This month has been a running fiesta for a few reasons.
1. I found a running buddy at work! We go and do a 5k loop once or twice a week. She's fun to run with and very nice to chat with.
2. My boyfriend is back! Ragnar, in training for the Canadian Death Race, went out with me today. We did a nice 10k together.
3. I met people from Running Mania! A couple of people were in from Ottawa, so I went to a little meet-up and met up with four lovely women, Miss Smiles, Trixiee, Fishpants, and IronColl. It was a great night!
On the other hand, I've been missing so many long runs that I think my ambition to do a half marathon in June is shot. It doesn't help that Mother Nature has continued her weekly volley of snow days at us, usually right before the weekend. This week wasn't bad, because it melted by Saturday, but it would be really nice to plant my babies (plants) now.
In other news, I officially made it to 150lbs. For me, this is a big milestone, because while I knew theoretically it was possible, I never figured that I myself could get to that weight and stay there. I credit MyFitnessPal with helping me keep track of what I was eating, giving me a flexible infrastructure, and having a large database. It's not perfect, but as I try to continue to monitor my weight, it's a valuable tool. The other thing I love about this site is that it gives you the option of deciding if you want to lose weight, maintain weight, or gain it. The last, though not being my own concern, is a very important one to have as an option. Not everyone needs to lose it! And not everyone who needs to gain needs to do so because of an eating disorder (though the number of people is frighteningly too many, as in 'more than one').
Apropos of nothing, the national hockey season is winding down, and all the Canadian teams are out. I'm ready for the national football season to start!
I always start these blogs with something to say, and then it devolves into the basics, and I forget the neat, interesting commentaries I could make, like how I saw an Edmonton Public School Board sign advertising a music school... Oh well!
Edited to add: I really wish Canadian restaurants would post nutritional information online. There are a handful that do, but it's frustrating to go out with friends to some really nice place, try a 'signature dish' and not know the nutritional content. Before you say, "Yeah, but you look at the menu and take a guesstimation," remember that restaurants use lots of things that could vary the number of calories, like salt or fat. And no one wants to be the jerk who says, "I don't want to go there because I don't know what I'm eating, so let's go elsewhere."
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Swimming
Mother Nature has decided that she herself is funnier than Mel Brooks, and tried another April Fool's dump of snow yesterday. This time, I had planned ahead and come up with an alternative cardio regime: swimming!
I've never been the strongest swimmer, and frankly, I get nervous about having my head in water. I watch people glide along, calmly and without thrashing about, and envy their poise and lack of worry. But I have one person on my side, another non-swimming swimmer over at Running Mania. She has reassured me that no, just because 25 meters of freestyle makes me breathless does not mean I'm in worse shape than I thought.
Anyways, I went into the pool, wearing my new goggles (love them!) and old swim cap and my blue swimsuit, and did about 300 meters. Frankly, that's a lot more than I expected to be able to do. It helped that an older guy came into the pool and started those long, lazy strokes that make me feel like I've never been in water; finally I had something to compete against!
I also quickly found that backstroke is my best friend because then, I can breathe! I did a lot of backstroke yesterday. I also decided to try making it across two lengths with the power of my legs alone! And did it!
Today, my upper arms, right below the shoulder, are very sore. My back is quite stiff too, though I figure it could certainly feel worse.
As an all-body work-out and a new and novel one, swimming is definitely up there. I just need more practice!
I've never been the strongest swimmer, and frankly, I get nervous about having my head in water. I watch people glide along, calmly and without thrashing about, and envy their poise and lack of worry. But I have one person on my side, another non-swimming swimmer over at Running Mania. She has reassured me that no, just because 25 meters of freestyle makes me breathless does not mean I'm in worse shape than I thought.
Anyways, I went into the pool, wearing my new goggles (love them!) and old swim cap and my blue swimsuit, and did about 300 meters. Frankly, that's a lot more than I expected to be able to do. It helped that an older guy came into the pool and started those long, lazy strokes that make me feel like I've never been in water; finally I had something to compete against!
I also quickly found that backstroke is my best friend because then, I can breathe! I did a lot of backstroke yesterday. I also decided to try making it across two lengths with the power of my legs alone! And did it!
Today, my upper arms, right below the shoulder, are very sore. My back is quite stiff too, though I figure it could certainly feel worse.
As an all-body work-out and a new and novel one, swimming is definitely up there. I just need more practice!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Bring on the Sunshine
Today's weather was a gloriously sunny 13C. Despite an energy crash at around 2:30, I was so excited to get out there and run that I spent a few minutes texting my boyfriend, and then headed out.
