P.U.S.H.

I feel like I get more and more excited about this running thing. It’s still so new to me, but I feel like it’s something that’ll stick to me. Like I’ll keep doing it. At first, I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I could run an entire 5k race, and even if I don’t win it, I could do it better than I would have if I didn’t push myself to put in work. I like proving things to myself. I like pushing myself. Having a challenge. Every few weeks, Babe can tell you that some random thing pops into my head, and I say something like, “I think I wanna do something…” She never knows what to expect when I start off like that. It could be anything. That’s just what I do. Running was only supposed to be something I do for a few weeks, until I’m ready for a 5k. Then I’d drop it like a hot potato. Nooowww I’m thinking it may be a big part of my lifestyle. Imagine that!

For how long have I been saying I’ll come back here and do my desire statement and mantra as mentioned in this post? Long enough, right? Time to do it!

Desire Statement: I run because… I want to. I’m proving to myself that I can do things I never thought I could. The different between the CAN and the CAN’T is really the big WON’T. The only thing I WON’T do is put in the effort that it takes to make something great happen. To get from the CAN’T to the CAN, I have to (not just TRY but) DO. And DO it, I will. Because I deserve to feel invincible. Unshakeable. Immovable. Ready. Capable. I run because I want to (not only LOOK fit but) BE fit. I want to be healthy. I want to do all that I can to ensure that I live the happiest, healthiest, most self-fulfilling, purpose-filled life possible. That’s a mouthful, I know, but it’s one I don’t mind chewing.

Rewaring Yourself: Oh, I DO this. No matter what. The big reward will come when I’ve completed my first 5k. New pair of Vibrams! I have my eyes on the Bikila in magenta/orange. 🙂

Running Mantra: P.U.S.H.  – Positive. Unrelenting. Strongth. Healthy – All I need to be.

Recite your Running Mantra: Easy enough! PUSH! PUSH! PUSSSHHH! It helps!

Visualize a Successful Run: Running… Getting to the end, still feeling good. Muscles communicating with my brain, letting me know they’re right there with me. Taking it home, finishing just as strong as I started.

Song of the Day: Push It – Salt-n-Pepa

Do you have a desire statement? A running mantra? If you do, share them with me. If not, think about it. If you decide to create a desire statement and running mantra, let me know. I’d like to read ’em!

Training Session 3

Yesterday evening, we ran. And we did it well. We stuck with the 2:1 (run:walk) intervals. I hydrated all day in preparation. I also ate and snacked very well. GF hydrated a bit (we share the water problem), and brought a bottle of water for the training session. It was her second and my third go at it. I just have to say that I’m really, really appreciative. She really doesn’t have to run with me, but she does. And it’s great. For her, and for me. And US. It’s another thing we get to share. Love it. [insert lovey-dovey music and pretty birds flying and forming a heart here]

I completely forgot to get a picture of my Nike+ sensor velcroed into my Bikila Vibram strap. Sorry! Maybe tomorrow. (Now I’m scared to make promises.) It worked VERY well. I was so happy that I knew our time/distance/pace was being tracks, and happy to not have excruciating pain annoying feelings in my foot.

October 11, 2011

I’m not gonna lie… I have no idea what the stats mean. Well, I GET it. I’m a number lady. I just don’t know how I measure up. I’m just happy to be able to make it through the 20 minutes. And I’m happy that I can sort of track progress, see when I’m faster, and be able to look back at this 10 5k races from now.

My calves were tight again. Not so tight that I wouldn’t run, but tight enough for me to feel with every step. The Running Thriver suggested compression sleeves. I googled it and found this site which excited me because now I know that they come in fun colours! YAY! I’m just not sure about the price. When I have more time, I’ll shop around a bit.

Side note: Today is my last day at this job. I’ve been really bored and under-challenged with it, and it’s time to move on. I’m started a new job next week, and I am so far beyond PUMPED, I can’t describe it to you. I talked about it in a few posts at my other blog. 

In exciting blog news: Slow Happy Runner gave me the coveted Versatile Blogger Award! YAY! I’m THRILLED about it. I want to put time and effort into my acceptance post (where I list 7 things about me and give the award to 5-15 other bloggers), and I can’t do that right now. Lots of wrapping up to do at work. Hopefully I’ll get to it tomorrow. Just wanted to mention and say that I’m excited/happy/grateful, you should check out her page, and look out for the full post on it. *does happy dance*

Song of the day: Only Wanna Give It To You – Elle Varner feat. J. Cole (I think this song is super cool, and I love her voice! She reminds me of Estelle.)

Second Run

I didn’t end up running on Saturday. I was exhausted. I was going to push, and do my 20 minute walk-run, but thought better of it. I didn’t have lunch. The GM ordered food for everyone at work, but it came late. By the time it arrived, I’d had an apple with nutella, a bag of Cheetos, Fruit & Nut mix, and Welch’s fruit snacks. I didn’t drink enough water either. I knew that running would be a bad idea. I decided to go early on Sunday.

Well, Sunday’s run was HARD. I FELT it. Like never before. I guess it’s true that higher estrogen levels mean lower energy levels, huh? It didn’t help that I wasn’t very comfortable, and felt like I was running in a diaper. Or something. It was like walking across the biggest room ever with a book on my head. I felt like I had to make my steps in a certain way, and do a certain speed. AND, for some reason, my calves were tight. After the first 10 minutes, they relaxed. Honestly, by minute 6, I was ready to turn around. I didn’t. I kept going.

