Ready...
...set...
...GO!!!
Let the 10 Days of Non-Stop Running in June commence!
I haven't been able to train like I wanted to over the last 6 weeks because of the craziness of life. First was finals week, which I actually ran a lot, but mostly just as a stress reliever, I didn't really "train". It was all I could do some days to just get my butt out the door and put one foot in front of the other.
The next week, I of course crashed and slept half of the week. I am pretty sure I ran no more than three days that week. That week actually merged with my Seattle trip, in which I ran twice. My first run was short, squeezed in while waiting for a friend who was driving up to visit me. My second run was a long run (with hills!) and ironically is currently my longest recorded run (75 minutes!).
I was back home for a week, which again, I was still recovering from finals and now jet-lag. Again, almost positive I only ran three days that week.
The last two weeks I was up north (in the chilly, mostly cloudy, rain, rain, rain, tornado filled weather) and ran a grand total of five times in those two weeks. Of course I did run once inside (in place) and did A LOT of core (which I need to continue...heh).
After sitting in a car for over 16 hours through the night (driving about half of that, staying awake for all) and being up for over 27 hours straight, I was sick for two days and ended up laying in bed, watching movies (and Friends), and doing homework (summer classes, bleh)...and of course, not running.
Now I am getting back on track...before my next trip in less than two weeks. I have two months before XC season starts. I still don't know where I am going to be in the fall (school-wise), however, I plan on running XC no matter what, whether it is for a college or unattached. I want the experience.
My sister is home from college for the summer and she has run XC and Track at school for the last two years (she's actually on scholarship because of it). Its great! I miss having her around and being able to spend time together, hangout, talk, etc.
She was really encouraging to me tonight (whether she knows it or not). I have been so worried about speed that I am not sure whether to to speed workouts or distance training. Thankfully she has experience and told me that I should focus on getting miles in this summer to build a base and only do one semi-fast day of training a week. I am so excited because I have been really digging the long distance runs lately.
So, Day 1: Ran about 3.5 miles (ran with a group).
My end of the year goal: run a mini-marathon.
I would also like to run the Disney Mini Relay with my Mom.
Happy Running!
The crazy normal life of a running-addicted woman.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Run Here, Run There, Run Everywhere
These last few weeks have been completely crazy. Over the last two weeks I have had 3 midterms, 2 quizzes, 1 pop quiz and an impromptu essay, on top of the usual reading for the week. My biology exam was incredibly time consuming, taking about 30 hours total of studying. It gets worse. There are 5 weeks of school left and in those 5 weeks I have 2 speeches and a speech final, 2 biology tests and a final, 3 math tests and a final, 2 education tests and a final, a 3000 word research paper and an English final. A grand total of 12 tests, 2 speeches, and a 3000 word paper over the next 30 days. I told my sister that I should invest in Red Bull stock options. Although I have discovered that coffee works almost as well and is much more inexpensive.
Running tonight went well. My brother and I ran 4 miles in total. The first 3 we ran mostly at race pace (for me, not him) and would have finished a race in around 25 minutes. It is an improvement!
I did a lot of cross training two weeks ago on an elliptical due to the amount of time I have had to spend on school (which is more important at this time than running). We have a friend who was getting rid of it and was sweet and offered it to us. It has been such a blessing! I am not sure how these next five weeks are going to play out and how much time I will be able to devote to running. I am fairly certain that any races in April are out of the question. Thankfully I will be able to cross train and study at the same time to stay focused on my athletic and scholastic goals.
Interesting news...I decided after much prayer and discussion to contact the Rollins College Cross Country Coach to discuss that possibilities (however slim they may be) of joining the team in the fall. I emailed him and heard back from him within the hour telling me to pick a day that I could make it to the college and we could talk. Hopefully we will be meeting this week and I will find out for certain whether I will be running for Rollins College in the fall or at Seminole State College for another semester. Either way I know that God has a plan for me that involves running and I just keep praying He will make it clear to me.
