I have a confession to make - I haven't kept up with the plan this week. Well not entirely. Well technically just three days off plan (but that IS half a week) - okay so maybe I'm justifying this to myself too much.
Here's what happened:
Last Sunday, as you all know I managed the great 8-miler! And while it was a BIG step forward for me, I have a feeling I may have injured myself a little without knowing it. Not so much that I was incapacitated, but enough to know that something wasn't right. And when 'something doesn't feel right', it's best not to run. Unfortunately, I didn't follow that advice. So after taking a rest day Monday, I ran another 4.5 miles on Tuesday. Good run and everything - just a little discomfort around the kneecap - but it's what happened afterwards that I regret.
Tuesday my legs started to ache - I won't say hurt because there wasn't any pain. The 'ache' was like this tiredness in my legs and I attributed it to the workouts. Wednesday morning I woke up rested but my legs were tired. I figured an extra day of rest during the week would help and that's what I did. Instead of going to the gym on Wednesday, I took the day off.
That was probably one of the wiser things I did. But the fatigued feeling didn't go away. Thursday morning, again - I woke up. I'm rested but my legs felt like they'd been working out during the night - literally like muscle pulling away from the bone tiredness. It worsened during the evening to the point that I couldn't sit for longer than an hour. So I finally took an Advil and took another day off (though technically Thursday was supposed to be another 4.5 mile run for me).
So today is Friday, and today I have finally woken up with the tiredness gone. My legs are back! Whew! Maybe all I did need was rest. Want to go to the gym today but tomorrow is my first 9-miler! And I really want to be at peak performance tomorrow. So I'll keep it light. I'll do some ab work at home but nothing that taxes my legs. I want to be at 100% tomorrow.
I have to admit though - as much as I'm excited about tomorrow's run, I'm scared too. It seems like forever since I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement. I'm scared of going out there and being disappointed or realizing that I did God forbid injure something.
I guess there's just one way to find out right? Until tomorrow then...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Week 4 - Summary
Really racking up the mileage now.. I ended week four with a total of 17 miles!! It's funny: I was talking to my mother the other day and I was telling her that there was a time that I'd be talking to someone and they'd tell me how they'd run 6 miles that day or 8.. and I'd think to myself: 'Wow! I'll never be able to do that!' I always thought that if I did take up running, my body would not be able to withstand more than 3 miles. This was a time when I couldn't run for more than a minute at a time.
And now? I ran 1 hour, 36 mins and 31 secs!! 8 miles on Saturday!! I finally did it.. It WASN'T easy.. not at all.. I think the 8-mile mark is another one of those major thresholds I had to cross. The first threshold was the first mile. Then the three mile mark, then the 5 mile mark and now 8 miles.. why I say this is because you can feel your body work extra hard to push you that extra mile. I really had to dig deep to manage to finish the last mile. I didn't need that nudge when making the transition from 5 to 6 miles or 6 to 7. But 7 to 8 miles was tough.. I'm hoping 8 to 9 miles will be easier too :)
Important lessons for this week: I have to start fueling up better for my runs, especially the long ones. I've suddenly started feeling hungry after hitting the 5 mile mark and like REALLY hungry. Until now I could manage a 4 mile run on about 250 calories but I had a 400 calorie breakfast for the 8 miler but by mile 6 I was hungry. I need to research better breakfasts..
Also, I absolutely have to keep hydrated. One of the reasons the 8 miler was so difficult was because I hadn't hydrated properly.. I had only had like 4 glasses of water the day before and I hadn't had time to drink more than two glasses on the morning of the run. By mile 4 my legs were aching and I had to stop and rest and stretch. But if I have to power through without stopping, I need to hydrate better too. So from now on, I'll be carrying Gatorade on my runs as well as some nutrition to give me that extra burst of energy when I need it most.
Week 5 is about to start - target mileage: 18 miles!!
And now? I ran 1 hour, 36 mins and 31 secs!! 8 miles on Saturday!! I finally did it.. It WASN'T easy.. not at all.. I think the 8-mile mark is another one of those major thresholds I had to cross. The first threshold was the first mile. Then the three mile mark, then the 5 mile mark and now 8 miles.. why I say this is because you can feel your body work extra hard to push you that extra mile. I really had to dig deep to manage to finish the last mile. I didn't need that nudge when making the transition from 5 to 6 miles or 6 to 7. But 7 to 8 miles was tough.. I'm hoping 8 to 9 miles will be easier too :)
Important lessons for this week: I have to start fueling up better for my runs, especially the long ones. I've suddenly started feeling hungry after hitting the 5 mile mark and like REALLY hungry. Until now I could manage a 4 mile run on about 250 calories but I had a 400 calorie breakfast for the 8 miler but by mile 6 I was hungry. I need to research better breakfasts..
