Sorry for the absence of an update - and boy do I have one!
Last Sunday, March 22, I ran my first ever 15K - a total of 9.3 miles!!! YAHOO!!!
Ok, so "yahoo!" was my thought at the moment I crossed the finish line... but it was then followed with "Holy crap..." and a feeling of elation mixed with utter exhaustion. I definitely reached my first real breaking point. I was BEAT.
After googling what happens to people after true long-distance runs, suddenly I didn't feel so crazy. Apparently, it's normal to not be able to function much for at least a few hours following these races. I came home, showered, and laid down - only to stay there for a 2.5 hour nap!! My body apparently needed it. I'm just so glad I didn't schedule anything immediately following the race!
My cousin, a runner, tells me that I should expect to feel this way after every upcoming long-distance run (as they just keep getting longer). The upside? In a few weeks, 9.3 miles will feel like a warm-up. Or so I hope... :)
It's interesting to note that these runs, in their entirety - aren't fun. But nothing really beats accomplishing these runs... and somehow that translates to - when someone asks me how a run went, I say "It was great! A lot of FUN."
What?!?! Yes, the cramping of my quads was great. I especially liked the part where I had to massage my butt muscles to prevent them from cramping too. And then, when I took my energy gel at mile 6, I almost puked. It was SWEET! Gosh, I can't wait to do it again. It was so much fun!
Yet somehow... that's actually what I think. I remember all the crappy parts about the run... and I still can't wait to do it again. I guess I've met my match... and his name is Running.
Your crazy-in-the-head-and-happy-in-the-heart runner,
Kelly
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
I broke the 10K mark!
I finally did it! I ran 8 miles yesterday - my longest distance yet to date!
I was quite intimidated by the idea of running anything more than my previous "long run" of 10K, or 6.2 miles. Luckily, I made a good iPod mix, carried water with me, promised myself to stick to a good solid pace... and I went for it. I was not as physically demanding as I'd expected - but far more MENTALLY demanding that I could have imagined! Every so often, my mind would just think "No, this is too much... stop after 6 miles..." or: "You can take a break after 4 miles. Just run the next 4 later today..." or "Holy crap - this is hard. It's freezing out here - what the hell are you doing??"
Needless to say, I was able to clear my mind, time and time again (often times thanks to a good song!) and finish the run. I'm very sore today - but yesterday felt AMAZING. I know now that I can accomplish my upcoming 15K (9.3 miles). Prior to yesterday's run - I was scared out of my mind.
Only other thing for me to be concerned about are my ankles. I tend to roll them a lot, especially my left one. Yesterday was no exception - I actually took a misstep on the gravel and twisted it hard. Had to stop running for a sec and walk it off. Ended up being able to continue (obviously) but the muscles just above that ankle bone are VERY sore today. Anyone ever dealt with this? Think I could run with like a pre-made ace bandage support or something? I'll just keep working on keeping my stride strong and steady, too. Hopefully, this won't keep happening.
And in other news - I have a race tomorrow! 8000 meters - or about 4.9 miles. Should be fun and fairly easy. Maybe it's not the smartest idea running when sore - but... no pain, no gain! (insert manly grunt here)
Until next posting...
Your longer-running, never-tiring runner,
Kelly
I was quite intimidated by the idea of running anything more than my previous "long run" of 10K, or 6.2 miles. Luckily, I made a good iPod mix, carried water with me, promised myself to stick to a good solid pace... and I went for it. I was not as physically demanding as I'd expected - but far more MENTALLY demanding that I could have imagined! Every so often, my mind would just think "No, this is too much... stop after 6 miles..." or: "You can take a break after 4 miles. Just run the next 4 later today..." or "Holy crap - this is hard. It's freezing out here - what the hell are you doing??"
Needless to say, I was able to clear my mind, time and time again (often times thanks to a good song!) and finish the run. I'm very sore today - but yesterday felt AMAZING. I know now that I can accomplish my upcoming 15K (9.3 miles). Prior to yesterday's run - I was scared out of my mind.
Only other thing for me to be concerned about are my ankles. I tend to roll them a lot, especially my left one. Yesterday was no exception - I actually took a misstep on the gravel and twisted it hard. Had to stop running for a sec and walk it off. Ended up being able to continue (obviously) but the muscles just above that ankle bone are VERY sore today. Anyone ever dealt with this? Think I could run with like a pre-made ace bandage support or something? I'll just keep working on keeping my stride strong and steady, too. Hopefully, this won't keep happening.
