Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. - Stephen A. Brennan
I more than doubled my weekly mileage over the past couple of weeks. I went from doing medium-short runs on weekends with little in between to long runs on weekends with short runs during the week. Tuesday there was a lack of cardio machines available at the gym, so I ran for 25 minutes. I fast run, 5K speed, down to the Mass Ave bridge and back. I clocked a decent pace. It was flat, in the 40s and just after dusk. I was able to continue with my workout after the run as well. I think I'll start running along the esplanade regularly from here on out. I have no interest in the cardio machines as it is, and well, I've yet to get myself to get up early enough for the morning jogs yet.
Thursday I repeated Tuesday, except that instead of 3 miles, I went 4 miles with a loop across the bridge, into Cambridge and back. A little slower pace. I felt really sluggish coming out. I'd just finish a 1 hour muscle conditioning class. But once I hit the 2nd mile, I was good to go. My pace picked up as my legs warmed up. Afterwards I went back to do my upper body routine. I almost wish I could have run further. I might start thinking about running down to the BU Bridge and looping around in the future. I imagine that that could add an extra mile or two onto the route.
Today was my long run. Now I had a lot of hesitation about actually doing the run this morning. I have 5K in the morning tomorrow and didn't want to suffer any leg fatigue after the 12 miles today. I missed the first bus, so I managed to get out to Bedford around 10am. I started out easy and clocked 10:30 min/mile the entire way. Something to improve upon, but I'm satisfied for now since I didn't want to push myself with the race tomorrow.
I spent the entire time listening to NPR's Planet Money podcasts. I honestly have to attribute how quickly the run passed listening to their decisions on the economy, banks and stimulus. At the moment, I'm just eating up anything that has to do with finance and economics, but only once before had I listened to it, let alone for any length, during a run. How distracting! I'm going to start saving up all of the juicy podcasts for the weekends from now on, so that I can have 2-3 hours of uninterrupted radio talk! Screw music - the sound of Alex Blumberg, Adam Davidson and David Kestenbaum drive my pace!
When I did arrive back home, I caught the bus which dropped me off by the pub where we picked up our bibs, chips and t-shirts. I took a leisurely walk home again, munching on a Kashi energy bar and sipping gatorade. I proudly remembered to refuel with 20 minutes of finishing my workout. I had brought along water in my fuel pack, drank at the end and around mile 8. I still am a little wary of consuming too much water, and I still haven't gotten the stomach for some energy gel or something supplemental, but I don't feel enough fatigue or disorientation to worry too much about my intake. Afterall, I treat myself before the run to a chocolate-glazed donut from Dunkin' Doughnuts. It's the only time I'll eat one of those things - but I can tell you that it actually tastes amazing when you know you have 12 miles or more ahead of you!
I swear - Planet Money and Dunkin' Donuts are the key to long distance running.
Showing posts with label daily jogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily jogs. Show all posts
Never stop running.
Monday, March 9, 2009 bikeway runs, daily jogs, running slogansNever stop running.
Sometimes when I'm running I come up with cheesy slogans. Running slogans. Like something out of a Nike ad, I imagine starting a running campaign based upon three powerful words. If you go to some place like Cafepress.com, you'll see a lot of these sayings and slogans ready to be emblazoned upon a t-shirt, coffee mug or canvas tote bag. I love reading the backs of t-shirts during a race - but I can never find the shirt at the end, never remember the clever slogan I was so excited about.
My favorites seem to utilize intimidation tactics. They certainly allude to an athletic capacity far beyond my reach. When you're running alone down a dark path in a deserted scenic area, every little bit of bravado seems to help.
Trample the weak. Hurdle the dead.
My sport is your sports punishment.
Pain is weakness leaving the body.