Also, I absolutely have to keep hydrated. One of the reasons the 8 miler was so difficult was because I hadn't hydrated properly.. I had only had like 4 glasses of water the day before and I hadn't had time to drink more than two glasses on the morning of the run. By mile 4 my legs were aching and I had to stop and rest and stretch. But if I have to power through without stopping, I need to hydrate better too. So from now on, I'll be carrying Gatorade on my runs as well as some nutrition to give me that extra burst of energy when I need it most.
Week 5 is about to start - target mileage: 18 miles!!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Week 4 - Day 2
Really increasing the mileage now - this week's goal is 17 miles! But I'm making good progress. A small part of me is proud that I've made it this far - I didn't expect to make it till this point. I'd always thought it'd be too difficult and that I'd probably give up a long time ago. But I have to admit that this has become a new passion of mine. I'm at the point of no return - it'd be the greatest mistake of my life if I were to turn back now. And I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. So the days when my legs feel like they can't go any further or when my lungs feel like they're about to explode, I think about what it's going to feel like crossing that finish line for the first time - and it always brings a smile to my face and I feel just a little bit lighter, and my legs feel just a little bit stronger and I get all my energy back.
Yesterday was the first 4.5 mile run for the week - I'm making slow progress on increasing my speed - shaving a few seconds off my 4 mile time every time. But more than anything, I'm racing to finish - sprinting across that finish line is not a priority. I'm managing to keep my average pace just under a 12 min/mile and that's where I'm most comfortable.
Yesterday's power song: Dangerous by Roxette! :) One of my all-time favorite bands..
I've also lost the 2 lbs I'd mysteriously gained over the course of last week. My body fat percentage had also increased and that really scared me. I want to stay lean for the race. So I was extra careful the last two days and I'm back on track as of this morning! :) yipppeee!! I just have to make sure I stay on course..
Today is a cross-training day - so I'll probably tackle the stairmaster again followed by weights for my upper body, abs and back. I'm actually already looking forward to tomorrow's run :)
I'll write again soon!
Yesterday was the first 4.5 mile run for the week - I'm making slow progress on increasing my speed - shaving a few seconds off my 4 mile time every time. But more than anything, I'm racing to finish - sprinting across that finish line is not a priority. I'm managing to keep my average pace just under a 12 min/mile and that's where I'm most comfortable.
Yesterday's power song: Dangerous by Roxette! :) One of my all-time favorite bands..
I've also lost the 2 lbs I'd mysteriously gained over the course of last week. My body fat percentage had also increased and that really scared me. I want to stay lean for the race. So I was extra careful the last two days and I'm back on track as of this morning! :) yipppeee!! I just have to make sure I stay on course..
Today is a cross-training day - so I'll probably tackle the stairmaster again followed by weights for my upper body, abs and back. I'm actually already looking forward to tomorrow's run :)
I'll write again soon!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Week 3 roundup
It's been a while since I posted - not that I haven't wanted to but I guess I just didnt find the time. But I did keep with the training. Week 3's mileage: 14.7! Just under the 15 mile marker that was supposed to be my goal. Here's a summary of the week:
Monday: Was supposed to be a strength and stretch day but I was just so tired. I got ready for the gym (atleast I was motivated - you have to give me points for that). Then we got to talking and I fell asleep while talking!! Right there, in my gym clothes, on the couch - and I was out for like 45 mins! I was exhausted - we'd had a busy weekend. But I didn't worry about it too much because more than anything I wanted to have my energy for my run on Tuesday.
Tuesday: Regular 4 mile run - time to complete was 51 mins
Wednesday: Hit the stairmaster today. First time since the half-marathon training began. I think I wasn't sure about this machine because I thought it might overly exert my quads, glutes and hamstrings. But 30 mins on that machine is quite the workout - I don't sweat that much while running! Follow that with a good bout of stretching and the legs felt great. Perfect for preparing for my Thursday run.
Thursday: Guess the stairmaster workout paid off. I was able to shave an entire minute off my 4 mile time. Time to complete: 49.56 mins!
