Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
new shoes
It was my first time in a Fleet Feet store and it was a great first experience. They use old running bibs as your 'waiting in line' numbers instead of the pull numbers that you grab at a deli. After waiting for about 30 minutes (and Ross getting multiple stares due to his intense medical pictures in his book that he was studying from), it was my turn. My shoe guy, Marcus, measured my feet and we found out that my right one is a half size bigger than my left, which wasn't new news to me. Marcus brought out their 'test shoes' that have no support at all and then asked me to run on a treadmill that they have set up in the store. While I was running, he videotaped my feet to see how I actually land on each foot with every step. We noticed that there was a definite roll inwards of both my feet when landing, so I would need a shoe with moderate support. I tried on three different shoes and I ran in each pair. I decided to go with the Asics since they felt the most natural to me while running. I am hoping to test them out for the first time tonight after work. Looking forward to it, as long as my knee holds up.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
1 mile = pain
My plan was to run 4 miles yesterday.
When it came down to it -- I ended up running only one and my knee was aching the whole time. I was meeting my friend Ang for dinner so I decided to run out near her place in a forest preserve. I parked my car, wrapped my knee, and headed out. Along the way I saw at least 7 cars with middle-aged men (who were alone) just sitting in their cars. It was a bit creepy. I also saw a deer, which was much less creepy. Ahh -- the beauty of running in a forest preserve and not east on 18th among the trash and broken asphalt.
Looking ahead: I am going to swim tomorrow for a low impact workout and I am considering not running the 6 miles this weekend, which would be incredibly disappointing, but might be worth it in the end.
When it came down to it -- I ended up running only one and my knee was aching the whole time. I was meeting my friend Ang for dinner so I decided to run out near her place in a forest preserve. I parked my car, wrapped my knee, and headed out. Along the way I saw at least 7 cars with middle-aged men (who were alone) just sitting in their cars. It was a bit creepy. I also saw a deer, which was much less creepy. Ahh -- the beauty of running in a forest preserve and not east on 18th among the trash and broken asphalt.
Looking ahead: I am going to swim tomorrow for a low impact workout and I am considering not running the 6 miles this weekend, which would be incredibly disappointing, but might be worth it in the end.
Monday, April 13, 2009
the knee that could
Our before shot:
just keep running, just keep running, just keep running running running...
This was my mantra for Saturday's run with James. I was feeling really good for the run before we left. I woke up early, had a great breakfast, and even got some reading in before we left. However, as soon as we started I knew it wasn't going to be good. We ran in the city again, however we got stopped by far less lights this time (the first half anyways) than last weekend.
I was keeping up with Jamie's pace for the first mile plus change, which is no easy venture. Jamie has been running incredible times lately -- a 10 minute mile is her average now. I am still just under 12, which I am completely happy with. Slow and steady wins the race is my motto. Once I hit mile 2, my knee was hurting and it was not about to let up. My right knee has been in the slightest amount of pain since the Shuffle -- some days it is fine, others not so much. I felt like the run back from the halfway point was less difficult than on the way there. Maybe it was because I knew I would be home soon. Although I did want to stop running and just walk the rest of the way at one point, but my knee and a little bit of willpower kept me going, so I struggled through and ran the damn 5 miles in pain. I was pretty proud of myself and my knee that I hung in there and fought it out.
Did I mention I was overheating starting in mile 2 as well? When I hit 2.5miles (Jackson and Michigan), I had to ditch my long sleeve shirt and run soccer mom style with the shirt tied around my waist. I was getting some crazy looks from tourists who were bundled up in their winter coat, gloves, and a scarf while I trotted by in a sleeveless shirt. It was 35 and sunny -- sleeveless is completely acceptable in Chicago!
I went to Target later that evening and bought myself a wrap bandage, which I shall be trying out later this week when I find time to run again.
Looking forward to: The CD with new tunes Jamie is burning me!
just keep running, just keep running, just keep running running running...This was my mantra for Saturday's run with James. I was feeling really good for the run before we left. I woke up early, had a great breakfast, and even got some reading in before we left. However, as soon as we started I knew it wasn't going to be good. We ran in the city again, however we got stopped by far less lights this time (the first half anyways) than last weekend.
