The other side of 11

Saturday brought the "11 mile" run. The plan was to meet up with the big runners at 8:30 am (knowing full well we would start more like 8:45). I showed up feeling pretty good, but still a bit nervous of the goal that lay ahead for me. The group was trying to decide who was running for how long. Apparently not everyone was willing to run "slow" for Sara's big 11 mile feat (or is that feet?).


Finally, after several crazy conversations and no completion of desired answers, I just started running, knowing it would be only about 100 yards I would feel like I could hold my own. We rounded down the first mile, and I did my best to keep in sync with everyone, knowing full well i could never keep that pace up for the whole trip. Soon, I was lagging behind, but still attempting to stay in "running form." I kept reminding them all that I was the tortoise in the picture.


Well, the tortoise actually ran pretty well for 9 miles. There was no bridge going up to slow me down, and the run actually felt like it went by a lot faster. Maybe that would be because the road is familiar (it was quite similar to last weeks BIG 9 mile run).


After running through UW Campus, parking lot and seeing all the people readying for the tailgating to ensue for the UW/Stanford game, my thoughts kept wandering to beer and hot dogs (in a good way! - yum). We continued through the horticulture center and began the upgrade back home. At this point we were a little more than 2 miles out. I was beginning to tire, and knew that I should have never had that conversation in French with one of the runners back at mile 2 where I was running a little too fast for my long stretch. In the uphill climb, I wondered if I had pushed to much in the previous trek...


Obviously something was not right, when I began to have some breathing problems. It felt like Asthma, which helped aid to a panicky feeling. Coach Seely said that it is "exercised induced asthma." Whatever it was, I had to walk about a quarter mile just to get my breathing under control The last 2 miles were a challenge, but I had no choice but to finish. Thanks to the support from the other runners, especially Tim, who was prepping for his big run this coming weekend in Minnesota, I made it to the end, and only uttered a few choice words that I will not name here in my blog! :-p

The rest of the day was busy with work obligations (singing a wedding, and Mass that evening), and a great opportunity to see the ballet. Needless to say, I could not wait to go to bed. However, my body still felt as if it were running. I compare the feeling to something like being on a boat for a few hours and when you get off, if feels as if you are still on the water. Sadly, I did not get a good night sleep as I had hoped, but survived enough to be able to function on Sunday for work. Sleep continues to be a big struggle for me. I seem to be in the land of the Cat Nap


Sunday's was a day of rest, and I felt NO guilt for taking it. Today, I rode the bike at the gym on random setting and lifted weights. Tomorrow it's back running with the boys... wish me luck!


3 weeks left. It sure doesn't feel real.

it's just another day

Isn't that a Beatles's song? (Doot doot doot doo doo doo...). Today I ran all alone (the first time in awhile) and did a "short run" of 3 miles. I have to say, that this was the FIRST time, that 3 miles went by quickly. Usually the short runs feel just as long as the long runs. Of course, running for the first half was at a slight decline, but that meant that return was at a slight incline... Oddly enough, the time flew by relatively quick.

Ever since running (with a little walk) of the 10 miles 2 weeks ago, I have felt that I have turned a corner on my training. The distance is not so great. I think my biggest weakness is the elevation changes, my inclines have not been huge.

However - I do relish in the fact that 3 miles can fly by like nothing happened! It is possible to follow the unimaginable.... The fact that I look forward to a short 3 mile run is quite an amazing feat. You too can reassess those goals and realize that they are obtainable...

keeping up with the Joneses

Tuesday's run was with the "big boys." My running coach has a group of people (mostly men) that run Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday morning. Excited to have people to run with, I thought I was showing up for a "short" run (again, 3 miles) with the gang.

Not to play the sexist card, but I was the only woman to be running among 5 men, not to mention that most of the runners had been running for decades (and I have been running for months). Needless to say, my type A personality showed thru and I ran far faster than I ever have for a regular pace. Still, I was in last place, and when we hit the hills, I was more than left behind.

Unfortunately, the rapture didn't happen, and I continued running to keep up with the gang whom I had long lost view of, but knew, at least, that the end was in sight (well - withing 20 blocks or so). I was able to finish strong (in my mind) and still the heart rate of most of the people I began running with had resumed to a resting pulse. Did I care?? Well, maybe a little, but at the same time, I know I'm running stronger than ever before.

