RUN 10 miles in 1:37
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
With the 30 mile race on Saturday night, my run schedule is changed for the week. Instead of a 4+15+6 for the midweek Tues/Weds/Thurs, I'm doing 10 today and 15 tomorrow. Then resting Thursday. Since the race is Sat night, I'll do the 2nd 15-miler Friday morning to get the back-to-back effect. This is my first 70 mile week, I think ever!
I rolled out the door in the dark and loved the foggy misty effect. The city lights made the air glow a little. The air was warm and humid. Everything seemed so quiet...calm... As the sun came up, the sky was still gray. It made an oddly pretty effect against the pink and white flowers on the trees.
My goal was a steady, easy pace. Another goal was to avoid a straight up out-n-back run, I wanted something different! I managed that by going around CHRP, to TGP, around the MoBot, then looping back to Grand in TGP before going to Kings, then home. Ended with 10 just a few houses away.
The back felt great, no problems at all. I'm aware of how it's "poppy", like something is clicking around behind my shoulder blades. That's not new, it's been doing that. Something I noticed last summer while bike commuting. Not sure what it means though.
Great run!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Enjoy The Process
Rest day, BIKE COMMUTE only 6.4 miles
I'm one of those people that sees 'omens' in repeats of 3's. If something crosses my path 3 times, or if I think about it 3 times, or if I hear it 3 times, then I'll take notice. I don't think I'm unique in this, but I'm probably different in that I set the threshold to 3 and then take special delight in the realization of the pattern.
I had a realization after my 2nd 30 mile run last weekend -- that once I quit focusing on the distance, I'd forget where and when it was and settle into the run. Heck, I'd reached a point where even my 10 mile runs seemed so long in the first 3 miles, then time and distance faded away as I reached miles 5+. I learned that I was too focused on the numbers, doing too much mental math, and skipping over the enjoyment of the run and instead just logging miles. This reminded me of a podcast from a long run in which the speaker talked smartphone apps for to-do lists and habits that become about 'just another widget to crank'. That sounded like me, I have apps that remind me to do things and I happily check the box to say it's done. I sometimes get more pleasure from checking the box than I do performing the task.
On Saturday while running with TV I asked his advice on a question that's been sitting on my mind: I'd finish a 30 mile run and have an overwhelming feeling of "OMG that's barely a third of the race distance?!". My question was, how did he deal with that? He thought about it.. a lot longer than I thought he would...or at least it seemed that way... and here was the answer, paraphrased: he didn't focus on the mileage, the distance covered, or the distance remaining. Instead he focused on meeting other runners, seeing new points of the trail, taking it step by step. A typical TV answer. He doesn't seem to get worked up over anything :)
Then on Sunday I'm listening to another one of my podcasts, and the speaker talked about a favorite quote from her dad: Enjoy The Process. And *CLICK* I hit my threshold of 3: my personal realizations, TV's answer, and the quote.
In other words, stay in the moment. Quit looking back. Avoid peering forward. It's the journey, not the outcome. Focus on the story, not the happy ending. Etc etc etc...
Sounds so simple. Cliche. You read this on tea tags, Successory posters, self-help titles, etc etc etc...
And yet this is how I've been living lately -- one day at a time, one goal, one step, one widget. And just like starting a run and overcoming that mental math battle in the first few miles, I'm finding that each day is getting easier and easier.
I'm so much better about not perseverating on what could happen in my future. I don't mentally build arguments that haven't happened. I can turn off the negative self-talk that predominated my thoughts for so long.
I'm learning to live in the moment. To take a breath (aside from my ribs hurting) and feel the air moving into my lungs. I look for the bird that is singing instead of just hearing it above. I watch the sunrise change colors without looking at the clock. I see the cloud but focus instead on the silver lining.
I'm not piling work onto myself in a mad crazy frenzy. I'm not punishing myself with hard work, training, or goals. I'm learning to say 'no' instead of 'yes' when asked for something that doesn't work for me. I'm learning to say 'yes' to advice, dinner, and help.
