32:04 minutes, 30:70 sec run/walk ratio
I was really, really tired yesterday, and couldn't even face the thought of walking two miles, so I skipped it and did my two miles today. I didn't feel all that great today, either, but I guess my body didn't know it, because I had a good run. I didn't bother with iPod or anything, just did my laps. I will go ahead and walk tomorrow and run Saturday, and I'll get my 3 runs in this week, with 2 walks. Good enough.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
Week 1: 3 miles
46:32 minutes, 28 laps, 30:70 second run/walk ratio
So. I sat down and counted out the weeks until Las Vegas, and decided that I have time if I start my long runs now! I'm still not entirely sure I'm going to do the half marathon, but if I don't start training, I won't be able to whether I want to or not. So I went ahead and did three miles tonight, and darn, I did good! I decided that Mondays would be good for my long runs. I don't want to do them on Sundays, so if that's my day off from running and walking, it should be the day before my long run. I will try to do long runs on Mondays, 2-mile runs on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 2-mile walks on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Except, of course for weekends I'm out of town, in which case I'll fit in the long runs when I can. I set myself a schedule of 3 miles, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 5, 12, 6, 14, 7, and then the half marathon.
It was quite a bit cooler today than it has been. I actually put on my hoodie for the first five or six laps till I warmed up. I took off my hat after the first two miles, I don't really need it when I'm running after the sun goes behind the mountain and it just heats up my head. Felt better to run without it.
I may have to fiddle with my time of day for the long runs. I figure I can still do up to maybe six miles after dinner, but any longer and I'll need to start earlier so it doesn't get dark before I'm done. But by then it should be getting cooler anyway, so I should be able to start in the afternoon and run before dinner. We'll see. One down, fourteen weeks to go!
So. I sat down and counted out the weeks until Las Vegas, and decided that I have time if I start my long runs now! I'm still not entirely sure I'm going to do the half marathon, but if I don't start training, I won't be able to whether I want to or not. So I went ahead and did three miles tonight, and darn, I did good! I decided that Mondays would be good for my long runs. I don't want to do them on Sundays, so if that's my day off from running and walking, it should be the day before my long run. I will try to do long runs on Mondays, 2-mile runs on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 2-mile walks on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Except, of course for weekends I'm out of town, in which case I'll fit in the long runs when I can. I set myself a schedule of 3 miles, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 5, 12, 6, 14, 7, and then the half marathon.
It was quite a bit cooler today than it has been. I actually put on my hoodie for the first five or six laps till I warmed up. I took off my hat after the first two miles, I don't really need it when I'm running after the sun goes behind the mountain and it just heats up my head. Felt better to run without it.
I may have to fiddle with my time of day for the long runs. I figure I can still do up to maybe six miles after dinner, but any longer and I'll need to start earlier so it doesn't get dark before I'm done. But by then it should be getting cooler anyway, so I should be able to start in the afternoon and run before dinner. We'll see. One down, fourteen weeks to go!
Friday, September 04, 2009
Friday 19 laps
32:30 minutes, 30:70 sec run/walk ratio, appx.
Had a pretty good run tonight, despite being tired and icky-feeling earlier. I was pretty much all set to just walk it tonight, but then I went next door to have dinner with my mom, and ate some yummy salmon chowder that gave me some pep, so I went ahead and did the run. I'd thought that running soon after dinner would be hard on my stomach, but I was fine. I guess as long as I don't stuff myself, a half-hour is long enough to digest. (I do remember stopping to grab a slice of pizza in the middle of a long training run in San Francisco, and enjoying it immensely to no detriment, so I guess eating before/during a run isn't necessarily a bad thing.)
I skipped the iPod, I just didn't feel like listening tonight. Had a nice quiet run. The bugs are annoying when I run in the evening, but I don't suppose they're much worse than in the morning.
I didn't do a long run this week. I'm still not sure whether I'll do the Las Vegas half marathon this year or not. I suppose I should get out my calendar and figure out if I still have time to train for it.
Had a pretty good run tonight, despite being tired and icky-feeling earlier. I was pretty much all set to just walk it tonight, but then I went next door to have dinner with my mom, and ate some yummy salmon chowder that gave me some pep, so I went ahead and did the run. I'd thought that running soon after dinner would be hard on my stomach, but I was fine. I guess as long as I don't stuff myself, a half-hour is long enough to digest. (I do remember stopping to grab a slice of pizza in the middle of a long training run in San Francisco, and enjoying it immensely to no detriment, so I guess eating before/during a run isn't necessarily a bad thing.)
I skipped the iPod, I just didn't feel like listening tonight. Had a nice quiet run. The bugs are annoying when I run in the evening, but I don't suppose they're much worse than in the morning.
