Week 5 is officially behind me. Even more exciting, however, is that I can now say, for the first time in my life, that I have ran over 2 miles, without stopping. One more "mile"-stone to go before I'll be running in my first 5k. My pace averages out to 11:00, which I perceive to be excruciatingly slow. But for the moment I am determined to bask in the glow of finishing, and resolve to worry about my time later on.
Here's a play-by-play of yesterday's run for the folks following along at home:
30 minutes pre-run: Mmm.. Big_Shoes made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Maybe not the best energy source for a run, but too gooey and delicious to pass up..
10 minutes pre-run: Instead of getting my running shoes on, I plop down on the couch to snuggle with Big_Shoes. Being the romantic guy he is, he pushes me away and tells me to quit procrastinating and get my ass out the door. Then he adds a quick "Good luck, babe! I know you can do this!" just to soften the blow.
1 minute in: walking down my street, trying to look nonchalant and ignoring the butterflies in my stomach (unclear if said butterflies were the results of nervous energy or lingering remnants from that morning's slight hangover).
3 minutes in: Set alarm on phone to go off in exactly 22 minutes. Not that I was going to just lose track of time and run longer than I planned. Extremely unlikely. No, I set the alarm so that I wouldn't be as tempted to check the time constantly, which always seems to make the minutes tick by slower.
5 minutes in: Walking warm-up over. Took a deep breath and got going before I had a chance to think too much about it.
7 minutes in: Beginnings of a side-stitch. After making a brief mental note of the bad omen just 2 minutes into my run, I concentrate on taking deep regular breaths and keep going.
13 minutes in: At this point, I had been running for 8 minutes - which was previously my longest stretch. I still felt good, but I had the sneaking suspicion that it was all down-hill from there (Unfortunately, this meant down hill in a figurative sense, not a literal one).
15 minutes in: Ten minutes to go, and it feels like a lifetime. At this point I realize that I am not going to make it the full 20 minutes. Instead, I settle on seeing just how long I CAN go. Every minute is a tiny success.
19 minutes in: A can hear the even-paced footsteps and calm breathing of a "real" runner coming up behind me. Not to be outdone, I pick up my feet, lengthen my stride and pretend like I know what I'm doing. "Oh, this little run? It's nothing. I'm just out enjoying the scenery and freezing cold temperatures. Did I mention my lungs are so not burning right now?"
19 minutes and 15 seconds in: Outdone. The real runner whizzes by me in a neon yellow jacket. I quickly revise my plan and create a new goal to make sure I keep Real Runner in my "line of sight" .
22 minutes in: Despite my best efforts, Real Runner soon becomes a tiny yellow speck disappearing over the horizon. Feeling discouraged, but after checking my time I decide there is no way in hell I am stopping with 3 puny minutes to go. I smile because at this point I know I've already done it. I can do three minutes. In fact, I don't even notice those minutes go by.
24 minutes and 49 seconds in: Doubting my resolve, I go for my cell phone to check the time. It can't be that much longer, can it?? Just as I go to look at the screen I hear the happy little jingle of my alarm. Victory bells. My lungs thank me as I slow to a walk and head toward the train station.
And now I'm off to the drug store to find an over-priced, cheesy card for my valentine. Looking forward to buying some ridiculously discounted chocolate tomorrow!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Let hibernation-mode commence!
It didn't look good when I crawled out of bed this morning. The blue emergency snow lights about town were already blinking and weather.com somewhat ambiguously declared that there was a high possibility that there might be some snow within the next hour. After that, the hour-by-hour table pictures cute little snow flakes for the rest of the day (and night). I knew a storm was on its way, but from my apartment windows it didn't seem all that intimidating. Just a handful of flurries here and there. So I decided to give it a go while the option was still there. And I'm glad I did!
I got in the full run, plus an extra 15 minute walk, just for kicks (okay.. fine. I got lost again and had to wander my way home). The first eight minutes was surprisingly easy, and I was thrilled at my progress until I hit the next 8 minute stretch, which had me considering turning back about 45 seconds in. Miraculously, I got through the whole run no worse for wear, although the snow was beginning to come down a bit more noticeably by then.
