The Color Run

 I ran the Color Run this weekend.  It is billed as the "Happiest 5K on the planet."  Not sure about that, but it was fun.  

I ran it with my son Noah.  And by that I mean I cajoled him to do it in place of his sister who had dance rehearsal, drove him to the race, showed him our designated post-race meet up spot and then watched him take off in front of me at the start line.  He ran, I ran way behind him.  I saw him once on the course.  As I was crossing the bridge, he had already made the loop at the base of the bridge and was crossing in front of it.  As I proceeded to run that loop, I realized just how far ahead of me he was.

After running thorough all of the color stations, I met up with my colorful dude at the finish line.  

There are no clocks at The Color Run.  Noah timed himself on his watch. Even with a fall at the blue color station, he PR'd with 28:22;  8 minutes faster than his 5K time at the SOS Anchor Run (his last organized 5K).  I was so far behind he was starting to get nervous at the wait spot, but he calmed down when he remembered that I had told him I was going to be slow.  I kept my word.  I was slow.  I found him at the spot.  Then went off for the post run Color Party.

Another Birthday

As I approach another birthday, I am looking back on this past year and I realize with respect to goals, running, and getting things done, forty-one wasn't such a banner year. Yes, I got the Newport half marathon finished in the last days of my fortieth year.  Since then, I have had a lot of excuses.  First it was cold, then wet, then hot.  It's been so long since I have been running regularly that I am about to take my 13.1 magnet off of my car; at this point it is almost embarrassing to have it there. 

I am not ready to give up on running.  I have a running date set for tomorrow.  I have warned them that I am slow.  I probably won't want to do it tomorrow, but with people waiting on me, I will show up.  I think we are going to run my 2.25 mile loop.  That's a familiar favorite so it should be a good way to get back into it.  Hopefully, these ladies won't be scared off by my slowness.  A group of running friends is very motivating.  It would help get me out the door on the cold days that I know are coming.

So I am going back to an old mantra:

And a new blog name:  The Sometimes Runner

Things I Remembered About Running

I have been working my way back to running.  The early morning spin classes were fun, but early.  And I had to drive there.  Random people would ask me if I ran and I would have to sheepishly say, "well, kind of."  I have been nagging my husband who is supposed to run a half marathon this month to get out and do some running before the event (pot, kettle.)  And I am signed up for The Color Run in October.  I have friends that are doing some most excellent running (and posting about it on Facebook.)  I know they are not deliberately rubbing their running in my face, and I celebrate their successes, but I feel guiltier and lazier with each successive post.  So I went for a run. And I remembered a few things while I was out there.

• Even if you do nothing else all day, you feel like you have accomplished something.
• If you have a whole list of things to do and run anyway, you feel like Wonder Woman.
• No matter how many bumps and bulges there are, you feel strong in your running clothes.
• It ensures you take a shower, no matter what.
• Writing ideas?  Sure.
• Your dog really enjoys the post-run cool down walk.  And so do you.
• It sucks to be starting again.
• I am a runner.

Fall into Fitness

It's the first day of fall.  The changing seasons usually makes me take a break and look around.  I talk about this on my blog, "What's Next?"

It turns out pausing to take stock is a good thing.  I took a look around earlier and realized that summer was over.  And I had met a total of ZERO of my summer fitness goals.  

I had used the completion of the Newport Half Marathon last October and the oncoming chill of the New England winter as my excuse for backing off of my regular running.  

I was going to get back to it.  

I was waiting for the weather to get a bit nicer. Then all of a sudden it was just too damn hot.  

I started going to 6AM spin classes in July, then the sun started to come up a bit later and it was getting too dark in the morning. And the kids started back to school and our calendar got a little crazy.  And I just didn't feel like it.

So spin was hit or miss.

Well, you know what?  I miss working out.  I miss the feeling of accomplishment that comes after a good workout--really even after a crappy workout because, hey, I did it.  

So I am looking at the calendar, going through my workout clothes, revisiting Map My Run, checking out cycling shoes. I am gearing up.  

Do the changing seasons make you reassess where you are?  Are you where you want to be?

Relaxing

I took a week off.  We had a nice, relaxing time on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

It was a very nice week off.

This morning I headed back to the gym.

X Factor with Pat.

Welcome home.

