Okay, 100 days seems like a long time...but friends, that time will fly. I get more anxious everyday as I see each minute, hour and day that passes. More of an obnoxious gidget that anything else. Maybe I should consider removing it.
At any rate, I'm officially 1/3rd of the way to marathon day, on my 7th week of training with 100 more days to go. I'm not nearly as mentally or physically prepared as I should be. After all, I've only logged 1 good run. Yep, 1. That's it. In the next 2/3rds of training I better log more than 1 enjoyable run.
It's now 6:40 and I'm taking I'm at work taking a mental break by blogging. And, this means that I have skipped the mid-week speed workout. Being out of the office for one day can really wreak havoc on leaving on time.
Back to work. Peace.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
A Common Bond
I approached today's run with no expectations but to just get out there and have a better run than last week. I think that'll be my mantra from here on out; if my run feels better than last week...it's improvement. That is true for both the speed workout and today's team run.
I was fearful of Wednesday's track practice mostly because it was a muggy 80ish degrees, which can be a hydration nightmare. Two hours before the run I downed about 60 ounces of water...which meant a lot of pee breaks and at work that made for a nonproductive 2 hours. It must have helped because I finished the workout feeling MUCH stronger than the week before. We did 1.5 mile Indian run [is there a more PC term than that?] and a figure 8 around cricket hill with 2 big hill runs. I better get used to those as I hear KC is very hilly. Yikes!
This morning's run was great! It feels nice to finally have a good run..you know, the ones where the miles seem to fly by and, dare I say, I wanted to keep running?! Yea, I'm feeling pretty good right now, feeling like I conquered the world in an hour. Oh how I have missed you runner's high.
We started out going South from Wilson, under Lakeshore and a little past Belmont...I think. I wasn't paying too much attention. I was in my little world where everything was right.
After a quick pee stop at the first 1/4 mile, I ran with Coach Joe, which turns out to be pretty motivating. I've been concerned lately that the mileage during the week is not enough. Of course I'm only basing this off of my first training program which was much more strenuous during the week [I think that is what led to my hip and back injury last time]. He reassured me that I would be okay and I would finish uninjured. The last 5 miles were a blur of thoughts and emotions.
Mostly, I people watched. Today the path was packed so it was a good day for that. I watched the elites sprinting their mileage for the day. How do you do that? Their form is so graceful, their arms at perfect piston position, and their bodies seamlessly gliding through the air.
Very different from my slow and slightly spastic running form.
I noted the runners with their pets, the runners who looked like they had been doing it for years, and I watched the first-timers. I watched runners and conjured stories about their lives. Mostly, I felt an overwhelming sense of community. All of us on the path this morning were running for different purposes and reasons, we were from very different walks of life, but we all shared in the one common bond of running and enjoying a beautiful summer day in Chicago. In this huge city that I've now lived in for 2 years, I suddenly felt not as alone.
Listening to: This week is was a mix of Madonna's new album [I saw her concert on Monday and have been listening nonstop], the Beach Boy's...specifically "Don't Worry Baby" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," which I like to change the lyrics to "Blue Eyed Girl." Fitting for this blonde hair, blue-eyed Jayhawk!
I was fearful of Wednesday's track practice mostly because it was a muggy 80ish degrees, which can be a hydration nightmare. Two hours before the run I downed about 60 ounces of water...which meant a lot of pee breaks and at work that made for a nonproductive 2 hours. It must have helped because I finished the workout feeling MUCH stronger than the week before. We did 1.5 mile Indian run [is there a more PC term than that?] and a figure 8 around cricket hill with 2 big hill runs. I better get used to those as I hear KC is very hilly. Yikes!
This morning's run was great! It feels nice to finally have a good run..you know, the ones where the miles seem to fly by and, dare I say, I wanted to keep running?! Yea, I'm feeling pretty good right now, feeling like I conquered the world in an hour. Oh how I have missed you runner's high.
