Wow, it has been about 2 months since I last wrote! I'm still here. I stopped running for a month and a half maybe - the DC area did its best impression of Hades and I couldn't bring myself to run in a heat index of 100+. I also got LASIK and couldn't wear contacts for a week before and couldn't exercise for a week after. With all that, I got out of the habit, and I'm good as long as I'm in a routine. Getting back into a routine is like pulling teeth for me. Oh well.
I joined the coed MCRRC 5K group. It started August 15 and I'm really enjoying getting back into running. It's nice that I don't have to start at the total beginning - I can actually run longer than we're supposed to and I'm not overly out of breath. I think it's starting to cool down outside too, which is nice. The tradeoff with that is it'll get darker earlier, and I don't know how safe it is to be running around the neighborhood before/after work when it's dark. Anyone have any suggestions?
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
One of the world's best marathons
Ultimate goal: running the Honolulu marathon at the end of 2014 for my 30th birthday. If I'm going to run 26.2 miles, there sure as hell better be amazing scenery along the way as well as blue water to jump into and umbrella drinks waiting for me at the end!! ;)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Reevaluating
Yesterday I did the 5K Run for Roses, and that marked the end of the Beginner Women Runners group. A couple people in my pace group and I decided to keep meeting on Saturday mornings to run together, and I'm glad for it. I've really enjoyed them and the group as a whole.
The 5K was good. My mom came to cheer me on and I was surprised to see her handing out water in the Brookside Gardens portion. I figured she parked there, saw the water stop and thought, "May as well hand out some water." (She said that's exactly what happened.) It meant a lot that she came, and it gave me the impetus to continue and finish the damn thing. My time wasn't great, but my feet started hurting in the middle, and I finished regardless.
I started re-evaluating my running goals while going the 3.1 miles. I decided against the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in February because I don't want to push my body faster than it wants to go and injure myself. I was considering doing the MCRRC 10K program in the fall, but I think I'm going to do the coed 5K one and work on getting really comfortable with that distance. I've got 2 5Ks in the fall anyway - the Color Run in September and the Run for Your Lives in October. The fall 5K program ends with a race on November 4. Once I'm done with that, I'll work on other distances and go from there. Maybe work up to a half marathon in fall 2013. The ultimate goal is the Honolulu Marathon at the end of 2014 for my 30th birthday. I have 2.5 years to get there - no need to rush it right now. Granted, it makes the web address of my blog a little obsolete since I have no current plans to run with Mickey, but what are you going to do?
My weight loss efforts are paying off. I'd be irritated if I did all this and saw nothing. I'm still frustrated with the scale, but I got a tech shirt at the Run for Roses in a size smaller than I usually wear, figuring it will fit sometime soon, and found to my surprise that it actually fits rather well now! Then I dug around in my closet for my old jeans in a size smaller, and those fit too! I can sit down and everything! 3 people in a 24 hour period told me I've lost a lot of weight, and my grandmother added to that today. So, even though I've only lost 7 lbs since I started, the inches are definitely going away. Thank you, running and BodyPump! And Weight Watchers. The thing that bothers me about WW is it's so focused on the scale, but I knew I needed to tackle the food as well as the exercise. I was up a pound this week, but that's most likely because I weigh in on Friday mornings and our pace group dinner was Thursday night at Mamma Lucia. I'd saved something like 30 of my points for that dinner and though I was within my daily and weekly limit, there just wasn't time for it to digest. As long as the numbers generally keep going in the right direction, I'm OK with that.
The 5K was good. My mom came to cheer me on and I was surprised to see her handing out water in the Brookside Gardens portion. I figured she parked there, saw the water stop and thought, "May as well hand out some water." (She said that's exactly what happened.) It meant a lot that she came, and it gave me the impetus to continue and finish the damn thing. My time wasn't great, but my feet started hurting in the middle, and I finished regardless.
I started re-evaluating my running goals while going the 3.1 miles. I decided against the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in February because I don't want to push my body faster than it wants to go and injure myself. I was considering doing the MCRRC 10K program in the fall, but I think I'm going to do the coed 5K one and work on getting really comfortable with that distance. I've got 2 5Ks in the fall anyway - the Color Run in September and the Run for Your Lives in October. The fall 5K program ends with a race on November 4. Once I'm done with that, I'll work on other distances and go from there. Maybe work up to a half marathon in fall 2013. The ultimate goal is the Honolulu Marathon at the end of 2014 for my 30th birthday. I have 2.5 years to get there - no need to rush it right now. Granted, it makes the web address of my blog a little obsolete since I have no current plans to run with Mickey, but what are you going to do?
My weight loss efforts are paying off. I'd be irritated if I did all this and saw nothing. I'm still frustrated with the scale, but I got a tech shirt at the Run for Roses in a size smaller than I usually wear, figuring it will fit sometime soon, and found to my surprise that it actually fits rather well now! Then I dug around in my closet for my old jeans in a size smaller, and those fit too! I can sit down and everything! 3 people in a 24 hour period told me I've lost a lot of weight, and my grandmother added to that today. So, even though I've only lost 7 lbs since I started, the inches are definitely going away. Thank you, running and BodyPump! And Weight Watchers. The thing that bothers me about WW is it's so focused on the scale, but I knew I needed to tackle the food as well as the exercise. I was up a pound this week, but that's most likely because I weigh in on Friday mornings and our pace group dinner was Thursday night at Mamma Lucia. I'd saved something like 30 of my points for that dinner and though I was within my daily and weekly limit, there just wasn't time for it to digest. As long as the numbers generally keep going in the right direction, I'm OK with that.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Solo run
I was supposed to go to the BWR group tonight, but I had a meeting in Baltimore til about 6. It took an hour to get back, but luckily it's still light outside until past 8pm! I love the summer for that reason. Also, beaches. Anyway, I tried out a Garmin watch that tracks my pace and distance. That is a fun toy. One day I'll figure out what I did with the instruction book that comes with it and will learn how to program it to do things. That day is not today. Oh well.
I'm a little frustrated with how freakin' slow I am. I keep reminding myself that everyone has to start somewhere, but I don't really like the somewhere I'm starting. Goal for this summer: get to the 10K in October at a consistent 12-minute mile pace. I can work with that. Breaking down the larger goal into smaller ones is probably the way to go here.
In other news, I got health insurance in April so I've been able to get lots of things checked out. Some of you know that last year I had a cervical cancer scare and had to have a couple procedures to remove precancerous cells. The first one didn't get everything, so I had to repeat it in July and then my insurance ran out so I couldn't get it checked. As you can probably imagine, that has been weighing in the back of my mind for over a year since this whole thing started. I'm happy to report that it's all gone! Hooray!! I'm so grateful I applied for Peace Corps last year - if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had the tests that found it for another two years, and who knows at what stage it would have been at. It's disturbing enough that it was all clear the year before and it had already gotten to a stage this time where it had to be dealt with. One day I'll listen to my own advice not to Google medical conditions. Everything that came up mentioned a hysterectomy. I'm eternally grateful we caught it in time and I didn't have to undergo that! Just wanted to share my good news. I've been thrilled since I found out. I've still got to get tested every 6 months for the next couple years to make sure it doesn't come back on its own, but the likelihood of that is low.
I'm a little frustrated with how freakin' slow I am. I keep reminding myself that everyone has to start somewhere, but I don't really like the somewhere I'm starting. Goal for this summer: get to the 10K in October at a consistent 12-minute mile pace. I can work with that. Breaking down the larger goal into smaller ones is probably the way to go here.
In other news, I got health insurance in April so I've been able to get lots of things checked out. Some of you know that last year I had a cervical cancer scare and had to have a couple procedures to remove precancerous cells. The first one didn't get everything, so I had to repeat it in July and then my insurance ran out so I couldn't get it checked. As you can probably imagine, that has been weighing in the back of my mind for over a year since this whole thing started. I'm happy to report that it's all gone! Hooray!! I'm so grateful I applied for Peace Corps last year - if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had the tests that found it for another two years, and who knows at what stage it would have been at. It's disturbing enough that it was all clear the year before and it had already gotten to a stage this time where it had to be dealt with. One day I'll listen to my own advice not to Google medical conditions. Everything that came up mentioned a hysterectomy. I'm eternally grateful we caught it in time and I didn't have to undergo that! Just wanted to share my good news. I've been thrilled since I found out. I've still got to get tested every 6 months for the next couple years to make sure it doesn't come back on its own, but the likelihood of that is low.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
First 5K: Done!!
Yesterday was my first 5K! I did the Race for the Cure in DC and there really couldn't have been a better day for it. It was beautiful outside - low humidity, highs in the low 70s, etc. I had planned on running most of it but I found another person in my running group and we made the trek together, which meant walking a good part of it. Not to be all competitive ... well, OK, maybe to be a little competitive ... but she's in worse shape than I am, which, not gonna lie, felt kinda good. I'd rather have someone to talk to for the 3.1 miles than go faster. It was a good time, and I'm looking forward to the Run for Roses on the 16th and the other races coming up in the fall.
I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this process. I totally thought I'd have the idea to run a (half) marathon and then suffer through it out of pure stubbornness until I ran the damn thing. The key to this was probably joining the running group. Previously I'd decide I'd run and then get frustrated when I couldn't go very far and stop. The group has given me accountability and made me continue to go and stick with it, and it has been very cool seeing myself progress.
I read a good book the other day: Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong, who happens to be Lance Armstrong's ex-wife (I didn't know that until after I finished and saw someone mention it in their review on Goodreads). The author talks about the various reasons why women run and uses running as a metaphor for pretty much everything. It made me want to continue to make strides (pun completely intended. Ha!).
I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this process. I totally thought I'd have the idea to run a (half) marathon and then suffer through it out of pure stubbornness until I ran the damn thing. The key to this was probably joining the running group. Previously I'd decide I'd run and then get frustrated when I couldn't go very far and stop. The group has given me accountability and made me continue to go and stick with it, and it has been very cool seeing myself progress.
I read a good book the other day: Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong, who happens to be Lance Armstrong's ex-wife (I didn't know that until after I finished and saw someone mention it in their review on Goodreads). The author talks about the various reasons why women run and uses running as a metaphor for pretty much everything. It made me want to continue to make strides (pun completely intended. Ha!).
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Summer's here
It is HOT today!! 90+ degrees, complete with humidity. I'm not doing the track workout tonight. I'll get up early tomorrow morning and do it. It's easier for me to run in the mornings. I actually got up at 6:30 Friday morning to run - and did! Who knew?
I think MCRRC has a transition program for after this Beginner Women Runners group is done but before the Rockville Twilight 8K. I think I'll do the transition program - it's really nice having people to run with, and it makes me get out of bed on Saturday mornings! Doubt I'll do the 8K (4.97 miles) in July, though it isn't too much farther than the 5K I have coming up this weekend.
Speaking of this weekend ... I'm running the Race for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation. If you'd like to make a donation, I'd appreciate it! :)
What else ... I broke down and got a hydration belt last week. It's basically a glorified fanny pack, which is why I was resisting. There's a pouch for your crap and 2 10-oz water bottles. I was annoyed swinging my water bottle around as I ran and other people seemed to really like theirs, so I got one. It made such a difference!! I'll happily look like a fanny pack-wearing dork to have water that I don't have to carry.
The other day I came to the realization that I'm actually looking forward to the Disney Princess Half marathon rather than dreading it. Had I decided to go whole-hog and do the full Disney World marathon in January, I would be feeling the opposite. However, I'm enjoying myself with this running thing and I know I'll be ready for it. Also, my goal for it isn't to have a good race time - it's to have a good time racing, if that makes sense. Rather than aiming for under 2 hours or whatever, I'm just aiming to finish, have fun, and take pictures with the characters. I will probably be taller than all of them. Last time I went to Disney I was 8 and I don't recall the characters being much taller than I was. Except for Jafar. He was enormous. And terrifying.
Speaking of Disney World, I found this article today and it made my world a better place. Sweetest kid ever. Enjoy.
I think MCRRC has a transition program for after this Beginner Women Runners group is done but before the Rockville Twilight 8K. I think I'll do the transition program - it's really nice having people to run with, and it makes me get out of bed on Saturday mornings! Doubt I'll do the 8K (4.97 miles) in July, though it isn't too much farther than the 5K I have coming up this weekend.
Speaking of this weekend ... I'm running the Race for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation. If you'd like to make a donation, I'd appreciate it! :)
What else ... I broke down and got a hydration belt last week. It's basically a glorified fanny pack, which is why I was resisting. There's a pouch for your crap and 2 10-oz water bottles. I was annoyed swinging my water bottle around as I ran and other people seemed to really like theirs, so I got one. It made such a difference!! I'll happily look like a fanny pack-wearing dork to have water that I don't have to carry.
The other day I came to the realization that I'm actually looking forward to the Disney Princess Half marathon rather than dreading it. Had I decided to go whole-hog and do the full Disney World marathon in January, I would be feeling the opposite. However, I'm enjoying myself with this running thing and I know I'll be ready for it. Also, my goal for it isn't to have a good race time - it's to have a good time racing, if that makes sense. Rather than aiming for under 2 hours or whatever, I'm just aiming to finish, have fun, and take pictures with the characters. I will probably be taller than all of them. Last time I went to Disney I was 8 and I don't recall the characters being much taller than I was. Except for Jafar. He was enormous. And terrifying.
Speaking of Disney World, I found this article today and it made my world a better place. Sweetest kid ever. Enjoy.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
3 miles!!
I ran 3 miles today, 2 weeks ahead of when I thought I would!! My goal was to get an iPad when I can run 3 miles, and I'm psyched to report that happened today. It's really exciting to see how much progress I've made since the end of March. I had a hard time running at all when I started. Today I did 3 whole miles!! I did about the distance of a 5K! I have a 10K in October and the half marathon in February, and today I really felt like I can get there. I'm really proud of myself!
Yesterday registration opened for DC's Color Run. There are 2 dates this year: September 9 and October 21. I opted for the September one since I have the Run for the Parks 10K on October 7, the Zombie Apocalypse Run For Your Lives 5k (soooooo effing excited) on October 27, and will most likely be visiting the O'Malleys in Kansas the weekend of the 20th/21st. For those of you who haven't heard of it, watch this video - it looks amazing. So excited! If you want to run it with me, click here!
Yesterday registration opened for DC's Color Run. There are 2 dates this year: September 9 and October 21. I opted for the September one since I have the Run for the Parks 10K on October 7, the Zombie Apocalypse Run For Your Lives 5k (soooooo effing excited) on October 27, and will most likely be visiting the O'Malleys in Kansas the weekend of the 20th/21st. For those of you who haven't heard of it, watch this video - it looks amazing. So excited! If you want to run it with me, click here!
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