Monday, June 29, 2009

The 9 mile mistake

This weeks runs went okay. Nothing really notable happened on the short runs--still a little bit of a struggle though some of them but I can't really complain. Started to experience some knee pain but nothing really bad.

The 9 miler started out okay. The wind was blowing pretty hard right at me on the way out but I kind of appreciated the fact that I wasn't drenched in sweat and looked forward to the return when the wind would be blowing behind me. Well, I don't think I was quite so lucky. The wind had died down quite a bit by the time that I was headed back. I also had thought that 9 miles was still short enough that I wouldn't need to bring a hydration belt. I was quite wrong. Around mile 6, I started to feel really weak and I attributed it to being low on water and fuel. I had eaten a Fiber One bar before I left but I don't think it was quite enough. I was completely exhausted around mile 7 and looking for a water fountain anywhere that I could find one. I found a brand new one--that had no water. All I had pushing me forward was the idea that the sooner I got home the faster I would get water. I called Andy while I was about a mile out and asked him to bring some water outside for me because I'd be home within 10 minutes. I've never been so happy to see a jug of water.

Anyways, I have a 10 miler this weekend that I definetly will be bringing my hydration belt for. And some gels. I never brought gels on a 10 miler last year and was fine, but I definetly was out of energy on my 9 miler this weekend so I think it would be a good idea. My legs were also killing me later in the day. Not sure what that was about because I did do tons of stretching.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I live in the land of extremes.

It's hot here. We are supposed to top 96 degrees today with a heat index around 101. Yesterday I think we topped out at about 93. I know, for some of you--this is average. But it's stinking hot here with this humidity.

Personally, I do enjoy the heat. Probably because my parents are Missourians. Or because I lived everywhere south of here prior to moving here. Or because we have bone-chilling winters that sometimes start early and always end late and I relish every single moment of warmth that I can get. But it is darn hot out today.

Anyways, I am scheduled to run a 3 miler tonight. And I am definetly not doing so outside. So I'm hoping and praying that Roseville-Anytime actually shuts the door instead of letting all the hot air in.

The runs have been going alright lately. I had a decent 5 miler on Sunday. Looking forward to this weekend's 9 miler. Although I think my I-Pod Nike Plus system has gone crazy. It told me I was running at 10:30 when I swear I was running moderately fast on my run this weekend. I even sprinted and it told me that I was running 9:30. I swear...I run much faster than that in a sprint. BLAH! Someday I will upgrade to the Garmin...until then the frustrations continue.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Quick Poll

So let's say it is 80+ degrees outside and oh-so-very humid. The air is so thick and wet it feels like you are in a sauna. You want to work out on a treadmill or other equipment. You have an air conditioning system that is on. Do you...

A) Keep all doors shut. And maybe the blinds too.
B)Keep one door propped all the way open.

I hope you all answered A. What the freak is Anytime-Roseville thinking?!! Yes, this is like complaint number 550 but seriously! Shut the door!! I'm not entirely sure what the reasoning is behind having the door open. Most people who go to the gym in the summer are trying to escape some sort of weather- albeit rain, extreme heat, humidity. Why in the world do you have the door open! Not to mention, it is a GYM! People are working out. Getting sweaty. Maybe I'm just envisioning that they have an air conditioner. I'm pretty sure they do because it feels like it when the door is shut, which is rarely these days (usually only when it is raining or the manager is actually not there). But if they don't have air, then that is an entirely different concern--no air in a gym would be ridiculous.

So now you can probably guess how my workout went yesterday. The running itself was awesome. However, I was drenched in sweat. Gross, I know. But it dripping in my eyes, dripping everywhere. My face looked like I had dunked my head into a faucet. Yuck!! So needless to say I was highly irritated.

