I spent part of my lunch break this afternoon trying to figure out how to save the elevation chart for the Summerfest 5K. I did it!
I just wanted to share that accomplishment. There you go.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
I lied. I'm such a liar.
One last post, and then I'm done for the day. I swear. For real this time.
I spent part of my lunch break this afternoon trying to figure out how to save the elevation chart for the Summerfest 5K. I did it!
I just wanted to share that accomplishment. There you go.
I spent part of my lunch break this afternoon trying to figure out how to save the elevation chart for the Summerfest 5K. I did it!
I just wanted to share that accomplishment. There you go.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
VaHi Summerfest 5K
Sorry to leave you in the lurch for so long. I know you're all so very anxious to read about how the 5K went this weekend. I guess I'll get straight to it then.
*I totally typed "stress" instead of "street" and didn't catch it until proofreading. Subconscious issues, much?
About 5 minutes before the start, we all huddled around the starting area. There were about 1400 runners, but somehow I spotted my friend from college (hi, Jeffrey!) who had also signed up for the race. Eric left us to wait at the finish line, and Nicole, Jeff, Chris, and I all prepped our music and waited for the gun. Or siren. Or whatever was supposed to signal the start. I think in the end it was a cop on a motorcycle? But I couldn't see it.
Jeff and Chris took off immediately while Nicole and I trotted along at a steady pace. The music was really helpful at first. Fall Out Boy and Gaslight Anthem are my bands of choice. Unfortunately, my ear buds refused to stay in my ear, so about a 1/4 mile into the race, I gave up and stuffed the headphones into my shirt. Then, close to the end of the first mile, my calf just tightened up. I tried to walk it off, but I ended up having to stop and stretch it out.
It was all downhill from there. Actually - that's 100% not true. I think Nicole said it best after the race: "I don't know how Virginia Highlands managed to do it, but they had a track that was 80% uphill. Bastards." I would show you the elevation profile, but I can't figure out how to save the image. It was incredibly intense though. We ended up walking a majority of the hills and running the downhill/flat areas (which were few and far between). I think I got my wind sometime in the last mile because I was able to run up the last hill and straight to the finish line.
Suffice it to say, I did not PR. But I did get a nifty shirt.
After the race, I went home, ate some cereal with a banana and crashed for about 3 hours.
---
That course was incredibly difficult. I wish I'd known better and hadn't set my expectations so high. I also didn't run at all the week prior to the race, but I know my endurance has improved, and I could have PR'd if the race was similar to the Brookhaven Bolt. All in all, I'm glad I finished, and I'm really glad that Nicole was there with me. I think I might have just quit after the second hill if it wasn't for her.
---
All that being said, I'm still excited about and in love with running. Now I'm trying to figure out whether or not to train for a half marathon. I don't need to have a sub-10 min pace to feel successful. I keep trying not to compare myself to my friends or to the bloggers who inspire me. I'm not at that level yet. I have to remember that plenty of people run/walk half marathons, and that's still miles and away better than those who don't even try.
---
You're waiting for my training plan this week, aren't you? I wasn't going to do one, but I'd rather make an easy plan to stick to than not have one at all to keep my accountable.
Alright, that's it. Busy days ahead, but check back here tonight for photos from this weekend!
What kind of earbuds/headphones do you use when you're running?
Nicole picked up our packets on Thursday night, so we weren't in a rush to get to the race early on Saturday (Nicole is Eric's superawesome cousin, who happens to live right around the corner from me). The plan was to meet up at Nicole's house and carpool together since we didn't know what the parking situation was like in the Highlands. Eric, ever the supportive spectator, was up with me and out the door by 6:50 that morning. We met up with Nicole and her friend, Chris, and had a brief chat with her mom, who wished us all luck. We were out the door by 7:15!
I think we arrived in the Highlands right around 7:30, at which point I rushed around searching for a restroom. Apparently, the gas station across the street* happily opens their doors for the runners, so that was nice, since there were absolutely NO Port-a-Potties (I thought that was weird).
*I totally typed "stress" instead of "street" and didn't catch it until proofreading. Subconscious issues, much?
About 5 minutes before the start, we all huddled around the starting area. There were about 1400 runners, but somehow I spotted my friend from college (hi, Jeffrey!) who had also signed up for the race. Eric left us to wait at the finish line, and Nicole, Jeff, Chris, and I all prepped our music and waited for the gun. Or siren. Or whatever was supposed to signal the start. I think in the end it was a cop on a motorcycle? But I couldn't see it.