The other thing that made it a hard run was my Nike+ sensor. I didn’t have the velcro yet, so I had to just drop it in my Vibrams. It moved around, it hurt my foot, it went sideways. Everything. It was awful. And when I checked my time and stats, they seemed WAY off. I definitely didn’t get an accurate reading, so I didn’t record it. It gave me something like 15.86 minutes per mile. There’s NO WAY I was going at that pace. I know that I probably did worse than the last training session (11.86mins/mile), but not that much worse. At one point, I checked and it told me I was doing 15 minutes and some seconds per mile, and that couldn’t be right.

Anyway, problem should be solved. I GOT VELCRO! YAY! I’ll post a picture on tomorrow’s post to show you what the sensor looks like, all velcroed into my Bikila Vibrams (via the strap). I’m looking forward to seeing how I do. I’m going to snack well, and hydrate properly today. GF will be coming with me, but told me to keep going when she stops. As long as we’re on a straight road, I’m okay with that. I won’t be leaving her behind on crazy, winding roads.

This journey is a lot more interesting these days. I’ve found more blogs to follow and keep me motivated, informed, and running safely. Two of them are (who REALLY gave me a push to try this whole running this):

The Running Thriver

Green Plate Dinners

Definitely visit their blogs. You’ll probably HAVE to follow them after you check ’em out. 🙂 And checkout my blogroll over to the right. Lots of good blogs and resources.

Well, back to work for me. And water sipping. I’m being strict on myself with hydrating before runs. Good, right? I’m also mentally preparing for my core strengthening workout, complete with supermans and planks, that I’m doing for the first time tomorrow. GOOO, me!

Song of the Day: Running – No Doubt

Hello, Leg Muscles!

http://sciencephoto.com/media/414800/enlarge

Yesterday, I felt some of the muscles in my legs. It wasn’t really painful. It was sort of like they were waving at me, making sure I knew they were there. I hasn’t paid them much attention before, so they were making their presence known. Making their presence FELT, really. I appreciated it, and greeted them with, “Hello! Thank you so much for showing up today!” I’m looking forward to building a pleasant working relationship with them all. We’re off to a great start.

Communication is key. I was feeling a bit tired by the time that I got home from work. I still wanted to do a little cycling on my off (from running) day. I got my iPod, played my Running/Cycling playlist, and out Tatum (my sweet bike) and I went. It was a short ride. I went down the highway (roughly 1 mile) and back (another mile). I went rather quickly, and slowed it down heading back home. Mostly because my leg muscles (LM) and I were in conversation.

LM: This is cool.

Me: Yeah! I like it!

LM: I’m so glad you’re listening to us now.

Me: Yeah, I’m glad I recognize your existence, finally.

LM: Yeah. Um… We’re kinda tired.

Me: Oh. Well I’ll just do this strip once and head back. Cool?

LM: Yeah, ok.

Me: I’m kinda tired too. I just didn’t want (you) to be idle. And it’s such a nice evening.

LM: Agreed.

Me: Easy day today, but training day 2 is tomorrow. Cool?

LM: Oh, fo’ shiz! We.will.be.THERE!

Me: Sweet! Look at that. Almost home!

LM: Yeah. Time flies when you’re having occupied.

Me: And having fun!

LM: Natch. (Short for “Naturally.”)

I’m glad we had that talk. And that we’re on the same page. This evening, I’ll do the 2:1 intervals for 20 minutes. It should go well. Tomorrow, I would really like to go out for an early one, but I’m only supposed to go every other day. I haven’t decided whether or not I’ll do it. I guess I’ll talk to LM and see what we come up with. Maybe run on Sunday and cycle on Monday. We’ll see.

I’m really loving this running thing. I can see myself doing this for a very long time. I’m already fantasizing about 5k’s and half-marathons. Actually, I had a 5k dream last night, no joke! Wait. I think it may have been a triathlon. There was swimming involved. Fun times, in my dreams, I tell ya!

Song of the day: With Your Love – Cher Lloyd feat. Mike Posner

First Official Training Session

I did it. My first timed training walk-run. I pushed it a little and ran for 2 minutes, and walked for 1 minute for 20 minutes. I was very surprised when GF got dressed to come along. I figured the bike would come out, and I’d run alongside it. Nope. We both ran-walked. I was impressed. And thankful. I know that it wasn’t for the fun of it. It was for ME. To support me. I was really expecting to be on my own.

GF tiredout more quickly than I did. I guess I have more endurance than at least one person in the world. I really didn’t feel it. I was fine. I’m tempted to push it even more, but I won’t. I’ll stick with the 2:1 intervals for the next 2 runs and see how it goes. Especially since GF is coming with me, I don’t want to make it too difficult. It’s probably good that I have that reason not to push push push and end up burning myself out.

We did 20 minutes with an average of 11.54 minutes per mile, and burned 168 calories. We covered  1.7 miles. Not bad for a first run (run/walk), right?

Overall, I’m happy with it. I finished my bottle of water, did a pretty good training run, and had a good dinner. GF made some sort of amazing chicken breast with rice. Delightful. Did I mention that the run felt really good?! I want to go this evening, but I’m not supposed to. I think we’ll do a bike ride for 20 minutes. That’s more GF’s speed, and it’s super relaxing for me. We’ll save the Zumba for rainy/dark days when we can’t get our butts out the door.

At the end of the month, time will change. Evenings will be pretty dark here. I probably won’t get home (from work) early enough to run in daylight. November will be a switch-over. I’ll have to get up a little earlier, and get my run in before getting ready for work. Depending on how early I have to leave home to get to work (starting a new job soon, so I don’t know), I’ll have to be out running as early as 6am. Possibly earlier to give me time to prepare and eat a good breakfast.

Breakfast this morning: Oatmeal with banana, brown sugar, cream, and cinnamon. YUM.

My playlist is nice. It kept me going. The songs from yesterday’s run were by Austra.

Song of the day: