oooouch. and an adjustment.

Sometimes when I run, my leg dies. My right leg, it dies. It feels dead. I was almost done with my 5 mile run on Sunday when it happened. It usually happens when I run. It just gets a dull pain up and down my whole leg, and the only way I can describe it is to say it feels dead.

I think I am committing the #1 cardinal sin of beginner runners: I'm doing too much too soon. When I started doing the 12 week training program, it had a little "demo" week (totalling about 19 miles) that I should be able to run comfortably for 4-5 weeks before starting this program. I can't run that much. Also, when I run on the treadmill, I think I have the speed set too high. I need to run a little slower.

So, I'm backing off the miles a little bit. I'm sort of meshing together two training programs that I've seen. Both have me running close to the same amount of miles in a week, but one schedule has 3 rest days scheduled instead of just 2. So I'm compromising and running at least one recovery or easy run in the middle of the week.

I think if I can build up my long run to 10 miles, I will be fine on the day of the half marathon. So, along with my husband (a longtime runner and track and cross country coach), I am tweaking my running schedule just a bit.

My leg dies more often towards the end of my running week. I want to stick to the schedule, but I also don't want to hurt myself. This is very tricky.

my iPod is too emo.

I love running with my new iPod nano and its armband, seeing as how my old nano went the way of getting caught in a treadmill and being bent to smithereens because I had no armband and my hand caught it while I was running and flipped it off the little treadmill tray right into the jaws of the machine. However, the armband is also kind of a curse. It's really awkward to have to reach across my chest while I'm running to change it to the next song. Especially if song after song isn't a good one to run to because it's slow and dreary. Thus I came to this conclusion: my iPod is too emo.

I was 2 miles into my run tonight before I finally came to a song that was upbeat enough to actually make me want to run a bit quicker or feel a bit more pumped up. Up until then I either just listened to the song that came on because I was sick of reaching across and changing it, or I reached across time after time and came to lame song after lame, sad, emo song hoping that the next one will be something fun.

I made a running playlist over the summer that had only songs that were upbeat and fast paced. But... I got bored of those songs because, well, they were the ones I listened to every time I ran. In the same order.

I've got a new idea. I think I am going to actually clear out my iPod and leave only good running songs on there. Then, I'm going to actually use my iTunes gift cards and buy some great music and continue to buy great music up until the half marathon. By then I should have enough songs to listen to on shuffle that I won't get too bored and can trust that each song that comes up will be decent and not sad and mopey.

I need suggestions.

that damn fan!

And I don't mean someone who really likes me! 

At the gym, there is a line of treadmills in front of a huge mirror. I like running in front of the mirror because then I can see what everyone is doing in the gym behind me and I can get in some great people watching. My other option is to run looking directly into a white wall or the single flat screen TV that just plays the news or baseball games. My gym isn't very high-tech.

So, in front of the mirror. Now, over to the right of all the treadmills, there is a huge fan. Sometimes someone will push this fan so it is not blowing directly on them and the five other treadmill goers beside them thus allowing them to do... oh what is it called? Oh yeah! Sweat. Don't get me wrong people, I like a light breeze, but this is like standing in front of one of those wind tunnel machines. During the summer, it's slightly more tolerable. But when it's 4 degrees outside and I'm wearing shorts and a tank top, it's very hard for me to ever get warm. Even if I'm running for an extended period of time.

That's what happened last night. This lady, who was holding onto the treadmill (one of my pet peeves - you don't get a good workout when you hold on!) and kept her eyes down the entire time, had the fan on and blowing directly on her. I mean, her bangs were blowing in the wind and the fan couldn't have been more than 10 inches from her face. Ugh!!! I tried to get on a treadmill that was farthest from the breeze, but it was no use. Ten minutes into my run I was still freezing and my hands were ice. Oh, and did I mention there is a small built in fan on every treadmill? Hey lady, just use that! 

She finally got off the treadmill. I turned to the guy walking next to me and asked if he would mind if I turned the fan away. Thankfully he said for me to go ahead, and I was able to get in a workout where I was actually able to sweat and get warm. 

If people want to be cold while they work out, hello, it's winter. Go outside! That damn fan is one of my biggest pet peeves in life. I hate that fan.

out of town

I was in Chicago this weekend. I need to stay there for longer than a day and a half, I need to see more people while I'm there (Josh I'm talking to you!).

But anyway, while I was there, I was able to go for a run on Saturday at the gym with my friend, Kris. This gym is amazing, it puts Leisure World to shame. 

I missed my long run this weekend though. It was 6 miles, but I didn't get a chance to run it. I couldn't run outside, it was like -2 in Chicago. I didn't have a chance to go to the gym because we had to start shooting our movie. I hope it won't hurt me too much. I definitely cannot make a habit out of missing my long runs, they're scheduled in to help me build up endurance. 

I'm trying not to freak out to much about missing that run,but I do feel bad. Oh well, I'll pick it up next week, right?

titular line

I hurt all over. All over.

