Ragnar Relay Runners and Other Stuff

To the Ragnar Relay Runners: We'll be out on 54 cheering for you. I just wanted to put that out there for those who read my blog and are running this weekend. GOOD LUCK and enjoy!!!

A summary of my workouts:

Last week's total miles (through Sunday): 35.14 (woo hoo!! that's not bad!)

Runs I did not report on:

Saturday - I ran in the capacity of asst. coach/cheerleader, with the 1/2 marathoners who were running 5 miles. It was a lot of fun, and I ran with someone who ran her first ever five miles! I loved that! While we ran the Clearwater Ironman 70.3 bike portion was going on parallel to us, which added an air of excitement, as well as served as a nice destraction. We were at the finish last year, so it was nice to see the bike portion this year. Maybe next year we can go see the start/swim!

Sunday - Field trip day! Jenny proposed a hill run, and bribed us with her yummy banana nut muffins (that girl can bake, too, like her mama!). Carin and I brought coffee, and Jenny also brought oranges. A nice little feast after a crisp hilly run in 45 degree weather. There were 5 of us girls - Jodi, Carin, Jenny, me and my teen neighbor "niece". We are all participating in the Women's Half Marathon this weekend which made it fun, since we could discuss our plans and goals. We don't always run in the same races, so it's fun when we do!

Monday - I skipped boot camp :(. During the hill run on Sunday I started to feel something that resembled the feeling of someone kicking me in the side of the leg, between the calf and the shin. With a goal race in sight, I thought it best to RICE on Monday.

Tuesday - Bootcamp, where we did sorta pick-ups (accelerations and decelerations). Then speedwork that night, which I dreaded all day long. Much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed the 8x400s that we did. I was ready for them to be over, and didn't enjoy them DURING the exercise necessarily, but they weren't near as painful as I feared. We couldn't get a handle on the splits, and my Garmin recorded 1/4 miles instead of 400s. The difference is miniscule, though - but I still don't think they are correct. We had those with watches recording our 400s at about 10 seconds quicker. Anyway, Garmin says:

1 and 2 - 3.16 (6:38MM)

3 - 1:52 (finally figured out the lap button) - (7:23MM)

4 - 1:44 (6:45MM)

5 - 1:44 (7:06MM)

6 - 1:42 (6:38MM)

7 - 1:47 (7:26MM)

8 - 1:36 (6:27MM)

Wednesday - Bootcamp - lots of leg work and lots of laps, but not Garmin to record them. Therefore (*gasp!*) I will not know how far I ran yesterday nor will I know how far this week...

Thursday - Bootcamp but no running. I also lifted at the Y later in the morning, but nothing heavy leg wise.

I'm taking tomorrow off, will run easy Saturday and Sunday is race day!!!

Warning: Sappy Post Ahead

I haven't kept up with the show The Biggest Loser much this season, but last night the contestant that got eliminated was later seen running a half marathon. During the filming she was crying (while she was running) and she said, "I am finally the person I wanted to be." Caught off guard, I started crying myself. In fact, I am tearing up as I write this paragraph. Oh, how I can relate.

I often tease Chuck that he is stuck with someone he didn't sign up for, but I hope he feels like he got a trade up. The woman he is married to looks and acts nothing like the woman he said "I do" to 14 years ago. I'd say the love is the same, but it's not - it's greater. He has helped me be the best me I can be.

When we got married I was 20 pounds heavier than I am now and lived on a diet consisting mainly of chips, wings, Dr. Pepper and beer (okay, not everything has changed). I had never exercised for a moment unless you count PE. I swam when I was a kid but that was to give my mom an hour of peace every morning during practice - I certainly was no athlete. If anything, I avoided physical exertion and the outdoors as much as possible.

Our life hit a rough patch as young families do, and nothing seemed to be going our way. We were happily married with four small children, but life was tough. Now weighing over 200 pounds, frustrated and defeated, I had a full-tilt tantrum one afternoon, listing our problems, one after the other. In his infinitely patient way, Chuck listened, until I sobbed out the last one, "And I'm FAT!" He said the words that would change my life: "There's not a whole lot we can do about a lot of that, but there is something you can do about your weight." These were not the words of a man who found me disgusting or wanted his skinny fiance back (oh young metabolism, how I adored you!) but a man who cast a critical eye at my list of woes, and pinpointed the one item within our - MY - control.