Jeff and Chris took off immediately while Nicole and I trotted along at a steady pace. The music was really helpful at first. Fall Out Boy and Gaslight Anthem are my bands of choice. Unfortunately, my ear buds refused to stay in my ear, so about a 1/4 mile into the race, I gave up and stuffed the headphones into my shirt. Then, close to the end of the first mile, my calf just tightened up. I tried to walk it off, but I ended up having to stop and stretch it out.
It was all downhill from there. Actually - that's 100% not true. I think Nicole said it best after the race: "I don't know how Virginia Highlands managed to do it, but they had a track that was 80% uphill. Bastards." I would show you the elevation profile, but I can't figure out how to save the image. It was incredibly intense though. We ended up walking a majority of the hills and running the downhill/flat areas (which were few and far between). I think I got my wind sometime in the last mile because I was able to run up the last hill and straight to the finish line.
Suffice it to say, I did not PR. But I did get a nifty shirt.
I said I would be honest here, but I can't tell you what my exact time was. I looked at the clock at the end of the race, and I think it said 46:17, but I'm not sure. Eric was standing at the clock, so I hopped the rope area and stood by him. Nicole was only a few seconds behind me, and she ran to the end of the rope area and got herself a little time card thingy that you fill out yourself for the "results" page later. I definitely grabbed mine out of order, so I don't know what my official time was.
After the race, I went home, ate some cereal with a banana and crashed for about 3 hours.
---
That course was incredibly difficult. I wish I'd known better and hadn't set my expectations so high. I also didn't run at all the week prior to the race, but I know my endurance has improved, and I could have PR'd if the race was similar to the Brookhaven Bolt. All in all, I'm glad I finished, and I'm really glad that Nicole was there with me. I think I might have just quit after the second hill if it wasn't for her.
---
All that being said, I'm still excited about and in love with running. Now I'm trying to figure out whether or not to train for a half marathon. I don't need to have a sub-10 min pace to feel successful. I keep trying not to compare myself to my friends or to the bloggers who inspire me. I'm not at that level yet. I have to remember that plenty of people run/walk half marathons, and that's still miles and away better than those who don't even try.
---
You're waiting for my training plan this week, aren't you? I wasn't going to do one, but I'd rather make an easy plan to stick to than not have one at all to keep my accountable.
Monday: RestI finally got New Rules of Lifting for Women last week, but I haven't started it yet. Regardless of whether I start training for a 10k or a half marathon, I'll definitely be throwing in strength training once I've moved. I'm just waiting to have a gym that Eric can use too, so he can show my what to do!
Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Easy 2 mi Run/Walk
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Easy 3 mi Run/Walk
Sunday: Rest
Alright, that's it. Busy days ahead, but check back here tonight for photos from this weekend!
What kind of earbuds/headphones do you use when you're running?
Friday, June 3, 2011
What would you do?
I'm trying hard to listen to my inner voice here. I ran a 5K about 4 weeks ago, and I'm running another one tomorrow morning. If you check out my goals, I'm right on track.
But! I want to jump ahead. Is that bad? I'm not, like, super fit, but I feel like signing up for a half-Marathon and quite literally investing in my running by spending almost $100 for registration, will motivate me should I become disenchanted during the hot summers.
So here are my options so far.
OPTION #1
Stay on track and sign up for the September Big Peach Sizzler 10k, organized by Big Peach Running Company. I'd start training during the last week of July.
OPTION #2
Go balls out and sign up for the Atlanta Half Marathon (which begins and ends at my dear Alma Mater), which takes place in October. I'd have to start training for that in mid-July.
OPTION #3
What started this whole mess: The Savannah Marathon Series Half Marathon. A lot of my favorite bloggers have signed up, and it sounds like a lot of fun. I thought maybe in addition to running a half Marathon, Eric and I might could take a small weekend getaway. Because, while I've lived in the south for my whole life, and in Georgia/Atlanta specifically for nearly a decade, I've never been to Savannah. (I know, right?!) Training would start in August, and the race is in November.
So what do you think? Would you go all in, or stay the course? (Sorry for the mixed metaphors!)
But! I want to jump ahead. Is that bad? I'm not, like, super fit, but I feel like signing up for a half-Marathon and quite literally investing in my running by spending almost $100 for registration, will motivate me should I become disenchanted during the hot summers.
So here are my options so far.
OPTION #1
Stay on track and sign up for the September Big Peach Sizzler 10k, organized by Big Peach Running Company. I'd start training during the last week of July.
