Me and Eric the morning of the Halloween 5K...yes, those whiskers were sweated off about a mile in! Next year, I'm going all out...full banana suit, or something equally ridiculous! I love Halloween!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
5Ks and Stupid Walker/Sprinters
So....my first 5K. Last fall, I registered for a 5K in the hilly Mines of Spain on October 10. Then Amanda decided I should run another 5K in PREPARATION for the 5K! What?!?! Explain the logic there, please.
Well, it worked. My only goal in the Chili Trot (my first 5K) was to run the whole thing. No walking. I did it! I can't remember my time, because the Internet posting was wrong, but it was around 35ish.
2nd 5K...October 10...This is what I had been struggling toward.
Goal: Run the whole thing. Even the terrible hills. I mean, who puts a finish line at the top of a very steep hill?
Race morning comes...Amanda is too sick to run! Do I stay at home in my warm, snuggly bed, or do I call my friend Eric, who has been showing some interest in running? I certainly don't have the motivation to run it alone. I recall the reason for all of the prep work was to run this particular race. I call Eric.
I ran the whole thing. Slowly, but I ran it! As I'm running, and feeling good, it starts snowing, in October. It was a cool moment for me! I wanted to die on that last steep hill, especially with Eric jumping around, trying to encourage me, but I did it. This finish was a little unreal for me. This was a great accomplishment for me, moving on from the first, completely flat 5K to an unforgiving spread of hills.
3rd 5K...Halloween run...again ran the whole thing, but with atrocious side cramps the last half. Time: 33:41
In case you are wondering why I put such an emphasis on a seemingly small goal, like running the whole race each time, there are a couple reasons.
1) I never thought I would be able to run 3 miles without stopping to walk.
2) I can't stand those girls who walk/sprint the whole thing, and STILL beat me! I understand if you are doing that because it is too difficult. That would have been me. But if you are sprinting the rest of the time, you can run the whole thing. I usually find one of those girls about halfway through the run, that I decide I am going to beat! It doesn't usually happen, but they just make me angry! It takes more endurance to (slowly) run the whole 3 miles, than to half-a** it.
That's my soapbox moment on a topic I know very little about. I hope you enjoyed it.
Well, it worked. My only goal in the Chili Trot (my first 5K) was to run the whole thing. No walking. I did it! I can't remember my time, because the Internet posting was wrong, but it was around 35ish.
2nd 5K...October 10...This is what I had been struggling toward.
Goal: Run the whole thing. Even the terrible hills. I mean, who puts a finish line at the top of a very steep hill?
Race morning comes...Amanda is too sick to run! Do I stay at home in my warm, snuggly bed, or do I call my friend Eric, who has been showing some interest in running? I certainly don't have the motivation to run it alone. I recall the reason for all of the prep work was to run this particular race. I call Eric.
I ran the whole thing. Slowly, but I ran it! As I'm running, and feeling good, it starts snowing, in October. It was a cool moment for me! I wanted to die on that last steep hill, especially with Eric jumping around, trying to encourage me, but I did it. This finish was a little unreal for me. This was a great accomplishment for me, moving on from the first, completely flat 5K to an unforgiving spread of hills.
3rd 5K...Halloween run...again ran the whole thing, but with atrocious side cramps the last half. Time: 33:41
In case you are wondering why I put such an emphasis on a seemingly small goal, like running the whole race each time, there are a couple reasons.
1) I never thought I would be able to run 3 miles without stopping to walk.
2) I can't stand those girls who walk/sprint the whole thing, and STILL beat me! I understand if you are doing that because it is too difficult. That would have been me. But if you are sprinting the rest of the time, you can run the whole thing. I usually find one of those girls about halfway through the run, that I decide I am going to beat! It doesn't usually happen, but they just make me angry! It takes more endurance to (slowly) run the whole 3 miles, than to half-a** it.
That's my soapbox moment on a topic I know very little about. I hope you enjoyed it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
I should explain...