No Guilt Workout

I did it!  Another week of 6 AM classes...and no migraine!

The Turret at the base gym.  I strategically pick my bike to
avoid the morning sun.  I would look more ridiculous wearing
sunglasses inside.

MONDAY: Spin. Joan, the instructor, likes "hills". Took it a "little bit" easy because of Friday's migraine.  

TUESDAY:  X Factor with Pat.  Pat killed me.  I knew when I was doing some of the exercises that I was rediscovering unused muscles and that I would be hurting.  Surprise! I was right.

WEDNESDAY:  Even though I was quite hobbled with hamstring pain.  I got up and went to class.  I thought the use and stretch would be good for me.  It probably was, but it didn't alleviate the discomfort.  On the upside, it only hurt when I moved, or when I was standing.  My plan had been to sit on the couch all day.  This plan was foiled when I was called in to substitute at the local library.  So I spent 5 hours standing, and bending, and walking; basically all of the things that hurt.

THURSDAY:  This morning I was absurdly grateful that my youngest daughter had to have three of her teeth pulled at 7:30 in the morning.  I just couldn't do X factor at the gym and get her to her appointment.  By late afternoon, even with the hamstring pain migrating down my leg so it was concentrated closer to my knee, I could almost walk normally.

FRIDAY:  Oy! Getting up this morning was no problem.  I was up 20 minutes before my alarm.  As for the actual getting going--that took a bit longer.  BUT, I did it.  Spin class again with Joan.  Tight, tight hammys.  Again, I thought the class would help get those muscle moving and it did.  The good news: the spin was only going to include two (2) hills.  Yay!  The bad news:  the first hill was 18 minutes of climbing.  The second hill was only slightly shorter.  I met my goal today by just showing up.  If I was pedaling more slowly than usual, well, that's okay.

I came home to a nice shower, scrambled eggs and sausage for breakfast, and my super comfy yoga pants.  I have no guilt.

How was your week?

Back At It: The Good and The Bad

I have not been doing a good job of running lately.  My main excuse is that it is unbelievably hot and humid outside.  We are in the midst of a heat wave that has settled a soupy haze over the entire island.  

But...I had promised myself that when we got back from vacation I would get back into an exercise routine.  I had toyed with the idea of going to classes at the gym, but with all of the appointments for the kids and their activities that get scheduled over the summer, I knew those classes would soon get pushed further and further down the priority list.  

The other option was the 6:00 AM classes.  I know it sounds terrible.  Who wants to get up that early in the summer if you don't have to?  The upside is:  I was usually up anyway.   Only I would be up wasting hours sitting in my pajamas, drinking coffee, and waiting for the rest of the house to wake up.  I decided to just go, get the exercise out of the way, and be home before anyone even woke up.

I started this week.

MONDAY:  My first Spin class in Y-E-A-R-S.  Remembering how hard it was last time, my goal was to just stay on the bike.  Yay!  

TUESDAY:  Didn't go :(   For whatever reason, I got about 45 minutes of sleep Monday night.  There was no way I would be up for anything at 5:00.  Plus, since lack of sleep is a migraine trigger, I didn't want to chance it.

WEDNESDAY:  Spin class!  A bit saddle sore, but I knew I could do it.  I could see all of the sweat dripping off my body.  

THURSDAY: X Factor with Robin.  This was a weights/cardio class that kept you moving the entire time.  Sometimes I couldn't complete all of the reps, I did several of the modified exercises for the old and out of shape, and I really struggled through the abs portion.  I know exactly where all of my weak areas are and I know I will have trouble moving tomorrow.

FRIDAY:  Spin Class.  Hills, hills, hills.  Great workout, pools of sweat.  I also purchased the 30-class punch card.  

Looks good, right?  When I got home, I felt so good and the temperature was probably only in the upper 80's (not yet sweltering, but almost)  so I decided to clean out, and detail my car.   I think this was my mistake.  The minivan was an oven.  About halfway through, the migraine aura started.  I really wasn't expecting it.

 

Last year when I was running regularly, I didn't see a migraine until August.  Looking at the barometric pressure today, I can't blame that (first time in a long time).  So it must have just been the heat.  

