I love running as winter is melting away, and spring is warming the air.
I don't mean that I enjoy splashing myself through soggy mush, or slipping on the hidden ice beneath. But I do enjoy the feeling of anticipation of a warm run, where I don't come home feeling chilled, where there's sunlight past 6:30 p.m., and I don't need a face mask to avoid frozen skin. The renewal of life seems to renew my love of running.
Today's run was a bit of a challenge. I haven't been outside nearly all winter, but I decided to try to keep a 6.5min/km pace. That's probably about what I do on the treadmill, but doing it on uneven ground, in slush, is a different story! In the end, I had to take more walking breaks than I like, but I did 30 minutes of it, so for my first run, I was pretty happy.
My muscles were pretty complacent with the idea of out-door running. A bit stiff at the beginning, but they soon warmed up. I don't remember if they were entirely happy at the end, but there was a general sense of tiredness in them. I'm looking forward to pushing that wall of tiredness back, starting Sunday. One thing I'd forgotten is to move my neck while running. I am the type of runner who holds her head very stiffly. After about 20 minutes, I need to shake my head and neck a little, or it goes from nada to nagging to 'fix this now there is no option'. No wonder Paula Radcliffe (fastest female runner in the world, and a great role-model to boot!) has a head-bobbing motion; it must negate the stiff-neck issue I have!
It was also my first run with my iPhone. I had hoped to tuck it into the little pocket in my pants, but that was a non-starter when I realized it would drag my pants down. I ran with it in-hand, but I think I'll be looking for an arm band instead.
In other news, I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app for my phone, and so far, I'm quite impressed. They have a very comprehensive food database with easy repeatable options, and they can calculate how much more you can eat a certain day from how much you've exercised (don't get me wrong, they start with a reduced calorie intake idea, and then adjust). What I adore is the option to scan bar-codes of packaged foods, and it shows up in your day's food tally! Well done, MyFitnessPal, well done!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
After (nearly) A Year
Wow, I've managed to go nearly a year without posting in here. A year in which so much changed!
First: I moved back to Edmonton, to live with my boyfriend.
Second: I didn't run very much over the winter, though I did start going to the gym.
Third: I applied to try being in training for a fitness competition... and didn't get it.
One thing I learned with the first is that, upon moving to a new climate, it will take time to get acclimatized. It took me nearly a month for my body to stop feeling out of oxygen, once I'd moved back to a higher, dryer, altitude.
One thing I learned with the second is that, 10 minutes on a treadmill for warm-up will never be enough cardio. I also learned that that's all I can really enjoy on a treadmill, because they're boring as heck. The rest of the gym visit is much more fun.
One thing I learned with the third is that, there is no harm in trying. So I sent an application with a 'headshot' (read, a nicer self-portrait), and never heard back. Still, it's cool to imagine that maybe this is something I COULD do.
Ragnar and I went out for our first run in a long time. It was 30 minutes of 0C weather, which wasn't bad. Without getting too into the subject... the run was cathartic.
Now that the weather is getting nice, I'm hoping to hit the gym and the pavement more often.
There's a few in-town races, including a half-marathon that I want to get in on!
Edited to add: I totally missed the third birthday of this blog!
First: I moved back to Edmonton, to live with my boyfriend.
Second: I didn't run very much over the winter, though I did start going to the gym.
Third: I applied to try being in training for a fitness competition... and didn't get it.
One thing I learned with the first is that, upon moving to a new climate, it will take time to get acclimatized. It took me nearly a month for my body to stop feeling out of oxygen, once I'd moved back to a higher, dryer, altitude.
One thing I learned with the second is that, 10 minutes on a treadmill for warm-up will never be enough cardio. I also learned that that's all I can really enjoy on a treadmill, because they're boring as heck. The rest of the gym visit is much more fun.
One thing I learned with the third is that, there is no harm in trying. So I sent an application with a 'headshot' (read, a nicer self-portrait), and never heard back. Still, it's cool to imagine that maybe this is something I COULD do.
Ragnar and I went out for our first run in a long time. It was 30 minutes of 0C weather, which wasn't bad. Without getting too into the subject... the run was cathartic.
Now that the weather is getting nice, I'm hoping to hit the gym and the pavement more often.
There's a few in-town races, including a half-marathon that I want to get in on!
Edited to add: I totally missed the third birthday of this blog!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
It is Easter weekend, a lovely four-day weekend that will undoubtedly leave me on Monday just aching to get back to work and away from the tedium of home. Yeah, you read that right.
However, I capitalized on the FINALLY nice weather yesterday (see last post where I asked for warm... we just got it), and went out for my first run in, according to my running watch, three weeks.
Now a bit of my failure to run is falling off the maintenance plan, and part of it was a bitch of a cold that invaded my sinuses, and a bit of it was the cold in my lungs finally deciding to come out. Yes, the cold I had two weeks prior to my March 12 race decided to go.
