Wow - long time no post! I've been in New York since last Wednesday, when my husband and I were called out here due to his grandfather's health being rather precarious at the time. This meant that I had to cancel birthday plans as well as my plans to run the Seattle 1/2 Marathon, which was to also be my birthday celebration.
Luckily, fitness wise, my 1/2 marathon dreams are still in the running - I am scheduled to run the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon next weekend.
Of course, as I usually do the week of my birthday, I am coming down with a head cold, and am laying low, being whiney, and craving a burrito (where's a good burrito near Scarsdale?!)
I was ab it ambitious when I logged onto Blogger today - so I think that's it for the update. I guess a bit of recap - I've been able to do up to 9 mi (including yesterday) so I think I'm in good shape for the 1/2. I'm still debating on following through with the Bikilas, but I've come this far, so why not?
OK, more rest awaits!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Last Month of Training
I'm already less than a month from the Seattle 1/2 Marathon, and training is getting more challenging in both mileage and otherwise.
The biggest issue is getting the exposure protection handled.Salomon Women's Fast III Jacket
is a recent addition to my gear, providing some easy on/off for windy, cool mornings. It does some rain protection, but it's not to be counted on. I've also (shock!) switched to my Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 10
from my awesome, totally recommended Five Fingers Bikila
. This is mostly due to warmth and friction, as that I've had some nasty little blisters form lately that have made the long runs a little hard to deal with.
Training in conventional shoes again have my knees aching a bit. Then add that I've started going on hills in the dark (mainly because the routes are better lit), I'm hurting a bit. My training schedule up to the race, as provided by the Runner's World SmartCoach app on my iPhone, is as follows:
11/01-11/07
Tues 5 mi @ 11:10 pace
Thurs 4 mi @ 11:10 pace
Sun 5 mi @ 11:10 pace
11/08-11/14
Tues 3 mi @ 11:03 pace
Thurs 6 mi w/ 1 mi warm up, 4 mi @ 9:33 pace, 1 mi cooldown
Fri 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Sun 6 mi @ 11:03 pace
11/15-11/21
Tues 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Thurs 7 mi w/ warm up, 3x1600m (1mi) @8:56 w/ 800m (1/2 mi) jogs, cool down
Fri 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Sun 9 mi @ 11:03 pace
11/22-RACE DAY
Tues 3 mi @ 11:10 pace
Wed 3 mi @ 11:10 pace
Thurs 5 mi w/ w/ 1 mi warm up, 3 mi @ 9:33 pace, 1 mi cooldown
Sun 13.1 mi @ 9:42 pace
Phew! I've got a lot to work on. I'm starting to do some work on the treadmill just when the weather is particularly awful. I'll consider this race the end of the season for me, then it's back to doing cardio/weights/yoga until spring!
The biggest issue is getting the exposure protection handled.Salomon Women's Fast III Jacket
is a recent addition to my gear, providing some easy on/off for windy, cool mornings. It does some rain protection, but it's not to be counted on. I've also (shock!) switched to my Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 10 from my awesome, totally recommended Five Fingers Bikila. This is mostly due to warmth and friction, as that I've had some nasty little blisters form lately that have made the long runs a little hard to deal with.Training in conventional shoes again have my knees aching a bit. Then add that I've started going on hills in the dark (mainly because the routes are better lit), I'm hurting a bit. My training schedule up to the race, as provided by the Runner's World SmartCoach app on my iPhone, is as follows:
11/01-11/07
Tues 5 mi @ 11:10 pace
Thurs 4 mi @ 11:10 pace
Sun 5 mi @ 11:10 pace
11/08-11/14
Tues 3 mi @ 11:03 pace
Thurs 6 mi w/ 1 mi warm up, 4 mi @ 9:33 pace, 1 mi cooldown
Fri 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Sun 6 mi @ 11:03 pace
11/15-11/21
Tues 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Thurs 7 mi w/ warm up, 3x1600m (1mi) @8:56 w/ 800m (1/2 mi) jogs, cool down
Fri 2 mi @ 11:03 pace
Sun 9 mi @ 11:03 pace
11/22-RACE DAY
Tues 3 mi @ 11:10 pace
Wed 3 mi @ 11:10 pace
Thurs 5 mi w/ w/ 1 mi warm up, 3 mi @ 9:33 pace, 1 mi cooldown
Sun 13.1 mi @ 9:42 pace
Phew! I've got a lot to work on. I'm starting to do some work on the treadmill just when the weather is particularly awful. I'll consider this race the end of the season for me, then it's back to doing cardio/weights/yoga until spring!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tracking Progress
When I first started running, I purchased the Nike + SportBand
, which is a slim-profile USB pedometer that syncs to your computer, can be used by 3rd party software to track your runs, and allows you to access the Nike+ community website and tools. It's a great, low-cost, beginner's tool, but it's also inaccurate for tracking mileage, and doesn't keep you from over-extending yourself, as that it has no heart-rate monitor.