Went to dinner afterwards with a friend and had some wine. I do have to say that running is making me a cheap drunk! (One glass of wine, and I'm ready to head to bed).

Today - a day of rest. Tomorrow 3 miles or so (somehow squeezed into the crazy schedule). In view, Saturday's long run in the morning - I'm shooting for 11 miles!!! Wish me luck. (Some of the "boys" will be running with me, but they were told it would be a slow run.)

nine is just fine!

I have been remiss to not post yesterday after my big run yesterday. If I wait to long, it all fades to an "easy" memory. Easy is not the word I would use!

Thanks to two running partners yesterday, I was able to accomplish 9 miles with extremely little walking. Again, reminding you all that this incredible feat was not one of great speed. Even though I was "running" it was not the fastest pace. I was fortunate enough to have those running with me to let me run at the pace I was comfortable with. There was actually a moment about 30 minutes into the run that I felt "in the groove" (if that's possible), and one of my running buddies decided he needed to take a quick bathroom break and drink of water. We had hit the central part of UW campus and had been running from my house. There was no way I was willing to stop my pace, for fear that I would not be able to resume. I ran on, leaving my prime motivators behind me (a first! that is for sure). Our run had quickly turned into the reverse "beat the bridge" run, and I was heading toward the University bridge. As I jogged up the hill to the bridge, I heard the horn sound, and realized this time, I would NOT beat the bridge.

I had some choice words (feel free to fill in the blanks) as too forcing myself to stop running and wait for a very L O N G rising of the bridge for some tug boat slowly make its way through the cut. My heart rate went back to almost normal pace, and the bridge finally returned to its proper position so that we could continue to run. Someone also waiting for the bridge to return to its regular position commented that only in Seattle will you find runners waiting to cross the draw bridge. I have to agree with that, even though this was the first time I had to wait for the bridge.

My running partners had caught up with me by then, and we continued along Boyer and headed toward the Montlake bridge. Traveling through the park we hit a bit of rain, but not much. At this point, my running buddies were a bit ahead of me and I could hear none of their conversation. I did, however, feel some sort of triumph at this point, since I had reached over the half way mark, and we would be heading back and still getting in decent miles.

To reach the rise of the Montlake bridge, their was a slow upgrade. I felt compelled to walk, and my running coach said, "don't give in." I immediately replied "shut up," since I had run over 50 minutes without walking yet. Already a personal best had been achieved, and if I wanted to walk uphill, I could do so. At the top, we went back to the running pace, and I had a moment of geographical confusion as I thought I would be on the far side of the bridge and found myself on the closer side - the West Side. For awhile I felt that I was running the wrong direction to the destination, and didn't feel the need to put on extra miles, by running AWAY from the homeward destination.

We went through the lower end of UW behind the football field and IMA before returning to the Burke Gilman and following up through Ravenna Park. As we made the slow climb back up 20th, i couldn't help but think that it was uphill (although slight) all the way home. My body screamed to walk several times, and I gave in a couple times but only for a few yards or so.

As a side note, one of my running buddies would often run faster than me, but then slow to a walk. Not much after I would pass him, then he would start running again. I couldn't help but laugh thinking this was some man who couldn't stand the idea of getting past by a woman. I took it as a sign that I had to keep him running as well.

As we closed toward the finish line, i pushed into a fast run, not only to stretch my legs, but to push out everything I had. It was a surprise to find out how much energy I still had!

I didn't finish in half as much pain as I did the week before doing the 10 miles and not having run as far. Either I'm improving, or numbing to the pain! :)

Today was weights and some interval training on the elliptical trainer at the gym. I didn't bring my Ipod and was amazed how BORING the workout could be. (But I still completed the work)

Tomorrow? It will be a short run, 3 miles or so... Isn't funny I'm calling that short! We begin week 7 of the 10 week workout. Four weeks to go. Scary and exciting at the same time.

finding the middle ground

This week has been pretty good in getting in the training time. The success for me has been changing up the workouts. It's not much just running, but staying physically active. I actually think I have finally become someone who "needs" to exercise everyday. The day of "rest" I got in this week seemed to have me more stressed out. (Okay, so maybe it's because I had a Rosary and Funeral for a lovely woman in whose family I have been fortunate enough to have been included in most holiday events.)

