Its been 4 weeks since my knee decided to crap out on me. Four weeks in which I have done a total of 3 runs. None of which were over a mile and a half. None of which did not consist of my knee flaring up and having to stop. And looking ahead to my half marathon I have to say that I was worried. What if everything I'd worked for was now impossible. I was pretty sure I could walk the whole thing, but that is NOT how I had planned this journey.
Even if I had not planned it this way, I had come to grips that the most important thing was recovering and working toward the next half marathon. But after one month of some but not much improvement I was looking for answers. So I got the name of a sports rehab specialist from a coworker and made an appointment. I felt bad. Like I was cheating on my other PT. But at the same time this is about my health and body. And I love my other PT, she is so nice and understanding and helpful, but she's not specialized in sports rehab.
And so yesterday I went to see my new PT. We went over all of my symptoms, how the pain started, she evaluated me the same as my other PT and agreed with her assessment that I had some weakness in my inner quads and butt (again I say ALWAYS a good thing to hear that your butt needs work. Thank you Dr. Quinn). What she also did is assess more of HOW my foot strikes the ground, and what she found is that my left foot collapses on the arch A LOT, which is most likely what causes the pain in my outer knee. She fixed a wedge under my insole, taped my knee up and told me to go run that night. To see if I could run 3 miles without pain, and continue if I could go further. She also showed me a few additional exercises to strengthen my butt, as well as how to reengage my fibular head (which is where my pain is), if it begins hurting during a run. Real life examples of what to do to help myself when NOT at the doctors office.
I went to the gym that night and got on a treadmill. Still going at a slower pace (5.5 on the treadmill - about 10.5min/mile). I reached 3 miles and no pain. So I kept going. Four miles passed......little to no pain. I stopped about half way through mile 5 to work on my knee for the slight pain and then kept going. And by 5 miles reached I was still good. I was in awe. WHAT?! Five miles was what was on my ORIGINAL training schedule for that night. A schedule I had revised like 5 times since I hurt my knee. So that's where I stopped.
After one hour in her office she had seemed to figure out what the root cause of my problem was. And suddenly I had hope. I didn't think I could run the whole half, but this gave me hope that I could at least do portions of it and not suffer pain. The great thing though is that it wasn't as if she said that what I'd been doing for the last month was wrong. She reaffirmed that I'd been working to fix the problem, and that obviously my gait had changed and things were getting better. BUT she gave me a solution. Not just fixes.
So here I sit. Hopeful. And for now that is all that matters.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Training Week #14
This week is not as happy as the last.... Started off the week by taking a break on Monday. After the awesome 7 miler I did on Sunday my legs were pretty freaking tired. So I took it as a sign to rest and stretch.
Tuesday rolls around and Jenny and I headed out around Green Lake for a nice 4.5 mile run (since when do I think this is NICE?! I remember when I looked at the 1 mile on my schedule like a death trap!). Felt great the whole time until about the last mile. Started feeling a slight bit of tightness in my outer left knee. Nothing too crazy but it was definitely uncomfortable. The following day when I woke up it continued to give me some slight irritation, and so for my own well being I decided not to push it the rest of the week. Didn't run Wednesday, Thursday, and then Friday/Saturday when my leg felt better I only went out for a walk.
Tuesday rolls around and Jenny and I headed out around Green Lake for a nice 4.5 mile run (since when do I think this is NICE?! I remember when I looked at the 1 mile on my schedule like a death trap!). Felt great the whole time until about the last mile. Started feeling a slight bit of tightness in my outer left knee. Nothing too crazy but it was definitely uncomfortable. The following day when I woke up it continued to give me some slight irritation, and so for my own well being I decided not to push it the rest of the week. Didn't run Wednesday, Thursday, and then Friday/Saturday when my leg felt better I only went out for a walk.
I will tell you that this SUCKED. After the training program I've been on for over 3 months having 3-4 days of pretty much NOTHING was just plain annoying. I felt trapped in the house, needed to have SOMETHING going on. It was just playing tricks on my mind!! But I know that pushing through an injury is not always a great idea.
So Sunday morning rolls around and my knee is feeling good. No pain and so I headed out for my long run. Another 7 miler. I headed out and everything felt great. Around 1.5 miles in I felt a slight twinge in my left knee again, but it quickly passed and I continued on the run. Come to mile 3 and I have a pretty consistent twinge. Nothing major, nothing that makes me think whoa this hurts BAD I NEED to STOP! I get right at the start of mile 4, and my knee buckles slightly....and the pain starts. With this I stop....I walk it out a little and its got a pretty steady pain going through. I try stretching it, and then a slight jog....still painful. So I stop.
Heading home to ice and elevate.....severely PISSED off. I mean come on! WHAT is going ON!? I'd rested it, I'd iced it, I'd elevated, stretched....everything I could do to give it time to recoop. And now its worse?! And what ticks me off even more is that overall I felt GREAT on the run. My stomach was great, my heart rate was great, breathing great, felt energized and ready to go! But my damn knee had different thoughts in mind.
And I kinda wallowed in this for about an hour. Getting upset that after ALL of my hard work this was going to set me back. But I reminded myself that I had 6 weeks till race day. Better to rest it now than make it worse and really count myself out. So I bucked up and figured out an alternative. What could I do to keep myself from going stir crazy, get in a workout to keep up my cardio endurance so when I start running again I don't keel over. The Gym! Week 15 here I come!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Training Week #12 - 2 months till VEGAS!
This week's training did not necessarily go as well as I would've hoped. It didn't necessarily go BADLY, but I think my expectations were a little higher. I had planned to have 4 run days (totaling 18 miles) and a cross train day, with the long mileage being 6 miles. And those 6 miles were being run in San Diego.
Well I only had 3 run days and one walk day. After doing our 8 mile hike on Saturday, a 6 mile run on Sunday, I woke up Monday and decided that it was going to be a rest day. The body (and knee) needed some recovery time and I didn't want to push it too hard. Tuesday I set off as planned and ran my 4 miles. Feeling good but definitely could tell I was still tired from all the weekend activity. Wednesday was my walk night and just did a nice walk around the lake with mom. Thursday was supposed to be another 4 mile run, but around 2pm my body tanked on me. I was dizzy, lightheaded, and feeling sick to my stomach. I thought maybe I just hadn't eaten enough. Took down a granola bar. No help. Got home, took a little nap, and woke up still feeling the same. By about 6pm when nothing had changed I thought I should TRY to get something down. So I had some ground turkey meat and veggies I'd cooked the night before. Not kidding, two minutes after I took in the turkey I started feeling better. Apparently my body needed protein FAST!
Needless to say even though I felt better I wasn't going to push it and try to run. But the next morning I woke up feeling great and didn't have to get into work until a little later so I did a quick 3 mile run. It was still rough. Given it was at 6:30 in the morning and very very cold. Probably shouldn't have pushed it so soon but that's a lesson to learn!
Saturday was my attempted 6 miler in San Diego. I pulled out 5, which I have to say I'm pretty proud of. SD was WAY different than running in Seattle. Probably a lot of it was the mental factor. I'd been prebuilding that it was gonna be a rough run. So I think i MADE it rough. But it was also at 6:30 in the morning, after going out the evening before and having a few cocktails. It was also VERY humid that morning. By 6:30 there was no marine layer at the beach and was bright and sunshiny. I loved it don't get me wrong, but made for a more interesting run.
So the week was not as successful as it could've been, but overall still pretty good. And given that I seemed to have exhausted myself the weekend before I think I was wise not to push it too hard and risk injury. This week also marked the end of basically 3 months of consistent training. WOOT WOOT! 2 months (and a week technically) to go!! Vegas baby!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The runner's bug....have I caught it?!?!
Now I have to start this post off by reminding everyone that when I started this venture into running a half marathon I HATED RUNNING...I mean I pretty much LOATHED it. I used to watch people running by me around Green Lake thinking, "No one running ever REALLY looks happy to be doing it. That's just STUPID. I will NEVER think to myself at the end of a days work...wow I really wish I could go run 5 miles right now. That would feel GREAT!" Well....3 months into my training I'm sitting here eating my own words. Typical.
