I, Wendy-who-is-terrified-of-two-wheeled-contraptions, rode a BIKE yesterday! And it was awesome!
We rode from the Professor's house to the Bike and Hike trail (the three miles indicated above), then ran two miles, then biked back home. I did just fine and had a wonderful time! I'm still glad I waited until I felt less skittish (small panic attack at the bike store notwithstanding), but even more glad to be mostly over my fear.
Tonight, I'm off to a run clinic at a local running store (which is going to employ me starting Friday!), then I hope a slow ride around the neighborhood with the Writer. Running and lifting have been going in fits and starts since April (spring break). With the school year out of the way, let's see how my summer shapes up (and my butt)!
Showing posts with label cleveland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cleveland. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Today, I did...
THIS. It was a first run back after a long break. I've been hitting the gym recently, but not run since the day of my accident. Having missed a few group runs, I was eager to be back among my people, er, Turtles. We did a weird loopy thing in a neighborhood (a neighborhood full of loud dogs, as we learned): we looped up and around, then zig-zagged through the side streets ("snake in a basket"). We trotted at a leisurely pace (11:15-ish), and soon I was leading the pack with a few other ladies and feeling fine. Turns out my fitness hasn't deteriorated that rapidly!
Now here's the issue: I took two months off from actively training to recover from the car accident. I'm really unlikely to PR in either the Hermes 10-Miler or the Cleveland half-marathon (late April and mid-May, respectively). I'm loathe to spend the money on races in which I won't do well (I have no doubt I can train to finish them, but we're not breaking two hours in the half this soon, no siree). After today's good run, I think I will register for the 10-Miler for fun, and look to break two hours in the half at Columbus or Towpath half-marathons in the fall. Reasonable? But since I was hoping to get a full in this year, I wonder if I should try for that instead. Thoughts?
Now here's the issue: I took two months off from actively training to recover from the car accident. I'm really unlikely to PR in either the Hermes 10-Miler or the Cleveland half-marathon (late April and mid-May, respectively). I'm loathe to spend the money on races in which I won't do well (I have no doubt I can train to finish them, but we're not breaking two hours in the half this soon, no siree). After today's good run, I think I will register for the 10-Miler for fun, and look to break two hours in the half at Columbus or Towpath half-marathons in the fall. Reasonable? But since I was hoping to get a full in this year, I wonder if I should try for that instead. Thoughts?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Goals for 2011.
After exclusively fun running all fall (after the Towpath 10K), I've been thinking a lot about what I might want to accomplish in 2011 w/r/t running, and have come up with some varied goals (per a Runner's World article's recommendation):
1. Skinny jeans by March. I've lost about 12 lb. since June (aided by a recent stomach flu). I think eating vegan has finally caught up with me, and switching medications might be helping, too. I'm not quite into my smallest clothes, but all my recently (within the last year) purchased clothing is too big. I want to see if I can get back into those jeans. If I can't by this time next year, they're out of here, along with every other slightly-too-small item of clothing (except maybe my blue silk BR cocktail dress, just in case).
2. Get my half-marathon time down to under two hours. My PR (from 2009) is 2:09, run while on antibiotics after a patchy six weeks of training. Given a goal and the last six months of prep-work, I think I can do it. If I run the half in Cleveland again this May, I don't have to do much distance work in advance versus a full, which is ideal for winter-training (i.e., no very long runs in the cold and snow and/or no very long runs on the (beloved) T-mill). And if I don't make my goal time, then I can train all summer and into the fall for a faster time at a fall race.
3. Run 100 miles each month. I think this is a manageable training load. I work half-time (with a reasonably predictable schedule), live conveniently close to some very runnable trails and courses, and have a gym membership (when the garage gets too cold and/or for cross-training). I have no excuses.
4. Run a full marathon. This would be the icing on the cake (and I'd probably only do it if I meet my half-marathon goal in May). There are so many lovely fall courses and places that I'm sure I can find a race that suits me.