I'm not 100% better. I'm still sniffling and coughing a bit but damn I'm tired of waiting for nicer weather and clear lungs to run, so I'll take the nicer weather. I did a 5km route around my block. My left knee was stiff when I started, and then right at the end, my left knee started to go. However, all in all, the nice weather, a good breakfast of pancakes, and only slight muscle stiffness has me rarin' to get back on running track.
That, and realizing there's a marathon at the end of August I'd love to try.
However, I capitalized on the FINALLY nice weather yesterday (see last post where I asked for warm... we just got it), and went out for my first run in, according to my running watch, three weeks.
Now a bit of my failure to run is falling off the maintenance plan, and part of it was a bitch of a cold that invaded my sinuses, and a bit of it was the cold in my lungs finally deciding to come out. Yes, the cold I had two weeks prior to my March 12 race decided to go.
I'm not 100% better. I'm still sniffling and coughing a bit but damn I'm tired of waiting for nicer weather and clear lungs to run, so I'll take the nicer weather. I did a 5km route around my block. My left knee was stiff when I started, and then right at the end, my left knee started to go. However, all in all, the nice weather, a good breakfast of pancakes, and only slight muscle stiffness has me rarin' to get back on running track.
That, and realizing there's a marathon at the end of August I'd love to try.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March Madness
Would the weather please take a hint and warm up? It's the end of March, for Pete's sake, and still hovering around 0!
But that didn't stop the dust, no no! Since there is no snow to cover it up, all the dust flies up as cars drive past, clogging in my lungs.
Which are already clogged from some unknown cold or problem. I keep thinking that I should go visit the doctor, but have trouble getting out of bed.
On that account, I'm still running in the afternoons, when it is warmer and sunnier. I'm sure the morning is a great time to run at this time of year, but it's still dark!
I must apologize, I'm tired and feeling a bit sarcastic, and it's only 7:30pm. After doing 4km this afternoon, I am still pooped as heck, but happy that I got it done and over with. Now to get this stupid lung issue solved...
But that didn't stop the dust, no no! Since there is no snow to cover it up, all the dust flies up as cars drive past, clogging in my lungs.
Which are already clogged from some unknown cold or problem. I keep thinking that I should go visit the doctor, but have trouble getting out of bed.
On that account, I'm still running in the afternoons, when it is warmer and sunnier. I'm sure the morning is a great time to run at this time of year, but it's still dark!
I must apologize, I'm tired and feeling a bit sarcastic, and it's only 7:30pm. After doing 4km this afternoon, I am still pooped as heck, but happy that I got it done and over with. Now to get this stupid lung issue solved...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Post Race Day
I posted last December about maintenance plans, which I am absolutely awful for.
This time, I have a cunning plan. Let's just hope it's better than Black Adder's cunning plans.
I will now proceed to the half-marathon clinic at the Kanata Running Room. I've taken the first step and introduced myself to the leader. Whether I actually join the clinic itself or just join the Sunday runs, I'm not sure. I will start next weekend, because this is going to be an easy recovery week.
Ugh. That's all the writing I've got in me today.
This time, I have a cunning plan. Let's just hope it's better than Black Adder's cunning plans.
I will now proceed to the half-marathon clinic at the Kanata Running Room. I've taken the first step and introduced myself to the leader. Whether I actually join the clinic itself or just join the Sunday runs, I'm not sure. I will start next weekend, because this is going to be an easy recovery week.
Ugh. That's all the writing I've got in me today.
St. Patrick's Day 10K 2011
After not posting in all of February, I will finally write:
Enough, Winter, lay off and bring in Spring! Gawwwwwd!
It's been cold and rainy and snowy and miserable here, and I think everyone who's not an ardent skier will agree that it is time for nicer weather.
The contrast is apparent in photos of this year's race compared to last year. 2010's St. Patrick's Day race was, though overcast and slightly drizzly, verdant. This year's photos show snow, snow, slush, ice, and icy water. No green to be seen!
Having moved much further away than last year, I was a little worried about arrival, but I was able to arrive 30 minutes before race-time anyway. I had decided to do the 10k this year, because I knew I could do the distance, but it was still a challenge.
The race took us from Immaculata High School (who generously lent their gym) up Col. By Drive, up to around Carleton University and back. The first half had more uphill, and the only benefit of that was it meant more downhill on the way back. However, I can still remember after the half-way mark thinking, "What? This was uphill a few minutes ago! It's a physics impossibility to have this route be uphill both ways at the same time!"
I will admit, this race was a struggle. I had been sick two weeks prior, and my lungs felt like they couldn't get full. My legs and knees were wobbly by the end of it, and I took far too many walk-breaks (and one texting break).
I picked up my pace for the last kilometer, and made it in at 1:13, only 6 minutes longer than my first 10k. I was a bit disappointed because I'd really hoped to get under one hour, but I think if I hadn't been sick, my time would have been a lot better.