I should've KNOWN never to say never. It's like when I used to say "I will NEVER say that all I want is a nice cold beer right now." (Yeah that one was stupid too)...or "I will NEVER like coffee! It tastes like crap!".....Now here I sit an avid coffee drinker, who on a hot Saturday or Sunday afternoon while watching football, or at a baseball game, or just sitting at my house will think DAMN a nice cold beer would be AWESOME! Pass me one please! Yeeeahhhh...obviously I should realize by now that things I say NEVER about ALWAYS go the opposite way.
So here I am now and I'm pretty sure I've caught that runners bug...I've got the runners high. I'm sitting here still 2 months away from my first half marathon and I'm already planning my NEXT races. I'm adding to the list of what can I do next, where will I run?! And it changes on a daily basis at this point.
I've OFFICIALLY signed up for my second half marathon. The Cleveland Rite-Aid Half Marathon on May 20, 2012. I'll be running it with my Uncle Bill, cousin Lizzie, and any of the other cousins/fam that decide to participate :)
But as for the other races..those things are all still being tossed around in my head. Currently the races I'm considering are as follows:
Disney Princesses Half Marathon (Orlando, FL) - February 2012
Nisswa Marathon (Full - in Minnesota) - end of April 2012
Seattle R&R Half Marathon - end of June 2012
Las Vegas R&R Full Marathon - December 2012
Yeah.....lots of races....lots and lots and lots. I'll either stick with the half marathons for the first part of 2012, and then branch out to the Full Marathon NEXT December in Vegas, or I'll eliminate the other half marathons and do the Full in Minnesota...tough choices.
NOT to mention the fact that I'm trying to figure out when I will do my first triathlon now....crazy CRAZY CrAzY!!! The Seattle TriRock (put on by the same crew that does the Rock & Roll marathon series) is Summer of 2012....
Anyway. Needless to say I think the verdict is in and I'm officially addicted. Katie was right...she told me before she left that I would love it. That I just needed to get started and I would be hooked. Well Katie...congratulations on your prediction! It came true! :)
Now the question is...what's next?!
I should've KNOWN never to say never. It's like when I used to say "I will NEVER say that all I want is a nice cold beer right now." (Yeah that one was stupid too)...or "I will NEVER like coffee! It tastes like crap!".....Now here I sit an avid coffee drinker, who on a hot Saturday or Sunday afternoon while watching football, or at a baseball game, or just sitting at my house will think DAMN a nice cold beer would be AWESOME! Pass me one please! Yeeeahhhh...obviously I should realize by now that things I say NEVER about ALWAYS go the opposite way.
So here I am now and I'm pretty sure I've caught that runners bug...I've got the runners high. I'm sitting here still 2 months away from my first half marathon and I'm already planning my NEXT races. I'm adding to the list of what can I do next, where will I run?! And it changes on a daily basis at this point.
I've OFFICIALLY signed up for my second half marathon. The Cleveland Rite-Aid Half Marathon on May 20, 2012. I'll be running it with my Uncle Bill, cousin Lizzie, and any of the other cousins/fam that decide to participate :)
But as for the other races..those things are all still being tossed around in my head. Currently the races I'm considering are as follows:
Disney Princesses Half Marathon (Orlando, FL) - February 2012
Nisswa Marathon (Full - in Minnesota) - end of April 2012
Seattle R&R Half Marathon - end of June 2012
Las Vegas R&R Full Marathon - December 2012
Yeah.....lots of races....lots and lots and lots. I'll either stick with the half marathons for the first part of 2012, and then branch out to the Full Marathon NEXT December in Vegas, or I'll eliminate the other half marathons and do the Full in Minnesota...tough choices.
NOT to mention the fact that I'm trying to figure out when I will do my first triathlon now....crazy CRAZY CrAzY!!! The Seattle TriRock (put on by the same crew that does the Rock & Roll marathon series) is Summer of 2012....
Anyway. Needless to say I think the verdict is in and I'm officially addicted. Katie was right...she told me before she left that I would love it. That I just needed to get started and I would be hooked. Well Katie...congratulations on your prediction! It came true! :)
Now the question is...what's next?!
Training Week #11
HALF WAY POINT GOT REACHED THIS WEEK! Wahoo!
BUT starting the week we've had a little snafoo....Not sure how but I seemed to have tweaked my right knee a little. I never felt anything weird on my runs or as I was doing yoga or whatnot...but Monday morning I woke up and had slight stiffness and soreness on the inside of my right knee. I was able to stretch it out and it didn't hurt at all on my run so I was thinking it was ok, but as the week progressed the weird feeling in my knee continued.
It never really HURT. Just felt...different.
I did a 4 mile run on Monday and a 3.2 mile run on Tuesday. Didn't push it to 4 on Tuesday because of my knee, and then Wednesday I took the day off to rest it, and only walked on Thursday (albeit 6 miles walked, but at a leisurely pace). And it actually felt GOOD to get my legs going. Warmed up the knee and the pain was gone. It only seems to really feel WEIRD when I've been sitting at work all day, in the cold office building and then get up to move around. Its just stiff.
So after a couple days off it seemed to be feeling a little better, and I was jonesing for a run....I know I should probably rest it more but it didn't seem to be hurting much. But to be careful I went to my local Road Runner sports (my fave store now) and asked the rep about something to help support my knee. I bought a Pro-Tec knee band and strapped it on for my 3.2 miler that night. And the knee felt great throughout the run! No pain no weirdness. And I stretched it super long that evening.
The pain seemed to be even less Saturday morning when I woke up so I'm thinking the band is helping majorly! I strapped it on that morning as me, Jenny and Jillian set off for our 8 mile roundtrip hike to Lake Serene (see Lake Serene post for pics and details). Got through the hike with no real pain in the knee and even went on a leisurely walk that evening to keep the blood flowing through.
Another walk the next morning and then our 6 MILE run that evening. FIRST 6 miler of the training block and finished it with a 9:30min/mile pace! Wahoo! Feels good to know that I'm almost half way up there in the mileage, and now I'm halfway through the training block. The 6 mile run was down on Alki. Which I have to say is surely becoming one of my favorite spots to run. Makes me feel like I'm in San Diego, but keeps me firmly grounded in Seattle as I watch the Seattle city skyline across the Puget Sound. Absolutely beautiful. And to make the run even better it was rounded out because I had Jenny and Jillian both along for the ride. I honestly feel like running with friends is one of the things that gets me through all these training sessions. Gotta stick together right?
At the end of the week my knee is feeling better, much more with the support of the knee band. And I'm hoping that if I continue to take it easy on the knee it will be all good to go. BUT to be safe I've scheduled a full physical on Tuesday, October 4th, just to be safe. Want to make sure the knee and everything else with the body is good and set for the last half of my training. :)
And now for the weekly recap of stats!
WEEK 11 STATS (Sept 19 - Sept 25)
Total Miles Run - 16.6
Total Miles Planned- 18
Long Run - 6 miles
Total Miles Walked - 12
Lake Serene Hike - 8 miles
BUT starting the week we've had a little snafoo....Not sure how but I seemed to have tweaked my right knee a little. I never felt anything weird on my runs or as I was doing yoga or whatnot...but Monday morning I woke up and had slight stiffness and soreness on the inside of my right knee. I was able to stretch it out and it didn't hurt at all on my run so I was thinking it was ok, but as the week progressed the weird feeling in my knee continued.
It never really HURT. Just felt...different.
I did a 4 mile run on Monday and a 3.2 mile run on Tuesday. Didn't push it to 4 on Tuesday because of my knee, and then Wednesday I took the day off to rest it, and only walked on Thursday (albeit 6 miles walked, but at a leisurely pace). And it actually felt GOOD to get my legs going. Warmed up the knee and the pain was gone. It only seems to really feel WEIRD when I've been sitting at work all day, in the cold office building and then get up to move around. Its just stiff.
So after a couple days off it seemed to be feeling a little better, and I was jonesing for a run....I know I should probably rest it more but it didn't seem to be hurting much. But to be careful I went to my local Road Runner sports (my fave store now) and asked the rep about something to help support my knee. I bought a Pro-Tec knee band and strapped it on for my 3.2 miler that night. And the knee felt great throughout the run! No pain no weirdness. And I stretched it super long that evening.