And in other news - I have a race tomorrow! 8000 meters - or about 4.9 miles. Should be fun and fairly easy. Maybe it's not the smartest idea running when sore - but... no pain, no gain! (insert manly grunt here)
Until next posting...
Your longer-running, never-tiring runner,
Kelly
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A different type of milestone...
It happened. I got my first ever blister from running!
Normally, this would be highly upsetting. It definitely makes things a little tricky... I mean, I had to buy some moleskin, I'm going to have to soak my feet tonight, and go easy on my cross training tomorrow. But... I got my first ever blister from RUNNING!!!
Strange as it may sound, I'm actually quite proud of the fact that I'm running enough now to even develop a blister. :) I guess it's sort of like how prima ballerinas tear their feet up in pointe shoes... only I'm in sneakers. Ha!
Of course, I will obviously want to remedy this problem. Any blisters past the first one are just annoyances. But for now, I will bask in the glory of my first running blister. :)
And if anyone out there has recommendations for running shoes for over-pronators, or solutions for preventing and/or treating blisters in general... they are definitely welcome. (See, I'm proud of the blister... but it's still a bit painful!)
Thanks!
Your runner-with-a-victorious-pustule,
Kelly
Normally, this would be highly upsetting. It definitely makes things a little tricky... I mean, I had to buy some moleskin, I'm going to have to soak my feet tonight, and go easy on my cross training tomorrow. But... I got my first ever blister from RUNNING!!!
Strange as it may sound, I'm actually quite proud of the fact that I'm running enough now to even develop a blister. :) I guess it's sort of like how prima ballerinas tear their feet up in pointe shoes... only I'm in sneakers. Ha!
Of course, I will obviously want to remedy this problem. Any blisters past the first one are just annoyances. But for now, I will bask in the glory of my first running blister. :)
And if anyone out there has recommendations for running shoes for over-pronators, or solutions for preventing and/or treating blisters in general... they are definitely welcome. (See, I'm proud of the blister... but it's still a bit painful!)
Thanks!
Your runner-with-a-victorious-pustule,
Kelly
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Can you all see the "Log Your Run" chart?
Just wondering, as I only ever see this blog from my own computer...
Can you all see the chart on the right side that says "LogYourRun" and should have entries showing how much I ran this week? Let me know. If you can't see it... I'll probably just delete it. The whole point it to keep me accountable! :)
Thanks!
Your technologically challenged runner,
Kelly
Can you all see the chart on the right side that says "LogYourRun" and should have entries showing how much I ran this week? Let me know. If you can't see it... I'll probably just delete it. The whole point it to keep me accountable! :)
Thanks!
Your technologically challenged runner,
Kelly
Friday, February 27, 2009
Need sleep...
I used to be the girl who could catch 3-4 hours of sleep a night in college and be just fine. It is sufficient to say... those days have passed!
Due to a late night babysitting job, followed by an early morning babysitting job - I only managed to snag slightly over 4 hours of sleep last night. Mind you, I've been sleeping 7-9 hours every night for the past several weeks. I figured one night wouldn't be so bad. Boy was I wrong!
The morning was fine. I dragged a little bit getting in the shower, but by the time I was on the subway at 6:30, I was bright and chipper. It was the afternoon crash that hit, and hit HARD.
Problem is? That's when I was supposed to get my 5-mile run in today! :( Knowing I'd reached a wall that I don't yet have a technique to break through, I took a nap and promised myself that I'll be running after cabaret class tomorrow. And I will - I know. But it's still a bit off schedule for me and that's frustrating.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to reenergize for a workout when your body just doesn't seem to have it? I feel like this will be a valid thing for me to learn, as it's a guarantee that during that marathon, there will come a time when my body will want to give out. Or heck - it WILL give out. So I need to start working some of those mind tricks now to get me through it. Tips? Suggestions? Advice?
Your very tired runner,
Kelly
Due to a late night babysitting job, followed by an early morning babysitting job - I only managed to snag slightly over 4 hours of sleep last night. Mind you, I've been sleeping 7-9 hours every night for the past several weeks. I figured one night wouldn't be so bad. Boy was I wrong!