My mom and I were discussing dreams, goals, and careers recently. She said something that really stuck with me and something that I think is true. She said something along the lines that we need to pray that God will not only open doors for us, but create doors that are not there. That we need to take the gifts God has given us and starting drawing our own doors for God to open. I really feel like that is true. I had been praying for months about going back to school and really wasn't sure about going. But one day God inspired me and I just decided that I was going to do everything possible to get myself into school for the upcoming semester. I made the decision to draw the doors for school and God opened the right ones according to His will. And here I am, a full-time student looking at having my degree in only two more years and my masters in four more. God is good.
My mom also sent me a link to this blog on making dreams reality and I also think this is very inspiring and true if you add God into the mix. If you have a chance, read it.
http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/03/21/12-steps-to-make-a-dream-a-reality/
Remember that nothing is impossible. The only thing stopping you from reaching your full potential is you.
Happy running.
Running tonight went well. My brother and I ran 4 miles in total. The first 3 we ran mostly at race pace (for me, not him) and would have finished a race in around 25 minutes. It is an improvement!
I did a lot of cross training two weeks ago on an elliptical due to the amount of time I have had to spend on school (which is more important at this time than running). We have a friend who was getting rid of it and was sweet and offered it to us. It has been such a blessing! I am not sure how these next five weeks are going to play out and how much time I will be able to devote to running. I am fairly certain that any races in April are out of the question. Thankfully I will be able to cross train and study at the same time to stay focused on my athletic and scholastic goals.
Interesting news...I decided after much prayer and discussion to contact the Rollins College Cross Country Coach to discuss that possibilities (however slim they may be) of joining the team in the fall. I emailed him and heard back from him within the hour telling me to pick a day that I could make it to the college and we could talk. Hopefully we will be meeting this week and I will find out for certain whether I will be running for Rollins College in the fall or at Seminole State College for another semester. Either way I know that God has a plan for me that involves running and I just keep praying He will make it clear to me.
My mom and I were discussing dreams, goals, and careers recently. She said something that really stuck with me and something that I think is true. She said something along the lines that we need to pray that God will not only open doors for us, but create doors that are not there. That we need to take the gifts God has given us and starting drawing our own doors for God to open. I really feel like that is true. I had been praying for months about going back to school and really wasn't sure about going. But one day God inspired me and I just decided that I was going to do everything possible to get myself into school for the upcoming semester. I made the decision to draw the doors for school and God opened the right ones according to His will. And here I am, a full-time student looking at having my degree in only two more years and my masters in four more. God is good.
My mom also sent me a link to this blog on making dreams reality and I also think this is very inspiring and true if you add God into the mix. If you have a chance, read it.
http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/03/21/12-steps-to-make-a-dream-a-reality/
Remember that nothing is impossible. The only thing stopping you from reaching your full potential is you.
Happy running.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Fiddler's Green 5k
The sun has been rising earlier as we draw closer to spring and summer. This morning was the first morning in a while that I have gotten up before 6am (this is also one of FEW mornings I have gotten up that early) and its already starting to get light. I had a piece of 10 grain bread this time (I forgot to buy bananas yesterday) and then my Mom and I headed to the 5k site. This was just a "fun run" and was not timed by a chip. In fact they didn't even have time clocks at every mile, just a little mile marker. There was a clock at the end though.
I did not PR, but it wasn't horrible I guess. I ran a 26:10 and was dead. I really wish it would have been under 26 minutes, but the antibiotics I am on make me wear out quickly and I was really pushing to keep going for the second half of the run. I am a little disappointed, but I knew that there was a chance that the odds could be slightly against me. So, for being the first hard run in two weeks, coming off of bronchitis and a bad ear infection, being on antibiotics, and some back pain I woke up with, 26:10 is not terrible. Holly (my sister who is on a college Cross Country Team) said that she even struggles to run hard when she has been on antibiotics.
