Running in Review

Date: Wednesday, June 30th
Activity: 2 Miles
Weather: Sunny, Warm, Windy

Woke up kind of sore from yesterday, mainly my abs from doing the crunches. But it all feels really good. I was super pumped to do another run today. I had good energy. I had a cup of coffee early and a bowl of cereal about an hour before hand. I got off to a good start, however, I have become skeptical of my shoes. I always had a suspicion that they would be bad for running, but the more I run in them the worse it gets. Blisters form on the inside of my arch and on my right heel. It just makes running uncomfortable and makes me leery of the 3 mile run I have tomorrow. I should consider getting fitted for shoes, but I am too self conscious.

I also poorly planned my route. I tried to figure out the best way to do a 2 mile loop. And my previous loop to Foster and back was just shy of 2 miles. So I extended it and then couldn't figure out where I was supposed to turn around and so I ended up just walking until I could find a place to turn around and run back. I was not walking for too long, but it was a little discouraging.

Despite the shoes and the misdirection, the run was pretty good. I picked up the pace towards the end and my breathing became labored but it felt good. It especially felt good to push myself and have discipline. Normally under such circumstances I wouldn't have continued, but I feel pretty determined. And I have told enough people that I can't really turn back now.

Date: Thursday, July 1st
Activity: 3 Miles & Strengthen
Weather: Sunny, Warm, Windy

Whew. I have definitely worked up a sweat on this run. 3 miles to Lawrence and back. I was almost reluctant to go out. And put it off for as long as I possibly could, but finally I went out around 1:10p and got back at 1:50p about 40 minutes was what I expected for the three miles. I am still slow. (I will be able to keep better track once I get my iphone)

Upgrading gear has definitely crossed my mind. Especially since my shoes have been killing my feet. I knew this before I started training, that my shoes were crap, and now running consistently only proves that. However, I was deceived briefly on the first half of my run. I decided to wear my athletic socks that I bought for work. The wiki ones that are "breathable" with a control band at the arch. And it greatly improved the fit of my shoes. It was really comfortable for the first half, I was almost excited. But then at the turn around was pretty much were the hurt set in. I have been researching shoes and I am going to go to DSW (because I am cheap and don't want to spend money on the shoes just yet; maybe when I am further in the training I will go and get fitted properly) Am also anxious to get the iphone and a new running band, as my current one provides no access to my ipod. So I have to find programs that are long enough to last my run or else I have to stop and take my ipod out, reprogram and then put it back in the case. Such a pain.

The run itself was difficult, my muscles are sore, probably from lack of use. And my breathing was a bit difficult toward the end. The stairs at the end of my run are not getting easier, but I guess this is day 3. I am supposed to strengthen today, but I don't have time because I put off running for too long. Maybe when I get home I will have Aaron help me, but probably not. Tomorrow is core exercises. I think I am going to do some ball exercises and maybe get in the strengthening then and then do the P90X core video because that kicked my but the last time I did it.

I have my first long run on Saturday. 4 miles. I can't say the last time that I have run four miles in a row. And we are going to the Wisconsin Dells, so I have to make up my mind pretty quick about when I am going to do this and where. Probably somewhat early in the morning before we leave because I will probably feel better with it out of the way. At this rate though, it is going to take me like an hour : /

Date: Saturday, July 3rd
Activity: ?
Weather: Sunny, Cool, Windy

Ugg, yesterday I was such a failure. I didn't do my core exercises and I ate more than my recommended caloric intake on livestrong by over 400 calories. It didn't help that when I came home we had absolutely nothing to eat. Well nothing besides quesadillas and potato salad. Which is exactly what I had. And I think that because I didn't really exercise I felt more hungry. Is that possible?