Fast forward six hours later and the snow is coming down in horizontal sheets outside of my window. No, wait - I stand corrected, the snow is actually falling UP now. These aren't the cute, friendly flakes they show on weather.com either. More like the vicious, slap-you-in-the-face and take-an-eye-out variety. Looks like it's going to be a doozy, but that's fine with me. I got my run in, we have plenty of hot cocoa (although I may need to make a trip out for some peppermint schnapps), heat is included in the rent, and groceries are being delivered this weekend. Did I mention I also have all of next week off, for some unfathomable reason? Seems like classes just started, but I'm not one to complain. So bring on the snow. I'm already hyperventilating a bit about my next 20-minute run (what C25K guru thought it would be a good idea to go from 8 minutes to 20!?) so I could probably use a few days to mull it over and try to talk myself into it.
Anyway, it's Wednesday, which means I've got to go make sure I have everything to make up a delicious batch of blueberry banana waffles! It's okay to be jealous. Really.
I got in the full run, plus an extra 15 minute walk, just for kicks (okay.. fine. I got lost again and had to wander my way home). The first eight minutes was surprisingly easy, and I was thrilled at my progress until I hit the next 8 minute stretch, which had me considering turning back about 45 seconds in. Miraculously, I got through the whole run no worse for wear, although the snow was beginning to come down a bit more noticeably by then.
Fast forward six hours later and the snow is coming down in horizontal sheets outside of my window. No, wait - I stand corrected, the snow is actually falling UP now. These aren't the cute, friendly flakes they show on weather.com either. More like the vicious, slap-you-in-the-face and take-an-eye-out variety. Looks like it's going to be a doozy, but that's fine with me. I got my run in, we have plenty of hot cocoa (although I may need to make a trip out for some peppermint schnapps), heat is included in the rent, and groceries are being delivered this weekend. Did I mention I also have all of next week off, for some unfathomable reason? Seems like classes just started, but I'm not one to complain. So bring on the snow. I'm already hyperventilating a bit about my next 20-minute run (what C25K guru thought it would be a good idea to go from 8 minutes to 20!?) so I could probably use a few days to mull it over and try to talk myself into it.
Anyway, it's Wednesday, which means I've got to go make sure I have everything to make up a delicious batch of blueberry banana waffles! It's okay to be jealous. Really.
Monday, February 8, 2010
When "Just Do it" just ain't doing it for you
Great run today. Week 5 is off to a good start. The sun shining in through my window convinced me to go without a jacket, just a T-shirt, light sweatshirt, leggings, gloves and my fleece headband. I regretted my decision for the first ten minutes, but then warmed up so much I was thankful I didn't have any other layers to sweat through. The program called for three 5 minute runs, with three minute intervals of walking, but I surprised myself and actually added a fourth run, in the interest of getting home early enough to take a nice long shower.
All in all, it was a fantastic and energizing run - but it almost didn't happen. I almost convinced myself to stay inside and avoid the freezing temperatures all together. I had plenty of reading to do, and a number of other plausible excuses that could have allowed me to stay holed up in my apartment guilt free, until my 1:40 class. Obviously, there must have been some serious source of motivation that got me out the door; some mantra that I repeated over and over to fight back the inherent laziness and just make me WANT to run. Right?
Nope. Didn't happen.
So what's my secret then? Well here it is. Write it down: Procrastination. In other words, I just kept putting off the decision not to run until I found myself dressed, out the door, and half way through my five-minute warm-up walk. Rather than berating or negotiating with myself every time the thought of skipping a run enters my head, I just put the thought to the side and tell myself I'll think about it later. See, I know myself, and the one thing that I've learned is that I just cannot win an argument with myself (Big_Shoes has yet to come to this realization, but he will get there). No amount of logic or inspirational quotes or personal pep-talks is going to work if I don't want to go, so I've stopped trying. I just put the decision off until I am literally at the very moment where I must either run, or turn around and go home. At that point, my ego usually takes over and demands that my ass get going, lest some mysterious onlooker realize that I was only outside of my apartment for 30 seconds before heading back with my tail between my legs. I'd say this works about 87 percent of the time. But in the 13 percent where I legitimately still do not want to run, I turn around and go home. It's that easy.
