27.1.15
5 Miles on the Creek
This is a step back week. I'm still running but fewer miles and not at all caring about the speed. Which is good because it wasn't at all fast. Today I did about five miles along the creek. The plan was to 'run' out, and then run back, but on the way back I could take as many pictures as I wanted. I ran outside today with my friend: Global Warming. Also, Sunshine and Ducks came for a visit.
22.1.15
Workout Music - 2015
As always, I typically don't listen to music when I'm running outside. Inside, running circles on the track is a whole other story. I like to have music blaring as loud as possible to drown out the reality of running in circles for an hour. Some new favorites for a new year:
Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk. This is everyone's favorite workout song I think.
Sheppard - Geronimo. I was introduced to this song on The Voice. It's kind of catchy.
Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life. I think I found this one on Pandora.
Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance. My personal theme song. When I'm running I always speed up when I hear this song, even when I'm trying not to.
Foster the People - Call It What You Want. This is a weird video right? That's something to think about when I'm running.
Walk the Moon - Work This Body, discovered after my love affair with 'Shut Up and Dance' led me to listen to the whole album. The title reminds me of this shirt.
Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk. This is everyone's favorite workout song I think.
Sheppard - Geronimo. I was introduced to this song on The Voice. It's kind of catchy.
Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life. I think I found this one on Pandora.
Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance. My personal theme song. When I'm running I always speed up when I hear this song, even when I'm trying not to.
Foster the People - Call It What You Want. This is a weird video right? That's something to think about when I'm running.
Walk the Moon - Work This Body, discovered after my love affair with 'Shut Up and Dance' led me to listen to the whole album. The title reminds me of this shirt.
20.1.15
Two Long Runs
This weekend, global warming showed itself in a big way, and I got myself outside to enjoy it. A big part of blogging for me is about taking pictures when I run, and then having a place to put them. But when I'm forced inside for weeks at a time because it's too cold to run outside, I have no interesting pictures to show, and therefore very little interest in blogging.
Thursday 6.5 miles on the Greenway. This one was not photo worthy because it was mostly at night. Downside of the run were the two bathroom stops. Upside of the run was the speed for the back half of the run. I was feeling so lousy anyways, I decided to forget about the heart rate and have fun with it.
Saturday 8.5 miles on the Greenway and Franklin-Marshal loop along the Mississippi River. I paced myself really well for this run, which had been my main goal. I needed the pacing because I had two friends coming to Zumba afterwards and I badly needed to be able to handle the class. The sun was out for most of this run. All of the runners came out to enjoy it. I had lots of company on the river trails, but not as much on the Greenway.
Monday: 10.5 Miles on the Cedar Lake Trail. I did not pace myself as well on this run, but I had a boatload of fun nonetheless. I started from the downtown gym, and got the Loring Greenway and Loring Park out of the way first. I'm not sure why I hate running through those places, maybe because the paths do not go in a straight line? The Cedar Lake Trail was about how I remembered it, although I went further than I'd gone before. The industrial section at the start of St Louis Park is never any fun. Turns out, there's a community center with amenities about where I needed to turn around, so that made things a bit better at least. I tried to spin after this run, but it was useless. I got off the bike early and went in search of food instead.
Heart Rate: Interesting point about all of these runs is that I can't see my heart rate monitor when I'm dressed for winter running. (The watch is strapped onto my wrist under my shirt sleeves and jacket.) As a result, I tried to 'pace' based on how I was feeling. Saturday morning was all about going easy and conserving energy, so the heart rate is relatively smooth. Monday afternoon, I was having a lot of fun towards the end of the run so I went a bit faster but took more walk breaks. The heart rate is kind of all over the place, which is about how I was feeling.
Thursday 6.5 miles on the Greenway. This one was not photo worthy because it was mostly at night. Downside of the run were the two bathroom stops. Upside of the run was the speed for the back half of the run. I was feeling so lousy anyways, I decided to forget about the heart rate and have fun with it.
Saturday 8.5 miles on the Greenway and Franklin-Marshal loop along the Mississippi River. I paced myself really well for this run, which had been my main goal. I needed the pacing because I had two friends coming to Zumba afterwards and I badly needed to be able to handle the class. The sun was out for most of this run. All of the runners came out to enjoy it. I had lots of company on the river trails, but not as much on the Greenway.