Despite the extra events thrown into my regular week, I still have to fit in that 11 mile run sometime. Do I get up early tomorrow and attempt to run before the wedding I have to play for? OR - do I run Sunday morning, since I can be excused from my regular Sunday morning work schedule. I think I'm leaning more toward Sunday, we shall see.


This week included some interval trainings, and a hill workout that was actually on the elliptical trainer at the gym. It's been good to see the inside of the gym. I suspect that I will be visiting it more often as the weather begins to turn.

The one snafu in my half-marathon plan is the fact that the weekend of the run is double booked! One other goal for me this year, aside from the running, was to sing with a choral group that had a rehearsal schedule that fit into my plan and that sang high qualtiy music. The concert with Opus 7 at Blessed Sacrament (in the University District) is Saturday evening, and the half-marathon race is Sunday morning in Vancouver Washington. I'm looking into some creative plans to get me to the race on time. (Anyone want to drive my car at 5 am from Seattle to Vancouver, while I sleep, and then take the train home....?)

Wish me luck in both the 11 mile run in the next day or two, and the travel time to the race!

My new part time job

It is so amazing how busy our lives seem to be. Where does the time go??? For example, today is September 15th. Not only is September half way through, and I am looking at a birthday in 2 and half weeks, but I'm not even sure where is 2008 has gone. As we get older, time just goes by faster (except, of course, when I'm running).

But I digress, I'm realizing that to train for this half-marathon, I have to view it as a part-time job added to my already crazy schedule (since we all have crazy schedules). As my training picks up in the second half of the 10 week training plan, the revelation of the time I need to allow for my workouts is increasing. With a day that often runs from 7 am until 9:30 pm (the blessings of being a musician/teacher), I have to literally carve out time for my workouts. This takes a little forward thinking.

So, with trepidation, I look toward this week realizing every minute has to be accounted for. I have a couple events thrown in to the midst that are mandatory additives to my time constraints (more on that in another blog..), so I must make every minute count. I'm not drawn to that kind of lifestyle being the creative entity that I am. I can slot myself into 30 minutes for time to compose... and how absurd does that sound???

Check in to the workout progress: Sunday was a great 30 minute 'short' run (I can't even believe I"m saying short run), and today, I did a little cross training with weights and the recumbent bicycle at the gym - okay, I have to confess, I'm reading a book "The Shack" that I felt the need to make time to read as well as make time to work out.

Wish me luck, my friends, as I travel through the week, and staring at the 11 mile marker this weekend... For those who wonder the workout that I am basically using the "Runner's World" Magazine training plan. Here is the link: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-411--12450-0,00.html

Recovery

As I approach the end of the half way mark of my training, I was just grateful to wake up to my body responding in the normal way. Unfortunately with all the caffeine I had with the diet coke at the movies the previous night, I didn't sleep so well, and found myself getting some serious sleep around 7 am. When I did fall into a good REM sleep, I didn't wake up until 10:30 (which, I must say has not happened in decades!). Taking of just local household duties, I wasn't able to get out on the streets right away. I was grateful that I just felt like I could run normally. My guess is that the past day of 10 miles turned a corner.

I am now half way through my 10 week training program, and although I don't think I'm ready to approach 13.1 miles, I do think that I am happy to run regularly (who would have thought!!??)

We must back up to the fact that I have NEVER been a runner. In Jr. High, the PE class would have a 12 minute run from time to time. i just HATED those days, no matter how active I liked to be. In those Junior High 12 minutes, I would just barely complete 1 Mile. The good news in that is, I am running just as fast (if not faster) than I was in Jr. High! I'm no slower, that is for sure.

I did do a short run/walk with a hill after I went and sang at a wedding. Than came home and had plenty of energy to make fish/shrimp tacos for friends of mine who came to dinner. A very healthy meal thanks to the suggestions of Cooking Light - a link you can find on this website.