It was so lovely that I kept breaking pace. You'd think I'd slow down to appreciate it more. I did slow down more than Tuesday's run, where it was cold and cloudy so I was pushing 5:15 just to get it done and over with. Not sustainable!
However, I think it's really a good time to look at new shoes, because almost on schedule, my knees are starting to hurt early in my run.
The problem is, how do I go about finding the right shoe? The Ghost 4 has apparently incorporated the technology that the Glycerin 7 adopted which led to disastrous and expensive results - did I never finish that story? Long story short, I took those 7s out and ran on them and it turned out that the pressure spots were in exactly the right places to cause me a lot of pain. Anyways, it's back to the Running Room for me. Thankfully, tomorrow is payday.
The plan for this weekend is 12k with the Running Room and then off to brunch with my mother. Getting 'er done, one run at a time.
It was so lovely that I kept breaking pace. You'd think I'd slow down to appreciate it more. I did slow down more than Tuesday's run, where it was cold and cloudy so I was pushing 5:15 just to get it done and over with. Not sustainable!
However, I think it's really a good time to look at new shoes, because almost on schedule, my knees are starting to hurt early in my run.
The problem is, how do I go about finding the right shoe? The Ghost 4 has apparently incorporated the technology that the Glycerin 7 adopted which led to disastrous and expensive results - did I never finish that story? Long story short, I took those 7s out and ran on them and it turned out that the pressure spots were in exactly the right places to cause me a lot of pain. Anyways, it's back to the Running Room for me. Thankfully, tomorrow is payday.
The plan for this weekend is 12k with the Running Room and then off to brunch with my mother. Getting 'er done, one run at a time.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Update of the Week
This week was bad for running. I had planned to go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and run Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
I made it to the gym, and ran today.
On the plus side, I was able to treadmill without worry, but on the minus side, that didn't make up for two days of not-running. My reasons are legit: on Tuesday, I was counseled to stay home and hopefully head off the cold that was threatening. And on Thursday, Edmonton weather was up to its old tricks, and gave us at least 7cm of snow.
Today, I waited until it didn't seem like the mercury was going to climb any higher before suiting up to head out. It wasn't the unpleasantness like two Tuesdays ago, which I'm certain was the commencement of last week's illness, but it was only 1C and there was a wind most of the way. However, I got the 10km in like a good little half-marathoner, and kept myself warm after getting back.
One thing I put a lot of thought into while I was running was mantras. Every so often, a running magazine will start talking about the mantras that successful runners use during their races to continue. And trust me, they do work. In my last half-marathon, my mantra was, "If I can't finish this race, how can I finish anything in life?" A little dismal and exaggerating, but it got me through some of the toughest parts of the race.
I thought about the different words I would likely use during a race, and the time or distances that I'd use them at. For example, I'd start the first five kilometers with "Ease into it," to keep myself from leaping into the race and exhausting myself prematurely. After that, I'd probably try, "Slow and steady," to keep myself on pace. Right around the 10km mark, I would probably switch to, "Just keep moving," because that's when I need to keep moving forward. Then my planning went sort of out the window, preparing for the end with 'Finish strong,' or some inspiring, upright-staying message.
Of course, I remember one other mantra from my races, which I used when my knees started hurting: "Concentrate on foot placement." When one knee or the other started kvetching, I would start to pay attention to exactly how my foot hit the pavement. Usually, I found that my form was suffering from the tiredness of, surprise, running a half-marathon, so I'd pay close attention to that, and either the pain gave up and went away, or I fixed the problem that was causing the pain in the first place.
All this to say, mantras do have their place in a race, the magazines aren't out to lunch, and getting to concentrate on a mantra can take your mind to other places and the kilometers will fly by!
Interestingly enough, Myfitnesspal says that, after expending the calories of a 10km run, I should be able to eat more than 2000 calories total today. Yeah, the only way I'd do that is if I went out for pizza, and I didn't really feel like that. Instead, dinner was a herb-rubbed pork tenderloin with apples and roast potatoes. Amazing how healthy some foods can be while tasting like slices of heaven on your tongue.
On the plus side, I was able to treadmill without worry, but on the minus side, that didn't make up for two days of not-running. My reasons are legit: on Tuesday, I was counseled to stay home and hopefully head off the cold that was threatening. And on Thursday, Edmonton weather was up to its old tricks, and gave us at least 7cm of snow.
Today, I waited until it didn't seem like the mercury was going to climb any higher before suiting up to head out. It wasn't the unpleasantness like two Tuesdays ago, which I'm certain was the commencement of last week's illness, but it was only 1C and there was a wind most of the way. However, I got the 10km in like a good little half-marathoner, and kept myself warm after getting back.
