running crazy!

     Running crazy! Well not really, but when I got up to go running this morning it kinda started running.  It continued to rain as I left to go running and got slowly worse as the run went along.  It did not really start coming down until I was back at my jeep stretching against the spare tire on the back.  One of my parents made a "crazy" comment for running in the rain, so thats where that came from.
     It was actually my best time yet. 41:10 for 3.19 miles. (roughly a 5k) which was an average pace of 12:54. not super fast, but faster.  I am getting there.  My run keeper app sadly had a brain fart and some how recorded the distance at 2.76 miles so it skewed my results read out, but it correctly recorded the time, so I was able to work with that.
      So over all great run, and I had my new running clothes on so I looked cute too!

Just keep running!

Annnnd I'm back!

So after a bout of disappointment I do not particularly wish to go into, I have returned to the world of running.  And I bought $142.94 worth of new running gear to celebrate. (though I may return one or 2 items as I may have gotten a little shop-happy)
      As of today I have started running in the morning before work.  Technically today I ran in the morning before my day off, but same time, same idea.  Today went really well.  I didn't get out at 5:30am like I had wanted to, more like 6:00am, but it IS my day off.  It was nice to run around the lake and not have to dodge rude people who don't yield the tiniest bit and expect you to jump into the road so they don't have to move slightly to their right while I move slightly to my right.  I should be able to run, shower, make and eat breakfast and make lunch and be ready to go to work on time.  Here's hoping it all works out.  I was a bit tired today, but seeing as everyone seems to do this morning running with no ill affects on their work ( or so it seems, these people all seem to still have jobs) I am going with the idea that I'll get used to it after a few runs.  Hoping to get a long run in on Sunday, I don't have to go in until 10 on Sunday.  We will soon find out!

Just keep running!

Long runs here I come!

   Today was my 1st official long run in a long while.  I have done long runs previously, but they were part of an absolute beginner 5k program and weren't much longer than the short runs.  The training plan started that I was to do 4 miles of the walk/run intervals and I ended up doing 4.25 miles in about 1:05.  Longer is better as long as I avoid overdoing it to the point of injury or that sort of thing.  I may have actually ran a tad farther than 4.25 miles, as my run keeper app, though fantastic, cant accurately judge when I turn around and backtrack  unless i do it exactly as the app is determining my gps location, but that is true of all gps trackers really.  My pace was ok, average of 15:22 min/mi not fantastic but 1 second better than my last much shorter run.  That might be saying something.  I think I overdressed a bit for the run, and thats something I need to work on.  I think I am just used to being warm inside all winter.
     I am thinking of signing up for a local 5k on the 18th of March.  Its Irish themed, so that should make for a pretty cool tee shirt and finishers medal.  I have to be sure that I am not working that morning before I sign up, but with luck I should be running it.  There is another even more local 5k on April 1st, but it falls the day after my birthday party and well, I may not be in good running form.  I Hope to get in a few good 5k by early spring.  I guess we will have to see what happens.

Just keep Running!

Short and Windy.

    I took a very short run yesterday.  Only a tiny bit over 2 miles.  I only had enough time to run just my training run, so that is all I did.  I normally like to complete the loop at the least, but I had to get to work.  the whole run went pretty well, even though it was exceptionally windy.  One point during the run it was windy to the point that I was having difficultly breathing.  I found it very strange.   The 1st 3rd of the run I had the wind at my back, however the remainder of the run, including the non-windy half of the lake, I was running into the wind.  Slowed me down a bit actually.  Over all it went quite well until the end of the run when my iPhone started shutting down every time I touched it.  I started freaking out a little, I was nervous that it was dead and I would have to purchase a new one.  I plan on buying the 5 when it comes out, so I am not too keen on buying the 4s before that.
     Today marked the 2012 Disney Princess half marathon at Walt Disney World Resort.  I hope everyone who participated enjoyed them self.  A non-runner friend of mine is actually down there with some friends of his that ran the race today.  I looked up their results and it looks like they finished!  I cannot wait until next year when that is me!

Just keep running!

and there be running

     After that strangely short declaration the other day I did in fact go out and run.  Nothing to write home about, but I got up and and I ran a 5k distance.  I also ran yesterday.  Another lake loop, which is exactly a 5k I have been lead to believe by both the published distances, the weekly 5k fun run (in which I have never participated) and what my runkeeper app on my phone tell me.  My average pace was 16min/mile on the nose, which is pretty darn slow, but also the exact minimum speed for my race next year.  I am more than sure that i will have no problem quickening my pace over the course of 12 months.  At this point my walk run intervals are a bit shorter on the running than I was capable last October, but I am positive I can both regain and surpass what I was doing before my unfortunate break from running.

