Yesterday was my fourth physical therapy session since my knee brought me to a point where I couldn't just work through it on my own. The first two sessions were pretty much just an analysis of my legs. Bending/stretching/rotating them all of the place to see what hurt, where my strenghts laid and trying to define the root of the problem. After those first two sessions last week the thought is primarily that it is an IT Band issue. I'm working through it by taping my knee, icing, elevating, stretching my IT band and using my foam roller.
This week my two sessions consisted of 1) video taping me running on a treadmill; and 2) using an ultrasound machine on my knee and some soft tissue work. I got on the treadmill on Monday and ran for about a mile at a 10 min pace. It actually felt pretty good too. There wasn't really any pain during the run. We sat down after and reviewed the tape to see if something in my run was actually affecting my knee. Overall my PT told me I had a pretty great form. Wasn't bouncing too much, striking the ground in a good way, legs looked strong. Only problem was when we got a look from the back. Seems like I'm doing some kind of slight swing kick out with my left foot which could be causing my pain. Only thing is trying to figure out WHY my foot does that.
We also tested my leg strength to see if maybe I'm over compensating some where. After doing some strength tests she said my outer quads and hamstrings are really nice and strong. But I could use a little work on strengthening the inner quads as well as the butt...GREAT. Isn't that what EVERY girl wants to hear? But at least its getting closer to pinpointing what the heck I really need to do to FIX this versus just NOT running. So she gave me a couple more exercises to specifically target my problem areas, and she'll be working with another one of the physical therapists while looking at my video to try and identify what is happening with that left foot.
Other things to note from my PT sessions....looks like overall my hips are aligned evenly, my right leg is actually slightly longer than my left, but only by about a centimeter so nothing crazy to worry about. The shoes I bought at RoadRunner Sports seem to be good for my running form, but I may need to look at better shoes for normal day to day wear (e.g. less high heels and more shoes with good arch support - damn it).
But other than that they seem to keep telling me that I did all the things I should've done right. (because that makes this so much LESS frustrating....riiiiight). But we seem to be honing in on what I need to do to get going, but in all honesty I feel like once again the answer is not going to be an easy fix. Its going to mean me going to the gym and actively working on weak areas, etc. Which, hey it'll be a process...but you gotta put in the time for the things you love right? Because I COULD just say screw it. I'll just stop running, the pain will go away and then we wouldn't be having these conversations right? But I DO love it, and I'm NOT willing to give it up, or take the easy road.
I've got two more weeks of physical therapy and then it will be a meeting between my normal physician and the PT to decide a course of action from there. But one way or another we're going to figure out a course of action. And one way or another I'm crossing that finish line in Vegas. For the half marathon course you have 4 hours to complete it, which is roughly an 18 minute and 19 second pace. More than doable, especially if I am able to run at least portions of the course. It may not be the way I originally envisioned completing my first half, but I also have the Cleveland Half in May to think about too. And by then I should be kicking ass and taking names!!!
Showing posts with label strength. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strength. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
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)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
My First Official 5K Run
This past Saturday was my very FIRST official 5k run of my training program. Now I've WALKED a lot of 5k's before, but this is the first that I've ever run...and definitely the first one since I've started the whole process of training for the half. Needless to say I was slightly nervous. I'd been running a 3 mile distance for the last 2 weeks so as far as distance goes I wasn't concerned, but everyone says that race day is different. The adrenaline and such can throw you off.....well let me tell you they are RIGHT
Race time was at 8:15. I was up by 6 and getting out the door by 7. We arrived in Woodinville at Redhook Brewery by 7:30am. I picked up my race packet, including my bib and tracking chip (I felt SO official! Dorky yes I know but it was COOL! ha). And then I had a good half an hour till race time. Lots of stretching and looking around. It was a much larger race than I had anticipated. There was a 10k portion with about 400 people, a 5k run with 55 runners, and then a 5k walk. Not sure how many walkers but there were a LOT of families and strollers!! The run benefited Seattle Children's Hospital (kinda fitting given the week we'd just gone through).
Starting the race I think I made my number one mistake.....starting with the bulk of the pack. It was VERY crowded, and so I ended up trying to dart up past the crowd and make a break for it. BAD IDEA. My pace to start was most likely WAY to quick. Also - it was a lot warmer out than it had been over the last month or so of my training. I'm not one used to running in heat...or humidity. Makes a big difference. I also learned as I started my run that my iPod had not synced up that morning....meaning the two new songs I'd REALLY wanted to add to my playlist were not there...DAMN
BUT I made it the first two miles without stopping. At a really great pace...but then my tank started to run out. Throughout the third mile I had to stop a few times and do 20 second intervals of walking. Regain some strength and energy. But I finished the full last portion of the race from the last turn on the road to the entrance back to Redhook Brewery, and picked up to a nice sprint to finish it off.
Overall, I finished at 30:05, a pace of 9:41/mile, and placed 19th of 55 runners. Given the fact that I had to walk a portion of the third mile, I'm pretty damn impressed with my timing. Shows just how much I'd set the pace at the beginning. And overall, the race itself was a huge learning experience. Made me fully realize the importance of doing some races before the big day in December.
My next 5k run is on September 11th around Greenlake. So close to home! End goal for this 5k is to run the whole thing and pick up the overall pace time. :-)
I've posted links to the race results as well as my Athlinks account! Given that I'll be running more races I learned about Athlinks from a friend (thanks Ryan), in which I can claim my race results all in one spot :-D
Check it out!
Covey Run 5k Race Results
http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php#racetop
My Athlinks Account
http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=101108156
Race time was at 8:15. I was up by 6 and getting out the door by 7. We arrived in Woodinville at Redhook Brewery by 7:30am. I picked up my race packet, including my bib and tracking chip (I felt SO official! Dorky yes I know but it was COOL! ha). And then I had a good half an hour till race time. Lots of stretching and looking around. It was a much larger race than I had anticipated. There was a 10k portion with about 400 people, a 5k run with 55 runners, and then a 5k walk. Not sure how many walkers but there were a LOT of families and strollers!! The run benefited Seattle Children's Hospital (kinda fitting given the week we'd just gone through).
Starting the race I think I made my number one mistake.....starting with the bulk of the pack. It was VERY crowded, and so I ended up trying to dart up past the crowd and make a break for it. BAD IDEA. My pace to start was most likely WAY to quick. Also - it was a lot warmer out than it had been over the last month or so of my training. I'm not one used to running in heat...or humidity. Makes a big difference. I also learned as I started my run that my iPod had not synced up that morning....meaning the two new songs I'd REALLY wanted to add to my playlist were not there...DAMN
BUT I made it the first two miles without stopping. At a really great pace...but then my tank started to run out. Throughout the third mile I had to stop a few times and do 20 second intervals of walking. Regain some strength and energy. But I finished the full last portion of the race from the last turn on the road to the entrance back to Redhook Brewery, and picked up to a nice sprint to finish it off.
Overall, I finished at 30:05, a pace of 9:41/mile, and placed 19th of 55 runners. Given the fact that I had to walk a portion of the third mile, I'm pretty damn impressed with my timing. Shows just how much I'd set the pace at the beginning. And overall, the race itself was a huge learning experience. Made me fully realize the importance of doing some races before the big day in December.
My next 5k run is on September 11th around Greenlake. So close to home! End goal for this 5k is to run the whole thing and pick up the overall pace time. :-)
I've posted links to the race results as well as my Athlinks account! Given that I'll be running more races I learned about Athlinks from a friend (thanks Ryan), in which I can claim my race results all in one spot :-D
Check it out!
Covey Run 5k Race Results
http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php#racetop
My Athlinks Account
http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=101108156
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
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!
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