I didn't do a long run this week. I'm still not sure whether I'll do the Las Vegas half marathon this year or not. I suppose I should get out my calendar and figure out if I still have time to train for it.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Wednesday 19 laps
33:30 minutes, 40:60 sec run/walk ratio
Again, the run/walk ratio is estimated—I just ran till I stopped, and walked the rest of the lap.
Pretty good run, not as fast as Monday, but decent time. I listened to Pema Chodron on my iPod shuffle and felt good the whole way.
I did my walk yesterday. It wasn't quite two miles; I'd started out planning to listen to my iPod shuffle, but found that, while I had charged up the battery, I'd forgotten to turn the thing off, and had already run the battery down again. So I came in and got my iPod touch to listen to instead. Found out after numerous times putting it in my pocket and having it change songs on me that it was set to "shake to shuffle." Whose bright idea was that? Argh. Turned that off, then listened to Rage Against the Machine while I walked, because I don't have any audiobooks on the touch. I felt tired and grumpy and didn't want to be out there, so I quit at 30 minutes. Good enough. The in-between days are just to get 30 minutes of some kind of exercise in.
One side benefit I'm finding of exercising in the evening is that it dulls my appetite for dinner so I don't eat as much. I wish I'd start showing a little weight loss; I gained ten pounds this spring and am hanging steady at 160, which is about 20 pounds more than I'd like to be. I hope exercising regularly will help get some of that weight off.
Again, the run/walk ratio is estimated—I just ran till I stopped, and walked the rest of the lap.
Pretty good run, not as fast as Monday, but decent time. I listened to Pema Chodron on my iPod shuffle and felt good the whole way.
I did my walk yesterday. It wasn't quite two miles; I'd started out planning to listen to my iPod shuffle, but found that, while I had charged up the battery, I'd forgotten to turn the thing off, and had already run the battery down again. So I came in and got my iPod touch to listen to instead. Found out after numerous times putting it in my pocket and having it change songs on me that it was set to "shake to shuffle." Whose bright idea was that? Argh. Turned that off, then listened to Rage Against the Machine while I walked, because I don't have any audiobooks on the touch. I felt tired and grumpy and didn't want to be out there, so I quit at 30 minutes. Good enough. The in-between days are just to get 30 minutes of some kind of exercise in.
One side benefit I'm finding of exercising in the evening is that it dulls my appetite for dinner so I don't eat as much. I wish I'd start showing a little weight loss; I gained ten pounds this spring and am hanging steady at 160, which is about 20 pounds more than I'd like to be. I hope exercising regularly will help get some of that weight off.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday 19 laps
32:22 minutes, 30:70 sec run/walk ratio
(My run/walk ratio was actually more like "run for about 30–40 seconds, then walk the rest of the lap." It's very hard to pin a precise ratio on it. But my run interval was more than 30 seconds, less than half a lap.)
And, yay! An excellent time. Shows what a difference it makes to run rested and without the sun beating down on me! I went out around 6:15 pm (meant to go at 6 pm, but got distracted), after the sun was well down behind the mountain, so it was shady all around the loop. The temperature had already cooled off considerably from today's high near 100 F. I felt good and kept up a good pace the whole way. In fact, my second mile was a bit faster than my first, probably due to walking the first lap.
I was going to listen to my iPod shuffle, but the battery had run down, so I just ran in silence. I'd been worried that the bugs would be too annoying to run in the evening, but they weren't any worse than they are in the morning, so no big. Plus, it's much easier to kick myself out the door in the afternoon than it is in the morning. So, I think this schedule is going to be a keeper.
I've also decided to try to exercise six days a week, instead of only three. I'll continue to run/walk three days (looks like Monday Wednesday Friday for now), and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I'll either walk two miles or do some yoga or Tai Chi or something. I did actually go out and walk two miles Saturday, but I don't plan to make separate posts for the in-between days. I did two miles in 37 minutes. It would have been less if I hadn't stopped twice to shake rocks out of my shoes, and once to see if someone was coming up my driveway. I figure I lost about two minutes in various stops, so I probably could have done the two miles in 35 minutes if I'd kept going. Which is kind of freaky when you think about it—that's as fast as some of my slower running days. Heh. If I could keep up that pace, I could walk a marathon as fast as my last few running ones. Oh well!
It does make me think that I'd be just as well off to walk on days that I'm feeling particularly tired or icky.
(My run/walk ratio was actually more like "run for about 30–40 seconds, then walk the rest of the lap." It's very hard to pin a precise ratio on it. But my run interval was more than 30 seconds, less than half a lap.)