So that's happened.  It's over.  I am hobbling around from Thursday's torture session.  My original plan was to join up with the Jamestown Running group on their run tomorrow morning, but this heat is too much.  I have tentative plans to use my punch card and try out the yoga class on Sunday.  It'll feel good to get some all-over stretching before tackling the hills in Spin class on Monday.

Anybody want to join me?

On another note: I really need to figure out the best way to keep my hair out of my face.  It's too short for a pony tail, but I need it off my neck.  Any ideas?

The Best Intentions

Unintentional Intentional Intervals

Mackerel Cove in the morning.  Jamestown, RI

I knew I was running this morning.  I told myself over and over last night that I was running this morning.  I didn't sleep-in this morning because I wanted to get an early start before the oppressive heat gave me the excuse I was looking for.  Up early, cup of coffee and dressed in the coolest clothes I could find (unfortunately the only tank top I could find was an Ann Taylor Loft tank and not a workout tank.  It may never be the same.)

I stepped outside...into a lovely cool mist.  What?  Yes!  The morning run lottery!  I decided to head out to Fort Getty.  Turns out this is a 2.9 mile course.  As I began running, it felt like my brain was bouncing around inside my skull (more so than usual, but I kept going hoping it would soon subside--it did.)

As I turned onto Ft. Getty, I came upon an older lady out for her morning walk.  I decided to walk a bit with her.  (She is 73, Portuguese  a diplomat's wife, and has been spending her summers at Ft. Getty for 41 years).  When I got to my turn around, I said good morning and ran back toward the beach.  I started doing a bit of speed work between the telephone poles, but then I spied a gentleman standing in the surf, enjoying the beach.  That looked like a much better idea than fartleks.

The shoes and socks came off and I did a trash walk down the beach, enjoying the cool water on my feet.  So peaceful and beautiful.  

When I reached the end of the sand, I wiped off my feet with the outside of my socks, put my shoes back on and continued running home.

My almost 3 mile run turned into a lovely, almost 3 mile run/walk.  I'm good with that.

When I got home, I completed today's challenges, and refueled with water, more coffee, and a bagel with cream cheese prepared by my dude.  

Good morning.

Who am I kidding?

First run of the summer.  

Post-vacation run.

Back at it.

Who am I kidding.  What I did today was START OVER.  

It was a slow start, but it was a start.

I tried to convince myself to only run my mile loop, but I knew I needed to run longer than that.  I ran the 2.25 mile loop.  Well, ran/walked the loop.  It took me approximately "a long time" to finish.  I say approximately because my running watch took a fatal dip in the hot tub while we were in Colorado.  So, let's go with "really slow".  

But, I did it.  I stuck with my plan.  July is a month that is particularly free of "must dos", so it is a really good time to get back in the habit of daily exercising.  That is my plan.  In addition to regular running, I have taken on two "Challenges" courtesy of The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans .  

  

I had started the June challenge last month, but had to stop because of a pulled abdominal muscle.  So this month I am redoing the the June Challenge and adding the July Arm Challenge.  I finished day three after my run and cool down walk with Carley.

  

The crunches weren't bad and I was glad to see that my injured stomach seems to be healed.  I did modified push-ups because, at this point, the full push-up is hard and always hurts my knees.  I plan to be doing full push-ups before the end of the month.   Due to my non-existent watch, I had to count out the plank seconds.  I counted one-one thousand, two-one thousand,...,fifteen-one thousand.  If, by chance, I counted a teeny bit quicker in the teens it was unintentional.  The dips were a bit easier, but I felt them toward the end.

What are your plans for July?

Cardio Blast

Two months after the new gym opened on base, I made it in to check out the much-touted new facility.  This is not a review of the new gym.  I am just stating how long I have been away.

The Class

I went to the Wednesday morning Cardio Blast class.  While it was a bit daunting to walk into the fitness room and see all of the stations set up on the floor, it turned out to be not scary at all and a lot of fun.  

We started the class by heading to the indoor track.  Run two laps.  (No problem).  Run a lap as fast as you can.  I tried.  I ran so fast it was actually hard to take the corners.  Oh, you've never heard of this problem?  That's because this track was only 1/12 of a mile long.  On the upside, that is about the length that I can sprint.  On the downside, it is similar to running around a large-ish room.  In the future, however, this could be a good place to do some speed work.  We also jumped and floor-touched our way around the track a few time, then back to the fitness room.  

