We're in Lake Placid celebrating our two year anniversary...and not running. Unfortunately I'm using a lot of muscles that I don't normally use and I'm really sore! We might go for a run tomorrow, but we've been saying that every day. I feel a little antsy, like I want to go for a run. I think that's a good thing though. I'll be excited to start up again later this week.
Week four went like this:
Tuesday 14 miles total
Wednesday 10 miles
Thursday 5 miles recovery
Friday 11 miles
Total: 40 miles
We cheered on our brother in his first tinman (half ironman) and we've been kicking back since then. Sunday we hiked Whiteface (my fourth time, Pete's first time), toured the Olympic sites, rented stand up paddle boards, and met up with some family that lives nearby for a four person four-hour dinner. We also drove by the Olympic Training Center, the site of many fun APXC times at the OTC Peak When It Counts Running Camp.
Training resumes Friday and I have an 18 miler on Sunday before my sister's baby shower... I think I'm going to enjoy this time off until then.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Early Morning Run
Bad weather always looks worse through a window. ~Author Unknown
I love that quote because there have been so many times that I almost skipped a run for rain/snow etc. and it ended up being a great run. I ran early this morning before work and it was really overcast. It ended up raining for most of it, but I had forgotten how refreshing it is to run in the rain in the summer. Anyway, I did the 8 miles in about an hour despite the rain. I felt kind of stiff when I woke up and had some weird foot and knee pains that came and went. I don't know what that's about, but everything came together after I turned around and then second half felt great.
The next two weeks of training are going to be kind of off-book because we're going out of town for over a week and we planned on not running for a few days. So, I think I'm going to run again this afternoon, 5 or 6 miles and do my 10x100 meters that I didn't have time for this morning.
Tomorrow is supposed to be 14 miles, but I'm definitely doing less than that. I have to run early in the morning again because I'm helping out at a golf tournament and it's supposed to be 100 degrees or something ridiculous. We are going to freeze in the Adirondacks this week, it's been getting down to the 40's there at night.
I love that quote because there have been so many times that I almost skipped a run for rain/snow etc. and it ended up being a great run. I ran early this morning before work and it was really overcast. It ended up raining for most of it, but I had forgotten how refreshing it is to run in the rain in the summer. Anyway, I did the 8 miles in about an hour despite the rain. I felt kind of stiff when I woke up and had some weird foot and knee pains that came and went. I don't know what that's about, but everything came together after I turned around and then second half felt great.
The next two weeks of training are going to be kind of off-book because we're going out of town for over a week and we planned on not running for a few days. So, I think I'm going to run again this afternoon, 5 or 6 miles and do my 10x100 meters that I didn't have time for this morning.
Tomorrow is supposed to be 14 miles, but I'm definitely doing less than that. I have to run early in the morning again because I'm helping out at a golf tournament and it's supposed to be 100 degrees or something ridiculous. We are going to freeze in the Adirondacks this week, it's been getting down to the 40's there at night.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Injury... yeah... about that
So I'm going through a bit of a trial right now. Every runner despises it, yet we all have to face it in one form or another at some point.
The dreaded injury has struck and landed in my calves. It's an extremely uncomfortable all-encompassing tightness in my gastroc and soleus. No matter how much you stretch or when you stretch, the feeling does not go away. I ran through it for a couple of weeks, but knew the feeling was beyond the sore or tight feelings that are expected from time to time. I found myself very drained from mentally managing the pain through the longer runs. Eventually, even the short 5 mile recoveries became dreadful. It really started to aggravate me to the point that I was losing it. I was seeing improvements from my training (besides the calf pain) and I just wanted to continue in my training progress problem free.
I sucked it up and went to my PCP (who I made sure was a runner before I selected him 2 years back). He assumed (as did I) that it was just adhesions that needed to get worked on in the muscles. I had the pleasure of taking more time out of a day on Wednesday to go to the PT, who was nice, but admitted that she spends far less time treating athletes than she does treating people who are older and/or rehabbing from surgery. She proceeded to go through an extensive regimen of tasks to narrow down the problem (range of motion measurements, massages, stretches, 101 questions, treadmill tests, etc.). I found myself repeating the same descriptions and answers over and over. After 2 hours I went home. The next 2 days I ran more and I hurt more.
I went back on Friday and we did ultra sound and intense myofacial release, to no avail. And, wait for it.... another treadmill test. We spent another large amount of time where she asked- "Does this hurt? Is this the same pain?" She's the type of person who thinks out loud and her questions were becoming more frequently followed by her saying "that concerns me" or "that's not good". She finally admitted that she thought the pain is not a result of the adhesions or any muscular imbalances.
I asked her what direction this was heading and she said it could be a form of compartment syndrome. I don't believe I have a bad case of it (which requires surgery), but it does suck, so after I meet with her tomorrow we will have a final verdict on where I'm headed.
I took the liberty of consulting a friend who's been through the ringer with compartment syndrome. She had a bad case of it and had to have the full surgery where they release all 4 compartments in the lower leg or "calf" muscles. She referenced me to Glasson Sports Medicine in VB that specializes in working with athletes. Evidently their staff is top notch. That appointment is still being arranged by my PCP, so hopefully I can get to a visit and answer soon.
Until then, I'm running, but the runs are shorter. Can we say annoying?
The dreaded injury has struck and landed in my calves. It's an extremely uncomfortable all-encompassing tightness in my gastroc and soleus. No matter how much you stretch or when you stretch, the feeling does not go away. I ran through it for a couple of weeks, but knew the feeling was beyond the sore or tight feelings that are expected from time to time. I found myself very drained from mentally managing the pain through the longer runs. Eventually, even the short 5 mile recoveries became dreadful. It really started to aggravate me to the point that I was losing it. I was seeing improvements from my training (besides the calf pain) and I just wanted to continue in my training progress problem free.
I sucked it up and went to my PCP (who I made sure was a runner before I selected him 2 years back). He assumed (as did I) that it was just adhesions that needed to get worked on in the muscles. I had the pleasure of taking more time out of a day on Wednesday to go to the PT, who was nice, but admitted that she spends far less time treating athletes than she does treating people who are older and/or rehabbing from surgery. She proceeded to go through an extensive regimen of tasks to narrow down the problem (range of motion measurements, massages, stretches, 101 questions, treadmill tests, etc.). I found myself repeating the same descriptions and answers over and over. After 2 hours I went home. The next 2 days I ran more and I hurt more.
I went back on Friday and we did ultra sound and intense myofacial release, to no avail. And, wait for it.... another treadmill test. We spent another large amount of time where she asked- "Does this hurt? Is this the same pain?" She's the type of person who thinks out loud and her questions were becoming more frequently followed by her saying "that concerns me" or "that's not good". She finally admitted that she thought the pain is not a result of the adhesions or any muscular imbalances.