After buying a separate heart rate monitor, that didn't sync to my computer, I eventually gave in and sprung for the Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
It's huge for my wrist, and the chest strap is a little awkward as that though I'm medium for a woman, I'm not one-size-fits-all. It is, however, fairly accurate at tracking my mileage, and I have no complaints on the heart rate monitor. It does, however, require regular charging, and recently, I've found that twice it was uncharged when I was ready to go on my run, and the last time I grabbed my seldom-used Nike+ Sportband, and found that also uncharged.
This led me to grab my trusty Casio Women's Baby G Watch BG169WH-2V
. I've had my current watch for about two and a half years now. I purchased it before my Hawaii vacation with the family, loving the fact that it was good for 200 meters (a dive watch, though the display leaves a bit to be desired for that purpose.) It has the handy function of being able to switch time zones, use it as a stop-watch, and also as a timer. I'm sure there's other functions I don't even use it for. It has the time and date right up front. It's clunky and durable, and candy colored (mine's orange). It's also a great stand-in for a training watch, as that if you can plot your route and mileage (I use http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/), you can plan your splits, and your target pace. It's not as automatic, but it turns out my Baby G is a great standby. I've used this twice for a run - once in Hawaii recently, and once at home - and it gave me at least a good idea of my pacing. If only I had written it down when I got back. That's the big draw-back. No automatic syncing!
, which is a slim-profile USB pedometer that syncs to your computer, can be used by 3rd party software to track your runs, and allows you to access the Nike+ community website and tools. It's a great, low-cost, beginner's tool, but it's also inaccurate for tracking mileage, and doesn't keep you from over-extending yourself, as that it has no heart-rate monitor.After buying a separate heart rate monitor, that didn't sync to my computer, I eventually gave in and sprung for the Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
It's huge for my wrist, and the chest strap is a little awkward as that though I'm medium for a woman, I'm not one-size-fits-all. It is, however, fairly accurate at tracking my mileage, and I have no complaints on the heart rate monitor. It does, however, require regular charging, and recently, I've found that twice it was uncharged when I was ready to go on my run, and the last time I grabbed my seldom-used Nike+ Sportband, and found that also uncharged. This led me to grab my trusty Casio Women's Baby G Watch BG169WH-2V
. I've had my current watch for about two and a half years now. I purchased it before my Hawaii vacation with the family, loving the fact that it was good for 200 meters (a dive watch, though the display leaves a bit to be desired for that purpose.) It has the handy function of being able to switch time zones, use it as a stop-watch, and also as a timer. I'm sure there's other functions I don't even use it for. It has the time and date right up front. It's clunky and durable, and candy colored (mine's orange). It's also a great stand-in for a training watch, as that if you can plot your route and mileage (I use http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/), you can plan your splits, and your target pace. It's not as automatic, but it turns out my Baby G is a great standby. I've used this twice for a run - once in Hawaii recently, and once at home - and it gave me at least a good idea of my pacing. If only I had written it down when I got back. That's the big draw-back. No automatic syncing!