This running stuff is crazy! I ran outside yesterday for the first time, as you know, and my legs are freaking killing me. My quadriceps are killing me and my knees are a little sore, along with my hips.


Dear concrete,

Thanks a lot.

Love, Kate


Screw BFL, this running stuff is crazy! I hurt way worse after my third day of training than I have all 12 weeks of BFL.

But don't worry about me. This is all part of it. Yes, I have good shoes. No, I'm not doing more than I can handle. The run last night was actually really nice, and running four miles wasn't really a problem, it was the cold and dark that was hardest to work through.

The good news is, I'm still really excited about training! I super stoked for warmer weather, longer days, and longer runs!

Fine, I'll do it!

Well, I just got back from a four mile run. OUTside! Yay! It was actually really nice. Very peaceful... well, except for all the cars. But one time I turned down a side street and it got really quiet and I could actually hear my feet hit the ground. Pretty nice. By the time I was finished with the run I wasn't cold at all and felt pretty great. 

Ok, so, now I know I can do it. From now on, except for snow days, I'll try my best to get at least a couple of runs a week outside.

fartlek.

It's a real word, I swear. And it has nothing to do with farting. ...or Ikea furniture.

A fartlek is essentially a speed interval that can, for a beginning runner, last anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. An advanced runner might have 20-30 minute fartlek intervals.

I ran four miles last night! It was my "fartlek" day and I'm happy to say I made it through alive.

One thing I'm kind of worried about is that right now I'm running on a treadmill. Which is ok, but not great. I ran four miles last night at a controlled pace at a controlled incline. If I had to run four miles outside in the cold with hills and slopes, I don't know if I would have been able to do it. But when I get home from work, it's starting to get dark.

Mostly I think I just need to take the time to map out a course or two around town. I just don't like the idea of running outside in the dark. There aren't a lot of streetlights around town unless I stay on main roads. When I run on those roads, I get honked and hooted at so by the time I'm done with what should be a stress-relieving run I'm actually really annoyed and I just want to catch up with the honkers and shove their heads through a car window.

first day!

Today is the first day of my half marathon training, and boy am I tired.

Today is my rest day!

Mondays and Fridays are my rest days from running. So my day today consists of me doing absolutely nothing. Tough, I know. But tomorrow I start off with a cool 4 mile run that makes me a little bit scared. And eventually I want to start lifting some weight too, but I don't want to exhaust myself or my body and possibly get hurt. It's going to be a bit of a tango figuring out how to train for the half, but I'm ready for it. 

Today I do, however, start eating the BFL way again. Bummer. It's okay though, I said goodbye to my days off by eating at Red Robin last night. I had a cheeseburger with bacon and a fried egg on top! Delish, but I think my heart is a little mad at me today.

blah.

I'm in my second week off of Body For Life and I feel like crap. There's no order! It's chaos! I haven't been grocery shopping in probably two weeks! Which, before BFL, was pretty common at our house so it's easy to see how we slipped into such terrible eating habits. We go out to eat all the time, we don't eat on a regular basis, and especially since I've been "deprived" of really good junk food for 12 weeks, it's really easy to let myself eat the unhealthy stuff at restaurants.

So! That being said. I'm very ready to get back on some kind of 12 week program. Not 12 step, 12 week. My half marathon training starts on Monday, and I plan on starting to eat the BFL way again too.

Here is my concern with the half marathon training: I have to run 13.1 miles! I have to be even more diligent with my training. What I mean is, with BFL, if I couldn't work out one or two days it was like no big deal. With the half marathon, if I don't run for a couple days, I could really screw myself. This isn't just "I want to get back in shape," this is "If I don't run on a schedule and do what they say, I could really hurt myself. Really." 13.1 miles!

So, pray for me, people. I feel like this half marathon will be a really great challenge and a step up from BFL. I'm excited! I'm also ready to get back in the gym and grocery store and out of McDonald's.


Mmmm, McDonald's.

finals!

Before - October 7, 2007...

weight: 117.5 lbs.

chest: 34"

waist: 29"

hips: 36"

biceps: 11"

thighs: 22"

calves: 14"

After - December 30, 2007... (12 weeks later!)

weight: 109

chest: 33"
waist: 26.5"
hips: 33"
biceps: 10"
thighs: 21"
calves: 13"

That's it! I can't believe it's over. It went by so fast. Now I almost feel lost without the structure and regimen. It feels good to take a little time off, but I'm already ready to get started with my half marathon training (also 12 weeks long). But for now I'm working on getting my photos made, writing my essay for the BFL Challenge, and trying my best to win $50,000!

Thanks to everyone for reading my blog and giving me loads of encouragement and support. Body for Life was a super realistic program that I truly believe anyone who wants to do it can and will succeed. But you have to want to do it! It goes by really fast, you see results so quickly, and it's just easy! Read the book or just use the website, I'm here for anyone who wants to give it a go.

Thanks again, and keep reading as I start my marathon training! Happy 12 weeks!