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: What a day! What a run! Unforgettable. It had been raining all morning and around 11 it stopped for a bit so we thought we'd head out before it started up again. It was our long run - 7 miles and we thought we'd jazz it up a bit by attempting some hills :) (yeah, we're a little masochistic that way). Anyhow, we're 3.5 miles out, we've done two uphills (or three, I don't remember) and we're just about to turn around and suddenly it starts to pour. Like seriously burst down on us. It was like someone was filling buckets of water and throwing them down on us.. We couldnt believe how hard it was raining - it made us laugh so hard.. But what could we do. We turned around and the whole way back, we ran in the rain.
It was the most wonderful feeling ever! I wasn't cold, but the rain really made me push myself. I was running faster, I was able to fit in a few more hills, I was loving it! Our clothes were soaked through - it was like running with weights, but I was loving the burn. Is there any high better than this? The result? 6.7 miles in a completion time of 1hr 20 mins. And the best part: I got to reward myself with a foot massage and a mani-pedi! Do I know how to motivate myself or what? :)
Looking forward to next week!
Monday: Was supposed to be a strength and stretch day but I was just so tired. I got ready for the gym (atleast I was motivated - you have to give me points for that). Then we got to talking and I fell asleep while talking!! Right there, in my gym clothes, on the couch - and I was out for like 45 mins! I was exhausted - we'd had a busy weekend. But I didn't worry about it too much because more than anything I wanted to have my energy for my run on Tuesday.
Tuesday: Regular 4 mile run - time to complete was 51 mins
Wednesday: Hit the stairmaster today. First time since the half-marathon training began. I think I wasn't sure about this machine because I thought it might overly exert my quads, glutes and hamstrings. But 30 mins on that machine is quite the workout - I don't sweat that much while running! Follow that with a good bout of stretching and the legs felt great. Perfect for preparing for my Thursday run.
Thursday: Guess the stairmaster workout paid off. I was able to shave an entire minute off my 4 mile time. Time to complete: 49.56 mins!
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: What a day! What a run! Unforgettable. It had been raining all morning and around 11 it stopped for a bit so we thought we'd head out before it started up again. It was our long run - 7 miles and we thought we'd jazz it up a bit by attempting some hills :) (yeah, we're a little masochistic that way). Anyhow, we're 3.5 miles out, we've done two uphills (or three, I don't remember) and we're just about to turn around and suddenly it starts to pour. Like seriously burst down on us. It was like someone was filling buckets of water and throwing them down on us.. We couldnt believe how hard it was raining - it made us laugh so hard.. But what could we do. We turned around and the whole way back, we ran in the rain.
It was the most wonderful feeling ever! I wasn't cold, but the rain really made me push myself. I was running faster, I was able to fit in a few more hills, I was loving it! Our clothes were soaked through - it was like running with weights, but I was loving the burn. Is there any high better than this? The result? 6.7 miles in a completion time of 1hr 20 mins. And the best part: I got to reward myself with a foot massage and a mani-pedi! Do I know how to motivate myself or what? :)
Looking forward to next week!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Week 2 - Day 6
6 miles!! First time ever!! What a rush!!
To tell you the truth, I was apprehensive about running today. I don't know why that is. I've noticed I'm almost always a little nervous before my long runs. Maybe because there's a certain amount of expectations tied to them: Will I be able to go as far as I'm supposed to? Will I be able to pace myself properly or will I burn out fast? Will my breathing be stable or will my lungs feel like they could explode? But since I need to be able to run increasingly larger distances, there's always the question, can I do it? And God forbid I can't, it's disappointing..
But that wasn't the case today! No sirree!! My long runs are usually supposed to take place on Sunday but we really wanted to go today instead so that we'd have Sunday free for other things. So I started preparing myself since yesterday night. Early dinner, relatively healthy, slept on time (which was a MAJOR plus) and woke up rested. Had a great breakfast. I'm such a bran flakes junkie, it's not even funny - I could snack on it plain. And no, it doesn't taste like cardboard :) That, soy milk, cranberries and walnuts and you've got yourself a power breakfast with all the right nutrients.
Today was chilly - another reason for my apprehension. So I wore two layers to run and took my jacket with me. Basically I took care of everything that could prevent me from having a great run: I ate right, I made sure I was rested, I dressed appropriately, I stretched before the run so I remained limber and I was off!