I'm finding myself. And I like what I'm finding. The process has slowed down and now instead of life zipping by in a mad rush, I'm seeing each day for what it is. Another moment to live, another chance to make changes, another opportunity to listen to the whisper of rain.
I'm one of those people that sees 'omens' in repeats of 3's. If something crosses my path 3 times, or if I think about it 3 times, or if I hear it 3 times, then I'll take notice. I don't think I'm unique in this, but I'm probably different in that I set the threshold to 3 and then take special delight in the realization of the pattern.
I had a realization after my 2nd 30 mile run last weekend -- that once I quit focusing on the distance, I'd forget where and when it was and settle into the run. Heck, I'd reached a point where even my 10 mile runs seemed so long in the first 3 miles, then time and distance faded away as I reached miles 5+. I learned that I was too focused on the numbers, doing too much mental math, and skipping over the enjoyment of the run and instead just logging miles. This reminded me of a podcast from a long run in which the speaker talked smartphone apps for to-do lists and habits that become about 'just another widget to crank'. That sounded like me, I have apps that remind me to do things and I happily check the box to say it's done. I sometimes get more pleasure from checking the box than I do performing the task.
On Saturday while running with TV I asked his advice on a question that's been sitting on my mind: I'd finish a 30 mile run and have an overwhelming feeling of "OMG that's barely a third of the race distance?!". My question was, how did he deal with that? He thought about it.. a lot longer than I thought he would...or at least it seemed that way... and here was the answer, paraphrased: he didn't focus on the mileage, the distance covered, or the distance remaining. Instead he focused on meeting other runners, seeing new points of the trail, taking it step by step. A typical TV answer. He doesn't seem to get worked up over anything :)
Then on Sunday I'm listening to another one of my podcasts, and the speaker talked about a favorite quote from her dad: Enjoy The Process. And *CLICK* I hit my threshold of 3: my personal realizations, TV's answer, and the quote.
In other words, stay in the moment. Quit looking back. Avoid peering forward. It's the journey, not the outcome. Focus on the story, not the happy ending. Etc etc etc...
Sounds so simple. Cliche. You read this on tea tags, Successory posters, self-help titles, etc etc etc...
And yet this is how I've been living lately -- one day at a time, one goal, one step, one widget. And just like starting a run and overcoming that mental math battle in the first few miles, I'm finding that each day is getting easier and easier.
I'm so much better about not perseverating on what could happen in my future. I don't mentally build arguments that haven't happened. I can turn off the negative self-talk that predominated my thoughts for so long.
I'm learning to live in the moment. To take a breath (aside from my ribs hurting) and feel the air moving into my lungs. I look for the bird that is singing instead of just hearing it above. I watch the sunrise change colors without looking at the clock. I see the cloud but focus instead on the silver lining.
I'm not piling work onto myself in a mad crazy frenzy. I'm not punishing myself with hard work, training, or goals. I'm learning to say 'no' instead of 'yes' when asked for something that doesn't work for me. I'm learning to say 'yes' to advice, dinner, and help.
I'm finding myself. And I like what I'm finding. The process has slowed down and now instead of life zipping by in a mad rush, I'm seeing each day for what it is. Another moment to live, another chance to make changes, another opportunity to listen to the whisper of rain.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Hamburg with TH on Easter!
RUN 10 miles in 1:40 with TH on the Hamburg
So yesterday my left side hurt, today it didn't!? I feel great!
My gut finally expelled the last of the masa harina this morning. Sorry for the TMI. And finally I'm recovered from the corn. Last night I tested teff flour and no problems! Whoop!
Another very pretty day of sunshine, light winds, and fast warming temps. And it's Easter! This run felt so easy, quick, and fun. I miss running with TH. And I worry that I'm going to wear my friends out with my problems. This weekend I was so focused on my nutrition. I don't share too many details, but I do get talking about it. Gotta STOP!
Forgot to mention that Friday marked 100 days of No Monster! And that I got my new RoadID. And yesterday I bought a new watch to commemorate my 100 days!!