I asked her what direction this was heading and she said it could be a form of compartment syndrome. I don't believe I have a bad case of it (which requires surgery), but it does suck, so after I meet with her tomorrow we will have a final verdict on where I'm headed.
I took the liberty of consulting a friend who's been through the ringer with compartment syndrome. She had a bad case of it and had to have the full surgery where they release all 4 compartments in the lower leg or "calf" muscles. She referenced me to Glasson Sports Medicine in VB that specializes in working with athletes. Evidently their staff is top notch. That appointment is still being arranged by my PCP, so hopefully I can get to a visit and answer soon.
Until then, I'm running, but the runs are shorter. Can we say annoying?
Week Three
Lily: Ted, you may be single and childless, but you're totally a dorky dad.
Ted: I don't think I like your tone, young lady.**
Pete is still working on his injury so I had to go it alone today. Total time was 1:57:42, but I actually ran 15.3 miles due to that extra distance between the end and beginning of the loop so I averaged 7:42 per mile.
The park was really nice this morning, lots of dads fishing or going for walks with their families, which made for some good people-watching. I decided to practice drinking water while running, and I took a GU block every three miles. I find the gels to be so disgusting, so I tried the blocks and success! I like how you can just take one block instead of trying to hang on to a half-full gel pack.
After the run I had about ten minutes to get ready to meet Pete's dad for brunch. We went to the art show at the oceanfront afterwards. It was fun to browse through all the different artists, but as we got further up the boardwalk it turned into lots of tourists in too-small bathing suits eating turkey legs.
Anyway, I would say Happy Father's Day, but I know my dad will not be reading this (which is the same reason I'm not going to bother writing it on facebook). I already called him this morning, and we'll see him on Thursday for a belated FD celebration in NY. Dad is "old school" and prefers to get all of his information and gossip by word of mouth, so facebook is out of the question.
Week Three:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 10 miles (4 tempo)
Wednesday: 13 miles
Thursday: 5 miles recovery
Friday: 9 miles general aerobic
Saturday: 5 miles recovery
Sunday: 15 miles long run
total: 57 miles
(**from the How I Met Your Mother episode, Not A Father's Day**)
Ted: I don't think I like your tone, young lady.**
Pete is still working on his injury so I had to go it alone today. Total time was 1:57:42, but I actually ran 15.3 miles due to that extra distance between the end and beginning of the loop so I averaged 7:42 per mile.
The park was really nice this morning, lots of dads fishing or going for walks with their families, which made for some good people-watching. I decided to practice drinking water while running, and I took a GU block every three miles. I find the gels to be so disgusting, so I tried the blocks and success! I like how you can just take one block instead of trying to hang on to a half-full gel pack.
After the run I had about ten minutes to get ready to meet Pete's dad for brunch. We went to the art show at the oceanfront afterwards. It was fun to browse through all the different artists, but as we got further up the boardwalk it turned into lots of tourists in too-small bathing suits eating turkey legs.
Anyway, I would say Happy Father's Day, but I know my dad will not be reading this (which is the same reason I'm not going to bother writing it on facebook). I already called him this morning, and we'll see him on Thursday for a belated FD celebration in NY. Dad is "old school" and prefers to get all of his information and gossip by word of mouth, so facebook is out of the question.
Week Three:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 10 miles (4 tempo)
Wednesday: 13 miles
Thursday: 5 miles recovery
Friday: 9 miles general aerobic
Saturday: 5 miles recovery
Sunday: 15 miles long run
total: 57 miles
(**from the How I Met Your Mother episode, Not A Father's Day**)
Saturday, June 18, 2011
School's Out!
Overwhelming feeling of happiness... the book has closed on this 2010-2011 school year and now it's officially summer!
Thursday's workout was five miles easy. I ran part of it with Bella, then dropped her off and finished my run. She can run really far in the winter but she gets too hot in the summer to go more than a few miles.
Yesterday Pete and I drove to VB to run at a park near the oceanfront. Pete took the day off, so I ran the 9 miler on the trails by myself. It was really nice and peaceful. I felt great and ended up running a lot faster than I was supposed to. The part of the trail that I ran on is mostly flat and is 3.5 miles to the trail center, so I turned around there and ran back to where I started from. After 7 miles I stopped my watch to get some gatorade and saw 49:00 mins! I used to run 7 min pace for most of my runs in college but now that I'm relatively out of shape I usually run 7:45 or even slower on easy days. Continuing on the trail after my brief stop, I made the decision to treat the last two miles like a cool-down, especially because this section of the trail is very uneven. I've been known to take a few tumbles on the trail (and on sidewalks for that matter). I turned the corner after crossing the access road, and saw the 3.5 mile marker... well that made a lot more sense. That probably added another minute to my 7 mile time. I shrugged it off with a whatever, continued on my "cool-down" 2 miles.
Pete picked up some sushi and drinks while I was running, so we went across the street to the beach after my run. I jumped in the water to cool off, and then we ate dinner on the sand. The waves were actually nice for Virginia Beach (which is known for ankle-high waves most days) so we watched some old guys surfing, then it started raining a few drops and a rainbow appeared. It almost felt like we were in Maui again... or not. We stayed to watch the sun set and then went home.
I'm about to do my 5 mile recovery run, and then get ready to go to graduation at the school where I work.
Happy Summer!!
Thursday's workout was five miles easy. I ran part of it with Bella, then dropped her off and finished my run. She can run really far in the winter but she gets too hot in the summer to go more than a few miles.
Yesterday Pete and I drove to VB to run at a park near the oceanfront. Pete took the day off, so I ran the 9 miler on the trails by myself. It was really nice and peaceful. I felt great and ended up running a lot faster than I was supposed to. The part of the trail that I ran on is mostly flat and is 3.5 miles to the trail center, so I turned around there and ran back to where I started from. After 7 miles I stopped my watch to get some gatorade and saw 49:00 mins! I used to run 7 min pace for most of my runs in college but now that I'm relatively out of shape I usually run 7:45 or even slower on easy days. Continuing on the trail after my brief stop, I made the decision to treat the last two miles like a cool-down, especially because this section of the trail is very uneven. I've been known to take a few tumbles on the trail (and on sidewalks for that matter). I turned the corner after crossing the access road, and saw the 3.5 mile marker... well that made a lot more sense. That probably added another minute to my 7 mile time. I shrugged it off with a whatever, continued on my "cool-down" 2 miles.
Pete picked up some sushi and drinks while I was running, so we went across the street to the beach after my run. I jumped in the water to cool off, and then we ate dinner on the sand. The waves were actually nice for Virginia Beach (which is known for ankle-high waves most days) so we watched some old guys surfing, then it started raining a few drops and a rainbow appeared. It almost felt like we were in Maui again... or not. We stayed to watch the sun set and then went home.