And, yay! An excellent time. Shows what a difference it makes to run rested and without the sun beating down on me! I went out around 6:15 pm (meant to go at 6 pm, but got distracted), after the sun was well down behind the mountain, so it was shady all around the loop. The temperature had already cooled off considerably from today's high near 100 F. I felt good and kept up a good pace the whole way. In fact, my second mile was a bit faster than my first, probably due to walking the first lap.
I was going to listen to my iPod shuffle, but the battery had run down, so I just ran in silence. I'd been worried that the bugs would be too annoying to run in the evening, but they weren't any worse than they are in the morning, so no big. Plus, it's much easier to kick myself out the door in the afternoon than it is in the morning. So, I think this schedule is going to be a keeper.
I've also decided to try to exercise six days a week, instead of only three. I'll continue to run/walk three days (looks like Monday Wednesday Friday for now), and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I'll either walk two miles or do some yoga or Tai Chi or something. I did actually go out and walk two miles Saturday, but I don't plan to make separate posts for the in-between days. I did two miles in 37 minutes. It would have been less if I hadn't stopped twice to shake rocks out of my shoes, and once to see if someone was coming up my driveway. I figure I lost about two minutes in various stops, so I probably could have done the two miles in 35 minutes if I'd kept going. Which is kind of freaky when you think about it—that's as fast as some of my slower running days. Heh. If I could keep up that pace, I could walk a marathon as fast as my last few running ones. Oh well!
It does make me think that I'd be just as well off to walk on days that I'm feeling particularly tired or icky.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday 19 laps
35:33 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
Well. I really am having a hard time getting back into exercising. The heat, for one thing, and my tendency to stay up later and sleep in later when I'm not working. Finally, I decided to give running in the afternoon a try, so today, I went out at around 5:30-ish and did my 19 laps. It was pretty hot today, but the sun goes behind the mountain around 5 pm so it starts to cool down a little, and there's no sun beating down on me, which makes a big difference.
I still felt tired and enervated. Partly because I ate a late lunch today (around 3 pm), so I was still sort of full. But it was okay. I kind of liked going out in the afternoon. I didn't feel rushed like I do in the mornings, especially when I'm trying to beat the heat. Plus, this allows me to do my morning practice as late as I want, and not interfere with running. I think I will try this for a while and see how it works. Ideally, I would like to at least go out and walk on non-running days, so I'm getting some exercise every day.
I was followed by a very sweet blond dog who showed up at my door this afternoon. Looks like maybe a lab-golden mix. I hope he/she has a home to go to. Otherwise, I might just have a dog...
Well. I really am having a hard time getting back into exercising. The heat, for one thing, and my tendency to stay up later and sleep in later when I'm not working. Finally, I decided to give running in the afternoon a try, so today, I went out at around 5:30-ish and did my 19 laps. It was pretty hot today, but the sun goes behind the mountain around 5 pm so it starts to cool down a little, and there's no sun beating down on me, which makes a big difference.
I still felt tired and enervated. Partly because I ate a late lunch today (around 3 pm), so I was still sort of full. But it was okay. I kind of liked going out in the afternoon. I didn't feel rushed like I do in the mornings, especially when I'm trying to beat the heat. Plus, this allows me to do my morning practice as late as I want, and not interfere with running. I think I will try this for a while and see how it works. Ideally, I would like to at least go out and walk on non-running days, so I'm getting some exercise every day.
I was followed by a very sweet blond dog who showed up at my door this afternoon. Looks like maybe a lab-golden mix. I hope he/she has a home to go to. Otherwise, I might just have a dog...
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday 19 laps
35:50 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
I slept in late this morning, didn't get up until 8:15 am, so it was 8:40-ish by the time I got out to do my run, even doing it right away after chores. Fortunately, it's cooler today with a light breeze, so it wasn't a problem to run later in the morning. Still, I felt very enervated and logy and my time was really slow. At least I got out there and did it, which I really didn't want to do.
I had already decided not to start ramping up mileage yet. I just want to get into the habit of running three times a week for a while first.
I've almost finished The Art of Happiness, I think. Probably start re-listening to Getting Unstuck next time.
I slept in late this morning, didn't get up until 8:15 am, so it was 8:40-ish by the time I got out to do my run, even doing it right away after chores. Fortunately, it's cooler today with a light breeze, so it wasn't a problem to run later in the morning. Still, I felt very enervated and logy and my time was really slow. At least I got out there and did it, which I really didn't want to do.
I had already decided not to start ramping up mileage yet. I just want to get into the habit of running three times a week for a while first.
