I got 1/3 of the way through Harvard Stadium today! Awesome! Then I came home and at an entire frozen pizza. Just want to be sure there's no weight loss from that apparently. I got to the stadium and, even though it was a nice day, decided to go to the sunny side, which was section 37. There's a metal ramp over some of the steps there, and for a moment or two I thought about running fewer steps, and was all "I'm going to start on this side from now on." But then I started to feel like I wouldn't be as happy with the workout, so I did an extra 10 steps to make up for it - I think I'll just start in section 1 in the future. I was a little worried at section 30 when my legs were feeling like spaghetti that I wouldn't be able to top my last attempt, but then I pushed it to 28. Then at 28 I was like, "it's 3 more. You can do 3 more!" After section 25 I threw in an extra 10 steps, because it's 37 sections. I was there for almost 27 minutes, moving for most of the time, though I paused at the bottom of the sections to glare at the number at the top. Next time, gonna try for at least 15! Or, here's a crazy thought, maybe I'll actually run some of them :O
My foot is still sore, I've decided that maybe it's plantar faciatis, and I need to stretch it and do some PT (home PT that is.) So, still no running. I did spend an hour on the elliptical on Wednesday, which was beyond boring.
Yesterday I went for a hike in the Middlesex Fells and didn't get lost or see any naked people! I started on the Skyline Trail, but then switched to the Reservoir Trail - I started a little late and didn't want to be there after dark. All and all I went about 5 1/2 miles in about 3 hours.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Stadiums
I was telling my friend Kerry about my step running experience, and she said something about "just thinking about running stadiums in my mind is hard core." Of course, all I got from that was "oh, they're called Stadiums, huh?" She does Crossfit, so she knows. So, I'm going with Stadiums from now on.
Yesterday I tried to go back to Harvard to run more Stadiums, but it turned out it was the Harvard/Yale game. Which is like The Biggest Game in Harvard's year. I think they host every other year, so odds of me trying to go there right as the game was letting out are pretty small. I actually was a little relieved to beat the odds :) So, I went back today. I tried pacing myself a little better, and I got 10 sections in 18 min before I decided to call it quits. I actually probably could have done one or two more, but I wanted to go downtown and try on some stuff at Patagonia, and I didn't think I would be up for walking if I did more. And, I felt that adding two was a good accomplishment! I'm not gonna lie, I was a little tired by the end. I was standing at the bottom of 7, looking at the number up top like "7, you're mine." Cheezy but effective.
To be clear, I walked all but about two steps. I ran a couple and was like "that's hard. Something to work towards."
Then I went to Boston where my Magic Parking Karma somehow failed me. In the end I parked in the Common Garage and walked to Patagonia. They have this Base Layer that my friends Greta and Eric have that they love, and I want one. After trying it on, I want it more! I finished at Patagonia and decided that I really wanted to just be back at my car, so I ran up Comm Ave. It was a little less than a mile, I have no idea how long it took. My tendon is still sore, so that was a good distance, with the Stadiums. I did do the elliptical last week, which was low impact on the tendon and incredibly dull. I really hope the tendon gets better.
Yesterday I tried to go back to Harvard to run more Stadiums, but it turned out it was the Harvard/Yale game. Which is like The Biggest Game in Harvard's year. I think they host every other year, so odds of me trying to go there right as the game was letting out are pretty small. I actually was a little relieved to beat the odds :) So, I went back today. I tried pacing myself a little better, and I got 10 sections in 18 min before I decided to call it quits. I actually probably could have done one or two more, but I wanted to go downtown and try on some stuff at Patagonia, and I didn't think I would be up for walking if I did more. And, I felt that adding two was a good accomplishment! I'm not gonna lie, I was a little tired by the end. I was standing at the bottom of 7, looking at the number up top like "7, you're mine." Cheezy but effective.
To be clear, I walked all but about two steps. I ran a couple and was like "that's hard. Something to work towards."