We started out going South from Wilson, under Lakeshore and a little past Belmont...I think. I wasn't paying too much attention. I was in my little world where everything was right.
After a quick pee stop at the first 1/4 mile, I ran with Coach Joe, which turns out to be pretty motivating. I've been concerned lately that the mileage during the week is not enough. Of course I'm only basing this off of my first training program which was much more strenuous during the week [I think that is what led to my hip and back injury last time]. He reassured me that I would be okay and I would finish uninjured. The last 5 miles were a blur of thoughts and emotions.
Mostly, I people watched. Today the path was packed so it was a good day for that. I watched the elites sprinting their mileage for the day. How do you do that? Their form is so graceful, their arms at perfect piston position, and their bodies seamlessly gliding through the air.
Very different from my slow and slightly spastic running form.
I noted the runners with their pets, the runners who looked like they had been doing it for years, and I watched the first-timers. I watched runners and conjured stories about their lives. Mostly, I felt an overwhelming sense of community. All of us on the path this morning were running for different purposes and reasons, we were from very different walks of life, but we all shared in the one common bond of running and enjoying a beautiful summer day in Chicago. In this huge city that I've now lived in for 2 years, I suddenly felt not as alone.
Listening to: This week is was a mix of Madonna's new album [I saw her concert on Monday and have been listening nonstop], the Beach Boy's...specifically "Don't Worry Baby" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," which I like to change the lyrics to "Blue Eyed Girl." Fitting for this blonde hair, blue-eyed Jayhawk!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
That's Hot...[in my best Paris Hilton, ditsy blonde impression]
Well, at least I have the ditsy blonde part covered!
This morning was just that...HOT! I think I like the 50 degree and rainy runs much better. At 6:00 it was a nice 75 degrees which warmed up to around 88-90 in the direct sun by the end of the run. By the end I was a sweaty, stinky, tired mess.
The route was the same as last week, which Taylor was VERY happy about. I enjoy knowing the path, knowing how much further I have to go, well, and let's be honest...I'm not ready for any more than 6 miles right now. At least physically speaking, the run was much better than last week. I guess that's all I can ask for right now. But what's the end of a nice workout without a bagel sandwich and a trip to the Bijou--let's just say, a perfect place to shop for bachelorette gifts. Yes, Barb and I enetered a porn/kinky toy store at 8:45 AM. Nothing says good morning like a shopping trip like that!
Wednesday was our first speed workout--which I'm now calling track practice. It totally took me back to track workouts and speed drills we did in high school sports practices. We did a ladder; run 2 min at a challenging pace, jog 1 min...and continuing to 4, 6, 8 and then back down. Sounds easy, right? WRONG! It sucked and I was dissapointed in my performance. Redemption is mine next week. I've been told by my new found RBF/CRU friends [Chicago running bloggers met last night for the first annual meeting] and they assure me this speed workout stuff is legit. So, Dawnie, Barb & Rego, Leah & Jason, Frank, and Josh, I will trust what you say.
Miles: 6
Time: Very slow...still no watch so I dunno
Listening to: Busta Rhymes, UNKLE, and Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac turns out to be very motivating!
This morning was just that...HOT! I think I like the 50 degree and rainy runs much better. At 6:00 it was a nice 75 degrees which warmed up to around 88-90 in the direct sun by the end of the run. By the end I was a sweaty, stinky, tired mess.
The route was the same as last week, which Taylor was VERY happy about. I enjoy knowing the path, knowing how much further I have to go, well, and let's be honest...I'm not ready for any more than 6 miles right now. At least physically speaking, the run was much better than last week. I guess that's all I can ask for right now. But what's the end of a nice workout without a bagel sandwich and a trip to the Bijou--let's just say, a perfect place to shop for bachelorette gifts. Yes, Barb and I enetered a porn/kinky toy store at 8:45 AM. Nothing says good morning like a shopping trip like that!
