thank goodness for interval training...

...because this morning some guy in a big ol truck did a nice rolling stop as soon as i was crossing an intersection and i had to move my ass FAST to not get hit.

pretty sure i got to my max heart rate this morning.

it's not the destination . . .

the last few weeks have been pretty good so far. official training started last week- but i have been running since the 10th of the month. since then i have run 40 miles. 40 MILES!

i can't believe that. i never thought i would be the runner type- or rack up that kind of mileage so fast. i have also had some other firsts since i have started:

• gotten excited over spandex clothes (i'm a mid length pant fan myself)


• bought socks that costs over $10 - FOR ONE PAIR!


• said to myself- those 4 miles were easy.


• ran 6 miles in 60 minutes - non stop!

it's also been a time where i feel as though i have really treated my body like something i am truly relying on. until now- i never thought of my body as something to help me in my everyday existence. but now i am constantly thinking about whether i am eating enough of the best foods (ie eat oatmeal and eggs every morning) and often enough; what sport supplement will i fuel myself with during runs; what exercises ans stretches will strengthen my core to help give my back and shoulders the most support- and so on and so forth...

i think for the first time i am giving my body the respect it deserves. that sounds funny to me - but that's the best way i can describe it.

but this saturday, halloween, i have a 5K to get some race practice in. i'm hoping to get in around 30 or less-- last 5k i ran it is 31 - so a ten minute mile pace. now that i am in better shape i think that that - plus the adrenaline will help me shave some time off. but if not - no big deal - as long as i finish- i'm ok with that.

in a book i read they talk about how it's not just about race day- but all the time spent preparing. and i can say- in a total after school special way - that i know i will look back at this time in training with a lot of pride and accomplishment.


( i must note i am expecting to have some poopy day posts- it can't all be this good).



but if homer can do it....

i can't wait to run to this!

to the core

the last few weeks of "pre-training" i have noticed my abs pop just a bit. i have heard how running can get you the abs you always wanted- and now i think i'm starting to believe it.

so to continue my quest for distance- and great abs- i have been focusing my strenght training works outs on my core. to support my back/spine and rest of my body during the long runs.

my one main health concern i have during this training is my back. about 10 months ago i started to notice my feet would go numb when i would run. i thought it was shoes - but nope.

i went to my primary dr (who i did not care for) and she had an ultrasound done on my legs to check circulation. it was perfect. then she told me to go see a personal trainer. wtf?

since then every dr i have talked to has said it is probably a nerve being compressed by a disc or something like that.... i have since then made an appt with a new dr who i think will be able to help me out.

luckily it is not as bad as it once was. i think since i have been doing lots of strength training in the last 10 months my core has gotten stronger helping me keep my posture while running and possibly not causing a nerve to be pinched.

but monday's run was no fun- by mile 4 i could not feel my feet- which is really weird and just hard to keep form overall. but i think because it was post vacation (PS- i ran 8 miles in two days in cold hilly ohio!!!) i wasn't concentrating on standing upright- which i usually do.

so i have been on the hunt few good articles i found on strength training for runners. and theses in particular i came across for the core. and another here.

but i think this will help greatly- along with stretching. keep fingers crossed. i cannot imagine running 9+ miles with feet that fell like blocks of ice!

eek!

These shoes were made for running

I love running. I love getting ready to run, tying up my Mizunoes, I love seeing Gainesville as I run. I love coming home sweaty and thirsty with a runner's high.

Instead of focusing on pace, distance, and heart rate, I want to focus on having a great time with each run. Clearly, I will track these things, and ultimately aimed to improve, but more than that, I want to enjoy my time outdoors and enjoy the feeling of running.

Running tonight was nearly perfect, and for the first time in a long time, I ran with a friend (that isn't of the canine species). We took a route that lead us past half a dozen friends' houses; a few friends hollered at us as we past. The smells of garlic and BBQ wafted through the neighborhoods as we chatted. The setting sun's white light bounced off the trees.

We ran 3 miles and I came home to my honey cooking dinner. Bliss! I'm a happy girl.

in a rich runner's world

one more thing before my run.

i just opened up a pack of my new running socks.

here was my thought process.

1. wow - i paid $10 for socks?!?!
2. damn! only one pair?!?!?
3. this is going to be a expensive three months

performance anxiety

every night before i know i have to run- even if its just 5 miles- i get super anxious. last night i started my marathon for mortals book. it goes on how your life changes for a while during your dedication training time- i also watched an iron man rerun that i get with my new converter box- all athletic competition! so of course i had a dream last night that i was running the race and only went a short distance-- something to do with a big hat. ha.

i dont know if its the anticipation- the fear- too much reading/crazy tv competitions= i dont know- but when i'm out there i love it. and i know the work will pay off for that feeling of crossing the finish line.

so i just need to focus on that. lets see how i do this AM.