“I wanted you to see what real courage is.
It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin
but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
I'm so glad we saw it through.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Courage
I can't say I'm courageous, but this quote from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird resonated with me ...
I'm so glad we saw it through.
I'm so glad we saw it through.
Week Six
This week went pretty well. The schedule increased this week and looked like this:
Monday - stretch and strengthen
Tuesday - 4.5 miles
Wednesday - 3 miles or XT
Thursday - 4.5 miles and strengthen
Friday - REST
Saturday - XT
Sunday - 7 miles
My run on Tuesday was tough. I ran about 25 minutes and then just felt so tired that I walked a little bit. That definitely helped and I still finished my run in less than 45 minutes. I woke up not feeling like running, but a little white butterfly showed up and gave me inspiration. Towards the end of my run, I another white butterfly floated by, giving me the strength to finish - thank you Brienna :)
Thursday's run was great. Felt much more refreshed, ran the 4.5 in a little less than 43 minutes. Not too bad!!
I did my long run on Saturday (9 miles!!), and did it on the treadmill because it was pouring out. The treadmill I was on had a 60 minute time limit which sucked. At 35 minutes, I felt like I was dying. When the 60 minutes was up, I walked for 5 and then ran another 30. I did 9.2 in 90 minutes, or something like that. At least 9 miles in 90 minutes, which I'll take. I didn't have the same elation I had last week, because this just felt so much harder. My legs felt like jello, but I guess the main thing is that I finished! So I am definitely happy about that.
I have been doing absolutely nothing in terms of strength training, so need to work on that this week. Especially my legs, but my arms are losing muscle too and I am mad about that.
On a side note, I wore my skinny jeans this weekend! And got several compliments. I also wore a dress today and had a bunch of people say that I looked great. So, I am happy about that. I'd so much rather have Brienna here, but I'll take what I can, I guess.
Monday - stretch and strengthen
Tuesday - 4.5 miles
Wednesday - 3 miles or XT
Thursday - 4.5 miles and strengthen
Friday - REST
Saturday - XT
Sunday - 7 miles
My run on Tuesday was tough. I ran about 25 minutes and then just felt so tired that I walked a little bit. That definitely helped and I still finished my run in less than 45 minutes. I woke up not feeling like running, but a little white butterfly showed up and gave me inspiration. Towards the end of my run, I another white butterfly floated by, giving me the strength to finish - thank you Brienna :)
Thursday's run was great. Felt much more refreshed, ran the 4.5 in a little less than 43 minutes. Not too bad!!
I did my long run on Saturday (9 miles!!), and did it on the treadmill because it was pouring out. The treadmill I was on had a 60 minute time limit which sucked. At 35 minutes, I felt like I was dying. When the 60 minutes was up, I walked for 5 and then ran another 30. I did 9.2 in 90 minutes, or something like that. At least 9 miles in 90 minutes, which I'll take. I didn't have the same elation I had last week, because this just felt so much harder. My legs felt like jello, but I guess the main thing is that I finished! So I am definitely happy about that.
I have been doing absolutely nothing in terms of strength training, so need to work on that this week. Especially my legs, but my arms are losing muscle too and I am mad about that.
On a side note, I wore my skinny jeans this weekend! And got several compliments. I also wore a dress today and had a bunch of people say that I looked great. So, I am happy about that. I'd so much rather have Brienna here, but I'll take what I can, I guess.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Soul Mates
I just read Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. At one point in the book, she talks about soul mates and says, "people think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave."
Granted the conversation in the book was about her ex-boyfriend, but when I read this, I instantly thought of Brienna. She has truly helped me change my life ... I can say with 100% certainty that I am not the same person I was before I knew Brienna. I continue to be amazed at all that she taught me and continues to teach me. In so many ways, I am lucky.
Granted the conversation in the book was about her ex-boyfriend, but when I read this, I instantly thought of Brienna. She has truly helped me change my life ... I can say with 100% certainty that I am not the same person I was before I knew Brienna. I continue to be amazed at all that she taught me and continues to teach me. In so many ways, I am lucky.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Week Six
This is the first week that I pretty much followed the training schedule. Well, almost.
Tuesday I just did not want to get out bed. I was a lazy POS all day, but kept thinking about the fact that I should have gone running. I was laying on the couch in the afternoon, and decided to just go for it. I am glad I did! It ended up being a pretty great run. I did 43 minutes, which when I mapped it afterwards was about 4.3 miles. So I'm definitely a 10 minute pace right now, which is fine by me. I didn't even look at my watch until 3.5 miles had gone by, and i even tried to extend the route, which is huge for me.
