April or Bust

I had some goals for March. I didn't make a lot of them.

By Eirik Newth  [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This might come as a surprise, given my sometimes-slacker 'tude and occasional failure to remember things, but it really bothers me when that happens. I don't like falling short. And that's sort of what I did, both in training and writing.


For training, I completed the National Half, but I was unhappy with my preparation and performance - more on that when I do the race report. 


For NaNoEdMo, I will be happy if I log 25 hours before the end of the month. It is not possible for me to finish 50 hours between now and then and remain sane. 


On the bright side...


I ran all 13.1 miles of National Half with virtually no knee pain. This is a vast improvement from three weeks ago. I will find another half to do in a few months and try for my goal time then. And until then, I will focus April on building strength, and building mileage in a way that does not re-aggravate my ITB.


For NaNoEdMo, much of the time I didn't spend editing, I spent either writing or reading. I don't consider this wasted time at all. It just means I will need to build editing time into April so I can make progress on this novel.

"Silver Lining" By ImUnicke (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Luck of the Irish

I'm not sure what it is - maybe sleep deprivation by DST - but I've had two semi-close-calls with vehicles on my early morning runs this week, which are almost always through neighborhoods. (it's not really a wise idea to run on the paths after dark.)

Please don't tell my mother.

This morning was actually a little scary. A sedan was driving on a smaller residential street that terminates at Great Star Drive. We were running across said space. Instead of slowing to stop, the car kept right on rolling. A quicker-of-mind running companion put his arm out quickly to stop me, and the car stopped pretty much where we would have been.

Lucky, right? I knew March 17 had something going for it.

Appropriate hand gestures (not the rude ones, surprisingly) were made on both sides.

I will also add that it was light outside (maybe around 7:00-ish, the sun was mostly up), we were a cluster of five runners (so more visible), and while I hadn't donned my reflective vest, I was wearing a combination of mostly light-colored dark clothing. (ie, I was not wearing an invisible pedestrian outfit)

Now, I understand that the responsibility goes both ways. I know that pedestrians are not always safe. I know it's better to assume that a car is not going to turn or stop or whatever, because a runner never wins in runner vs. car. I know that choosing to run on a road requires planning and attention, and that certain roads/shoulders/etc are not appropriate for pedestrian use.

I'm also pretty sure that no one wants a SwimWriteRun-sized dent in the hood of their car.

But if the driver hadn't clearly been going for a "rolling stop", he would have stopped at the appropriate distance. And there would have been no stress.

It makes me angry to hear complaints about motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians from drivers. Particularly as a runner or a motorcyclist, I've often seen cars start to behave erratically when they realize I'm there. It's better to drive normally. Do what you're supposed to do. That's what the runner or motorcyclist is expecting and planning for. Failing to do so creates an unsafe situation. Look around you before you proceed. Communicate your decisions with blinkers and adequate stop time. Understand right of way laws. 

End rant (which I'm pretty sure was just preaching to the choir anyway. I mean, you're reading SwimWriteRun. You are clearly awesome, and not the sort of person I am ranting about at all). 


Also, today is some kind of holiday. Liberalia, I think. ;)


If you're out celebrating, enjoy and be safe! 

Centering and Stink Bugs

I took a yoga class last night.


I've sort of done yoga in the past, but never really practiced it with any discipline. Still, I realized the other day that I don't handle stress well (future post). Also, I'm aware of muscles that are inflexible and the imbalance of strength between muscle groups and between different sides of my body.


Yoga seems like a good solution. And while the class wasn't that intense, I am definitely aware this morning of muscle groups that got a workout.


As for what it does over time... I'll post more in a few weeks.


During class, as the teacher unfolded his mat, he picked something up and gently placed it further away. I guess it's a respect for life thing. Or a respect for creature - it was a stink bug. Apparently, they're back.


Have a lovely weekend! It's beautiful, if quite windy, out there.

Un-shoed

Blog-friends, I have a problem*.

About a year ago, I was flirting with what may or may not have been plantar fasciitis - which is basically a running/overuse injury. I scaled back my miles and then, after rest, applied some kinesio tape per their video instructions. I don't know if it was the rest, the tape, or the mental fix that helped it. At the time, I didn't care.

Now, I'm thinking it might not be overuse. I think it's shoes. 

I feel the pain creep back in when I spend a lot of time on my feet, or when I wear heels to work. Normally I wear sketchers (flats) but sometimes I wear sensible dressy shoes (rounded toe, secure strap, thick 1.5-2" heel**).

It feels as if someone's jamming a ballpoint pen into the center of my arch, just below the ball of the foot.

I'm fairly sure the return is not due to mileage, I've been pretty conservative lately. My running shoes are relatively new, no where near replacement time, and they're the model I've used for more than a year. Nor do I have the usual aches that crop up when I've blown out a pair of running shoes.

Seriously, I'm ready to go around in my socks for the rest of the day. I work in a research lab with bacteria, chemicals, glass, etc. This should tell you how uncomfortable I am.