I think I do the same thing on my runs, when I look down at my cell phone and realize what felt like 7 minutes of running has, in fact, only been two. I don't eliminate the possibility of stopping early, but I don't make an immediate decision either. I just temporarily store it on my mental "To Do" list and keep going. Again, 87 percent of the time, by the time I get back to it, another 2 minutes has already passed and it just makes sense to keep going.
Procrastination gets a bad rap in general, and particularly in the exercise/healthy living community. But hey, for those of us who are natural procrastinators, the infamously annoying "Just Do It" catch phrase isn't going to cut it. So why not flip the negative connotation of procrastination on its head and turn it into a resourceful strategy? I mean, hey, it has worked pretty well for every term paper I have ever written (or, at least 87 percent of them...) and I pull damn decent grades, while simultaneously mastering the life skill of pulling an all-nighter. In all seriousness, at the very least my procrastination habit has taught me to work extremely well under pressure. So where's the harm?
Don't knock it til you've tried it, folks. Procrastination can be a beautiful thing.
All in all, it was a fantastic and energizing run - but it almost didn't happen. I almost convinced myself to stay inside and avoid the freezing temperatures all together. I had plenty of reading to do, and a number of other plausible excuses that could have allowed me to stay holed up in my apartment guilt free, until my 1:40 class. Obviously, there must have been some serious source of motivation that got me out the door; some mantra that I repeated over and over to fight back the inherent laziness and just make me WANT to run. Right?
Nope. Didn't happen.
So what's my secret then? Well here it is. Write it down: Procrastination. In other words, I just kept putting off the decision not to run until I found myself dressed, out the door, and half way through my five-minute warm-up walk. Rather than berating or negotiating with myself every time the thought of skipping a run enters my head, I just put the thought to the side and tell myself I'll think about it later. See, I know myself, and the one thing that I've learned is that I just cannot win an argument with myself (Big_Shoes has yet to come to this realization, but he will get there). No amount of logic or inspirational quotes or personal pep-talks is going to work if I don't want to go, so I've stopped trying. I just put the decision off until I am literally at the very moment where I must either run, or turn around and go home. At that point, my ego usually takes over and demands that my ass get going, lest some mysterious onlooker realize that I was only outside of my apartment for 30 seconds before heading back with my tail between my legs. I'd say this works about 87 percent of the time. But in the 13 percent where I legitimately still do not want to run, I turn around and go home. It's that easy.
I think I do the same thing on my runs, when I look down at my cell phone and realize what felt like 7 minutes of running has, in fact, only been two. I don't eliminate the possibility of stopping early, but I don't make an immediate decision either. I just temporarily store it on my mental "To Do" list and keep going. Again, 87 percent of the time, by the time I get back to it, another 2 minutes has already passed and it just makes sense to keep going.
Procrastination gets a bad rap in general, and particularly in the exercise/healthy living community. But hey, for those of us who are natural procrastinators, the infamously annoying "Just Do It" catch phrase isn't going to cut it. So why not flip the negative connotation of procrastination on its head and turn it into a resourceful strategy? I mean, hey, it has worked pretty well for every term paper I have ever written (or, at least 87 percent of them...) and I pull damn decent grades, while simultaneously mastering the life skill of pulling an all-nighter. In all seriousness, at the very least my procrastination habit has taught me to work extremely well under pressure. So where's the harm?
Don't knock it til you've tried it, folks. Procrastination can be a beautiful thing.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Have it my way, you say?
My. ass. hurts. so. bad.
I have no idea why, I haven't added any new hills or anything. So what gives? Maybe its the feeling of my newly-awakened ass muscles fighting back against gravitational forces ... and the brownies I made the other night. Let's hope so. Anyway, let's put that topic "behind" us for a moment (hehehe... I really could not help myself).