Monday: 10.5 Miles on the Cedar Lake Trail. I did not pace myself as well on this run, but I had a boatload of fun nonetheless. I started from the downtown gym, and got the Loring Greenway and Loring Park out of the way first. I'm not sure why I hate running through those places, maybe because the paths do not go in a straight line? The Cedar Lake Trail was about how I remembered it, although I went further than I'd gone before. The industrial section at the start of St Louis Park is never any fun. Turns out, there's a community center with amenities about where I needed to turn around, so that made things a bit better at least. I tried to spin after this run, but it was useless. I got off the bike early and went in search of food instead.
Heart Rate: Interesting point about all of these runs is that I can't see my heart rate monitor when I'm dressed for winter running. (The watch is strapped onto my wrist under my shirt sleeves and jacket.) As a result, I tried to 'pace' based on how I was feeling. Saturday morning was all about going easy and conserving energy, so the heart rate is relatively smooth. Monday afternoon, I was having a lot of fun towards the end of the run so I went a bit faster but took more walk breaks. The heart rate is kind of all over the place, which is about how I was feeling.
6.1.15
Toothpaste - bleh!
I'm going to be real here for a moment.
I hate the taste of toothpaste. For serious. Cannot stand it. Which, as you can imagine, causes some serious issues for me and dental hygiene.
One night, out of total desperation I finally did a Google search for DIY toothpaste. You should try it sometime. Some of those recipes are really interesting. What is diatomaceous earth anyways? I don't know why it took me so long to figure out I could make my own non-gross toothpaste. I found a recipe a while ago for homemade shampoo that I like, and I've been making my own laundry soap since about forever.
Filtering through way too many recipes with ingredients I can't pronounce, I finally found this utterly simple, wonderful recipe. Baking soda and salt. I know what those things are! I know where to find them in the grocery store! I did use some mint essential oil in mine too, but that was mostly because I had it on hand from making my own shampoo. Best of all, I think this took about thirty seconds to put together. Not like the laundry soap.
So far on day two, I keep running my tongue over my teeth because I can't believe how much better they feel. And I can't believe how much I don't mind brushing my teeth now, knowing I'm not going to get that nasty chemical taste in my mouth. I'm now thinking about how I can carry this stuff while traveling without making TSA nervous for me having white powder in my carry on luggage.
I hate the taste of toothpaste. For serious. Cannot stand it. Which, as you can imagine, causes some serious issues for me and dental hygiene.
One night, out of total desperation I finally did a Google search for DIY toothpaste. You should try it sometime. Some of those recipes are really interesting. What is diatomaceous earth anyways? I don't know why it took me so long to figure out I could make my own non-gross toothpaste. I found a recipe a while ago for homemade shampoo that I like, and I've been making my own laundry soap since about forever.
Filtering through way too many recipes with ingredients I can't pronounce, I finally found this utterly simple, wonderful recipe. Baking soda and salt. I know what those things are! I know where to find them in the grocery store! I did use some mint essential oil in mine too, but that was mostly because I had it on hand from making my own shampoo. Best of all, I think this took about thirty seconds to put together. Not like the laundry soap.
So far on day two, I keep running my tongue over my teeth because I can't believe how much better they feel. And I can't believe how much I don't mind brushing my teeth now, knowing I'm not going to get that nasty chemical taste in my mouth. I'm now thinking about how I can carry this stuff while traveling without making TSA nervous for me having white powder in my carry on luggage.
1.1.15
2014 Fitness Goals - A Year in Review
Running: Continue to run at least one mile per day
Outcome: Great Success! I crossed 800 days on my streak just before Christmas.
Plan for 2015: Repeat this goal for another year.
Total Weekly Mileage: Average 28 miles per week
Outcome: Okay, well this is interesting. My worksheet originally said I'd made it quite handily, but now saying I was close but no cigar. Because math. Average of 27.73 miles/week.
Plan for 2015: Average 30 miles per week. I'm feeling iffy as I'm writing this, like I should've picked 29 miles per week instead. We'll see how this goes.
Total Mileage: 1,450 for the year
Outcome: Great Success! 1,497 miles on the year broken into 1304 miles run, 140.6 miles walked, 52.8 'miles' on the elliptical.
