Start Your Day Right!

First thing first: I hit 100 km (62.something miles) for the month of January. Let's see if I can sneak in another 20 something before the month is over. I am *hearting* January!!!!

Christmas break threw my sleeping schedule a little way out of whack. When the alarm went off at 6, I snoozed another 30 minutes before deciding to just get the heck out and do some yoga.  I just wanted some "wake up, stretch, perk me up without caffeine" kinda deal. Went on YouTube and did one of the videos from Yogatic called "Morning Flow."

I don't know what it is. But investing less than 15 minutes this morning in this yoga video made my day a lot better. I had that pep in my step. I was happier. I was positive. I was go-getter. Sunshine rays were radiating out of my head, my smile, my body. People, I was even ready to tackle the tough child who kicks and bites and uses mean words.

I just ran 2.2 miles on the treadmill (24:19 minutes). I was supposed to do speedwork today, but I didn't. At a certain point during my run, I felt some funnies in my knee. So, I think the best way to treat it is to slow down and take it easy. The goal is to remain injury free this year. And that's what I will do. Did some stretching too. 

Question: Do you have any quick + easy exercise routine that you do? Please share!!  Thanks!!

Anyway, I am loving today!
Hope your day was fine like mine.

Random Thoughts on the Treadmill

Ran 5K in 36:00 min (11:27min/mile) on the treadmill at the Y.
Walked first 2 minutes.
Walked 2 minutes when I hit 2-mile and 2.5-mile mark. 
Sprinted a little too hard toward the end. 
Watched Project Runway.
Right knee felt just a little funny. But not bad. Gonna ice and baby it until my next run. 

Random thoughts went a-running.

1. I gotto do 3 miles today! 
2. Why do I dread doing 3 miles but look forward to 10 miles? 
3. I like Heidi Klum's make-up. She has make-up but it isn't all "colorifique."
4. Spring time makes me wanna eat some Vietnamese spring rolls.  I think I'll make a bunch of Vietnamese spring rolls today.  I'm glad Keith loves foods like that.
5. If only I can make him eat tofu.  Maybe he'll eat ma po tofu? (tofu cooked with ground meat and lots of Sichuan spices and peppers)
6. I got a birthday party to attend to today.  A 2-year-old birthday party!   WOo Hooo! Let's party it up! 
7. Gonna pencil Jillian in soon! 
8. The most important thought... I have found that it is easier for me to get my runs in in the morning before work and life.  I didn't have to tend to anyone. I just get up and go and get it done. In the afternoons, I have to work around work, cooking, tidying the house, playing with the dogs and Facebook.  So, for this coming week, I will try to resume my morning runs.  It's going to be so hard waking up and not hitting the snooze button.  But I can do that for 2 days a week right? (I only run 3 days/week). 

I am still just a little giddy from the excitement that I finished 5K in one run! 
Yeah! Baby!!!

Hogeye Half Marathon - review

#3 is done.

Pre-Race Emotions: 

The night before the race and moments leading up to gun time, I was nervous. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you would know because I made comments about my nerves.  Seriously, it felt like I was going to take a test and not studying for it.  I entertained the thought of not running it just moments before the national anthem was playing.

Registration Pick-up
I picked up my race bib and time chip the morning of the race at about 6 a.m. Being there early has its perks - I get to park really close to the start/finish line. Pick-up was really easy and fast. :)
 
Pre-Race Fuel 
A Clif bar at about 6 a.m.  

Race Start Time and Start Line

7:30 a.m.  However, I think we started a few minutes later. 

Negative: It wasn't clearly marked. I think it would be better if the organizers have signs designating the different races that were going on that morning - full marathon, half marathon/relays and 5K.  The full marathoners went on first. And then the 5Kers and halfers were lumped together and the volunteers at the start line had to call out the 5Kers and hold them back because it wasn't their turn yet.  It was confusing for the 5Kers. 

Race Route

Fayetteville, AR is really pretty and the route was just wonderful pretty much the entire way.  We ran through the square, and through some neighborhoods and then by the interstate/highway and after that, it was on a trail and next to a creek.  There were some hills but nothing too major. Nothing a positive mind can't conquer. 

Here's what went on during the run/walk.

I started the run with a lot of self doubt.

BIG MISTAKE!

Never doubt yourself or what you are about to accomplish. NEVER!

I overheard a mother-son team talking to two ladies doing the Galloway-method. I kinda got into the conversation and told them I was going to walk this one cos' of my knee.