Despite the lack of real disposable income at the time, we scraped together enough for a membership at the Y, and I - afraid to squander it - got into a regular habit of going. It didn't hurt that the four young children could be safely squirreled away into the Kids' Zone for up to two hours a day. I had to "pay" by way of working out, but it was a fair trade. As the story goes, a runner was born. I got tired of walking and started to run. I got tired of the treadmill and took to running outside. I got tired of being alone and started racing. My first ever 5k was the Turkey Trot 7 years ago. I went through the men's finish chute and stopped short and nearly caused a pile-up behind me as I burst into tears. I ran THREE MILES. More than three miles! At once! It was exhilarating, and I was hooked. By my third Turkey Trot I was doing the 5k PLUS the 10k because I was marathon training. And so it went, until I was addicted enough to the sport that I now keep a daily blog about it.

I've blogged many times about the gifts - the payback - of running. One I've not mentioned (but eluded to) is how it has changed me. The overweight, non-athletic (brunette) version of me was quick to give up, a bit of a defeatist, easily intimidated and somewhat shy, but that manifested itself as my being a bit obnoxious and overbearing. I felt like I didn't "measure up" - wasn't good enough, pretty enough, wealthy enough, educated enough, thin enough, secure enough... no matter the context, I was always sizing myself up against the "competition". And therein lies the beauty of racing - the spirit of competitiveness has its rightful place, and all other areas of unhealthy competition cease to hold appeal. I can rest on my laurels, satisfied with my accomplishments, hungry for more, but hungry in ways I can satisfy in a healthy way. I never liked sports but have become an avid fan of many - especially football - as I now can relate to the athletes in a way I never could before. I can appreciate their victories, understand their defeats, relate to their injuries and their will to get beyond them. I'll never put pads on or do a back handspring or kick a goal but I can now relate to the time and dedication and fortitude it took for those who can. The girl Chuck married who had no idea how many innings were in a football game ;) or what high sticking meant now sits beside him and cheers and curses as loudly as he does. All because I run.

I am getting ready to do another half marathon this weekend, and I am preparing for a PR. I am focused and practiced and appropriately nervous and ready and not ready all at once. I want a new victory to post on the side of my blog and a new time goal to reach for and the spectacularly satisfying Sunday afternoon mental "victory lap" of setting a new PR. In preparing I've gotten discouraged and nervous and self-deprecating ... because if I don't make it I will feel sad and discouraged. And just as I was setting myself up for the push-pull of feelings ("You're ready - you're not ready!") I heard The Biggest Loser contestant say, "I am finally the person I wanted to be." And I cried. Because it's true. PR or not in the end it is really okay, because I am finally the person I wanted to be.

August 1998

September 2008

More tomorrow on my workouts this week. I'm not sure how I've gotten behind on blogging; it's not like I haven't been at the computer!

Workout #3

Tonight's miles: 3.5

Week's total miles: 19.14

I had kid-practice duty tonight so I decided to go ahead and do my speedwork tonight. I had it in my head I was going to do it tonight anyway during our running group practice (which was cancelled), and my bonus was that I get to snuggle in and sleep late tomorrow morning - a morning that promises to be a nice cold one perfect for sleeping late buried under the covers.

Ma'am prescribed me 4x800s, aiming for 3:25-:30. I was supposed to do the 800s on the track, but there was a HS soccer game going on. So I parked in a remote lot by the school where practice is held, and did 1/2 milers there. During my warm up I was trying to come up with 90 reasons why I couldn't do speedwork. I stepped on a piece of bark and my ankle turned a bit and I actually had a little thrill - there! There was my reason - I turned my ankle. But no, as I ran on the pinch worked itself out. I started thinking that I could go do hills with Jenny and Carin tomorrow - that would be fun! - but then I'd miss out on the treat I wanted, which was the comfy late morning.

Finally I decided to just suck it up and get started. My first 3 800s were not where I wanted them to be, but I was having issues. Like, too much water prior to the workout - if you know what I mean. I knew that discomfort was interfering with my workout so I decided to go ahead and go, but add an 800 to make up for the extra recovery time. My intervals were:

3:53

3:42

3:43

3:39

3:43

Not exactly what I was supposed to do :(. I can throw in two "excuses" - 1) a 1/2 mile is longer than 800 meters and 2) it was my third workout of the day. First was bootcamp, second was lifting at the Y with Tracie (which we try to do every Thursday if we can, and we lift heavy for lower body). Given those factors, I wasn't TOO far off, but I still was hoping to nail them closer to the 3:30. Next time.

Push Ups

Today's miles (so far): 3.44 @ 8:33

Yesterday's miles: 1.2

Week's total miles: 15.64

This will end up being a decent mileage week; I hope I don't get injured going from virtually nothing to this.

Yesterday at boot camp we did 2-minutes of everything. I did fine on most things - could hold the plank for 2 minutes (dropped right at the beginning on the second "set" but held through to the end after that), and could do 2 minutes of crunches easily, but push-ups were not going well at all. Same thing today, and in fact my shoulders were so fried that I couldn't do a side plank for very long - not because of my obliques but because of the pressure on my arm. I'm getting really ticked about this. It's becoming a mental issue because I did more push ups in the summer than I can do now, and there is NO DOUBT I am stronger now. I'm letting my mind get to me - just like running.

I am thinking of re-starting the 100 push-ups challenge as a way to force the issue. I think if I can leap the mental hurdle I will make great strides not only in push ups, but in running. There's still a little of the old Kathryn - the "quitter" Kathryn (I used to be a big quitter when things got uncomfortable) that I need to beat back. This part is mental - this is about getting over something and being better. This is where exercise - the physical labor of it, the push of it - becomes more than just exercise and becomes more about being a better person on the inside too.

Today we ran for 30 minutes as part of our Thursday challenge. I got 3.44 miles in and enjoyed the cold though damp weather. The best part was when we got back and how many people had enjoyed new victories on that run. This has been a great week in boot camp. A lot of people have seen some breakthroughs this week - it's been very cool.

Tonight I am prescribed to do 800s in 3:25-3:30. I am already a little nervous about that - but I am supposed to be nervous about that, so it's okay :).

Catching Up

I am so lost with my own blog I don't know where to start!

This week's miles: 11

Last week's total miles: 8.1!! How awful is that - especially since I was well and uninjured! Honestly, I don't feel the least bit bad about it. I need some weeks where running takes the back seat. Balance - always balance!

Friday I met a couple of girls for speedwork. Our plan called for 3 1600s. It was windy and chilly but I was going to give them all I had. I ended up with one at 7:47, one at 7:44 and one I'm not sure about (I forgot to hit the lap button after our 1/2 mile warm-up - I know the second half was in 4:02, but I am not sure what the first half of the 1600 was).

Saturday was the launch "party" for the new running group that I a part of at the "other Y". We are working with runners* to accomplish a new distance or improve on an old one for the Gasparilla Distance races (5k, 15k, 1/2 marathon and marathon). To get an idea of where the runners are right now (and help them set goal paces for repeats and tempo runs) we had them do a 5k time trial. I was in charge of timing so I wasn't running it myself. Since that was mid-morning (well, a runner's version of mid-morning - 7:30) and I had football all day, I didn't get to squeeze in my own run. *Here I should note that *I* am not really training anyone, my bootcamp instructor (a certified coach) is, my job is more to be the cheerleader :).

Sunday was the 5k run for my Super Strider kids. What a wonderful day of running! My kids did AWESOME - they set wonderful, realistic goals and accomplished them - some even placing in their age groups! Most importantly, they all ran with smiles and finished smiling too. It was a great day to be a coach. In the accompanying half marathon, Jenny got yet another sub 1:50 on what she had dubbed a "training run". It was one of those gorgeous, beautiful days just made for running, and everyone seized it and made it theirs. It was great. BUT, short of the running I did out to the course and back in with some of the kids (which probably accounted for at least 3 miles!), I didn't get a formal run in. After that, the family headed to the Bucs game! (GO BUCS!) I think all the jumping up and down and high-fiving I did there counts for some exercise, too. Yes, we won finally, and yes, I'm going to make the most of these 6 victorious days following the W because heaven knows there's no guarantee we'll have another this season...

On to Monday where we had our 1-mile PT test in boot camp. My goal was to break 7:30 and FINALLY, I did! I got 7:29 - not a hair more than breaking 7:30 but it's broken just the same. My Garmin was its usual 7 seconds short and recorded my mile at 7:22.

This morning I got together with one of the boot camp half marathoners and a couple of other girls and we headed out for a muggy 10 miles. I was super comfortable the whole run and that felt awesome! Ida (the storm) was churning away in the Gulf and brought a lot of wind and some humid, tropical air but it wasn't unbearable. I was just happy to get 10 miles done since my running had been so minimal last week.

I was supposed to meet the Gasparilla training group for speed work but the rain bands that came ashore this evening postponed that. We'll do it Thursday instead.