Once there, we started going through the stations in 1-minute intervals, a minute of cardio-type exercise in between, 30 seconds of rest, and then on to the next station.  

The Problem

At the first in-between station, we were doing burpees.  Once I assumed the postion, it became VERY apparent that I had pulled something in my lower abs.  I don't know if this is a remnant of last Friday's class from hell, a side effect of the Crunch Challenge I had been doing with my friend, or who knows?  

On with the class

I completed the rest of the stations, making adjustments to accommodate the pain in my abdominals.  I couldn't do the ab work on the Bosu, jumping over the hurdles hurt, but was doable.  Jumping rope was great, but tiring.  I need one of those for home.  

Once everyone had made it through the stations, we headed back to the track.  A few more laps, with different exercises on each lap and then back to the room for ab work on the floor.  I sat on my mat and stretched.  

This is the track at the new facility (this angle makes it look big).
  I look forward to checking out what the fitness center has to offer.

The Takeaway

I would go back to this class.  Unfortunately, the instructor, Johanna, is transferring and this was the last time she would be teaching that class here in Newport.  I hope whoever they find to replace her is as capable and enthusiastic.

At Home

Good residual muscle soreness.  Super sore abs.  I have been rolling into and out of bed, couches, etc.    

Question

What classes do you like to take at the gym?  

Remember that one class in Newport?

Apparently, the minimal amount of running I do combined with my lackadaisical approach to dieting has not created a well-oiled workout machine.

In my infinite wisdom, I agreed to attend an exercise class at Bellevue Barre with a very fit friend who didn't want to be pushed in front of the bus on this blog. 

Uh, yeah.  Not my best idea.  

Let me start with the excuses:  the class was hot, I was in the corner, and I haven't done anything besides run in so long that I didn't even have a good way to pull my hair out of my face. (Last time I did, my hair was short.  When I run, I wear a hat.)

Anyway, we started. My groin started cramping.  THEN, the instructor announces, "Let's start cardio!"  What?  We weren't doing cardio?  She laughs, "no, that was the warm-up". Ha ha.  Joke's on me.

The class keeps going.  I try to keep up.  About half-way through, this thought crosses my mind:  I am going to pass out.  Not wanting any of these incredibly fit ladies to have to forgo their workout while waiting for an ambulance, I do the prudent thing and plant my ass on the ground.  I stay there for a bit.  Then feeling like a wuss, I get up and try a few more exercises.  Nope.  Back on the ground.  

I head outside to get some cooler air.  So there I am, barefoot, sweaty, and  sitting on a bench in one of the posher areas of Newport, trying to act like this is perfectly normal.  

When I see them all lying on the floor, I head back in figuring "hey, I can do that!"  I wander back to my corner and lay down.  The instructor asks, "How are you doing, Jen?" in her Italian accent.  "Great!  Thumbs Up!", I reply.  Her response, "then you can try some crunches while we do these body contortions that make your abs and ass hurt just watching us"  "Okay!", I mutter.

I did a lot of crunches.  They tore it up.  My fit friend at least had the decency to look like it was killing her, too.  

Finally the class ended.  We went to Starbucks.  

There are a lot of steps I need to take before I head back there.  I will start after I can move again.

Altered Route

Beautiful morning for a run today!  I set out to run my regular 2.26 mile course.  But the sunny weather, with the fog burning off looked so pretty I decided to run by the water.  I thought I would just run to the end of the cove and then head back home.  I wish I could say that this was a Zen-like run, that I just got into the groove and had an amazing long run.  But, alas, reality.  I did the Mackerel Cove run.  I turned around and headed home.  I knew it was going to be shorter.  When I saw the time when I walked in the door.  I knew it was much shorter.  Today's run was 1.86 miles.  I rounded it out with a cool down walk with Carley.  

Well, it's all mileage.

How are you getting your miles today?

May the Second Be With You

I was very excited to sign up for the May the Fourth be With You 5K.  It is run in support  of St. Jude's.   That is not why I ran it (obviously) but it was a nice side benefit . 

 I wanted the medal.  

I really, really wanted to run it on May 4th, but I was afraid that my run would be OBE (overcome by events).  The Jamestown Little League Opening Day Parade is that morning and my daughter's birthday party is that afternoon.  And I really wanted the medal.  You were allowed to run it before the 4th, but not after.  So I ran today.  