The pain seemed to be even less Saturday morning when I woke up so I'm thinking the band is helping majorly! I strapped it on that morning as me, Jenny and Jillian set off for our 8 mile roundtrip hike to Lake Serene (see Lake Serene post for pics and details). Got through the hike with no real pain in the knee and even went on a leisurely walk that evening to keep the blood flowing through.
Another walk the next morning and then our 6 MILE run that evening. FIRST 6 miler of the training block and finished it with a 9:30min/mile pace! Wahoo! Feels good to know that I'm almost half way up there in the mileage, and now I'm halfway through the training block. The 6 mile run was down on Alki. Which I have to say is surely becoming one of my favorite spots to run. Makes me feel like I'm in San Diego, but keeps me firmly grounded in Seattle as I watch the Seattle city skyline across the Puget Sound. Absolutely beautiful. And to make the run even better it was rounded out because I had Jenny and Jillian both along for the ride. I honestly feel like running with friends is one of the things that gets me through all these training sessions. Gotta stick together right?
At the end of the week my knee is feeling better, much more with the support of the knee band. And I'm hoping that if I continue to take it easy on the knee it will be all good to go. BUT to be safe I've scheduled a full physical on Tuesday, October 4th, just to be safe. Want to make sure the knee and everything else with the body is good and set for the last half of my training. :)
And now for the weekly recap of stats!
WEEK 11 STATS (Sept 19 - Sept 25)
Total Miles Run - 16.6
Total Miles Planned- 18
Long Run - 6 miles
Total Miles Walked - 12
Lake Serene Hike - 8 miles
Training Week #10
Training week 10!!! Holy cow we're almost to the half way point! Can't believe that we're already to this point though. I mean it does NOT seem like I've been training that long. And while it doesn't it does at the same time...but then I can't believe that I STILL have another 11 weeks after this...and yet again I DO believe it. Am I making ANY sense to ANYONE?! Hopefully because I'm pretty sure I don't understand what I just wrote.
Moving on. Week 10 was actually a pretty standard week. So this week I had two 3.6 mile runs, a hot yoga night and then a 5 mile run on Sunday. TWO rest nights this week but only because one of the days I was just BEAT after work and couldn't muster it up to go do anything. Ehh oh well. I've typically been doing 4 runs a week, a cross train and then one rest day. And really my rest days are a walking evening. Because I still like to have movement in my legs. Nothing crazy. Not a high paced walk or anything. Just something to keep the blood flowing and keep me feeling active. I've now started feeling like a loadtoad if I am not out at least walking or something. Gotta feel productive at the end of my day! So I don't feel bad that for one week I took an extra rest day.
The one cross training I DID do this week was hot yoga....and oh let me tell you I LOVED IT. I don't think I've said enough how MUCH I LOVE hot yoga. Well just know that I do. It just works you to the core and cleanses you mind body and soul. I sound hippyish but oh well...I live in Seattle right?! Where all the hippies are.....
This was also coupled with A LOT of walking around on Saturday and Sunday as my friend Rosie came to visit from SD! We went around and saw the sights. Walked Pike Place and just thoroughly enjoyed a relaxed touristy weekend...complete with rain in TRUE Seattle tradition :)
My average pace for the week ranged from 9min/mile to 9:20/mile so things seem to be going pretty well on the pacing side. Not TRYING to go fast at all, just going with what my body tells me.
And for all you stat keepers out there here's the facts for the week!
WEEK 10 STATS (Sept 12 - Sept 18)
Total Miles Run - 12.2
Total Miles Planned- 12
Total Miles Walked - 3
Hot Yoga Classes - 1
Long Run - 5 miles
Moving on. Week 10 was actually a pretty standard week. So this week I had two 3.6 mile runs, a hot yoga night and then a 5 mile run on Sunday. TWO rest nights this week but only because one of the days I was just BEAT after work and couldn't muster it up to go do anything. Ehh oh well. I've typically been doing 4 runs a week, a cross train and then one rest day. And really my rest days are a walking evening. Because I still like to have movement in my legs. Nothing crazy. Not a high paced walk or anything. Just something to keep the blood flowing and keep me feeling active. I've now started feeling like a loadtoad if I am not out at least walking or something. Gotta feel productive at the end of my day! So I don't feel bad that for one week I took an extra rest day.
The one cross training I DID do this week was hot yoga....and oh let me tell you I LOVED IT. I don't think I've said enough how MUCH I LOVE hot yoga. Well just know that I do. It just works you to the core and cleanses you mind body and soul. I sound hippyish but oh well...I live in Seattle right?! Where all the hippies are.....
This was also coupled with A LOT of walking around on Saturday and Sunday as my friend Rosie came to visit from SD! We went around and saw the sights. Walked Pike Place and just thoroughly enjoyed a relaxed touristy weekend...complete with rain in TRUE Seattle tradition :)
My average pace for the week ranged from 9min/mile to 9:20/mile so things seem to be going pretty well on the pacing side. Not TRYING to go fast at all, just going with what my body tells me.
And for all you stat keepers out there here's the facts for the week!
WEEK 10 STATS (Sept 12 - Sept 18)
Total Miles Run - 12.2
Total Miles Planned- 12
Total Miles Walked - 3
Hot Yoga Classes - 1
Long Run - 5 miles
Athleta Iron Girl - 5k Race # 2!
My SECOND official race! This one was conveniently located right outside my house at Green Lake. Not gonna lie...this was phenomenal. I was able to wake up early, enjoy the morning without racing around getting ready and then just walk down to the course. Green Lake was SWAMPED! Almost 1500 people in just the 5k....and another 500 or so in the 10k. PLUS there were mother daughter teams signed up.....it was Ridiculous....seriously....ridiculous.
I knew going into this that the course would be swamped. I mean, Green Lake on an average day can be hard to maneuver with strollers, bikers, casual walkers, kids playing around etc. Cram 2000 people on the course and its gonna get sticky. Especially when you put everyone on the outer path which is WAY smaller than the inner path. So given all this I knew that this wasn't going to be a course that I could set any kind of PR on. I was just trying to improve upon the last race. That meant RUNNING the WHOLE. FREAKING. THING! (my first race still bums me out to this day....) And then learning from the mistakes I made. Not jumping into the middle group where I'd be forced to up my pace to get around the walkers...etc....
Well this race I did just that. I waited for everyone to go before I started thinking I'd have some clear room...WRONG. Because the course was much smaller of a path, waiting till the end actually on made it WORSE to dodge people. I spent 90% of the race weaving in and out of the groups of people there. Even after I got out of the huge groups you'd have smaller groups just walking or running 5 people wide. Now I know that some of these people are doing it more for just fun and having conversation while they run or whatever....but on such a tight course it was SLIGHTLY annoying.
Not to mention it was a VERY warm day again. Lucky me. Race day seems to have been the time for Seattle to be gorgeous.
BUT I finished the race without walking and made it in about the same time I did my first race. Still at about 30 minutes with a 9:40/mile pace. No PR, but close! Ranking wise I did pretty well too! I ranked 40th out of 210 in my division (age range 25-29), and 40th out of the 1432 5k participants. That means I was in the top 20% of racers my age and in the top 3% of all 5k participants. Not too shabby right??? For my second race I think NOT! I'm pretty sure though that most people participating were more in it for fun than the actual idea of racing or setting great times. So I take the results with a grain of salt....but then I think I'm PRETTY DAMN AWESOME :)
Sorry...ego boost that I had to give myself right there. :)
Check out the race results and my Athlinks profile at the links below!
Athleta Iron Girl 5k Race Results
http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php#racetop
My Athlinks Account
http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=101108156
I knew going into this that the course would be swamped. I mean, Green Lake on an average day can be hard to maneuver with strollers, bikers, casual walkers, kids playing around etc. Cram 2000 people on the course and its gonna get sticky. Especially when you put everyone on the outer path which is WAY smaller than the inner path. So given all this I knew that this wasn't going to be a course that I could set any kind of PR on. I was just trying to improve upon the last race. That meant RUNNING the WHOLE. FREAKING. THING! (my first race still bums me out to this day....) And then learning from the mistakes I made. Not jumping into the middle group where I'd be forced to up my pace to get around the walkers...etc....
