn't about to let me do more than the exercises that she prescribed and I wanted to heal, so I did as she said.  The Cork Town Race came and went, without me running it, which was very disappointing to me.  Last week she gave me the clearance to start running again, but I felt like I was going back to square one with my training.

Luckily, about the same time, I signed up with a running coach - a benefit that I get through the ACS DetermiNation program.  And an AWESOME benefit it is!  My new coach, Luke, got my information and learned what I did before and what I've been doing lately (nothing) and set up a program for me to get me back on the road.  Today was my first day out and it felt really good!

My performance wasn't great, but not so bad, considering, I guess.  My pace was slow, and he has me doing 2 miles, 3 or 4 times a week at a comfortable pace until my next 5K on April 21.  Well, I have a 5K this weekend, too, but I'll not be running that one.  I'll walk it, as that will be one of my off days for running.  I'm looking forward to seeing the improvement that the upcoming weeks (and months) will bring, but right now I'm just taking it 2 miles at a time.

Here is my race schedule for the rest of the year.  I am planning to add some in - at least one a month, so I can get some competitive runs under my belt before my big ones in October, so this list will be growing as time goes on, but I thought I'd share what I have on the calendar right now:

March 31 - April Fool's Run - Clarkston, MI
April 21 - Feet and Friends Fighting Colon Cancer - Ann Arbor, MI
May 6 - Cinco de Mayo Race - Mexicantown, Detroit, MI (shouldn't that be Seis de Mayo?)
July 22 - Rock and Roll Mini Marathon, Chicago, IL (hopefully)
October 6 - Fall Colors Mackinaw Bridge Race, St. Ignace to Mackinac City, MI
October 21 - Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Half Marathon, Detroit MI and Windsor, ON Canada

I need to get to work on finding a few more races to fill in June, August and September!

Stop back here on Wednesday and I'll check in after my next 2 miles.  I was so excited to run today - AND get to wear my Runner Girl necklace for the first time in AGES - I know I'll be following the program that Luke set up for me so I can feel this great and wear it again in a couple of days.  Yes... I can be bribed to run with jewelry - and it's jewelry that I already own!

One week + NO running = Naughty Runner!

Yes, it's been a week - just over, actually - since I have run.  I allowed the onset of chilly weather, some rain and a holiday to interfere with my running schedule and I shouldn't have.  I decided back on November 17 (the last day that I ran) to doing some running every day from Thanksgiving until the end of the year.  Here's my tweet making that commitment:

mishlnaz mishlnaz 

@ 

I'm in! @runnersworld We're pledging to run every day from Thanksgiving through New Year's. ow.ly/7wTE1 Who's with us? #RWRunStreak

I can't believe that I skipped out on running yesterday and already messed that up.  Maybe I can start it today...


During my little hiatus I did go to a 5K to cheer on some of my fellow DetermiNation team members.  That was fun, and it was great to get to know them after the run!  It was a cool, sunny day in Wyandotte and they all did well.  I did see a couple of scary things while I was there, though.  One poor little girl (about 9) was at mile 3 and she ended up along side the trail, on her hands and knees, throwing up in the grass.  I felt so bad for her.  Hopefully, that experience won't be the thing that she takes away from this race so early in her life.  She did get up and run to the finish when she was done getting sick.  I also saw an older man running along (also at mile 3) and he could see the finish line when he veered off the track.  Medics ran to help him but he kept telling them "no" as he got further and further off the track, when he collapsed.  They got him up and to the medical tent, but I don't know what happened to him.  I hope that turned out well.


Today was a gorgeous day to run!  Blue sky, 51 degrees.  Beautiful!  It was pretty windy - 19 mph - but I only really noticed it a few times.  I actually improved my pace a bit - probably all that rest from not running for a week!  I went just over 4 miles and then did some stretching back at the car.  It felt SO good! I can't believe I have neglected this for a week!  Something for me to remember, and think about, next time I want to ditch my run!


