One thing is different this go around... bootcamp. I've built it in as my strength and stretch day. Before I'd half ass this day with a couple sit ups and push ups. That's not exactly how I'd describe bootcamp. Bootcamp is an hour long session of pure torture. We do planks, squats, lunges, sit ups, push ups, swings, mountain climbers, jumping jacks (holding a weight bar of course), etc, etc, etc.
Yesterday we did a new move... the side plank. Did you know you have muscles along the side of you?! Cason does. I do too now. Also, never challenge the trainer to do a move with you. He can do it but for longer and thus make you do it for longer as well.
Today was a short 3 mile run. One small problem, it's 97 degrees here with a heat index of 105. I made a deal with myself at 5:30 this morning: get a couple more hours of sleep and run in the a/c on a treadmill. One small problem...I hate treadmills... with a passion. They are stupid. I'm not a rationale human being at 5:30 a.m. Allow me to explain my disdain...they don't work for training. I mean, sure, you get a workout, but where (other than on a treadmill) will the ground move under you in one nice neat level grade. All you really have to do is pick up your feet and presto the ground moves!! That's not real! Not to mention you are sweating and breathing heavy a little too close to the stranger next to you. No thank you, I'll brave the heat.
Luckily, it cooled off a bit this evening and I got a run in outside, on a hilly route I was unfamiliar with and without proper hydration. I survived, not gracefully, but I survived.
Tomorrow... two miles followed by bootcamp (insert HUGE question mark here)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
finishing the race I started
It's been too long, but I've resurrected this old blog as I start training once again for the Lewis and Clark Half Marathon. I tried blogging my way through my last half marathon training and did so with minor success; I'm making no promises this time. But atlas, today I once again started training as I attempt (hopefully succeed at) the Lewis & Clark Half Marathon on October 3.
Since today was my first training run for this race, I thought back on my first ever training run. It was right around this time 3 years ago for this exact same race. I remember the run clearly. I just made it to Tower Grove Park which was only about 3 blocks from my apartment when I realized my uncle was just about to go into surgery. He was diagnosed with methothelioma (cancer caused by exposure to asbestos) and was undergoing an 18 hour surgery. As I ran I just cried and prayed for him. I felt strangely connected to him at that moment.
Fast forward about 8-9 months. It's September and I'm off to the race with my parents and friend to run 13.1 miles. We knew it was going to rain, but had no clue what we were in for with Hurricane Ike coming through. When we finally made it to the parking lot (10 minutes after the start of the race), there was water up to our knees. I had to make the call in tears to go home without even starting.
That evening turned out to be a gorgeous day in St. Louis. Since I was already hydrated and carbo-loaded, I decided to go for a run. I figured I'd do about 5 miles or so since it was getting dark. At about mile 3 I thought "screw it... I'm doing a half marathon today!!" So... I did. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but I'm stubborn and when I set out to do something I'm gonna do it. As I finished late that night, I thought about my uncle as I had every single run that year.
The next morning I was awaken by a phone call from my cousin. My uncle lost his battle just a couple hours after I had finished running my 13.1 miles. After calling the family and making arrangements to head to Florida, I reflected on the past 8 months. Every single run I did I prayed for my uncle. I'd laugh saying, if he could, he'd be out here with me... such a lie... he'd be sitting by the pool with a whiskey soar!! In some weird poetic way, we started this race together and finished together.
The following spring I would finish not one, but two, half marathons in a week. The latter being with my aunt who raised money for cancer research by running. This fall, I'll finish my fourth half when I finally officially complete the race I started training for with my uncle Steve.
Since today was my first training run for this race, I thought back on my first ever training run. It was right around this time 3 years ago for this exact same race. I remember the run clearly. I just made it to Tower Grove Park which was only about 3 blocks from my apartment when I realized my uncle was just about to go into surgery. He was diagnosed with methothelioma (cancer caused by exposure to asbestos) and was undergoing an 18 hour surgery. As I ran I just cried and prayed for him. I felt strangely connected to him at that moment.
Fast forward about 8-9 months. It's September and I'm off to the race with my parents and friend to run 13.1 miles. We knew it was going to rain, but had no clue what we were in for with Hurricane Ike coming through. When we finally made it to the parking lot (10 minutes after the start of the race), there was water up to our knees. I had to make the call in tears to go home without even starting.
That evening turned out to be a gorgeous day in St. Louis. Since I was already hydrated and carbo-loaded, I decided to go for a run. I figured I'd do about 5 miles or so since it was getting dark. At about mile 3 I thought "screw it... I'm doing a half marathon today!!" So... I did. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but I'm stubborn and when I set out to do something I'm gonna do it. As I finished late that night, I thought about my uncle as I had every single run that year.
The next morning I was awaken by a phone call from my cousin. My uncle lost his battle just a couple hours after I had finished running my 13.1 miles. After calling the family and making arrangements to head to Florida, I reflected on the past 8 months. Every single run I did I prayed for my uncle. I'd laugh saying, if he could, he'd be out here with me... such a lie... he'd be sitting by the pool with a whiskey soar!! In some weird poetic way, we started this race together and finished together.