The morning was fine. I dragged a little bit getting in the shower, but by the time I was on the subway at 6:30, I was bright and chipper. It was the afternoon crash that hit, and hit HARD.
Problem is? That's when I was supposed to get my 5-mile run in today! :( Knowing I'd reached a wall that I don't yet have a technique to break through, I took a nap and promised myself that I'll be running after cabaret class tomorrow. And I will - I know. But it's still a bit off schedule for me and that's frustrating.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to reenergize for a workout when your body just doesn't seem to have it? I feel like this will be a valid thing for me to learn, as it's a guarantee that during that marathon, there will come a time when my body will want to give out. Or heck - it WILL give out. So I need to start working some of those mind tricks now to get me through it. Tips? Suggestions? Advice?
Your very tired runner,
Kelly
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A small victory
Have you ever had those days where you knew all day you were going to go to the gym - but then suddenly it's almost dinner time, or it's time to go to work, or go to a meeting... and you don't? Well, that was today for me. Hang on though... much like Grover finds "A Monster at the End of this Book" - I found a "victory at the end of this story." :)
I am currently having some trouble making money, as babysitting has been a bit slow this month. The only upside to this is that I have ended up having a lot of days free - allowing for good amounts of sleep, good lengthy workouts, and lots of time to be creative in my artistic endeavors. Today was set to be a productive day, beginning at 8 am, when I had set my alarm. I woke up, wrote down my to-do list, looked back at my bed... thinking about how I had no pressing schedule until babysitting this evening... and crawled back in. Oops! Obstacle #1.
I woke back up on my own - AT 11:15!!!! ACK! What happened to my morning?? Well, I decided not to fret and just appreciate the amount of rest I'd had. I immediately got dressed in my "going to the gym" outfit- and headed straight for my laptop to get a bit of work done before heading out. Needless to say, I got on a roll with registering for online nanny services, looking for work on Craigslist, creating a budget spreadsheet, cleaning out my inbox.... yadda... yadda...... yadda.
Next thing I know - it's 3:30 pm and I haven't showered. Well - considering I had to be in Brooklyn by 6:30 pm and it's an hour train ride just to get there, I figured that the gym was out. Then... something inside of me just snapped. (in a good way... not the Britney Spears way.) I realized that too many days had I let the thought of "well, I guess I missed my window" deter me from gym time. Even though I knew for a fact that I wouldn't have enough time to get my scheduled 3 mile run in, I felt like any gym time was better than NO gym time!
So I hopped in the shower, got completely ready for babysitting - threw a quick gym bag together - and headed out the door. I went to the Bally's gym that's on the way to Brooklyn, changed like lightening in the locker room... and I managed to get in a hard core 2 mile run! If there was ever a moment, no matter how small, where I felt like holding up some "V for Victory" arms - it was that moment.
In the end, I quickly changed back, spritzed on some fruity Bath and Body Works scent, brushed the sweat out of my hair (which would then dry on the subway and not look too gross), and got on the train. I even made it babysitting a few minutes early.
One small victory for gym go-ers, one giant leap for a girl who often deters herself!
Here's to many more victories :)
Your slowly getting better at this runner,
Kelly
I am currently having some trouble making money, as babysitting has been a bit slow this month. The only upside to this is that I have ended up having a lot of days free - allowing for good amounts of sleep, good lengthy workouts, and lots of time to be creative in my artistic endeavors. Today was set to be a productive day, beginning at 8 am, when I had set my alarm. I woke up, wrote down my to-do list, looked back at my bed... thinking about how I had no pressing schedule until babysitting this evening... and crawled back in. Oops! Obstacle #1.
I woke back up on my own - AT 11:15!!!! ACK! What happened to my morning?? Well, I decided not to fret and just appreciate the amount of rest I'd had. I immediately got dressed in my "going to the gym" outfit- and headed straight for my laptop to get a bit of work done before heading out. Needless to say, I got on a roll with registering for online nanny services, looking for work on Craigslist, creating a budget spreadsheet, cleaning out my inbox.... yadda... yadda...... yadda.
