This Icy Run Really Stunk

Yesterday I was suppose to run 8 miles at a 10:12 per mile pace. I did it at a 9:55 pace so the mission was accomplished.

It wasn't easy to go out for the run today as the temp was feeling like the single digits because of a strong northwest wind blowing all day long. I was very reluctant to get ready but by 1 pm I started putting on layers of clothes, wondering if I had enough to brave the elements. Other my chin turning numb a few times, I was definitely armed for the artic tide.

What I was unarmed for however was an unexpected odor that hovered the track. Across the highway, a farmer decided to fertilize the field with manure. At first, I had no idea what that smell was because I thought, there's no way I could smell those Dover Hill turkey barns, some 10 miles away. It wasn't until I finished my run and drove to the front of the school that I saw the tractor scattering the stuff over the fields. The northwest winds were carrying it down towards the track.

Some elements you try to prepare for while others come unannounced, just like today. That's not only a lesson for running, but a fact in life as well. In the end I was able to overcome both prepared and surprising elements along the way, even ahead of pace!

Speedwork Is WORK!

Today's installment on the 10 week training plan called for "speedwork." It's purpose is to work on, um, speed. I think this is the part of training I find most intimidating.

Mentally I tossed about thinking about the details of my 5 mile work out. I did a mile warm up and a 1 and half mile cool down but it was the in between part that looked like a mountain.

My speedwork consisted of 3 sets of 800 meter runs at a 3:52 pace with a 400 meter jog in between each set. Of course I figured out that it would amount to sub 8 miles in the long haul. That is definitely where I need tobe to surpass my 5k goal for July.

My 800 runs were 3:44, 3:58, and 4:06 which averaged out to a 3:55 pace. So I was off by 3 seconds but I won't let it discourage me.

POSITIVES FROM TODAY"S WORK OUT:

• It just reminds me that speed is going to take work.
• I noticed that with this day's run it was my upper leg muscels that were getting the workout. So now I am aware of where my accelerations are suppose to come from.
• I was winded and so that made me feel like I was definitely working.
• I ran 5 miles and the distance did not intimidate me at all.
• Most importantly though, I think today I really started to feel like a real runner. No, I won't be fast but I will become a runner and not just a plodder.

Tomorrow's schedule calls for an easy 4 mile run at 10:12 pace. If I am not too sore, that will seem easy, compared to today's pace.

Running With Penguins

Today began my 10-week training venture. Of course an arctic blast was at my door, ready to pounce on me at the crack of dawn. Fortunately I had 4 layers on and by run's end, only felt the effects of the chill on my face.

I kicked off the workout with a 4 mile easy run. Well... as easy as it is to run when the wind chill was flirting with single numbers. One upside of running at the track was a strong north wind pushing me down the front stretch. I just kept reminiscing about the warm summer breezes I faced all so long ago.

I actually was about 16 seconds faster on my mile pace than I should have run. I think the cold made me want to pick up the intensity a bit more than I had to. Still, after being chased by penguins for 15 laps, I was rewarded on my final turn. As I took the bend, the sun popped over the treeline, as if to smile upon me for getting out of the blocks, on a morning when it was tempting to hit the snooze button and wait one more day.

Running & Moods

Back in college I took a tempermantal analysis and learned of the 4 basic temperments that I was classified as a melancholy. Boy, was that depressing;) Through the years I have tried at times to supress being a feelings-oriented person. Today I am less resistent to conceal moods; I just try to avoid parading them in whichever extreme. I have come to terms that I am pretty concious of my moods. I keep a running log of which one of the details in the daily record if my runs has to do with my frame of mind. Recently I looked back on the dairy and see fluctuations. Of late I have tended to be in a better frame of mind. Does your mood affect your running? It probably does to some extent. I have found that when I feel angry or frustrated, I usually turn that into fuel to run harder or stronger. If I'm down or depressed, I am lured into mental battles of stopping short of my planned runs on those days. (I have seldom given in but the resolve levels seem to wane when I'm low.) There are running days where I am kind of blank with my mood and I find myself just bouncing from thought to thought when this happens. Of course the days I like best are when I am in a happy mood and running feels like a great dessert that tops my day off. I can not always predict how my moods will effect my performance. But one thing is always for sure, when I am done running my mood is effected. Sometimes I emerge with euphoria. Usually I leave the course content that I stuck it out, and left most negative feelings behind. I can't think of anything that has had a more significant effect on managing my melancholy tendancies as running.