Plan for 2015: 1,560 miles for the year. (Gulp!) Secondary goal of not effing up the calculations like last year.
Cross Training: Add weight lifting, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No joy. Wound up averaging about 20 minutes per week. Honestly, not quite the catastrophic failure I thought it'd be. I did some sessions of Body Pump earlier in the year, and TRX/Kettlebell towards the end of the year. I really liked the weight training, and later in the year also found myself missing Circuit.
Plan for 2015: Modify this goal in some way.
Cross Training: Add stretching, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No joy. Again, I had dreams of doing Yoga once a week or so and it just never happened. But I did do a lot of stretching and foam rolling on my own, to my great benefit.
Plan for 2015: Modify this goal. In 2015, I might like to see this closer to 45 minutes per week. (I meant to type 40, why does it say 45?!?)
Cross Training: Add core work, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No. Just no. Like one Pilates class all year. Some other work that might've been Core Work was listed as a 'finisher' or some other stuff.
Plan for 2015: I miss Pilates but this goal has to go.
Nutrition: no specific goal
Outcome: Well how could I go wrong?
Other thoughts:
I have no idea why I thought I'd come up with three more hours per week to work out for core, weights and stretching. That was silly.
I didn't have a goal about Zumba, but I really enjoy the class and have missed it like mad in December so I may make a firmer attendance goal for next year.
I had no 'goals' about doing finishers after running, and really should have. Especially since I stopped going to Circuit. I'm imaging the weight training/something goal gets modified to include this.
Outcome: Great Success! I crossed 800 days on my streak just before Christmas.
Plan for 2015: Repeat this goal for another year.
Total Weekly Mileage: Average 28 miles per week
Outcome: Okay, well this is interesting. My worksheet originally said I'd made it quite handily, but now saying I was close but no cigar. Because math. Average of 27.73 miles/week.
Plan for 2015: Average 30 miles per week. I'm feeling iffy as I'm writing this, like I should've picked 29 miles per week instead. We'll see how this goes.
Total Mileage: 1,450 for the year
Outcome: Great Success! 1,497 miles on the year broken into 1304 miles run, 140.6 miles walked, 52.8 'miles' on the elliptical.
Plan for 2015: 1,560 miles for the year. (Gulp!) Secondary goal of not effing up the calculations like last year.
Cross Training: Add weight lifting, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No joy. Wound up averaging about 20 minutes per week. Honestly, not quite the catastrophic failure I thought it'd be. I did some sessions of Body Pump earlier in the year, and TRX/Kettlebell towards the end of the year. I really liked the weight training, and later in the year also found myself missing Circuit.
Plan for 2015: Modify this goal in some way.
Cross Training: Add stretching, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No joy. Again, I had dreams of doing Yoga once a week or so and it just never happened. But I did do a lot of stretching and foam rolling on my own, to my great benefit.
Plan for 2015: Modify this goal. In 2015, I might like to see this closer to 45 minutes per week. (I meant to type 40, why does it say 45?!?)
Cross Training: Add core work, at least one hour per week
Outcome: No. Just no. Like one Pilates class all year. Some other work that might've been Core Work was listed as a 'finisher' or some other stuff.
Plan for 2015: I miss Pilates but this goal has to go.
Nutrition: no specific goal
Outcome: Well how could I go wrong?
Other thoughts:
I have no idea why I thought I'd come up with three more hours per week to work out for core, weights and stretching. That was silly.
I didn't have a goal about Zumba, but I really enjoy the class and have missed it like mad in December so I may make a firmer attendance goal for next year.
I had no 'goals' about doing finishers after running, and really should have. Especially since I stopped going to Circuit. I'm imaging the weight training/something goal gets modified to include this.
31.12.14
December Monthly Totals
What Could Go Better: This was a rough month emotionally, and all those emotions took their rage out on my body. Among other things my sleep was wrecked which in turn lead to my running being wrecked. Time will heal this one; there's nothing else I need to do.
Biggest Surprise: My hear rate while running up hills in Cincinnati. It was not totally aerobic, but much closer than I'd expected it to be. I feel like the whole 'heart rate training' thing is finally starting to pay off.