But it is hard NOT running it. I had to fight hard to walk it, and even harder to walk at their pace. 

It was kinda weird. At this point, I told them that I am just going to run to the bottom of that hill and walk up it.   See picture -->

My goals were:
a) Finish and get back to the hotel before it's time to check out!

b) Finish in 3:30.

c) Finish in 3:15.

d) Finish in 3:00.

Ran through the University of Arkansas campus.

At this point, I had passed 4 people.

Good. I am not going to be dead last!

Also at this point, I was doing a walk-5-lamp-posts and run-1-lamp-post. 

When I was out of lamp posts, I did drive-ways, mail boxes, trees with white flowers, red cones, tall skinny red cones, red cones with stripes. Just about all kinds of combinations you can think out.

Kinda opposite this flag was Sam's Club.

I remembered I need to buy another 50lb bag of dog food for Paddy Wag.

I miss my dog!

I also remembered telling myself the dang wind was way too strong!

This was over a bridge over an Interstate/highway.

Going up the bridge was made mighty difficult by the strong wind.

Of course, a grain of sand flew right into my eye and I was winking at every single volunteer for a while.

By this time, I had passed about 7 or 8 people.

The route was along a nice creek. Birds were chirping and the you can hear the water streaming down the creek and ducks swimming.  Just so pretty and so relaxing and it makes me happy. Ahhh... I was at ease. The stress and tension and disappointment during the week just floated away.

 I passed another few more people. :)

And I could hear some happy, nice beat music from a far.

This was around mile 7.

There's a group of volunteers all decked out in their costumes cheering on runners.

These guys were offering beer to everyone.

This is where I drank my first beer of 2011.

And moving on to a more scenic and serene section of the race.

I love bridges.

This is actually a rail road bridge thingy.

We went through the trail by the creek for a while, which was nice.

The crowd support was a little random, hit and miss.

But nature's beauty was sufficient.

My knee was beginning to feel the pain at about Mile 9ish.   I had another beer at Mile 10 and walked all the way after that. My knee just won't allow me to lift my leg and run. Walking places some strain on the shins too. I can feel the muscle around it kinda strained.

And my butt. Oh my!

I thought to myself, "running is definitely easier and faster!"   It was particularly painful going downhill.

I found myself just scraping across the concrete because I can't even lift my leg high enough to walk.

I tried stretching some then. It felt good and it was painful too.

I was so close to the finish line. The mind and my legs were so ready to just belt out a good remaining mile or so.  But the knee won't let me. Even at the finish line, I tried running like 5 steps and my knee won't let me.

I walked across the finish line. I was pretty bummed.

For a small sized race, the after-race refreshment was quite plentiful.

Bananas, oranges, bagels, crackers, different kinds of sodas, water, and chocolate milk!

But I have to remind myself that I have completed what I had set out to do.
Even with a crazy knee, I walked it and finished it.
I got done in 3:10:48.37.
Which means, I achieved my goals a, b, and c.
This would be my personal slowest time. But it's ok.
I actually had a pretty good time.
It's all in the attitude and the mindset and your expectations.

You know how we always picture what things/events are going to be?
Well, if you hurt yourself, it helps to have more realistic goals and mental image.
Give yourself plenty of time to readjust those mental images and expectations.
It worked for me this time!

I believe I will be back for this half marathon next time.

  

Crawling Over

Quick post before I go tackle a mountain of paperwork.

I went to a step class at the Y this evening. And wowweeee! I worked it! 

I hate steps.

Hate.

Mainly because it's never ending.

And I feel like I am going to trip and fall - because I am born clumsy.

Also, I don't feel it after the workout. Maybe I am not doing it right?

I survived though.

Still don't like steps.

But glad I went and got some exercise in.

Knee?

I haven't ran since my half-a$$ed run on Sunday, so I can't tell you about it.

Yeah, I'm frustrated.

Yeah, I am tired of these nonsense - knee, cough, blah blah blah ....

Yeah, I can't wait to go out and run a good run without pain or worrying about pain.

Yeah, I am scared about my half marathon #3 that's coming up in less than 2 weeks.

Oh doobabdoodoo!

Right now, I am throwing any time goal or PR out of the window.

I am just going to work at NOT DNSing or DNFing.

I can be the last dang person to crawl over that finish line, but I am going to get it done!

(Oh well, please please, don't let me be the last dang person).

Of the willing mind, of the loser knee, of sardines and of Marmite.