I'm about to do my 5 mile recovery run, and then get ready to go to graduation at the school where I work.
Happy Summer!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
I'm calling it a long run
Yesterday I had to run 13 miles, and for some reason my training plan calls this a medium-long run. I disagree.
I ran during lunch, at the hottest time of the day, but it was still cooler than last week's 11 miler. When I got back to school, anyone who saw me in the hallway was all "wow, is it hot out there?" and "you're all sweaty". Is that the best you can come up with? One of the teachers in my hallway asked me how far I ran. "Five miles?" he guessed. "No, thirteen." His jaw dropped to the floor. I don't get why that's such a big deal.
I am so happy school is almost over. People are getting on my nerves in a big way. Driving to work is obnoxious. The state of VA sells "vanity" plates at a very affordable price, and the trend is for basically everyone to get a personalized license plate. It's bad enough I have to sit in traffic, but then I am forced to read the license plate on the vehicle in front of me. Dear driver of the blue Ford Escape with the license plate "ESSKAPE", why? Clearly your frontal lobe is lacking something. And I'm pretty sure Jesus did not sacrifice Himself so that he might be part of your clever license plate message, "4HM4EVA".
I ran during lunch, at the hottest time of the day, but it was still cooler than last week's 11 miler. When I got back to school, anyone who saw me in the hallway was all "wow, is it hot out there?" and "you're all sweaty". Is that the best you can come up with? One of the teachers in my hallway asked me how far I ran. "Five miles?" he guessed. "No, thirteen." His jaw dropped to the floor. I don't get why that's such a big deal.
I am so happy school is almost over. People are getting on my nerves in a big way. Driving to work is obnoxious. The state of VA sells "vanity" plates at a very affordable price, and the trend is for basically everyone to get a personalized license plate. It's bad enough I have to sit in traffic, but then I am forced to read the license plate on the vehicle in front of me. Dear driver of the blue Ford Escape with the license plate "ESSKAPE", why? Clearly your frontal lobe is lacking something. And I'm pretty sure Jesus did not sacrifice Himself so that he might be part of your clever license plate message, "4HM4EVA".
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Rest Day and Tempo Run
Monday was a rest day, so Pete and I met some friends for Mexican in VB. We sat outside, because it was so nice. Compared to last week, it feels amazing outside. Very low humidity, nice breeze, high 70s. I was only going to have one maragarita, but since it was our day off I went for another. The food was reeeally good too. I ordered the enchiladas, which are my current fave.
Tuesday's workout was a 4-mile tempo at 15k to half-marathon pace. I drove to the same park from Sunday with a 1.5 mile loop. After a 2 mile warm-up, I got some water and used the disgusting port-a-potty. I wanted to go in the woods but I didn't have the nerve to do it with so many poeple around. Ugh that bathroom is so nasty.
The tempo went well. I aimed for 6:40 pace and ended up averaging 6:38's, for a total time 26:33.49. The actual time was 27:06, but I had to subtract the time it took me to run the 50 meters between the "end" and "beginning" of each loop. Splits from my watch (so I can clear it for my run today):
9:54.04 (1.5 miles)
16.78 (between "end" and "beginning") 10:10.82 total
10:03.73 (1.5 miles) 20:14.55 total
16.31 (between) 20:30.86 total
6:35.72 (last mile) 27:06.58 end time
subtract 33.09 seconds
total time: 26:33.49
I am probably going to run during lunch today (since we actually get a full hour and a half for lunch on half days). I might be a little over since I am supposed to run 13 miles today. Two more school days left, and both are half days. Summer cannot get here soon enough!
Tuesday's workout was a 4-mile tempo at 15k to half-marathon pace. I drove to the same park from Sunday with a 1.5 mile loop. After a 2 mile warm-up, I got some water and used the disgusting port-a-potty. I wanted to go in the woods but I didn't have the nerve to do it with so many poeple around. Ugh that bathroom is so nasty.
The tempo went well. I aimed for 6:40 pace and ended up averaging 6:38's, for a total time 26:33.49. The actual time was 27:06, but I had to subtract the time it took me to run the 50 meters between the "end" and "beginning" of each loop. Splits from my watch (so I can clear it for my run today):
9:54.04 (1.5 miles)
16.78 (between "end" and "beginning") 10:10.82 total
10:03.73 (1.5 miles) 20:14.55 total
16.31 (between) 20:30.86 total
6:35.72 (last mile) 27:06.58 end time
subtract 33.09 seconds
total time: 26:33.49
I am probably going to run during lunch today (since we actually get a full hour and a half for lunch on half days). I might be a little over since I am supposed to run 13 miles today. Two more school days left, and both are half days. Summer cannot get here soon enough!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Gettin' Paper
Track season is finally over!! One more week of school, and then summer break begins. I just found out that our school district has a surplus for the year and they are giving all teachers a 2.5% bonus this summer. That will go to good use, either for our house or for our vacation in Lake Placid.
Training has been going well, although the heat has been a serious factor. We lucked out yesterday because we slept in and didn't start out run until almost 9am. The plan was to run 4 miles, then 6 miles at marathon pace, and then finish with 4 more miles to make 14 total. We drove to a nearby park with a 1.5 mile loop, and decided to modify the workout so that we did 4 x 1.5 miles at marathon pace, with a short jog/water break in between. Times for the repeats were:
10:56 (7:20 at mile)
10:44 (7:00 at mile)
10:23 (6:45 at mile)
9:52 (6:40 at mile)
I got a little carried away on the last one because I wanted to run under 10:00, but I didn't feel like I was running an all-out interval. I didn't feel lactic acid at any point in my workout either. I was pretty pleased with the workout and it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.
We spent the afternoon at the beach, which was sooo relaxing. When we got home last night we hung out with our neighbors for a little bit and made dinner. It was a great day, and made up for Saturday.
(*I had to take a Praxis test, then drive straight to Richmond for a track meet. The lightning started after the first event, then we all waited around for three hours before they had to cancel the whole meet. I was pissed but didn't want to let my athletes know. I had really been looking forward to this meet because it's one of the few in VA with a girls steeplechase, and now we have to wait until next year. Plus, Pete got a speeding ticket in some crappy town between here and Richmond. The officer had really bad teeth.)
