Two challenges arose recently. One I already touched upon was a minor foot problem that derailed me for a week and I'm glad to report I did jump back in and haven't had any major foot pain since, although I can feel it at times.
Next week my training starts in terms of miles. Up to this point it's all been in minutes. Now I will have to run three miles on Monday, four on Wednesday, three on Thursday, and then five on Saturday. Each week the miles increase too. That sounds intimidating given that my longest run ever was 2.65 miles last weekend and that took me over 38 minutes.
As I was running today, thinking about next week, I had some doubts. I'm already in better shape, do I really need to go crazy with this? My pace is pretty slow, taking me over 13 minutes per mile, so how long are these workouts going to take? How early will I have to wake up?
A little while later I realized these were all just excuses. Earlier parts of my training seemed daunting too. I just have to try it, take it week by week, and keep going. Also, I'm intrigued since now I'm really entering the "marathon" phase. Can I do it? Will I really improve that much more? I have to find out!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Saturday, November 28, 2015
My First Injury
I started off week nine by running two miles in 25 minutes. After pushing my limits, I did feel sore during the day, but nothing too extreme.
On Tuesday the bottom of my right foot near my middle toe was causing some pain, enough where I was nearly limping at work. Wednesday was even worse, as it felt quite painful with every step.
I skipped the Wednesday and Thursday scheduled workouts and figured at that point I would give myself a week. Of course, once you stop, just like anything else such as a diet, it can be tricky to get back on the horse. In this case, I do miss the good feeling of energy each session brings, not to mention the sense of accomplishment, so I'm ready to hop back in the saddle next Wednesday.
I'm actually still not sure if my raining caused the injury or not. It's strange that I didn't feel soreness in my foot on Monday. Also, I have felt a burning sensation under my middle toe for a few weeks. Nothing major but I really can't pinpoint exactly what happened or even what it is.
The good news is it happened during Thanksgiving week, so it seemed to be a more appropriate time for a week off. More good news is after limping around in pain on Thursday too, I felt better on Friday and even better today. I think restarting on Wednesday gives me enough time to hopefully avoid reaggravating whatever it is, although I am going on a long hike tomorrow morning.
Next week should be interesting. It now seems like the most pivotal week since I started.
On Tuesday the bottom of my right foot near my middle toe was causing some pain, enough where I was nearly limping at work. Wednesday was even worse, as it felt quite painful with every step.
I skipped the Wednesday and Thursday scheduled workouts and figured at that point I would give myself a week. Of course, once you stop, just like anything else such as a diet, it can be tricky to get back on the horse. In this case, I do miss the good feeling of energy each session brings, not to mention the sense of accomplishment, so I'm ready to hop back in the saddle next Wednesday.
I'm actually still not sure if my raining caused the injury or not. It's strange that I didn't feel soreness in my foot on Monday. Also, I have felt a burning sensation under my middle toe for a few weeks. Nothing major but I really can't pinpoint exactly what happened or even what it is.
The good news is it happened during Thanksgiving week, so it seemed to be a more appropriate time for a week off. More good news is after limping around in pain on Thursday too, I felt better on Friday and even better today. I think restarting on Wednesday gives me enough time to hopefully avoid reaggravating whatever it is, although I am going on a long hike tomorrow morning.
Next week should be interesting. It now seems like the most pivotal week since I started.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Week 7 Is In The Books!
This week was the beginning of training sessions that no longer said "run/walk." Now it's just a run for 20 minutes.
I was trying to figure out how I would do it. During the 35 minute run/walks I was able to go 4 MPH+ for maybe 13 minutes at the most. I decided I would not go any slower than 3.5 MPH and probably alternate between that and 4.
To backtrack a bit, last weekend I was looking at the treadmill during the light of day and noticed that it seemed to be on an incline. I messed around with the settings but wasn't sure if I really changed anything.
Then on Monday I took a deep breath and hopped on for my 20 minute run. I started at 3.5 for the first minute, then bumped it up to 4. "This seems way easier" I thought to myself. I soon realized I had been training for six weeks on an incline! No wonder the run in Calavera Park seemed so much easier.
I later discovered I had the incline on 7 as opposed to 1.5 now. The good news is the 20 minute runs on flat ground made this the easiest week yet when I was anticipating the opposite. Yes!
I had chalked up the easier outdoor runs to treadmills being more difficult. I think they still are and prefer running in the great outdoors for reasons I will explore in depth in a future post, but the difference isn't as great as I thought.
By the end of this week I was running at a 4.5 MPH clip for ten of the twenty minutes and 5 MPH for another three minutes, so I'm still pushing myself.