Mom ran great! She cut over 7 minutes off of her 5k time two weeks ago! I am really happy for her and proud of her! Now our goal is to get her to 10 minute miles.
My goal is still to hit about 22 minutes by summer's end. I discovered that Rollins College has a Cross Country team and that they didn't even have a full team last year. They are a private college and more expensive than where I was originally planning on going, but they also have a lot more financial aid available. I am hoping to go for a campus tour sometime in the next month. I am going to email the Cross Country Coach probably next month or in May. I am hoping to run in two more official races before I contact him and am hoping that I can cut my time down to 24:30ish. At least then I can show my progress over the last year (32:02 was my time last July).
I did not PR, but it wasn't horrible I guess. I ran a 26:10 and was dead. I really wish it would have been under 26 minutes, but the antibiotics I am on make me wear out quickly and I was really pushing to keep going for the second half of the run. I am a little disappointed, but I knew that there was a chance that the odds could be slightly against me. So, for being the first hard run in two weeks, coming off of bronchitis and a bad ear infection, being on antibiotics, and some back pain I woke up with, 26:10 is not terrible. Holly (my sister who is on a college Cross Country Team) said that she even struggles to run hard when she has been on antibiotics.
Mom ran great! She cut over 7 minutes off of her 5k time two weeks ago! I am really happy for her and proud of her! Now our goal is to get her to 10 minute miles.
My goal is still to hit about 22 minutes by summer's end. I discovered that Rollins College has a Cross Country team and that they didn't even have a full team last year. They are a private college and more expensive than where I was originally planning on going, but they also have a lot more financial aid available. I am hoping to go for a campus tour sometime in the next month. I am going to email the Cross Country Coach probably next month or in May. I am hoping to run in two more official races before I contact him and am hoping that I can cut my time down to 24:30ish. At least then I can show my progress over the last year (32:02 was my time last July).
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Pre-Race
Race day is almost here again. Just two more days and we will be hitting the pavement. Races excited me, I love racing! The one I ran in two weeks ago was great. Not only did I PR, but I really enjoyed the race. Usually I am anxious, I get cramps or feel sick, and that makes those three miles last forever when you don't feel good. But I wasn't expecting to run well, so I just told myself to "sit back" and enjoy the run and the beautiful morning. I am going to do the same thing this weekend. Because I have been so sick over the last two weeks (a horrible ear infection and bronchitis) and am currently on antibiotics still for the infection, I am not expecting an amazing run and another PR. I plan on giving everything that I have on Saturday.
In a side note, why can't things made with butter and sugar be good for you? If they were, I would eat cookies ALL THE TIME! I love cookies, its my one horrible weakness with food.
I am officially on Spring Break! And I plan on running ALL week! I have a lot of ground to make up (pun intended).
Running Tip of the Week: Strengthen your core to reduce the amount of of work your legs must do to run fast. By strengthening your core, you stabilize your your back and upper body which reduces the chances of injury. You also are able to use your core muscles to propel your body forward and breath more effectively, allowing you to run more "economically".
In a side note, why can't things made with butter and sugar be good for you? If they were, I would eat cookies ALL THE TIME! I love cookies, its my one horrible weakness with food.
I am officially on Spring Break! And I plan on running ALL week! I have a lot of ground to make up (pun intended).
Running Tip of the Week: Strengthen your core to reduce the amount of of work your legs must do to run fast. By strengthening your core, you stabilize your your back and upper body which reduces the chances of injury. You also are able to use your core muscles to propel your body forward and breath more effectively, allowing you to run more "economically".
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Immune System Fails
This has been a terrible week in my world of running. My full-blown cold has turned into bronchitis and a severe ear infection. I ran 3 or 4 days this week (that's how bad it it, I can't even remember) and all of my runs were at a very easy pace. Yesterday I went to the doctor, which was how I found out about the bronchitis and ear infection, and told her I had a race next week that I was training for. I am allowed to run, however I am not suppose to push it. In other words, its all easy runs this week (with the exception of the race), or at least until I start getting better.