While I still feel really strange saying "I'm writing a blog," I think I should explain the birth of said blog.
As I said in my "About Me" section, I have never been particularly athletic. I enjoyed the leisurely hike or bike ride, but nothing too strenuous. Team sports, nope. Running, definitely not.
As I got older, I chalked a lot of this reluctance up to my breathing problems I had when I did attempt something vigorous. For those who have never ran or biked with me, I sound like some sort of animal wheezing its way toward death! So, as the inevitable 20-something pounds began to find their way onto my body, I thought I should become more active. Because of the ridiculous, and at times, scary, panting, I figured I should stick with walking, hiking, and easy bike rides.
Enter my friend, Amanda. Amanda is one of those tall girls who make running look like a piece of cake. She's not like the crazy runner types in all kinds of spandex and sports bras and fancy heart monitors. She keeps it simple, in sweatpants and a cotton T-shirt, which I love! I was always vaguely envious of the Saturday morning races she ran in every week (while I was probably still in bed). I say "vaguely" because I'm the kind of person who enjoys the "idea" of great things like running or learning to knit (random, I know, but I just had this knitting conversation last night). However, I usually don't really like doing the actual work that goes into that great idea! It's easier to be jealous of people enjoying themselves, than to actually try something new...isn't that human nature though?
Amanda suddenly decided that she thought I could run. I laughed. A lot. Me, run? I can barely breathe walking up a big hill! After a lot of persuading on her part, she convinced me to start running with her. During the persuasion process, I had googled "new runners"and found a program called the Couch to 5K. It is a slow progression that gets you running a few minutes at a time, until you are able to run a 5K. I thought that sounded right for me.
Amanda had another idea. On our first run, she told me we were going to run 20 minutes straight. I don't know what was more surprising, Amanda thinking I could actually run for 20 minutes without walking (HA!) or the fact that I actually did it!! We kept running together, sometimes with her searching for the worst hills in the flattest of areas. I screamed hateful things at her (in my head they were screams, in real life they were gasps of protest). She pointed at the ground next to her and yelled "Get up here" while I trailed a half a block behind her. She told me to make myself small on hills. She tried to make small talk when I just wanted to die, in an attempt to take my mind off of the horrible, horrible experience of running.This does not sound pleasant. It wasn't, most of the time! But, Amanda made it easier!
Before long, it was time for my first 5K. Agghh!!!
(You can barely see me in this picture, but it's the only one I have of my first 5K.)
As I said in my "About Me" section, I have never been particularly athletic. I enjoyed the leisurely hike or bike ride, but nothing too strenuous. Team sports, nope. Running, definitely not.
As I got older, I chalked a lot of this reluctance up to my breathing problems I had when I did attempt something vigorous. For those who have never ran or biked with me, I sound like some sort of animal wheezing its way toward death! So, as the inevitable 20-something pounds began to find their way onto my body, I thought I should become more active. Because of the ridiculous, and at times, scary, panting, I figured I should stick with walking, hiking, and easy bike rides.
Enter my friend, Amanda. Amanda is one of those tall girls who make running look like a piece of cake. She's not like the crazy runner types in all kinds of spandex and sports bras and fancy heart monitors. She keeps it simple, in sweatpants and a cotton T-shirt, which I love! I was always vaguely envious of the Saturday morning races she ran in every week (while I was probably still in bed). I say "vaguely" because I'm the kind of person who enjoys the "idea" of great things like running or learning to knit (random, I know, but I just had this knitting conversation last night). However, I usually don't really like doing the actual work that goes into that great idea! It's easier to be jealous of people enjoying themselves, than to actually try something new...isn't that human nature though?
Amanda suddenly decided that she thought I could run. I laughed. A lot. Me, run? I can barely breathe walking up a big hill! After a lot of persuading on her part, she convinced me to start running with her. During the persuasion process, I had googled "new runners"and found a program called the Couch to 5K. It is a slow progression that gets you running a few minutes at a time, until you are able to run a 5K. I thought that sounded right for me.