How random can this gets?

My intention was to take the girls out running again. We had a wonderful run yesterday and I thought, let's do it again today.  First, Paddy Wag was just unruly with Buttercup around. Buttercup was super duper excited and was barking non-stop in a super high-pitched voice.  That sent Paddy Wag in a whirlwind super excited state and caused her to yank my arms multiple times.  I decided to put Buttercup up so I can run with Paddy and see how she does alone.  About 20 steps later, we were saw the neighbor's puppy prancing around. Sweet little puppy. Oh my! I love puppies! Paddy was playing rough with her.  This puppy is tiny and oh-so-precious. She went everywhere we went and was keeping up with us. I can't have her following me around. So I carried her in my arms and walked to the neighbor's house and put up her too.  And off Paddy and I went, finally.

Paddy seemed really scared of vehicles. When a vehicle is nearing us, I usually get her off to the side of the road and kneel down with her while she sits.  But when the vehicle is close to us, she seems to want to go into hiding.  I guess I just have to show her that it's ok, that momma's here to take care of her.

The mind was willing to run. All too willing. I haven't done a back-to-back run since my last knee injury. And I am completely nutso to try it today.  The knee acted up.  After 1.70 miles, Paddy and I walked home.  I better not chance it since I do have a half marathon coming up in like 2 or 3 weeks.
I guess I probably should stick to my running on alternate days thing I was doing. Maybe in the summer time, I will do short runs back to back and build up since I won't be having any races.

I was craving sardines while I running. Weird! Well not totally. I love sardines in tomato sauce. And love it even more when it is sardines in a spicy tomato sauce. Having cravings for things I like is natural.

And I was craving Marmite while running too. Hmmm... yummm... Marmite. Totally love that!!  It is so difficult to find it in this part of the world, so I usually stock up! I have about 6 big jars in my pantry now.

What's up with the stinky foods cravings?   Oh well.... I better go brush my teeth and do some Listerine shots after dinner.  Guess who's not gonna get kissed if her breath is all so stinky?

You Give Me Fever

When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight.


What was supposed to be an 11-miler was cut short to a 4.5 miler (53 minutes)
My right foot feels funny. It feels like it needed to be popped. I can't pin it to a muscle and it felt like it is the bone. My left knee is acting up just slightly.   And I have been feeling like a crud is about to hit me.  So, Ms. M suggested that I take it easy this week. She said I already have my 10 miles in and I have done my training. The only thing I can do now is "get injured."

Fever.
Fever in the morning.
Fever all through the night.

I came home, took a shower and a nap. When the boyfriend woke up, he told me I look sick. Said I was running a fever.

Everybody's got the fever
That is something you all know
Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long ago

This is half-marathon fever all right.
In my nap, I had a nightmare (Can it be a nightmare when it is a nap during day time?)
I dreamed that I and some friends were inching closer to the start line at RnR Mardi Gras, and when we crossed the start line, I realized that none of us had picked up our race packets, which means, we don't have our timing chips on our shoes! Imagine the manic panic attack!

Fever if you live, you learn
Fever, till you sizzle
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn.
What a lovely way to burn.

Running Makes Me Happy

Thought of the Day.  It doesn't matter how stressed I feel or how disappointed  I feel at the beginning of a run. The end result is pretty much the same - I feel happy after a run. And I want to be a runner for the rest of my life.  

Reflection.  Last weekend 10-miler didn't turn out the way I wanted it to be. In 1 run, all three of my expectations were crushed (1. Run 10 miles, 2. Run without knee pain, 3. Register for half marathon when I achieved the previous two).  I was pretty bummed but I want to thank every single one of you who understood and gave me some kind encouraging words. Thank you!    

What happened.  I heeded your advice and rested Sunday and Monday.  I was dying to go out and run on Monday actually because I had a rough day and I just know that a run would make me happy. But I refrained. Today, I ran. I took precautions too. I told myself I will run on the treadmill since that is some pretty nice surface, and that I was going to do 1 mile and play it by ear.  I would start that mile slowly - 12:00/mile. AND if there isn't any pain, I will continue, but 3 miles will be the max. I also prepped myself for the 3-mile run.  I wrote my planned pace on a piece of sticky note and stuck it on the treadmill. (1st mile: 12:00/mile, 2nd mile: 11:45/mile, 3rd mile: 11:30/mile). 
Of course I didn't stick to the plan!
Here's the data: 
Mile 1 = 12:00/mile
Mile 2 = 11:32/mile
Mile 3 = 10:00/mile.
Completed 3 miles in 34:30 minutes.  