OPTION #2
Go balls out and sign up for the Atlanta Half Marathon (which begins and ends at my dear Alma Mater), which takes place in October. I'd have to start training for that in mid-July.
OPTION #3
What started this whole mess: The Savannah Marathon Series Half Marathon. A lot of my favorite bloggers have signed up, and it sounds like a lot of fun. I thought maybe in addition to running a half Marathon, Eric and I might could take a small weekend getaway. Because, while I've lived in the south for my whole life, and in Georgia/Atlanta specifically for nearly a decade, I've never been to Savannah. (I know, right?!) Training would start in August, and the race is in November.
So what do you think? Would you go all in, or stay the course? (Sorry for the mixed metaphors!)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Progress: 5.25.2011
Monday:Run 3 miRun 1.4 mi
Tuesday:YogaRun 1.75 mi
Wednesday: Run 3 mi(some fartleks)
Thursday: Rest (leaving for the mountains after work)
Friday: Hike or Rest
Saturday: Hike, Yoga or Rest
Sunday: Hika, Yoga or Rest
Alright, so my ego has taken a bit of a beating this week. I keep hoping that I'll be able to run 3 miles, no problem, but then I push myself to run at my goal pace instead of my actual pace, and I burn out. It's alright though. I have to keep telling myself that what I'm doing is better than nothing, and that in the end I will be able to run 3 miles, 6 miles, 10 miles. It's just going to take a little bit longer than I had hoped.
As you may have noticed, I missed yoga yesterday. The class starts at 6:30 and I couldn't get out of work before 6:45. We have a lot going on in the next month, so again, I'm going to have to adjust my expectations. Anyway, I couldn't NOT go to the gym, so I hopped on the treadmill and attempted Week 5 Day 2 of the C25K plan. I did it at a 5 mph run/jog and 3.5 mph walking pace, all while listening to some of my favorite songs. I'm glad to know that even if I'm not where I was hoping to be by now, I've definitely improved significantly since March.
Today I plan to hit the treadmill again, but timing will be an issue. I usually leave work at 5:30, and I have dinner plans at 6:30, so I'll only have about 30 minutes to get in any kind of work out. I really have to make it work though, because we're leaving tomorrow, and I won't be able to run again until Tuesday!
Wish me luck, y'all.
Um, here's another cute picture for you.
I promise I'll start taking my own photos soon.
Have you dealt with training setbacks? How did you stay motivated?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Progress: 5.24.2011
Alright. I posted my plan for the week yesterday, so how did I do?
Oooooh, not awesome. Yeah. I didn't even run half the distance I was supposed to. I warmed up for 5 minutes, and then started running at a 5 mph (12 minute mile) pace. After 10 minutes, I decided to sprint the last little leg of the mile, but that was a terrible idea. I could only hold that pace for about 45 seconds, and had to slow down to a walk. I walked for about 5 minutes trying to catch my breath, but it just didn't happen. I'm pretty happy with my 12 minute pace, so next time I'm going to just try that for the length of my run.
Speaking of my next run, I think I might try to hit the treadmill after yoga tonight. I don't know how realistic that is, because I always feel so calm and ready to relax after yoga, but I really need to get my mileage up for the week. Can't be petering out just because I'm tired.
In other news! After the 5k next weekend, I'm planning to start throwing in some strength training. I've been reading all over the internet about The New Rules of Lifting for Women, so I hopped on Amazon.com last night and ordered it with my AmEx points. I'm nervous and excited because - well I'm super weak. Depending on my schedule and the move, I may not start the strength training until after we get into our new apartment. Eric isn't a member of my gym, but we will be able to use the one at our new place. You see, I've enlisted him to help me as I'm starting out, since I have no idea how to keep track of my proper form, being the bookish slug that I am.
But for now, cardio and yoga is all you get from me, fair reader. I'll check back in tomorrow with an update. Until then, here's a cute photo, because photos make blogs more interesting. :)
Aren't ittybittylittle piglets the most adorable thing ever?
Monday:Run 3 miRun 1.4 mi
Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: Run 3 mi(some fartleks)
Thursday: Rest (leaving for the mountains after work)
Friday: Hike or Rest
Saturday: Hike, Yoga or Rest
Sunday: Hika, Yoga or Rest
Oooooh, not awesome. Yeah. I didn't even run half the distance I was supposed to. I warmed up for 5 minutes, and then started running at a 5 mph (12 minute mile) pace. After 10 minutes, I decided to sprint the last little leg of the mile, but that was a terrible idea. I could only hold that pace for about 45 seconds, and had to slow down to a walk. I walked for about 5 minutes trying to catch my breath, but it just didn't happen. I'm pretty happy with my 12 minute pace, so next time I'm going to just try that for the length of my run.