In any case, this is what I was thinking about during my run on Sunday. It's not that interesting, I'm sure, but when you're jogging along with little else to contemplate and a strong desire to get a frappucino, this is what keeps me going. I bring up frappucino, not because I typically like them, but because there is actually a Starbucks along this bikeway. It's all surrounded by trees and then suddenly this little a-frame Starbucks sign appears propped up off to your left next to a staircase leading into the back of an otherwise unmarked two-story building. It's just unnatural. Unnaturally tempting! I think that its meant to lure in the cyclists, not the runners, but the promise of a cool beverage is highly appealing. This is why I wear a fuel belt.
In any case, this is what I was thinking about during my run on Sunday. It's not that interesting, I'm sure, but when you're jogging along with little else to contemplate and a strong desire to get a frappucino, this is what keeps me going. I bring up frappucino, not because I typically like them, but because there is actually a Starbucks along this bikeway. It's all surrounded by trees and then suddenly this little a-frame Starbucks sign appears propped up off to your left next to a staircase leading into the back of an otherwise unmarked two-story building. It's just unnatural. Unnaturally tempting! I think that its meant to lure in the cyclists, not the runners, but the promise of a cool beverage is highly appealing. This is why I wear a fuel belt.
My actual run on Sunday didn't quite go as planned. You see, I haven't run the pathway since autumn. As a result, I forgot that the bus that takes me out into the middle of no where, where it starts, doesn't run on Sundays. Just Saturdays. So I couldn't get to the no-other-way-home-but-run startline. Instead I had to compromise. I ended up running 6 miles outbound and then another 4 miles back. I ran the full distance I was planning on it. I actually even felt good enough to keep going the last two miles home, except that I had forgotten to wrap my toes. I had killer blisters that were threatening to disable me. So I called it a day and caught the train.
The feeling of freedom in running
daily jogs, destination run, errand run
I loved the feeling of freedom in running, the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I'm competing with is me. -Wilma Rudolph
With some unexpected snow (unexpected for someone who doesn't watch the weather the day before), on Sunday and Monday, I ended up staying indoors for the rest of the week. The snow had melted a foot-wide path by Thursday, but at that point I was caught up in activities at the gym. I bypassed any outdoor runs. My cardio work consisted mainly of 10-15 minutes interval workouts on the stationary bike, stairclimber or treadmill. I keep my strength training at quick pace with little to no rest, keep my heart rate up. None of this gets me that extra mile, of course. There are few ways to train for a run other than simply running.
With the runless week behind me, I knew that the weekend would be ripe for catching up. I saw that it was going to be sunny and warm all weekend - it reached nearly 60F on Saturday! Now Saturday turned into an Errand Run. An Errand Run is a type of Destination Run where the destination involves shopping or completing what might otherwise be a tedious chore in an inconvenient location. I try to multitask by making the commute more interesting by running there, which is ironically faster than taking a bus or train.
The most common Errand Run is a Grocery Run - especially now that I'm on a tight budget where grocery shopping is pretty much my only shopping. If I'm going for speedwork, then I'll carry my recycled shopping bags under an arm. If its a longer run, then I'll shame my activist hippy-liberal neighborhood and go for doubled plastic at the supermarket.
Saturday had a twofold purpose. I discovered the day before that I had to complete a warrenty exchange out at Cambridgeside before the weekend was up. I had already designated Sunday for my 10-mile jaunt along the Bikeway, so Saturday was my best bet. Now Cambridgeside is approximately 3 miles from my house. Not much of an effort. So this is where I get onto MapMyRun.com and come out with some sort of wildly roundabout route to get there in order to extend my mileage. I managed to push it to around 5 1/2 with a few inclines. It wasn't bad, at all.
There weren't too many runners out along my path, although much of it was urban residential - sidewalk work, keeping it mainly to pavement over cement where possible. Near the start, I saw a couple of athletic types out by the Mystic River Reservation. The young man was going at quite a clip, easily jogging past me and the girl he exchanged words with (who had settled into a walk). It's interesting because when someone like that flies past me, I'm never intimidated, jealous or even competitive. I don't pick up my pace or feel bad for trudging along. I realized early on that you can't judge a runner by the pace at which they pass you. You don't know what mile he's on. You don't know what his training is like. You don't know how long he's been running for. You don't know the purpose of this particular run. It's like comparing apples and oranges. The only person you should ever be in competition with is yourself. In that, I find freedom and opportunity to achieve every goal that I set for myself.
