Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

Archives for January 2007

I have a dream

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21st Century Mom’s post today continued the meme that is circulating throughout the blogs of the Running Blog Family. I just happened to be sitting on the floor, by my bookcase, when I came upon her post. After days of avoiding being tagged, I decided to voluntarily play along.

The nearest book, Daniel’s Running Formula: Proven programs 800m to marathon (2nd edition), is not necessarily a book that I have read cover to cover. In fact, I have to admit that I haven’t read very much of this book at all. Like Lore of Running, the book sitting beside it on the bookshelf, I have the book on hand for a reference should the need arise. I have a several of these type books on hand, in case I don’t like what I read on a topic and am in need of a 2nd, or 3rd opinion.

From Daniel’s Running Formula, (pages 123, sentances 6, 7, 8) reads:
“Although the duration of workbouts is important, when it comes to interval training, intensity (training pace) is even more important. This is because you can attain the difference V02 max only when running at a particular intensity. You need to understand the difference between intensity and speed of running – intensity is the key word when stressing any physiological system…Under adverse conditions, intensity is clearly the better way to identify what pace elicits V02 max – be sure to consider this when doing your interval training.”

Simply put, it isn’t the pace that you run, the effort that you are exerting is more important. If you are running up a steep hill, or against a strong headwind, you will not need to run at hyperspeed before you hit your limit. The conditions of the hill or wind provide the natural increase in intensity.

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Righteous?

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“Are you feeling righteous?” she asked with a smirk.
Having just looked to Garminia for my total moving time for today’s run, I had smiled and made a thumbs up gesture. “As a matter of fact,” I replied, “yes!”

I knew that I was having an awesome run today. In fact, I stopped to change the tunes playing on myPod from fast running music to my slow relaxing music for the downhill portion. I was afraid of coming down the hill too fast. The change in music didn’t do much towards slowing me down however; I was really moving.

But, that was the end of my run. Let’s back up a bit.

Mistakes are great – that is, when you learn from them. I made the mistake of wearing shorts during my chilly run yesterday. This day was equally as sunny, but even colder. I selected a long-sleeved shirt, my running tights, gloves and a hat to wear.

I was planning to run on the local streets, but was thrilled when Tom suggested that I run at RSA (my favorite open space preserve). I figured that if I was going to take the time to drive to the RSA, I might as well make it worth the trip. I figured that I could shoot for a 13 mile trail run to be sure that I could cover the half-marathon distance, since I *am* registered for the Kaiser Permanente Half-Marathon in a couple weeks. I dug in the closet for my fuel-belt, grabbed a GU packet, and was on my way.

As I drove towards the park, I began to wonder how long I would have to search for a parking spot – since it was so late in the morning. I was pleasantly surprised that I had a ton parking spots to choose from. I think that the freezing cold temperature had kept the people away.

Today myPod was energized, unlike yesterday where she rode piggyback not even making a peep the whole time. I was looking forward to an entertaining run. I selected the songs for today’s run that would compliment the beautiful trails that I would travel. The songs were basically musical pieces without any vocals. I could hear the birds chirping, airplanes flying overhead, people talking, and my breathing.

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Running on empty

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I carried my workout bag into the office this morning knowing that the likelihood of my actually getting to use it was low. It was due to be one of the colder days of the week, so I told myself that I didn’t care that much. Of course I DID care…a lot.

Having worked into the night hours yesterday, I was easily able to get right back into the task at hand. I began working almost as soon as my computer booted up. I wanted to be done with frustrating project as soon as possible.

By 11 am, I began realizing that I was running on empty. I hadn’t eaten breakfast. I reached for the remaining half of a Builder’s Bar that was in my workout bag. The bar didn’t even begin to tame the hunger that was now coming to life. I went in search of some food. I returned to my office with a packet of instant oatmeal and found Mark waiting for me as I reached for my bowl. Mark was just about to head out for a run.

It didn’t take much for me to realized that I needed a break. Suddenly my want to run was stronger than my desire to eat. I began rummaging through my workout bag again. After locating a packet of GU, I agreed to meet Mark outside for a short getaway. Oh, Vanilla Bean GU…yum.

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Hot – Hot – Not

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“Anonymous” struck again with the notion that I am “hot.” The comment strikes a cord with me. As I double over with stomach cramps, puffing out my stomach far more than the usual, and creating a muffin top so large that would please a Giant, I wonder about this statement. Am I Hot? The answer is “not.”

I am not being overly critical. I am being honest. I really have no desire to be hot; but the terms healthy, fit, toned, and even sexy appeal to me.

It’s true that the blog-o-sphere has only the photos that I choose to post to gauge how “hot” I might be. I am not any less vain than the rest of you; I only post the good ones (where I have successfully sucked in my tummy but am still able to smile).

The truth is that I would like to be thinner, but after the struggles with Jenny Craig, I am not willing to take on the inconvenience. It was a success, in some regards. I lost 7 pounds – from someplace other than my waist. I remember looking at my feet, even before the onset of my overuse injury, and thinking how they looked bonier than before. Weight loss in my feet wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.

Since I’ve tossed aside my Jenny plan, I have gained back 2 of those 7 pounds. In my head, I have reasoned that I will be better about toning my stomach, arms, butt, and back. So far this year, however, the efforts have been ALL in my head. I haven’t put in the energy required to bring sexy back.

The truth is that I need a “plan.” I’ve known this about myself for some time (years). I am motivated into action by my training plan. When I am in training for my running, I am also more conscious about my strength training.

As much as I know that the time has come to begin a new training plan, I am scared to step it up. I am afraid that my bony feet won’t be able to take the pounding. But I won’t know unless I try.

I think it is time to get serious about getting back into shape – MY shape (only better). If being in shape, in the select photos that I am brave enough to post, appear to be “hot” then great. A few flattering comments from “anonymous” can be motivating too.

Sick AND Tired

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BoBo is lying across the foot of the bed right now and driving me crazy. Hours ago, however, we were bonding as I drove him to, and later home from, Day 1 of Baseball Tryouts. *sigh* I was a nervous wreck (on the inside), and he was seeming to be calm. There were about 40+ kids trying out for 20 spots on the team.

The baseballs were flying from glove to glove when I tightened my laces and hit the road. I wasn’t feeling great, but I was refusing to say that I was “sick.” Among other issues, my stomach was in knots all day. I had no idea where to go on my run, but I thought that I would figure it out as I went.

Figuring it out as I went was basically what I was doing as I ran straight down a dead-end street. Within a few minutes, I made another wayward turn. I toured the neighborhood around the field before finding the main road. I was able to run for a couple of miles before the streets became too busy for comfortable, relaxed running.

I turned back towards the field knowing that, unless I doubled back through the neighborhoods, my run would be less than 4 miles. I had hoped for a 5 mile run, and wanted to cover 4 miles at a minimum. I ended up on the high school track for one mile.

I ran round and round, passing a couple of walkers, dodging kids playing on the track, and keeping an eye on the soccer game that was going on in the center field. It was good that I hadn’t had to run the whole time on the track. I felt like I was concentrating more on the surrondings than my running.

I returned to the van to stretch and watch the rest of tryouts. They finished up the fielding drills and began running sprints, doing sit-ups, and other drills. Even though I was pleased with my pace for today’s run, it suddenly didn’t even compare to the baseball workout.

I knew that BoBo would be tired, but I didn’t figure on me being too. I guess the reason why he is driving me so crazy might have more to do with me than him. Maybe I *am* sick. Now that I have run, I am sick AND tired.

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