Sunday, December 30, 2012

Snowy Day

I had to go to the gym and run on the treadmill today.  Downside = it's incredibly boring and it's pretty easy to stop at any time.  Unlike running outside, it's not like you have to get home.  Upside = I didn't wear knee braces and nothing hurt.  Shock absorbent treadmill is pretty great.  Also, you know just how fast you are going.

I started with a minute warm-up then one 7 min / 2 min split and then 8 min / 2 min splits.  I went a total of 2.57 miles.  Which is weird because for my second two splits I was running pretty fast (for me).  For the entire third 8 min I ran a 10 minute mile.  Maybe I should drive my route and see if it's the same as google says.  But then again, why mess with happiness?  I don't want to find out I'm running less outside than I think I am.

I'm going to buy a new scale and start tracking my weight in the new year.  I'm pretty sure my old one doesn't work well, that's gotta be the problem.

Friday, December 28, 2012

5K again!

Slowest 5K ever I think, but this one was pretty much exactly 5K.  It took me 34 min and 45 sec, so actually, I broke 35 minutes, so maybe not THE slowest ever, just sometimes it felt like it.  Esp in Powder House Circle when this gazelle ran across my path and zipped away.

According to MapMyRun, this route (a new one that goes into Powder House Circle - Past some really amazing smelling restaurants in Ball Square) has 66 feet of elevation gain.  the Ras na Eireann has 79.  I did 8 min / 2 min splits, which I may have to do for a week or two, it was killer!  When I got home, nothing hurt, which was so weird, I didn't know where to put the ice.

I hope I can keep running outside for a while longer.  I'm dreading having to go on the treadmill.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

First 5K!

It turned out to be more than a 5K, more like a 5.32K or 3.3 miles in 38.45 minutes.  And about 30 of those were running!  I should do it out on Map My Run to see how fast I was going there, but it might take off some of the buzz.  I did 7/2 splits again until until 27 minutes, then I ran for 5 minutes until the big downhill, walked down that, and ran the rest of the way home.

Right hip was sore, that's a new one, but at least the knees were ok.  I've got an icepack on my ass.  It was so quiet out, I saw like 3 other runners, a few people walking their dogs, and a guy smoking.  I hope the weather stays nice enough to run outside, because I think it's way better than inside will be when it's too cold.

OK, just checked, it's 11:46 min mile.  But that includes the walking parts.

Registration is opened for the Ras na hEireane and I tried to register last night, but it wouldn't let me for some reason.  Hope that's not a sign.  Wouldn't it be lame if I actually could run 5K but the damn thing wouldn't let me register?

Monday, December 24, 2012

Bronchitis

Missed over a week with bronchitis/cold/disgusting viral thing + a migraine.  What a waste of time.  But, on the bright side, it gave my knees time to recover.  I went running today for the first time in about 10 days and it was a bit painful.  I did 5 minutes/2 minutes.  It started out really hard and got easier at the end, I think maybe because the end is more downhill.  I did a slightly longer route, 2.95 miles, but in 33 minutes.  In 30 minutes I did 2.64 miles.  In the end, I did a total of 24 minutes of running.

Then I met a friend for drinks in Davis Square after, and decided that I couldn't drive the 1.25 miles after going for a run, so I walked another 2.5 ish miles.  Of course, I ate this really delicious flat bread pizza with pumpkin, cheese, fig, and prosciutto,  and had two drinks, so I guess that's a wash.

It's fun looking at the Christmas decorations.  What makes someone put a plastic snowman and reindeer on one side of their yard, and the Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the other side?  It's like they couldn't make up their mind if they should go commercial or religious and went with both.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

7 min/ 1 min

I did 7 minute splits with a minute walking between them, sort of.  The first two were def 7 min, the third was 7 min, but there was a traffic light pause in there (not my fault).  And the fourth was a little shorter because I was running out of gas.  I'm getting so fat, I can't stand it, you would think my body could burn some of the excess.  But instead I just feel tired and want to eat grilled cheese.

2.67 miles, which is good.  Knee is sore, only a little in the cramps.  I think the insoles are helping!  I should just take it a little easier.  Which I could do easier if I would stop eating grilled cheese.

Side note, Adele = good to run to.  Some of the other songs on my playlist, not so much.  Gotta revise.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

20 minutes running!

Woo Hoo!  For the first time I think I might actually be able to run 30 minutes straight.  I almost did it.  I got sidelined at minute 20 by stupid cramps and had to walk for a couple minutes.  But, I think I pretty much ran for 27 of the 30 minutes of today's run :)  Mapping it, I notice that I only went 2.54 miles, so about the same distance as every other time.  Pacing myself.  And I got stuck at a light for about 30 seconds - the one at Sycamore and Medford, so I guess I thought I was more done than I was.

Stats: First 1.78 miles in 20 minutes - pace = 11:14 mile.