I've almost finished The Art of Happiness, I think. Probably start re-listening to Getting Unstuck next time.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday 19 laps
34:30 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
I did my run earlier this morning, going out as soon as I'd finished my morning chores (feeding fish and cats and cleaning cat boxes), so I was running by 7:20 am. It was much cooler, although I still felt the sun when I wasn't running in the shade. There's much more shade at that time of morning, though, so even if the sun's hot, I'll feel less of it.
I still felt tired and slow. Maybe I need to drink some soy milk or something before I go out. I do usually have my cocoa first, which probably helps boost my energy. Maybe I should have my protein drink first, and cocoa after, instead of waiting till after to have my protein drink. Hm. I'll try to remember to try that on Saturday.
Otherwise, it was more or less the same as on Monday. I listened to The Art of Happiness on my iPod and trudged around the house.
I did my run earlier this morning, going out as soon as I'd finished my morning chores (feeding fish and cats and cleaning cat boxes), so I was running by 7:20 am. It was much cooler, although I still felt the sun when I wasn't running in the shade. There's much more shade at that time of morning, though, so even if the sun's hot, I'll feel less of it.
I still felt tired and slow. Maybe I need to drink some soy milk or something before I go out. I do usually have my cocoa first, which probably helps boost my energy. Maybe I should have my protein drink first, and cocoa after, instead of waiting till after to have my protein drink. Hm. I'll try to remember to try that on Saturday.
Otherwise, it was more or less the same as on Monday. I listened to The Art of Happiness on my iPod and trudged around the house.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday 19 laps
33:42 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
Well. I'd meant to take a week off while I was visiting my friend in Monterey... but that week kind of turned into six weeks. For one thing, it was really hot here for about three or four weeks after I got home. The temperatures were near 100 F every day, and it never really cooled down. Even early in the morning, it was too hot to run. Plus, I suddenly found myself giving notice at my job, and I just kept thinking about how much easier it was all going to be when I wasn't working any more, so I just put everything on hold until the end of July. Then, when I did stop working, I spent about a week just lazing around enjoying not having to do anything.
But finally, today, I decided it was time to get my butt in gear and start exercising again. I will most likely switch back to my usual Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule after this week, since I'm volunteering at the library on Fridays, but I didn't want to lose the momentum I woke up with this morning, so I went ahead and did my 19 laps around the house.
I'm not sure I will want to do the Las Vegas Half Marathon in December—I'm going to have to cut back on my expenses now that I'm not bringing in that extra money working at the library—but, for now, I'll continue training as if I'm going to be doing it. I've got plenty of time, still, so there's no hurry.
I didn't get outside until 9 am this morning, and it was already getting hot, although nowhere near as hot as it was a few weeks ago. I think I'm going to have to start doing my runs first thing in the morning, after doing morning chores, instead of sitting down to have my cocoa and read journals and email and click dragons and such first. If I get up around 7-ish, I could be out running by 7:30 or 8 am, which should be cooler than 9 am. I'll try to do that next time.
I listened to the Dalai Lama's audiobook this morning. After I finish it, I think I'll listen to Pema Chodron's again. Then I'll have to get another Buddhist audiobook for my morning runs.
Well. I'd meant to take a week off while I was visiting my friend in Monterey... but that week kind of turned into six weeks. For one thing, it was really hot here for about three or four weeks after I got home. The temperatures were near 100 F every day, and it never really cooled down. Even early in the morning, it was too hot to run. Plus, I suddenly found myself giving notice at my job, and I just kept thinking about how much easier it was all going to be when I wasn't working any more, so I just put everything on hold until the end of July. Then, when I did stop working, I spent about a week just lazing around enjoying not having to do anything.
But finally, today, I decided it was time to get my butt in gear and start exercising again. I will most likely switch back to my usual Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule after this week, since I'm volunteering at the library on Fridays, but I didn't want to lose the momentum I woke up with this morning, so I went ahead and did my 19 laps around the house.
I'm not sure I will want to do the Las Vegas Half Marathon in December—I'm going to have to cut back on my expenses now that I'm not bringing in that extra money working at the library—but, for now, I'll continue training as if I'm going to be doing it. I've got plenty of time, still, so there's no hurry.
I didn't get outside until 9 am this morning, and it was already getting hot, although nowhere near as hot as it was a few weeks ago. I think I'm going to have to start doing my runs first thing in the morning, after doing morning chores, instead of sitting down to have my cocoa and read journals and email and click dragons and such first. If I get up around 7-ish, I could be out running by 7:30 or 8 am, which should be cooler than 9 am. I'll try to do that next time.
