Had a session yesterday with Stacey at Muscle Works. I thought that telling her that it hurt a little above my right knee probably meant nothing, and that if it did how painful could it be anyway? It was just a little sore. Well she jotted down my complaints of different sore spots (I'll bet there was a gleam in her eye I didn't notice), set aside the clipboard, had me lay down on my back and went to work on my leg. When I had a chance to talk next after moaning in pain and doing my "he he" breathing, I was able to ask what muscle is that? The quadriceps muscle. Then came the pressing on the psoas to correct the leg dragging that occurred on Day One. Not quite as brutal as the other.
This morning it was back to the gym for another run. Shorts and tank top. Still hot but I survived. No foot dragging thanks to a working psoas. Kept up a nice easy pace for 2 miles, finished in 25.02. 8 tenths of a second better than Monday. Workout really was about run for 15-30 minutes, on goal for the day.
And the bruising? dark finger spots all up and down my right leg from my massage by Stacey. I'm trying to get her back by getting her to sign up for a half-marathon. I'll let you know how that goes.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Day Two - Warm up for USAT National Challenge
Up early this morning, 4:20am to get dressed and head to the gym to swim. It is a cross-training day in my marathon schedule. Swim lasted 22:50 minutes and I swam 700 yards.
My triathlon club, Desert Sharks, is competing in the USAT National Challenge for the winter. This competition is to keep athletes motivated and active during the off season. The Challenge begins tomorrow, December 1 with swimming being the focus for December. January the focus is cycling mileage, and February running mileage. Each participating club in the USAT has its members record distances and we compete against each other.
Within our club we also have a competition to swim 8,000 yards in the month of December if we want to be entered in a special drawing. I don't know if I will make that goal or not with all the running I will be doing, but I can help the club with what I do swim each week.
Good thing 95% of my Christmas shopping is done and wrapped. House decorated. I'm going to be a busy grandma.
My triathlon club, Desert Sharks, is competing in the USAT National Challenge for the winter. This competition is to keep athletes motivated and active during the off season. The Challenge begins tomorrow, December 1 with swimming being the focus for December. January the focus is cycling mileage, and February running mileage. Each participating club in the USAT has its members record distances and we compete against each other.
Within our club we also have a competition to swim 8,000 yards in the month of December if we want to be entered in a special drawing. I don't know if I will make that goal or not with all the running I will be doing, but I can help the club with what I do swim each week.
Good thing 95% of my Christmas shopping is done and wrapped. House decorated. I'm going to be a busy grandma.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Day One
I wanted to start my training outside, but Mother Nature just did not cooperate. Too much snow piled in the streets and everywhere to run safely, "but it doesn't matter" because I belong to a nice gym. After work I headed to Lifetime Fitness and the treadmill. Next time I run indoors I will remember to dress in tank top and shorts, I got hot. With all those TV's I was able to watch Glen Beck and Dr. Phil at the same time! How cool is that. Not. But since I wasn't going anywhere it made it less boring.
Today I ran 2 miles, a time of 25:10. Not quite as nice a pace as race day, but on the treadmill I seem to be a little bit of a foot dragger. After experiencing the start of a trip I didn't want to take, and feeling like I could have done a face plant and embarrassed myself, I was careful with my speed. Happy Day. I achieved my goal of one training session.
Today I ran 2 miles, a time of 25:10. Not quite as nice a pace as race day, but on the treadmill I seem to be a little bit of a foot dragger. After experiencing the start of a trip I didn't want to take, and feeling like I could have done a face plant and embarrassed myself, I was careful with my speed. Happy Day. I achieved my goal of one training session.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Extreme Makeover: Marathon Lifestyle
Well official first day of the 25 week program starts tomorrow. I am excited. Many changes to make. It won't happen overnight, but gradually... hopefully I can sneak the mileage in on my body without it noticing too much. Yeah right. Well it was a thought anyway. Too late to escape now body, I am a marathoner.
You are probably thinking I've already been running, which is true. But I have been able to pull off 3 miles with not a whole lot of practice. This will be different. No cramming for the final will work. This is a whole lot of 5K's in a row.
In one of her serious moments, Dawn Dais says, "Keep in mind the new habits you're forcing on yourself aren't just a good idea- they are habits that will literally make or break your entire training. And if you're going to bother to venture off your recliner, you may as well bother to do it right."
Extreme Makeover: Marathon Lifestyle
The Day
The daily routine must stretch to include running and cross-training.