The secret was I went the other direction, a gentle uphill to start instead of downhill and then a big uphill.  Oh, and I pooped right before I left, thought it would help with cramps.

Next time I'll try 7 min/1 min maybe to keep from cramping.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Cramps ruining my run

I was doing pretty well, thinking I would go to Cedar St and make my loop bigger, when I got felled by cramps at mile 1.7 by cramps.  I did my first 2 full 4 minute splits pretty well, was feeling good (as in I was still running) and thought I could go further.  But then the cramps hit. Thought I could run through them.  But then I had to end split number 3 at three minutes and walk through split number 4.  I wound up running for about 17 minutes, going for 32 minutes.  2.7 miles (so not much less distance).

Also got shoe inserts, we'll see if this helps the knee.

This must be the most boring blog ever.  :P

Friday, December 7, 2012

First Minute Feeling Like a Real Runner

Coolish, slightly rainy December run, but better than going to the gym.  Gave the knees the week off.  That will show me - no two days in a row running for now.  I'm giving the knees 6 months I decided, and then I'll assess if the running plan is really a good one.  I hope they will get used to it.

I did 4 min running/2 min walking today.  Weirdest, coolest thing happened for about a minute on the second  running jaunt.  I was breathing really hard, having a hard time getting enough air, thinking I might need to slow down or walk for a bit, but my legs just kept going.  It was like when you hit the gas pedal by accident in the car and for a sec you can't figure out how to make it stop.  I felt like a real runner.  Then my four minutes were up and this dude walking a hotdog that looked like it was 16 or so passed me.  But it was a nice minute.

2.5 miles.  I felt a little desire to puke salad towards the end.  Must let food digest.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

New Route

Due to sore knees and a little laziness I decided to do the last 3 min/2 min today.  I wound up going 3.6 miles, though I took a flatter route through East Somerville.  It was a tough run from a cardio perspective, I felt like I was really puffing along - though I guess I went pretty far for me.  IDK if I will ever really run for 30 min without stopping.  Maybe I'll look back at this post one day and smile, but right now, I'm not convinced.

(Ooop, guess that's 2.6)

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Jumping up!

I got a little overenthusiastic today, thought it was time to move to 4 min/2 min instead of day three of 3 min/2 min.  So, I actually ran for 20 minutes.  I feel a little bit like throwing up, a little bit like taking a nap, and a little bit triumphant.  It was tough, especially because there were some hills in there, but I did it!  For some of my running I think it's possible that one of the nuns from the rest home was trying to pass me.

Total run, 2.55 miles.  Knees don't hurt too much, but still I have ice on them.

It was snowing a little.  First run in flurries!  Other than a couple bridges where I was afraid I would wipe out on the downhill bits, it was pretty awesome.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Salvador Dali, where are you?

So today I went about 2.45 miles - a little back and forth and cut-through due to traffic and lack of sidewalk.  But it was the full 3 minutes running, 2 minutes walking!  So, 18 minutes of running outside.  On all the downhilly parts I felt pretty good.  If only I could get Salvador Dali to re-landscape Winter Hill.  The uphill bits were more challenging.  I think I got a little runner's high at the end.  Which is a darned good thing, because otherwise, November sucks, and December doesn't look to be much better.

I may need more than 3 days at this 3/2, though I keep saying that and then moving on.

Monday, November 26, 2012

18 minutes of running!

Ran after climbing today at Metrorock.  I did 2.34 miles on the treadmill with the new 3 minutes running/2 minutes walking, only I started and ended with one minute because I'm always afraid I will fall off the thing if I start too fast.  It's interesting that I went less distance even though it was more time.  Was I running slower, or is google pedometer wrong?  I want to think that I run faster outside than I was running inside (and I did speed up for the last 3 reps indoors when I realized I was being pokey) and google couldn't be wrong...but there was that whole thing recently where google had an island on their maps, but when a boat went to it, the island didn't actually exist.  So, who can say?

I didn't have my knee things, and the right knee definitely hurts.  So, must remember to bring the knee brace - it's doing some good.

Running inside on a treadmill is really boring.  Fortunately at the end some guys came in and were having a pull up contest so I had a little show to watch.  Maybe I do need those outdoor winter running clothes.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Need Gloves

Apparently they make gloves with special material on the thumb and first finger for wiping snot.  But then I guess you would need to wash them a lot more than I am capable of?  Because otherwise, ew! It claims to be 39 degrees out and my hands were really cold, though it was pretty windy.  Ears were ok with my trendy Lulu Lemon head thing, but I kind of think it looks like something my grandmother would wear when she has curlers in her hair.  It's not a fashion run, it's not, it's not (esp when I'm walking 50%).

Went 2.54 miles today in pretty much exactly 30 min.  Left knee was complaining a little.  I got this supplement chrondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine to see if that would help.  I waited 2 hours after eating, so no cramps (I did miss yesterday, though, due to the other kind of cramps.)

