Thursday morning - an easy 22k in 1hr 50 minutes.
Friday morning - same as yesterday - 22k, except I walked the last mile and finished in just over 2 hours.
With the husband away, I managed to accomplish my goal of running 50 miles in 3 days. This evening, there was a fun run that was organized by a local running group. I won my age group and my prize was a bottle of wine - so happy!! Last time I won a race was in 2007 and those were ice cream vouchers - they clearly know the way to an athlete's heart! It was interesting today. I have not felt competitive AT all for more than 2 years and now all of a sudden, its all coming back. I am also 5 kilos heavier which means - I love how I look but hate how my legs feel at the end of long runs. My best running weight (105lbs max) is not my best looking weight (120lbs plus).
Anyway....
I ran 10k at 5.30pm, came home showered and now cant wait for dinner: Vongole and wine and chocolate will be involved!
I cant wait wait to run in the morning tomorrow!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
It been a long time since I updated this thing. I feel alot better when I put thoughts down after an introspective run - when I dont, I feel like I bottle things up and then....well, lets just say its awful for someone with self-destructive tendencies!
Anyway, too much is happening at my end - I still manage 40-50 miles a week. Nothing too taxing! This week however, I am mostly by myself and I want to get out there atleast double of what I have been doing lately. Most people dont test themselves enough to really know if they have a second wind. I face my deepest fears when I break physically. One of them being a fear of failure - so deep that I would rather not begin. I dont fear quitting - because I dont quit something I start. But I do fear starting - and I know that about myself.
Its funny, In my journal from many years ago I was working through a book called 'Fearless' by Max Lucado. Its about the subject fear and courage and on the top of the page I have scribbled in caps words 'VULNERABILITY OF THE TRY'. I think we all do in some way: we hold back because to try would expose us, would make us vulnerable. When we "try", make our thoughts and goals known, take on a position of leadership, we become vulnerable. Suddenly it is stated, for the record, that (fill your name) is trying (fill the thing).
I thought about this on my workout this morning, quite by coincidence and I tallied up my TRY and this is what I came up with: I am going to try to be a good wife; ideally a very good wife, I am going to make myself more open, I am going to keep working on my passion and hopefully translate my love of words into something that resonates and roots in my chosen vocation, I am going to be a good daughter to my larger family now and lastly, hopefully, be a mother and also 'mother'. Thats all I have on my list. Oh and running. I want to be a better runner. What about you? What are you trying to be better at these days? and How are you making peace with the vulnerability of the try?
Dont be afraid of putting yourself out there. Ever!
About my workout - 800/1600 singles stair sprints in 140 minutes. I was dripping with sweat and changed twice! I hope to be more regular with this writing thing!
Anyway, too much is happening at my end - I still manage 40-50 miles a week. Nothing too taxing! This week however, I am mostly by myself and I want to get out there atleast double of what I have been doing lately. Most people dont test themselves enough to really know if they have a second wind. I face my deepest fears when I break physically. One of them being a fear of failure - so deep that I would rather not begin. I dont fear quitting - because I dont quit something I start. But I do fear starting - and I know that about myself.
Its funny, In my journal from many years ago I was working through a book called 'Fearless' by Max Lucado. Its about the subject fear and courage and on the top of the page I have scribbled in caps words 'VULNERABILITY OF THE TRY'. I think we all do in some way: we hold back because to try would expose us, would make us vulnerable. When we "try", make our thoughts and goals known, take on a position of leadership, we become vulnerable. Suddenly it is stated, for the record, that (fill your name) is trying (fill the thing).
I thought about this on my workout this morning, quite by coincidence and I tallied up my TRY and this is what I came up with: I am going to try to be a good wife; ideally a very good wife, I am going to make myself more open, I am going to keep working on my passion and hopefully translate my love of words into something that resonates and roots in my chosen vocation, I am going to be a good daughter to my larger family now and lastly, hopefully, be a mother and also 'mother'. Thats all I have on my list. Oh and running. I want to be a better runner. What about you? What are you trying to be better at these days? and How are you making peace with the vulnerability of the try?
Dont be afraid of putting yourself out there. Ever!
About my workout - 800/1600 singles stair sprints in 140 minutes. I was dripping with sweat and changed twice! I hope to be more regular with this writing thing!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Here are my workouts since my last post. Sunday's run was cut short thanks to rain and lightening. I started at 4am and ran 13 easy miles in an hour and 50 minutes, followed by swimming 10 laps in the pool to cool down. I also did 30 minutes of yoga. Monday was my "rest day" which meant I ran by time: 50 easy minutes of running and 30 minutes of yoga in the morning. I then ran 3.5 miles at 5.30pm just to loosen up a bit.