The following spring I would finish not one, but two, half marathons in a week. The latter being with my aunt who raised money for cancer research by running. This fall, I'll finish my fourth half when I finally officially complete the race I started training for with my uncle Steve.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Well, Sunday is the big day! From my lack of posts you can probably assume a.) I've been crazy busy, b.) I've not been training as I should, or c.) my computer was broken for 3 weeks. If you guessed all three than you would be right.
Wow! This came much quicker than I would have ever thought. But, I think I'm as ready as I can be. Yes, I skipped some runs. And, yes, this hasn't been my focus. I will say though, after talking with a friend that I am proud of the miles I was able to get in. I mean, who would have thought I could average working 65 hours a week and still train for a half marathon and try to have a life. That's a huge accomplishment... or it will be Sunday afternoon when I'm finally finished!
We'll see how I do and if you are in St. Louis, come out and cheer!
Wow! This came much quicker than I would have ever thought. But, I think I'm as ready as I can be. Yes, I skipped some runs. And, yes, this hasn't been my focus. I will say though, after talking with a friend that I am proud of the miles I was able to get in. I mean, who would have thought I could average working 65 hours a week and still train for a half marathon and try to have a life. That's a huge accomplishment... or it will be Sunday afternoon when I'm finally finished!
We'll see how I do and if you are in St. Louis, come out and cheer!
Friday, March 13, 2009
**it happens
I basically forgot I had this little piece of blog land. Sorry folks... both of you! Life has been crazy busy. I'm not sure exactly what I've been so busy doing, but I'm sure it has been interesting and fun none the less. Apparently this blog is about my training so let's start there.
Tuesday I did my "long" run. This week is pretty easy considering it is supposed to be the 10K race week. Considering I'm broke as a joke, I'm not entering any races other than the big ones. Instead, I ran around Forest Park. It was a gorgeous day! The kind that makes you think spring is here only to find it to be in the 30's the next day. But, it was beautiful!! I opened that morning which meant a get out of bed time of 3:45 a.m., followed by a trip to the office. This meant I was on my feet for 7 hours and then sat for another 3. Needless to say, my legs weren't in tip-top shape. Everything was going fine until I felt what could have been a drop of rain hit my arm. It wasn't. I look over only to find bird poop running down the top of my arm. I maneuvered my sleeve to wipe off only to get a little on my had. I spent the next 4 miles repeating the mantra "use the left hand, use the left hand." Reminding myself to not wipe the sweat away with the poop infected hand. I laugh to myself thinking how can this happen twice* in one lifetime? This run seemed longer and harder than it should. I mean it really is only about 6 miles, but I was exhausted the whole time. The next day I was really sore.
My schedule has just got me all screwed up and my legs can't handle it I guess. I took Wednesday off and yesterday went for a 5 mile run. It was good. Today I was supposed to do another 5, but I just don't think I could. I'm sore. So, I'm not going to and instead spend the evening watching movies and sleeping**. I'm glad this week was a light week and hopefully I can get back on track next week. Did I tell you I'm three weeks ahead of schedule? My plan is to continue as I am and just build the miles. That way, I hopefully won't die come marathon week.
Are you ever sore for no apparent reason??
*The other time was an unfortuneatly timed walk to the metro link for work. Again, I thought it could be rain that hit the top of my head... I was wrong. Once I got to work I spent the first 15 minutes in the bathroom trying to figure out how to wash my hair in the sink. That night at Praise and Worship, it was announced that a bird crapped on me... I loved my friends.
**another 3:45 wake up call.
Tuesday I did my "long" run. This week is pretty easy considering it is supposed to be the 10K race week. Considering I'm broke as a joke, I'm not entering any races other than the big ones. Instead, I ran around Forest Park. It was a gorgeous day! The kind that makes you think spring is here only to find it to be in the 30's the next day. But, it was beautiful!! I opened that morning which meant a get out of bed time of 3:45 a.m., followed by a trip to the office. This meant I was on my feet for 7 hours and then sat for another 3. Needless to say, my legs weren't in tip-top shape. Everything was going fine until I felt what could have been a drop of rain hit my arm. It wasn't. I look over only to find bird poop running down the top of my arm. I maneuvered my sleeve to wipe off only to get a little on my had. I spent the next 4 miles repeating the mantra "use the left hand, use the left hand." Reminding myself to not wipe the sweat away with the poop infected hand. I laugh to myself thinking how can this happen twice* in one lifetime? This run seemed longer and harder than it should. I mean it really is only about 6 miles, but I was exhausted the whole time. The next day I was really sore.
My schedule has just got me all screwed up and my legs can't handle it I guess. I took Wednesday off and yesterday went for a 5 mile run. It was good. Today I was supposed to do another 5, but I just don't think I could. I'm sore. So, I'm not going to and instead spend the evening watching movies and sleeping**. I'm glad this week was a light week and hopefully I can get back on track next week. Did I tell you I'm three weeks ahead of schedule? My plan is to continue as I am and just build the miles. That way, I hopefully won't die come marathon week.
Are you ever sore for no apparent reason??