Get creative.
Find what time of day works:
"Regularly Scheduled Time of Movement" it can become part of my routine. It has before, it can again.
What happens EVENTUALLY.... "you wonder what you used to do with all the time you now spend running." Got a little caught up in TV lately. That has to end. Gotta go to bed early. Tonight the snow covered the dish. Easy choice.
The Food
Best part of marathon training is food food food. And carbs are on the list.
You have to take in a lot of calories the more the distances and times increase.
And MOST of the time they have to be good ones.
And lots of water. Easy for me I am the water queen. I actually rarely drink anything but water.
And once in awhile Dawn recommends the "I so deserve this" reward meal. You know what I'm talking about, you can taste it now.
The Energy
"Training turns your lifestyle upside down and is a tremendous undertaking. But your energy level increases to meet your body's need. Instead of feeling exhausted after a run, you'll often feel recharged." Dawn Dais
I thought this was funny what Dawn says about the Long Runs: "Every week they wait for me, these long runs, and I can see them in the distance throughout the week, as I begrudgingly make my way closer to the dreaded Saturday."
I am hours away from my training start line. I'm ready.
You are probably thinking I've already been running, which is true. But I have been able to pull off 3 miles with not a whole lot of practice. This will be different. No cramming for the final will work. This is a whole lot of 5K's in a row.
In one of her serious moments, Dawn Dais says, "Keep in mind the new habits you're forcing on yourself aren't just a good idea- they are habits that will literally make or break your entire training. And if you're going to bother to venture off your recliner, you may as well bother to do it right."
Extreme Makeover: Marathon Lifestyle
The Day
The daily routine must stretch to include running and cross-training.
Get creative.
Find what time of day works:
"Regularly Scheduled Time of Movement" it can become part of my routine. It has before, it can again.
What happens EVENTUALLY.... "you wonder what you used to do with all the time you now spend running." Got a little caught up in TV lately. That has to end. Gotta go to bed early. Tonight the snow covered the dish. Easy choice.
The Food
Best part of marathon training is food food food. And carbs are on the list.
You have to take in a lot of calories the more the distances and times increase.
And MOST of the time they have to be good ones.
And lots of water. Easy for me I am the water queen. I actually rarely drink anything but water.
And once in awhile Dawn recommends the "I so deserve this" reward meal. You know what I'm talking about, you can taste it now.
The Energy
"Training turns your lifestyle upside down and is a tremendous undertaking. But your energy level increases to meet your body's need. Instead of feeling exhausted after a run, you'll often feel recharged." Dawn Dais
I thought this was funny what Dawn says about the Long Runs: "Every week they wait for me, these long runs, and I can see them in the distance throughout the week, as I begrudgingly make my way closer to the dreaded Saturday."
I am hours away from my training start line. I'm ready.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Focusing On The Positive
I'm back to today to the serious book, The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. Lots to think about as I begin my training program which officially starts Monday. The authors talk about needing a positive attitude about life in general in order to maintain a positive attitude about training and running. Their suggestion, "begin using a particular phrase whenever you catch yourself saying or thinking something negative. The phrase is, '..but it doesn't matter.'"
When I think or say something like "my legs are sore" or "the weather is rotten" (I can hear these excuses loud and clear right now) I say or think "but it doesn't matter." Authors say, "It really DOESN"T matter unless you believe it does. You can, and will, run anyway. And you will be really glad you did when you are finished." And the key is to use the phrase for everything negative in daily life. Negative can happen quickly with me - this will be useful tool and a great life changer as I make this a new habit.
My sweetheart, Jan, is so good at this, actually he helped me yesterday when some holiday trim wouldn't stay where I put it. I am way ahead with a good example and great support.
In 25 weeks my training program will be over, and quoting the book again "but the skills you learn during that process can have lifelong consequences if you continue to apply them. One of the most important involves adopting the habit of seeing the positive instead of the negative."
Ready. Set. Positively Run.
When I think or say something like "my legs are sore" or "the weather is rotten" (I can hear these excuses loud and clear right now) I say or think "but it doesn't matter." Authors say, "It really DOESN"T matter unless you believe it does. You can, and will, run anyway. And you will be really glad you did when you are finished." And the key is to use the phrase for everything negative in daily life. Negative can happen quickly with me - this will be useful tool and a great life changer as I make this a new habit.
My sweetheart, Jan, is so good at this, actually he helped me yesterday when some holiday trim wouldn't stay where I put it. I am way ahead with a good example and great support.