Amanda had another idea. On our first run, she told me we were going to run 20 minutes straight. I don't know what was more surprising, Amanda thinking I could actually run for 20 minutes without walking (HA!) or the fact that I actually did it!! We kept running together, sometimes with her searching for the worst hills in the flattest of areas. I screamed hateful things at her (in my head they were screams, in real life they were gasps of protest). She pointed at the ground next to her and yelled "Get up here" while I trailed a half a block behind her. She told me to make myself small on hills. She tried to make small talk when I just wanted to die, in an attempt to take my mind off of the horrible, horrible experience of running.This does not sound pleasant. It wasn't, most of the time! But, Amanda made it easier!
Before long, it was time for my first 5K. Agghh!!!(You can barely see me in this picture, but it's the only one I have of my first 5K.)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Annie, the other Lazy Girl in our house!
Hmmm...big life decisions...A walk with Annie or...
A nap with Annie?!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This is a first!
The world of blogging is a new one to me, newer than the idea of me exercising for pleasure! I have always enjoyed writing, even as the nerdy junior high kid who "competed" in writing contests with my equally nerdy best friend. I think that this new forum will provide an outlet for my writing, as well as my protests against this new active lifestyle that's really putting a damper on my napping.
Some random, semi-interesting facts about me....
**I hate the new(ish) "text" talk that has taken over our society. LMAO and OMFG are killing my brain cells so, you will not see that junk on this blog! And if you do, please virtually slap me! (That being said, I do sometimes fall into the LOL and BRB habit while I am sucked up into the addictive evil that IS Facebook!)
**This little rant on language leads me to the fact that I am a new teacher this year. I teach elementary students who struggle with reading. I feel blessed to know that I am doing exactly what I was born to do. I love every minute of teaching, even when a kindergartener gives me a hug and asks, "you havin' a baby?" That's right. Even then.
**I am a freak about recycling. I even recycle toilet paper rolls. My students last year seemed slightly annoyed when I told them to "save a branch" and use the back side of their papers! One girl even gave me reusable grocery bag as a gift! She knew me well!
**My car has had its back bumper hanging off of it for over 5 years. I have been told it smells like feet and dead people. Virtually nothing works on it. I often have to rely on friends and the boyfriend to help me get gas when I inevitably run out. (The gas gauge is broken!) Why do I still have it? It's a love-hate relationship I have with my car. It's complicated.
**I overuse exclamation marks! Much like one of my favorite female sitcom characters, Elaine Benes!! (Any Seinfeld fans out there?) I have really toned it down here, but it's a real mind effort. (!!!)
Some random, semi-interesting facts about me....
**I hate the new(ish) "text" talk that has taken over our society. LMAO and OMFG are killing my brain cells so, you will not see that junk on this blog! And if you do, please virtually slap me! (That being said, I do sometimes fall into the LOL and BRB habit while I am sucked up into the addictive evil that IS Facebook!)
**This little rant on language leads me to the fact that I am a new teacher this year. I teach elementary students who struggle with reading. I feel blessed to know that I am doing exactly what I was born to do. I love every minute of teaching, even when a kindergartener gives me a hug and asks, "you havin' a baby?" That's right. Even then.
**I am a freak about recycling. I even recycle toilet paper rolls. My students last year seemed slightly annoyed when I told them to "save a branch" and use the back side of their papers! One girl even gave me reusable grocery bag as a gift! She knew me well!
**My car has had its back bumper hanging off of it for over 5 years. I have been told it smells like feet and dead people. Virtually nothing works on it. I often have to rely on friends and the boyfriend to help me get gas when I inevitably run out. (The gas gauge is broken!) Why do I still have it? It's a love-hate relationship I have with my car. It's complicated.
**I overuse exclamation marks! Much like one of my favorite female sitcom characters, Elaine Benes!! (Any Seinfeld fans out there?) I have really toned it down here, but it's a real mind effort. (!!!)
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