Well this race I did just that. I waited for everyone to go before I started thinking I'd have some clear room...WRONG. Because the course was much smaller of a path, waiting till the end actually on made it WORSE to dodge people. I spent 90% of the race weaving in and out of the groups of people there. Even after I got out of the huge groups you'd have smaller groups just walking or running 5 people wide. Now I know that some of these people are doing it more for just fun and having conversation while they run or whatever....but on such a tight course it was SLIGHTLY annoying.
Not to mention it was a VERY warm day again. Lucky me. Race day seems to have been the time for Seattle to be gorgeous.
BUT I finished the race without walking and made it in about the same time I did my first race. Still at about 30 minutes with a 9:40/mile pace. No PR, but close! Ranking wise I did pretty well too! I ranked 40th out of 210 in my division (age range 25-29), and 40th out of the 1432 5k participants. That means I was in the top 20% of racers my age and in the top 3% of all 5k participants. Not too shabby right??? For my second race I think NOT! I'm pretty sure though that most people participating were more in it for fun than the actual idea of racing or setting great times. So I take the results with a grain of salt....but then I think I'm PRETTY DAMN AWESOME :)
Sorry...ego boost that I had to give myself right there. :)
Check out the race results and my Athlinks profile at the links below!
Athleta Iron Girl 5k Race Results
http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php#racetop
My Athlinks Account
http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=101108156
Training Week #9
After last week's amazing 40 minute 5 miler I started off the training week pretty freaking excited :)
I think the most contagious thing about running for me so far has been the ability to take on new mileage, new running spots and come out successful. There are the every once in awhile snags but for the most part I've been able to conquer the goals I've been setting and thats ALWAYS encouraging. Not to mention I've had the support from my amazing running partner Jenny, as well as friends/family along the way. Running with me, sending love, whatever.
This week was quite the ambitious week as I was taking on my typical mileage PLUS the Athleta Iron Girl 5k. Hitting almost 20 miles in the week is somewhat crazy now that I sit back and look at the mileage I pulled in. Not to mention that 2 of the days were in Minnesota, one day was after being up since 3am to catch a flight back from MN, working that whole day and THEN running, and then doing a 5 miler all by myself. It was a continuous reminder that when you set your mind to something you can do it! And listen to me Miss Suzie Sunshine blah blah blah blah blah... Don't mind me I think it may just be the runner's high! :)
My second 5 miler was nowhere near as impressive as the first, but I put that largely due to the fact that I'd already run 10.5 miles during the week, traveled back from Minnesota and was just tuckered out. Plus I was also running solo. Which, don't get me wrong I love getting out on the road and just running, but I feel I truly push myself to do better when I have my friends with me. It's just a feeling of working toward a goal versus a leisurely run. Totally a mental game (and lets face it we all know I'm a little cooky). One of the MANY mental facets of running I'm still trying to figure out how to overcome. Pushing myself when NO ONE is watching. Tricky tricky tricky I tell ya.
Anyway - the week capped off with the Athleta Iron Girl 5k, which is its own post all on its own so enough about that for now!
Week 9 complete! 12 more to go! Technically this would be where the TRUE Hal Higdon training schedule would start....and I'm right on track. His training schedule suggests you be running 3-5 miles roughly 3-4 times a week at this point and looky looky! That is EXACTLY what I'm doing! Wow...its as if someone PLANNED it that way...oh wait that would be me :)
Happy running!
WEEK 9 STATS (Sept 5 - Sept 11)
Total Miles Run - 18.6
Total Miles Planned- 15.1
Hot Yoga Classes - 1
Long Run - 5 miles
Races Completed - Athleta Iron Girl 5k
I think the most contagious thing about running for me so far has been the ability to take on new mileage, new running spots and come out successful. There are the every once in awhile snags but for the most part I've been able to conquer the goals I've been setting and thats ALWAYS encouraging. Not to mention I've had the support from my amazing running partner Jenny, as well as friends/family along the way. Running with me, sending love, whatever.
This week was quite the ambitious week as I was taking on my typical mileage PLUS the Athleta Iron Girl 5k. Hitting almost 20 miles in the week is somewhat crazy now that I sit back and look at the mileage I pulled in. Not to mention that 2 of the days were in Minnesota, one day was after being up since 3am to catch a flight back from MN, working that whole day and THEN running, and then doing a 5 miler all by myself. It was a continuous reminder that when you set your mind to something you can do it! And listen to me Miss Suzie Sunshine blah blah blah blah blah... Don't mind me I think it may just be the runner's high! :)
My second 5 miler was nowhere near as impressive as the first, but I put that largely due to the fact that I'd already run 10.5 miles during the week, traveled back from Minnesota and was just tuckered out. Plus I was also running solo. Which, don't get me wrong I love getting out on the road and just running, but I feel I truly push myself to do better when I have my friends with me. It's just a feeling of working toward a goal versus a leisurely run. Totally a mental game (and lets face it we all know I'm a little cooky). One of the MANY mental facets of running I'm still trying to figure out how to overcome. Pushing myself when NO ONE is watching. Tricky tricky tricky I tell ya.
Anyway - the week capped off with the Athleta Iron Girl 5k, which is its own post all on its own so enough about that for now!
Week 9 complete! 12 more to go! Technically this would be where the TRUE Hal Higdon training schedule would start....and I'm right on track. His training schedule suggests you be running 3-5 miles roughly 3-4 times a week at this point and looky looky! That is EXACTLY what I'm doing! Wow...its as if someone PLANNED it that way...oh wait that would be me :)
Happy running!
WEEK 9 STATS (Sept 5 - Sept 11)
Total Miles Run - 18.6
Total Miles Planned- 15.1
Hot Yoga Classes - 1
Long Run - 5 miles
Races Completed - Athleta Iron Girl 5k
Training Week #7
So given that I am COMPLETELY behind on my blog posts I'm having to go back through all of my notes on my training calendar to recall WHAT exactly each of the weeks held for me Given that and my stellar memory (and modesty obviously) I'm pretty sure I'll be able to recount each training week as accurately as I possibly can. :)
Week 7 was the week of August 22 - 28...only one week after Alexander was diagnosed with diabetes, and also just happens to be both mom and sister's birthday week. (aka LOTS of good food and celebration).
Going into this week I had the original plan that I needed to kick up my cross training. Add a little more strength training to the schedule so I was building up my non-running muscles outside of my runs....I'll tell you that as I sit now in week 12 I've SOMEWHAT succeeded in this, but only very slightly. I'm still working on integrating the strength training more and more, but its been a slow process to date.
In preparation for this I went and bought some hand weights, kettle bells, jump ropes, etc to aide me in the process. Monday and Wednesday mornings I was GREAT about dragging my butt out of bed at 5:30am and doing my own personal bootcamp out front in the yard across from my place. A great 45 minute workout consisting of 6 stations I'd hit for a minute each, and then doing some stairs and running at the end. But by midweek the waking up at 5:30 was somewhat painful...especially given the fact that it is DARK out at 5:30am now....there isn't the greatest lighting out in front of my place or down by the lake and so getting up to workout in the dark...kinda SUCKS! But I hit my goal of doing it twice this week. GO ME.....and on a side note I haven't done a 5:30am workout since..ha...go me (not so enthusiastically...)
This week marked the last of my 3 mile weeknight runs, and the last of the 4 mile long runs. In week 8 it gets bumped up to 3.5 during the week days and then 5 on the weekends.....to say that the 5 miler is SLIGHTLY intimidating to me is an understatement...AND not to mention my first 5 miler will be in Minnesota...in what I expect will be very muggy hot weather...yay...lets just ADD to my excitement or should I say terrifying FEAR....
But the runs went really well. I was easily able to complete all of my 3 mile runs and the long 4 miler on Sunday and I even set 2 new PRs during the week! I ran 9 minute miles on my last 3 miler, and a 9:20 pace for the last 4 miler...NOT BAD! And not gonna lie the runs were a much needed activity this week with the delicious food we were eating for birthday celebrations (Nick's homemade lasagna...OMG, and Amanda's birthday cake....drop dead DELICIOUS!)