Running in the Dark
There is no attractive way to run in the cold, damp dark of Seattle. I'm just over a month away from the Seattle 1/2, and it's getting chilly and wet out there, and the light is definitely not there in the morning, and won't be there for long in the evenings after work. I have purchased my exposure protection, however, even though they all have reflective striping, they all come in fashionably dark colors, so unless the drivers are looking for Tron-like costumes, being seen is nearly impossible.
Not to mention that I'm pretty sure that NO ONE driving at 6:30am is looking for runners. They sure as heck aren't stopping at stop signs, and even after I saw a man stop, look both ways, and nudge into the intersection, looking both ways again (and towards me), he still ended up clipping me, requiring me to place my hand on the corner of his car to scoot myself out of the way. I looked at him, he was stunned, and I yelled something like, "Stop sign, Asshole!" and jogged about two meters past, tripping, and skidding myself on the left side forward on the asphalt. I called my husband for a pick up, limping a bit, bleeding from my knuckles, hand and knee, with a few abrasions in between. My hip was deeply bruised, and I was a bit shaken up.
It's dark and lonely, and a bit scary to run that early in the dark. I've noticed that my usual early morning companions have dissipated - perhaps they're all electing to go into work a bit later. I need to find a better solution as I prepare for this race, and it turns out the best solution might be a gym membership near work, that might allow me to road-run during lunch, shower, and be back to work at a decent time. Treadmills for over an hour are dull as dirt. I did that yesterday, since the forecast was for nasty weather, and I had procrastinated towards dusk.
It's tough. Even if I was wearing electric yellow from head to toe, I wonder if I would be seen. It's scary out there, solo, female, cold, damp and in the dark. I'm increasingly convinced that they don't make running gear for Northwestern runners in mind.
Not to mention that I'm pretty sure that NO ONE driving at 6:30am is looking for runners. They sure as heck aren't stopping at stop signs, and even after I saw a man stop, look both ways, and nudge into the intersection, looking both ways again (and towards me), he still ended up clipping me, requiring me to place my hand on the corner of his car to scoot myself out of the way. I looked at him, he was stunned, and I yelled something like, "Stop sign, Asshole!" and jogged about two meters past, tripping, and skidding myself on the left side forward on the asphalt. I called my husband for a pick up, limping a bit, bleeding from my knuckles, hand and knee, with a few abrasions in between. My hip was deeply bruised, and I was a bit shaken up.
It's dark and lonely, and a bit scary to run that early in the dark. I've noticed that my usual early morning companions have dissipated - perhaps they're all electing to go into work a bit later. I need to find a better solution as I prepare for this race, and it turns out the best solution might be a gym membership near work, that might allow me to road-run during lunch, shower, and be back to work at a decent time. Treadmills for over an hour are dull as dirt. I did that yesterday, since the forecast was for nasty weather, and I had procrastinated towards dusk.
It's tough. Even if I was wearing electric yellow from head to toe, I wonder if I would be seen. It's scary out there, solo, female, cold, damp and in the dark. I'm increasingly convinced that they don't make running gear for Northwestern runners in mind.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Issaquah Run at Salmon Days
Last Sunday I did the Issaquah Rotary Run at Salmon Days. I completed the 10K in 57:27, according to the official chip time. This meant I was a bit slower than average, and way slower than the first place runners, but it was an awesome race, and I really enjoyed it. My pace was faster than I ran for the Livestrong Challenge 5K back in June, and the Runner's World Smart Coach actually had me running slower for the race, so I beat what I guessed my time would be. The Smart Coach app on my iPhone is predicting a similar pace for the Seattle Half Marathon at the end of November. I laugh to think it is even remotely possible for me to sustain less than a 10 minute pace for 13.1 miles, but it doesn't mean I won't try!