Week four is complete and the infamous week five is officially underway. While I'm happy to know that I am half way through the program and towards my first running-related goal, the thought of Week five makes me want to hide under my covers and pretend like I've never owned a pair of running shoes in my life. For one, each day in Week 5 is a new workout, which means I won't even have a chance to get slip into my oh-so-familiar comfort zone. Add on top of that a final workout that includes 20 minutes of non-stop running, and the self-doubt really starts to creep in. Luckily I have a couple days to let that really sink in before I give it my best go.
Today's final Week 4 run ended up being surprisingly entertaining. Big_Shoes joined me, and since we had spent the entire morning cleaning our apartment, we decided to make our run to Target to pick up a new three-basket laundry hamper and some other essentials. The run was great, although frigid and a bit shorter than I would have liked. I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to track routes that are at least 3.5 miles or so in order to get the full run in, so I guess I need to scout out some places to go that are a bit off my beaten track. Can I just say that is has literally been MONTHS since I have been in a chain store that did not sell just groceries? It was a total culture shock. I wanted everything. Yes, everything. I had almost forgotten what that feels like. Luckily for my bank account we managed to check out with a total of four items, despite wandering around all googly eyed for over and hour.
So after our exciting excursion, both of our stomachs are grumbling, and where do we decide to go for lunch? Burger King. Yes, I said it - Burger King. Big_Shoes keeps insisting that my eating habits are depriving him of his beloved dead cow flesh, and we hadn't eaten fast food for several months (September or so?) so I let him "have it his way", if you will. Strangest thing, while sitting in the ridiculously crowded restaurant, we actually met a family from our home state, and the father had actually gone to school at our Alma Mater (we were wearing matching sweatshirts), and grew up just blocks from where we had lived! This coincidence becomes bizarre when you consider that said Burger King is 3,000 miles away from our respective home towns. Small world, much? Anyway, with stomachs full and merchandise in hand, we decided to take the bus home. To make up for my short run and warm myself up while waiting for the bus, I took a quick run around the block while Big_Shoes dutifully waited with our bags.
Enough of that. Let's get back to talking about my ass. Or asses in general, perhaps? I had the unfortunate occasion to stumble on to a blog post that discussed the issue of... well... pooing while running. Considering my intestinal challenges last week, I thought the post might be relevant, so I decided to read on. Come to find out, it is common running knowledge that many long-distant runners pee/poop themselves on the run during races? In order to not loose the 60-seconds or so it would take to make it to the nearest HoneyBucket? Okay, I admit my tiny successes with the C25K program have placed a few vague dreams of future marathon races in my head, but this little "nugget" of knowledge reminds me that I am just not that committed. I'd take the minute or two hit on my time long before I'd run with a squishy accident sloshing around in my Depends.
Just more profound proof that I am not the "true" runner. Then again, if pooing my pants is a requirement for such distinction, I'll glady claim my poser title.
I have no idea why, I haven't added any new hills or anything. So what gives? Maybe its the feeling of my newly-awakened ass muscles fighting back against gravitational forces ... and the brownies I made the other night. Let's hope so. Anyway, let's put that topic "behind" us for a moment (hehehe... I really could not help myself).
Week four is complete and the infamous week five is officially underway. While I'm happy to know that I am half way through the program and towards my first running-related goal, the thought of Week five makes me want to hide under my covers and pretend like I've never owned a pair of running shoes in my life. For one, each day in Week 5 is a new workout, which means I won't even have a chance to get slip into my oh-so-familiar comfort zone. Add on top of that a final workout that includes 20 minutes of non-stop running, and the self-doubt really starts to creep in. Luckily I have a couple days to let that really sink in before I give it my best go.
Today's final Week 4 run ended up being surprisingly entertaining. Big_Shoes joined me, and since we had spent the entire morning cleaning our apartment, we decided to make our run to Target to pick up a new three-basket laundry hamper and some other essentials. The run was great, although frigid and a bit shorter than I would have liked. I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to track routes that are at least 3.5 miles or so in order to get the full run in, so I guess I need to scout out some places to go that are a bit off my beaten track. Can I just say that is has literally been MONTHS since I have been in a chain store that did not sell just groceries? It was a total culture shock. I wanted everything. Yes, everything. I had almost forgotten what that feels like. Luckily for my bank account we managed to check out with a total of four items, despite wandering around all googly eyed for over and hour.