Then I went to Boston where my Magic Parking Karma somehow failed me. In the end I parked in the Common Garage and walked to Patagonia. They have this Base Layer that my friends Greta and Eric have that they love, and I want one. After trying it on, I want it more! I finished at Patagonia and decided that I really wanted to just be back at my car, so I ran up Comm Ave. It was a little less than a mile, I have no idea how long it took. My tendon is still sore, so that was a good distance, with the Stadiums. I did do the elliptical last week, which was low impact on the tendon and incredibly dull. I really hope the tendon gets better.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
"Running Steps" at Harvard Stadium
I decided to try the ultimate stair master - running steps at Harvard Stadium! I put it in quotes because I actually walked, and I only walked sections 1-8, there are 37. But by the end of eight my legs were so jello like that I wasn't sure that I would be able to walk down, and I was seeing spots out of the corner of my left eye, so I decided that it didn't count as quitting to stop, more as "setting a baseline." When I started running I wasn't sure that I would be able to run a full 30 minutes, and now I can do a 10K without it killing me, so perhaps the same is true for steps?
The nice thing about "running steps" was that it only took 15 minutes, less time than an actual run. So, it's something I could do on the way home from work. Also, my Achilles' Tendon has been sore, and this seemed lower impact than regular running. I mean, for the people who were actually running the things it looked like amazing and kind of high impact exercise, but that's a little while off for me.
I think this would be really good Machu Pichhu prep. Also, it should help with the size of my thighs (which are much larger than I like). I know this is a running blog, but I've decided that since the steps are so crazy hard and aerobic, they can count as a part as well. My blog, my rules :)
The ultimate in humblingness of the experience was there was an adaptive soccer game on the field, and there was someone there in a wheelchair who had no legs but was playing soccer. Made me feel like a huge woos for quitting at section 8, but I'll be back!
The nice thing about "running steps" was that it only took 15 minutes, less time than an actual run. So, it's something I could do on the way home from work. Also, my Achilles' Tendon has been sore, and this seemed lower impact than regular running. I mean, for the people who were actually running the things it looked like amazing and kind of high impact exercise, but that's a little while off for me.
I think this would be really good Machu Pichhu prep. Also, it should help with the size of my thighs (which are much larger than I like). I know this is a running blog, but I've decided that since the steps are so crazy hard and aerobic, they can count as a part as well. My blog, my rules :)
The ultimate in humblingness of the experience was there was an adaptive soccer game on the field, and there was someone there in a wheelchair who had no legs but was playing soccer. Made me feel like a huge woos for quitting at section 8, but I'll be back!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Trail Run
It's a perfect day out for Veteran's Day, so I decided a trail run was in order. Seemed like a good way to start Running Year Three, and a good Machu Picchu training idea for next summer. I went to the Middlesex Fells, determined not to get lost. Well, I sort of didn't get lost, though I don't totally know where I was. I had my Fitbit on, and it thinks I went about 5 miles in total, though I only ran for the first 35 minutes, then I walked on the Skyline Trail (so I could enjoy it a little more). I did manage to find my way around for the most part, and I didn't run into anyone who was naked, or peeing while holding a cigarette (I will charitably assume that's what I ran into before). I only asked for directions twice. I have absolutely no idea how far I ran - I tried to figure it out on Map My Run, and really couldn't.
Trail running was not bad. It's easier on a wider trail. The downhills are hardest, especially with the leaves on the ground. There's a trail running class through Meetup that I may try, the guy who leads it works at LL Bean, so it's really a Bean trail running class.
This year has been an awesome fall foliage year. So nice!
Trail running was not bad. It's easier on a wider trail. The downhills are hardest, especially with the leaves on the ground. There's a trail running class through Meetup that I may try, the guy who leads it works at LL Bean, so it's really a Bean trail running class.
This year has been an awesome fall foliage year. So nice!
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Early Runaversary
The new running tights and sports bras came today (exciting!) AND I ate three slices of pizza for lunch. Plus on Friday I want to go climbing with a meet-up group, and I learned the hard way that work + running + climbing = too much. So, I decided to celebrate my 3rd runaversary a few days early. I feel a little funny about it, but it's not like I'm not running or that running knows that I'm cheating on it or would care if it did. In fact, it's extra hard core, because I ran two days in a row!
I wore my new running tights, sports bra, my reversible Athleta top with the thumb holes, my new running shoes, and my new florescent running vest because it was dark. I also had my iPod shuffle and my running watch. Holy crap I've spent a lot of money in the last two years! I hope running appreciates it, but I'm suspicious it would be perfectly happy with Target sweats and a tshirt.