Wednesday was our first speed workout--which I'm now calling track practice. It totally took me back to track workouts and speed drills we did in high school sports practices. We did a ladder; run 2 min at a challenging pace, jog 1 min...and continuing to 4, 6, 8 and then back down. Sounds easy, right? WRONG! It sucked and I was dissapointed in my performance. Redemption is mine next week. I've been told by my new found RBF/CRU friends [Chicago running bloggers met last night for the first annual meeting] and they assure me this speed workout stuff is legit. So, Dawnie, Barb & Rego, Leah & Jason, Frank, and Josh, I will trust what you say.
Miles: 6
Time: Very slow...still no watch so I dunno
Listening to: Busta Rhymes, UNKLE, and Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac turns out to be very motivating!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Whimpy Wisdom Teeth Woes
So, ask me how my training is going...come on, just do it. Ha, is what I'll tell you! At least for this week it has been non-existant. Monday I was looking forward to an easy 20 minute run [as stated on my schedule] when I realized like an idiot that I had scheduled a dentist appointment that evening to have my bottom wisdom tooth extracted.
Now, the extraction was easy-peasy--minus the whole numb half of the face-drooling on yourself thing--I think that's the worst part. I must have looked like a very sad case on the el riding home. The doctor told me I was not to do any exercise that would irritate the healing of the huge hole now in my gums--apparently running is even hard on the mouth..who'd a thunk! Now, I'm not a whimp, but boy did I feel like one when I actually followed doctor's orders and skipped my run on Monday...because of a tooth! Instead, I sat my bum on the couch, ate mushy-easily-masticated food, and drank a few glasses of a cheap pinot from Jewel. In shame I conjured up all sorts of tales to tell you why I had skipped my run; maybe I had risked my life saving an old woman crossing the street then was so taxed after beating up a group of unruly children trying to rob her? Pahhaa, right. Well, like a whimp I sat this one out--my brother that beat up on me as a kid and made me the scrappy/tomboy girl I am today would be rather upset by this news.
See you tomorrow mid-week "track" training...whatever that means? Should be an interesting workout. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace
Now, the extraction was easy-peasy--minus the whole numb half of the face-drooling on yourself thing--I think that's the worst part. I must have looked like a very sad case on the el riding home. The doctor told me I was not to do any exercise that would irritate the healing of the huge hole now in my gums--apparently running is even hard on the mouth..who'd a thunk! Now, I'm not a whimp, but boy did I feel like one when I actually followed doctor's orders and skipped my run on Monday...because of a tooth! Instead, I sat my bum on the couch, ate mushy-easily-masticated food, and drank a few glasses of a cheap pinot from Jewel. In shame I conjured up all sorts of tales to tell you why I had skipped my run; maybe I had risked my life saving an old woman crossing the street then was so taxed after beating up a group of unruly children trying to rob her? Pahhaa, right. Well, like a whimp I sat this one out--my brother that beat up on me as a kid and made me the scrappy/tomboy girl I am today would be rather upset by this news.
See you tomorrow mid-week "track" training...whatever that means? Should be an interesting workout. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace
Saturday, June 10, 2006
A Rainy Run
I've never run in rain before...intentionally. There was that one time in college where I was dared to run down Jayhawk Blvd. in the rain in my...oh...oops, nevermind. So when I woke up to a rainy and chilly morning, I wasn't in the least bit excited about the upcoming 6-miler. Out of sleepiness and desperation to go right back to bed, I called Barb and in my best whinny-puppy-dog voice asked if we had to run. She replied, "You won't melt, precious." Hmmpff...I know, I grumbled.
So, fastforward to the run. It actually wasn't that bad. I mean...once I was warmed up, the rain was kinda refreshing. Despite weaving in and out of the puddles, I maintained a nice stride. It was kinda fun, like playing in the rain as a kid. I still have no idea what pace--besides ridiculously slow--I'm at. I need to get one of those Garmin thingies...that isn't $250. I hate the numbers, though. It's like hoping on the scale--I don't want to know how bad it is, I just want it to get better. This week is the first of our mid-week trainings that include speed drills, so maybe that'll help speed my slow arse up!