Wednesday I did the 2 miles in 21 minutes, but it was humid out and I was somewhat miserable. I think the 4 miles was easier, which is just crazy to me! I never thought that 4 miles would be easy - woo hoo!
Thursday I again didn't wanted to get out bed. Lazy, lazy. Pat and I planned to go to the gym but of course didn't, so I used Thursday as a rest day.
Friday, I did the 4 miles. I had stayed up until 3AM reading Thursday night, so again, I did not want to get out bed. But, I ran in the afternoon and had a good run. I did 4 miles in 37:40, which is huge for me. I felt good and am happy with my progress thus far.
I did nothing on Saturday - oops.
On to Sunday. The schedule called for running a 5K, but I was starting to get nervous about the fact that we only run 10 miles before the actual race. So I decided that I would attempt 7 miles. It was pouring out, so I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I ended up doing 8 MILES!!!! I am so freaking proud of myself. The last 18 minutes was tough, but doable. I was even able to up the pace for the last 2 minutes, which made me happy. I ended up doing 80 minutes, and my average pace was 9:50. So really I ran 8.1 miles. Either way, I am ecstatic. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. Brienna was with me every step of the way and I have to say, it makes me just want to keep pushing. I am amazed with myself because I'm convinced it's all mental. My knee felt fine (I'm still using the PattStrap, which I love) and I was able to do more than I ever thought possible. I mean, I know the goal is 13.1 miles, but still. I'm just so proud of myself. I need to make sure I really stretch, because I have a feeling I'm going to be sore!
But either way, YEAH!! I think I might be a runner :)
Tuesday I just did not want to get out bed. I was a lazy POS all day, but kept thinking about the fact that I should have gone running. I was laying on the couch in the afternoon, and decided to just go for it. I am glad I did! It ended up being a pretty great run. I did 43 minutes, which when I mapped it afterwards was about 4.3 miles. So I'm definitely a 10 minute pace right now, which is fine by me. I didn't even look at my watch until 3.5 miles had gone by, and i even tried to extend the route, which is huge for me.
Wednesday I did the 2 miles in 21 minutes, but it was humid out and I was somewhat miserable. I think the 4 miles was easier, which is just crazy to me! I never thought that 4 miles would be easy - woo hoo!
Thursday I again didn't wanted to get out bed. Lazy, lazy. Pat and I planned to go to the gym but of course didn't, so I used Thursday as a rest day.
Friday, I did the 4 miles. I had stayed up until 3AM reading Thursday night, so again, I did not want to get out bed. But, I ran in the afternoon and had a good run. I did 4 miles in 37:40, which is huge for me. I felt good and am happy with my progress thus far.
I did nothing on Saturday - oops.
On to Sunday. The schedule called for running a 5K, but I was starting to get nervous about the fact that we only run 10 miles before the actual race. So I decided that I would attempt 7 miles. It was pouring out, so I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I ended up doing 8 MILES!!!! I am so freaking proud of myself. The last 18 minutes was tough, but doable. I was even able to up the pace for the last 2 minutes, which made me happy. I ended up doing 80 minutes, and my average pace was 9:50. So really I ran 8.1 miles. Either way, I am ecstatic. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. Brienna was with me every step of the way and I have to say, it makes me just want to keep pushing. I am amazed with myself because I'm convinced it's all mental. My knee felt fine (I'm still using the PattStrap, which I love) and I was able to do more than I ever thought possible. I mean, I know the goal is 13.1 miles, but still. I'm just so proud of myself. I need to make sure I really stretch, because I have a feeling I'm going to be sore!
But either way, YEAH!! I think I might be a runner :)
Week Five
My ITB was sore this week, so I didn't do the 4 mile run I was supposed to on Tuesday. This is the first time that my knee really hurt going down stairs - that sharp pain was back, so I babied my knee and am glad that I did!
Wednesday, Pat, B and I did a 45 minute trail walk, which was great - we were down the Cape.
Thursday, I got up early and took B to the bike path. It was a perfect morning weather-wise. We ran for 45 minutes, and I felt amazing. I timed myself at one point using the mile markers on the trail, and according to that ran a 9-minute mile at least for one mile. That doesn't actually make a whole lot of sense to me, because I don't run that fast. I was thinking that maybe it was marking KM, but 9 minutes for .6 miles doesn't make sense either. So who knows, but either way, I felt great and definitely ran a negative split, which makes me happy :)
I decided to do my long run on Saturday, because we had a wedding on Sunday. I ran 6 miles in 61 minutes - with NO stopping to walk! I was so freaking happy :) I ran in Canton and did an out and back route, and it was great. There is a hill by the high school that almost killed me, but I saw Andrea and Phil right afterwards and that kinda kept me going. And, I talk to Brienna and that helps too. I swear she picks me up as I'm running. 6 miles is a big milestone for me. I'm not sure I've ever run 6 miles, and definitely not all at once. So YEAH!!