I was keeping up with Jamie's pace for the first mile plus change, which is no easy venture. Jamie has been running incredible times lately -- a 10 minute mile is her average now. I am still just under 12, which I am completely happy with. Slow and steady wins the race is my motto. Once I hit mile 2, my knee was hurting and it was not about to let up. My right knee has been in the slightest amount of pain since the Shuffle -- some days it is fine, others not so much. I felt like the run back from the halfway point was less difficult than on the way there. Maybe it was because I knew I would be home soon. Although I did want to stop running and just walk the rest of the way at one point, but my knee and a little bit of willpower kept me going, so I struggled through and ran the damn 5 miles in pain. I was pretty proud of myself and my knee that I hung in there and fought it out.
Did I mention I was overheating starting in mile 2 as well? When I hit 2.5miles (Jackson and Michigan), I had to ditch my long sleeve shirt and run soccer mom style with the shirt tied around my waist. I was getting some crazy looks from tourists who were bundled up in their winter coat, gloves, and a scarf while I trotted by in a sleeveless shirt. It was 35 and sunny -- sleeveless is completely acceptable in Chicago!
I went to Target later that evening and bought myself a wrap bandage, which I shall be trying out later this week when I find time to run again.
Looking forward to: The CD with new tunes Jamie is burning me!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
5er again!!!!!
Sam and I did our second 5 miler on Saturday morning. Ok, it's hilarious how different Sam and I are...by the time we got to our halfway point and were turning around, I was pretty chilly and really could have used some gloves and Sam was just about to pass out from heat stroke. Crazy.
This long run was another good feeling run for me. I was telling Sam later that day that last time we trained, I would get nervous before each long run. And now, it's no big deal to me. Next Saturday we're doing 6 miles and that's exciting to me to take it on, not intimidating in the least. We're doing the forest preserve, which we haven't done yet this training season and it's going to be awesome. Whoo hoo!!! Forest preserve!!!!
Sam? Your thoughts??
This long run was another good feeling run for me. I was telling Sam later that day that last time we trained, I would get nervous before each long run. And now, it's no big deal to me. Next Saturday we're doing 6 miles and that's exciting to me to take it on, not intimidating in the least. We're doing the forest preserve, which we haven't done yet this training season and it's going to be awesome. Whoo hoo!!! Forest preserve!!!!
Sam? Your thoughts??
Saturday, April 4, 2009
2nd run together!!!!
I would just like to start off saying that I'm SOOOOOO proud of Sam for doing the Shuffle last week, especially in that terrible weather. If I had been signed up, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have immediately tried to bail, then guilted myself into running it with Sam, bitched the whole time about the weather, and basically ruined the whole experience for everyone. Running a race is an amazing feat in itself. Running the whole race is stupendous. Running the whole race when the weather is absolute shit is godly. You're the best Sam!!!!
Today, we ran a 5 miler together. I went to Sam's to do it. It starts and finishes with a hill, damnit!!!! It was a good run. It's weird to do someone else's course and not know where you're going and about how long it takes to get there. It was tough on the first half for me to really get into it because I couldn't visualize how much further I had to go until it was time to turn around and run back. And, I'm used to running in the 'burbs and avoiding streetlights. The stopping and starting was weird to get used to as well. But in the end, we finished the run, we didn't stop for anything except cars, and we even managed to talk during some of it!
I keep thinking to myself how much better the training is going to be for this halfer and so far, it has been. Last training, there would have been no way in hell Sam and I could have spoken a word to each other. Plus, we push each other to keep going-it's much easier to stay motivated when you know your running partner isn't giving up. I'm really excited this time around. It feels great and I'm ready for the harder runs to start coming (basically, everything after 5 is going to be a bitch to do). :)
~James
A picture of us after the 5 miles (added by Sam)!
Today, we ran a 5 miler together. I went to Sam's to do it. It starts and finishes with a hill, damnit!!!! It was a good run. It's weird to do someone else's course and not know where you're going and about how long it takes to get there. It was tough on the first half for me to really get into it because I couldn't visualize how much further I had to go until it was time to turn around and run back. And, I'm used to running in the 'burbs and avoiding streetlights. The stopping and starting was weird to get used to as well. But in the end, we finished the run, we didn't stop for anything except cars, and we even managed to talk during some of it!