I listened to the Dalai Lama's audiobook this morning. After I finish it, I think I'll listen to Pema Chodron's again. Then I'll have to get another Buddhist audiobook for my morning runs.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday 19 laps
34:10 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
Blergh. Today was One of Those Days—I barely slept last night, got up at 6 am, finally dragged myself out of the house at 8:30 am, and felt completely enervated during my whole run. Still, my time wasn't that bad, especially considering that I stopped for at least 30 seconds to pick foxtails out of my shoe and let the timer run. Also, my time on my last lap was 1:51, which is only a few seconds more than my time for my initial laps. So I kept up my pace pretty well.
Tomorrow I head out of town for the weekend. I may or may not try to get in a short run sometime along the way, but if I don't, I'm not going to worry about it.
Blergh. Today was One of Those Days—I barely slept last night, got up at 6 am, finally dragged myself out of the house at 8:30 am, and felt completely enervated during my whole run. Still, my time wasn't that bad, especially considering that I stopped for at least 30 seconds to pick foxtails out of my shoe and let the timer run. Also, my time on my last lap was 1:51, which is only a few seconds more than my time for my initial laps. So I kept up my pace pretty well.
Tomorrow I head out of town for the weekend. I may or may not try to get in a short run sometime along the way, but if I don't, I'm not going to worry about it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday 19 laps
32:16 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
My time is improving a bit on the midweek runs. This is really only my second week of doing them, so I mustn't get impatient.
I had a pretty good run this morning, keeping up my pace and feeling good. I've begun switching directions after each 9 or ten laps on all my runs, in order to work out both legs equally. My right foot has been stiff and creaky, and I thought it was perhaps because of always running clockwise and pivoting more on that foot. But then at temple the other day, I realized it was in fact because I've been doing a lot of sitting in half-lotus position with my right foot pulled up on top of my left leg. D'oh! Oh well, I think the change-up of directions will help, anyway.
I hooked my iPod shuffle (which I seem to have named "shufflet" in iTunes) so I could see what was on it, and both the audiobooks, the Dalai Lama's and Pema Chodron's, were there, neatly in order, so today I was determined to find the beginning of The Art of Happiness to listen to while I ran. It took about five minutes of clicking back and forth, but I finally found it. Yay! Now, if only I can keep from scrambling it again, I'll be able to listen to the book all the way through while I run.
Also, after I'd already gone and bought a new bottle of sunscreen at Kmart, the free sample packet of sunscreen that I knew I had but couldn't find when I needed it on Saturday fell out of the bathroom cabinet right in front of me last night when I was looking for something else. D'oh! again. I tried it this morning and it's really rather nice. Has a fresh, almost citrusy scent, and is thick and waterproof while not being sticky and greasy. If I hadn't already bought a big bottle of something else, I might try to find some. Probably couldn't find it around here, anyway.
I found the info about this year's Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. Apparently, it's now part of the Rock'n'Roll series, and has a different website. It's December 6, a week closer than Honolulu, but has a half marathon, which Honolulu doesn't. I wouldn't be able to do the full marathon at Las Vegas, anyway, since the time limit is 7 hours, but the limit for the half is 4 hours, which is eminently doable. So I think I'll plan for the Las Vegas Half Marathon this year. That will give me plenty of time to train, and it will be much cheaper than going to Hawaii, since I can drive instead of flying.
My time is improving a bit on the midweek runs. This is really only my second week of doing them, so I mustn't get impatient.
I had a pretty good run this morning, keeping up my pace and feeling good. I've begun switching directions after each 9 or ten laps on all my runs, in order to work out both legs equally. My right foot has been stiff and creaky, and I thought it was perhaps because of always running clockwise and pivoting more on that foot. But then at temple the other day, I realized it was in fact because I've been doing a lot of sitting in half-lotus position with my right foot pulled up on top of my left leg. D'oh! Oh well, I think the change-up of directions will help, anyway.
I hooked my iPod shuffle (which I seem to have named "shufflet" in iTunes) so I could see what was on it, and both the audiobooks, the Dalai Lama's and Pema Chodron's, were there, neatly in order, so today I was determined to find the beginning of The Art of Happiness to listen to while I ran. It took about five minutes of clicking back and forth, but I finally found it. Yay! Now, if only I can keep from scrambling it again, I'll be able to listen to the book all the way through while I run.
Also, after I'd already gone and bought a new bottle of sunscreen at Kmart, the free sample packet of sunscreen that I knew I had but couldn't find when I needed it on Saturday fell out of the bathroom cabinet right in front of me last night when I was looking for something else. D'oh! again. I tried it this morning and it's really rather nice. Has a fresh, almost citrusy scent, and is thick and waterproof while not being sticky and greasy. If I hadn't already bought a big bottle of something else, I might try to find some. Probably couldn't find it around here, anyway.
