Winter?

4.58 K @ 7'53

Today was a meh jog. I was actually getting my second wind closer to the end of the run and probably could have kept going but I have a lot on my plate so my mere 36 minutes was all I could devote. Speaking of wind...It was incredibly winy out there today. With the sand, salt and pebbles left from the melting snow there was some debris blowing in my face that I had to contend with today. I'd just close my eyes and mouth and wait for the prickling feeling to stop before watching for the next wave of dirt to come towards me.

Today is incredibly warm for the season. This winter has depressed me. I had lots of stuff planned that I wanted to do and really, haven't been able to do any of it. I also prefer running in cooler temperatures. I feel healthier doing it, somehow. I sweat less, I feel like I have more endurance. Plus it doesn't make me think about climate change. 

"Through Running I Found Athleticism...

but I've realized that, more important, I found strength." Claire Kowalchik

4.82 K @ 7'24

With that 7'24 pace time closes my first week since I started running again that I ran under 8 for the entire week.  I had an amazing run tonight. With my crazy busy schedule this week I didn't have time to run yesterday and I really REALLY waffled over going tonight after a long, busy day but after a nap I decided that I may as well go for it. This blog and you, dear reader, have really made me accountable.

It was a chilly -4 but felt like -10. Apparently that's what my body likes. I felt SO GOOD out there. I didn't even want to look at my pace time. I just felt amazing. I didn't even care if I WAS going over 8 it was all so right. I managed to get my layers just right and wasn't at all chilled. As a result of my perceived speed I decided for the first time to focus a bit on form.

With my new job being at a call centre I am sitting on a computer for 8 hours. I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders to begin with so , sitting staring at a monitor with my arms at a keyboard doesn't help the situation. When I run I find that my shoulders migrate up to my earlobes. Having read a bit about running this week (my new job affords a lot of time for reading as well, as I often finish "reads" and tests quickly...I HAVE been in school for 23 years), I read that, similar to yoga you're supposed to do that whole head attached to a string pulling up thing. So that's what I did, plus ensured that my upper body stayed relaxed. I have no idea what I looked like but it felt all right. Especially my relaxed arms, they felt better than my usual clenched fists and tightly bent arms.

I tend to take a do what my body tells me approach to running, again. No idea if that's what one's supposed to do, or what the heck I look like when I'm out there. I hope people notice the smile on my face rather then the shuffling that I feel my feet do.

In the Zone

4.52 k @ 7'42

Today's run felt really good. I actually was exhausted when I finished. I could have sworn I ran farther than that. As previously mentioned as I jog I often ponder the topic of my blog as I move along. Today I didn't have a topic by the end of my run. I was really just feeling the run and didn't even really pay attention to my music. Normally I spend a lot of time shuffling through songs to find just the right song while I'm out. I can tell when I'm really concentrating on my run when I don't even know what song is playting.

I was on my least favourite route because it's a gradual uphill on the way back and then there's a brief steep uphill on my last block. I was TIRED today on the way back. So I guess to answer my pondery in the last blog about pushing myself and how innate it is was answered. For me, it's partially automatic.

I'm getting closer to the 5 K marker. Soon I will be there again, my race is going to be here before I know it. I was happy that my time was under 8 minutes it's a good sign for race day.

“You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.”

4.52 K @ 7'38/k

I came across the title of this entry the other day. I'm not really a motivational quote kind of person but this one stuck out to me. When I jog I know that I can push myself harder and don't. I have this thing where I'm afraid I'm gonna run out of gas and I'd rather do a 5 K in 40 minutes than 3 in 20. When I go I often think "at least I'm doing something" When I talk to others they say well at least you're out there, I don't do anything. When is just doing it not enough anymore?

I'm a recreational runner. I know I'm never gonna be a competitive runner. I do it because I enjoy it. Yes, I like it when my pace times decrease. Yes, I like it when I see the kilometres rack up. But, should I be pushing myself more? I think it's a personal choice. After I had run in the 5 K race in May there were several compounding issues that made me just absolutely unable to run. My body would NOT do it. At that point I'd say that an "at least I'm doing it" mentality would have been acceptable.

I'm just stuck right now trying to decide if I should get out of this self congratulatory behaviour when I could do more, but I am getting out there...and that IS good. I'm hoping that I'll just become more results oriented and driven naturally once I start picking up the pace more consistently.

New Schedule

34 minutes at 8'08 = 4.21k

Hiya, I know this one's posted a day late for all my avid readers (haha). Today's runs was one of those that I just did for the sake of doing, I didn't exactly enjoy it.