Looking at the training schedule ahead, it's not too crazy. My biggest fear is the waining light in the morning, as well as the rainy weather. My feet were definitely cold in the Bikilas while I was warming up for the race last Sunday. I tend to like to run with very little exposure protection because I do heat up so fast. I don't ever understand the people who run in long pants and long sleeves on 50°F days. Granted, I'm cold when I leave the house, but all it takes is a block of running at a moderate pace and I'm plenty warm. The rain/mist is more of my concern, as well as the slick, oily roads I'll be crossing in the morning hours. And people drive like idiots, and I wonder what good visibility will do me when most people in Seattle ignore the laws of physics (ie. just because you have the traction to go 45 mph in slick, low vis conditions, doesn't mean you can stop easily when you absolutely have to.)
I've been toying with the idea of re-upping my gym membership for training on a treadmill. I know that I won't get the kind of training I get from road running, especially locally, because any run means hill training. I've also been hoping to hold out in case I get hired at my current internship, because then I might get a free gym membership close to work, making mid-day runs more feasible.
I would love to find some training buddies locally. I don't want to be ridiculously serious, but I really just want some people to share my hobby with. I've always been a bit of a loner, and it's my nature. It's something I'm thinking about, at least.
Now, to go shopping for weather related gear. It's supposed to be a cold, wet winter. I wonder how my running will survive!
Looking at the training schedule ahead, it's not too crazy. My biggest fear is the waining light in the morning, as well as the rainy weather. My feet were definitely cold in the Bikilas while I was warming up for the race last Sunday. I tend to like to run with very little exposure protection because I do heat up so fast. I don't ever understand the people who run in long pants and long sleeves on 50°F days. Granted, I'm cold when I leave the house, but all it takes is a block of running at a moderate pace and I'm plenty warm. The rain/mist is more of my concern, as well as the slick, oily roads I'll be crossing in the morning hours. And people drive like idiots, and I wonder what good visibility will do me when most people in Seattle ignore the laws of physics (ie. just because you have the traction to go 45 mph in slick, low vis conditions, doesn't mean you can stop easily when you absolutely have to.)
I've been toying with the idea of re-upping my gym membership for training on a treadmill. I know that I won't get the kind of training I get from road running, especially locally, because any run means hill training. I've also been hoping to hold out in case I get hired at my current internship, because then I might get a free gym membership close to work, making mid-day runs more feasible.
I would love to find some training buddies locally. I don't want to be ridiculously serious, but I really just want some people to share my hobby with. I've always been a bit of a loner, and it's my nature. It's something I'm thinking about, at least.
Now, to go shopping for weather related gear. It's supposed to be a cold, wet winter. I wonder how my running will survive!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Week in Review: Training for Races
I've been adding to this post throughout the week, so if it's choppy, forgive me, I've been busy!
Week before last, I was battling creeping anxiety and poor sleep. I hit just over nine miles on my long run on last Sunday, and it took me forever to drag myself out to run, and afterwords, I felt like poo. Similarly, Monday night as I was prepping my things for my morning run, I was dreading going out. This all seemed too familiar. I realized that like earlier this summer, I have reached exhaustion. I've been going too far, too fast and I need a break.
I decided to use the Runner's World Smart Coach to generate a hypothetical training program for my upcoming 10K and 1/2 marathon. The resulting training schedule was a lot lighter than my recent one, leading me to believe that yes, I've been overtraining, and perhaps for my best performance, I should back off and try something new.
My Tuesday run was sluggish, but good in retrospect. It was a lovely challenge to go just under 12 minutes a mile, and it was nice and quick before work.
My Thursday run was a five-miler, with 3 miles being at around 10:18 pace. It worked out fairly well, and I came back damp from the early morning mist/fog.
I skipped another 2 miler like my Tuesday run on Friday. I just didn't have it in me. Meanwhile, I spent those last few days of the week eating crap food. It's a bad habit, but training makes me really hungry. I'm getting comfortable with my size, and slacking on the restrictions. I should probably get back on track... right?
Saturday, I guess you should say I did some cross-training. I did two dry-suit dives, my last cold water dives before I hit Hawaii this coming weekend. I definitely got an upper-body work out!
Today, I did a 7 mile easy run. It was really nice and light, despite the crazy weather (torrential rains this morning, sun break, gusts of wind and sporadic sprinkles). I chomped my new favorite endurance enhancer, Clif Shot Bloks Cran-razz
. They definitely keep me from feeling so crazy ravenous the rest of the day.
I'm using my current water system, Ultimate Direction Women's Strider Waist Pack
, is cumbersome, but keeps me hydrated. I'm hesitant to change it up, especially given the cost. I also use Ultimate Direction Fastdraw 
on my shorter runs.
I know I'll dial this stuff in a little more as race time approaches. Another thing on my to-do list is find a good vest/jacket for the coming rainy season. I think it's time to wrap this post up. It's taken me a week to write it!
Week before last, I was battling creeping anxiety and poor sleep. I hit just over nine miles on my long run on last Sunday, and it took me forever to drag myself out to run, and afterwords, I felt like poo. Similarly, Monday night as I was prepping my things for my morning run, I was dreading going out. This all seemed too familiar. I realized that like earlier this summer, I have reached exhaustion. I've been going too far, too fast and I need a break.
I decided to use the Runner's World Smart Coach to generate a hypothetical training program for my upcoming 10K and 1/2 marathon. The resulting training schedule was a lot lighter than my recent one, leading me to believe that yes, I've been overtraining, and perhaps for my best performance, I should back off and try something new.
My Tuesday run was sluggish, but good in retrospect. It was a lovely challenge to go just under 12 minutes a mile, and it was nice and quick before work.
My Thursday run was a five-miler, with 3 miles being at around 10:18 pace. It worked out fairly well, and I came back damp from the early morning mist/fog.
I skipped another 2 miler like my Tuesday run on Friday. I just didn't have it in me. Meanwhile, I spent those last few days of the week eating crap food. It's a bad habit, but training makes me really hungry. I'm getting comfortable with my size, and slacking on the restrictions. I should probably get back on track... right?
Saturday, I guess you should say I did some cross-training. I did two dry-suit dives, my last cold water dives before I hit Hawaii this coming weekend. I definitely got an upper-body work out!
Today, I did a 7 mile easy run. It was really nice and light, despite the crazy weather (torrential rains this morning, sun break, gusts of wind and sporadic sprinkles). I chomped my new favorite endurance enhancer, Clif Shot Bloks Cran-razz
. They definitely keep me from feeling so crazy ravenous the rest of the day.I'm using my current water system, Ultimate Direction Women's Strider Waist Pack
, is cumbersome, but keeps me hydrated. I'm hesitant to change it up, especially given the cost. I also use Ultimate Direction Fastdraw on my shorter runs.I know I'll dial this stuff in a little more as race time approaches. Another thing on my to-do list is find a good vest/jacket for the coming rainy season. I think it's time to wrap this post up. It's taken me a week to write it!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Upcoming Races, Gear and Training
Last week I dropped about $100 just on sign-up for two races.
The first race, which I'm most excited about, is the Seattle Half Marathon. I have never attempted 13.1 miles running. I've walked that distance before, and I'm running 8 mi plus, now, for my longest runs, however - I'm a little excited and skeptical at the same time. Not to mention the fact that I'll be running in late November, which means that the weather could be absolutely horrid for the adventure. Nevertheless, I'm excited, and this is going to be my birthday present to myself.
The second race I've signed up for is just less than a month away. This is the Issaquah Run at Salmon Days, a 10K, which is another race I've never done. I can easily run a 10K, and do for my interval run. I'm not the fastest, but right now, I'm focused on finishing.
This year, early on, I really wanted to run a 1/2 marathon, even before I was running 5K races. This year, I hope to have up to 1/2 marathon done, with a finisher medal or shirt or something commemorating.