*The other time was an unfortuneatly timed walk to the metro link for work. Again, I thought it could be rain that hit the top of my head... I was wrong. Once I got to work I spent the first 15 minutes in the bathroom trying to figure out how to wash my hair in the sink. That night at Praise and Worship, it was announced that a bird crapped on me... I loved my friends.
**another 3:45 wake up call.
Monday, February 23, 2009
life...
Rhythms. Pathways. Memorization.
My church is finishing up a sermon series called Rhythms. It's been convicting to see what spiritual disciplines I lack, but redeeming to see God working and changing my heart. Bringing me closer to Himself through these pathways.
One of those said lacking disciplines for me is scripture memorization. But, I was challenged by one of the girls in my CG to memorize Romans 8. And, I'm loving it! Even though I've fallen a tad behind schedule, I finding it a clear way to really learn what God is saying. Sure I read the bible, but I often read it as if I'm reading just any other book. Once sentence after another. Yet, memorization takes time. You must look at each and every sentence. Break it down. Figure out what is being said.
Why am I going on and on about scripture memorization in a blog about training for a half marathon? Because running is an area where two worlds collide. It's a medium for God to meet me and for me to worship Him. Today was just another 50 minute cross training day, but while memorizing Romans 8:11 God struck me on my training. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit that dwells in you."* Really reading that verse, meditating on it, and memorizing it brought me alive. Because the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead does dwell in me. That means that he who raised Christ Jesus is giving life to my mortal body! My body is alive and able because Christ's spirit, through righteousness (v. 10) breaths life into me. I'm able to go run and enjoy His beauty because His spirit dwells in me! That give me all new motivation to get out there and train. Use the body that Christ and given life too.
*confession... I had to cheat when writing the verse.
My church is finishing up a sermon series called Rhythms. It's been convicting to see what spiritual disciplines I lack, but redeeming to see God working and changing my heart. Bringing me closer to Himself through these pathways.
One of those said lacking disciplines for me is scripture memorization. But, I was challenged by one of the girls in my CG to memorize Romans 8. And, I'm loving it! Even though I've fallen a tad behind schedule, I finding it a clear way to really learn what God is saying. Sure I read the bible, but I often read it as if I'm reading just any other book. Once sentence after another. Yet, memorization takes time. You must look at each and every sentence. Break it down. Figure out what is being said.
Why am I going on and on about scripture memorization in a blog about training for a half marathon? Because running is an area where two worlds collide. It's a medium for God to meet me and for me to worship Him. Today was just another 50 minute cross training day, but while memorizing Romans 8:11 God struck me on my training. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit that dwells in you."* Really reading that verse, meditating on it, and memorizing it brought me alive. Because the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead does dwell in me. That means that he who raised Christ Jesus is giving life to my mortal body! My body is alive and able because Christ's spirit, through righteousness (v. 10) breaths life into me. I'm able to go run and enjoy His beauty because His spirit dwells in me! That give me all new motivation to get out there and train. Use the body that Christ and given life too.
*confession... I had to cheat when writing the verse.
Monday, February 9, 2009
an answer the the long asked Why?
I figured out today why Americans are getting fatter.
Exhibit A...
The plate on the left is my great grandma's. On the right is mine. I have a theory... if our plate sizes would decrease so would our waist lines.
Exhibit A...
The plate on the left is my great grandma's. On the right is mine. I have a theory... if our plate sizes would decrease so would our waist lines.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Kentucky Mini-Marathon
I might be stupid, but I just registered for the Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon. Aside from the fact that it's crazy stupid to run 13.1 miles, this is the weekend after the Go! St. Louis half marathon. But, I think I can do it. I remember I wasn't really that sore last fall after running 13 miles so I think I can do it.
Amazingly enough I'm more excited about the Kentucky one now. I get to go and run with my aunt (actually, I don't really think she's an aunt, but a distant cousin, maybe). Either way, I'm stoked to get to run with her. And, I'll get to drive down with my good friend Betsy. She's way awesome and I don't get to spend much time with her at all. I CAN'T WAIT!
This week I've once again taken it easy. It snowed a good 7 inches this week. I did go do my 2 miles on Monday (in the sleet). It was really funny cause I thought my pony tail was smacking me in the head, but come to find out it was freezing ran. And, if you didn't know, freezing rain feels like tiny pieces of glass hitting your face. Hopefully I'll get my 5 miles in on Saturday.
Amazingly enough I'm more excited about the Kentucky one now. I get to go and run with my aunt (actually, I don't really think she's an aunt, but a distant cousin, maybe). Either way, I'm stoked to get to run with her. And, I'll get to drive down with my good friend Betsy. She's way awesome and I don't get to spend much time with her at all. I CAN'T WAIT!
This week I've once again taken it easy. It snowed a good 7 inches this week. I did go do my 2 miles on Monday (in the sleet). It was really funny cause I thought my pony tail was smacking me in the head, but come to find out it was freezing ran. And, if you didn't know, freezing rain feels like tiny pieces of glass hitting your face. Hopefully I'll get my 5 miles in on Saturday.
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