Good News. I hit 100 miles of the year.  And definitely the most number of miles I have ever ran in my 30 years of life.  I am excited and absolutely thrilled.   


I'm Thankful For.  A good 3 mile run today. Knees that aren't bothering me too much. A boyfriend who bears with me telling him all about running.  Blogging friends who have been supportive and encouraging. A pretty spring Tuesday.  

I'm Looking Forward.  A good, steady run for the rest of the week.

I'm bummed, pooped, and worried. What's next?

I ran this morning and waited until now to post this blog. I have been trying to let this stinky feeling settle and hopefully, let the stink diffuse a little, so I won't bog you guys down. I tried talking to two friends about it, but they aren't runners and I don't think they know what I am feeling or why the heck I am disappointed.  One said, "But you ran 3 miles this morning." So, my running friends, I am unleashing this onto you. I hope I will find someone who understands what I am talking about.

I ran my first 5K race of the year, my first race of this year today.  It is the Kappa Delta Shamrock run at Lincoln Parish Park.  And in my own la-la land, I pictured a park with lots of trees, flowers, and paved walkway and maybe some sorta-kinda made to look unpaved path.  I was wrong.  Today I was introduced to trail running and I was NOT ready for it.  Uh-huh!!! I had talked to someone who ran there before and told me the running in that park is tough. Running a 10-mile run is like running a half marathon.  And that I should add at least 2 minutes per mile to my pace if I were to run there.  So, I thought I was ready and prepared for it.  WRONG!  I kid you not: there was a Mount Everest in that park and we had to run up that sucker.  I ran upward, and halfway through, I had to walk it up.  It had rained a few days ago, and the ground was soppy.  It was muddy. We ran through muddy, wet, brown gunk and hopped around to avoid rocks and roots.  And yes, what goes up must come down and I almost slid down a slippery, muddy slope.  There was no railing. Ok, I sound spoilt. I promise I am not spoilt. I didn't do too badly. I finished the entire 3.1 mile in 36 minutes.  Secretly, I wanted a PR, but scrapped that idea off when I saw the course.  I just wanted to survive and hopefully finish it in 45 minutes.

OK, so that's the first downer. Here's the second, third, fourth whatever downer.

I planned for a 10-mile run today. I wasn't gonna go through muddy land, soppy ground, and sliding down slopes or climb Mount Everest again.  I drove a few miles to university campus to run.  It is flat.. I need flat ground. Asphalt ground. Heck, I will go up and down some gentle rolling grounds after that Everest-wall looking thing I went through this morning.  I ran. On my 6th mile of the run, my right knee was acting up. I hobbled starting there. I hobbled the 7th mile. And it hurt. It was a familiar feeling. It was THAT feeling - the kind that I know I will have trouble going up and down the stairs, the kind where I will have difficulty getting in and out of the car, the kind that will give me pain when I sit down or get up from the chair.  So, I walked 0.5 mile (GASP!) around campus to make it an even 8 mile.

I feel pretty blah. I didn't hit the 10 miles I planned today. I had to walk part of the run. My left knee is practically useless now. And I am worrying about when I can run again because the last time my knee felt this way, I was out of commission for about 3 weeks. I have a half marathon I am training for. I have came a long way and worked up to this far and I cannot afford to hit any snag at the point in time.  I want to run a half marathon.  I want to cross the finish line. I want a medal. I want to be a half marathon runner. I want to experience what you are experiencing when you cross the finish line.

I was going to register for the Nashville half marathon when I finish my 10-miler today and without knee pain. And I didn't finish my 10-miler and I have a knee problem. I finished the 8 miles with walking in 1 hour 42 minutes (I think. I have been too bummed to look at my Garmin.)

Mile 1. 9:53.29
Mile 2.12:47.91 (That hill was here)
Mile 3. 12.28.06
Mile 4. 12:21.42
Mile 5. 12:39.00
Mile 6. 13.11.64
Mile 7. 13.03.34
Mile 8. 16.02.27 (This was when I really hobbled and walked that 0.5 mile).
8 miles @ 1:42.32/mile

So, now what? I am supposed to do 11 miles next week. But since I didn't do my 10 miles today, what do I do next week? A 10? Or 11? Or 10.5?  How can my knee get better and stronger? I hate this knee crap.