Week Two:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 8 miles with 10x100m strides (9 total)
Wednesday: 11 miles
Thursday: 5 miles recovery run
Friday: rest
Saturday: 5 miles
Sunday: 14 miles with 6 miles at marathon pace
total: 44 miles
Training has been going well, although the heat has been a serious factor. We lucked out yesterday because we slept in and didn't start out run until almost 9am. The plan was to run 4 miles, then 6 miles at marathon pace, and then finish with 4 more miles to make 14 total. We drove to a nearby park with a 1.5 mile loop, and decided to modify the workout so that we did 4 x 1.5 miles at marathon pace, with a short jog/water break in between. Times for the repeats were:
10:56 (7:20 at mile)
10:44 (7:00 at mile)
10:23 (6:45 at mile)
9:52 (6:40 at mile)
I got a little carried away on the last one because I wanted to run under 10:00, but I didn't feel like I was running an all-out interval. I didn't feel lactic acid at any point in my workout either. I was pretty pleased with the workout and it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.
We spent the afternoon at the beach, which was sooo relaxing. When we got home last night we hung out with our neighbors for a little bit and made dinner. It was a great day, and made up for Saturday.
(*I had to take a Praxis test, then drive straight to Richmond for a track meet. The lightning started after the first event, then we all waited around for three hours before they had to cancel the whole meet. I was pissed but didn't want to let my athletes know. I had really been looking forward to this meet because it's one of the few in VA with a girls steeplechase, and now we have to wait until next year. Plus, Pete got a speeding ticket in some crappy town between here and Richmond. The officer had really bad teeth.)
Week Two:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 8 miles with 10x100m strides (9 total)
Wednesday: 11 miles
Thursday: 5 miles recovery run
Friday: rest
Saturday: 5 miles
Sunday: 14 miles with 6 miles at marathon pace
total: 44 miles
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Life "Lines"
Alright, so when we run competitively there are always lines involved. They mark the lanes on a track, the start and ends of reps, every single block of the side walk, and of course, the start and ends of races. We cross them in the beginning of runs with early ambition. We may not feel great when we cross the start line, but we know how that compares to how we feel when we're nearing the finish line but not quite there.
Runners are accustomed to this scenario and can apply our practice to our work life. That doesn't make us superheros by any stretch of the mind, but we do know how perseverance benefits the performance and pays off.
Currently, Mollie and I are both at a place in our work lives where we are nearing the finish lines of the "season". We both just finished the spring season coaching our outdoor track teams (a long season might I add). Next in the sights of our "work seasons" are two things. Mollie's teaching wraps up in a week and my summer classes wrap up in 2 weeks. This finish line brings us to the much needed rest and recovery of a month of summer. August begins it all again with coaching our cross country teams, the beginning of teaching the 2011-2012 school year and some college courses thrown on top.
Everyone that shares wild professional schedules can appreciate what I'm about to state:
Please take your ventures one "rep" at a time. Please look to the next line ahead, pull yourself forward, do it well, and persevere with a result you can be pleased with. But for the love, reward yourself with some rest and recovery. If you don't, burnout is inevitable. Find your balance mentioned in an earlier post, but remember, there will be moments of having to push hard. Look ahead to the line, the proverbial "pool and beverage of choice" of recovery is just beyond!
Here is my finest example of what I'm speaking of-
In Boston, I had a boss at a yoga and wellness studio that I worked at as a personal trainer. He owned and operated the studio as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer. He charged $120 for an hour session and was completely booked for the next 2 years out for training sessions. The man trained and instructed 10 hours a day, 6-7 days a week for 2 months straight at a time.
This is how he managed to balance and stay sane:
He would work 530 hours in two months, but then he would take a 2 week vacation to Belize, India or just somewhere relaxing in the US. No work, no calls from clients, just him and his wife for two weeks. He did it all the time. The guy was amazing and his clientele was unwavering. I believe this was simply because he practiced working through the lines, and recovered after each 2 month "rep".
We may not be going to Belize, but you better believe I know how to refresh! Work through the lines people, then kick back and enjoy.
Runners are accustomed to this scenario and can apply our practice to our work life. That doesn't make us superheros by any stretch of the mind, but we do know how perseverance benefits the performance and pays off.
Currently, Mollie and I are both at a place in our work lives where we are nearing the finish lines of the "season". We both just finished the spring season coaching our outdoor track teams (a long season might I add). Next in the sights of our "work seasons" are two things. Mollie's teaching wraps up in a week and my summer classes wrap up in 2 weeks. This finish line brings us to the much needed rest and recovery of a month of summer. August begins it all again with coaching our cross country teams, the beginning of teaching the 2011-2012 school year and some college courses thrown on top.
Everyone that shares wild professional schedules can appreciate what I'm about to state:
Please take your ventures one "rep" at a time. Please look to the next line ahead, pull yourself forward, do it well, and persevere with a result you can be pleased with. But for the love, reward yourself with some rest and recovery. If you don't, burnout is inevitable. Find your balance mentioned in an earlier post, but remember, there will be moments of having to push hard. Look ahead to the line, the proverbial "pool and beverage of choice" of recovery is just beyond!
Here is my finest example of what I'm speaking of-
In Boston, I had a boss at a yoga and wellness studio that I worked at as a personal trainer. He owned and operated the studio as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer. He charged $120 for an hour session and was completely booked for the next 2 years out for training sessions. The man trained and instructed 10 hours a day, 6-7 days a week for 2 months straight at a time.
This is how he managed to balance and stay sane:
He would work 530 hours in two months, but then he would take a 2 week vacation to Belize, India or just somewhere relaxing in the US. No work, no calls from clients, just him and his wife for two weeks. He did it all the time. The guy was amazing and his clientele was unwavering. I believe this was simply because he practiced working through the lines, and recovered after each 2 month "rep".
We may not be going to Belize, but you better believe I know how to refresh! Work through the lines people, then kick back and enjoy.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Yes, it's hot!
Heat waves shimmering
one or two inches
above the dead grass.
(a poem by Matsuo Basho)
So hot I cannot breathe
I pause and it only gets worse
Pick it up
I have to stop
I can see the traffic lights ahead
There is a bug on my shoulder
Smack! I got it
A fly on my knee
Too late, he already got me
Twenty minutes more
My leg itches
I have to walk
No!
Stare at the pavement and
I'm going to make it
I think.
(my actual thoughts)
Wednesday's run was not good. 11 miles and in the mid-90s when I left my house at 6:30 pm. I was sweating before I even left. By the halfway point I was feeling ok so I picked it up a little, but 10 minutes later I was toast. I really wanted to walk soooo badly but I made it home with a verrrry slow jog.
Thursday was a 5 mile recovery run, and it was just as hot as the day before. Felt bad at first, but overall I think we achieved the goal of "recovery". I am pretty exhausted, but thankful that school will be over in a week.
Pete and I are looking forward to this weekend. We have one last post-season track meet on Saturday, and then finally track season is over! We're also planning to go to the beach this Sunday. And maybe hitting up a few margaritas.
one or two inches
above the dead grass.
(a poem by Matsuo Basho)
So hot I cannot breathe
I pause and it only gets worse
Pick it up
I have to stop
I can see the traffic lights ahead
There is a bug on my shoulder
Smack! I got it
A fly on my knee
Too late, he already got me
Twenty minutes more
My leg itches
I have to walk
No!
Stare at the pavement and
I'm going to make it
I think.
(my actual thoughts)
Wednesday's run was not good. 11 miles and in the mid-90s when I left my house at 6:30 pm. I was sweating before I even left. By the halfway point I was feeling ok so I picked it up a little, but 10 minutes later I was toast. I really wanted to walk soooo badly but I made it home with a verrrry slow jog.
Thursday was a 5 mile recovery run, and it was just as hot as the day before. Felt bad at first, but overall I think we achieved the goal of "recovery". I am pretty exhausted, but thankful that school will be over in a week.
Pete and I are looking forward to this weekend. We have one last post-season track meet on Saturday, and then finally track season is over! We're also planning to go to the beach this Sunday. And maybe hitting up a few margaritas.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Time
Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
~Earl Nightingale
I put off actually training for a marathon for one reason. It's not the pain, or the hunger, or the actual race that I dread.
It's staying on a strict training schedule. It's the actual amount of time that one has to devote to this goal some 18 weeks in the future. No thank you.
My self-discipline with regard to training has always been below average. When left to my own devices I always find an excuse to skip a workout. After college, I didn't feel like running for awhile. When I got the urge to run, I would, but otherwise I didn't give it much thought. My friend asked me to train for a marathon with her in grad school (turns out 3 days a week is not proper marathon training) and I hated it. I hated spending three or more hours on a saturday running. That memory has unfortunately stuck with me and discouraged me from catching that elusive marathon bug. Fine with me.
I've been running some local races this year, and I've been first or second in the 5ks and 10ks. I'm amazed at how I've been able to get by on residual fitness in the shorter races, although the longer races are more of a struggle. I mentioned before that I may be a bit lazy, right? Well I also hate losing. So, along the way I decided to maybe train for a marathon-- not some crazy 100 mile per week training plan, but something workable. Why? Because I miss the feeling of being in really good shape and being able to beat everyone.
I read an article in the May 2011 edition of Runner's World that compared being in good running shape to a secret superpower that no one really cares about.
(excerpt, link below)
FADE IN
DEEP WOODS—DAYTIME
A LOVELY YOUNG WOMAN lies on the ground, a snakebite on her thigh. A DOCTOR cradles her head, as she bravely fights for life.
DOCTOR
She only has two hours to live, and the only antidote is five miles away! We have no transportation and no way to communicate! She's doomed unless...someone here can run 10 miles in 90 minutes or less!
THE FOOTBALL STAR, THE CLASS PRESIDENT, and THE HANDSOME MUSICIAN look down helplessly.
PETER steps forward. He peels off his jacket, revealing a running singlet.
PETER
I'll be right back.
So it may seem like a pointless endeavor at times, but at least you're using your time wisely. I don't know how anyone else feels, but I get a lot more satisfaction from spending those 60 minutes working out, rather than watching The Bachelorette.
(*to be fair, our new cable hasn't been hooked up and I didn't really want to go back to our apartment just to watch whatever crap is on our DVR anyway)
Week two started off with 8 miles, and 10x100m strides. Pete and I did part of our run with Bella, and she did the strides with me too. Number 8 of 10 was really fast because she was trying to catch a fox that crossed the street in front of our house.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297-519-13920-0,00.html
~Earl Nightingale
I put off actually training for a marathon for one reason. It's not the pain, or the hunger, or the actual race that I dread.
It's staying on a strict training schedule. It's the actual amount of time that one has to devote to this goal some 18 weeks in the future. No thank you.
My self-discipline with regard to training has always been below average. When left to my own devices I always find an excuse to skip a workout. After college, I didn't feel like running for awhile. When I got the urge to run, I would, but otherwise I didn't give it much thought. My friend asked me to train for a marathon with her in grad school (turns out 3 days a week is not proper marathon training) and I hated it. I hated spending three or more hours on a saturday running. That memory has unfortunately stuck with me and discouraged me from catching that elusive marathon bug. Fine with me.
I've been running some local races this year, and I've been first or second in the 5ks and 10ks. I'm amazed at how I've been able to get by on residual fitness in the shorter races, although the longer races are more of a struggle. I mentioned before that I may be a bit lazy, right? Well I also hate losing. So, along the way I decided to maybe train for a marathon-- not some crazy 100 mile per week training plan, but something workable. Why? Because I miss the feeling of being in really good shape and being able to beat everyone.
I read an article in the May 2011 edition of Runner's World that compared being in good running shape to a secret superpower that no one really cares about.
(excerpt, link below)
FADE IN
DEEP WOODS—DAYTIME
A LOVELY YOUNG WOMAN lies on the ground, a snakebite on her thigh. A DOCTOR cradles her head, as she bravely fights for life.
DOCTOR
She only has two hours to live, and the only antidote is five miles away! We have no transportation and no way to communicate! She's doomed unless...someone here can run 10 miles in 90 minutes or less!
THE FOOTBALL STAR, THE CLASS PRESIDENT, and THE HANDSOME MUSICIAN look down helplessly.
PETER steps forward. He peels off his jacket, revealing a running singlet.
PETER
I'll be right back.
So it may seem like a pointless endeavor at times, but at least you're using your time wisely. I don't know how anyone else feels, but I get a lot more satisfaction from spending those 60 minutes working out, rather than watching The Bachelorette.
(*to be fair, our new cable hasn't been hooked up and I didn't really want to go back to our apartment just to watch whatever crap is on our DVR anyway)
Week two started off with 8 miles, and 10x100m strides. Pete and I did part of our run with Bella, and she did the strides with me too. Number 8 of 10 was really fast because she was trying to catch a fox that crossed the street in front of our house.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297-519-13920-0,00.html
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Discomfort... get over it!
So following up some of the thoughts Mollie posted about the appetite.
I had almost forgotten how long runs bring weird stomach pains. That lovely, easy to identify feeling comes after the workout. Your stomach feels uneasy. For me it's not like I'm going to barf. It's more like a subtle, nagging uneasiness.
That uneasiness doesn't prevent me from eating food though... I eat a lot when I train. I don't eat stupid, but I eat those big plates of food they bring out at restaurants. I need the calories and I still lose weight. Eating after my runs isn't fun at first, but quickly my body goes, "yeah you're right, we need this.... let's do this." So the food intake isn't the problem.
The biggest problem with the stomach discomfort after long runs at night is when I'm laying in bed just a few hours after the workout. You find yourself laying there in the dark saying, "dude, this sucks". You turn to the left, right and roll over to no avail. It's just letting you know it's going to be around for a while, whether you like it or not.