I told myself that because it was two days in a row I could just do an easy, short route from home. But then once I was going I did my regular 5K. I actually did it pretty fast for me, 31 min and 7 sec, but I did have to wait a few seconds to cross the street at one point. That's a 10 minute 6 second mile! Go me!! To think two years ago I could run for only 2 minutes at a time, and I thought 3 minutes might kill me. I can't believe I will be headed into year three, still running.
I'm really happy that I did manage to meet all my one year runaversary goals! I ran two 5K's and a 10K. Although I do seem to have spent a lot of money on cute running clothes, I have balanced it out by remaining a member of Planet Fitness (now Assembly Sports Club which = more florescent Planet Fitness) which is free with my health insurance. I'm definitely going to try to do the Tufts 10K again because it was pretty great. I'd also like to do the Ras na hEireann again in March since I've done it for two years in a row. My one goal for this year is to run with one of the Somerville running clubs, at least 5 times. I have wanted to do that, but I'm too chicken shit. Now it's in writing, I'm gonna have to do it.
I wore my new running tights, sports bra, my reversible Athleta top with the thumb holes, my new running shoes, and my new florescent running vest because it was dark. I also had my iPod shuffle and my running watch. Holy crap I've spent a lot of money in the last two years! I hope running appreciates it, but I'm suspicious it would be perfectly happy with Target sweats and a tshirt.
I told myself that because it was two days in a row I could just do an easy, short route from home. But then once I was going I did my regular 5K. I actually did it pretty fast for me, 31 min and 7 sec, but I did have to wait a few seconds to cross the street at one point. That's a 10 minute 6 second mile! Go me!! To think two years ago I could run for only 2 minutes at a time, and I thought 3 minutes might kill me. I can't believe I will be headed into year three, still running.
I'm really happy that I did manage to meet all my one year runaversary goals! I ran two 5K's and a 10K. Although I do seem to have spent a lot of money on cute running clothes, I have balanced it out by remaining a member of Planet Fitness (now Assembly Sports Club which = more florescent Planet Fitness) which is free with my health insurance. I'm definitely going to try to do the Tufts 10K again because it was pretty great. I'd also like to do the Ras na hEireann again in March since I've done it for two years in a row. My one goal for this year is to run with one of the Somerville running clubs, at least 5 times. I have wanted to do that, but I'm too chicken shit. Now it's in writing, I'm gonna have to do it.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Machu Picchu
I'm officially planning a trip to Machu Picchu for the first week of August, followed by a visit to the Amazon in Peru. Details are still not clear at all, but I'm pretty psyched about the idea! There's a park in Peru what you take a 10 hour bus/car ride then a 6/7 hour boat ride to get to that sounds amazing. I really want to go. It also sounds expensive. So, not sure. The plan is definitely to trek the Inca Trail, which will keep me moving and in shape. It doesn't look easy.
Today I wound up at the gym. Actually I literally wound up there. Apparently I put myself on autopilot, didn't want to run outside in the dark. To make it more interesting, I did sprints. I started with 5 min warm up, then did 2 minutes a 6 mph, then 5.7 for a minute, then 6.1 for 2 minutes, 5.7 for one minute, etc, such that I did 10 min at or over 10 min mile. Then I still had 10 minutes left, so I decided to do a minute slow, a minute fast and get in another 5 minutes of fast. All together half of my 15 minute run was at or above 10 min mile! It felt good, except that my right calf hurt a little.
Runaversary is Friday! Should have my new sports bra and tights by then!
Today I wound up at the gym. Actually I literally wound up there. Apparently I put myself on autopilot, didn't want to run outside in the dark. To make it more interesting, I did sprints. I started with 5 min warm up, then did 2 minutes a 6 mph, then 5.7 for a minute, then 6.1 for 2 minutes, 5.7 for one minute, etc, such that I did 10 min at or over 10 min mile. Then I still had 10 minutes left, so I decided to do a minute slow, a minute fast and get in another 5 minutes of fast. All together half of my 15 minute run was at or above 10 min mile! It felt good, except that my right calf hurt a little.
Runaversary is Friday! Should have my new sports bra and tights by then!
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