So... I need your help. What shoes do you wear all day?  Do you have suggestions for a brand or style that I can wear when I need to look nice at work, that will still provide support post-run?

Tell me in the comments below. Seriously, my socks will thank you.

*  I know, just one!

** There may in fact be no such thing as a sensible heel. I'm trying to ignore that fact.

Hard Decisions

Alarm clock goes off. 


4:50am.


"Are you getting up, or are you snuggling with the muttsos?"


A moment of silence.


"Will you be mad* if I sleep another 30 minutes?"


"No."


"Ok.  I'll get up when you get up."


Another moment of silence.


"I'm getting up. I'll see you tonight. Love you."


"Love you too."












*the whole snoozing-and/or-not-getting-up-to-the-alarm thing becomes a point of contention when it goes off 30 minutes before the other person's [and inadvertently wakes them up]. Completely understandable. I think (hope) I've gotten much better about this.

The Lower Limits...

I like to listen when I run.  It's one of the reasons I like running in a pack.  I ask questions and talk, and it's something to distract me on the rough miles.


Quiet is good, too.  Then I can listen to the sounds of the world around me, birds, cars, the strike of sneakers on the path.


Sunday, that sound was different.  Stiffer.  Like frozen rubber hitting the ground.


Because, you know... it was in the low twenties, windy as hell, and we were out running at quarter to eight in the morning.


Each year that I've been running, I've become more acclimated to the idea of running outside year round.  I get better about braving the cold, and spend fewer days on the agony of the treadmill.


I like running outdoors.  It's harder.  It's more interesting, has beautiful scenery.  It comes with hills.


Sunday, I did not like running outdoors.


Wary of the forecast, I opted to sleep in on Saturday Bagel Run and instead went out on Sunday morning with some friends.  I dropped water at the five and seven mile markers.


By the time we reached five, the bottle had partially frozen. 


By the time we reached seven (with a half-consumed water bottle), the water that had splashed into the neck of the bottle had frozen there.


By the time we reached nine, my fingertips were numb.


When I got home, Matt made me tea and I lay in the Slanket for a while before I thawed.


This run taught me a few things.

1. I need better gloves.
2. I need need to wear more gear, or,
3. I need to choose my time of day/weather conditions more wisely.

And, partially related to this list, it taught me that I do have a lower limit.  Runs won't always be easy or comfortable or fun, but I don't have to be miserable.  I might just pay the treadmill some visits, voluntarily, this winter.

Anyone know a way to get a good hill workout in on that thing?

Almost-New Spin Bikes and the Tuesday Run.

I finally made it to a Tuesday "brick" this morning - a combination spin/run.  For the past few months, I've only been running.  This meant I got to try the "new" spin bikes at the Columbia Athletic Club*. (They went in about 8 weeks ago, so they're sorta new.) (hocoblogs@@@)


What makes them different?  Well, the bike is different - it's chain driven with a 'redesigned' flywheel versus the old ones, which I believe were belt/flywheel.  I didn't really think this would make a difference, but I noticed some feedback once I was at about 50% resistance.  I also felt the resistance much more on the upstroke.  Our instructor confirmed that this was probably because of the chain.  


Not a huge deal, just different.  


I also found the seat less comfortable, but I liked the handlebar setup and the placement for the water bottle.  I have a feeling that the ride will be more comfortable as I figure out the settings.


The biggest change, however, is The Green Revolution system, which harnesses the energy generated during the workout and cycles it back into the club's electrical grid.  Pretty cool.  For a far better explanation of this process and the meaning of watt-hours, check out this post on Tri Jeff Tri.


For those of us who don't focus on how the watt-hours work, we simply end up with a total number at the end of class.  I had the lowest number of our group, but sweat was pouring off of me by the end of the workout and I'm pretty sure I couldn't push any harder.  So I'm not going to sweat it. (Ha.. ha... yeah, sorry about that.)


After spin, we took off for a five mile run.  Cold gear, fleecy hat, and gloves were present.  So were the hills.  Running in Columbia is great training.  


I was tired from spin, but the run felt alright.  And I got dusted in the last 1-2 miles.  I actually don't mind this... my goal is to get faster, and the only way I'm going to do that is by running with people who are faster than me.  Hopefully I can stay with the crew a little longer next week.


Now, thawed, caffeinated, and ready for work, I'm glad I pried myself out of bed this morning.  Have a great day!






*Full Disclosure: I train lifeguards and occasionally coach Masters' Swimming for Columbia Association Aquatics.

2011, Part I: Races/Training.

Yeah... it is cold out there.

After the recap post from 12/26, I've been thinking a lot about changes. Goals.  Things I can hold up as motivation on mornings like today, when I sat in my car outside the Athletic Club, hunched over a mug of green tea while the wind whipped around my car and I wondered why I hadn't stayed in bed.



It's all about the motivation.  


That, and I wanted to test out my shiny new New Balance jacket.  I was kind of toasty once we hit mile 3.


That having been said, I've picked three major goals to carry me through the year: