Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Switch Up
I have been back to working second shift 24 hours a week for almost a month now. The weather is getting a lot colder, which means less running outside and more gym time. I have had a really difficult time sticking with my 4AM workouts. There have been way more mornings than I would like where I don't even hear my alarm, turn it off without knowing it, and continue sleeping. When the kids were all very little, I could deal with sleep deprivation, but I am not too good at functioning on less than 6 hours these days.
I need to rethink my morning workouts...maybe not for the entire week, but for the days that I have to work. Next week, I am going to start working out after I get out of work and see how that goes. I really like getting my workout in first thing in the morning...it just makes for a much better day...but when I am only getting them in 50% of the week (or less) as opposed to five or six days a week something has got to change. I am hoping that I will like the late night workouts...but I have never been much of a night person. So, we will see how it goes.
I need to rethink my morning workouts...maybe not for the entire week, but for the days that I have to work. Next week, I am going to start working out after I get out of work and see how that goes. I really like getting my workout in first thing in the morning...it just makes for a much better day...but when I am only getting them in 50% of the week (or less) as opposed to five or six days a week something has got to change. I am hoping that I will like the late night workouts...but I have never been much of a night person. So, we will see how it goes.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Back Up and Running...
Marathon morning, I woke up to a Garmin that wouldn't turn on. I tried everything I could think of, but even when I put in on the charger the "battery charging in progress" didn't even show up on the screen. I need my Garmin...I would choose that over my ipod most days...and for 26.2 miles it wasn't working!
On Monday, I was too sore from the day before to run. I didn't even attempt...but I did hold out hope that a miracle had happened over night and my Garmin would magically turn on. Much to my surprise, I pressed the on button on the side and heard the beep. I don't know what happened...why it would not even turn on Sunday morning but it's working now. I couldn't be happier.
Since the marathon on Sunday, I have run a total of 10 miles this week. Tuesday it was slow going, but today it felt more normal with minimal soreness. I am looking forward to getting back in the gym and losing the few pounds that I gained over the summer...yes, over the summer...isn't that only supposed to happen in the winter?
On Monday, I was too sore from the day before to run. I didn't even attempt...but I did hold out hope that a miracle had happened over night and my Garmin would magically turn on. Much to my surprise, I pressed the on button on the side and heard the beep. I don't know what happened...why it would not even turn on Sunday morning but it's working now. I couldn't be happier.
Since the marathon on Sunday, I have run a total of 10 miles this week. Tuesday it was slow going, but today it felt more normal with minimal soreness. I am looking forward to getting back in the gym and losing the few pounds that I gained over the summer...yes, over the summer...isn't that only supposed to happen in the winter?
Monday, October 10, 2011
You Win Some, You Lose Some
I don't know if I would consider finishing 26.2 miles a total loss. So, maybe my title is inappropriate. But, this definitely wasn't my best...but it sure was fun.
I ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon yesterday. It was amazing being apart of the 45000+ people that were racing. The stream of people seemed to go on forever and I was never alone. The crowd support stretched for all 26.2 miles, the volunteers were awesome, and the course was great...the heat however was not.
It was quite a feeling going under the bridge after the start line and looking around and hearing the people cheering. I got teary eyed about just what I was actually a part of. I ran a pretty good half marathon.
It wasn't until about mile 16 that I felt myself falling apart...and at mile 18 I hit a wall. I am just not the type of runner to run long distances in temps close or at 80 degrees. It's just too hot for me. So, miles 18-22 were terrible for me. I lost a lot of time and kept feeling like I was either going to pass out or throw up. If it wasn't for the crowd's encouragement, the last six miles would have been way longer than they already seemed. I wrote my kids names on my left wrist and I kept looking at them for the last four miles. There were a few tears those last couple miles...not only because of the pain, but also because I felt so blessed to be able to do this again.
So, I crossed the finish line in my usual fashion with my hands in the air and my head down. With tears in my eyes I walked to have my medal placed around my neck. I got the worst time thus far...5:32...almost 40 minutes slower than DesMoines. After the last half of this race, I was just happy to have crossed the finish line and still be alive a well.
Immediately after I said I was done running marathons...but that was a temporary moment of insanity...and the pain talking. Done with full marathons? No way. I will be back to Chicago for a rematch in 2013...next year I will take on Detroit...and hopefully in the next couple of years I will get my goal of 4:45 or under.
Running 26.2 miles is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life...but obviously there's something about it that keeps me coming back for more.
(Ready to run!)
I ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon yesterday. It was amazing being apart of the 45000+ people that were racing. The stream of people seemed to go on forever and I was never alone. The crowd support stretched for all 26.2 miles, the volunteers were awesome, and the course was great...the heat however was not.
It was quite a feeling going under the bridge after the start line and looking around and hearing the people cheering. I got teary eyed about just what I was actually a part of. I ran a pretty good half marathon.
(Mile 11...feeling good. )
It wasn't until about mile 16 that I felt myself falling apart...and at mile 18 I hit a wall. I am just not the type of runner to run long distances in temps close or at 80 degrees. It's just too hot for me. So, miles 18-22 were terrible for me. I lost a lot of time and kept feeling like I was either going to pass out or throw up. If it wasn't for the crowd's encouragement, the last six miles would have been way longer than they already seemed. I wrote my kids names on my left wrist and I kept looking at them for the last four miles. There were a few tears those last couple miles...not only because of the pain, but also because I felt so blessed to be able to do this again.
So, I crossed the finish line in my usual fashion with my hands in the air and my head down. With tears in my eyes I walked to have my medal placed around my neck. I got the worst time thus far...5:32...almost 40 minutes slower than DesMoines. After the last half of this race, I was just happy to have crossed the finish line and still be alive a well.
Immediately after I said I was done running marathons...but that was a temporary moment of insanity...and the pain talking. Done with full marathons? No way. I will be back to Chicago for a rematch in 2013...next year I will take on Detroit...and hopefully in the next couple of years I will get my goal of 4:45 or under.
(After walking to the train station I got a foot long sub for the way home. When we got home I had a Big Mac Meal...delish! )
Running 26.2 miles is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life...but obviously there's something about it that keeps me coming back for more.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Ready or Not
It's been one thing after another these past three weeks. Do I feel as prepared as I was for my last marathon? Not really. Am I ready? I sure am.
I have been fighting a chest cold for the past two weeks. It knocked me on my butt a few days after my kidney issues subsided and a day after I recovered from the stomach flu. I hate being sick...and I don't think I have been out for this long since before having kids.
Today I laced up my shoes and went for an easy (and slow) four mile run. It's the first run I have done in the past two weeks that I haven't had a coughing attack during or after...so that was encouraging.
I've got my playlist ready, my snacks picked out (I like to eat and run), and I am getting my outfit picked out today.
Ready or not, Chicago here I come!!!
I have been fighting a chest cold for the past two weeks. It knocked me on my butt a few days after my kidney issues subsided and a day after I recovered from the stomach flu. I hate being sick...and I don't think I have been out for this long since before having kids.
Today I laced up my shoes and went for an easy (and slow) four mile run. It's the first run I have done in the past two weeks that I haven't had a coughing attack during or after...so that was encouraging.
I've got my playlist ready, my snacks picked out (I like to eat and run), and I am getting my outfit picked out today.
Ready or not, Chicago here I come!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)