Your weekly recap is as follows:
WEEK 7 STATS (August 22 - Aug 28)
Total Miles Run - 12
Total Miles Planned- 12
Total Miles Walked- 6
Total Miles Biked -3
New PR: 3 miles in 27 minutes (9 min/mile pace)
New PR 4 miles in 37:54 (9:23 min/mile pace)
Week 7 was the week of August 22 - 28...only one week after Alexander was diagnosed with diabetes, and also just happens to be both mom and sister's birthday week. (aka LOTS of good food and celebration).
Going into this week I had the original plan that I needed to kick up my cross training. Add a little more strength training to the schedule so I was building up my non-running muscles outside of my runs....I'll tell you that as I sit now in week 12 I've SOMEWHAT succeeded in this, but only very slightly. I'm still working on integrating the strength training more and more, but its been a slow process to date.
In preparation for this I went and bought some hand weights, kettle bells, jump ropes, etc to aide me in the process. Monday and Wednesday mornings I was GREAT about dragging my butt out of bed at 5:30am and doing my own personal bootcamp out front in the yard across from my place. A great 45 minute workout consisting of 6 stations I'd hit for a minute each, and then doing some stairs and running at the end. But by midweek the waking up at 5:30 was somewhat painful...especially given the fact that it is DARK out at 5:30am now....there isn't the greatest lighting out in front of my place or down by the lake and so getting up to workout in the dark...kinda SUCKS! But I hit my goal of doing it twice this week. GO ME.....and on a side note I haven't done a 5:30am workout since..ha...go me (not so enthusiastically...)
This week marked the last of my 3 mile weeknight runs, and the last of the 4 mile long runs. In week 8 it gets bumped up to 3.5 during the week days and then 5 on the weekends.....to say that the 5 miler is SLIGHTLY intimidating to me is an understatement...AND not to mention my first 5 miler will be in Minnesota...in what I expect will be very muggy hot weather...yay...lets just ADD to my excitement or should I say terrifying FEAR....
But the runs went really well. I was easily able to complete all of my 3 mile runs and the long 4 miler on Sunday and I even set 2 new PRs during the week! I ran 9 minute miles on my last 3 miler, and a 9:20 pace for the last 4 miler...NOT BAD! And not gonna lie the runs were a much needed activity this week with the delicious food we were eating for birthday celebrations (Nick's homemade lasagna...OMG, and Amanda's birthday cake....drop dead DELICIOUS!)
Your weekly recap is as follows:
WEEK 7 STATS (August 22 - Aug 28)
Total Miles Run - 12
Total Miles Planned- 12
Total Miles Walked- 6
Total Miles Biked -3
New PR: 3 miles in 27 minutes (9 min/mile pace)
New PR 4 miles in 37:54 (9:23 min/mile pace)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Training Week #4
This last week's training is something I feel is a testament in my ability to be versatile and stay true to my training schedule. The week began as all other training weeks have been so far. My Monday night run with Jenny for a solid 2 miler. Tuesday night, no Bikram this week unfortunately as I was working on getting packed for my trip down to San Diego, the 3 day trip up the coast with mom, and had limited time to get prepped. So instead I pulled another running night, and did 2 miles around Green Lake on my own. Had to say I was proud of myself. When running on my own I tend to be a little less focused and sometimes find it harder to stay on track. But I did the whole two miles on my own! Yay for me!
Wednesday was my travel day, and so no work out (felt REALLY weird!). But since I missed my run on the previous night, I was determined to make it up. So I woke up at the crack of dawn and was on the road running by 6:45am. I hit the downtown SD waterfront and did another 2 mile run. Let me tell ya something ladies and gents, SD is WAY different than Seattle. It was much more humid and it definitely felt more strenuous to run there. But I pulled it out and did the two miles. Give it I was at a much slower pace, but it got done! I also pulled in my cross training as I normally would on a Thursday, and did it by doing an hour and a half dance class with my fave Bridgie! :)
And then we hit the road for the 3 day coastal adventure....14 hour day on the road Friday. (thank GOD it was my rest night!!). Then Saturday am before we hit the road again I went and ran a mile on the treadmill at the hotel, and did another 5-10 minutes of walking (including going backwards on an incline - oh my buttox is going to look FAB!) Then another 9 hours of driving up the coast. Sunday after a short 3 hour drive I spent the day recooping (2 hour nap man!) and then hanging with the fam. Then met up with Jenny for our 3 miler run that evening.
Almost every night was against what I'd done the last 3 weeks, but I pulled it out and it felt good. To know that my week could go topsy turvy and that I could maintain my progress, and even go further. The 3 miler on Sunday actually felt the best so far, and thats on top of how tired I was from the whole weekend.
And now - I sit looking over the next 17 weeks (yes SEVENTEEN!) and there are no more easy 1 or 2 mile runs. Its 3+ miles from here on out. Its scary, but at the same time invigorating. To know I've completed a solid MONTH of training. And still feel like I'm going strong. So cheers to me and to my fabulous running partner Jenny! We're trucking on and not looking back!
Month 1 - COMPLETE!
Total Miles Run - approximately 30
Total Miles Walked - approximately 10
Total Mileage Completed - 40
I'll report back on what our average mile time is. Just don't have it with me at the moment! :)
xoxo
Ames
Wednesday was my travel day, and so no work out (felt REALLY weird!). But since I missed my run on the previous night, I was determined to make it up. So I woke up at the crack of dawn and was on the road running by 6:45am. I hit the downtown SD waterfront and did another 2 mile run. Let me tell ya something ladies and gents, SD is WAY different than Seattle. It was much more humid and it definitely felt more strenuous to run there. But I pulled it out and did the two miles. Give it I was at a much slower pace, but it got done! I also pulled in my cross training as I normally would on a Thursday, and did it by doing an hour and a half dance class with my fave Bridgie! :)
And then we hit the road for the 3 day coastal adventure....14 hour day on the road Friday. (thank GOD it was my rest night!!). Then Saturday am before we hit the road again I went and ran a mile on the treadmill at the hotel, and did another 5-10 minutes of walking (including going backwards on an incline - oh my buttox is going to look FAB!) Then another 9 hours of driving up the coast. Sunday after a short 3 hour drive I spent the day recooping (2 hour nap man!) and then hanging with the fam. Then met up with Jenny for our 3 miler run that evening.
Almost every night was against what I'd done the last 3 weeks, but I pulled it out and it felt good. To know that my week could go topsy turvy and that I could maintain my progress, and even go further. The 3 miler on Sunday actually felt the best so far, and thats on top of how tired I was from the whole weekend.
And now - I sit looking over the next 17 weeks (yes SEVENTEEN!) and there are no more easy 1 or 2 mile runs. Its 3+ miles from here on out. Its scary, but at the same time invigorating. To know I've completed a solid MONTH of training. And still feel like I'm going strong. So cheers to me and to my fabulous running partner Jenny! We're trucking on and not looking back!
Month 1 - COMPLETE!
Total Miles Run - approximately 30
Total Miles Walked - approximately 10
Total Mileage Completed - 40
I'll report back on what our average mile time is. Just don't have it with me at the moment! :)
xoxo
Ames
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
And the RACEs are ON!!!
So in my preparation for the upcoming half marathon there are a handful of 5ks/10ks that I’m looking at participating in. This will get me more used to the idea of race day, and how to prepare mentally and physically the day of the race. I mean, even if I train every day and am doing the work, come race day if I don't know how to pace myself with all the race day adrenaline, or eat the way I'm supposed to etc., its gonna be rough!
I’ve put the name of the run, the distance, the date and the website for each of the runs below. I wanted to put them out to see if anyone would be interested in participating in them with me, and so you can also keep track of all the races I'm doing! Plus its always more fun with a group of people!
You can do one, none or ALL! Just wanted to share the love! I've officially signed up for the first two runs listed (Covey and Athleta Iron Girl!) WOOHOO!!
Happy running!!
xoxo
Ames
Covey -5K Fun Run (in Woodinville – starts and ends at Redhook Brewery)
Saturday, August 20th
http://www.runforchildrens.org/Home.html
Athleta 10k/5k Run (Doing the 5k here!) – Green Lake!
Sunday, September 11th
http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Seattle.htm#axzz1TnBmnTIU
Project Athena 10k run – Marymoor Park
Saturday, October 1st
http://www.projectathena.org/seattle.php
Dawg Dash 10K/5K (doing the 10k here!) (UW Stadium!)