One thing I put a lot of thought into while I was running was mantras. Every so often, a running magazine will start talking about the mantras that successful runners use during their races to continue. And trust me, they do work. In my last half-marathon, my mantra was, "If I can't finish this race, how can I finish anything in life?" A little dismal and exaggerating, but it got me through some of the toughest parts of the race.
I thought about the different words I would likely use during a race, and the time or distances that I'd use them at. For example, I'd start the first five kilometers with "Ease into it," to keep myself from leaping into the race and exhausting myself prematurely. After that, I'd probably try, "Slow and steady," to keep myself on pace. Right around the 10km mark, I would probably switch to, "Just keep moving," because that's when I need to keep moving forward. Then my planning went sort of out the window, preparing for the end with 'Finish strong,' or some inspiring, upright-staying message.
Of course, I remember one other mantra from my races, which I used when my knees started hurting: "Concentrate on foot placement." When one knee or the other started kvetching, I would start to pay attention to exactly how my foot hit the pavement. Usually, I found that my form was suffering from the tiredness of, surprise, running a half-marathon, so I'd pay close attention to that, and either the pain gave up and went away, or I fixed the problem that was causing the pain in the first place.
All this to say, mantras do have their place in a race, the magazines aren't out to lunch, and getting to concentrate on a mantra can take your mind to other places and the kilometers will fly by!
Interestingly enough, Myfitnesspal says that, after expending the calories of a 10km run, I should be able to eat more than 2000 calories total today. Yeah, the only way I'd do that is if I went out for pizza, and I didn't really feel like that. Instead, dinner was a herb-rubbed pork tenderloin with apples and roast potatoes. Amazing how healthy some foods can be while tasting like slices of heaven on your tongue.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Loops for the Troops
Remember how I was laughing at the idea of being fit in time to run a half-marathon in may?
Laughed so hard I could have cried...
Anyways, I realized that:
1) I was running with the 10k group who were doing their final run for the time.
2) The half-marathon group was off doing 16k, and my knees would NOT have forgiven me that.
3) Despite my being at the 10k mark, I still have time to get ready for the Loops for the Troops half-marathon on June 3.
So that's my goal: building up to a 21k on June 3.
Yesterday's run was a nice square, which gives me a great new 10k path. It's one I had hoped to try a long time ago, but never quite had the nerve. It had snowed the night before, so there was an icy slush for some parts of it.
That's actually about all I can remember about the run, other than some lovely company. Then I had a power nap, lunch with family, and spring seedling shopping.
Laughed so hard I could have cried...
Anyways, I realized that:
1) I was running with the 10k group who were doing their final run for the time.
2) The half-marathon group was off doing 16k, and my knees would NOT have forgiven me that.
3) Despite my being at the 10k mark, I still have time to get ready for the Loops for the Troops half-marathon on June 3.
So that's my goal: building up to a 21k on June 3.
Yesterday's run was a nice square, which gives me a great new 10k path. It's one I had hoped to try a long time ago, but never quite had the nerve. It had snowed the night before, so there was an icy slush for some parts of it.
That's actually about all I can remember about the run, other than some lovely company. Then I had a power nap, lunch with family, and spring seedling shopping.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Reconnecting with Friends
One aspect of running that I frequently forget about is the social aspect. It's not that I mean to, or that I'm upset - I just stop visiting places. It's happened with the Running Room (though moving away helped) and with Running Mania, a Canadian running website. I just... stop going.
But part of my re-entry into the great outdoors is acknowledging that man is a pack animal, and sometimes, it doesn't suck to run with people. In fact, it frequently doesn't.
So I logged back onto Running Mania and re-introduced myself. Everyone was happy to see me again, and I'm heading to my first RM event at the end of April! Everyone is full of advice, stories, and jokes, and it's so much fun to find a place on the internet where everyone gets along so well!
In other news, today's run was a lot more pleasant than Tuesday's. Tuesday's 30m run was gross and full of wind and damp and grey skies. It was a huge letdown after a beautiful day.
Today's weather was a lot sunnier in the evening, a lot warmer, but there was still a bit of a cold wind. However, it could have been a lot worse. I decided to run my usual route backwards, for some adventure, and I'm finding that I'm tracking about 4.5k in those 30 minutes. Given some time, patience and effort, I have no doubt I could bring it to 5k in 30 minutes, or even 25 minutes. Wouldn't that be something?
In upcoming races, my friend and I are talking about the Canadian Derby half-marathon race in Edmonton. I asked the RM folk about it, and got a lot of glowing reports! It's fast, as the website boasts, flat, and apparently very well run.
There's also a Run for the Troops on June 3 that has a 5k, 10k, and 21k. I think I'd like to do the 10k.