NUMERICS recovery week
RUN 39.8 miles in 6 hours 50 mins
BIKE COMMUTE 25.6
WALKIES 25 miles
and strength training 30' and 45'
and 15 mins of stretching all but one day
So yesterday my left side hurt, today it didn't!? I feel great!
My gut finally expelled the last of the masa harina this morning. Sorry for the TMI. And finally I'm recovered from the corn. Last night I tested teff flour and no problems! Whoop!
Another very pretty day of sunshine, light winds, and fast warming temps. And it's Easter! This run felt so easy, quick, and fun. I miss running with TH. And I worry that I'm going to wear my friends out with my problems. This weekend I was so focused on my nutrition. I don't share too many details, but I do get talking about it. Gotta STOP!
Forgot to mention that Friday marked 100 days of No Monster! And that I got my new RoadID. And yesterday I bought a new watch to commemorate my 100 days!!
NUMERICS recovery week
RUN 39.8 miles in 6 hours 50 mins
BIKE COMMUTE 25.6
WALKIES 25 miles
and strength training 30' and 45'
and 15 mins of stretching all but one day
Saturday, April 4, 2015
CCP trails with TV
RUN 10 miles in I think 2 hours
WALKIES 4.67, 3.5 in TGP with RM
There was a partial lunar eclipse this morning! I could only see a few mins of it, the moon was already setting behind the trees.
The back injury and rest week doubly spurred me to test more new foods. Although I knew corn was problematic, I wanted to really give it a fair shot.So Friday morning I ate a quarter cup of the masa harina (also ate quarter cup Thursday night). Most of the day Friday I had a "heavy" gut, kinda pained but more discomfort than pain. Like a weight was in my gut.
This sorta sorted it out in "business" Saturday morning before the run, but apparently not.
The day was gorgeous! Sunny, started cool but warmed up. TV was 95% healed. The trails were soft and smooth from the bikers. The downsides were my back and my gut.
The left side of my back was hurting!? I think I tweaked it during my 45 mins of strength training Friday morning? I kept that easy, slow crunches if any and minimal jarring and twisting. But today it hurt to take a deep breath. Not a focal pain, but a localized one: Low on the left side, I sometimes thought it was under the ribs but really it was right at the base of the ribs.
Was this a new injury? Tired muscles from the strength training yesterday? YIKES!
And my gut. I did OK until mile 7 or 8. My original plan was 8 miles, did I mentally check out when we hit that point? I kinda did, I think. But my gut didn't help any. For the last mile it was doing an audible 'plurp-plurp-plurb'. I could HEAR my gut?!?!?! Ugh, awful. Thankfully TV had taken off for his finish intervals.
Lots of gas after the run, but still very uncomfortable. But the run felt great.
WALKIES 4.67, 3.5 in TGP with RM
There was a partial lunar eclipse this morning! I could only see a few mins of it, the moon was already setting behind the trees.
The back injury and rest week doubly spurred me to test more new foods. Although I knew corn was problematic, I wanted to really give it a fair shot.So Friday morning I ate a quarter cup of the masa harina (also ate quarter cup Thursday night). Most of the day Friday I had a "heavy" gut, kinda pained but more discomfort than pain. Like a weight was in my gut.
This sorta sorted it out in "business" Saturday morning before the run, but apparently not.
The day was gorgeous! Sunny, started cool but warmed up. TV was 95% healed. The trails were soft and smooth from the bikers. The downsides were my back and my gut.
The left side of my back was hurting!? I think I tweaked it during my 45 mins of strength training Friday morning? I kept that easy, slow crunches if any and minimal jarring and twisting. But today it hurt to take a deep breath. Not a focal pain, but a localized one: Low on the left side, I sometimes thought it was under the ribs but really it was right at the base of the ribs.
Was this a new injury? Tired muscles from the strength training yesterday? YIKES!
And my gut. I did OK until mile 7 or 8. My original plan was 8 miles, did I mentally check out when we hit that point? I kinda did, I think. But my gut didn't help any. For the last mile it was doing an audible 'plurp-plurp-plurb'. I could HEAR my gut?!?!?! Ugh, awful. Thankfully TV had taken off for his finish intervals.
Lots of gas after the run, but still very uncomfortable. But the run felt great.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. - Bob Marley
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
Tea tag quote, fits the rainy day. Did my 45 mins of strength 'training' with thunder and rain rolling through. Luckily for me, it was gone by walkies and commute time :)
Not complaining about the rain, I don't mind it. But I'd rather not have a soggie doggie or get to work wet!
Tea tag quote, fits the rainy day. Did my 45 mins of strength 'training' with thunder and rain rolling through. Luckily for me, it was gone by walkies and commute time :)
Not complaining about the rain, I don't mind it. But I'd rather not have a soggie doggie or get to work wet!
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Slowed to run with new runner
RUN 7 miles, untimed
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
As per rest week goal, no Garmin. And as per another rest week goal, slow down and take it easy. We had a new runner this morning (Holly) who was joining us for the first time. We ran together and chatted, to my surprise we had a lot of common ground as regarding our personal lives, so it was good to hear her say a lot of what I'm thinking.
The run felt good, minor back discomfort. But don't get fooled into thinking it's healed!
Lots of rain on and off during the day, and to my luck my ride home was a soaker. I tried leaving work a few mins early but as it turns out if I had just waited another 20 mins or so I would have prolly just got some wheel splash only! Oh well. The rain is pretty, and WALKIES was dry.
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
As per rest week goal, no Garmin. And as per another rest week goal, slow down and take it easy. We had a new runner this morning (Holly) who was joining us for the first time. We ran together and chatted, to my surprise we had a lot of common ground as regarding our personal lives, so it was good to hear her say a lot of what I'm thinking.
The run felt good, minor back discomfort. But don't get fooled into thinking it's healed!
Lots of rain on and off during the day, and to my luck my ride home was a soaker. I tried leaving work a few mins early but as it turns out if I had just waited another 20 mins or so I would have prolly just got some wheel splash only! Oh well. The rain is pretty, and WALKIES was dry.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Easy 8 miler
RUN 8.1 miles in 1:20
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
I'm happily updating my "back pain log" with comments like 'minimal pain or discomfort'. And it's true! Aside from a general tight feeling and a general awareness of some right side pain, I mostly forget about it. I'm able to move, stretch, lift, etc, and not think about it.
That's not to say it's gone. I'm aware of it, but I'm not suffering from it.
Today's run goal was to keep it super easy. I finally turned off auto-pause on the garmin, and the miles tracked with that turned off were sub-10. While I'm dismayed that I seem slower than usual, when put into perspective I'm doing great!
On Monday I started another cue-routine-reward thing for when I get home. For god knows how long know I'd come home hungry and munch-munch a 'pre-dinner', then drag my ass out the door to walk the dog. Then I'd come home and munch-munch another dinner. All good foods, but usually eaten in a hurry, standing up, mindless. I'd upset my stomach! Now I'm eating the same foods, but sitting down and enjoying it. A bonus is that my mood is better! I noticed it yesterday, I'm calmer on the walk and afterwards. See if that continues. And NO TUMMY UPSET!
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
I'm happily updating my "back pain log" with comments like 'minimal pain or discomfort'. And it's true! Aside from a general tight feeling and a general awareness of some right side pain, I mostly forget about it. I'm able to move, stretch, lift, etc, and not think about it.
That's not to say it's gone. I'm aware of it, but I'm not suffering from it.
Today's run goal was to keep it super easy. I finally turned off auto-pause on the garmin, and the miles tracked with that turned off were sub-10. While I'm dismayed that I seem slower than usual, when put into perspective I'm doing great!
On Monday I started another cue-routine-reward thing for when I get home. For god knows how long know I'd come home hungry and munch-munch a 'pre-dinner', then drag my ass out the door to walk the dog. Then I'd come home and munch-munch another dinner. All good foods, but usually eaten in a hurry, standing up, mindless. I'd upset my stomach! Now I'm eating the same foods, but sitting down and enjoying it. A bonus is that my mood is better! I noticed it yesterday, I'm calmer on the walk and afterwards. See if that continues. And NO TUMMY UPSET!
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