Sunday, October 23rd
http://www.promotionevents.com/dawgdash/
Green Lake Gobble (5k) – at Green Lake (obviously!)
Sunday, November 20th
http://promotionevents.com/Thanksgiving/reg.htm
I’ve put the name of the run, the distance, the date and the website for each of the runs below. I wanted to put them out to see if anyone would be interested in participating in them with me, and so you can also keep track of all the races I'm doing! Plus its always more fun with a group of people!
You can do one, none or ALL! Just wanted to share the love! I've officially signed up for the first two runs listed (Covey and Athleta Iron Girl!) WOOHOO!!
Happy running!!
xoxo
Ames
Covey -5K Fun Run (in Woodinville – starts and ends at Redhook Brewery)
Saturday, August 20th
http://www.runforchildrens.org/Home.html
Athleta 10k/5k Run (Doing the 5k here!) – Green Lake!
Sunday, September 11th
http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Seattle.htm#axzz1TnBmnTIU
Project Athena 10k run – Marymoor Park
Saturday, October 1st
http://www.projectathena.org/seattle.php
Dawg Dash 10K/5K (doing the 10k here!) (UW Stadium!)
Sunday, October 23rd
http://www.promotionevents.com/dawgdash/
Green Lake Gobble (5k) – at Green Lake (obviously!)
Sunday, November 20th
http://promotionevents.com/Thanksgiving/reg.htm
Training Week #3!!
I'm alive I swear! And still VERY actively training!
Unfortunately, I've beena little slow on the blog, mainly because I don't have functioning wireless internet at my house right now. Working on getting it all fixed up, but until then the blog posts might be a little slower than normal! I apologize!
Anyway! Getting to the REAL reason you're here. To read about my training week! And to sum it all up nice and pretty for you here we go!
Miles Run: 7
Miles Walked: 2
Total Mileage: 9 miles
Longest Run: 3 miles!
Bikram Classes Attended: 2
Trails Hiked: Rattlesnake Ledge (roundtrip 4 miles)
I currently don't have all my mileage time (averages and such) handy, so I'l have to update the post later to show all that goodness! But typically our run is average about 9:30 or so, and our first 3 mile run we were able to keep an under 10 minute mile pace! Wahoo! I think its pretty phenomenal if I do say so myself!
Overall the running has started to get a little bit easier. There were definitely times throughout the week that I thought "Holy CRAP woman! WHAT are you doing?! Just STOP! Walk! I can't go any further!" But, my motivation seems to be helping me push through those times. Along with my amazing run partner. I honestly don't think I'd be able to do all that I have if I didn't have Jenny running with me. We motivate each other to keep hanging on!
And I know that there will be rough times throughout. I mean, come ON! I'm only doing a 3 miler as my LONG run right now. And I have to add 10 MILES!?! We've got major work to do here folks. Just hoping that as I continue this journey the motivation keeps going. It also helps to know that I have the support of my friends and family. I can't tell you how much I absolutely LOVE getitng emails, facebook posts, comments here on the blog, etc. They are what keeps me going through the process. They are my fuel. So keep 'em coming!! :-)
And then there is Bikram. I have to tell you when I started Bikram Yoga I thought I would HATE it. I mean every fiber of my being was thinking "you're crazy!" Who would possibly like getting in 105 degree room at 40% humidity and doing yoga? Well, I'm here to tell you that I've converted. I love it! There is something about going into that room that just makes everything better. I think I've said this before, but there's no room for CRAP in there. You leave your problems at the door because the 90 minutes you're inside that room all you can do is focus on your breathing, focus on the poses, focus on you. And I feel like focusing on ME for 90 minutes in one night, three times a week, is a heck of a lot more than most people give themselves in a month. Of really having true and total focus on yourself. Can you say you've given yourself that lately?
So that's my training week #3. Only 18 more weeks left till race time! holy crap thats a long ways away! ha.
But till then I'll keep rockin and rollin! :)
Unfortunately, I've beena little slow on the blog, mainly because I don't have functioning wireless internet at my house right now. Working on getting it all fixed up, but until then the blog posts might be a little slower than normal! I apologize!
Anyway! Getting to the REAL reason you're here. To read about my training week! And to sum it all up nice and pretty for you here we go!
Miles Run: 7
Miles Walked: 2
Total Mileage: 9 miles
Longest Run: 3 miles!
Bikram Classes Attended: 2
Trails Hiked: Rattlesnake Ledge (roundtrip 4 miles)
I currently don't have all my mileage time (averages and such) handy, so I'l have to update the post later to show all that goodness! But typically our run is average about 9:30 or so, and our first 3 mile run we were able to keep an under 10 minute mile pace! Wahoo! I think its pretty phenomenal if I do say so myself!
Overall the running has started to get a little bit easier. There were definitely times throughout the week that I thought "Holy CRAP woman! WHAT are you doing?! Just STOP! Walk! I can't go any further!" But, my motivation seems to be helping me push through those times. Along with my amazing run partner. I honestly don't think I'd be able to do all that I have if I didn't have Jenny running with me. We motivate each other to keep hanging on!
And I know that there will be rough times throughout. I mean, come ON! I'm only doing a 3 miler as my LONG run right now. And I have to add 10 MILES!?! We've got major work to do here folks. Just hoping that as I continue this journey the motivation keeps going. It also helps to know that I have the support of my friends and family. I can't tell you how much I absolutely LOVE getitng emails, facebook posts, comments here on the blog, etc. They are what keeps me going through the process. They are my fuel. So keep 'em coming!! :-)
And then there is Bikram. I have to tell you when I started Bikram Yoga I thought I would HATE it. I mean every fiber of my being was thinking "you're crazy!" Who would possibly like getting in 105 degree room at 40% humidity and doing yoga? Well, I'm here to tell you that I've converted. I love it! There is something about going into that room that just makes everything better. I think I've said this before, but there's no room for CRAP in there. You leave your problems at the door because the 90 minutes you're inside that room all you can do is focus on your breathing, focus on the poses, focus on you. And I feel like focusing on ME for 90 minutes in one night, three times a week, is a heck of a lot more than most people give themselves in a month. Of really having true and total focus on yourself. Can you say you've given yourself that lately?
So that's my training week #3. Only 18 more weeks left till race time! holy crap thats a long ways away! ha.
But till then I'll keep rockin and rollin! :)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Training Week #2!!
Miles Run: approximately 5.6
Miles Walked: approximately 3.4
Total Mileage: 9 miles
Bikram Classes Attended: 3
Best Mile Time: 8:56
Previous Best: 9:36
Average 2 Mile Time: 9:36
Prior 2 Mile Average: 10:04
Sunday evening and I've just returned from my third bikram yoga class of the week. Yes third! The previous two went much more smoothly than my first bikram class last week. In fact, I was surprised at how GOOD I felt throughout the classes. I was strong and in control. I sweat A LOT! But its a time to focus and work through all your crap. You can't THINK of anything else other than what you are doing and for me thats a huge blessing these days! To leave everything at the door, and focus on whats within the four walls of the room. When I leave I feel relaxed and refreshed. My teacher tonight put it in a great way tonight. She said you break yourself apart and put yourself back together in the 90 minutes you're in that class. And I completely understand it after having taken the class for two weeks now.
And I feel like I'm hooked. I still have a couple weeks left on the unlimited pass and so my plan is to continue going three times a week. They're my cross training days on my schedule now. I also have already purchased two other groupons to other studios in the area so I've got another 15 classes after I finish my month long unlimited! :)
I'm pretty stoked if you can't tell!
As for my running....which is what this is all about right?! The runs I feel have been getting better and better. As you can tell from the mileage times I noted at the top my friend Jenny and I shaved 45 seconds off our fastest mile time from last week. And our very first run we started at 9:56. So we shaved a total minute off our mile run in just two weeks! Approximately 30 seconds off the average 2 mile run from the first week to the second. I'm pretty damn proud of us!!! We started stronger than I anticipated and continue to kick ASS! :-) Or at least thats MY opinion.