I am still hoping to PR on Saturday, but I am not getting my hopes set too high.
Its ironic that we started studying the immune system this week in biology. Not only has my immune system gone on vacation, but I have been researching, evaluating and thinking a lot about nutrition. Stress, nutritional choices, bacteria or viral exposure and many more things affect your immune system. The decline in my immune system most likely stemmed from the stress of a family member dying, which led to improper nutrition, lack of appetite and sleep deprivation, further leading to low calorie intake while maintaining and even increasing my training, all of this allowing the bacteria I was exposed to take up residence in my body.
I have lately realized that I am not giving my body the proper nutrition not only for running, but just to function normally. I spent a few hours researching and evaluating nutrition, weight loss, eating dysfunctions, athletes, etc. I have set some goals for myself and am currently (starting today) making an effort to eat healthier, more quantities, more often, and at optimal times for energy and recovery during training.
In other news, I discovered that I can graduate with my bachelors in May 2013 and hopefully my masters two years after. I am very excited as I will probably be able to graduate a semester sooner than I have originally thought.
Well, off to go to Sam's Club and then for an easy run. So tired still...
Happy Running :)
I am still hoping to PR on Saturday, but I am not getting my hopes set too high.
Its ironic that we started studying the immune system this week in biology. Not only has my immune system gone on vacation, but I have been researching, evaluating and thinking a lot about nutrition. Stress, nutritional choices, bacteria or viral exposure and many more things affect your immune system. The decline in my immune system most likely stemmed from the stress of a family member dying, which led to improper nutrition, lack of appetite and sleep deprivation, further leading to low calorie intake while maintaining and even increasing my training, all of this allowing the bacteria I was exposed to take up residence in my body.
I have lately realized that I am not giving my body the proper nutrition not only for running, but just to function normally. I spent a few hours researching and evaluating nutrition, weight loss, eating dysfunctions, athletes, etc. I have set some goals for myself and am currently (starting today) making an effort to eat healthier, more quantities, more often, and at optimal times for energy and recovery during training.
In other news, I discovered that I can graduate with my bachelors in May 2013 and hopefully my masters two years after. I am very excited as I will probably be able to graduate a semester sooner than I have originally thought.
Well, off to go to Sam's Club and then for an easy run. So tired still...
Happy Running :)
The Wonderful World of Running
This past week has been great! I have achieved running goals and had a great week of training. Last Saturday I went for a long run. Usually I can't get myself to run longer than 45 minutes at a time and any runs that have been over 5 miles have usually been split up. However, this time I was determined to run for an hour without stopping. I grabbed my iPod, put on my ankle bunga pads (for those of you that don't know, those are typically used by figure skaters) to avoid scrapping all of the skin off of my heels again, and started off on my run. The first mile was difficult. I am not good at setting a slow pace (I always want to push myself faster) and was struggling to find a pace that wouldn't kill me. Finally I got settle into a pace. I ran 6 miles in 60 minutes, which I consider a fairly good pace for the first long run.
Thursday morning I woke up with a slightly scratchy throat that had transformed by Friday into a full blown cold. Yesterday morning (race day) I ran a 5k in 25:26, cutting 34 seconds from my race time last month! I am very excited! My Mom also ran the 5k, it was her first 5k and she did great! She ran the entire race! We had a lot of fun.
Our next 5k is in two weeks (March 5th). My goal is to cut another 30 seconds off my time and finish under 25 minutes.
Thursday morning I woke up with a slightly scratchy throat that had transformed by Friday into a full blown cold. Yesterday morning (race day) I ran a 5k in 25:26, cutting 34 seconds from my race time last month! I am very excited! My Mom also ran the 5k, it was her first 5k and she did great! She ran the entire race! We had a lot of fun.