Now along the river, there is a wooden tower with winding stairs the lead to a platform overlooking Somerville. The young man easily hopped up the flights of stairs to the top and back down again. At that point, just barely crossing the 1-mile threshold myself, such a feat seemed heroic in proportion. But now that the idea of it is in my head, I don't think I can jog out there this week without climbing it mid-run myself. It seems like the perfect challenge, change of pace, for 45-min morning jog.
Anyway, I complete the route feeling good. I probably could have and should have gone along for another mile. But I had an errand to run, followed by grocery shopping.
With some unexpected snow (unexpected for someone who doesn't watch the weather the day before), on Sunday and Monday, I ended up staying indoors for the rest of the week. The snow had melted a foot-wide path by Thursday, but at that point I was caught up in activities at the gym. I bypassed any outdoor runs. My cardio work consisted mainly of 10-15 minutes interval workouts on the stationary bike, stairclimber or treadmill. I keep my strength training at quick pace with little to no rest, keep my heart rate up. None of this gets me that extra mile, of course. There are few ways to train for a run other than simply running.
With the runless week behind me, I knew that the weekend would be ripe for catching up. I saw that it was going to be sunny and warm all weekend - it reached nearly 60F on Saturday! Now Saturday turned into an Errand Run. An Errand Run is a type of Destination Run where the destination involves shopping or completing what might otherwise be a tedious chore in an inconvenient location. I try to multitask by making the commute more interesting by running there, which is ironically faster than taking a bus or train.
The most common Errand Run is a Grocery Run - especially now that I'm on a tight budget where grocery shopping is pretty much my only shopping. If I'm going for speedwork, then I'll carry my recycled shopping bags under an arm. If its a longer run, then I'll shame my activist hippy-liberal neighborhood and go for doubled plastic at the supermarket.
Saturday had a twofold purpose. I discovered the day before that I had to complete a warrenty exchange out at Cambridgeside before the weekend was up. I had already designated Sunday for my 10-mile jaunt along the Bikeway, so Saturday was my best bet. Now Cambridgeside is approximately 3 miles from my house. Not much of an effort. So this is where I get onto MapMyRun.com and come out with some sort of wildly roundabout route to get there in order to extend my mileage. I managed to push it to around 5 1/2 with a few inclines. It wasn't bad, at all.
There weren't too many runners out along my path, although much of it was urban residential - sidewalk work, keeping it mainly to pavement over cement where possible. Near the start, I saw a couple of athletic types out by the Mystic River Reservation. The young man was going at quite a clip, easily jogging past me and the girl he exchanged words with (who had settled into a walk). It's interesting because when someone like that flies past me, I'm never intimidated, jealous or even competitive. I don't pick up my pace or feel bad for trudging along. I realized early on that you can't judge a runner by the pace at which they pass you. You don't know what mile he's on. You don't know what his training is like. You don't know how long he's been running for. You don't know the purpose of this particular run. It's like comparing apples and oranges. The only person you should ever be in competition with is yourself. In that, I find freedom and opportunity to achieve every goal that I set for myself.
Now along the river, there is a wooden tower with winding stairs the lead to a platform overlooking Somerville. The young man easily hopped up the flights of stairs to the top and back down again. At that point, just barely crossing the 1-mile threshold myself, such a feat seemed heroic in proportion. But now that the idea of it is in my head, I don't think I can jog out there this week without climbing it mid-run myself. It seems like the perfect challenge, change of pace, for 45-min morning jog.
Anyway, I complete the route feeling good. I probably could have and should have gone along for another mile. But I had an errand to run, followed by grocery shopping.
A well-beaten path
Monday, March 2, 2009 daily jogs, pose method
A well-beaten path does not always make the right road. - Proverb
I would love to continue discussing how I ended up planning for a marathon, my goals and ambitions; however, if I keep this up, I will never report upon my actual day-to-day running. Thus I'm jumping in before I completely draw a blank over my runs this weekend.