So after our exciting excursion, both of our stomachs are grumbling, and where do we decide to go for lunch? Burger King. Yes, I said it - Burger King. Big_Shoes keeps insisting that my eating habits are depriving him of his beloved dead cow flesh, and we hadn't eaten fast food for several months (September or so?) so I let him "have it his way", if you will. Strangest thing, while sitting in the ridiculously crowded restaurant, we actually met a family from our home state, and the father had actually gone to school at our Alma Mater (we were wearing matching sweatshirts), and grew up just blocks from where we had lived! This coincidence becomes bizarre when you consider that said Burger King is 3,000 miles away from our respective home towns. Small world, much? Anyway, with stomachs full and merchandise in hand, we decided to take the bus home. To make up for my short run and warm myself up while waiting for the bus, I took a quick run around the block while Big_Shoes dutifully waited with our bags.
Enough of that. Let's get back to talking about my ass. Or asses in general, perhaps? I had the unfortunate occasion to stumble on to a blog post that discussed the issue of... well... pooing while running. Considering my intestinal challenges last week, I thought the post might be relevant, so I decided to read on. Come to find out, it is common running knowledge that many long-distant runners pee/poop themselves on the run during races? In order to not loose the 60-seconds or so it would take to make it to the nearest HoneyBucket? Okay, I admit my tiny successes with the C25K program have placed a few vague dreams of future marathon races in my head, but this little "nugget" of knowledge reminds me that I am just not that committed. I'd take the minute or two hit on my time long before I'd run with a squishy accident sloshing around in my Depends.
Just more profound proof that I am not the "true" runner. Then again, if pooing my pants is a requirement for such distinction, I'll glady claim my poser title.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Defeat: a feat in of itself
The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated. It is finished when it surrenders." - Ben Stein
My success last weekend has been tempered by a particularly dreadful run today. It took everything I had just to get out of my apartment - a full hour late. First I had to respond to a series of frantic emails in my inbox, then I couldn't find my key, and the moment I finally was ready to go, my cat decided to knock down a pitcher of water across the living room floor. A lovely start, to be sure ...
Even though I was running seriously behind schedule, I decided to try and get my full run in anyway. This had less to do with inner determination and personal motivation and more to do with the two checks I had in my pocket that desperately needed to be deposited. So I took off in the direction of my bank. Little did I know that the slight intestinal grumblings of my stomach this morning would have major implications for my run. By the time I had gotten to the bank I was seriously uncomfortable. But with my only other option being a trip to the sketchy public subway restrooms, I decided to just run home. Easier said then done. For some reason, I could not for the life of me find the route I took to get home! I wandered around for 20 minutes before stumbling across the obscure side road that had been my route. I've always been skeptical of the constant influx of new gadgets and high-tech devices that promote dependency and rampant consumerism, but at that moment I really wanted one of those GPS "aps" on my cell phone. Alas, all my flimsy phone is capable of is telling time and making phone calls...
Anyway, now running an hour and half behind, with my pace seriously impaired due to stomach cramps and completely drained of all my artificially optimistic standbys, all I was thinking about was how defeated I felt. It didn't help that by the time I got home, I was in such a rush to shower and get ready for my TAship that I missed my bus and ended up walking the entire way in less-than-ideal walking shoes.
By the time I got home at 4:30, I felt entirely defeated by the misfortune of my day. It wasn't until about 20 minutes or so into my pity party that I started to realize that even though my day felt defeating, I had not actually been defeated. I had, in fact, finished my run. I even added an extra mile and a half by walking to campus. And even though the day did not play out like I had so carefully planned it in my head, I still accomplished every task that I had set out to do. Even as my mind was ready to give up on today, my body just kept going, reminding me once again that my limbs and my lungs are far more powerful than my conscious mind gives them credit for. What felt to me like defeat and hopelessness, was actually strength and endurance. Funny how it is so easy to confuse the two categories. So perhaps instead of lamenting my own bad luck, I can learn to use this "crappy day" to appreciate my own body's capacity to reach beyond my own goals and find something more meaningful than I could have thought to imagine. Who knows? Maybe four miles of running/walking discomfort today will eventually give me the strength I need to finish the first mile of my first 5k, or someday even that last mile of a marathon. Someday.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The high you can't get from your cousin's brownies..
