Plugged Back In

The last 3 times I've run, I have worn my Garmin.  Most of the time I'm pleasantly surprised when I look down at my wrist and see a pace that is "good".  But by the end of the run, I'm struggling.  I'm still only running about 3 miles at a time.  I am frustrated that I am not progressing. 

I have decided that I'm going to join a running group that starts training in July.  They are preparing for "a fall race" that I hope is the Baltimore half marathon.  The timing of the training plan works well for that race.  I am also hoping that by joining a group, my motivation and my endurance will increase.  I am mentally committed to running...until it's time to lace up and go.  This has never been an issue for me and I'm hoping that this is a temporary phase until I get better conditioned.

Unplugged and Starting Over

I have not been running for awhile now.  Too many excuses have gotten in my way.  Too busy, work responsibilities, kids, etc.

Last Saturday I volunteered to help with the Ocean City half marathon.  I enjoyed the day but I had several moments of sadness where I realized that I was no longer one of them...I am not capable of completing 13.1 miles right now.  So I vowed to do something about that. 

Sunday morning I got up and met Lisa in Berlin.  We ran a leisurely run around the 5K loop, although we cut off the last part so it was definitely less than 3 miles.  I promised her that I would get back to running.  Really I promised myself but said it out loud to Lisa.

I have run a couple of times this week in addition to my workout with Clara.  I can honestly say that every step has been a mental battle.  It hurts, I'm tired, I feel slow and the rolling hills around my house feel like mountains.  But I've been out there running.  That feels great.

Because I'm just a bit competitive and mostly competitive with myself, I knew that if I looked at my watch and saw how slowly I'm running, that I would be discouraged.  So I have run a loop around my neighborhood that I know is roughly 3 miles.  I have not worn my Garmin once.  I am running and for now that's all that matters.  Maybe next week I'll put the watch back on but for now my goals are not time related.  I simply need to build my base and start adding miles. 

I Love Running

I have not been able to run for the last 2 months.  I got a pedicure for my birthday and as a result got a plantar's wart right on the ball of my foot.  It grew so fast and was so big that over the counter treatments did not work.  I finally went to a podiatrist who has been treating it for 6 weeks now.  It no longer hurts and I have slowly been trying to get back into my running. We have had a very mild winter so far, but unfortunately every time I've been able to run, it's been raining.  So all of my running in the past few weeks has been done on a treadmill.  I hate running on a treadmill.

Today I got an opportunity to run outside for the first time since I had the plantar's wart.  On the treadmill, I've been struggling every time I try to run.  So today I really expected to struggle.  BUT I DIDN'T!!!!

I was 1 mile into my run when I realized how good I felt.  I had hoped to run 2 miles total.  I doubled that!  Every time I hit the point where I had planned to turn around and head home, I just kept going.  It was such a great feeling.

Now granted, I ran very slow compared to the pace I used to run.  But I didn't care.  I wore my Garmin only for the distance.  I really didn't care what the pace was.  Today's run was not about time.  It was about getting back to that great feeling that all runners know.  The pure love of running.  Not every run goes this well, especially for me.  But today's run was a huge confidence booster...and a great reminder of why I do this.

Running Group Update

A few weeks ago I was really excited about finding a running group.  The guy who owns the little gym I go to said that he's been thinking about putting together a running group for some time now.  I really thought he was serious about it.  He promised that he would post information on the board.  Every time I go into the gym, I check the board and there's nothing. 

I bought my latest pair of running shoes at Charm City Run in Clarksville.  They gave me information about a training group that is getting together to train for the Frederick Half in March.  Because of the close proximity to the OC Half, I could follow their plan without too much modification necessary.  When they taper, I'll just maintain.  HOWEVER, it costs $125.  You get a shirt, a training plan, a group to run with, blah blah.  This isn't my first half marathon and I have gotten a pretty solid training plan based on what Lisa Long developed for me.  So that seems like a lot of money to pay for having a group to run with.  Same thing with Fleet Feet Sports.  I went there to use a gift card and they told me that they also have a training group...again it's $125.

As it's well documented on this blog, I am really not good at running alone.  My head gets in my way.  When I'm running with other people, I'm much more productive and enjoy the run so much more.  So here's my dilemma...pay $125 to run with others or continue to struggle alone for free?

Slow and Steady

So my goal for the weekend was to get out and run.  The weather was perfect so I did just that!  We were in Betterton for the weekend.  I ran a familiar route so that I didn't have to think too much about the course.  It was exactly 3 miles.

I knew as I took my first steps that this wasn't going to be a fast run.  I basically can't even say that I was running.  It was more like a slow jog.  But it was wonderful.  I didn't look at my Garmin at all to see my pace.  I didn't really care.  I ran and thought.  I had a lot of thinking to do.  Running helps me with that.

So when I got back to the house and finally looked at my Garmin and saw how long it took me to run that 3 miles, at first I was disappointed.  But then I remembered how awesome it felt just to be running.  Not once during the run did I want to stop...even running up the hills.  Not once did my head try to convince me that I was tired and couldn't finish.

I think sometimes I need to just get out there and run a slow and steady run.  Next time I might not even wear my Garmin.  I'm just going to go for a run.

Baby Steps

So right now there are a lot of things in my life that fit my motto "Baby Steps".  Running is definitely one of those things.  Last Friday I ran 4 miles and it was good.  Well, in all honestly, the last mile was a bit of a mental struggle, but it was my head that was messed up not my body.

So while this time last year I was easily running 5, 6 or 7 miles, now I'm struggling to do 4.  But I'm going to slowly build back up my endurance.  Baby Steps.  I'm going to be smart about it since I've had so many months of not training and not working out.  My workouts are good now.  Ryann and I have a schedule and we have been pretty much sticking to it.  My diet is getting better...but that's always a challenge.  I love my wine too much to really have a perfectly clean diet.  And now I'm running again.  All is starting to be right.

I am determined to run 4 1/2 miles today.  I know it's not a big jump from the 4 I ran last week, but it's Baby Steps.  My goal is to be comfortably running 6 miles by the 2nd week of Dec.  There are some December 5Ks that I'd like to participate in.  Notice I didn't mention the word "race".  I am nowhere near my racing condition.  I have set low expectations for my performance in any 5K in December.  Baby Steps.

In January I will start my training for the OC Half.  In 2012 I will run a half marathon in under 2 hours.  I have several races highlighted on my calendar in 2012.  If I can put in the foundation now, when I start training in January, I'll be good mentally and physically.

So if you're reading this blog and thinking that you are way behind on your training or can't run as far as you would like, my advice is simply Baby Steps.  We can do this!!!

Treadmill vs. the Great Outdoors

I really hate running on a treadmill.  It's boring even when there are TV's in front of me.  It also hurts my ankles and knees.  Not having the best joints to begin with, anything that hurts my ankles and knees is probably not a great idea.

HOWEVER, we are getting to the time of the year when it's mostly dark except for when I'm in my office.  I don't have shower facilities here so running over my lunch hour means that my afternoon would be spend pretty unpleasantly.

So I find myself running on the treadmill more often these days.  My little 24 hour gym has several treadmills and they are located a 1/4 mile from my house.  Ryann and I walked over to the gym and did some work on the treadmills at the end of last week.  I'm still feeling it in my knees. 

I really love running outside.  I need to make time to do that.  It's good for my mind and my body.  It's a beautiful time of the year to be running.  Work has been busy and life has been busy, but I really need to make some time to get out there and run!