I don't think the 5 minutes and 2 minutes thing is going to happen.  Frankly, I don't think 4 minutes will happen.  I'm going to try 3 minutes running and 2 minutes walking next.  That will bring me to 18 minutes running.

Finally, WTF was I doing putting Flashdance on my playlist??

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Stairs!

Tough day today, and no reason for it.  I spent the morning watching the Thanksgiving Parade and the National Dog show (the Wire Fox Terrier won.  I'm sure it's a nice dog, but can't they choose a real dog to win?) and downloading running music to my iTouch.  Even with music for the first time, it was hard to get moving.  Anyhow, I pushed through it, though I felt crampy again.  Research necessary. Walking parts felt much better than the running ones.  2.45 ish miles today.

At the end of the run I was doing the last 3 minutes of walking when I noted the basketball court across the street from my place was full of kids playing ball.  Nothing like a little humiliation to help you to pick it up - I ran the stairs at the elementary school.  Should have counted, maybe 35?  But they are little tiny elementary school sized ones.  Stairs, good for sprints.  Maybe I'll try the ones by the highschool if I'm ever that in shape.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

3 minutes

First real 3 minute runs, and I did an extra due to a minor route planning miscalculation!  I went 2.68 miles, felt great at the end, of course I was running down hill.  Ah gravity!

My super cute running shoes are very interesting to kittens, esp the shoe laces.  They now look like somewhat used shoes.

Now my left knee hurts.  I'm going to be a two knee brace runner.  But, by the time I'm truly old, maybe they will be able to regrow knees instead of having to do replacement surgery?

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Two Steps Back

Brief hiatus from running due to gross virus.  Probably mostly induced by stress.  If I could run and it helped me to relax, I could have run through it.  As it was, I went back down to 2 minutes running, 3 walking.  It's ok, sometimes that happens.  

Monday, November 12, 2012

First minor fail

Got some new really nice running tights from Athleta.  A lot of their stuff is pretty dorky, and the sales chicks walking around the store in their product is weird.  But these are some seriously amazing tights.  I almost feel like a runner.  Question, is it OK to wear the knee support on the outside of the sweet running tights?  Because, wearing the tights over it is going to stretch them unpleasantly.  Best way to find out = try.

First day of three minute running.  My body wasn't totally ready for it.  I cramped up a little, freaked out that my period was starting, and headed home early.  Total time out was 23 minutes, distance was 1.7 miles, missed the last run/walk series and yes, all was clear.

On the bright side, knees didn't hurt at the end.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Day 3

I decided I should run every other day for now to give my body a chance to rest and because, let's face it, there's a good chance I will come to hate running if I try to do it too much.  Liking my route, but it's really timed to my 2 minutes running, 3 minutes walking.  Wonder if I can run for 3 minutes?  2.28 miles again.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Outside

First run outside.  My right knee is killing me but I just spent $100 on these shoes, so no way I'm giving up on this plan.  I'm gonna try ice and a knee brace.  Running outside is cool.  I planned my 2 minute stretches on the flats.  2.28 miles.  I feel a need for cute running tights that make my legs look a little skinny.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Starting Out

My thighs keep getting bigger and bigger, and losing weight is harder and harder.  Going to the gym can be such a pain in the butt.  They close at 7 on the weekend and even though it's close, it still takes almost an hour to go work out for a half hour.  Maybe I should try running.

I tried once before, I made a New Year's resolution to run 26 miles in a year.  Total fail.  But I found a program at Women's Health where you don't just go out and run until you want to fall down and take a taxi home.  Day 1:  I wound up at the gym anyhow because it's raining like crazy, and I got these cute new running shoes that I am not getting all wet.  I went 2 miles, and I thought that two minutes running might kill me for the first couple of times, but then it hurt a little less for the last 2.

Week 1: Run 2 min, walk 3 min; repeat 6 times 
Week 2: Run 3 min, walk 3 min; repeat 5 times 
Week 3: Run 5 min, walk 2 min; repeat 4 times 
Week 4: Run 7 min, walk 3 min; repeat 3 times 
Week 5: Run 8 min, walk 2 min; repeat 3 times 
Week 6: Run 9 min, walk 1 min; repeat 3 times 
Week 7: Run 30 minutes 
After you've been running for at least six weeks, add intervals to continue building fitness and shedding pounds. Intervals are short bursts of speed that engage the muscle fibers that make you go fast. (Bonus: Research has shown that sprints trigger a fat-frying response in your muscles.) To do them, warm up for six minutes with an easy jog. Then run faster for 15 to 20 seconds. Slow down to an easy pace for three minutes. Repeat the cycle three to five times, then cool down with a six-minute jog. Do intervals once a week and increase your sprint length by 10 seconds each week until you can go all-out for 80 seconds.