Saturday, January 29, 2011

First Week of Running

On Monday I had to travel to Orlando for work.  I'll be in Orlando until February 11th.  That's right...three weeks in Orlando.  It's been nice so far, but it's still a long time to be away from home.  One of the benefits though is I have started my running training since I don't have as much to do and I have access to treadmills in the hotel to help me learn distances and the pace I am comfortable running.  It's been a difficult week to stay motivated to run...and the first three mile run I had to do was not fun...but I think it will be good.  I learned a couple of things about the training experience though in this first week.

1.  I am so thankful for the program set up for me.  The program that has been set up for the group of gals I'll be running with is:
Monday-cross training
Tuesday-longer easy run
Wednesday-shorter easy run
Thursday-strenth and core
Friday-hard run
Saturday-rest
Sunday-long run

If I didn't have this program set up, I don't think I would have any clue of how best to go about training.  This is a great jumping off point since I am a new runner.

2. Keep thinking positive thoughts.  I was running today (odd since it was supposed to be my rest day) while in a competitive scavenger hunt with a gal in my large training group who used to train people for marathons and half marathons.  We were talking a little bit about running and she kept correcting some of my verbage.  I said "I'm not a runner" when I was talking about having to run on treadmills to guage my distance and speed.  She corrected me and said "you're a new runner".  I also said I have bad knees...she said I have delicate knees.  Her basic point was that I need to think positive and phrase things positively if I want to do this and be successful.  Saying "I'm not a runner" doesn't make my brain think that I am a runner and capable of running this half marathon. 

3. Hard runs don't necessarily mean fast.  On my Friday hard run, I didn't do very well.  I didn't push myself super hard 1. because I was tired and 2. because pushed myself too hard immediately after the warm up.  Since I pushed too hard in the beginning part of the work out...getting through mile 3 was very difficult.  I reviewed my training materials and it gave me a few ideas for how to have a hard run without just running faster (e.g. inclines, run-jog-run-jog intervals, etc).  Now I'm looking forward to Friday's run to try something different and see how it pushes me.

4...I'm going to be my own worst enemy.  Not just because I phrase things in more negative thoughts, but I also have a tendency to give up.  When I reach a point where I think I did a good job, I'm ready to quit...even if I didn't run the full distance.  For my first run this week, I was supposed to run 3 miles.  I did it...but that last mile was a mental fight.  I kept thinking that I didn't need to complete the three miles after 2 because 2 was pretty good.  But I pushed through and saw that my mind can win that battle.  In a couple of weeks I'll have to run four miles...then five...then six...then seven...etc.  It might be a battle each time, but I think it will get easier and I will prevail...all the way to 13.1 miles. 

This is already proving to be a challenge and a good experience...and the training has just started.  The next couple of weeks will be good to get me into the habit of following the plan so when I get back to Omaha I am on the right track already.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Going for a lil' run...

...if by little I mean 13.1 miles.  I've decided to run the Lincoln half marathon in May.  This is going to be an incredible challenge for me, but I'm excited for it and terrified all at the same time.  Especially since I HATE to run.  So why am I signing myself up for this?  Well...it goes a little something like this.

I'm a big believer in setting goals and working to achieve them. I've never been much of a person to consider my physical fitness let alone enjoy running.  The only time I'm really physically active is when I'm involved in a sport or some other physical thing.  I did cheer leading in high school and my first year of college, but that was really the extent of my physical activity.  Now, I've picked up roller derby.  While derby is incredible for getting me into shape, I'm not pushing myself outside of derby.  I go to the practice 2-4 times a week (depending on the week) and leave it at that.  I don't go to the gym...I don't do much working out at home...and I enjoy eating junk (I write this as I stare down the mug the moments ago contained vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce)  I don't do much to get myself fit and maintain my fitness if I don't have a goal to work towards or a commitment to fulfill.  While derby is in my life now, I know it won't be forever.  Face it...if I mess up my knees or something, I'll be out for a time or forever depending on the severity.  Derby has helped me to experience how GREAT I feel when I'm active and working out.  I have more energy and I feel better.  I want that to continue even if I have to take a leave of absence from derby or if I have to "retire" at some point down the road.

Enter the half marathon.  The idea of running a long race first was put into my mind by my cousin.  She came up with the crazy idea that I be the runner in a team triathlon in June is Des Moines.  If only she knew how I felt about running.  But then I started thinking that 10K wouldn't be so bad.  If there's something I can set my mind to and then work to achieve it...I will hopefully be able to build some self discipline and make sure I have the knowledge to get and keep myself into a physically fit condition without relying on a sport or activity.  Here's hoping. 

So I've got the idea of a 10K in my mind, and then a friend from church says that there's a small group forming for women to train for the Lincoln half marathon.  The church I go to is BIG on small groups.  The whole purpose behind small groups is to get a group of people together, build relationships that turn into a community, and go through life together experiencing all we were meant to experience and living a life that is full of adventure and passion.  I've really enjoyed the small groups I've been a part of.  I've met some amazing people and really formed some great friendships that were begun in a small group setting. Anyway...this spring one of the women's small groups is intended to help women train for the Lincoln  half marathon.  So...I signed up.  I'm going to go through this journey with 10-12 other women, and I am soooooooo glad I won't be doing this alone.  I know there are going to be days when I don't want to get up and run.  There are going to be nights when I just want to veg out...eat ice cream...play a game...do the dishes...do laundry...anything but run.  That's not going to be an option in a few weeks.  I'll have to run whether I feel like it or not.  But I won't be going through this alone.  I'll have other women around me who don't want to get up either...who would rather eat ice cream...who would rather do anything but run.  I'm excited for how this is going to challenge me and how the other women in the group are going to help me out.  I'm sure at times I'll want to quit...but I can't do that if I'm letting a team down.  I'm committed now...I have to pull through.  I can't wait to see how I feel about this all after the race in May.

I'll post more about the training and how I'm doing once we get started.  Until then...I'm going to eat some more ice cream =)