I keep thinking to myself how much better the training is going to be for this halfer and so far, it has been. Last training, there would have been no way in hell Sam and I could have spoken a word to each other. Plus, we push each other to keep going-it's much easier to stay motivated when you know your running partner isn't giving up. I'm really excited this time around. It feels great and I'm ready for the harder runs to start coming (basically, everything after 5 is going to be a bitch to do). :)
~James
A picture of us after the 5 miles (added by Sam)!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
the shamrock shuffle
Outside the apartment...the first thing I saw when I woke up the morning of the Shuffle!
I ran my first race! I completed the Shamrock Shuffle (an 8K or 5 miles) on March 29 in just under an hour. The details...
Mile 1: My feet were completely soaked in the first minute of actual running. The road was completely covered in slush and snow, but I started off strong and ended up behind a group of three in green who were keeping a consistent pace, so I decided to stay with them. Wardrobe issues (i.e. pants) were already a problem.
Mile 2: Typically mile 2 is the difficult one for me. Even if I am not looking at the time or calculating how many blocks I have already run, I can tell when I am running mile 2. It was no different this time.
Mile 3: Grabbed a cup of Gatorade and tried to drink it while still running and failed. Side pains started creeping up, but a group of four people on the side of the road with a sign that said 'You can do it' kept me going. I actually started crying (yes as I was running) because I felt so proud that I was actually running a race. It was really heartbreaking last November when Jamie and I didn't run, so I was just thrilled to be doing what I set out to do.
Mile 4: I felt like I was moving at a turtle's pace. I lost the three in green and my knees were hurting, but I decided I was going to do this if I got this far so I shed my hat, gloves, and ear warmers and immediately regained energy. Clearly, overheating and me do not work well together.
Mile 5: I started seeing runners who had already finished and they were cheering us on, so I was dead set on finishing this thing running until we rounded Roosevelt and started going uphill. I am not sure who designs the course, but really uphill at the end? Not a good idea. After climbing the hill, I could see the finish line and knew this race was mine. I felt I finished strong although I was way too hot and in pain.
Here are some pictures from the day...
Just under a 12 minute mile...
My fans...
Contemplating life or why I decided to run in this crazy weather...
Overall: I was a little bummed that I didn't run with my partner in crime for my first race, but I am pretty sure Jamie would have hated the weather and running in it, so it might have been for the best. It was a good race since I ran the entire thing in the time I wanted!
Song that got me through: Alan Jackson's Boot Scootin Boogie.
Note to self: Overdressing is never a good thing. Wear less clothes.
I ran my first race! I completed the Shamrock Shuffle (an 8K or 5 miles) on March 29 in just under an hour. The details...
Mile 1: My feet were completely soaked in the first minute of actual running. The road was completely covered in slush and snow, but I started off strong and ended up behind a group of three in green who were keeping a consistent pace, so I decided to stay with them. Wardrobe issues (i.e. pants) were already a problem.
Mile 2: Typically mile 2 is the difficult one for me. Even if I am not looking at the time or calculating how many blocks I have already run, I can tell when I am running mile 2. It was no different this time.
Mile 3: Grabbed a cup of Gatorade and tried to drink it while still running and failed. Side pains started creeping up, but a group of four people on the side of the road with a sign that said 'You can do it' kept me going. I actually started crying (yes as I was running) because I felt so proud that I was actually running a race. It was really heartbreaking last November when Jamie and I didn't run, so I was just thrilled to be doing what I set out to do.
Mile 4: I felt like I was moving at a turtle's pace. I lost the three in green and my knees were hurting, but I decided I was going to do this if I got this far so I shed my hat, gloves, and ear warmers and immediately regained energy. Clearly, overheating and me do not work well together.
Mile 5: I started seeing runners who had already finished and they were cheering us on, so I was dead set on finishing this thing running until we rounded Roosevelt and started going uphill. I am not sure who designs the course, but really uphill at the end? Not a good idea. After climbing the hill, I could see the finish line and knew this race was mine. I felt I finished strong although I was way too hot and in pain.
Here are some pictures from the day...
Just under a 12 minute mile...
My fans...
Contemplating life or why I decided to run in this crazy weather...
Overall: I was a little bummed that I didn't run with my partner in crime for my first race, but I am pretty sure Jamie would have hated the weather and running in it, so it might have been for the best. It was a good race since I ran the entire thing in the time I wanted!
Song that got me through: Alan Jackson's Boot Scootin Boogie.
Note to self: Overdressing is never a good thing. Wear less clothes.
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