I found the info about this year's Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. Apparently, it's now part of the Rock'n'Roll series, and has a different website. It's December 6, a week closer than Honolulu, but has a half marathon, which Honolulu doesn't. I wouldn't be able to do the full marathon at Las Vegas, anyway, since the time limit is 7 hours, but the limit for the half is 4 hours, which is eminently doable. So I think I'll plan for the Las Vegas Half Marathon this year. That will give me plenty of time to train, and it will be much cheaper than going to Hawaii, since I can drive instead of flying.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Week 2: 4 miles
1:08 hr, 30:60 sec run/walk ratio
Today's run was okay, but not great. I managed to get out by 8:30 am, but was still getting uncomfortably hot by the time I finished. It's becoming clear to me that I'm going to have to try to get up early enough on Saturdays to finish my long runs by 9 am, or else start running at a gym, or run in the evenings, or something, because it's not even the hottest part of the summer and already it's too hot. I wonder if I could get up early, do my run, then go back to bed to finish my night's sleep? Hm.
I used my vibrating timer to time my intervals, clipping it to my watchband part of the time and holding it in my hand the rest of the time. If I'm going to listen to my iPod while I run, I'll need to use the vibrating timer, because I can't hear beeps, but I'm still not satisfied with how to hold/wear it. I wonder if I hung it on my iPod lanyard?
I listened to the rest of Pema Chodron's audiobook, which took about 35 minutes, but then my iPod shuffle seems to have gotten scrambled. I couldn't find the beginning of the Dalai Lama's book, only a few random chapters. Then I couldn't find the beginning of Pema Chodron's book, either. So I stopped my watch at 23 laps and came inside to take off my iPod, and also to put some sunscreen on my arm, because my left arm was starting to feel hot and I didn't want to get a sunburn. But it seems I tossed my sunscreen (I vaguely recall that it was way out of date), so I changed my singlet for a short-sleeved shirt, and continued my run.
My time wasn't that great, but I felt pretty good the whole way. Two long runs down!
Today's run was okay, but not great. I managed to get out by 8:30 am, but was still getting uncomfortably hot by the time I finished. It's becoming clear to me that I'm going to have to try to get up early enough on Saturdays to finish my long runs by 9 am, or else start running at a gym, or run in the evenings, or something, because it's not even the hottest part of the summer and already it's too hot. I wonder if I could get up early, do my run, then go back to bed to finish my night's sleep? Hm.
I used my vibrating timer to time my intervals, clipping it to my watchband part of the time and holding it in my hand the rest of the time. If I'm going to listen to my iPod while I run, I'll need to use the vibrating timer, because I can't hear beeps, but I'm still not satisfied with how to hold/wear it. I wonder if I hung it on my iPod lanyard?
I listened to the rest of Pema Chodron's audiobook, which took about 35 minutes, but then my iPod shuffle seems to have gotten scrambled. I couldn't find the beginning of the Dalai Lama's book, only a few random chapters. Then I couldn't find the beginning of Pema Chodron's book, either. So I stopped my watch at 23 laps and came inside to take off my iPod, and also to put some sunscreen on my arm, because my left arm was starting to feel hot and I didn't want to get a sunburn. But it seems I tossed my sunscreen (I vaguely recall that it was way out of date), so I changed my singlet for a short-sleeved shirt, and continued my run.
My time wasn't that great, but I felt pretty good the whole way. Two long runs down!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday 19 laps
33:08 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio
I don't really know how to write my run/walk ratio on these runs, because it's not really a set time or distance. I just run approximately 30 seconds, or half a lap, then walk the rest of the way. I think it was more 30:60 seconds on the first mile, and half/half lap on the second. Oh well! Close enough.
I'd hoped to get up early enough to start running at 8 am, when it would be a little cooler, but it was not to be. First of all, I had an allergy attack last night, and ended up getting up at 2 am to take a pill. (I took half a dose of my Walgreens Allergy Sinus-D, which is the chlorpheniramine maleate-pseudoephedrine HCL combo I used to use all the time, which has become really hard to find now that pseudoephedrine HCL has been taken off the shelf and you have to show your ID and sign a form to get it. The stuff I buy at Walgreens also has acetaminophen in it, which I don't need, and I don't like taking drugs I don't need, but it's the only one I can find that has the other two drugs in it. I was glad to find that half a dose works just as well, and I don't feel as groggy today as I do when I take a full dose.) Then I slept in later to make up for missing an hour or so of sleep, and then I found a chipmunk in the kitties' room when I went to scoop their litter boxes, and spent half an hour or so chasing that around till it finally escaped under the door into the utility room, so I gave up and set the live trap and hope to catch it later.