Plan for January: 1. Run a mile per day. 2. Get outside. I ran with a friend at the gym this morning and was already lamenting the craziness that will be January on that track. It won't take me long to prefer braving the cold to the wretchedness that is the gym in January. 3. Start 'training' for the Flying Pig 3 Way. 4. Try an 'Insanity' class with Running Neighbor. That seems like a class gym newbies would avoid. Am I right? 5. Wear a heart rate monitor while running. (This mildly conflicts with getting outside and running becuase I can't see the HRM under my jacket sleeves. Oh well.)
15.12.14
Year of Running 2014
This isn't my official review, but I am using Miss Zippy's questions to get my mind going.
Best Race Experience: Tie between my first trail race and the Loony Bin. I mean "Loony Challenge". The trail race was fantastic because it was utterly low key and welcoming. Loony was fantastic because I liked so many races in one weekend and it was basically well organized and fun.
Best Run: Get in Gear was a revelation. I was NOT expecting the time I ran in that race.
Best New Piece of Gear: My Heart Rate Monitor. I have a love/hate relationship with the thing. Although I've liked it much more this winter than in the summer when it was making me run super slow.
Best Running Advice Received: When a friend said 'when I was swinging kettle bells, that's the most solid my body has ever been'. TRX/Kettle Bell class was really fun.
Most Inspirational Runner: Meb Keflezighi. Because we needed a win in Boston, and he was all heart and class in New York.
Sum Up Your Year in A Couple of Words: Just Keep Running.
Best Race Experience: Tie between my first trail race and the Loony Bin. I mean "Loony Challenge". The trail race was fantastic because it was utterly low key and welcoming. Loony was fantastic because I liked so many races in one weekend and it was basically well organized and fun.
Best Run: Get in Gear was a revelation. I was NOT expecting the time I ran in that race.
Best New Piece of Gear: My Heart Rate Monitor. I have a love/hate relationship with the thing. Although I've liked it much more this winter than in the summer when it was making me run super slow.
Best Running Advice Received: When a friend said 'when I was swinging kettle bells, that's the most solid my body has ever been'. TRX/Kettle Bell class was really fun.
Most Inspirational Runner: Meb Keflezighi. Because we needed a win in Boston, and he was all heart and class in New York.
Sum Up Your Year in A Couple of Words: Just Keep Running.
30.11.14
November Monthly Totals
What Worked Well: 1. Running at Julie's house. Although the woods were closed for deer hunting, I was able to work in a run on the crushed limestone trail. I got utterly soaked by the end of the run but had a blast.
2. Running 10 miles on Thanksgiving day. I even threw in a 'finisher' of squats, standing bicycles and standing toe touches.
3. Started the TRX/Kettlebell class at the gym. I'm finding it quite challenging. I'm enjoying it and hoping to add some of what I learn to my 'finisher' repertoire.
What Could Go Better: You know it drives me nuts that I missed 100 running miles but less than 2 miles right?
Biggest Surprise: I was going to say 'the elliptical' but then I realized I only went to two Spin classes this month. That seems not quite right.
Plan for December: Run a mile per day. Run 28-30 miles per week. Finish up the TRX/Kettlebell class. Add 'stair running' to my track workouts at least six times this month. (There is a stair case at either end of the indoor track. I would like to run down and back up the stairs every lap excluding my first mile and my cool down, for at least six workouts.) Run lots and lots in Cincinnati for the holidays.
16.11.14
Running Indoors - sometimes fast and sometimes slow
I am still running. Monday sort of ushered in 'in-door running season' which hit brutally quick this year.
Tuesday I ran outside, just for a mile, and then did TRX/Kettlebell at the gym. Running outside was fairly icy. Winter is reminding me of the other use of my trail shoes: Ice Running.
Wednesday started out as a track run but my heart rate was all over the place and there was just no way. I did a mile and half on the track and then headed over to the elliptical where my heart rate was much easier to keep under control. I walked on the track and took some serious time to stretch out afterwards.
Thursday I had zero problems with my heart rate and had a great run. I ran 5 miles, walked half a mile, and then headed down to Zumba.
Friday I was in a bit of a hurry, so I only had time to do 3 miles. I think I was dreaming of running with a higher heart rate and didn't freak out when it got to 150, but mostly I kept it pretty low key.