Not only do I get a great medal, but it is also a great way to kick-off my new running focus.  A fellow Newport Princess (can we please, please, change the group name?) was asking us each about our fitness goals.  It made me think about what I really want to do. I toyed with the idea of running the Jamestown Half Marathon in July, but decided I  did not want to do that right now, and there is always next year.  What I want to focus on now is consistency.  I want to run 2-3 miles, 2-3 times a week with an additional longer run on the weekend (not to exceed 10K).  I want a faster 5K time.  

So here is my base line 5K time.  It is slower than  usual, but I also haven't run that distance in awhile.  (It was 6 minutes slower than last time I ran that route.)  It can only get better.

And I get the medal.

UPDATE:  Our running group is now called: "Name to Be Determined"  :)  Thanks, Jessica

No Reason

I have yet to experience the need to run.  I don't have that runner's high.  I don't feel badly if I don't get to go for a run.

On the other hand, I usually do feel better after a run.

I didn't want to go for a run today.  I had a bunch of excuses (although admittedly, none were very good excuses), but I didn't have a reason.  So I ran.

Still, since I really didn't want to run I used my "April Challenge" out.  I only ran one mile.  But it was a beautiful mile on a gorgeous spring day on a small New England island.  Then I took my dog for a walk.  

So, I didn't need to run, but I am glad I did.

Boston

I will never qualify for Boston.

I will never run a marathon.

I may never run another half marathon.

But I ran today.

I ran my 2.26 mile route.  I ran without intervals.  I ran without stopping.

I ran without fear.

While I was running I thought about all of the races when my children and I stood at the finish line cheering on Brian.

And all of the times our roles were reversed and they stood at the finish line waiting for me.

I listened to my breathing. I felt my feet hit the pavement.  

I ran into a cold headwind. I ran up the hills.  I ran with my calves burning.

I waved to the cars as they passed.  Few waved back.  They didn't know why I ran.  That's okay.  I knew.

I ran because I could.

Afraid on Foreign Soil

I ran today.  I ran my usual route.  Or what had been my usual 2.25 mile loop.  Today was different.  Today, I ran afraid.

• I ran afraid because nothing looked familiar.  It had been so long since I ran this loop that everything looked foreign.  All of the trees were bare. I could see houses that I couldn't see before.  Houses had been built in my absence.  Houses had been torn down and renovated.  It was not my usual route.
• I ran afraid because I was only doing two and a quarter miles; three would have added another hill.
• I ran afraid to run too fast.  I didn't want to tire out.  I ran with intervals
• I ran afraid that the run and the weather front would conspire to cause another migraine.
• I ran afraid that the road back was too long and too hard.

But this I know:

• The foreign becomes familiar.
• Two becomes three, then four, then five...
• Slow becomes fast.
• You can only prepare yourself the best you can; you cannot control the weather.
• The road back is the right road.  

So for today, I ran.  I ran with fears and I ran with doubts, but I ran .  

I will not, however, tell you my time.  

Hardest. Run. Ever.

I ran the Jamestown Bridge 10K yesterday morning.  I ran it even though I really didn't want to, but I don't regret it.  What looked like a miserably cold morning for a run turned out to be almost perfect (just a little windy on the top of the bridge).  It got me out and running.  I ran with a friend.  My family was there to cheer me along the course, and my mom made me Eggs Benedict when I got home.

Today was a different story.  Today I hobbled around Newport.  Stairs and chairs were my enemies.  Sitting, standing, walking--none were without pain.  That's what I get for taking so much time off.  

Taking all of that into consideration, I didn't want to run today's mile.  But even more than that, I really, really didn't want to run three miles tomorrow.  So, as my family was heating up various leftovers from multiple forays to area restaurants during Newport's Restaurant Week, I mapped out a mile loop, laced up my tennis shoes, and hobbled outside.  As I walked (I use the term loosely) to the starting point I questioned my sanity.  As I started running, I knew I was crazy.  

A mile later, I was finished.  And that's about all I can say for that run.  Except that when Brian questions my choice of attire and says it is too warm out to wear pants, no only should I wear pants, but I should also wear gloves.

Elizabeth Westman and I crossing the finish line.
My hat's on backwards because, yes, it was that windy!