This week we finished what will be the last of what I call our easy run weeks. Gone now are the easy one milers that we've had the first two weeks. Starting tomorrow night our weeknight runs are bumped up to two milers, and the long runs on the weekends jump up to 3 miles. I'm slightly nervous, but know that Jenny and I can do it. We've gotten through two full weeks of training and are going strong. And I feel if we can make it through this third week, the first of which we jump our mileage, that we'll be golden for the rest of our time. I mean obviously I know there will be trials and tribulations throughout....but once we've gone three straight weeks (21 days to build a habit right?!) it will almost be like second nature to take out to the running path.
I continue to look forward to what will come throughout this journey. To see where we'll be one month in, two months in, and so on and so on. It will be an extraordinary adventure.
Also - please remember that I'm doing this for a great cause! I'm being a St. Jude Hero and striving to raise $1,500 for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please take the time to make a donation at my heroes fundraising page at www.mystjudeheroes.org/amybodnar
I found a quote (courtesy of the lululemon athletica site) that really spoke to me today that I'll leave this entry off with....
"When you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."
Miles Walked: approximately 3.4
Total Mileage: 9 miles
Bikram Classes Attended: 3
Best Mile Time: 8:56
Previous Best: 9:36
Average 2 Mile Time: 9:36
Prior 2 Mile Average: 10:04
Sunday evening and I've just returned from my third bikram yoga class of the week. Yes third! The previous two went much more smoothly than my first bikram class last week. In fact, I was surprised at how GOOD I felt throughout the classes. I was strong and in control. I sweat A LOT! But its a time to focus and work through all your crap. You can't THINK of anything else other than what you are doing and for me thats a huge blessing these days! To leave everything at the door, and focus on whats within the four walls of the room. When I leave I feel relaxed and refreshed. My teacher tonight put it in a great way tonight. She said you break yourself apart and put yourself back together in the 90 minutes you're in that class. And I completely understand it after having taken the class for two weeks now.
And I feel like I'm hooked. I still have a couple weeks left on the unlimited pass and so my plan is to continue going three times a week. They're my cross training days on my schedule now. I also have already purchased two other groupons to other studios in the area so I've got another 15 classes after I finish my month long unlimited! :)
I'm pretty stoked if you can't tell!
As for my running....which is what this is all about right?! The runs I feel have been getting better and better. As you can tell from the mileage times I noted at the top my friend Jenny and I shaved 45 seconds off our fastest mile time from last week. And our very first run we started at 9:56. So we shaved a total minute off our mile run in just two weeks! Approximately 30 seconds off the average 2 mile run from the first week to the second. I'm pretty damn proud of us!!! We started stronger than I anticipated and continue to kick ASS! :-) Or at least thats MY opinion.
This week we finished what will be the last of what I call our easy run weeks. Gone now are the easy one milers that we've had the first two weeks. Starting tomorrow night our weeknight runs are bumped up to two milers, and the long runs on the weekends jump up to 3 miles. I'm slightly nervous, but know that Jenny and I can do it. We've gotten through two full weeks of training and are going strong. And I feel if we can make it through this third week, the first of which we jump our mileage, that we'll be golden for the rest of our time. I mean obviously I know there will be trials and tribulations throughout....but once we've gone three straight weeks (21 days to build a habit right?!) it will almost be like second nature to take out to the running path.
I continue to look forward to what will come throughout this journey. To see where we'll be one month in, two months in, and so on and so on. It will be an extraordinary adventure.
Also - please remember that I'm doing this for a great cause! I'm being a St. Jude Hero and striving to raise $1,500 for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please take the time to make a donation at my heroes fundraising page at www.mystjudeheroes.org/amybodnar
I found a quote (courtesy of the lululemon athletica site) that really spoke to me today that I'll leave this entry off with....
"When you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Training Day #7!
Our first long run!
This was the seventh day in the training program. Final day of the first week, and our first long run. This run was a 2 mile consecutive run and we DID IT! :)
You all will have to handle my enthusiasm at this accomplishment. I keep feeling like people will read this and think, 'why is she so excited over doing 2 miles?' but in the end I'm still STOKED we did it. Because I haven't run two consecutive miles in I don't know how long, and during the week we were just running one. We upped our run by a mile and were able to complete it successfully.
This training is all about testing yourself, pushing yourself, and building your endurance. And that's exactly what we've done and will continue to do over the next 20 weeks. It is a long time to train, but for me I think its exactly what I need. A swift kick in the ass. I see my friends who have completed this task and I'm constantly inspired. For those that have done not just one, but two, three, four, five or more half marathons, eventually worked their way to a full. Those that are doing triathlons and half ironmans (Go Steph!!)....they are the people who motivate me to continue on this path....because I can only hope that one day I might be as strong as they are.
The two mile run was surprisingly not as bad as I anticipated. We didn't do the run until 6:30 at night, but given that the half marathon doesn't start till 5:30pm I have to get used to the idea of having a full day of time before heading out onto the course. Not to mention it was also raining.....hello Seattle it is the middle of July here!!!! It should NOT feel like FALL!!!! Anyway - it was probably a blessing because the rain helped keep me cool throughout the run.
I believe that Jenny and I are quite the cohesive unit when it comes to training. We seem to hit our strides at opposite points in the run which is awesome because when I'm down she lifts me up and vice versa...I couldn't ask for a better partner!
Its only the end of week one, but I've already had a few friends from San Diego, Vegas, Utah etc., tell me that they're potentially going to do the half marathon too! Exciting to know that there may be more people to keep me motivated, and even better to know that those that aren't running are going to show up on race day (even travel into Vegas) to cheer me on.
Thank you to all of you for your love and support! Completing the first week of training successfully is such a motivating factor, and excites me for all that is to come!
This was the seventh day in the training program. Final day of the first week, and our first long run. This run was a 2 mile consecutive run and we DID IT! :)
You all will have to handle my enthusiasm at this accomplishment. I keep feeling like people will read this and think, 'why is she so excited over doing 2 miles?' but in the end I'm still STOKED we did it. Because I haven't run two consecutive miles in I don't know how long, and during the week we were just running one. We upped our run by a mile and were able to complete it successfully.
This training is all about testing yourself, pushing yourself, and building your endurance. And that's exactly what we've done and will continue to do over the next 20 weeks. It is a long time to train, but for me I think its exactly what I need. A swift kick in the ass. I see my friends who have completed this task and I'm constantly inspired. For those that have done not just one, but two, three, four, five or more half marathons, eventually worked their way to a full. Those that are doing triathlons and half ironmans (Go Steph!!)....they are the people who motivate me to continue on this path....because I can only hope that one day I might be as strong as they are.
The two mile run was surprisingly not as bad as I anticipated. We didn't do the run until 6:30 at night, but given that the half marathon doesn't start till 5:30pm I have to get used to the idea of having a full day of time before heading out onto the course. Not to mention it was also raining.....hello Seattle it is the middle of July here!!!! It should NOT feel like FALL!!!! Anyway - it was probably a blessing because the rain helped keep me cool throughout the run.
I believe that Jenny and I are quite the cohesive unit when it comes to training. We seem to hit our strides at opposite points in the run which is awesome because when I'm down she lifts me up and vice versa...I couldn't ask for a better partner!
Its only the end of week one, but I've already had a few friends from San Diego, Vegas, Utah etc., tell me that they're potentially going to do the half marathon too! Exciting to know that there may be more people to keep me motivated, and even better to know that those that aren't running are going to show up on race day (even travel into Vegas) to cheer me on.
Thank you to all of you for your love and support! Completing the first week of training successfully is such a motivating factor, and excites me for all that is to come!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Training Day #4
Cross-training!
This week my cross training activity was dance :-)
Fitting right?! I mean its my favorite thing to do in the world, and it gives me a way to cross train at the same time! Throughout the training process my cross train days will be changing as we go. It's going to either be dance, hot yoga, walking, running, hiking....the list goes on. Nothing TOO crazy as I don't want to injure myself during the process but its good to have an outlet throughout the training process.
So I'm training at Westlake Dance Center. Two classes on Thursday evenings. A beginning hip hop class that allows me to really just let loose and have fun. I don't worry about the steps. It's all about going, having fun and performing the crap out of the routine. And its AMAZING! Being separated from dance for so long has been such a drain on my life. Not doing the ONE thing that ALWAYS makes me happy. The ONE thing that I'm truly passionate about. That I need in my life. Its my passion, my hope, my love, my everything. Dance is who I am. It is what defines me as a person.