Pictures from Chicago

I am running tonight, so no running to report today. We did some running technique exercises today in bootcamp I hope to put to use.

Here are some pictures from the Chicago marathon!

Flowers from my family ♥ (above and below)

View from our room on the 25th floor of the Trump Tower. The bellman apologized for the view when he brought up our bags, LOL. These were fireworks Saturday night over the lake (off Navy Pier). (below)

The beautiful start. (below)

Chuck took these while I was running. The sheer number of spectators was something I couldn't even imagine until I saw it for myself. Wow.

Picture perfect finish. (below)

My friend from home and new BQer at our celebration dinner! (below)

Boot Camp Tuesday

Today's miles: 2.16 @ 8:06

Week's total miles: 4.25

The second day of boot camp, and another 18 minute run. This time I had my Garmin. Much to my surprise I was faster than yesterday - I know for sure because I ran out further or farther, whichever is grammatically correct (I think it's further - feel free to correct me). The weather was cooler and the humidity was nil, so there you go. It's amazing what the temperature can do for a run, isn't it? I would have said I ran slower than yesterday if you asked me.

The other exciting thing I realized is that the first mile was 8:26 and the second was 7:56 (the last .16 was @ 7:15). This is exciting because if I ran one more mile right at that speed (or just between) I'm looking at my elusive break-25 goal. Of course that means I'm now itching for a 5k just to see what I have in me.

The rest of the workout was good, too; I'm just reporting the running. Tomorrow I'm meeting with Ma'am and we're going to put the finishing touches on our running program which starts Saturday and she's going to advise me on how to get faster either for November 22 or December 13 (whichever is more realistic). Tomorrow night I'm certain I'll be doing some speedwork - 2 miles a day isn't going to cut it!

Bootcamp Monday

Today's miles: 2.1 @ 8:24

Week's total: 2.1

Today was the first day of the November session of bootcamp. Traditionally the first day is fairly easy, and today was no exception. I have my head solidly in the game so I worked hard on form. I am ready to tackle the Women's Half. BRING IT.

(The fact that Mother Nature responded so quickly to my letter and brought cooler drier air helped, too!)

Our run was a longer one (9 minutes out, less back if you can). I made it my mission to keep up with the boys. I actually passed them at the beginning and held to the turn-around but then they took off on me for the return trip. *sigh* So my next mission was to fight the little devil in my head that kept telling me to stop and telling 101 reasons why I should. I fought walking, and fought it valiantly. If anything, I picked it up the last .2 mile, mainly to make that devil voice shut up. Then I almost puked at the finish but I think that had less to do with the run and more to do with the beer and wings I had for dinner last night. I forgot my Garmin at home, so I had to mapmyrun and ask Ma'am for our time to come up with my pace. 8:24 seems about right - especially since it was in 17:40, which means I came in faster than I went out.

Since there is not much else to say about that, I'll post some random thoughts...

• I am so absolutely annoyed that I forgot to watch the NYC marathon yesterday - that's not like me at all!! But YAY on an American winning it!! Congratulations to all the finishers! That one is on my list but I've heard it's pretty darn hard!
• Morgan said in a comment that she can't get enough of reading everyone's Chicago reports. I know what she means... it's like when you get married and you can't get enough A Wedding Story on TLC (does that still come on?) or read people's wedding blogs. Same with having a baby and A Baby Story and reading birth stories. It's such a life-changing experience that you just can't soak up enough perspective on it - I could read Chicago race reports all day every day and probably never get tired of them. I don't think I've ever experienced a race where we've (we being the field) collectively had a fantastic race. I haven't read one BAD report. I'd imagine the elites who didn't finish 1st could say it wasn't a favorite, but those in the middle had ourselves a ball!
• For some reason, The Sports Authority has stopped carrying Brooks. WHAT?! As I said to the sales guy, "But let's make sure we have Nikes in every single solitary color, style, shoe-lace option, etc. right? Because we all know what a stellar running shoe they make."/end sarcasm. He agreed wholeheartedly ... but ~
• SCORE! Because they are getting rid of them, I'm getting a pair tonight for 39.97 (on hold at another store)!! Woo hoo! If they had more than one in my size 9.5 (apparently the standard issue shoe size for pronating runners, since no one ever has mine in stock!), I'd buy them all. $40 for running shoes? It's like winning the lottery!!
• Last but not least: YAY for the end of daylight savings time!