Consistently Adaptable

Today's run was overcome by events (OBE).  I planned, I made changes, I planned again.

Not. Gonna. Happen.  

So, after yesterday's long spiel about April being all about consistency, blah, blah, blah; today I add a caveat:  plans change.   No mile today.  The 10K looms large on Sunday.  It will have to be enough.

Did you get your run in today?

One Mile

As you know, I signed up for the April "Run Your Ass Off" Challenge.  The premise behind the challenge is to run one mile every day in April.  If you miss a day, you run three miles the next day.  You skip two days?  Run five miles.  

Because of this, today hosted a rare event:  an afternoon run.  My morning didn't lend itself to a run.  In the past the answer to that was a simple,  "Oh well, maybe next time".  Today I was supposed to run a mile.  And I really didn't want to run three miles tomorrow.  (Tomorrow is Thursday.  On Thursdays I play Mah Jongg.  I was already trying to figure out how to get one mile in; three was too much to contemplate.)  So, even though I had already gotten dressed for the day (make-up and everything) and been out in the world, I changed into my running gear, and  since it is still chillingly cold outside, hopped on the treadmill. 

As I was running, I kept thinking that this was a lot to go through for a mile.  If I was going to go to the trouble of getting all sweaty anyway, shouldn't I put on some mileage? Shouldn't I really make it worth my while?

No.  After taking the long, cold winter off, this mile-a-day challenge is exactly what I need right now.  I need to concentrate on consistency.  The low mileage makes it easy to get to every day.  The higher mileage penalties incentivize the daily run.  Again, this is exactly what I need.

[I will not be running this Friday and Saturday (guests in town).  To make up for those two missed days, I am running a previously scheduled 10K on Sunday--all within the rules.]

I will be running a mile every day.  I am looking for consistency.  In that consistency, I will strive for improvement.  

Yesterday, I ran my mile almost a minute faster than Monday.  Today, I ran a couple of seconds faster than yesterday. Tomorrow?  Maybe another second. Or two.   And in the end, I hope to regain my running self that I let languish over the winter.

Did you run today?  Are you running tomorrow?

Kick Start

I need a kick start to get moving.  It is warming up incrementally.  There is hope. The kick in the butt came in my Facebook news feed in the form of the April "RUN YOUR ASS OFF" Challenge.  So, I signed up.  Want to join us?

Are you?

Spring??

It has been well-established that I am a running wimp.  I like everything to be just right.  And while I will run through (some) heat and (light) rain, and on occasion (often), the feeling of just not wanting to get out, I draw the line at running in the cold. Especially the bone-deep, wet chill that has been this Rhode Island winter.  So, I haven't run in a long time.  The treadmill is unappealing and outside is freezing.  And I am a wimp.

Keeping all of that in mind, but knowing that I both want and need to run, many months ago I signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle 5K.  Last year, it was sixty degrees on March 17th.  This sounded like a good time to restart the running plan.  But it has still been cold.  I didn't run.  This past Sunday, it was twenty-two degrees out.  I got up and went to the race start with some friends and our daughters.  We huddled in the mini-van until right before the race start.  And then we ran, sort of.  I planned to stay with one of my half-marathon buddies.  She wanted to walk.  And all I could think was "Oh, thank you!"  While I probably could have run the 5K, I really enjoyed walking it more.  

(Darcy finished 20 minutes ahead of me.)

So, the "race" behind me, this was the week to get out and run.  No.  This morning we had about three inches of snow on the ground and now it is raining a cold, cold rain.

Still, I know that spring, and running weather, is coming.  I have seen the daffodils start to push out of the ground.  Every now and then we get temperatures that don't require the full-length down coat.  And I have signed up for the Jamestown Bridge 10K on April 7th.  I hope the weather cooperates and I get some running in before then. Maybe next week.

Back at It

In October 2012, I PR'd a half marathon. Felt great.

Today, I ran 2 miles on the treadmill.  Felt like shit.

PS.  Do NOT wear men's running tights.  They seem like they fit until you start running...then you realize you are missing the equipment that keeps them from chaffing.

Today's run:  2 miles (no intervals)  24 minutes.  Plus 16 minutes of warm-up and cool-down walking.  40 minutes to add to my fitness challenge.