Today, I actually felt like a true runner - or someone in training for the big picture. Perhaps the half way point was a serious turning point, just like my half way point of my 10 mile run yesterday. Half way in on the mileage means you will complete the race.

Follow your goals my friends, it can happen!

If it's Friday - than it must be 10 miles!

Friday dawned sunny and warm, and I knew the 10 miles was looming ahead of me. First, I was fortunate enough to have breakfast with my dear friend Lila. Lila is "in my tribe" to quote her. Living in a town where my family is no where in sight, I have adopted family, and Lila is a main member. We met at the Varsity in Ravenna, my favorite breakfast place, where I ate Huevos Rancheros (but took half home for tomorrow's breakfast).


Leaving the Varsity, I headed to the Northgate, hoping to buy some cute running outfit to make the 10 miles more exciting. My goal was to start at noon, knowing full well it would take over 2 hours to complete the run. I was unsuccessful at purchasing the motivating shirt, but killed the appropriate amount of time, so I would have little time to talk myself out of heading out for 10 miles.


Came home, changed and jumped back in the car with my IPod before sanity could have a chance to kick in, and drove down to Gasworks to begin the trek. The IPod has become my main training partner. I have lost my best running buddies due to schedule conflicts and relocation, so I'm pretty much on my own. However, (and those of you who have heard me praise this before) I have discovered the amazing world of Podcasts. Steve "Runner" (really Steve Walker) was my training partner today, who has a Podcast called "Phedippidations." (A slight aside, that my first boyfriend in jr. high had the name Steve Walker - not the same guy....) Steve told me all about a lot of other running podcasts, as well as gave me good advice of what to eat for the whole week before my run, not to mention how to play mind games with yourself so that you keep running. (The last was KEY since I have HATED running for the last 2 weeks!!)


I began with the plan of running 22 minutes, than walking 2 minutes. After the 2nd rep of that, it became 20 minute run, 4 minute walk. I chose Gasworks to Magnuson Park, knowing that the last mile was a good downhill grade at the end. My girlie Ironman watch was set for the intervals, and I actually felt pretty good starting out. We passed the IMA at UW and I knew I was already 2 miles in. After that, the landmarks were Zoka, than Metropolotin Market, and then 65th street (which was the turn around spot). I swear that it was a slight upgrade the whole time, but I took comfort thinking that it would be all downhill on the way home. At the turn around point 65th street, I was so excited to know that even if I walked every step home, I was still completing the required 10 miles.


Looking forward to the downhill slope, I was a bit confused to see that it seemed to be a slight uphill slope on the trail. Immediately I was reminded of the story of walking to school in the snow, both ways, uphill, with bare feet. ) Some how I was able to get through, and was pleased to find my geographical markers returning faster than they had been approached on the way in. I found myself exhausted as I neared the U and ended up walking a bit more than the 4 minutes. I actually broke down and walked 10 minutes of my run, until, thankfully, there was someone walking in front of me that was QUITE annoying, so I picked it up one more time, just to pass him up. When I hit the 1 mile left marker, I was thrilled, but barely had enough steam to keep up the "high impact" training zone. The last 100 yards was killer, as I attempted to kick it into high gear, which in my physical ability, felt like a sprint, but was more likely the speed I started out with when I began running.

Finishing, I immediately grabbed my water bottle, kept walking around Gasworks, and was afraid to try and sit in my car, knowing that getting out of the low seat would be a challenge. A reward was heading to Jamba Juice in U Village for a smoothie, and I felt like the old woman attempting to not only get out of the car, but walking the little half flight of stairs from the parking garage to get my coveted prize. I was hobbling, and wondered if I would ever walk normal again, much less run.


The best reward was a massage from my good friend and massage therapist, Detta (who I am willing to admit, is becoming part of "my tribe"). Thank GOD, because I was actually able to function afterwards. The final reward was the movies that night, seeing "The Women." Nothing better than a good chick flick with good friends on a night that if I had more than one "adult beverage" I would be on my lips.


So, thanks for reading this far. I promise you won't have to tolerate a 10 mile read on the rest of the blog. On the schedule ahead... a 3 mile walk tomorrow, some minor runs during the week, and next Friday... 11 MILES!!! (OMG!!!)