Tuesday on Treadmill

Prerun Jitters.  My left knee has been feeling funny since my Sunday run.  Here's an exchange between my boyfriend and me over the shoe and the knee. 

Me: Babe, my knee hurts.

Boyfriend: Your miracle shoes didn't work, huh? 

Me: NO, it works. I think running two days in a row isn't for me. 
According to him, I talked in my sleep again last night or early this morning. He said I told him I really like to run and I don't want my knee to hurt so I can keep running. Hah! I must really really like running!

The Treadmill Run.  I finished the 3 miles that was on my schedule.  And the best part? The knee didn't feel worse, so that's a plus! I also added some inclines to the run today.  I didn't finish as strongly as I had wanted because I was out of steam but nonetheless, I didn't go beyond 12:00/mile.  


By The Numbers.  Keeping track of numbers isn't my forte. Being clumsy is definitely in my blood. Didn't want to risk tripping over my feet and plopping my face against the treadmill, here's the data to the best of my ability. Texting info on the phone while running - don't try it. I'd probably stick with a pencil and paper in the future.
0.5 mile @ 12:00/mile @ 0% incline,
0.5 mile @ 11:30/mile @ 0.5% incline,
1mile @11:19/mile @ 1% incline,
1 mile @ between 10:00/mile to 11:19/mile.
Total: 3 miles at 34:41/mile.
Even though the 1% incline may look like a joke to the pros, I am still happy with them. I gotto start somewhere, right?


A Question:  I am planning on running a 5K race sometime. However, my training schedule has me running 10 miles that day.  How do you circumvent situations like this?  Do share.
Thanks!

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Confession and Redemption

Confession:
I said I was going to go for a run yesterday and didn't want to let such a pretty day go to waste. I did. I wasted one pretty day. Life caught up with me. I had errands to run and supper to fix to feed the hungry people in the family. I can usually rack up some dishes pretty quickly (stir fry) but I promised chicken and beef enchiladas, so I better keep my promise.  Then I rationalized in my mind that I will run after the meal is prepared - which I didn't because the kitchen smelled really yummy and the enchilada looked really gooey and cheesy and my boyfriend's sister was eating and went back for second and third. And I caved. I admit that I am weak, and give me that enchilada.
That quote about regretting the runs you didn't make it, it is true. I was struck by guilt last night. So heeding the running tip by "Shut Up and Run," I said to myself that I will do at least 3 miles in the morning - not afternoon, not evening. I'll do that 3-mile route and I will just run and I will run first thing in the morning.

And here comes the redemption.
It was a tad difficult getting out of bed this morning. The heater was working andI didn't get a good sleep because it was hot. It felt like it was 60 something degrees (Fahrenheit). It might be cold to some, but I like to sleep in artic cold room so, it wasn't a good sleep until the boyfriend came home and opened up all the windows in the room. Phew. It was cold and it was good!
Then, I had a serious separation issue with my bed this morning. Oh I just want to pull that cover close to me and snuggle up with my hero next to me. Screw running. With that thought in my mind, I tripped on GUILT. So, I gave myself 5 more minutes to get out of bed. I did and boy was I proud of myself.

It was a slow start. Buttercup was squealing with excitement because she was gonna go mosey posey around the neighborhood. I turned my Garmin on and ran. The next time I checked on my Garmin, it had already died of thirst. I realized that while I remembered to dock my Garmin into the unit to charge, it didn't get the nourishment because I forgot to plug the unit in to the wall.
I miss the chiming from the Garmin. It felt like my running coach and cheerleader boycotted me this morning.

But I ran. And ran. I focused on how good it feels to have the cold, crisp air against my face, and then the warm sunlight shining on my face. I focused on my stride and how I land my feet on the ground. I thought about my dad and pretended that he was running with me. Maybe I should run with him when I'm home for a visit.
I thought about pronation and thought I really need to go to a running shoe store to find myself a suitable pair. Maybe that's why my knee is hurting. Yes. The L knee started getting a little stiff around the last mile, and about 0.5mile left to my run, there was a slight something something. It wasn't exactly painful. It felt stiff. It feels like someone needs to pop it and get it right in place. Do you have similar experience? Share some tips / insights with me because I want this stiffness to stop so I can just run.

Anyway, I did finish what I set out to do today - 3 miles, first thing in the morning. That is a good start to my day and I am gonna reward myself with some mushroom and spinach omelette and almond milk.

Y'all have a good day and a good run.