SUCCESS! Huge, heaping piles of it!
My first week four run is complete - my longest and most difficult run to date. And I loved every minute of it. I'll admit, I was feeling pretty anxious about it this morning, and even secretly hoped for some ominous snow clouds to appear so that I could stay bundled up in bed, guilt-free. But despite temperatures barely reaching 20 degrees, the skies were blue and clear and by mid afternoon the wind had cooled down as well. So, fresh out of good excuses, I mapped a new run that I have been wanting to try on dailymile and headed for the door.
After being caught unprepared in ridiculously low temperatures two days in a row, I was determined to be as prepared as possible. I wore a jogging tank top, a sweatshirt, and an insulated wind-breaker with leggings and long pants. I also borrowed a thick beanie from Big_Shoes and picked up a pair of gloves for $1.00 at the Salvation Army on my way (I lost the left glove to my other pair on the bus yesterday). In the end, I stayed just warm enough to keep the circulation going, without getting too warm or burdened down with bulky clothes. I can see why people shell out the bucks for special sweat-wicking material though, and if I had the money you can bet I would be investing in some, particularly as my runs get longer and.. well.. sweatier. I had to peel of the layers when I got home.
But let's get back to the run itself. As I moved on to Week 4, I knew I needed a longer route, something that would keep me more focused than just running circles around the neighborhood blocks. When I tracked my run, I was worried it was a bit ambitious for the weather and my first workout at a new week, but I figured I would just turn back early if I couldn't do it. Not only did I not turn back, but I made it to my destination (a train station in the next town) with perfect timing, just as I was finishing the last running segment of the workout. I took the subway back, hoping I could catch the bus home, but when I realized the bus did not come for another hour, it just made more sense to run home as well (It was WAY too cold to walk).
In total, I ran/walked 4.07 miles, and although the last five minutes were the toughest part of the program I have faced so far, I still felt amazing! Maybe this is the elusive "running high" I have been hearing so much about. Or maybe it just feels great to see progress happen, and know that my body is stronger and healthier and more comfortable in its own skin. I can hardly even remember the person who was out of breath with a horrible side-ache after a ten minute trip around the corner. Maybe someday, when 4 mile runs are about as challenging as a hangnail, I will look back and try to remember who I was now.
So now I am off to take the longest, hottest shower of my life (did I mention heat and hot water is included in our rent?) and spend the rest of my night snuggled up in doors and drinking my hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. Mmmm.. Schnapps. Somehow, a lazy evening at home seems way more enticing now that I know I have earned it.
My first week four run is complete - my longest and most difficult run to date. And I loved every minute of it. I'll admit, I was feeling pretty anxious about it this morning, and even secretly hoped for some ominous snow clouds to appear so that I could stay bundled up in bed, guilt-free. But despite temperatures barely reaching 20 degrees, the skies were blue and clear and by mid afternoon the wind had cooled down as well. So, fresh out of good excuses, I mapped a new run that I have been wanting to try on dailymile and headed for the door.
After being caught unprepared in ridiculously low temperatures two days in a row, I was determined to be as prepared as possible. I wore a jogging tank top, a sweatshirt, and an insulated wind-breaker with leggings and long pants. I also borrowed a thick beanie from Big_Shoes and picked up a pair of gloves for $1.00 at the Salvation Army on my way (I lost the left glove to my other pair on the bus yesterday). In the end, I stayed just warm enough to keep the circulation going, without getting too warm or burdened down with bulky clothes. I can see why people shell out the bucks for special sweat-wicking material though, and if I had the money you can bet I would be investing in some, particularly as my runs get longer and.. well.. sweatier. I had to peel of the layers when I got home.
But let's get back to the run itself. As I moved on to Week 4, I knew I needed a longer route, something that would keep me more focused than just running circles around the neighborhood blocks. When I tracked my run, I was worried it was a bit ambitious for the weather and my first workout at a new week, but I figured I would just turn back early if I couldn't do it. Not only did I not turn back, but I made it to my destination (a train station in the next town) with perfect timing, just as I was finishing the last running segment of the workout. I took the subway back, hoping I could catch the bus home, but when I realized the bus did not come for another hour, it just made more sense to run home as well (It was WAY too cold to walk).