It's a Green Light

Yesterday my doctor cleared me to resume running. Mentally I was prepared to have to wait another week and so it was a very pleasant surprise. Needless to say, I couldn't get home soon enough to see if my body could take the running once again.

I headed to the school's track and started running tentatively those first few laps. There were no twinges or hint of pain and so I proceeded to run a total of 3 miles, with each mile faster than the previous one. At the end I was very satisfied that I had passed the first big test on the road.

Today I mapped out an intensive 10 week workout on my calendar. I am excited be the possibilities that await me!

Clergy On The Run

This photo inspired me from this month's Runner's World. They did a feature on subcultures in the world of the NYC marathon. I was pleased to see a group of clergy runners. I'd love to sit down and talk with them about things like how they got started and what surprised blessings they enjoy when incorporating this hobby with their higher calling. Maybe I'll blow up the photo and then cut and paste a picture of me in this group, since it's probably as close as I'll get to this great race.

I'm Feeling It's About Time Again

It has only been 7 days since I went to the surgery table but in my mind it has felt like forever. To this day I have logged 11 walking miles. Those first two days I walked a mile very gingerly. But on Monday I started clocking myself and I upped the miles to 3. That first day I did it in about 51 minutes but today I knocked some 10 minutes off. My body was walking but my spirit was sprinting to the mailbox! I am starting to feel that my running could resume as early as this weekend which is better than I imagined. So I think when it's time to run, I'll mix it up and try my hardest not to push too much. I wonder if I'll feel like a chain has been broken when I take off.

On The Road Again

I'm not running yet. Last Thursday I had surgery and am not yet cleared to run. That didn't stop me from getting out and walking again. On Friday and Saturday I walked a mile... very slowly!

Today was my first day back to work and I couldn't wait to walk when I got home. I didn't know how far I'd go at first but ended up walking 3 miles today. What really motivated me was when I used my watch to time my splits. By the final miles I was at around 15:30.

What I noticed was mentally I started thinking like a runner as I tried to improve on each half mile split. In that frame of mind, I was pumping arms, walking tall and keeping focused. Though I couldn't run, I began to feel like one again. Happy to being a step closer.

Last Run For Awhile

I look out on this clear and frosty morning, trying to take care of some details in the office before I take time off for surgery tomorrow. Frankly, I really have my heart set on the open road right now. The thing I'd most love to do today is just run until I can't run anymore.

I'm told that I won't be about to do this for a couple of weeks. Others "encourage" me by telling me you'll lose everything you built up to this point. Well, not everything... I won't lose heart or desire. Eventhough I know I have to pause for a short time, I am not going to be disuaded from this passion by some forced r&r.

In fact, I chose to believe once they take care of my little obstacle, I will be set free to turn it up to new levels. Once I get back to form, I will be working with a definite running plan. No more of this randomness about running but rhyme and reason. Running with purpose! This will all revolve around getting ready to race 5ks this year.

Interruptions

Now that I am into running this much, I am dreading a forced hiatus because of upcoming surgery. With 230 miles now logged in since October 9th I have become a habitual runner. I have developed a base for running and now I'm hearing that I will basically have to start over if I am laid up for a couple weeks.

In the meantime I guess I'll get out on the course to walk as soon as possible so I don't forget but mostly to trick myself into thinking I am not stopping for some minor inconvenience.

Since my last post I have enjoyed two accomplishments. I bested my 5k running time to 24:47 (just 77 seconds from my summer race goal) and I ran the farthest in a day with 10 miles as the new personal best. This second attainment cost me though as I haven't run that well since then. I guess that's a costly lesson for a rookie running.