Next up-25 minute runs. No problem!
I was trying to figure out how I would do it. During the 35 minute run/walks I was able to go 4 MPH+ for maybe 13 minutes at the most. I decided I would not go any slower than 3.5 MPH and probably alternate between that and 4.
To backtrack a bit, last weekend I was looking at the treadmill during the light of day and noticed that it seemed to be on an incline. I messed around with the settings but wasn't sure if I really changed anything.
Then on Monday I took a deep breath and hopped on for my 20 minute run. I started at 3.5 for the first minute, then bumped it up to 4. "This seems way easier" I thought to myself. I soon realized I had been training for six weeks on an incline! No wonder the run in Calavera Park seemed so much easier.
I later discovered I had the incline on 7 as opposed to 1.5 now. The good news is the 20 minute runs on flat ground made this the easiest week yet when I was anticipating the opposite. Yes!
I had chalked up the easier outdoor runs to treadmills being more difficult. I think they still are and prefer running in the great outdoors for reasons I will explore in depth in a future post, but the difference isn't as great as I thought.
By the end of this week I was running at a 4.5 MPH clip for ten of the twenty minutes and 5 MPH for another three minutes, so I'm still pushing myself.
Next up-25 minute runs. No problem!
Saturday, October 31, 2015
More Of A Breakthrough
I just finished week five, where the walk/run is 35 minutes per session. On a scale of 1-10, most of the past weeks have been 8-9 on he difficulty scale, so I wasn't thinking this would be an easy week.
Actually, it wasn't easy. Just relatively easier, a 6-7 on the exhaustion scale, but I did feel much better. One of the main points of this blog is to inspire and help others, so if you're having trouble I hope you find some hope here.
I think there are two main reasons why I felt better. First, continuing from my last post, changing to morning workouts has made a huge difference. It's cooler and I feel fresher. Also, eating more has given me more energy to burn, and who doesn't enjoy eating more food?
The second reason, which has been dawning on me recently, is to take it one day at a time. Even during workouts, I have learned to try and not worry about how fast I will have to run in a few minutes or how tired I will be at the end. Instead, break everything down into small, even one minute increments. Try and have your mind think about something else besides running.
I have also learned to start applying this lesson to other parts of my daily existence. For example, when I walk into the office (maybe I should jog through the door now?), or even before I arrive, I often think about all I have to do that day. You can really stress yourself out by this mode of thinking. I'm learning to break tasks down into smaller increments.
Applying that same reasoning to running a marathon, I've often wondered during these past few weeks how on earth I would ever reach that point. There were times where I practically needed to be carted off after doing a 25 minute walk/run, so 26 miles was unimaginable. I've learned that you can't look that far ahead. Just focus on what you're doing that day. I'm still not sure how I will run 26 miles, but have a little more faith now that I might just get there.
Actually, it wasn't easy. Just relatively easier, a 6-7 on the exhaustion scale, but I did feel much better. One of the main points of this blog is to inspire and help others, so if you're having trouble I hope you find some hope here.
I think there are two main reasons why I felt better. First, continuing from my last post, changing to morning workouts has made a huge difference. It's cooler and I feel fresher. Also, eating more has given me more energy to burn, and who doesn't enjoy eating more food?
The second reason, which has been dawning on me recently, is to take it one day at a time. Even during workouts, I have learned to try and not worry about how fast I will have to run in a few minutes or how tired I will be at the end. Instead, break everything down into small, even one minute increments. Try and have your mind think about something else besides running.
I have also learned to start applying this lesson to other parts of my daily existence. For example, when I walk into the office (maybe I should jog through the door now?), or even before I arrive, I often think about all I have to do that day. You can really stress yourself out by this mode of thinking. I'm learning to break tasks down into smaller increments.
Applying that same reasoning to running a marathon, I've often wondered during these past few weeks how on earth I would ever reach that point. There were times where I practically needed to be carted off after doing a 25 minute walk/run, so 26 miles was unimaginable. I've learned that you can't look that far ahead. Just focus on what you're doing that day. I'm still not sure how I will run 26 miles, but have a little more faith now that I might just get there.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
A Breakthrough (Of Sorts)
Weeks two and three don't sounds that difficult on paper. They are just run/walks of 20/25 minutes with a loose interpretation of "run" on my part.
During week two my top speed was 4 MPH and that was for two minutes each session, with a total distance not much more than a mile. This past week I bumped it up to three 4 MPH blocks and covered around 1.35 miles total (except last Thursday when I spent four of the 25 minutes at a blazing 4 MPH).