In 25 weeks my training program will be over, and quoting the book again "but the skills you learn during that process can have lifelong consequences if you continue to apply them. One of the most important involves adopting the habit of seeing the positive instead of the negative."
Ready. Set. Positively Run.
Black Friday Shoe Shopping
Merry Christmas. Neal. Black Friday. 11am. Salt Lake Running Company. Took Neal to pick out his Christmas present. Quite a few people in the store checking out the sale shoes. Neal brought running shorts and superman t-shirt to change into before he tried on shoes. That's my boy. The runner/salesman watched Neal walk, then went and got him some shoes. Then with those shoes on they video recorded him running on the treadmill. Then we reviewed his footstrike, the position his foot strikes the ground with each stride. And the other two positions of his foot and leg as it leaves the ground. Salesman brought out a few more shoes for him to try on. Neal made several runs on the treadmill to get the most comfortable pair. He decided on a nice pair of Addias. Bought some inserts to help stabilize his foot. Hopefully no more looking for a rock to step on to easy the pain in his arch. A free pair of socks. And Black Friday shopping done!
BTW: I also replaced the socks a Sheltie in my house chewed a hole in. Shopping experience would have been perfect if I could have bought a pair of one sock. Now I have three. I guess on the positive side I have two to use one to loose. No, not one to chew, that doesn't rhyme.
BTW: I also replaced the socks a Sheltie in my house chewed a hole in. Shopping experience would have been perfect if I could have bought a pair of one sock. Now I have three. I guess on the positive side I have two to use one to loose. No, not one to chew, that doesn't rhyme.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Utah Human Race - Thanksgiving Morning 8am
Race morning was VERY cold. The sun did come up, probably it got up to 7 degrees before the race was finished. 3000 people raised $40,000 for the Utah Food Bank. Had a great running time, 35:18.9 for second place in my age division. Pace was 11:23.5. I think that is my fastest time yet.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Getting Ready: Race & Thanksgiving
Day before Thanksgiving. Day before race day. I've been running this week in a heat wave compared to the temps for tomorrow. At 8am predicted to be 4°F. 4 is not a big number in temperature. Then it says "feels like -6° F." What's up with that? See why my 40's were a heat wave? The faster I run the warmer I get and the sooner I can hop in the car and be done. Am I crazy???!!! I hear you laughing. It sounded good when I signed up when it was in the high 40's. No worries, I paid the extra $10 and got the long sleeve shirt. Thinking ahead.
Left home today at 7:15am it was 1°F. Off to an 8am Muscle Works appointment to get a "performance enhancement" (I told you I needed those) done on my legs. Should help the race go well tomorrow. Nails done (also critical component for race day), pick up rolls, a few last minute groceries and race packet pickup this afternoon. Pie baking tonight.
Left home today at 7:15am it was 1°F. Off to an 8am Muscle Works appointment to get a "performance enhancement" (I told you I needed those) done on my legs. Should help the race go well tomorrow. Nails done (also critical component for race day), pick up rolls, a few last minute groceries and race packet pickup this afternoon. Pie baking tonight.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Beat the Blizzard
Looks like Utah is in for a blizzard. Many activities canceled for the evening. Someone in the weather department is really trying to challenge me. No canceling of the run today. So off work a little early to get it done before the storm (and hair appointment - critical since I am using photos). In agility it was pictures of the dog, sooooo much easier. They were always cute!
This is my training run for Thanksgiving morning. Decided I needed a running buddy, so since Tinkerbell's agility class was canceled she got picked. Today's temp 41 degrees, the wind again from the north about 20-30MPH - with lots of big gusts. Into the wind caused me to push pretty hard to go forward and I got a very cold face, wind at the back gave a nice push. Tink looked back several times wondering who was blowing on her butt! I was tired when we got back, Tinkerbell on the other hand got the zoomies as soon as we got home after jogging 40 minutes. So much for tiring her out.
My thoughts on the run....with such a crazy day I was thinking there must be another reason I am doing this! No one else is out running. And then I remembered- 6th grade and the President's Physical Fitness Award. I qualified in everything except the One-Mile Run. I remember getting two chances. I know my second try was very close to the time. I did not get the award. I was crushed- I wanted it bad. So this marathon will erase the thoughts stored in my head that I can't run distance.
BTW lost my black cap to the wind. I got that cap last year on clearance. Grrrrr.
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