Friday Afternoon
I flew in on Thursday on a red eye flight from a business trip that didn't spare a minute for running. That meant that by Friday, it had been just over a week since I'd put on the trainers and hit the pavement. I was feeling motivated, however. A week without exercise makes me feel like I'm wading through a pit of mud. Which I suppose is better than last year when I returned home with the shin splints.
I wanted to ease back into my runs, as I typically do after periods of being sedentary. My plan was to kill two birds with one stone, one of my favorite activities and follow up my run with a trip to the grocery store. This means that I take a really out-of-the-way, winding route to the grocery store so that I can squeeze in around 4 miles before its time to start shopping.
Friday I chose to do an extension of my AM route. The extension meant following a major Rt. a half mile or so beyond my usual turn off in order to take me in a much wider loop. The road doesn't have a sidewalk on the eastern side of the road after my usual turn off, however. So I chose to run on the western side from the very beginning. Ha. The western side runs along a river that's quite distractingly pretty. I was also dodging puddles of melted snow and mud, which takes significant focus when you're not exactly roadside. In doing all this, I just kept following the running path...north. I managed to breeze right past the curve in the road I needed to take, skipping the intersection and just running off into the city next door.
Now I'm not entirely oblivious and realized the error of my ways about 4-5 blocks in. The roundabout I was expecting just didn't show up. So I looped around, gauged where I was and decided that the best plan was to take an adjacent road rather than retracing my steps, in hopes of encountering my original road further up. Yeah... I think you can see where this is going. It didn't go that way. I finally *did* find my way back and came out opposite my usual turn off, but it was an extra two miles that I didn't intend to run.
I still needed to go grocery shopping though, so I trudged on. It wasn't bad all-in-all. I mean, in the end, it was just a little under 6 miles. Not exactly an epic journey. But when you have your mind set on running a certain short distance, it makes you crabby. I do want to note that I had made this particular run two weeks before (without the detour) and tacking on those extra couple of miles really didn't change how I felt when it was over. I wasn't any more tired than previously.
Saturday went more smoothly
I actually planned on a slightly longer run for Saturday. 7 1/2 miles. It was a gorgeous day too. Around 40 degrees and sunny. A couple of laps around the pond was refreshing. The dirt path along the water's edge was a little icy/muddy still, so on my second lap I took the paved uphill version. I almost never do this because I'm lazy and avoid lengthier hills in favor of scary, short inclines. I also like the reprieve of running on hard-pack dirt over asphalt. Sure, there is a jogger-worn path alongside the paved walkway, but its never even and always full of runners.
Anyway, as I neared the end of my first lap (mile 5 or so) I was feeling really good and looked forward to the second lap. I was feeling a little thirsty though, and in the winter, the park services turn off the water fountains. I'll have to remember to drink up beforehand in the future, since its not quite the right temperature or distance for strapping on the fuel belt just yet. The last 1/4 mile was a little rough. It was a mental argument with myself, convincing myself that I was absolutely not going to walk the last 10 yards no matter how much my legs were whining and my feet were bitching over tiny pebbles in my shoes.
When it was over, it was a very short recovery. Which tells me that I probably could have slowed to a 20 yard walk and then picked up the pace again for another mile. Next weekend. Actually, next weekend I plan to head out to Bedford and go for the 10 mile route. Getting my sleep schedule back on track will be important this week as a result.
My calves have been a little sore the past two days. Sunday and this morning it snowed, so no outdoor jogs. Too much trouble at the moment. Today was lowerbody/core day at the gym, so I did get in a workout there. I spent the afternoon reading up on Pose Method running. I'll discuss this further once I can get a clear sidewalk to try it out on. No clinics or instructors in the area, so I'm going to give the videos a try. Crossfit employs the technique as well, so their videos have been a decent guideline as this point along with a number of drills.