The next step is to make sure I'm appropriately geared up, and trained up. I intend to keep my schedule mostly as is, and as far as gear, I'm having to run with a water bottle to make sure I'm hydrated. I'm considering also running with some easy-sugar, though I deign to see what that looks or tastes like. I've invested in some awesome earphones (Sennheiser Adidas PMX 680i
) to go with my newly purchased Nike+ iPod Sport Kit
. I am testing it out on my husband's old Nano, with the thought of maybe upgrading to the brand new iPod Nano
. I got a Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case
to attach my Nike+ sensor to my Vibram Five Fingers Bikila
.
I'm wondering if I will end up switching to the neoprene KSO's for the 1/2 marathon. I'm also wondering about a proper belt solution, not to mention, a good solution for the iPod, as that clipping the new one on might work, but not so well in the rain.
I've got a lot of gear to consider. Visibility being something to be mindful of, as that light is waning in the mornings. I've got some reflective strips, but I wonder if that's enough. People are completely stupid driving in the mornings. Stop signs seem to mean NOTHING to them.
I hoped for a longer entry - but this is what I got for now. I picked up the latest Runner's World, and I'm glad to read it, though I'm also glad to not have a subscription. Also, Women's Running (I think that's the magazine I perused) is total, bird cage scraps crap. I choose my running gear based on performance, not on color (though it helps!) and the only reason I wear make up when I run is because I was at work earlier in the day and I didn't take it off before I went for a run. I'll save my beauty tips from Allure and Marie Claire. In a magazine for running, I want information on running. Period. While reading Runner's World, I couldn't help but get choked up (though this was after my long run, when endorphins were still high) - running is such a gift for me, I'm so glad I can do it. I'll do it as long as I can.
The first race, which I'm most excited about, is the Seattle Half Marathon. I have never attempted 13.1 miles running. I've walked that distance before, and I'm running 8 mi plus, now, for my longest runs, however - I'm a little excited and skeptical at the same time. Not to mention the fact that I'll be running in late November, which means that the weather could be absolutely horrid for the adventure. Nevertheless, I'm excited, and this is going to be my birthday present to myself.
The second race I've signed up for is just less than a month away. This is the Issaquah Run at Salmon Days, a 10K, which is another race I've never done. I can easily run a 10K, and do for my interval run. I'm not the fastest, but right now, I'm focused on finishing.
This year, early on, I really wanted to run a 1/2 marathon, even before I was running 5K races. This year, I hope to have up to 1/2 marathon done, with a finisher medal or shirt or something commemorating.
The next step is to make sure I'm appropriately geared up, and trained up. I intend to keep my schedule mostly as is, and as far as gear, I'm having to run with a water bottle to make sure I'm hydrated. I'm considering also running with some easy-sugar, though I deign to see what that looks or tastes like. I've invested in some awesome earphones (Sennheiser Adidas PMX 680i
) to go with my newly purchased Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. I am testing it out on my husband's old Nano, with the thought of maybe upgrading to the brand new iPod Nano. I got a Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case to attach my Nike+ sensor to my Vibram Five Fingers Bikila.I'm wondering if I will end up switching to the neoprene KSO's for the 1/2 marathon. I'm also wondering about a proper belt solution, not to mention, a good solution for the iPod, as that clipping the new one on might work, but not so well in the rain.
I've got a lot of gear to consider. Visibility being something to be mindful of, as that light is waning in the mornings. I've got some reflective strips, but I wonder if that's enough. People are completely stupid driving in the mornings. Stop signs seem to mean NOTHING to them.
I hoped for a longer entry - but this is what I got for now. I picked up the latest Runner's World, and I'm glad to read it, though I'm also glad to not have a subscription. Also, Women's Running (I think that's the magazine I perused) is total, bird cage scraps crap. I choose my running gear based on performance, not on color (though it helps!) and the only reason I wear make up when I run is because I was at work earlier in the day and I didn't take it off before I went for a run. I'll save my beauty tips from Allure and Marie Claire. In a magazine for running, I want information on running. Period. While reading Runner's World, I couldn't help but get choked up (though this was after my long run, when endorphins were still high) - running is such a gift for me, I'm so glad I can do it. I'll do it as long as I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)