Wednesday, Pat, B and I did a 45 minute trail walk, which was great - we were down the Cape.
Thursday, I got up early and took B to the bike path. It was a perfect morning weather-wise. We ran for 45 minutes, and I felt amazing. I timed myself at one point using the mile markers on the trail, and according to that ran a 9-minute mile at least for one mile. That doesn't actually make a whole lot of sense to me, because I don't run that fast. I was thinking that maybe it was marking KM, but 9 minutes for .6 miles doesn't make sense either. So who knows, but either way, I felt great and definitely ran a negative split, which makes me happy :)
I decided to do my long run on Saturday, because we had a wedding on Sunday. I ran 6 miles in 61 minutes - with NO stopping to walk! I was so freaking happy :) I ran in Canton and did an out and back route, and it was great. There is a hill by the high school that almost killed me, but I saw Andrea and Phil right afterwards and that kinda kept me going. And, I talk to Brienna and that helps too. I swear she picks me up as I'm running. 6 miles is a big milestone for me. I'm not sure I've ever run 6 miles, and definitely not all at once. So YEAH!!
Week Four - Long Run
Was supposed to run on Thursday, but didn't. My ITB was sore after Tuesday's run, so I opted against running.
Saturday, I went to the gym and did the elliptical machine for 40 minutes. I can tell I'm in better shape, because I didn't even look at the clock until 41 minutes was up! I was pretty happy about that.
Sunday, Kris and I ran together. We went to the East Bay Bike Path and it was ok. I ended up doing 30/5/23 but didn't love it. Kris and I don't run well together! We ran the first 30 minutes together, and I felt my knee really start to hurt at the end of the 30 minutes which bummed me out. I'm not sure if I picked up my pace or what, but it wasn't the best run in the world to say the least. But I did it, and that is the important part! I find that I'm exhausted on the days I run ...
Saturday, I went to the gym and did the elliptical machine for 40 minutes. I can tell I'm in better shape, because I didn't even look at the clock until 41 minutes was up! I was pretty happy about that.
Sunday, Kris and I ran together. We went to the East Bay Bike Path and it was ok. I ended up doing 30/5/23 but didn't love it. Kris and I don't run well together! We ran the first 30 minutes together, and I felt my knee really start to hurt at the end of the 30 minutes which bummed me out. I'm not sure if I picked up my pace or what, but it wasn't the best run in the world to say the least. But I did it, and that is the important part! I find that I'm exhausted on the days I run ...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Week Four - Tuesday's Run
So, today was another 3.5 mile day. I decided that because Sunday's run went so well, I would try and do the whole thing all at once. And I did!! 37:30 of running ... I definitely run slow, about a 10:30+ mile, but I truly could care less. Just running is a victory for me, so I'm happy.
I did feel some ITB discomfort, so am worried about that. I am hoping that with lots of ice and stretching, I'll be okay. For most of the run, I actually felt pretty good. It was towards the end when my knee hurt that I wanted to just be done already, but I felt really good beyond that. It makes me very happy to be able to say that :)
When I got home, I did a modified chest and back workout. I love the way my arms are looking, and want to keep it up so that they stay nice. I want them more lean, so need to figure out how to get that to happen ... Tomorrow is arms/shoulders, which I'll modify but overall, training is going well. I hope, hope, hope it continues to go this well!
I thank Brienna every day, because she makes it possible for me to do this. And for that, I'm lucky ... I think of her beautiful little face, and it gives me the push I need to keep going. Love it.
I did feel some ITB discomfort, so am worried about that. I am hoping that with lots of ice and stretching, I'll be okay. For most of the run, I actually felt pretty good. It was towards the end when my knee hurt that I wanted to just be done already, but I felt really good beyond that. It makes me very happy to be able to say that :)
When I got home, I did a modified chest and back workout. I love the way my arms are looking, and want to keep it up so that they stay nice. I want them more lean, so need to figure out how to get that to happen ... Tomorrow is arms/shoulders, which I'll modify but overall, training is going well. I hope, hope, hope it continues to go this well!
I thank Brienna every day, because she makes it possible for me to do this. And for that, I'm lucky ... I think of her beautiful little face, and it gives me the push I need to keep going. Love it.
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