The bottom line is a common theme in training- the "get over it!" theme. Training is going to have a number of physical discomforts among other hurdles. I see it as character building. Disclaimer- This may be the biggest reason why people think competitive runners and other competitive endurance athletes are insane! Seriously, to run for hours straight, push so hard you feel awful for about 85% of that time and then say, "It's character building"- I even think I have a problem.
The positive side to it all is that there are and will be many many more feelings of happiness and accomplishment throughout the training and performance experiences. They will be etched in your memory and the push you made through the tough times is going to to make those positive experiences that much more appreciable and memorable.
We may allow the subtle residual stomach pains from long runs fade to the back of our memory, but those wins, PRs and short-/long-term goal accomplishments are sweet baby! They won't be easily forgotten.
I had almost forgotten how long runs bring weird stomach pains. That lovely, easy to identify feeling comes after the workout. Your stomach feels uneasy. For me it's not like I'm going to barf. It's more like a subtle, nagging uneasiness.
That uneasiness doesn't prevent me from eating food though... I eat a lot when I train. I don't eat stupid, but I eat those big plates of food they bring out at restaurants. I need the calories and I still lose weight. Eating after my runs isn't fun at first, but quickly my body goes, "yeah you're right, we need this.... let's do this." So the food intake isn't the problem.
The biggest problem with the stomach discomfort after long runs at night is when I'm laying in bed just a few hours after the workout. You find yourself laying there in the dark saying, "dude, this sucks". You turn to the left, right and roll over to no avail. It's just letting you know it's going to be around for a while, whether you like it or not.
The bottom line is a common theme in training- the "get over it!" theme. Training is going to have a number of physical discomforts among other hurdles. I see it as character building. Disclaimer- This may be the biggest reason why people think competitive runners and other competitive endurance athletes are insane! Seriously, to run for hours straight, push so hard you feel awful for about 85% of that time and then say, "It's character building"- I even think I have a problem.
The positive side to it all is that there are and will be many many more feelings of happiness and accomplishment throughout the training and performance experiences. They will be etched in your memory and the push you made through the tough times is going to to make those positive experiences that much more appreciable and memorable.
We may allow the subtle residual stomach pains from long runs fade to the back of our memory, but those wins, PRs and short-/long-term goal accomplishments are sweet baby! They won't be easily forgotten.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Long Run/ Recap of Week One
"If the furnace is hot enough, it will burn anything."
- John Parker, Once a Runner
Yesterday our long run of 13 miles went well, but we didn't finish until almost 9pm. I felt pretty nauseous through the whole thing but the rest of me felt great so I just sucked it up. We had planned to eat Mexican after our run, but I knew there was noooo way that was going to happen. Gag.
I try to eat healthy foods 90% of the time, but for some reason I settled on eating Wendy's after our run. Chicken sandwich (which I forced down) and a frosty (which was all I really wanted at the time, but knew I had to eat the "real food" first). I feel like whenever I increase my training workload, my appetite takes a while to catch up. In another week or two, I'm sure it will be totally different (like, I'll be ravenous 24-7). I have to go to the grocery store after work today because our fridge is bare and we haven't moved any of our pantry supplies over from the apartment yet.
Week One:
Monday: off
Tuesday: 8 miles (4 at lactate threshold)
Wednesday: 11 miles medium-long run
Thursday: 8 miles general aerobic
Friday: off
Saturday: 5 miles recovery run
Sunday: 13 miles long run
total: 45 miles
- John Parker, Once a Runner
Yesterday our long run of 13 miles went well, but we didn't finish until almost 9pm. I felt pretty nauseous through the whole thing but the rest of me felt great so I just sucked it up. We had planned to eat Mexican after our run, but I knew there was noooo way that was going to happen. Gag.
I try to eat healthy foods 90% of the time, but for some reason I settled on eating Wendy's after our run. Chicken sandwich (which I forced down) and a frosty (which was all I really wanted at the time, but knew I had to eat the "real food" first). I feel like whenever I increase my training workload, my appetite takes a while to catch up. In another week or two, I'm sure it will be totally different (like, I'll be ravenous 24-7). I have to go to the grocery store after work today because our fridge is bare and we haven't moved any of our pantry supplies over from the apartment yet.
Week One:
Monday: off
Tuesday: 8 miles (4 at lactate threshold)
Wednesday: 11 miles medium-long run
Thursday: 8 miles general aerobic
Friday: off
Saturday: 5 miles recovery run
Sunday: 13 miles long run
total: 45 miles
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Firsts
First week of marathon training and first weekend at our new house! Yesterday we ran five miles with our brother-in-law Brandon(and a little at the end with my 7 months pregnant sister), then spent the rest of the day tanning our pasty selves at the beach. Yesterday was perfect weather, low humidity, sunny, 80 degrees. Today we opted to eat brunch with Steph and Brandon and wait til this evening for our long run. Well, actually I would have preferred to get it over with before brunch but I was out-voted. It was raining and I guess some of us didn't want to run in the rain.
*clears throat* Ahem.
*clears throat* Ahem.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Good Company
Well the saying, "You are who you hang out with" holds good value.
To be an athlete, especially a competitive athlete, you need to be aware of this. Your company is influential in more ways than you ever could imagine.
Think of your room mates, your closest friends, your team mates, your family, your class mates, and your coworkers. Think of how often you revolve your actions around these people. You eat with them, you play and relax with them, you philosophize with them, and you even develop your sleep habits around them.
So who are these people? How do they help you? How do you help them? Are they helping or hurting your cause and your short and long term goals?
Always great questions to ask yourself, especially for those training and who have specific goals set for themselves.
It's not selfish to make these evaluations and act on them. It's not "Un-Christian-like". It simply holds true that you are positively and/or negatively affected by your company in some way. And with personal goals, come standards that you have to set for yourself.
This weekend, I will be blessed with the opportunity to see my sister and brother in-law as they are making the trip down from NY to hang. They are both road race runners and Brandon participates in triathlons as well. We've all made it a point to spend time with each other despite the large distance of interstate and numerous state lines between us. Biggest reason- they are family. But to keep on topic- they are such positive company. We've all made it a point to go on runs together, enter and run races together all over the east coast, lend ideas to each other considering lifestyle and health, and even just lay around the beach and pool. Seriously, just good people.
Today is a day off from training and tomorrow will begin it again, but mark my words- I will be in the waves at the beach tomorrow! Have a good one people, hope your company is great.
To be an athlete, especially a competitive athlete, you need to be aware of this. Your company is influential in more ways than you ever could imagine.
Think of your room mates, your closest friends, your team mates, your family, your class mates, and your coworkers. Think of how often you revolve your actions around these people. You eat with them, you play and relax with them, you philosophize with them, and you even develop your sleep habits around them.
So who are these people? How do they help you? How do you help them? Are they helping or hurting your cause and your short and long term goals?