The second class is a hip hop III class. The teacher is phenomenal and really inspires me to try my best. I was worried that after being so far removed from dance classses that my pick up would suck. But luckily it wasn't bad at all. It was like riding a bike....you fall off but you get straight back on. And the great thing about the class is that the students in it are very inviting. A lot of times I feel like a class is a very tight nit group who doesn't let in outsiders, but this class is completely the opposite. I didn't feel like the outsider at all, and felt at home right away.
I can't wait to continue this voyage and my dance classes at Westlake. Getting back to me and what I love. Who could ask for anything more?
This week my cross training activity was dance :-)
Fitting right?! I mean its my favorite thing to do in the world, and it gives me a way to cross train at the same time! Throughout the training process my cross train days will be changing as we go. It's going to either be dance, hot yoga, walking, running, hiking....the list goes on. Nothing TOO crazy as I don't want to injure myself during the process but its good to have an outlet throughout the training process.
So I'm training at Westlake Dance Center. Two classes on Thursday evenings. A beginning hip hop class that allows me to really just let loose and have fun. I don't worry about the steps. It's all about going, having fun and performing the crap out of the routine. And its AMAZING! Being separated from dance for so long has been such a drain on my life. Not doing the ONE thing that ALWAYS makes me happy. The ONE thing that I'm truly passionate about. That I need in my life. Its my passion, my hope, my love, my everything. Dance is who I am. It is what defines me as a person.
The second class is a hip hop III class. The teacher is phenomenal and really inspires me to try my best. I was worried that after being so far removed from dance classses that my pick up would suck. But luckily it wasn't bad at all. It was like riding a bike....you fall off but you get straight back on. And the great thing about the class is that the students in it are very inviting. A lot of times I feel like a class is a very tight nit group who doesn't let in outsiders, but this class is completely the opposite. I didn't feel like the outsider at all, and felt at home right away.
I can't wait to continue this voyage and my dance classes at Westlake. Getting back to me and what I love. Who could ask for anything more?
Training Day #3
Another run day! :-)
Jenny and I headed to Gasworks Park for our nightly run and went out on the Burke-Gilman trail. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and running by the water was a wonderful treat. Given I live by Greenlake, but a change in scenery is always a pleasure!
We successfully completed our 1 mile run, improving upon our time from our Monday run. We also ran/walked another 2 miles, going about half and half the remainder of the way. The run seemed a little tougher this day, but I think it was primarily due to my slightly sore muscles from bikram yoga, as well as the fact that the first run day was cloudy and sprinkling :-)
Its going to take time and effort to get through this training program, but the first few days have definitely been motivating. To be able to head out and feel like I'm tackling my goals head on and doing pretty well at them is amazing. It would be slightly harder if I'd started the process and struggled through it. But I know there are many struggles to come along the way. I just have to continue to press on throughout the journey and KNOW that I can DO this!
Motivation baby! Gotta keep your eye on the prize....and mine is SET! Here I come VEGAS!
Jenny and I headed to Gasworks Park for our nightly run and went out on the Burke-Gilman trail. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and running by the water was a wonderful treat. Given I live by Greenlake, but a change in scenery is always a pleasure!
We successfully completed our 1 mile run, improving upon our time from our Monday run. We also ran/walked another 2 miles, going about half and half the remainder of the way. The run seemed a little tougher this day, but I think it was primarily due to my slightly sore muscles from bikram yoga, as well as the fact that the first run day was cloudy and sprinkling :-)
Its going to take time and effort to get through this training program, but the first few days have definitely been motivating. To be able to head out and feel like I'm tackling my goals head on and doing pretty well at them is amazing. It would be slightly harder if I'd started the process and struggled through it. But I know there are many struggles to come along the way. I just have to continue to press on throughout the journey and KNOW that I can DO this!
Motivation baby! Gotta keep your eye on the prize....and mine is SET! Here I come VEGAS!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Training Day #1!
So yesterday evening was Training Day Numero Uno!!! That's right folks!
Training Day 1 Goal - run 1 mile
Ok - now I know what you're thinking....she's going to try and run 13.1 miles and her goal for training day one is 1 mile???? Is she serious?!? Oh yes I am ladies and gents! So here is the thing. I haven't honestly TRIED to run in I don't even know how long. When I put on all my weight running was a very unpleasant task. It was painful. I got shin splints had a hard time breathing....it just wasn't something I did. And over the last year while losing all my weight, my primary activity was walking. I'd walk for an hour or more, and so I was walking 3-4 miles a day 6 days a week. Averaging about 20 miles/week.
But running?? I had this huge fear that when I actually tried running again that my body would say "WTF! WHAT are you thinking?!?" So I found a training schedule from the Hal Higdon website (apparently he's the training guru for running ANY distance). His is a 12 week schedule which starts assuming you are running 3-4 miles a few times a week. Well thats definitely NOT what I'm doing. I have 21 weeks until the race, so I modified the schedule out and made it start with just a plain ONE mile run. :)
My friend Jenny (who is also running the half marathon in Vegas) met up with me last night for our first run. We're training buddies because we both need a little kick in the pants to keep us on track. It's called accountability people! We met up and started our venture out around Green Lake (approximately 3 miles around).....and our ending result.....we ran 70% of the time! We ran the first mile solid and then did intervals the remaining way around. And honestly I felt very comfortable the whole time, which surprised me. There were points toward the end that my muscles burned, but I didn't feel like I couldn't push through it.
And I think my favorite part of the whole run was my SNEAKS! It honestly felt like so much fun to be rocking my new kicks! They're just so bright and loud! I LOVE IT! :)
So that was training day one....tonight for training day two BIKRAM YOGA! :)
I've never done it in my life so its sure to be interesting....and sweaty! The training program says that one night should be to stretch and strengthen....I can't think of a better way to stretch and strengthen than hot yoga! I've been hydrating all day and now am just waiting till the class time comes! I'll post tomorrow on how it goes!
Training Day 1
Goal: 1 mile
Result: 2 miles run, 1 mile walked
Training Day 1 Goal - run 1 mile
Ok - now I know what you're thinking....she's going to try and run 13.1 miles and her goal for training day one is 1 mile???? Is she serious?!? Oh yes I am ladies and gents! So here is the thing. I haven't honestly TRIED to run in I don't even know how long. When I put on all my weight running was a very unpleasant task. It was painful. I got shin splints had a hard time breathing....it just wasn't something I did. And over the last year while losing all my weight, my primary activity was walking. I'd walk for an hour or more, and so I was walking 3-4 miles a day 6 days a week. Averaging about 20 miles/week.
But running?? I had this huge fear that when I actually tried running again that my body would say "WTF! WHAT are you thinking?!?" So I found a training schedule from the Hal Higdon website (apparently he's the training guru for running ANY distance). His is a 12 week schedule which starts assuming you are running 3-4 miles a few times a week. Well thats definitely NOT what I'm doing. I have 21 weeks until the race, so I modified the schedule out and made it start with just a plain ONE mile run. :)
My friend Jenny (who is also running the half marathon in Vegas) met up with me last night for our first run. We're training buddies because we both need a little kick in the pants to keep us on track. It's called accountability people! We met up and started our venture out around Green Lake (approximately 3 miles around).....and our ending result.....we ran 70% of the time! We ran the first mile solid and then did intervals the remaining way around. And honestly I felt very comfortable the whole time, which surprised me. There were points toward the end that my muscles burned, but I didn't feel like I couldn't push through it.
And I think my favorite part of the whole run was my SNEAKS! It honestly felt like so much fun to be rocking my new kicks! They're just so bright and loud! I LOVE IT! :)
So that was training day one....tonight for training day two BIKRAM YOGA! :)
I've never done it in my life so its sure to be interesting....and sweaty! The training program says that one night should be to stretch and strengthen....I can't think of a better way to stretch and strengthen than hot yoga! I've been hydrating all day and now am just waiting till the class time comes! I'll post tomorrow on how it goes!
Training Day 1
Goal: 1 mile
Result: 2 miles run, 1 mile walked
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