Crunch Crunch Crunch Crunch

2:20:00 in 2010

I am on day 3 of 100 of my hopeful running streak. So far so good. I am following the plan for my

spring half marathon and am looking forward to each run. Knowing that I can just log in a 1 miler makes me feel good and I always end up going longer once I start out that door.

I have two goals for the Martian Half Marathon this year. First and foremost - enjoy the race! My second goal is time related. I want to go sub 2:30 this year, preferably at Martian. I would really like to end 2010 around 2:20. That would be a just under a 15 minute improvement over 2009. So enough of liking... I am setting my sights on a 2:20 2010.

The First Two Steps

It really is just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other at a rate of turnover which will help propel me to the finish line 13.1 miles away in a certain period of time. While every step counts... the first two steps, I feel, are most important. Not the first two steps of the race. No. The first two steps of training.

Once you have done that you pretty much just keep going. Good days. Bad days. These days will certainly happen. I hope for more of the good, but am prepared for whichever comes my way knowing that when things get bad the good is sure to follow. I also have to keep this as the reality check for when things are going stellar as to not to get too far ahead of myself and over train just because I feel good. That my friends is the recipe for burn out right there. Failing to follow the plan and forgetting that each and every run is a gift. Each and every run is a blessing.

I had a lot of thoughts on the run tonight, and I feel it only appropriate to share with you the latest edition of my TSJoR.

The Simple Joys of Running - January 12th, 2010 edition:

• I have found that when you run the same route a lot, your tracks become indistinguishable from those of your kin. My yak trax, his yak trax, those with small feet, that one guy with the huge feet, those running in the very identifiable Nike Shox with a dog companion... I see us all now, but by tomorrow we shall not be able to know who left which tracks.
• I love that each step leaves just as much of a mark on the earth as it does your soul.
• Running is a great way to self improve. I listen to some neat podcasts from NPR. I love that I can listen to a conversation while feeling my body fall into its rhythm.
• I enjoy exploring my new surroundings through running. I am able to connect with the streets I now call home. Personally, I feel that experiencing new places on foot is the best way to do it. I never knew how hilly Farmington Hills was until I ran it. Now I am seeing how flat Berkley is. For the first time in years I need to find hills to run!
• I see that training and nutrition go hand in hand. I want to eat better because it will only help my running, as well as keep me around longer to enjoy this life ahead of me.

Tracking the Yaks

May I just say that after less than 4 hours of sleep... I decided to go out for a nice little albeit cold run. And it felt wonderful!

Oh I struggled and needed to walk a few times, but it felt good. Sooooo good.


So I am bringing back the simple joys of running.

Simple joys of running, December 21st edition:

• Feeling the crunch of salt covered snow beneath your feet
• Feeling so alive as you are aware of every single breathe you take.. you feel it sear your lungs and you see it cloud out from your mouth. Your body is a machine and you see it in action on a level only visible in winter.
• Seeing the tracks of those a kin to you. We are a special family of people who in our solo treks leave a welcome and a wave in the path we leave behind us.
  

Simple Joys of Running

Yesterday I did 2 miles. Yeah!

Small victories people. Small victories. :o)

So here is the resurrection of the Simple Joys of Running post that I used to do back when I found the joy in running again. Since it is a new year, I feel that it is good to reflect on the JOYs of running, and not neccesarily the data.

Here are some Simple Joys of Running for today:

• Being able to hash out plans and scenarios while getting in a solid 2 miles.
• Not having to walk one step on the run!
• Knowing that you are doing something good for yourself by getting out the door.
• Stealing a little "me" time in a hectic world.
• Reflecting on how good life is - when you take the time to be grateful for what you have.
• Realizing that you have a LOT to be grateful for.
• Realizing that you love running. For realzy.

The downfall of my training in years past has been due to losing the love of the run. I know this to be fact. One day I will get back into the long distance races, but maybe I need to take a year of short sprints/oly's and 5K's to get the mojo a flowin' again. I took a look over my race schedule for this year (el Manifesto de Jenniferlyn) and I see that I am setting myself up for some major loss of enthusiasm. Too many races!

I want to pare it down a bit, but I will not decalre races as of yet. I think that I will play it by ear and see how this goes. Wow - what a great feeling, not having a crazy year of expectations - just doing it for the love of it!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

2.28 miles yesterday - 3 today!

Time for an update - and an appology!

I am so sorry Josh that I forgot to mention and congratulate you for running the Indy Mini! You did great, and I am proud of you! :)

So an update on the past few nights.

Hey, guess what? I AM BACK BABY!

Last night when I got home from work (which has become a source of major frustration for me by the way) I did a reasonable 2.28 miles. I am pretty happy because all of a sudden - I am running straight through. Not even a thought of walking. And when I finish - I finish strong and with many more miles in me.