Post-run, I harassed a friend to wakefulness and dragged him out for brunch. I had a probably-very-unhealthy steak and eggs. Protein, baby!
Lessons learned from this race:
1. Eat something more than cereal before a race. A bowl of cheerios was not cutting it. And of course, experiment with what this meal will be before race day!
2. If you're going to get sick, try to do it after the race. If you can't put off being sick, try to take care of yourself as much as possible so you get healthy faster. This is a legitimate reason to take time off work, and your boss who is hopefully a runner will understand.
3. You still have something at the end! Swing the arms harder, know it's the end, and go for it! See the clock ticking up and tell yourself, "Not gonna finish 1:15 if I can help it!"
4. Don't mouth along to your music. Everyone will think you're strange, and it's very likely you're interrupting your breathing habits. The latter is more dire.
Enough, Winter, lay off and bring in Spring! Gawwwwwd!
It's been cold and rainy and snowy and miserable here, and I think everyone who's not an ardent skier will agree that it is time for nicer weather.
The contrast is apparent in photos of this year's race compared to last year. 2010's St. Patrick's Day race was, though overcast and slightly drizzly, verdant. This year's photos show snow, snow, slush, ice, and icy water. No green to be seen!
Having moved much further away than last year, I was a little worried about arrival, but I was able to arrive 30 minutes before race-time anyway. I had decided to do the 10k this year, because I knew I could do the distance, but it was still a challenge.
The race took us from Immaculata High School (who generously lent their gym) up Col. By Drive, up to around Carleton University and back. The first half had more uphill, and the only benefit of that was it meant more downhill on the way back. However, I can still remember after the half-way mark thinking, "What? This was uphill a few minutes ago! It's a physics impossibility to have this route be uphill both ways at the same time!"
I will admit, this race was a struggle. I had been sick two weeks prior, and my lungs felt like they couldn't get full. My legs and knees were wobbly by the end of it, and I took far too many walk-breaks (and one texting break).
I picked up my pace for the last kilometer, and made it in at 1:13, only 6 minutes longer than my first 10k. I was a bit disappointed because I'd really hoped to get under one hour, but I think if I hadn't been sick, my time would have been a lot better.
Post-run, I harassed a friend to wakefulness and dragged him out for brunch. I had a probably-very-unhealthy steak and eggs. Protein, baby!
Lessons learned from this race:
1. Eat something more than cereal before a race. A bowl of cheerios was not cutting it. And of course, experiment with what this meal will be before race day!
2. If you're going to get sick, try to do it after the race. If you can't put off being sick, try to take care of yourself as much as possible so you get healthy faster. This is a legitimate reason to take time off work, and your boss who is hopefully a runner will understand.
3. You still have something at the end! Swing the arms harder, know it's the end, and go for it! See the clock ticking up and tell yourself, "Not gonna finish 1:15 if I can help it!"
4. Don't mouth along to your music. Everyone will think you're strange, and it's very likely you're interrupting your breathing habits. The latter is more dire.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Further on Skin Care
I posted earlier this month about skin care when running in the winter.
Then I got the January/February edition of Women's Running, and saw that they've done the same thing. Reading through it, myself and the magazine seem to agree on most aspects, and there's some good advice on products and ingredients to look for, some even at reasonable prices.
One point of variance is on exfoliation. WR suggests if your skin is flaky, exfoliating more often will remove those extra flakes, rather than applying more moisturizer to try to renew the skin.
I tried exfoliating twice this week, and have met with sad lack of success. Instead of the usual freshly-exfoliated feeling I usually get, my face felt very rough and desperate for more moisturizer.
However, the rest of WR's tips seem sensible, and check out the section on vitamins.
In other news, morning running continues outside of Running Room days, and when it's less than -10C, it's a pleasant way to start the morning. However, running any time at -28C is not a fun option.
That was Monday's temperature, and I'm not afraid to say that I did not run that night. Apparently very few others did too.
Then I got the January/February edition of Women's Running, and saw that they've done the same thing. Reading through it, myself and the magazine seem to agree on most aspects, and there's some good advice on products and ingredients to look for, some even at reasonable prices.
One point of variance is on exfoliation. WR suggests if your skin is flaky, exfoliating more often will remove those extra flakes, rather than applying more moisturizer to try to renew the skin.
I tried exfoliating twice this week, and have met with sad lack of success. Instead of the usual freshly-exfoliated feeling I usually get, my face felt very rough and desperate for more moisturizer.
However, the rest of WR's tips seem sensible, and check out the section on vitamins.
In other news, morning running continues outside of Running Room days, and when it's less than -10C, it's a pleasant way to start the morning. However, running any time at -28C is not a fun option.
That was Monday's temperature, and I'm not afraid to say that I did not run that night. Apparently very few others did too.
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