Speaking of my next run, I think I might try to hit the treadmill after yoga tonight. I don't know how realistic that is, because I always feel so calm and ready to relax after yoga, but I really need to get my mileage up for the week. Can't be petering out just because I'm tired.
In other news! After the 5k next weekend, I'm planning to start throwing in some strength training. I've been reading all over the internet about The New Rules of Lifting for Women, so I hopped on Amazon.com last night and ordered it with my AmEx points. I'm nervous and excited because - well I'm super weak. Depending on my schedule and the move, I may not start the strength training until after we get into our new apartment. Eric isn't a member of my gym, but we will be able to use the one at our new place. You see, I've enlisted him to help me as I'm starting out, since I have no idea how to keep track of my proper form, being the bookish slug that I am.
But for now, cardio and yoga is all you get from me, fair reader. I'll check back in tomorrow with an update. Until then, here's a cute photo, because photos make blogs more interesting. :)
Aren't ittybittylittle piglets the most adorable thing ever?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Plan: 5.23.2011-5.29.2011
So as I mentioned in my first post, I found the Couch to 5k Running Program a while ago, and ran my first 5k two weeks ago. I have another planned in just under two weeks from today, so basically I'm trying to maintain/increase my endurance just enough to come in under 40 minutes next Saturday (June 4).
That said, I'm going out of town this weekend to the mountains of North Carolina. Running in an unfamiliar town all alone does not sound terribly appealing/safe, and we're staying at Eric's family's house, not a hotel, so there are no gym-type options. Therefore, I've had to get mildly creative with my plan. There are a bunch of hiking trails in the area, so there's one option. Also Eric's aunt has a yoga studio over at their property, so we might try to persuade her into leading a class.
All that being said, here's my loose plan for the week.
We'll see where the weekend takes us. Next week should look a little more normal. Run, Yoga, Run, Run, Rest, 5k, Run <---with fartleks at least twice. That's the plan anyway. I like plans. My plans don't often come together perfectly, and that can send me into a panic, but hopefully things will work out this time.
I'm excited to run the Summerfest 5k, but after next Saturday the real work begins! Training for a 10k means a super increase in endurance, longer runs, more miles. I'm really very nervous, but knowing that I've already accomplished something helps to keep thing in perspective. I didn't complete the Brookhaven Bolt in under 40 minutes, like I'd hoped, but I did complete it, which is more than a lot of people can say. If I can do that, what's an extra 3 miles? Well, it's a lot actually, but I know I have it in me now.
Wish me luck!
What's your biggest athletic accomplishment to date? How did you achieve your goal?
That said, I'm going out of town this weekend to the mountains of North Carolina. Running in an unfamiliar town all alone does not sound terribly appealing/safe, and we're staying at Eric's family's house, not a hotel, so there are no gym-type options. Therefore, I've had to get mildly creative with my plan. There are a bunch of hiking trails in the area, so there's one option. Also Eric's aunt has a yoga studio over at their property, so we might try to persuade her into leading a class.
All that being said, here's my loose plan for the week.
Monday: Run 3 mi
Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: Run 3 mi (some fartleks)
Thursday: Rest (leaving for the mountains after work)
Friday: Hike or Rest
Saturday: Hike, Yoga or Rest
Sunday: Hika, Yoga or Rest
We'll see where the weekend takes us. Next week should look a little more normal. Run, Yoga, Run, Run, Rest, 5k, Run <---with fartleks at least twice. That's the plan anyway. I like plans. My plans don't often come together perfectly, and that can send me into a panic, but hopefully things will work out this time.
I'm excited to run the Summerfest 5k, but after next Saturday the real work begins! Training for a 10k means a super increase in endurance, longer runs, more miles. I'm really very nervous, but knowing that I've already accomplished something helps to keep thing in perspective. I didn't complete the Brookhaven Bolt in under 40 minutes, like I'd hoped, but I did complete it, which is more than a lot of people can say. If I can do that, what's an extra 3 miles? Well, it's a lot actually, but I know I have it in me now.
Wish me luck!
What's your biggest athletic accomplishment to date? How did you achieve your goal?
Jen Can Run!
Hello there, fair readers. This is my ::mumblemumble::teenth attempt at writing a health blog. I previously attempted blogging to track my financial health, dietary health, emotional health, health health...And it always ends the same. I peter out. Without a goal, or real focus, it's hard to stay motivated.