Saturday I was somewhat hung over and recovering from the Garth Brooks concert, so I just ran my mile and then slowly and surely made my way back to the couch.
Sunday I decided to check out the Downtown gym. I've heard it's a ghost town on the weekend and I was not disappointed. I had another day where I could not keep my heart rate in check so I did 2.2 miles on the treadmill and then headed over to the elliptical. It was a bit of a learning moment for me to be able to keep my heart rate at 150 or 151 for so long without seeing a big spike. I guess I know what the treadmill is good for now.
Tuesday I ran outside, just for a mile, and then did TRX/Kettlebell at the gym. Running outside was fairly icy. Winter is reminding me of the other use of my trail shoes: Ice Running.
Wednesday started out as a track run but my heart rate was all over the place and there was just no way. I did a mile and half on the track and then headed over to the elliptical where my heart rate was much easier to keep under control. I walked on the track and took some serious time to stretch out afterwards.
Thursday I had zero problems with my heart rate and had a great run. I ran 5 miles, walked half a mile, and then headed down to Zumba.
Friday I was in a bit of a hurry, so I only had time to do 3 miles. I think I was dreaming of running with a higher heart rate and didn't freak out when it got to 150, but mostly I kept it pretty low key.
Saturday I was somewhat hung over and recovering from the Garth Brooks concert, so I just ran my mile and then slowly and surely made my way back to the couch.
Sunday I decided to check out the Downtown gym. I've heard it's a ghost town on the weekend and I was not disappointed. I had another day where I could not keep my heart rate in check so I did 2.2 miles on the treadmill and then headed over to the elliptical. It was a bit of a learning moment for me to be able to keep my heart rate at 150 or 151 for so long without seeing a big spike. I guess I know what the treadmill is good for now.
12.11.14
Monday: Adventure Day
Massive snow storms were predicted today. I decided that I needed to keep a positive attitude about the snow. I will be driving in it for some time to come. So I named Monday as an adventure day, although without the driving.
Bus: I walked up a couple blocks to a bus stop. Two different routes come to that stop. So I decided that whichever route came first was the one I'd take. One route would take me to the Uptown Gym and one to Downtown. Either way I could run.
Result: In a surprise twist, a neighbor was driving to work and spotted me and offered to give me a ride to the close gym, Midtown, which is hilariously inconvenient for busing because of routes and transfers.
Workout: I ran 4 miles on the track at the gym. Because it'ssnowing *sleeting* outside. I did a warmup, then 1 lap at 148-150 heart rate, 1 lap at 141-144 heart rate, etc and then a couple cool down laps. I really had the urge to move and this worked out nicely.
Bus 2: I took the 21 all the way to the end of the line in Uptown, hopped off, grabbed coffee and made my way to the apple store.
Apple Store! I bought myself my very first iPad today. I'd been wanting one since the beginning of time, but more so recently. There's a few things that I do that work well on a touch screen but the iPhone is just a bit too tiny for them. I'm now hunting down photo editing apps, so name your favorites.
Bus 3: I took one last bus home, and by then I was ready to call it a day. It didn't really feel like an adventure until this guy was driving like he was running behind and there was no snow nor ice on the ground. I could've lived without that part of it.
Home: I spent the afternoon getting to know my iPad. We are still dating. I also grabbed clothes for tomorrow, and for the gym, and made myself lunch.
Bus: I walked up a couple blocks to a bus stop. Two different routes come to that stop. So I decided that whichever route came first was the one I'd take. One route would take me to the Uptown Gym and one to Downtown. Either way I could run.
Result: In a surprise twist, a neighbor was driving to work and spotted me and offered to give me a ride to the close gym, Midtown, which is hilariously inconvenient for busing because of routes and transfers.
Workout: I ran 4 miles on the track at the gym. Because it's
Bus 2: I took the 21 all the way to the end of the line in Uptown, hopped off, grabbed coffee and made my way to the apple store.
Apple Store! I bought myself my very first iPad today. I'd been wanting one since the beginning of time, but more so recently. There's a few things that I do that work well on a touch screen but the iPhone is just a bit too tiny for them. I'm now hunting down photo editing apps, so name your favorites.
Bus 3: I took one last bus home, and by then I was ready to call it a day. It didn't really feel like an adventure until this guy was driving like he was running behind and there was no snow nor ice on the ground. I could've lived without that part of it.
