10k!

I've figured out that running is 80% mental and 20% carbs.



I knew I had to get past my 4 mile distance. Yesterday was a little rainy and very humid, so I went to the gym to run on the dreaded treadmill. I prefer a countdown of mileage, so I set the treadmill to the 10k distance (6.22 miles), thinking I would try to run 5, or at the very least, 4.5 miles.

I decided to eat some Cheerios earlier that morning to see if carbs would help fuel my dead weight legs.

Before I left, I loaded up my mp3 player with new tunes. Running and lifting music is different for me. I was continually motivated as each new song played, and I got to 4 miles with little trouble.



I told myself, Let's go to 5. I got to 5.25 and was ready to call it quits, until my mp3 player switched to Ice Cube's Put Your Ass Into It. I broke into a smile and actually increased my speed. "Life aint a track meet, it's a marathon", "Don't stop, get it, get it". I was like, OKAY!

The last half mile of the 10k was the worst. I tried my hardest not to look at the mileage countdown. Luckily I unknowingly timed my songs so that Mariah Carey and Bone Thugs n Harmony's Butterfly remix started just as the last minute counted down. The song starts with "Don't break down yet, it's over, Don't break down yet, it's over". Haha! It felt like divinely inspired music arrangement.

The Cheerios and a good night's sleep were the keys to me lasting the 10k. Aside from that, a little music encouragement brought me through.

I was proud of myself of attaining some respectable mileage. I'm pretty sore today, even after a cold Epsom salts bath yesterday and plenty of stretching. But most importantly, no pain.

I've decided on my next race, and I will write about it next time.

Loose Legs and Happy Running!

It's Finally Getting Easier

After my 4 mile run, I felt a lot better about distances. Yesterday I ran 3.25 miles on the track, because, really, why not? It's such a mental game, you build up a number in your head as a big challenge, and it becomes harder than it actually is.

It's now taking me about a mile to warm up, so what's two more after that? For the next few weeks, I would like 3 miles to be my norm, and throw in a 4 miler here and there, and once that feels pretty good, progress from there.

I really need to plan some new routes. I prefer city streets. There's lots to look at and lots of people around, so it's not that eery "it's just me and that crazy looking person over there" feeling.

Trails are nice if you're familiar with the area and can keep your sense of direction. I got a little lost at one of our state parks, but I have a fairly good sense of where I am most of the time, so even though I couldn't find the path I started on, I was able to get back to the road.

Speaking of the state park, it seems like a lovely place to have a picnic with someone nice. They even have a little store at the "beach" in case you forgot the drinks. Although I envision a wine/cheese/fruit type of picnic finished with a piece of very good chocolate, followed by a stroll into the wilderness for a little...

Oh. My mind wandered for a second there.

My love life should get back on track pretty soon before something crazy happens. I've been flirting with the retired older man at work far too much lately.

Fun run planned for tomorrow. It'll be fun but semi-serious, as I am looking to cover my 3 miles. Pure fun runs happen on the treadmill at the gym. After a good lift, sometimes I say to myself, "Hey, Beck. Hop on that thing and run as fast as you can for as long as you can". Then I wheel and deal with myself as I go along. I swear, it's like an inner training partner talking to me. It's supportive but challenging. And not do-or-die challenging, more like a friendly dare.

Ok, enough about the voices in my head and thoughts of uh, other things.

Longest Run (So Far)

I ran 4 miles yesterday. It didn't feel very good. When I laid in the grass at the park afterwards to stretch, I was rewarded with a rainbow in the sky. I didn't really even want the animal crackers... the stretch and cool breeze felt like enough.

I didn't take into account that I had done my leg workout the day before. Squats, deadlifts, hack squats, calves, abductor, adductor work... then run 4 miles the next day? Of course, it occurred to me about a mile into the run that perhaps I should have waited a day to set out on my longest run ever, but eh. I was already there, had mapped it out, and I was going to finish.