That sounds easy, but I was wiped out after each workout. I have been trying to deduce the reason. The treadmill is downstairs and there isn't much ventilation, so I have been roasting, especially in the hot weather recently. Also, after working and then battling traffic on some tough drives home, some lasting over an hour, I'm usually tired before I even hit the treadmill. I am probably not eating enough either and I'm still working on my breathing while exercising.
I think all of the above are contributing. The weather is cooling down and I started eating more this weekend. I am also (I think) going to try waking up at the ungodly hour of 5 A.M. and try exercising in the morning beginning tomorrow. I did exercise around 2 A.M. one crazy Friday night/Saturday morning a week ago and felt pretty good despite eating poorly that night and drinking a fair share of fireball.
So what was this supposed breakthrough?
I hiked in Mission Trails with Sarah yesterday, plus we had to walk nearly two miles later that night when we had to park in a different state for a band competition and I felt real good on all those walks.
Then today I went geocaching with a buddy of mine. We had to climb some STEEP trails. Several times my friend had to stop from being so winded, yet I felt fine the entire time. I guess I have made some progress. Now on to week four!
During week two my top speed was 4 MPH and that was for two minutes each session, with a total distance not much more than a mile. This past week I bumped it up to three 4 MPH blocks and covered around 1.35 miles total (except last Thursday when I spent four of the 25 minutes at a blazing 4 MPH).
That sounds easy, but I was wiped out after each workout. I have been trying to deduce the reason. The treadmill is downstairs and there isn't much ventilation, so I have been roasting, especially in the hot weather recently. Also, after working and then battling traffic on some tough drives home, some lasting over an hour, I'm usually tired before I even hit the treadmill. I am probably not eating enough either and I'm still working on my breathing while exercising.
I think all of the above are contributing. The weather is cooling down and I started eating more this weekend. I am also (I think) going to try waking up at the ungodly hour of 5 A.M. and try exercising in the morning beginning tomorrow. I did exercise around 2 A.M. one crazy Friday night/Saturday morning a week ago and felt pretty good despite eating poorly that night and drinking a fair share of fireball.
So what was this supposed breakthrough?
I hiked in Mission Trails with Sarah yesterday, plus we had to walk nearly two miles later that night when we had to park in a different state for a band competition and I felt real good on all those walks.
Then today I went geocaching with a buddy of mine. We had to climb some STEEP trails. Several times my friend had to stop from being so winded, yet I felt fine the entire time. I guess I have made some progress. Now on to week four!
Monday, October 5, 2015
Week Two Has Begun!
My final "workout" last week was a Saturday walk on the beach with Daniel. It felt great strolling near the shore and it was already hot. I was wearing jeans and shoes, so I had to tap dance around the incoming water in certain parts, adding to the fun.
Yesterday Daniel and I teamed up again to shop for some running shoes. The store was tucked away and it took us a little while to find it, but it was well worth the wait as they spent an hour with me figuring out what shoe works best. I ended up buying a pair of Nike's and three pairs of running socks.
This week instead of 20 minute walks each session it's bumped up to 20 minute "run/walks." That leaves a lot of wiggle room.
Tonight I wore my new shorts, short, orange socks, and new shoes (oh yeah, I bought two pairs of shorts and shirts at Target on Saturday). With my new attire, I had a plan for the treadmill, increasing to 3.5 MPH after five minutes, then speeding up the pace to 4 MPH for two minutes in the middle. I did all that, but I wasn't able to then return to 3.5 MPH, instead dipping to 3 and catching my breath before finally returning to 3.5 for a couple minutes.
I did feel tired at work today even though I think I had enough sleep. Maybe that led to me feeling sluggish tonight. The good news is I did break a mile for the first time at 1.02. The bad news is a marathon is 26 miles!
I think I need to eat better. I haven't been too bad, but it's difficult running when you feel heavy. Last week the goal was establishing a routine and getting some running gear. I will start focusing on nutrition more this week.
I'm alredy curious how Wednesday will go!
Yesterday Daniel and I teamed up again to shop for some running shoes. The store was tucked away and it took us a little while to find it, but it was well worth the wait as they spent an hour with me figuring out what shoe works best. I ended up buying a pair of Nike's and three pairs of running socks.
This week instead of 20 minute walks each session it's bumped up to 20 minute "run/walks." That leaves a lot of wiggle room.
Tonight I wore my new shorts, short, orange socks, and new shoes (oh yeah, I bought two pairs of shorts and shirts at Target on Saturday). With my new attire, I had a plan for the treadmill, increasing to 3.5 MPH after five minutes, then speeding up the pace to 4 MPH for two minutes in the middle. I did all that, but I wasn't able to then return to 3.5 MPH, instead dipping to 3 and catching my breath before finally returning to 3.5 for a couple minutes.