Questions; what is a lactose threshold? Is that like a test to see how much milk you can drink before getting sick, tee-hee?! I saw a guy on Jackass do that, and it wasn't pretty. Also, what are running beans? Are those better than doing gu? Oh, and how do you get a "Days to marathon" counter on your blog? I want one.
So this is getting annoying because my dang mouse keeps trippin on me..so I have to tab everywhere. Forget this, I'm out...I'll post more during the week when I have access to a computer that actually functions!
So, fastforward to the run. It actually wasn't that bad. I mean...once I was warmed up, the rain was kinda refreshing. Despite weaving in and out of the puddles, I maintained a nice stride. It was kinda fun, like playing in the rain as a kid. I still have no idea what pace--besides ridiculously slow--I'm at. I need to get one of those Garmin thingies...that isn't $250. I hate the numbers, though. It's like hoping on the scale--I don't want to know how bad it is, I just want it to get better. This week is the first of our mid-week trainings that include speed drills, so maybe that'll help speed my slow arse up!
Questions; what is a lactose threshold? Is that like a test to see how much milk you can drink before getting sick, tee-hee?! I saw a guy on Jackass do that, and it wasn't pretty. Also, what are running beans? Are those better than doing gu? Oh, and how do you get a "Days to marathon" counter on your blog? I want one.
So this is getting annoying because my dang mouse keeps trippin on me..so I have to tab everywhere. Forget this, I'm out...I'll post more during the week when I have access to a computer that actually functions!
Friday, June 9, 2006
Please, take care of your kidneys!
Last week I was put on a new account at my agency and the product is called Novasource. It is a nutritional supplement indicated for patients with end-stage renal disease [kidney failure] and on dialysis. On Thursday I set up an appointment for my team to go to a dialysis center to learn more about the psyche and nutrition of a dialysis patient. And, let me tell you, a dialysis center is not a happy place. Most patients with kidney failure, got there because of other illnesses; diabetes or hypertension most commonly. When a person is on dialysis, they are hooked up to a machine for 4 hours per treatment [usually 3 or 4 treatments per week]. This machine basically does the work of a kidney; it removes the waste from the body and releases the properly balanced chemicals back into the bloodstream. In doing so, a patient has to be very careful about how much fluid they intake between treatments...usually only 2 quarts of ANY liquid per day. If they intake too much, there is a high risk of heart attack with all of the fluid that would usually be released through urinating, now is putting pressure on the walls of the heart. On top of watching how much fluid they intake, these patients have to also be very watchful of their diet.
So, the lesson here is friends, take care of yourselves. Once your health starts failing, it just leads to worse diseases and illnesses.Here's to your kidneys...those guys are precious!
So, the lesson here is friends, take care of yourselves. Once your health starts failing, it just leads to worse diseases and illnesses.Here's to your kidneys...those guys are precious!
Dear weekend run...
Dear weekend run,
I can't wait to see you again at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning. I love our visits--always refreshing, stress free, and I can always be completely honest with you. Which, I need to confess right now, I have been a complete and utter slacker this week of which there is no excuse. I hope my lack of discipline this week will not affect our visit. Please, please forgive me and be nice to me on Saturday. If you do, I promise I will whip my slacking arse into shape next week.
Till then,
tmt
I can't wait to see you again at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning. I love our visits--always refreshing, stress free, and I can always be completely honest with you. Which, I need to confess right now, I have been a complete and utter slacker this week of which there is no excuse. I hope my lack of discipline this week will not affect our visit. Please, please forgive me and be nice to me on Saturday. If you do, I promise I will whip my slacking arse into shape next week.
Till then,
tmt
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