This morning (tuesday) I went out for 10 miles where I finished faster than I started. This took 76 minutes and I made sure I finished strong and in control of my posture.
Thats all for now!
This morning (tuesday) I went out for 10 miles where I finished faster than I started. This took 76 minutes and I made sure I finished strong and in control of my posture.
Thats all for now!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
9 miles, 5.30am. 8.39 warm up, 7.52, 7.53, 7.45, 7.23, 7.03, 6.53, 7.16, 8.00 cooldown. 7.38 per mile average pace.
I was quite happy with this run. I am trying to concentrate on progressive runs for all my non-recovery days, which is why the above is so specific. One of my (many) problems is going out too fast and fading at the end or reverting to a slow shuffle at the end of long runs. I am going to try this again on my 18 miler tomorrow *gulp*.
I havent kept a speed log in a while because I tend to get very obsessive about numbers and then just push and push and push. The geek in me is so happy to see this written down!
After the run, I did a 100 stair repeats and 30 minutes of yoga.
I was quite happy with this run. I am trying to concentrate on progressive runs for all my non-recovery days, which is why the above is so specific. One of my (many) problems is going out too fast and fading at the end or reverting to a slow shuffle at the end of long runs. I am going to try this again on my 18 miler tomorrow *gulp*.
I havent kept a speed log in a while because I tend to get very obsessive about numbers and then just push and push and push. The geek in me is so happy to see this written down!
After the run, I did a 100 stair repeats and 30 minutes of yoga.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Did 2 runs yesterday - one painfully slow 9 miler, followed by 30 minutes of yoga. At 7pm, I went back for another 5 miles which I finished in 40 minutes.
This morning, I logged 7 miles and a 100 stair repeats. I plan to run for another 50 or so minutes this pm. But, I hate running when its crowded because (1)on a friday evening, some idiot will try and race you, or (2) some boy will try and race you. I go out of my way to avoid running side by side with anyone and quite frankly, the last thing I need is to run beside some grunting thing next to me. Women never do this. Its always the boys. *sigh*.
Anyway, until next time. :-)
This morning, I logged 7 miles and a 100 stair repeats. I plan to run for another 50 or so minutes this pm. But, I hate running when its crowded because (1)on a friday evening, some idiot will try and race you, or (2) some boy will try and race you. I go out of my way to avoid running side by side with anyone and quite frankly, the last thing I need is to run beside some grunting thing next to me. Women never do this. Its always the boys. *sigh*.
Anyway, until next time. :-)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
First up - updates!!
Had some really good runs lately. I have a routine now which is slightly strange but it works for me. The past 5 months I have found that I have a long early morning run once a week anywhere between 12-15 miles, 2 stair workouts that are in the 700 repeat range (150-ish minutes), one swim if I'm lucky and the rest are recovery miles here and there. I am hoping to get some decent mileage between now and Monday morning. Having said that, I've decided to be a giant bum today and do nothing. I get very restless though so I know I will run long tomorrow. And its going to hurt. And I wont care :-)
Anyway, I want to talk today. So I will. About silence. Have you ever noticed that when you work so hard physically, you are reduced to silence. When even the thought of letting out a coherent sentence is hard work. There is something beautiful about working so hard that you are reduced to silence next to your friends. Some relationships never get to the level where silence is ever comfortable, let alone productive and healing. Some people never share discomfort without blaming or complaining. Some people do not understand the unspoken commitment of never quitting. If they dont, then they also do not share the sweaty, blood soaked palm-slapping victory. Some people never know that the paper-cone water cheers at the finishing line is even finer than a crystal-clink of a champagne drink!
I will report back my run tomorrow. See what I mean by restless?? :-)
Had some really good runs lately. I have a routine now which is slightly strange but it works for me. The past 5 months I have found that I have a long early morning run once a week anywhere between 12-15 miles, 2 stair workouts that are in the 700 repeat range (150-ish minutes), one swim if I'm lucky and the rest are recovery miles here and there. I am hoping to get some decent mileage between now and Monday morning. Having said that, I've decided to be a giant bum today and do nothing. I get very restless though so I know I will run long tomorrow. And its going to hurt. And I wont care :-)
Anyway, I want to talk today. So I will. About silence. Have you ever noticed that when you work so hard physically, you are reduced to silence. When even the thought of letting out a coherent sentence is hard work. There is something beautiful about working so hard that you are reduced to silence next to your friends. Some relationships never get to the level where silence is ever comfortable, let alone productive and healing. Some people never share discomfort without blaming or complaining. Some people do not understand the unspoken commitment of never quitting. If they dont, then they also do not share the sweaty, blood soaked palm-slapping victory. Some people never know that the paper-cone water cheers at the finishing line is even finer than a crystal-clink of a champagne drink!
I will report back my run tomorrow. See what I mean by restless?? :-)
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