Speaking of 10k, I looked at the latest e-mail from the near-by Running Room, and it says the half marathon group is doing 10k this week. Just in time! Wouldn't it be funny if I started running with them and wound up in shape to do whatever half-marathon is in May? Hilarious! And tempting.
In other news, I have seen that I am exceeding my cardio calorie needs. Even if I don't run 45 minutes a day, or recumbent-bike on the days I'm not running, I'm still expending more calories than it requires. Me, I'm gonna put that down as one of those things that can't be helped.
In other other news, I've got busy legs like mad and I think I'm gonna go stretch them out!
But part of my re-entry into the great outdoors is acknowledging that man is a pack animal, and sometimes, it doesn't suck to run with people. In fact, it frequently doesn't.
So I logged back onto Running Mania and re-introduced myself. Everyone was happy to see me again, and I'm heading to my first RM event at the end of April! Everyone is full of advice, stories, and jokes, and it's so much fun to find a place on the internet where everyone gets along so well!
In other news, today's run was a lot more pleasant than Tuesday's. Tuesday's 30m run was gross and full of wind and damp and grey skies. It was a huge letdown after a beautiful day.
Today's weather was a lot sunnier in the evening, a lot warmer, but there was still a bit of a cold wind. However, it could have been a lot worse. I decided to run my usual route backwards, for some adventure, and I'm finding that I'm tracking about 4.5k in those 30 minutes. Given some time, patience and effort, I have no doubt I could bring it to 5k in 30 minutes, or even 25 minutes. Wouldn't that be something?
In upcoming races, my friend and I are talking about the Canadian Derby half-marathon race in Edmonton. I asked the RM folk about it, and got a lot of glowing reports! It's fast, as the website boasts, flat, and apparently very well run.
There's also a Run for the Troops on June 3 that has a 5k, 10k, and 21k. I think I'd like to do the 10k.
Speaking of 10k, I looked at the latest e-mail from the near-by Running Room, and it says the half marathon group is doing 10k this week. Just in time! Wouldn't it be funny if I started running with them and wound up in shape to do whatever half-marathon is in May? Hilarious! And tempting.
In other news, I have seen that I am exceeding my cardio calorie needs. Even if I don't run 45 minutes a day, or recumbent-bike on the days I'm not running, I'm still expending more calories than it requires. Me, I'm gonna put that down as one of those things that can't be helped.
In other other news, I've got busy legs like mad and I think I'm gonna go stretch them out!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Death of a Toe Nail
One thing that I don't miss about running is the way it affects my feet. To my annoyance, it's not a situation that can be solved by new shoes or better socks. Mainly, it's my toe nails. Actually, it's one specific one (as the others do well enough when clipped).
It's a weak nail, and has a tendency to fall off whenever I run a half-marathon. Actually, it falls off several weeks after the race, giving me a lot of time to contemplate the eventual death of that toe-nail. Essentially, a bruise forms beneath the nail, pushing the nail away from its bed, and turning it a spectacular purple-black. The lack of bloodflow (remember, a bruise is full of dying blood cells) will kill the nail.
After today's run, it's feeling pretty tender, so I won't be surprised if it starts turning colour soon and takes a walk.
Anyways, I went out for a nice long run this afternoon. I decided to try to focus on time in my runs instead of distance, so I said to myself, "I'm going to run an hour today!" It turned out to be an hour and 13 minutes, average pace of 7:39m/km, and a distance of 9km! I'm feeling very happy with myself, though I have little doubt that I will feel it tomorrow. My breathing was good, though, and my legs and knees, though tired, are still functioning (after a nice application of ice).
And now, I'm going to have a nap before dinner and a movie with my mother!
It's a weak nail, and has a tendency to fall off whenever I run a half-marathon. Actually, it falls off several weeks after the race, giving me a lot of time to contemplate the eventual death of that toe-nail. Essentially, a bruise forms beneath the nail, pushing the nail away from its bed, and turning it a spectacular purple-black. The lack of bloodflow (remember, a bruise is full of dying blood cells) will kill the nail.
After today's run, it's feeling pretty tender, so I won't be surprised if it starts turning colour soon and takes a walk.
Anyways, I went out for a nice long run this afternoon. I decided to try to focus on time in my runs instead of distance, so I said to myself, "I'm going to run an hour today!" It turned out to be an hour and 13 minutes, average pace of 7:39m/km, and a distance of 9km! I'm feeling very happy with myself, though I have little doubt that I will feel it tomorrow. My breathing was good, though, and my legs and knees, though tired, are still functioning (after a nice application of ice).
And now, I'm going to have a nap before dinner and a movie with my mother!
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