Towards the last half mile it got tough - I kid you not. I was like how bad would it be if I walked this last portion? And right away I shot myself down. Was I kidding? To come this far to quit? No way! And just at that point in time, the song 'Under Pressure' by Queen came on :) That helped and before you knew it, I was pumping my arms, running faster and saying to myself, 'Come on - just a little further - come on!' Seriously, if someone had passed by me on the trail they'd think I was talking to myself. But I just didn't want to quit.
The result? 6.04 miles with an average pace of 11:32 per mile!!! Not only did I run my longest distance ever but I set a personal best in terms of pace!! :) I'm so glad I didn't give up :)
Now I can enjoy the rest of the weekend :)
To tell you the truth, I was apprehensive about running today. I don't know why that is. I've noticed I'm almost always a little nervous before my long runs. Maybe because there's a certain amount of expectations tied to them: Will I be able to go as far as I'm supposed to? Will I be able to pace myself properly or will I burn out fast? Will my breathing be stable or will my lungs feel like they could explode? But since I need to be able to run increasingly larger distances, there's always the question, can I do it? And God forbid I can't, it's disappointing..
But that wasn't the case today! No sirree!! My long runs are usually supposed to take place on Sunday but we really wanted to go today instead so that we'd have Sunday free for other things. So I started preparing myself since yesterday night. Early dinner, relatively healthy, slept on time (which was a MAJOR plus) and woke up rested. Had a great breakfast. I'm such a bran flakes junkie, it's not even funny - I could snack on it plain. And no, it doesn't taste like cardboard :) That, soy milk, cranberries and walnuts and you've got yourself a power breakfast with all the right nutrients.
Today was chilly - another reason for my apprehension. So I wore two layers to run and took my jacket with me. Basically I took care of everything that could prevent me from having a great run: I ate right, I made sure I was rested, I dressed appropriately, I stretched before the run so I remained limber and I was off!
Towards the last half mile it got tough - I kid you not. I was like how bad would it be if I walked this last portion? And right away I shot myself down. Was I kidding? To come this far to quit? No way! And just at that point in time, the song 'Under Pressure' by Queen came on :) That helped and before you knew it, I was pumping my arms, running faster and saying to myself, 'Come on - just a little further - come on!' Seriously, if someone had passed by me on the trail they'd think I was talking to myself. But I just didn't want to quit.
The result? 6.04 miles with an average pace of 11:32 per mile!!! Not only did I run my longest distance ever but I set a personal best in terms of pace!! :) I'm so glad I didn't give up :)
Now I can enjoy the rest of the weekend :)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Week 2 - Day 5
Yesterday's run was perfect - lots of energy, steady rhythm, even breathing. Great in every way! :) I ran 4 miles but I really didn't want to stop. I even shaved off an entire minute from my previous 4 mile time! Oh if only all running days were this good..
The hamstring issue has gone - nothing a little massage couldn't fix. I never realized how beneficial these could be but hey, if it gets me running better, I'm all for it. I was able to start faster; I kept upping my speed during the run and ended well too - all while maintaining a steady turnover. It was tiring but all worth it.
I also started paying attention to the music I listen to while running - I thought it might be cool to start creating a playlist of my favorite songs to run to. You'll find this list on the right hand side of the page in case you're interested to find out what I'm running to. And feel free to suggest songs of your own - I'm always on the lookout for new music.
Today's power song: Remember the name by Fort Minor
So I've finally gotten in 8 miles for this week. I'm really looking forward to my first ever 6-mile run on Sunday! :)
The hamstring issue has gone - nothing a little massage couldn't fix. I never realized how beneficial these could be but hey, if it gets me running better, I'm all for it. I was able to start faster; I kept upping my speed during the run and ended well too - all while maintaining a steady turnover. It was tiring but all worth it.
I also started paying attention to the music I listen to while running - I thought it might be cool to start creating a playlist of my favorite songs to run to. You'll find this list on the right hand side of the page in case you're interested to find out what I'm running to. And feel free to suggest songs of your own - I'm always on the lookout for new music.
Today's power song: Remember the name by Fort Minor
So I've finally gotten in 8 miles for this week. I'm really looking forward to my first ever 6-mile run on Sunday! :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Week 2 - Day 3
So I was doing the math yesterday and I realized I got in 12 miles of running done in the first week! I've NEVER run that much!! I'm so excited. This week, the stakes are even higher - I'm supposed to get through 14 miles! Wow - I knew that I'd be raking up mileage a LOT but this is great. The best part is - still pain-free I am!! :)
So Monday was the stretch and strength day and since I wasn't feeling so great, we just ended up going for a 3 mile walk. Today (Wednesday) was a cross training day so I did 30 mins on the elliptical followed by weights for the legs, arms and abs. But more important that all that was yesterday's run.