As I look ahead at things that I want to accomplish, like next year's half-marathon and running over the Mackinaw Bridge, I don't see the appeal of doing a triathalon.  Well, I SEE the appeal, but it doesn't appeal to me!  I've never been sure why, maybe because I'm not much of a swimmer.  Okay, okay... I haven't been swimming in years!  When I was doing my cool-down walk, and headed back to the car, I walked by the pond and saw this sign, which cleared it all up for me!


Well, that's it for me, today.  I'll be back for a quick post tomorrow, after a short run, then will do a longer one on Sunday.  

Plagued by the plague - or a really, REALLY bad cold.

Yes, I've been sick for the last 7 days now.  Late in the afternoon, after my 5K last Sunday I detected a sore throat.  The next morning I felt pretty lousy, and had a doctor's appointment, where they said my temperature was close to 100.  By Monday evening, it was closer to 103, where it stayed for a couple of days.  I missed a lot of work - and I missed a lot of workouts!  Today I finally felt enough energy to, at least, take a walk.  It was nice to get out in the cool sunshine of fall in Michigan.  I used a new app to record my (very leisurely) walk called iRunner and it was pretty cool.  I think you can glean a lot of information from it, especially if you upgrade to the paid app, and it seems quite easy to use.  It also partners with the program that ACS uses for their training, which will come in handy later.

Since my walk way a leisurely one (3.4 miles in 1:04) I had time to enjoy the scenery a bit more than usual.  Peak color is nearly gone now, but the MetroPark was still really pretty.  Lots of leaves crunching underfoot - at least I'm assuming so... My head and ears are still so blocked that my hearing is really bad right now (for example I can't hear the microwave or the car beeper telling me when I un/lock it).  I saw lots of people out walking, riding and running.  It really was a beautiful day and I was glad to see so many people out taking advantage of it.  I've included a couple of pictures from my walk here.


In addition to the nice scenery, I saw some very interesting bugs along the way.  One may have been a Katydid of some kind.  It didn't look quite right.  I saw a couple of magnificent beetles.  I don't have a clue what they were.  Several abandoned wasp nest were along the path, on the ground.  A few wooly looking worms were crossing the path rather pokily.  Also, I saw what looked like a smooth, curvy stick, but upon closer inspection, it was a little striped snake - only about a foot long.   He seemed to be enjoying the sunshine next to the path, but my leering must have made him uncomfortable because he suddenly slipped through the grass and into the brush.  Here I was, looking at this snake, thinking to myself "Oh, look, a little snake sunning himself" and I have no idea why it startled me so much when he moved.  I literally jumped back from him, like I thought he wasn't real or something.  Funny how our brains work.


So that was today's walk.  No running for a week now, and I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing this week.  I slept in today, and right now it's not even 7:00 pm yet and I'm already looking forward to bed time, so my energy level is really low.  

My first non-post-run entry!

I did not run yesterday.  I slept in before work, instead, and they we had things to do after work and I got home much too late to run.  I did not walk today... I slept in again, and then went to the race expo for tomorrow's run.  That's okay! I feel like I'm ready and am excited to go tomorrow and finish my first 5K. As actor David James Elliott said, "Every time I go out there, I win.  Every time I finish the task that I've set before myself, I win again."


I also did something really exciting yesterday!  I signed up for next year's half-marathon through the American Cancer Society DetermiNation program.  I have said here that I was planning to do that, but I was thrilled when I actually got to register for it.  I was the first  registrant - probably because most people are thinking about this weekend's race, not the one in 365 days. I will be running my first half-marathon on Sunday, October 14, 2012.  If you'd like to read more about DetermiNation you can go to my personal page, here.  


I will be fundraising in may different ways to reach my goal for next year's race, but if anyone is inclined to donate to the ACS in support of my run tomorrow, gifts to my DetermiNation fund, at the link above, would be most welcome and appreciated.


I'll write tomorrow to report on my very first 5K.  Here I go!