I started a job this week and am training for it from 4pm to midnight. I am not a morning person and often used to run at night. Clearly, this was no longer an option. I wondered if I would still be able to stick to a schedule with my new hours of operation. I successfully did it. Even making it to the gym one day for a cycling workout. I even did my sun salutations in public while there. I also tried aqua zumba today. So fun. I wouldn't really consider it a huge cardio workout but really really fun!

Back to running though, I really try to do it Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because you should get 30 minutes of cardio a day. I used to run 3 days on one off then another 3. I've started to incorporate other forms or cardio exercise into my routine because I also would like to do that try-a-tri. I've noticed that I'm not progressing as quickly with my running in speed than I was when I was running more frequently. I do however, find that I am exercising with more frequency and regularity.

Last week I'd gotten into a discussion with my brother about fitting exercise into your day. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada to stay fit you should:

Be active at least 2.5 hours a week to achieve health benefits.

---

Focus on moderate to vigorous aerobic activity throughout each week, broken into sessions of 10 minutes or more.

---

Get stronger by adding activities that target your muscles and bones at least two days per week.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/07paap-eng.php

It's REALLY not that much. If I could go from 0 minutes of activity to about 3.5 a week, in two months, take it from me it's not bad and easy to do. I like writing this blog because I literally did NOTHING for a long time exercise wise and now I feel like I am moderately active. Back to the discussion with my bro (who I love dearly). He's a chef and works long hours and spends a lot of time on his feet. He was saying how tired he was and doesn't feel like working out after those long difficult days. I don't blame him at all. I did point out that it can be broken up into 10 minute segments, so his walk to the gym could be considered his warm up, do some weight training and then walk home as a cool down to save time. Or do something at home. I find that that is often something I have to do and I refer to various youtube videos or dvds from the library to do so.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's really easy to fit into any schedule as long as you find something that you enjoy doing. I know I say that again and again but it's true that everyone has their "thing" they just need to figure out what it is.

One last item, I've now gotten hits from Russia and have 6 readers there. Interesting.

Happy (long, for some) weekend!

"Running for enjoyment is God's way of saying you have too much time on your hands"- Shameless UK

4.26 @ 7'31- Nice to be under 8 again.

I had a really great go today. Ran the furthest I had in a long time at a pace I was absolutely content with.

Over the past couple of months I've been getting some nice compliments about my appearance. Yesterday I bumped into a friend from high school and she told me that I had lost weight and looked good. She then asked how I did it... Well, a couple years ago, I would have told her that I was sick and lost a bunch of weight, which was absolutely the case. I did nothing whatsoever to affect my weight other than harbour a faulty pancreas. When I moved home and became less sick with Dank, I obviously put some weight back on (not all of it but 2/3). I then got Diabetes and whether it be the Diabetes itself or the fact that I've altered my eating habits, I again lost weight. Then gained it again. And I'm not talking 2 or 3 pounds my weight can  fluctuate by 10 pounds over a month. The thing is, I don't notice weight loss on myself, nor do I step on a scale unless I know I'm going to my doctor cuz she'll ask. Sometimes if someone comments that I had lost weight I'll check, but not unless it's someone I see on a regular basis.

The thing is, I accept the compliments, I like getting them, but for the first time ever, I attribute them to the fact that I've committed to exercise. I picked up doing yoga pretty much daily and running 3 times a week. Dank hasn't bothered me for a while with any significant pain (KNOCK WOOD), and I'm just feeling healthy. I think that's the difference people are seeing in me.

I loved the reaction from my high school chum when I attributed my lighter physique to running. She shook her head and asked how I did it. Really, it was so gradual with me. Using the Running Room Learn to Run program was key. It helped me build up endurance. Even now, I am again returning to running and doing so gradually, building up time and distance. I also know that I should not be killing myself by running as fast as I possibly can right off the bat. If I did that of course I wouldn't enjoy running. I'm not saying that it's for everyone. It is for me, though. I like it, I smile while doing it and now, I myself and others are seeing the benefits of it. It's so wonderful how easy it is to gain further motivation to exercise once you start in.

Precious

Heya, I had an abbreviated run today. I noticed a short distance in that my phone(Precious) was no longer in my pocket. So I did a slow walk back to my place to see if it was there, in case I missed a red phone in the snow, the Bobcat (snowplow, not animal) that shortly followed was sure to have destroyed it. I called it and used my Blackberry protect to see if someone had rescued it but it wasn't on. If it was in my house it would be on. So it's gone. I guess you have to make sure electronic devices are secured before heading out for a run. That is my advice. Also, if anyone has a Blackberry please let me know ASAP. Thanks.