I did feel tired at work today even though I think I had enough sleep. Maybe that led to me feeling sluggish tonight. The good news is I did break a mile for the first time at 1.02. The bad news is a marathon is 26 miles!
I think I need to eat better. I haven't been too bad, but it's difficult running when you feel heavy. Last week the goal was establishing a routine and getting some running gear. I will start focusing on nutrition more this week.
I'm alredy curious how Wednesday will go!
Monday, September 28, 2015
My First Workout
20 minutes of walking. Such incredible stamina! It must have been the small can of vienna sausages I devoured just before the big event.
I did learn a few things today. First, I need to buy running shoes by this weekend, before the training gets too intense. Second, I need to open the window before I run on the treadmill. Third, exercising is a perfect time to formulate ideas for my next blog entry. Oh, and I also decided I wanted eat frozen burritos dipped in guacamole for dinner.
Each of the four training sessions during the first week are just 20 minutes of walking. I played around with the settings before deciding on 2.6 MPH and that's the speed I used for most of the time. I did end up walking .84 miles and did break a sweat, which I'm not sure is something to brag about.
I think the most important part is I felt like I was beginning a routine. That actually felt great psychologically. I'm curious how I will feel physiologically tomorrow, if I feel any differently at all.
Feel free to comment or send me questions. Maybe I'm the only person reading this. If so, at least it feels therapeutic!
I did learn a few things today. First, I need to buy running shoes by this weekend, before the training gets too intense. Second, I need to open the window before I run on the treadmill. Third, exercising is a perfect time to formulate ideas for my next blog entry. Oh, and I also decided I wanted eat frozen burritos dipped in guacamole for dinner.
Each of the four training sessions during the first week are just 20 minutes of walking. I played around with the settings before deciding on 2.6 MPH and that's the speed I used for most of the time. I did end up walking .84 miles and did break a sweat, which I'm not sure is something to brag about.
I think the most important part is I felt like I was beginning a routine. That actually felt great psychologically. I'm curious how I will feel physiologically tomorrow, if I feel any differently at all.
Feel free to comment or send me questions. Maybe I'm the only person reading this. If so, at least it feels therapeutic!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
I Must Be Crazy
Last Friday at work we had the inaugural version of "Fun Fact Friday." Everyone in the office regaled us with tales of something unique and interesting they have accomplished. I was having trouble coming up with anything. "Am I that boring?" I wondered to myself.
I had already been thinking I need to break out of my routing and do something unique. I'm turning 49 in a couple weeks and want to make that happened before I reach the half century mark. After dusting off the creative portion of my brain, a light bulb turned on, albeit somewhat dimly. How about training to run a marathon?
My main form of exercise during the week is walking to the office copy machine. Is this even possible? Every time I go clothes shopping I seem to need a higher waist size. My diet is average at best. If I eat something green my stomach may not know what to do with it. A rational person might set a goal of running a 5K, but no, not me. It's marathon or bust!
I found some tips for beginning runners online as well as a training schedule. My primary concern (besides actually running a marathon) was having enough time to train. Monday-Friday I wake up at 5:45 A.M. to get ready for work and don't arrive home until around 7, so a couple hours of training wasn't in the cards.
Fortunately, you only need to train three days during the week, with a longer run on Saturday's. I think I can do this! I better keep repeating that last line to myself.
I'll continue to publish updates on my progress. My hope is that I'll get in better shape and inspire others. Tomorrow is training day #1. Wish me luck. I'll need it!
I had already been thinking I need to break out of my routing and do something unique. I'm turning 49 in a couple weeks and want to make that happened before I reach the half century mark. After dusting off the creative portion of my brain, a light bulb turned on, albeit somewhat dimly. How about training to run a marathon?
My main form of exercise during the week is walking to the office copy machine. Is this even possible? Every time I go clothes shopping I seem to need a higher waist size. My diet is average at best. If I eat something green my stomach may not know what to do with it. A rational person might set a goal of running a 5K, but no, not me. It's marathon or bust!
I found some tips for beginning runners online as well as a training schedule. My primary concern (besides actually running a marathon) was having enough time to train. Monday-Friday I wake up at 5:45 A.M. to get ready for work and don't arrive home until around 7, so a couple hours of training wasn't in the cards.
Fortunately, you only need to train three days during the week, with a longer run on Saturday's. I think I can do this! I better keep repeating that last line to myself.
I'll continue to publish updates on my progress. My hope is that I'll get in better shape and inspire others. Tomorrow is training day #1. Wish me luck. I'll need it!
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