Always great questions to ask yourself, especially for those training and who have specific goals set for themselves.
It's not selfish to make these evaluations and act on them. It's not "Un-Christian-like". It simply holds true that you are positively and/or negatively affected by your company in some way. And with personal goals, come standards that you have to set for yourself.
This weekend, I will be blessed with the opportunity to see my sister and brother in-law as they are making the trip down from NY to hang. They are both road race runners and Brandon participates in triathlons as well. We've all made it a point to spend time with each other despite the large distance of interstate and numerous state lines between us. Biggest reason- they are family. But to keep on topic- they are such positive company. We've all made it a point to go on runs together, enter and run races together all over the east coast, lend ideas to each other considering lifestyle and health, and even just lay around the beach and pool. Seriously, just good people.
Today is a day off from training and tomorrow will begin it again, but mark my words- I will be in the waves at the beach tomorrow! Have a good one people, hope your company is great.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Night running
Sunshine is delicious,
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather.
-John Ruskin
I do not advocate night running for obvious safety reasons, but we had no choice today. It was really hot and humid again, and we had a lot of work to do on the house so we didn't even start our 8 miler until 8:45. For some reason running in the dark makes me feel like I'm running super fast. I think all of my track PRs occurred in the dark (well, under the lights of course) so maybe it's not an illusion and I just run faster because I'm scared of the dark.
Tomorrow I am taking the day off from running. Our training plan calls for a 9 mile run, but Pete and I need to get our house ready for guests this weekend, and I'm going to be at a track meet for most of the day. We ran a little longer today to make up for it, but there's nothing wrong with skipping a day when you need to.
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather.
-John Ruskin
I do not advocate night running for obvious safety reasons, but we had no choice today. It was really hot and humid again, and we had a lot of work to do on the house so we didn't even start our 8 miler until 8:45. For some reason running in the dark makes me feel like I'm running super fast. I think all of my track PRs occurred in the dark (well, under the lights of course) so maybe it's not an illusion and I just run faster because I'm scared of the dark.
Tomorrow I am taking the day off from running. Our training plan calls for a 9 mile run, but Pete and I need to get our house ready for guests this weekend, and I'm going to be at a track meet for most of the day. We ran a little longer today to make up for it, but there's nothing wrong with skipping a day when you need to.
Balance People, Balance
I know it has been thought and perhaps even said aloud within certain company, but here it goes. People who exercise a lot (and by a lot I mean at least an hour + a day throughout the week) can be weird. Don't let this offend you, because I know how to fix this.
Here's the thing, if you are obsessed with workouts (RUNNERS!) you've got to chill out a bit, or at least know the art of balance. Balance means taking important aspects in life and giving them all equal opportunity. If you are OK with allowing most of your time and life to be devoted to workouts, well... "Houston, we've got a problem".
I've trained personally, observed my wife's training habits on a professional running level and trained "regular" adults as their hired personal trainer. All of us succeeded in not becoming the recluses of training. The object is to enjoy your training, seek the challenge and succeed, but seriously, leave the training there in that hour or two and move on with other important parts of your life when you complete the daily task.
I've worked with 2 different types of people. The reluctant and the obsessed. The reluctant people are unable or don't want to devote a full hour session a day to a workout, so they figure, "What's the point if I can't spend enough time working out each day to make a difference?". That's fine you feel that way. But now balance it out. No time for a 1 hour session? Make room for two 30 minute sessions a day. Maybe 3 days of two 30 min. sessions and 2 days of one 1 hr. sessions. It works, and it's the alternative to being fat and disappointed in yourself. Trust me, you won't "figure it out later".
The obsessed only want to train. They focus on it all day and then when they finish, it's about the next day and the next... They don't find time to relax, they make time with others miserable for the others! People, we love that you are a die hard worker. We're proud of you and sometimes amazed at your ability, but it's about working it out and balancing your life.
Make the choice to value your health over laziness and disease and strive to push yourself to experience accomplishments. But here's the kicker, make it a point to balance this with other important parts of your life. Don't turn it into an obsession that impedes on other important aspects of your life (like people and relaxation). That's how it works best. Balance people.
Day 2- Went outside after my morning class in 95+ degree F to run 11 miles. I was extremely optimistic, hydrated and driven. I approached mile 6 and felt like I was going to fall out. Here's the balance application:
I wished the 11 was done in one session, but it wasn't possible. I could have rested for 20 minutes, gone back out and tackled more, but I've got other things I need to do in the day. So I had to break it up. I called the workout, showered, went to my new house and took care of some projects in the AC. I even drank a beer while I worked. The follow up run came later. It's all getting done, just not quite as I originally projected. Between me and the support of my wife, I'll stay accountable in training, but there are other necessities that I need to accomplish. And I will gladly find a way to make it all happen.
Here's the thing, if you are obsessed with workouts (RUNNERS!) you've got to chill out a bit, or at least know the art of balance. Balance means taking important aspects in life and giving them all equal opportunity. If you are OK with allowing most of your time and life to be devoted to workouts, well... "Houston, we've got a problem".
I've trained personally, observed my wife's training habits on a professional running level and trained "regular" adults as their hired personal trainer. All of us succeeded in not becoming the recluses of training. The object is to enjoy your training, seek the challenge and succeed, but seriously, leave the training there in that hour or two and move on with other important parts of your life when you complete the daily task.
I've worked with 2 different types of people. The reluctant and the obsessed. The reluctant people are unable or don't want to devote a full hour session a day to a workout, so they figure, "What's the point if I can't spend enough time working out each day to make a difference?". That's fine you feel that way. But now balance it out. No time for a 1 hour session? Make room for two 30 minute sessions a day. Maybe 3 days of two 30 min. sessions and 2 days of one 1 hr. sessions. It works, and it's the alternative to being fat and disappointed in yourself. Trust me, you won't "figure it out later".
The obsessed only want to train. They focus on it all day and then when they finish, it's about the next day and the next... They don't find time to relax, they make time with others miserable for the others! People, we love that you are a die hard worker. We're proud of you and sometimes amazed at your ability, but it's about working it out and balancing your life.
Make the choice to value your health over laziness and disease and strive to push yourself to experience accomplishments. But here's the kicker, make it a point to balance this with other important parts of your life. Don't turn it into an obsession that impedes on other important aspects of your life (like people and relaxation). That's how it works best. Balance people.
Day 2- Went outside after my morning class in 95+ degree F to run 11 miles. I was extremely optimistic, hydrated and driven. I approached mile 6 and felt like I was going to fall out. Here's the balance application:
I wished the 11 was done in one session, but it wasn't possible. I could have rested for 20 minutes, gone back out and tackled more, but I've got other things I need to do in the day. So I had to break it up. I called the workout, showered, went to my new house and took care of some projects in the AC. I even drank a beer while I worked. The follow up run came later. It's all getting done, just not quite as I originally projected. Between me and the support of my wife, I'll stay accountable in training, but there are other necessities that I need to accomplish. And I will gladly find a way to make it all happen.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
National Running Day
June 1st is National Running Day... so if you haven't gone for your run yet, you still have a few hours left!