     My unfortunate break from running was the result of hurricane Irene postponing my 1st race ever, the  Memphis soul BBQ 5k run (ran in Sommerville MA, not Memphis TN), an unfortunate 1st day in Washington DC and then "I do not have a job" depression.  The 5k was postponed until the 16th of October and it went really well.  I set a PR of approximately 00:41:40, according to my Runkeeper app, the race was chipped, but I never got the email they were supposed to send me, so I am using the time on my iPhone.  I got a nifty tee-shirt and a nifty medal (I'll post a picture later) and got myself some frozen yogurt.  About a week later I went on a DC trip with my parents (they like to take me on vacation and I adore the Smithsonian) And I was super jazzed about running around the national mall and then the 1st full day we were there I wore my shoe inserts that I had not really been wearing much since I started running and well, apparently my running shoes fixed my foot problems and the inserts did their best to mess with the muscles in my lower leg.  Simply walking was quite painful and running was out the the question for the rest of the trip.  I was disappointed beyond reason.  That helped fuel the  "I do not have a job" depression that followed.  Upon getting 2 part time jobs at the VERY END of November, I was less depressed but working a 60 hr week, leaving zero time for running.  I was lucky I had time for eating, never mind running.   Then came January and and a no more than 40hr work week and I finally had some time so I tried to run.  It went very very poorly.  My cool weather running attire was not 100%.  though everything was the correct size, my shirt rode up and my pants rode down more than a little bit.  I had also picked a day that the wind around the lake was insane and alone with a few other things all went to running hell.  I altered my running clothes to work properly and also grabbed over $100 in outer wear running gear at Kohl's for $65 (can we say wind breaker?) I finally got to go for a successful run.  it went alright and my time was okay all things considered.  I just should have brought my gloves.  Wednesday I started what is a 6 month half marathon for beginners.  I started a few weeks in to the program because that is where I am at running wise.  I do not have any plans for running any half marathons in 6 months, but I want to get to the point where I could run a half way ahead of my race.  I plan to then taper down and then continue training.  I plan to do a few 10k races maybe a 10 miler depending on what is available and what I am able to race in order to get a good pace time for the half next year.   Maybe in 2014 I will do the Disney marathon, but one race at a time.  
     I did not get to run today as it is pouring out, but I can get in a run tomorrow between jobs and then my long run in on Monday.  Weather channel app tells me it may be windy tomorrow, but otherwise clear through Monday.

Here is to hoping I do not fall off my training bandwagon in my 1st week!

Just keep running!

Declaration of running!!

This is a very quick declaration of running!  I have not REALLY ran since October 16th.  And i am about to do it now! I feel like I need to tell some one that so i will actually go out and do this.  Wish me luck all!  when i get back I will regale you with my failed running attempts over the last few months.

-I am out!

Running: hot and early

     Waking up early was not bad.  I have a weird internal clock, if I know I am suppose to wake up at a certain time I generally wake up then unless I am exhausted.  However when I feel stressed about waking up early I will generally wake up several times in the night to check the time and go back to sleep.  That said I woke up for 6 today with no problem.  Downed a few clif shot bloks an water (not too much) and got dressed and sunblocked-up.  Then I waited, and waited, and waited because my bladder apparently cannot make up its mind as to whether or not it is empty.  Finally upon setting out I realized that it was already pretty hot.  When I left at 8 am it was about 87F and at some point I checked while running and it was in the 90's with the heat index saying it "felt like" 101F.  I stopped looking at the temperatures at that point.  Today's session was week 5 session 1: run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat 10 times.  I did it, but I had to rest longer than 1 minutes a few times.  It was just too freaking hot to push it, and at one point I was just trying to find a water bubbler that actually worked and that took a few minutes.  One repetition from the end I had to just stop and sit, I might have just been standing I really can not remember.  I did not stop very long, but a passing walker stopped to ask me if I was okay.  I am quite pale so when I get flushed my face goes crazy red, I imagine that I looked like I was about to pass out.  I was not going to pass out, but simply trying to avoid getting to that point.  I then realized I only had one rep left and then just went for it to get it over with.  Afterwards I happened upon a picnic table conveniently located in the shade, it even had a breeze! (Being that I do not remember it from previous runs I am 1/2 convinced that it was a magical picnic table and it will be gone come my next run)  I just plopped down and sat for a while.  I know under normal circumstances your not supposed to just stop after running, but I figured that 100F weather warranted a nice sit down.   After a few minutes rest I continued on to the water bubbler that I know actually works, filled up my bottle and went on my merry way home.  On the way home I tryed pouring water over my head because of the heat, I have heard that helps, but I poured a bit too much and it ran sunblock into my eyes.  Very ouch!
     The over all run I feel went well, I kept up a regular pace and my form was pretty good.  My only difficulties were related to the heat and that could not be helped.  I definately ended up a bit dehydrated, but I was able to remedy that fairly quickly.  This being my first real morning run I now understand the need for sunglasses, and I will have to find some nice wrap arounds.  I am looking forward to the next session, which I have not been for a while now.  I have wanted to do them, but I was not excited about the sessions.  I feel that had more to do with outside forces rather than running performance, but it is nice to look forward to running again.
Just keep running!