Anyway. It was after 9 am by the time I finally got out onto the driveway. I listened to Pema Chodron on my iPod as I ran. I hadn't loaded in any sutras or anything else, because I didn't want to lose my place where I was in the book last time I listened to it. Then I accidentally shuffled it anyway, and ended up with it starting on part of the next audiobook. Heh. Oh well, I went back and found a chapter of Pema Chodron's book that I don't think I'd heard before. (It's been so long since I listened to it anyway, I might as well start over and listen to the whole thing again.) I listened to Part 5.
The run itself was fine. I shortened my time a bit from Tuesday, but I'm still getting my strength back after being off for so long. One week down, twenty-six to go!
I don't really know how to write my run/walk ratio on these runs, because it's not really a set time or distance. I just run approximately 30 seconds, or half a lap, then walk the rest of the way. I think it was more 30:60 seconds on the first mile, and half/half lap on the second. Oh well! Close enough.
I'd hoped to get up early enough to start running at 8 am, when it would be a little cooler, but it was not to be. First of all, I had an allergy attack last night, and ended up getting up at 2 am to take a pill. (I took half a dose of my Walgreens Allergy Sinus-D, which is the chlorpheniramine maleate-pseudoephedrine HCL combo I used to use all the time, which has become really hard to find now that pseudoephedrine HCL has been taken off the shelf and you have to show your ID and sign a form to get it. The stuff I buy at Walgreens also has acetaminophen in it, which I don't need, and I don't like taking drugs I don't need, but it's the only one I can find that has the other two drugs in it. I was glad to find that half a dose works just as well, and I don't feel as groggy today as I do when I take a full dose.) Then I slept in later to make up for missing an hour or so of sleep, and then I found a chipmunk in the kitties' room when I went to scoop their litter boxes, and spent half an hour or so chasing that around till it finally escaped under the door into the utility room, so I gave up and set the live trap and hope to catch it later.
Anyway. It was after 9 am by the time I finally got out onto the driveway. I listened to Pema Chodron on my iPod as I ran. I hadn't loaded in any sutras or anything else, because I didn't want to lose my place where I was in the book last time I listened to it. Then I accidentally shuffled it anyway, and ended up with it starting on part of the next audiobook. Heh. Oh well, I went back and found a chapter of Pema Chodron's book that I don't think I'd heard before. (It's been so long since I listened to it anyway, I might as well start over and listen to the whole thing again.) I listened to Part 5.
The run itself was fine. I shortened my time a bit from Tuesday, but I'm still getting my strength back after being off for so long. One week down, twenty-six to go!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday 19 laps
33:30 minutes, 30:60 sec run/walk ratio
After running three miles on Saturday, then doing 15–20 minutes of prostrations at the Zen Center Sunday, then working five hours on the porch screens yesterday, I was pretty low energy today, and my shins were still sore. So I set out to take it easy on today's run, but still did a decent time. I went out at 9 am and it was already getting a bit hot; it wasn't a big problem, but I'd probably do better if I tried to get out by 8 am, especially as it's not even really hot yet this year.
I've been thinking about how I'm going to coordinate morning runs with morning Buddhist practice, and it occurred to me that I could just do my practice while running on alternate mornings, instead of sitting in front of my altar. I could load the Heart Sutra, or whatever sutra I'm working on, on my iPod, along with some Kwan Seum Bosal chanting, maybe listen to more of Pema Chodron's book for a Dharma talk, or empty my mind and meditate while I'm running and walking around the house.
I charted out my long runs with the Honolulu Marathon as a goal, and it works out pretty well, except that I've got my 23-mile run the weekend of Yaoi-con. This actually might be an advantage—I could go do my run in Golden Gate Park, where it's beautiful and the weather's nice and there are bathrooms and water fountains readily available. The disadvantage is having to leave my roommate to her own devices for the entire day while I'm off running, but I don't really care about the con, so if she doesn't mind it wouldn't really be a problem.
We'll see. I still haven't settled on Honolulu. The expense and hassle of flying to Hawaii might be a deal-breaker this year. The 2009 Las Vegas Marathon doesn't appear to have been scheduled yet, but it's generally also in December, so it might be a good alternative.
After running three miles on Saturday, then doing 15–20 minutes of prostrations at the Zen Center Sunday, then working five hours on the porch screens yesterday, I was pretty low energy today, and my shins were still sore. So I set out to take it easy on today's run, but still did a decent time. I went out at 9 am and it was already getting a bit hot; it wasn't a big problem, but I'd probably do better if I tried to get out by 8 am, especially as it's not even really hot yet this year.