Today's workout was 11 miles. The first 6 or 7 were fine, but the last 30 minutes were awful. It was so hot, and all I kept thinking about was water, water, water. A bug flew down my throat in the last two minutes. But it's over, and I feel pretty good now.
So just to recap: alarm went off at 5:20 (although I hit the snooze and didn't get up until 6), drove 30 minutes to work, taught three classes of hyper 9th graders, left work at 2:45 because I cancelled practice today, drove home and got Bella, put together an end table and 2 chairs from Ikea and helped Pete install the Pergo floors, ran 11 miles, and now finally, we're back home waiting for the pizza! Yum!
Thank goodness school is almost out.
Today's workout was 11 miles. The first 6 or 7 were fine, but the last 30 minutes were awful. It was so hot, and all I kept thinking about was water, water, water. A bug flew down my throat in the last two minutes. But it's over, and I feel pretty good now.
So just to recap: alarm went off at 5:20 (although I hit the snooze and didn't get up until 6), drove 30 minutes to work, taught three classes of hyper 9th graders, left work at 2:45 because I cancelled practice today, drove home and got Bella, put together an end table and 2 chairs from Ikea and helped Pete install the Pergo floors, ran 11 miles, and now finally, we're back home waiting for the pizza! Yum!
Thank goodness school is almost out.
Officially Registered
We are registered for the marathon! I almost panicked. Clicked on the link to go register and it said the race was full! So I write an email to the race director pleading for an entry, click send before checking what the webpage said... then I look a little closer.... ooooh. It says October 10, 2010. Yeah that was last year.
Everything's ok now, we're in, and I sent another email to the race director to apologize. Maybe I gave him a good story to tell to his friends today. Anyway, I learned my lesson, to always check for the date and time before wigging out.
Everything's ok now, we're in, and I sent another email to the race director to apologize. Maybe I gave him a good story to tell to his friends today. Anyway, I learned my lesson, to always check for the date and time before wigging out.
The Great Outdoors
What a way to begin the first day of training- heat index at 100 degrees F. Most would take it to the treadmill right? That would be the smart, safe, no-brainer option wouldn't it? Well let me describe to you this experience and let you decide...
The treadmill experience:
It all went down at my local university that I am attending to earn my VA state teaching license. I exit class and go straight to the locker room to change into my newer USATF running shorts that my wife bought me at this year's Penn Relays. My head is in a great place and I'm psyched on getting to begin my training with a solid workout.
REWIND- I had just been previously explaining to a classmate as I exited my class on the way to the locker room that I didn't run with headphones on. I told him about how I have adopted that habit for safety reasons and that I don't need to have music in my ears to keep me occupied and entertained during a run. I explained to him how I like to use my own thoughts and observe the environment around me for entertainment during my runs.
NOW- Dressed out, I'm walking from the locker room to the treadmills of the university's gym. It's May session and the gym is practically empty. It feels like the university is saving on energy costs as the facility's AC feels like it's at a stale 80 degrees F. I step on the treadmill and begin the run, starting with 2 miles at an easy warmup pace. I immediately notice my pace feels fast compared to the pace indicated on the treadmill. I figure maybe I'm just going to take a few miles to break in. After 2 miles I pick up the pace into my 4 miles of tempo. Again the treadmill indicates I'm slow as ever, but I know what condition I'm currently in and what paces I currently run and this digital pace is not anywhere close. Now discouragement and confusion are in my mind. "Is the calibration on the treadmill off?" "Am I just having a terrible day?" "And why is the Roger Federer tennis match close captioned on the tv in front of me? Can't I just watch the match and enjoy that without half the screen covered with CC text?"
I look out the enormous 2 story windows beyond the televisions and quickly realize, it's not me, it's the environment. The treadmill sucks and the room sucks. I need to step into the great outdoors. Impulsive as I am, I barely took the time to power down the treadmill before I ran down the stairs, out the security gates and front doors of the recreation center building and straight into the last 3 miles of my run. It was hot, and the sun was bright with not a single cloud in the sky, but with the improvement in my attitude and a little extra vitamin D added (thank you sunshine) I felt great and ended the workout with such a great feeling. P.S.- nailed my pace once I was outdoors.
"Endorphin city" kicked in after that and now I'm ready to enter the next workout (11 miler) with a positive attitude. And you better believe I'm running outside.
The treadmill experience:
It all went down at my local university that I am attending to earn my VA state teaching license. I exit class and go straight to the locker room to change into my newer USATF running shorts that my wife bought me at this year's Penn Relays. My head is in a great place and I'm psyched on getting to begin my training with a solid workout.
REWIND- I had just been previously explaining to a classmate as I exited my class on the way to the locker room that I didn't run with headphones on. I told him about how I have adopted that habit for safety reasons and that I don't need to have music in my ears to keep me occupied and entertained during a run. I explained to him how I like to use my own thoughts and observe the environment around me for entertainment during my runs.
NOW- Dressed out, I'm walking from the locker room to the treadmills of the university's gym. It's May session and the gym is practically empty. It feels like the university is saving on energy costs as the facility's AC feels like it's at a stale 80 degrees F. I step on the treadmill and begin the run, starting with 2 miles at an easy warmup pace. I immediately notice my pace feels fast compared to the pace indicated on the treadmill. I figure maybe I'm just going to take a few miles to break in. After 2 miles I pick up the pace into my 4 miles of tempo. Again the treadmill indicates I'm slow as ever, but I know what condition I'm currently in and what paces I currently run and this digital pace is not anywhere close. Now discouragement and confusion are in my mind. "Is the calibration on the treadmill off?" "Am I just having a terrible day?" "And why is the Roger Federer tennis match close captioned on the tv in front of me? Can't I just watch the match and enjoy that without half the screen covered with CC text?"
I look out the enormous 2 story windows beyond the televisions and quickly realize, it's not me, it's the environment. The treadmill sucks and the room sucks. I need to step into the great outdoors. Impulsive as I am, I barely took the time to power down the treadmill before I ran down the stairs, out the security gates and front doors of the recreation center building and straight into the last 3 miles of my run. It was hot, and the sun was bright with not a single cloud in the sky, but with the improvement in my attitude and a little extra vitamin D added (thank you sunshine) I felt great and ended the workout with such a great feeling. P.S.- nailed my pace once I was outdoors.
"Endorphin city" kicked in after that and now I'm ready to enter the next workout (11 miler) with a positive attitude. And you better believe I'm running outside.
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