Home: I spent the afternoon getting to know my iPad. We are still dating. I also grabbed clothes for tomorrow, and for the gym, and made myself lunch.
11.11.14
Sunday: Lake Harriet Sans Snow
Sunday morning: last run without snow for 2014. Massive snow storms were predicted for Sunday night and all day Monday, so I had to get out and run one more long run without cleats or twenty five pairs of socks. Minnesota already appears to have gone gray. All the color between the sky and the ground is gone. I won't see it again until spring. Le sigh.
I ran an interval training workout that I had programmed into Endomondo. It builds some walks in. When running, I try to keep my heart rate on the higher side of aerobic for me, 148-152. Walk breaks allow me to 'burn hot' for a longer distance. I've run this interval workout a few other times, and it gets quite challenging by the end. This time I got a couple extra breaks waiting for lights at Nicollet and Lyndale.
9.11.14
iOS 8 Updates: Nike and Strava and Endomondo
I use my running apps on an iPhone, so the iOS 8 update was a big deal. Every year I notice an iOS update the week before Twin Cities Marathon, and every year I refuse to update until after race weekend. This year was the same. Here's what I've noticed about the apps.
Strava: I cannot tell one single difference. In a very good way. This app wins the prize for being the only one that found my heart rate monitor straight away, without needing to re-pair it.
Nike+: Nike+ and I have always enjoyed strained relations but we had recently achieved a detente of sorts. The iOS 8 update blew that all to hell.
Endomondo: Still my favorite app and my favorite website.
Strava: I cannot tell one single difference. In a very good way. This app wins the prize for being the only one that found my heart rate monitor straight away, without needing to re-pair it.
Nike+: Nike+ and I have always enjoyed strained relations but we had recently achieved a detente of sorts. The iOS 8 update blew that all to hell.
- Health kit: I never uploaded/integrated/whatever the health kit. Apparently now there's a way for me to connect some kind of heart rate monitor? I can't figure it out.
- Music controls: are 10 kinds of screwed up. The music sort of insists on having the controls go through the app while listening to itunes, but interacting with the app at all during the run seems to impact playback in less than ideal ways.
Endomondo: Still my favorite app and my favorite website.
- Heart rate monitor: I had to re-pair my heart rate monitor after the update. This wasn't the only app that had this issue, but I didn't notice until some runs were completed so I was kind of bummed.
- Vibration: A feature lost in an earlier update seems to be restored. The phone now vibrates at the end of a lap in addition to giving an audio cue. I really missed that feature and am glad to see it back.
- Interval workouts: Not available with Nike+ nor Strava, available with Endomondo Premium (or legacy Endomondo Pro)
- Goal workouts: Nike+ allows goals by distance, time, or speed. Endomonodo allows goals by distance, time, and on Premium accounts also calories burned. Strava allows goals of time or distance on premium accounts only.
- Foot pods: No. Just, no.
- Heart rate monitors: Endomnodo and Strava seem to support loads of these. I use a Mio Alpha with no problems.
- Running indoors: Nike+ has an indoor setting that uses the accelerometer on the phone. Endomondo and Strava do not support indoor running.
6.11.14
4.11.14
Race annoyances
One of the blogs I read is Miss Zippy which I typically enjoy. She wrote an article Sorry, Not Sorry which I also read. I found it basically oh-so-true, with a hint of 'the times, they are a-changing'.
Coming to a dead stop at water stops: Oh so true. In every race. Walking through water stops is totally acceptable. But coming to a dead stop won't be fun for anyone. I don't see it that often, so it's not a big pet peeve of mine.
Listening to music on your headphones loud enough you can't hear your surroundings. Oh so true. I don't run too many races with music, the last one being Get in Gear. When I do use music, I tend to leave one ear bud half way out so I can hear what's going on. This is even more important on courses that are not closed to traffic.
Seeding yourself incorrectly: Both 'oh so true' and 'the times they are a-changing'. The options I've seen are 'free for all' at the starting line. This happens most often in 5Ks (TCM 5K and Flying Pig 5K, I'm looking at you), and incorrect seeding is just going to happen because there's no feedback for anyone about where they should be standing. Next up is the 'no corrals, but pace signs and times posted' and this is my favorite option. It relies on runners following the honor system and having some understanding of how fast they are going to be moving. The most stringent solution is obviously the corral system. It's certainly the most fool proof, but sometimes penalizes runners who know they are faster but don't have a qualifying time so wind up in the back corral with the really slow people.