Our next 5k is in two weeks (March 5th). My goal is to cut another 30 seconds off my time and finish under 25 minutes.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Running Gadgets and Cognitive Running
When it comes to running gear and gadgets I am sort of a "naturalist". I believe in having the essentials; shoes, shorts/pants, sports bra, and shirts/jackets. I also will run with an iPod on occasion (the occasion that I actually remember to grab it). I think the idea of a Garmin running watch is fine and I wouldn't mind having an iPod touch with "cool" running applications. But honestly, those things tend to be more distracting to me while running than helpful and are not essential for running.
However, I have discovered a gadget that I would LOVE to have. It is the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. It was created to be used with the Nike+ shoes, however there are ways around it if you do not have Nike shoes, which I do not. The kit comes with a wonderful little wireless sensor that you place inside the special pocket in the sole of your running shoes (assuming you wear Nike shoes). There is also a wireless receiving device that you plug into your iPod. As you run the shoe sensor sends information to your iPod that tracks your progress, pace, distance, calories burned, and duration of the run. My favorite feature is that it gives you real-time updates during your run. You can choose to have spoken feedback alerting you of milestones reached your pace and time, or how far away you are from your goal. You can find more information and buy it at the Apple Store.
I have high hopes of purchasing this gadget sometime in the near future. However, between the cost of college, 5k entry fees, bills and everything else going on in life right now, it does not have a high ranking in our budget. But as soon as I do purchase it, I will test it out and let you know my thoughts and feedback on it.
I was very excited to discover that I have had 71 people view my blog. I only have two followers, but viewers are good.
Running Update:
Grandma Gibbs will be missed by so many loved ones. She was an amazing woman who will continue to live through the memories of her legacy: her children and grandchildren. We are sad because we miss her and it hurts to know we will never see her again in this lifetime. But we rejoice in her homecoming. She will is no longer in pain, no longer suffering, but has been welcomed into The Father's embrace. She is home.
However, I have discovered a gadget that I would LOVE to have. It is the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. It was created to be used with the Nike+ shoes, however there are ways around it if you do not have Nike shoes, which I do not. The kit comes with a wonderful little wireless sensor that you place inside the special pocket in the sole of your running shoes (assuming you wear Nike shoes). There is also a wireless receiving device that you plug into your iPod. As you run the shoe sensor sends information to your iPod that tracks your progress, pace, distance, calories burned, and duration of the run. My favorite feature is that it gives you real-time updates during your run. You can choose to have spoken feedback alerting you of milestones reached your pace and time, or how far away you are from your goal. You can find more information and buy it at the Apple Store.
I have high hopes of purchasing this gadget sometime in the near future. However, between the cost of college, 5k entry fees, bills and everything else going on in life right now, it does not have a high ranking in our budget. But as soon as I do purchase it, I will test it out and let you know my thoughts and feedback on it.
I was very excited to discover that I have had 71 people view my blog. I only have two followers, but viewers are good.
Running Update:
- I have recruited my Mom to run her first 5k. We are running in one and half weeks. My goal is to run the 5k in 25:30 or less, but I am not going to beat myself up if I do not reach my goal considering I haven't been training hardcore over the last few weeks.
- Sunday: My husband and I ran 4 miles. I love when my husband decides to run with me and it was a wonderful run.
- Monday: I ran two miles with a friend and continued to run two hard miles.
- Tuesday (today): I ran two miles this morning at a moderate pace. I had hoped to run this evening, but too many variables were against me.
Grandma Gibbs will be missed by so many loved ones. She was an amazing woman who will continue to live through the memories of her legacy: her children and grandchildren. We are sad because we miss her and it hurts to know we will never see her again in this lifetime. But we rejoice in her homecoming. She will is no longer in pain, no longer suffering, but has been welcomed into The Father's embrace. She is home.
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