I learnt about cadence :)
Yesterday, I did a 4 mile run. It was fair - not one of my best runs but definitely not a bad one. I guess I just wasn't feeling it. I was distracted and my right hamstring was strained. But one thing that drew my attention was the fact that the length of my stride was varying. When I was more energetic, my turnover was higher - but when I'd begin to tire, it would increase. Unfortunately, that's when I would start feeling it in my quads, and I'd speed up again.
Upon further discussion, I discovered that a higher turnover is actually better for you - even though it's more exerting. But it helps reduce the incidence of injuries which can occur if you're 'overstriding'. Like I said though, it's tiring. So I need to work on building speed using cadence drills, so I don't get exhausted.
Tomorrow is another 4 mile run and I'll experiment then.
So Monday was the stretch and strength day and since I wasn't feeling so great, we just ended up going for a 3 mile walk. Today (Wednesday) was a cross training day so I did 30 mins on the elliptical followed by weights for the legs, arms and abs. But more important that all that was yesterday's run.
I learnt about cadence :)
Yesterday, I did a 4 mile run. It was fair - not one of my best runs but definitely not a bad one. I guess I just wasn't feeling it. I was distracted and my right hamstring was strained. But one thing that drew my attention was the fact that the length of my stride was varying. When I was more energetic, my turnover was higher - but when I'd begin to tire, it would increase. Unfortunately, that's when I would start feeling it in my quads, and I'd speed up again.
Upon further discussion, I discovered that a higher turnover is actually better for you - even though it's more exerting. But it helps reduce the incidence of injuries which can occur if you're 'overstriding'. Like I said though, it's tiring. So I need to work on building speed using cadence drills, so I don't get exhausted.
Tomorrow is another 4 mile run and I'll experiment then.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Week 2 - Day 1
I ended last week with a great long run - we drove to Green Lake and ran around the lake twice - 5 miles!! :) It was a gorgeous day, perfect for running - crisp, with a slight nip in the air, with the sun shining and a cool breeze. A casual walker would have found it slightly chilly - it was after all only 53 degrees.
Even though I found it to be a little cold at the start, I warmed up fairly quickly and before long, I had to ditch my jacket. That's something I'm still having to figure out - coming to terms with running in the cool weather. I am NOT a winter person - you ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you I'm the first to turn on the heating at home and slip into my sweater. So I have to actually make an effort to convince myself to go running outdoors. I have no choice - the half-marathon is on Nov 29!! If I'm cold now, I'll be a popsicle by then if I don't get my act together. So among my action items for the coming weeks is monitoring my temperature for the run - perhaps layers is the way to go: start off warm and then peel them away as I get warmed up. But then I have to carry all this excess baggage on me.. hmm....
Anyhow, the 5 mile was great - not easy but good. It's been a while since I've run that far and towards the end it was pretty hard to breathe. But my body is adapting and I'll get there. I know every week it's going to be a little more difficult than the last but I like the long runs - I love the burn, the rush, the feeling that I really pushed myself.. it's like a mini-competition against myself.
And I'm out to win it! :)
Even though I found it to be a little cold at the start, I warmed up fairly quickly and before long, I had to ditch my jacket. That's something I'm still having to figure out - coming to terms with running in the cool weather. I am NOT a winter person - you ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you I'm the first to turn on the heating at home and slip into my sweater. So I have to actually make an effort to convince myself to go running outdoors. I have no choice - the half-marathon is on Nov 29!! If I'm cold now, I'll be a popsicle by then if I don't get my act together. So among my action items for the coming weeks is monitoring my temperature for the run - perhaps layers is the way to go: start off warm and then peel them away as I get warmed up. But then I have to carry all this excess baggage on me.. hmm....
Anyhow, the 5 mile was great - not easy but good. It's been a while since I've run that far and towards the end it was pretty hard to breathe. But my body is adapting and I'll get there. I know every week it's going to be a little more difficult than the last but I like the long runs - I love the burn, the rush, the feeling that I really pushed myself.. it's like a mini-competition against myself.