Now today I have made plans to do laundry and get ready for tomorrow. I really wanted to do a short 2 mile run. I think I might head out to the suburbs and maybe try and squeeze one in at my mom's. I am kind of excited/nervous for tomorrow's 4 miler. I am excited because it will be the longest I have run in a very long time. I am nervous about my endurance and shoes. I was also looking on the Chicago Half Marathon website last night. It says I need to keep up a 13 minute pace. I am pretty sure I will be able to handle that, but I am still super nervous about it.

I have been thinking about my weight goals as well. I don't expect to lose much weight while doing this. I am hoping that maybe it helps me to drop 10-15 pounds. But I don't know what to expect especially after days like yesterday. All good things come to those who exercise.

Date: Tuesday, July 6th
Activity: 3 Miles
Weather: 90º!!!!! HOT HOT HOT

Soooo hot today. Too hot to run at 1pm. I ran for about 3/4ths of a mile and had to stop. I was pouring sweat, dehydrated, and cramping. It was miserable. It felt like I was treading water. I think I will try again after work, but it just wasn't happening today. There were practically no runners out with me either (they clearly knew it was going to be terrible).

As for the holiday weekend. For the most part it went pretty well, except for the whole not running my 4 miler. I generally watched what I ate, and maintained my weight through the weekend. Which was ideal. Aaron has also decided to take up running the half with me. Now we just have to buy new shoes together and register for the race!

Date: Wednesday, July 7th
Activity: 2 Miles
Weather: 91º

Equally as hot. I didn't make it all the way. I am starting to feel really bad and stupid about this. I need to find a way to run that is not in the middle of the day. I am going to try using my mother's gym tomorrow. There was no way that I was going to run the 3 miles after work. I literally came home and passed out. Maybe tomorrow will be better. It is supposed to rain all day tomorrow and some tonight, hopefully that will knock the temperature and humidity back down because I can't run three steps without pouring sweat and panting.

Date: Sunday, July 25th
Activity: 5 Miles
Weather: 77º Windy and Warm

Whew! I haven't really documented my past few runs. But this is the longest I have ever run, so I expect it deserves a quick write up. The weather couldn't have been better. It was warm and windy. I broke a sweat but it was constantly dried by the wind at my face. The final half mile of the run it was a bit too windy, but it felt good to work a little harder toward the end. We ran down to the end of Montrose Beach and followed the question mark shaped pier to the end. We sat and watched some wind surfers for about 5 minutes and then started the trek back. We stopped for water more frequently and I think it really helps. I have been thinking about getting some kind of water hydration system like a belt or hand held water bottle. Aaron wants to get camelbacks but they are a bit too expensive. The run was really great. We ate muffins about an hour before hand and at first I thought I was going to cramp up from too much muffin and coffee and too little water. The cramp never really fully developed but I didn't really run so hard that it would. My knees were sore today and my muscles are tight and sore, but overall I made it and my breathing was consistent and I never really felt out of breath. Yeah 5 miles!

Yesterday, Dawn, Aaron and I went up to Madison, WI for the Gomer Group Run. It was really great meeting the two men that really inspired me to begin this finally. And running with other people is also and excellent experience. It was also nice to run with Dawn and talk about our own trials and difficulties on this journey. Her race is next weekend and I hope Aaron and I can make it out to cheer her on. The run was 3.8 miles and it felt great. I was a bit out of breath and clearly at the back of the pack but no one was judgmental or upset by it. In fact, I got some great encouragement from Amber and others about continuing this journey and that it gets easier.

Aaron said he could really see this becoming a nice hobby, I think so too, but I feel like without the half marathon as a goal it will be difficult to keep going. So in thinking about keeping up with the process, I should really research other races that would keep pushing me to run. Considering my long time goal is now to run the Chicago Marathon by my 25th birthday. In fact, the marathon will be the day after my birthday and I couldn't imagine a better way to spend it. So for now the long term goal is to run this half, train and run smaller races through the winter, ride out to California by bike in the spring and train for the marathon in the summer. We will see how it actually goes. But I am really looking forward to a healthier life.