This is a great feeling! Especially since I live on some pretty steep hills. I call my regular runs hill work - hidden hill training!

Today after the torrential downpours I went out for the same run - I was hoping for 2.28 miles, but I did something pretty cool for me. I turned down another street and completed 3.0 miles on the dot. Again, I finished strong and with reserved energy.

I am just getting my body used to running straight through again. I nixed the idea for now about run-walking the half. I will probably use this technique for the full 26.2 I am going to be doing in February 2008. I have never really been comfortable in the marathon, mainly due to my lack of training, and partly due to fear. This time I am preparing myself for the return of 26.2, and will be doing it whichever results in me completing it strong and with a smile on my face. ;)

Tomorrow is my 5-miler in Kennsington. I am pretty excited as this will be my longest run since the half-marathon in January. *Laughs* Umm... yeah.

So there you have it. I am now 2 weeks out from starting my official training, and have been able to get in some good base miles! I am so excited for 6/11 when I lace up for my official 3 miler.

This weekend marks Mike and I's 2 year anniversary. We celebrated last night by Mike suprising me and taking me to the place of our first date - Cafe Sushi in Troy, MI. :) We then went to Mixx Lounge for a nightcap. Awwww... I love that man. *blushes*

This weekend is the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (otherwise known as Movement), so Mike and I are heading down the Detroit tonight, and then again during Monday afternoon.

That is about it for now. I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend - being safe out there, and enjoying nature!

Happy Memorial weekend everyone!

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The Simple Joys of running part 6: Details.

My friend Christina posted the best bulletin up on MySpace today - it stresses the importance of learning how to pay attention to the little details.

Here is the bulletin for your enjoyment. A little gross - but a lot funny!

First-year students at Texas A&M's Vet School were receiving their first
anatomy class, with a real dead cow. They all gathered around the surgery
table with the body covered with a white sheet.

The professor started the class by telling them, "In Vet Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body.

For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck it in his mouth."Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.

The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes. But eventually took turns sticking a finger in the anal opening of the dead cow and sucking on it. When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and told them "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention."

Although humorous, this is a good life lesson in why we need to pay attention to the little things. Aside from the obvious nasty stuff - we need to also pay attention to our own bodies on that same miniscual level.

Through my workouts the past week I have gained a better awareness of my muscles. I do have some! I am listening to my body when it tells me that I need to either switch up or down weights for a set, or when it has had enough of a certain exercise.

The first trip to the gym this week I decided to really focus on strengthtraining in addition to my cardio of running 3 times a week. Out of the gate I was doing well on my arm exercises, averaging 45 lbs per exercise depending on the muscle group and type of exercise performed. I was doing 2 sets of 15 reps per exercise, with a 30 second break in between. I then moved on to legs... only to seize up my calf muscle so badly that it was rock hard and my foot atrophied.

Hey folks! I joined the over-exerted club!

I started out the workout on the track mind you - running week 3 of my C25K program so my calves were already a tender spot.

So what did I learn? That I was not listening to my body telling me that my calves had enough. I pushed through the set only to be stopped cold in the workout. I wrapped up with some ab work and a nice stretch.

Tuesday I did legs and to my amazement it went well. Added abs and lower back as well to round out the evening. I listenend to my hips, thighs, calves, hammies, and quads through every exercise making sure that I was doing approriate weights and reps.

Wednesday I took as a rest day, so when I hit the gym last night I was ready for arm work again. I was a little emotionally drained, so I did not run, but I got in a really great arm workout. My tris and bis are no longer sore, so I know that I listened well.

I also switched up how I worked out. I did 3 sets of 12 reps, and instead of breaking I worked opposing muscle groups in between - so I did 1 rep of 12 bicep curls, immediately followed by 1 set of 12 reps of tri extensions, then alternated between the two until I completed 3 sets of each.

Tonight is running and leg/ab/lower back work - so I will focus more on my thigh/hips than quad/ham/calves due to running.

I feel stronger each time, and I find that I am enjoying the feeling of earned soreness when I listen, as opposed to the earned pain when I don't!

I think we can take the lesson of paying attention to details to heart in every aspect of our lives. My job is highly dependant on me paying attention to not only the big picture, but every little detail along the way to assure that tasks are completed on point.

I am also taking this pay attention to details thing into my eating as well. Not just by counting those points, but also in varying my food items to see which work best for me. Can I feel as full off of 1 point of dairy as I would off of 1 point of vegetables (for those veggies that have points that is!)? I am still finding that out - what will work for my body.

So today kids take a kind lesson - pay attention to the details in your life otherwise you may end up eating cow poo. ;)