So, finish I did, but I was pretty tired after. And every part of my legs ached. I did a cold epsom salts bath (well just my legs, I couldn't submerge myself past that.. Brrrr!), made my own chicken egg foo yong, and watched Meet the Fockers before going to work. Funny movie.

I was tired the rest of the day and I slept deeply last night. Today I feel good, but not energized in the least. Today will be a day off.

I ordered a Road ID a few days ago. So if/when I pass out on some hill or trip over some fallen tree, the paramedics will know who I am and who to call. Neat idea, and inexpensive.

I guess I have to work on speed now. That could be fun. I need a program, though. have to do some research.

The NH/MA NPC (National Physique Committee) competition is on September 24th. I'll probably go, because it's nice to be surrounded by like-minded fitness people. I've attended a few events in the past, and they tend to be long days, especially when you're alone. I'll post more on this as it draws nearer.

Like Running on Big Cushy Socks

Ahh. I found my shoe.

The Asics Gel-Kayano XI I'm very glad I went to a running store to buy new shoes. The salesperson did a full assessment of my feet, how I walk, run, etc. He brought maybe 4 or 5 pair for me to try, and run in each. A couple felt good, like, ok, I can run in these... but then he brought out the Kayanos... and I felt like I was running on big cushy socks. I said, "These are my shoes".

We talked about my gait and how my foot mechanic looks while in motion, which made me laugh really loud. He said, "I don't think I can quite imitate it". Haha! I asked if I should be doing anything differently, and he said no, don't think about it while you're running, that's just your natural gait. He mentioned that if I get really serious, I could always hire a coach and they could help, but I do run for fun, so I doubt that would ever be necessary.

He gave me 4 pairs of free socks and a water bottle! I thought that was very generous.

I had expected to spend about $150 on running shoes. My old Nikes were around $85, but that was years ago. I could have bought one of the less expensive shoes that felt good, but I am all about comfort and injury prevention, and I know I'll get lots of use out of them, so I went with the best feeling pair.

Oh, about my old Nikes. They are Nike Air Trail. I didn't think that mattered too much... he flipped them over and knew they were trail shoes because of the heavy tread and the fact that they are extremely flexible. No wonder my poor heel had no support! He said they have very little cushioning or support, they're just meant to crawl over rocks and stuff lol. Which, uh, I don't do very often. Even on the trail.

After I left the store I went on a quick run downtown (where I was asked by a young man if I would like to get a scalp massage sometime - actually he said "massage scalp - oh I said that backwards... just for you!") and the shoes felt awesome. I am ready for the race!

Time for New Shoes

Time for new sneaks, kicks, "running shoes". I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me sooner that my achilles tendonitis issue may be somewhat caused by some old ass shoes that no longer cushion or support me. I'm so quick to blame myself and curse my body... when in fact maybe I just need new gear. Time to lay off myself for a little while. It's getting old.

I also decided I needed to pamper myself just a teeny bit. I bought a footbath with bubbles and massage and a REMOTE CONTROL. Kick ass. I almost don't need a man now. Almost.

I tried it out last night after a long day of walking around Mount Sunapee for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair and mall shopping. I poured too much foot soak bubble stuff in the footbath so I had a little bubble overflow, but overall it was a nice relaxing experience.

Today after my fun run (1 mile on the track then ran to the trail and ran that in the opposite direction I normally run it), I showered , had a protein shake then poured cold water in the footbath along with some ice cubes and sat in heaven for a while. It made me sleepy, so I pushed the "off" button on the remote (kick ass), dried off, laid on the sofa and drifted off for a nice nap. Ahh.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Runner's Alley to have my gait assessed and be fitted for some real shoes. Money can't be an object with this, since my #1 goal is still to remain injury free. I'll also need some new socks since I've worn holes in almost all my running socks.

If you happen to be traveling down Hanover Street in Manchester tomorrow, look for me running up and down the street testing new sneaks!