A little bit about me. I was not an athlete in high school. I was not an athlete in college. At this moment in time, my average 5k running pace is 42 mins 37 sec, or 13.74 min/mi. I'm slow. I'm, like, REALLY slow. I was on the swim team in high school because everyone made the cut, and I was always in the exhibition lane. I was on a softball team in 9th grade and the only game we won the entire season was due to the other team's forfeit (they didn't have enough players that day). What I'm trying to say is that athleticism wasn't really my strong suit, and it wasn't really my friends' either. We were nerds and geeks (but not dorks, never dorks). We liked poetry, comics, and movies, and only came in contact with the outdoors when we attempted our own version of the Dead Poets Society (minus the Robert Sean Leonard ending).
My one moment of Athletic Greatness was running the Peachtree Road Race in 2008. I came in at around 1 hr 22 min. That day I felt a runner's high for the first time. I was in tears as I crossed the finish line, not from pain or exhaustion, but from a rush of energy I'd never felt before. It should have been enough to keep me going, but it wasn't. After that accomplishment, I stopped running. I stopped working out. I gained a significant amount of weight, and that runner's high became a distant memory.
I recently found the Couch to 5k Running Program, and tried it. I only made it through Week 3 before I hurt my leg (playing kickball - such a dangerous game!). After I rebounded from that, I was hit with an intense upper respiratory infection, as well as a slew of personal emotional lows. But time heals all things, and I ran my first 5k just two weeks ago. I wasn't able to finish the program, but I recommend it to anyone who is just beginning to run.
So this blog is my attempt to zone in on one thing. Running the Atlanta Marathon in March 2013. Now, I know that's a long way off, so I've broken it down into several smaller goals.
I'm sure additional races will be added, and I'm optimistic, but not confident, that the times for these goals can be achieved in the first attempt. I've made a promise to myself to try. Follow me on my journey. I can't promise I'll be funny, or inspirational, or even interesting. But I promise to be honest. Whether I accomplish my goals, or just cross the finish line - it'll go here.
I'll post my work out schedule for this week later today, and update the About Me section as soon as I can.
A little bit about me. I was not an athlete in high school. I was not an athlete in college. At this moment in time, my average 5k running pace is 42 mins 37 sec, or 13.74 min/mi. I'm slow. I'm, like, REALLY slow. I was on the swim team in high school because everyone made the cut, and I was always in the exhibition lane. I was on a softball team in 9th grade and the only game we won the entire season was due to the other team's forfeit (they didn't have enough players that day). What I'm trying to say is that athleticism wasn't really my strong suit, and it wasn't really my friends' either. We were nerds and geeks (but not dorks, never dorks). We liked poetry, comics, and movies, and only came in contact with the outdoors when we attempted our own version of the Dead Poets Society (minus the Robert Sean Leonard ending).
My one moment of Athletic Greatness was running the Peachtree Road Race in 2008. I came in at around 1 hr 22 min. That day I felt a runner's high for the first time. I was in tears as I crossed the finish line, not from pain or exhaustion, but from a rush of energy I'd never felt before. It should have been enough to keep me going, but it wasn't. After that accomplishment, I stopped running. I stopped working out. I gained a significant amount of weight, and that runner's high became a distant memory.
I recently found the Couch to 5k Running Program, and tried it. I only made it through Week 3 before I hurt my leg (playing kickball - such a dangerous game!). After I rebounded from that, I was hit with an intense upper respiratory infection, as well as a slew of personal emotional lows. But time heals all things, and I ran my first 5k just two weeks ago. I wasn't able to finish the program, but I recommend it to anyone who is just beginning to run.
So this blog is my attempt to zone in on one thing. Running the Atlanta Marathon in March 2013. Now, I know that's a long way off, so I've broken it down into several smaller goals.
- Run the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5k in under 40 min - June 4, 2011
- Run a 10k in under 1 hr 20 min - Fall 2011
- Run the Atlanta Half Marathon in 2 hrs 38 min - March 18, 2012
- Maintenance runs/improve time through Fall 2012
- Run the Atlanta Marathon in 4 hrs 30 min - March 2013
I'm sure additional races will be added, and I'm optimistic, but not confident, that the times for these goals can be achieved in the first attempt. I've made a promise to myself to try. Follow me on my journey. I can't promise I'll be funny, or inspirational, or even interesting. But I promise to be honest. Whether I accomplish my goals, or just cross the finish line - it'll go here.
I'll post my work out schedule for this week later today, and update the About Me section as soon as I can.
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