Next thing I know - it's 3:30 pm and I haven't showered. Well - considering I had to be in Brooklyn by 6:30 pm and it's an hour train ride just to get there, I figured that the gym was out. Then... something inside of me just snapped. (in a good way... not the Britney Spears way.) I realized that too many days had I let the thought of "well, I guess I missed my window" deter me from gym time. Even though I knew for a fact that I wouldn't have enough time to get my scheduled 3 mile run in, I felt like any gym time was better than NO gym time!
So I hopped in the shower, got completely ready for babysitting - threw a quick gym bag together - and headed out the door. I went to the Bally's gym that's on the way to Brooklyn, changed like lightening in the locker room... and I managed to get in a hard core 2 mile run! If there was ever a moment, no matter how small, where I felt like holding up some "V for Victory" arms - it was that moment.
In the end, I quickly changed back, spritzed on some fruity Bath and Body Works scent, brushed the sweat out of my hair (which would then dry on the subway and not look too gross), and got on the train. I even made it babysitting a few minutes early.
One small victory for gym go-ers, one giant leap for a girl who often deters herself!
Here's to many more victories :)
Your slowly getting better at this runner,
Kelly
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Oops! I miscounted... and some Lenten thoughts.
Just a correction for my own sanity's sake... and the sake of anyone else who is as anal as I am about dates, I was off by 10 days in my marathon countdown. So - here it is!
Countdown to Half-Marathon: 60 days
Countdown to Marathon: 249 DAYS!
I also went through my calendar last night and wrote out exactly what workouts I should be doing and what distances I should be running from here until April 26th, the date of my half marathon. It's intimidating a bit - but I feel a little more confident being able to see the whole plan laid out on paper.
And for those Christians out there who celebrate/recognize this: today marks the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday. (Or as my friends jokingly call it: Catholic Mating Day. We can all spot one another by that mark on our foreheads!) I was raised on the belief that during Lent (40 days) you give up something you enjoy/love/"need" to help you remember what the Lord gave up for us. I have found that as I grow older, it is more beneficial to only give up something if there is a benefit involved for others. For instance... I can give up chocolate - but that really does no one else any good and only makes me miserable. So this year, I have decided to give up... (drum roll, please) ... TV. It makes me sound like a teenager again, doesn't it? Seriously though, when you don't own much and doing anything in the city requires either a subway ride or money - I tend to tune into the TV far more here in NY than I do anywhere else. So, by giving up my beloved boob tube, I"ll be encouraged to get workouts in sooner, call people that I don't stay in touch with that often, perhaps even write an actual letter, and do things that stimulate my brain! Who knew!?!
So, today is Day 1 of no TV and hopefully, a Better Kelly. The marathon is one large goal for me - but I'm beginning to realize, it might also just be the impetus I needed to improve ALL aspects of my life.
Your slightly-befuddled-mathematician-who-no-longer-watches-TV-but-runs,
Kelly
Countdown to Half-Marathon: 60 days
Countdown to Marathon: 249 DAYS!
I also went through my calendar last night and wrote out exactly what workouts I should be doing and what distances I should be running from here until April 26th, the date of my half marathon. It's intimidating a bit - but I feel a little more confident being able to see the whole plan laid out on paper.
And for those Christians out there who celebrate/recognize this: today marks the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday. (Or as my friends jokingly call it: Catholic Mating Day. We can all spot one another by that mark on our foreheads!) I was raised on the belief that during Lent (40 days) you give up something you enjoy/love/"need" to help you remember what the Lord gave up for us. I have found that as I grow older, it is more beneficial to only give up something if there is a benefit involved for others. For instance... I can give up chocolate - but that really does no one else any good and only makes me miserable. So this year, I have decided to give up... (drum roll, please) ... TV. It makes me sound like a teenager again, doesn't it? Seriously though, when you don't own much and doing anything in the city requires either a subway ride or money - I tend to tune into the TV far more here in NY than I do anywhere else. So, by giving up my beloved boob tube, I"ll be encouraged to get workouts in sooner, call people that I don't stay in touch with that often, perhaps even write an actual letter, and do things that stimulate my brain! Who knew!?!
So, today is Day 1 of no TV and hopefully, a Better Kelly. The marathon is one large goal for me - but I'm beginning to realize, it might also just be the impetus I needed to improve ALL aspects of my life.
Your slightly-befuddled-mathematician-who-no-longer-watches-TV-but-runs,
Kelly
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