I would love to continue discussing how I ended up planning for a marathon, my goals and ambitions; however, if I keep this up, I will never report upon my actual day-to-day running. Thus I'm jumping in before I completely draw a blank over my runs this weekend.
Friday Afternoon
I flew in on Thursday on a red eye flight from a business trip that didn't spare a minute for running. That meant that by Friday, it had been just over a week since I'd put on the trainers and hit the pavement. I was feeling motivated, however. A week without exercise makes me feel like I'm wading through a pit of mud. Which I suppose is better than last year when I returned home with the shin splints.
I wanted to ease back into my runs, as I typically do after periods of being sedentary. My plan was to kill two birds with one stone, one of my favorite activities and follow up my run with a trip to the grocery store. This means that I take a really out-of-the-way, winding route to the grocery store so that I can squeeze in around 4 miles before its time to start shopping.
Friday I chose to do an extension of my AM route. The extension meant following a major Rt. a half mile or so beyond my usual turn off in order to take me in a much wider loop. The road doesn't have a sidewalk on the eastern side of the road after my usual turn off, however. So I chose to run on the western side from the very beginning. Ha. The western side runs along a river that's quite distractingly pretty. I was also dodging puddles of melted snow and mud, which takes significant focus when you're not exactly roadside. In doing all this, I just kept following the running path...north. I managed to breeze right past the curve in the road I needed to take, skipping the intersection and just running off into the city next door.
Now I'm not entirely oblivious and realized the error of my ways about 4-5 blocks in. The roundabout I was expecting just didn't show up. So I looped around, gauged where I was and decided that the best plan was to take an adjacent road rather than retracing my steps, in hopes of encountering my original road further up. Yeah... I think you can see where this is going. It didn't go that way. I finally *did* find my way back and came out opposite my usual turn off, but it was an extra two miles that I didn't intend to run.
I still needed to go grocery shopping though, so I trudged on. It wasn't bad all-in-all. I mean, in the end, it was just a little under 6 miles. Not exactly an epic journey. But when you have your mind set on running a certain short distance, it makes you crabby. I do want to note that I had made this particular run two weeks before (without the detour) and tacking on those extra couple of miles really didn't change how I felt when it was over. I wasn't any more tired than previously.
Saturday went more smoothly
I actually planned on a slightly longer run for Saturday. 7 1/2 miles. It was a gorgeous day too. Around 40 degrees and sunny. A couple of laps around the pond was refreshing. The dirt path along the water's edge was a little icy/muddy still, so on my second lap I took the paved uphill version. I almost never do this because I'm lazy and avoid lengthier hills in favor of scary, short inclines. I also like the reprieve of running on hard-pack dirt over asphalt. Sure, there is a jogger-worn path alongside the paved walkway, but its never even and always full of runners.
Anyway, as I neared the end of my first lap (mile 5 or so) I was feeling really good and looked forward to the second lap. I was feeling a little thirsty though, and in the winter, the park services turn off the water fountains. I'll have to remember to drink up beforehand in the future, since its not quite the right temperature or distance for strapping on the fuel belt just yet. The last 1/4 mile was a little rough. It was a mental argument with myself, convincing myself that I was absolutely not going to walk the last 10 yards no matter how much my legs were whining and my feet were bitching over tiny pebbles in my shoes.
When it was over, it was a very short recovery. Which tells me that I probably could have slowed to a 20 yard walk and then picked up the pace again for another mile. Next weekend. Actually, next weekend I plan to head out to Bedford and go for the 10 mile route. Getting my sleep schedule back on track will be important this week as a result.
My calves have been a little sore the past two days. Sunday and this morning it snowed, so no outdoor jogs. Too much trouble at the moment. Today was lowerbody/core day at the gym, so I did get in a workout there. I spent the afternoon reading up on Pose Method running. I'll discuss this further once I can get a clear sidewalk to try it out on. No clinics or instructors in the area, so I'm going to give the videos a try. Crossfit employs the technique as well, so their videos have been a decent guideline as this point along with a number of drills.
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