Running four or five abreast at a leisurely pace: Both 'oh so true' and 'the times they are a-changing'. This is not fun at marathons where people are trying for a Boston Qualifier or whatever. But I think some races are really designed for this kind of thing. I'm thinking about the big ones like Race for a Cure, Color Run, and some similar races where the level of competitive running is much lower, and the social aspect of the race is highly marketed.
Taking selfies during the race: Is this a thing? Apparently I'm too far in the back of the pack to be impacted by this.
Coming to a dead stop at water stops: Oh so true. In every race. Walking through water stops is totally acceptable. But coming to a dead stop won't be fun for anyone. I don't see it that often, so it's not a big pet peeve of mine.
Listening to music on your headphones loud enough you can't hear your surroundings. Oh so true. I don't run too many races with music, the last one being Get in Gear. When I do use music, I tend to leave one ear bud half way out so I can hear what's going on. This is even more important on courses that are not closed to traffic.
Seeding yourself incorrectly: Both 'oh so true' and 'the times they are a-changing'. The options I've seen are 'free for all' at the starting line. This happens most often in 5Ks (TCM 5K and Flying Pig 5K, I'm looking at you), and incorrect seeding is just going to happen because there's no feedback for anyone about where they should be standing. Next up is the 'no corrals, but pace signs and times posted' and this is my favorite option. It relies on runners following the honor system and having some understanding of how fast they are going to be moving. The most stringent solution is obviously the corral system. It's certainly the most fool proof, but sometimes penalizes runners who know they are faster but don't have a qualifying time so wind up in the back corral with the really slow people.
Running four or five abreast at a leisurely pace: Both 'oh so true' and 'the times they are a-changing'. This is not fun at marathons where people are trying for a Boston Qualifier or whatever. But I think some races are really designed for this kind of thing. I'm thinking about the big ones like Race for a Cure, Color Run, and some similar races where the level of competitive running is much lower, and the social aspect of the race is highly marketed.
Taking selfies during the race: Is this a thing? Apparently I'm too far in the back of the pack to be impacted by this.
3.11.14
That time of year indeed!
I'd said last week it's the time of year when I run to find myself (or sometimes not to lose myself). It's also the time of year when it's starting to get cold and running inside seems not so bad. The beauty of this situation is twofold. First, the track is less crowded and I haven't been on it in a while, so running inside seems not so bad. Second, if I'm outside it means we are having a fantastic day. Wins all around I say.
Last week I had two inside runs. Because 20mph winds are not my friend. I also had a run on the Greenway, Elm Creek Park, and a run/walk around the neighborhood.
Today I *accidentally* ran 4 miles in the neighborhood. I'd meant to run my mile and then start walking but it was a bit windy and I didn't feel like slowing down. (Not that I was going terribly fast to begin with.) So I kept running until I got home. Excellent.
Last week I had two inside runs. Because 20mph winds are not my friend. I also had a run on the Greenway, Elm Creek Park, and a run/walk around the neighborhood.
Today I *accidentally* ran 4 miles in the neighborhood. I'd meant to run my mile and then start walking but it was a bit windy and I didn't feel like slowing down. (Not that I was going terribly fast to begin with.) So I kept running until I got home. Excellent.
31.10.14
October Monthly Totals
What Worked Well: Zumba. My fitness goal for October was a triumphant return to Zumba. And I did in a big way. I went to all the Thursday and Saturday classes after race weekend, and I threw in a couple Wednesday classes as well.
What Could Go Better: Stretching. Sometimes I am grumpy and lazy and don't want to get off the couch. And I'm sick of listening to the same youtube videos telling me how to foam roll. Apparently I need a hug.
Biggest Surprise: Spin. This was my biggest month for spin ever. I had a blast and may try to go every Monday from now on, instead of the every other I've been doing. I started wearing my heart rate monitor in class, which helps me force myself to work to the right intensity.
Plan for Next Month: Average 28-30 miles per week. Run at least one mile per day. Run in the woods at Julie's place at least once. Run 8-10 miles on Thanksgiving Day. Start the Kettlebell/TRX class at the gym.
30.10.14
Aparently it's *that time* of the year
Not that time of the month. Calm down.
It's the time of the year when I run more as a habit, and so I don't lose myself, than for any other reason. As such, I rarely feel motivated to write about it. This week's running didn't even lend itself to photography really. Sunday and Tuesday I did my normal Lake Hiawatha route, Monday was the Greenway, Wednesday was just a mile around my house and today was inside on the track.
What else am I doing? Zumba.
I declared October to be the month of Zumba, since I missed so much of it in September. I've gone on Thursdays and Saturdays and even gone to a few Wednesday classes as a special bonus.
In the meantime, I had a photo-repost on Instagram, which felt kind of cool.
It's the time of the year when I run more as a habit, and so I don't lose myself, than for any other reason. As such, I rarely feel motivated to write about it. This week's running didn't even lend itself to photography really. Sunday and Tuesday I did my normal Lake Hiawatha route, Monday was the Greenway, Wednesday was just a mile around my house and today was inside on the track.
What else am I doing? Zumba.
I declared October to be the month of Zumba, since I missed so much of it in September. I've gone on Thursdays and Saturdays and even gone to a few Wednesday classes as a special bonus.
In the meantime, I had a photo-repost on Instagram, which felt kind of cool.
26.10.14
23.10.14
8.5 Miles on Cedar Lake Trail
I had actually two workouts tonight. I took the unusual step of driving to the downtown gym so I could take longer at the end of the night without rushing.
Workout 1 - Run 8.5 miles, interval workout. As I've mentioned before, I'm not training for a single thing right now, and I'm really taking steps to enjoy that. I still wanted a longer workout today, so I did run/walk intervals along a new-to-me section of the Cedar Lake Trail. I had a nice time. The intervals let me run harder than normal, but for short enough bursts that my heart rate didn't get out of control.
Workout 2 - Spin. With the Dungeon Master. She earned that nickname herself. We did the long hill workout, which was my favorite from before. Except I didn't remember coming out of my seat so many times in the last workout. I am terribly lazy on bike, and hate coming out of the saddle. The only thing I hate worse is jumps.
After the workout, I leisurely got cleaned up, dried my hair, etc. Then I stopped by a Chinese Restaurant (it's been too long) and grabbed some takeout for dinner.
Workout 1 - Run 8.5 miles, interval workout. As I've mentioned before, I'm not training for a single thing right now, and I'm really taking steps to enjoy that. I still wanted a longer workout today, so I did run/walk intervals along a new-to-me section of the Cedar Lake Trail. I had a nice time. The intervals let me run harder than normal, but for short enough bursts that my heart rate didn't get out of control.
Workout 2 - Spin. With the Dungeon Master. She earned that nickname herself. We did the long hill workout, which was my favorite from before. Except I didn't remember coming out of my seat so many times in the last workout. I am terribly lazy on bike, and hate coming out of the saddle. The only thing I hate worse is jumps.
After the workout, I leisurely got cleaned up, dried my hair, etc. Then I stopped by a Chinese Restaurant (it's been too long) and grabbed some takeout for dinner.
22.10.14
Sunday - today I am grateful for:
I headed out for a Run/Walk around 4:00 on Sunday afternoon. I ended it feeling pretty good, several moments of gratitude sparkled through the time.
1. I am grateful not to be running a race right now. So when I want to run lazily up the hill and then back down the other side, I don't have to worry about strengthening my legs or improving my times. I can just run for the joy of it.
2. I am grateful for this fall that seems to be lasting forever. I feel like it came on really early, but then the leaves have held on forever.
3. I am grateful for the motivation to actually leave the house. It took all day to find. The 'get the run in and then we'll walk and take pictures' seemed to be the right compromise.
1. I am grateful not to be running a race right now. So when I want to run lazily up the hill and then back down the other side, I don't have to worry about strengthening my legs or improving my times. I can just run for the joy of it.
2. I am grateful for this fall that seems to be lasting forever. I feel like it came on really early, but then the leaves have held on forever.
3. I am grateful for the motivation to actually leave the house. It took all day to find. The 'get the run in and then we'll walk and take pictures' seemed to be the right compromise.
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