And I'm out to win it! :)
Friday, October 2, 2009
Week 1 - Day 5
The first week of training is almost over and I have to admit, it's going pretty well. Today's my first day of rest since Monday (it's Friday, by the way) and even though I've been steadily building up mileage, I'm not suffering from any debilitating aches or pains. I'd expected to feel a certain amount of soreness, especially in my legs, considering I haven't run consistently for almost five weeks before this (on account of Ramadan). But I'm pleasantly surprised that there isn't any. And it's an encouraging sign because I know and I feel that I can go further and faster.
Here's how my week has been so far:
Monday: Strength training day. I warmed up with a short cardio session then did weights for my arms and legs and followed that with an abs class.
Tuesday: 3.5 mile run which went pretty smoothly. I consistently upped my speed every five mins or so and finished even stronger. I'm happy about that because that way I'm getting some form of speed training in.
Wednesday: This was supposed to be a 2-miler or cross-training day. So I ended up doing 2 miles on the elliptical and followed that with a killer abs class and some weights for the arms and shoulders.
Thursday: Yesterday was my first run with a heart-rate monitor and while I'd been warned that I might find wearing one frustrating, I didn't realize just how much it could bug me. I had to run 3.5 miles (which I did) but unlike Tuesday, when I had consistently increased my speed every few mins, this time I had to maintain a steady rate so that the heart rate could monitor me and so that I could have a base from which to work from. That nearly drove me insane (like I said, I'm not a patient person). At multiple times during the run I wanted to speed up and I couldnt because I had to pay attention to how I was feeling everytime my heart rate went up or down a couple of notches.
I have to admit though - even with all the complaining I realize how important it was that I wore the monitor yesterday. (Caution: Math follows) So my maximum heart rate should be 199. And if I'm functioning at about 80%, I should be maintaining my heart rate at about 160 beats. Yesterday, when I thought I was running slow, my heart rate was fluctuating between 165 and 175 (83%-88%)! Now I don't know everything there is to know about the science of heart rate zones yet, but I'm assuming if I go faster (which I'd like to), chances are that rate is going to be really high - like the maximum! Ummmm.. not so sure if that's a good thing just yet.. I'll have to read up more on this.
So other than some bruising (courtesy the HR monitor) I'm doing great! Today is a rest day and I'm really taking it easy. Tomorrow is a long run!! 5 miler!! I'm so excited - we're going running by the water!! :)
Here's how my week has been so far:
Monday: Strength training day. I warmed up with a short cardio session then did weights for my arms and legs and followed that with an abs class.
Tuesday: 3.5 mile run which went pretty smoothly. I consistently upped my speed every five mins or so and finished even stronger. I'm happy about that because that way I'm getting some form of speed training in.
Wednesday: This was supposed to be a 2-miler or cross-training day. So I ended up doing 2 miles on the elliptical and followed that with a killer abs class and some weights for the arms and shoulders.
Thursday: Yesterday was my first run with a heart-rate monitor and while I'd been warned that I might find wearing one frustrating, I didn't realize just how much it could bug me. I had to run 3.5 miles (which I did) but unlike Tuesday, when I had consistently increased my speed every few mins, this time I had to maintain a steady rate so that the heart rate could monitor me and so that I could have a base from which to work from. That nearly drove me insane (like I said, I'm not a patient person). At multiple times during the run I wanted to speed up and I couldnt because I had to pay attention to how I was feeling everytime my heart rate went up or down a couple of notches.
I have to admit though - even with all the complaining I realize how important it was that I wore the monitor yesterday. (Caution: Math follows) So my maximum heart rate should be 199. And if I'm functioning at about 80%, I should be maintaining my heart rate at about 160 beats. Yesterday, when I thought I was running slow, my heart rate was fluctuating between 165 and 175 (83%-88%)! Now I don't know everything there is to know about the science of heart rate zones yet, but I'm assuming if I go faster (which I'd like to), chances are that rate is going to be really high - like the maximum! Ummmm.. not so sure if that's a good thing just yet.. I'll have to read up more on this.
So other than some bruising (courtesy the HR monitor) I'm doing great! Today is a rest day and I'm really taking it easy. Tomorrow is a long run!! 5 miler!! I'm so excited - we're going running by the water!! :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
How it all began...
A couple of months ago, a close friend of mine remarked that anyone could run a half-marathon. We were discussing the merits of running (something I'd always wanted to do) and he was trying to convince me how easy it was to take it up. My response was skeptical to say the least. Running had always seemed a little 'super-human' to me: something that required proper discipline and patience - neither of which I am known for.