In total, I ran/walked 4.07 miles, and although the last five minutes were the toughest part of the program I have faced so far, I still felt amazing! Maybe this is the elusive "running high" I have been hearing so much about. Or maybe it just feels great to see progress happen, and know that my body is stronger and healthier and more comfortable in its own skin. I can hardly even remember the person who was out of breath with a horrible side-ache after a ten minute trip around the corner. Maybe someday, when 4 mile runs are about as challenging as a hangnail, I will look back and try to remember who I was now.
So now I am off to take the longest, hottest shower of my life (did I mention heat and hot water is included in our rent?) and spend the rest of my night snuggled up in doors and drinking my hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. Mmmm.. Schnapps. Somehow, a lazy evening at home seems way more enticing now that I know I have earned it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Battle Scars
I finally got my last Week 3 run in, and I was surprised at how easy it had become - even after missing a few days. In the interest of keeping it challenging, I am planning on moving to Week 4 this weekend, even though the butterflies in my stomach would prefer to hang out in my comfort zone.
Not that putting one foot in front of the other doesn't have its own challenges. As I type, I proudly display my very first battle scar in the form of a quarter-sized scrape on my knee. For over a month I have been running in snow and ice, and the one day we get blue skies and sunshine, I manage to fall on my face. Luckily for me, I was wearing gloves and leggings that softened the blow from the rough concrete. Even luckier, no one was around to see me trip over my own feet. The whole thing seemed to happen in slow motion, and by the time I picked myself up I was laughing rather loudly (again, thankfully their were no witnesses to my clumsiness). I don't know what I found funny, but I do know that I can't even REMEMBER the last time I scraped my knee. Probably hasn't happened since I was at least eleven or so (around the age where the Big Toy brings more embarrassment than adventure), so the whole thing was just exciting for some inexplicable reason.
After my near-death experience, I realized that the same day-dreaming that had caused me to trip over a crack in the sidewalk had also caused me to get pretty well lost (yes, it is possible to get lost in your own neighborhood, thank you). Getting back on familiar ground tacked on another 10-15 minutes on my normal run, so it ended up being a pretty exerting work out, which is good because it has to last me awhile. I won't have the opportunity to run (or blog) until Saturday, thanks to a ridiculous class schedule, a growing stack of thesis research, and the obligations of three part-time jobs. It seems as though I am either doing absolutely nothing, or everything at once, and I haven't quite figured out how to balance that. Maybe running will help me find that balance.
Not that putting one foot in front of the other doesn't have its own challenges. As I type, I proudly display my very first battle scar in the form of a quarter-sized scrape on my knee. For over a month I have been running in snow and ice, and the one day we get blue skies and sunshine, I manage to fall on my face. Luckily for me, I was wearing gloves and leggings that softened the blow from the rough concrete. Even luckier, no one was around to see me trip over my own feet. The whole thing seemed to happen in slow motion, and by the time I picked myself up I was laughing rather loudly (again, thankfully their were no witnesses to my clumsiness). I don't know what I found funny, but I do know that I can't even REMEMBER the last time I scraped my knee. Probably hasn't happened since I was at least eleven or so (around the age where the Big Toy brings more embarrassment than adventure), so the whole thing was just exciting for some inexplicable reason.
After my near-death experience, I realized that the same day-dreaming that had caused me to trip over a crack in the sidewalk had also caused me to get pretty well lost (yes, it is possible to get lost in your own neighborhood, thank you). Getting back on familiar ground tacked on another 10-15 minutes on my normal run, so it ended up being a pretty exerting work out, which is good because it has to last me awhile. I won't have the opportunity to run (or blog) until Saturday, thanks to a ridiculous class schedule, a growing stack of thesis research, and the obligations of three part-time jobs. It seems as though I am either doing absolutely nothing, or everything at once, and I haven't quite figured out how to balance that. Maybe running will help me find that balance.
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