I've been thinking about how I'm going to coordinate morning runs with morning Buddhist practice, and it occurred to me that I could just do my practice while running on alternate mornings, instead of sitting in front of my altar. I could load the Heart Sutra, or whatever sutra I'm working on, on my iPod, along with some Kwan Seum Bosal chanting, maybe listen to more of Pema Chodron's book for a Dharma talk, or empty my mind and meditate while I'm running and walking around the house.
I charted out my long runs with the Honolulu Marathon as a goal, and it works out pretty well, except that I've got my 23-mile run the weekend of Yaoi-con. This actually might be an advantage—I could go do my run in Golden Gate Park, where it's beautiful and the weather's nice and there are bathrooms and water fountains readily available. The disadvantage is having to leave my roommate to her own devices for the entire day while I'm off running, but I don't really care about the con, so if she doesn't mind it wouldn't really be a problem.
We'll see. I still haven't settled on Honolulu. The expense and hassle of flying to Hawaii might be a deal-breaker this year. The 2009 Las Vegas Marathon doesn't appear to have been scheduled yet, but it's generally also in December, so it might be a good alternative.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Week 1: 3 miles
28.1 laps, 30:60 sec run/walk ratio, 47:54 minutes
So, here I am again! After a long, hard winter of being sick five times, and then having a very hard time motivating myself to get back into it, I've finally gotten myself out running around the house again.
What happened was that my brother came over yesterday to help me fix up my porch, and we moved my vinyl couch onto the porch. Since the hallway & porch doors are too narrow for the couch, we carried it out the front, down the front steps, around the house, and up the porch steps. I found that I was able to lift my end of the couch easily enough, but I got tired really quickly and had to stop and rest about four times along the way. I have no stamina at all any more! Plus, I've gained weight, I'm not sleeping well, I'm fatigued all the time. I decided it was time to start running again.
I don't know which half marathon or marathon is my goal yet, or even if I'll end up running one. Right now, I'm sort of aiming at running Honolulu again. Counting today as Week 1, I have exactly 26 weeks till the marathon, so it's doable, although there's no leeway for missing runs built in, and I'm starting from zero. I don't know how I'll handle the long runs in the summer heat or winter cold, or if I'll be able to afford to go to Hawaii this winter, or any number of things. But it's a place to start.
Today's run wasn't too bad. My run/walk ratio was not timed exactly; I walked about two-thirds of a lap, then ran the rest of the way. I stopped twice because Mom stopped by; I stopped my watch so the pauses wouldn't count, but I don't know how much of an advantage those brief extra rests gave me. It got kind of hot in the last mile—I got a late start, because I had to go into town to pick up produce at 10:30. But this is the last week I'll be doing that, so I'll be able to start earlier on Saturdays from now on. (If I continue training for a full marathon, I'll have to either move my long runs to Friday or Monday, or take a few Saturdays off for the longest runs, but I'll worry about that when the time comes.)
I averaged 16 minute miles for my timing run, which is pretty good for not having run at all in six months. I sure would like to run a 16 minute/mile marathon!
So, here I am again! After a long, hard winter of being sick five times, and then having a very hard time motivating myself to get back into it, I've finally gotten myself out running around the house again.
What happened was that my brother came over yesterday to help me fix up my porch, and we moved my vinyl couch onto the porch. Since the hallway & porch doors are too narrow for the couch, we carried it out the front, down the front steps, around the house, and up the porch steps. I found that I was able to lift my end of the couch easily enough, but I got tired really quickly and had to stop and rest about four times along the way. I have no stamina at all any more! Plus, I've gained weight, I'm not sleeping well, I'm fatigued all the time. I decided it was time to start running again.
I don't know which half marathon or marathon is my goal yet, or even if I'll end up running one. Right now, I'm sort of aiming at running Honolulu again. Counting today as Week 1, I have exactly 26 weeks till the marathon, so it's doable, although there's no leeway for missing runs built in, and I'm starting from zero. I don't know how I'll handle the long runs in the summer heat or winter cold, or if I'll be able to afford to go to Hawaii this winter, or any number of things. But it's a place to start.
Today's run wasn't too bad. My run/walk ratio was not timed exactly; I walked about two-thirds of a lap, then ran the rest of the way. I stopped twice because Mom stopped by; I stopped my watch so the pauses wouldn't count, but I don't know how much of an advantage those brief extra rests gave me. It got kind of hot in the last mile—I got a late start, because I had to go into town to pick up produce at 10:30. But this is the last week I'll be doing that, so I'll be able to start earlier on Saturdays from now on. (If I continue training for a full marathon, I'll have to either move my long runs to Friday or Monday, or take a few Saturdays off for the longest runs, but I'll worry about that when the time comes.)
I averaged 16 minute miles for my timing run, which is pretty good for not having run at all in six months. I sure would like to run a 16 minute/mile marathon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