But I'd always imagined of someday just cruising down a pavement, hearing the leaves crunch under my feet, feeling the cool breeze on my face, feeling the rush you get after a really good workout. To me, the thought of running was liberating and empowering. I wanted to run for two reasons:
a) On some level I wanted to break with tradition: In my culture, girls don't run/race or ride bikes in public once they reach puberty. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but since you've never grown up running in public, doing so in your late-twenties requires a little bit of courage.
b) Secondly, having struggled with my weight my whole life, I knew being a runner would mean that I would have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even building up to 15 or 20 mins of continuous running would require that I consistently exercise, make the right nutritional choices, and not give up. I was (at this time) a healthy and fit person - I went to the gym every day for over an hour and ate well. But taking up running would be the true test of whether all my hard work was paying off. And it would ensure that I continued my efforts.
Running wasn't just a one-time thing - it was a commitment! It wasn't like going to an aerobics class or hitting the cardio machines where everything was all over and done with in an hour. Running required day to day changes in the way I functioned. Running wasn't a one-night stand; it was a marriage. There would be off-days when I wouldn't be feeling so great, and there would be days when nothing could go wrong. And I'd have to manage them all, if I wanted it to work.
And so I began in April. At first, I could barely run for a minute straight. I looked up some good walk/jog programs on Runners World and used those to build up my stamina and my speed. It took time and patience and the odd setback to get me where I am today. But I was surprised by how quickly my body adapted - before I knew it I was running five minutes straight, then ten, then twenty.. It's been almost seven months now since I've been running consistently and I'm proud to say I've built up to a continuous 4 miler (I've done three 5-mile runs too but they've been spaced so far apart that I'm discounting them). I just ran my first official 5K race on the 26th of September at the Seattle AIDS walk and I'm running my second on October 4th. All of this will (hopefully) eventually lead to the Seattle Half-Marathon on November 29th, 2009.
Through all of this, I've drawn my strength and motivation from that one person I mentioned at the beginning of this post. He's served as my coach, my cheerleader and my running partner. And now, with my heart set on running my first half-marathon in a few weeks, I know I can count on him to meet me at the finish line.
Read on to find out how I'm doing! :)
But I'd always imagined of someday just cruising down a pavement, hearing the leaves crunch under my feet, feeling the cool breeze on my face, feeling the rush you get after a really good workout. To me, the thought of running was liberating and empowering. I wanted to run for two reasons:
a) On some level I wanted to break with tradition: In my culture, girls don't run/race or ride bikes in public once they reach puberty. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but since you've never grown up running in public, doing so in your late-twenties requires a little bit of courage.
b) Secondly, having struggled with my weight my whole life, I knew being a runner would mean that I would have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even building up to 15 or 20 mins of continuous running would require that I consistently exercise, make the right nutritional choices, and not give up. I was (at this time) a healthy and fit person - I went to the gym every day for over an hour and ate well. But taking up running would be the true test of whether all my hard work was paying off. And it would ensure that I continued my efforts.
Running wasn't just a one-time thing - it was a commitment! It wasn't like going to an aerobics class or hitting the cardio machines where everything was all over and done with in an hour. Running required day to day changes in the way I functioned. Running wasn't a one-night stand; it was a marriage. There would be off-days when I wouldn't be feeling so great, and there would be days when nothing could go wrong. And I'd have to manage them all, if I wanted it to work.
And so I began in April. At first, I could barely run for a minute straight. I looked up some good walk/jog programs on Runners World and used those to build up my stamina and my speed. It took time and patience and the odd setback to get me where I am today. But I was surprised by how quickly my body adapted - before I knew it I was running five minutes straight, then ten, then twenty.. It's been almost seven months now since I've been running consistently and I'm proud to say I've built up to a continuous 4 miler (I've done three 5-mile runs too but they've been spaced so far apart that I'm discounting them). I just ran my first official 5K race on the 26th of September at the Seattle AIDS walk and I'm running my second on October 4th. All of this will (hopefully) eventually lead to the Seattle Half-Marathon on November 29th, 2009.
Through all of this, I've drawn my strength and motivation from that one person I mentioned at the beginning of this post. He's served as my coach, my cheerleader and my running partner. And now, with my heart set on running my first half-marathon in a few weeks, I know I can count on him to meet me at the finish line.
Read on to find out how I'm doing! :)
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