I wish I could complain to the manager. Unfortunately, "I'm not a member of their gym" or so the lady says and won't listen to me. If you are thoroughly confused, I am now a member of Anytime-Rogers and therefore only a "guest" at Anytime-Roseville. But whatever, shut the door!!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Lovin the Long Runs

Tuesday: Crappy 3 miler
Thursday: Another crappy 3 miler
Saturday: Yet another crappy 3 miler
Sunday: AWESOME 7 miler

I don't quite understand it. the 3 milers this week were sub par. Saturday I made the mistake of taking Duke because I thought that he would be able to at least handle 3 miles. He handled it alright but he wanted to stop a million times to relieve himself. This starting and stopping method was not working so well for me. I nearly fainted as I rounded the corner to Andy's house on my way in. Not entirely sure what was going on there but it scared me enough to make me really dread my 7 miler the next day.

I procrastinated my 7 miler until the very end of the day because it was in the 80s and quite warm and I was terrified of fainting. Fortunately, the 7 miler started out awesome. And it ended awesome. I had to change my sensor out for my Nike+ system and was a little worried about that. It said that I was running an 8:30 min/mile in the beginning of my run and I thought that there was no way I was running that fast. But the distance was right on with what it should be. So I don't know what to think there. I need to recalibrate to be sure. Anyways, I overran my 7 miler by about .25 of a mile just to make sure that I indeed ran 7 miles. Towards the end of my run it said I was running about a 9:15 min/mile which is still a little fast for me but alot closer to what I usually run. I've been running about 9:30 on the treadmill and I know I run faster outside that I do on the TM so it could be possible that my Ipod was correct. Ah... the doubt! Anyways, the run went really well and I didn't have any problems. Hopefully the shorter runs start to get as good as my long runs have been.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

More Like a Runner

I'm starting to feel like my old self again--like a real runner. I went to the gym with Andy on Tuesday and cranked out the 3 miler that was on my schedule. I felt great during the entire run and probably could have run another 3 but I was considerate to both my schedule and Andy's desire to not spend so long in the gym.

The weather here has been abnormal--really kind of chilly and gloomy. I am excited to see the sun poking through the clouds today so that I can actually try to get a run in this afternoon.

I am starting to get really excited about my fundraising for Neurofibromatosis. The owner of Plastic Products Company, a corporate plastic company that I interned with in high school, has made a nice donation. My cousin who is an amazing artist has also agreed to create some artwork for a raffle. I have also been seeking out some other organizations for raffle items. It really is a motivator to think about the impact that my donators make even in the smallest amount. Yay!

Not much else to update you on right now....Happy Running!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Rockin the Run

This week's training had its ups and downs. I had 3-3 milers and then a 6 miler. Nothing that I can't handle but I will say at least one of those 3 milers had its tough moments. My 6 miler went pretty smooth. I didn't really ever feel like stopping and my legs felt strong. It was probably one of the best runs I have had in awhile, despite the fact that it had to be on the treadmill because it was rainy and cold outside. Although, I will say that the end of the run was a little tough. When I finished, I was a bit dizzy and felt kind of weak. I think it might be the fact that I had not eaten anything yet that morning.

Anyways, looking forward to more training this week. I have a really busy schedule with school and work this week but I'll try to update a bit more so that I actually remember what happened on my earlier runs.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Week 1 of Training!!

It is now officially week 1 of training for the Twin Cities Marathon!! While very exciting, it is also rather nerve-wrecking. I am trying hard to balance like 10,000 plates on my pinky finger and hoping that they don't come crashing down. We'll see what happens. I will be following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 training plan, because I simply don't have the time or energy to put into anything more advanced. I feel kind of silly using it, kind of like when I had to have my parents put training wheels back on my bike when I was younger because I had forgotten how to ride it. But you do what you have to. I would have felt better had Hal described in his description of the Novice 1 plan, "This plan also includes someone who has run a marathon and wants a relaxed training plan ". Instead, I think his description clearly says "Rachel, you should be at least at Novice 2."

Anyways, this weekend I had two decent runs. I still don't know the distances because my Nike+ system has died on me and I have yet to invest in a new one. I have been looking at Garmins as well but I think I'll have to put that one off for a little bit. What Garmin do you all run with?

Back to the runs this weekend...They went swell. I found a new trail by Andy's house on Sunday and ended up taking him and Duke on a walk that way later in the day. I still have a little bit of yucky stuff in my chest from the cold almost 3 weeks ago. Hoping that goes away soon though...