Soooo....some of these are long shots, but I think I can do it if I screw up my courage and motivation. Running with the club girls (though we're on hiatus and so I only see one or two regularly) has been a real boon, and I've been blessed with some seriously amazing gear this fall. The pieces are falling into place for a great running year.
*image is from runningwarehouse.com, which is where I purchased that lovely item above. So far, major props to the site for their immediate delivery and very inexpensive prices!
1. Skinny jeans by March. I've lost about 12 lb. since June (aided by a recent stomach flu). I think eating vegan has finally caught up with me, and switching medications might be helping, too. I'm not quite into my smallest clothes, but all my recently (within the last year) purchased clothing is too big. I want to see if I can get back into those jeans. If I can't by this time next year, they're out of here, along with every other slightly-too-small item of clothing (except maybe my blue silk BR cocktail dress, just in case).
2. Get my half-marathon time down to under two hours. My PR (from 2009) is 2:09, run while on antibiotics after a patchy six weeks of training. Given a goal and the last six months of prep-work, I think I can do it. If I run the half in Cleveland again this May, I don't have to do much distance work in advance versus a full, which is ideal for winter-training (i.e., no very long runs in the cold and snow and/or no very long runs on the (beloved) T-mill). And if I don't make my goal time, then I can train all summer and into the fall for a faster time at a fall race.
3. Run 100 miles each month. I think this is a manageable training load. I work half-time (with a reasonably predictable schedule), live conveniently close to some very runnable trails and courses, and have a gym membership (when the garage gets too cold and/or for cross-training). I have no excuses.
4. Run a full marathon. This would be the icing on the cake (and I'd probably only do it if I meet my half-marathon goal in May). There are so many lovely fall courses and places that I'm sure I can find a race that suits me.
*image is from runningwarehouse.com, which is where I purchased that lovely item above. So far, major props to the site for their immediate delivery and very inexpensive prices!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
10.5
This was my morning (starting at 7:30). All roads, today, too (lately, most of my non-(beloved)-T-mill runs have been paths and trails). Pretty glad to have gotten through it feeling strong, too. Also pretty glad to have married a massage therapist.
The heat's been aggressive here but broke massively Friday night (in time for a 6 mile tempo on the towpath!). I've been doing hills and making most of my mileage (school's settling out and I'm figuring out a schedule that works with work), but utterly FAILING to get to the gym for lifting and swimming. Here's to hoping I can get back on track! I have my SwiMP3, afternoons largely off (though with Grandma moving soon, I need to be at her place here and there helping her pack), and weather that's beginning to cooperate. I need not to miss workouts with the half looming (10.10.10!).
Too exhausted and hungry to write more. Perhaps if I make my gym workouts this week, I'll write to crow about it by Friday.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Outdoor!
Sorry about the kitten. She's just so cute, and I think image-heavier posts tend to hold everyone's interest. Moving on.
So I have done TWO outdoor runs since I last posted! They both kind of stunk (literally, as they are in the valley, which smells of sewage). I went out with the Towpath Turtles on Sunday to Sand Run, and it was hot. I ran with two others and we did okay (we strayed from the path, but we think about 3 mi. total). I find I feel kind of sloshy in the heat; today I felt it in my lungs. I DO, however, think I'm doing a much better job of hydrating throughout the day.
Tonight I stuck to the path and did about 3.5 miles, some walking (usually about half a minute to a minute). I felt sluggish in the heat, but mostly okay. I wish I felt better about it, but not every run has to be a victory. I think the Sand Run jogging trail is 6 miles total, so it may become my near daily run (since the path is just a couple miles from home). My plan is to run with some SARC people twice a week (poky run on Sundays, track workout Tuesdays?), run on the (beloved) T-mill twice a week (easy mileage or speedwork, depending), and then do 4-7 miles outdoors at either my mother's or the Sand Run path (the former when school starts again).
We are also joining a GYM! My mother is gifting us a membership! It has two pools, and access to lap lanes is open most of the time, so I can get back to swimming! Also, one of the SARC ladies is a member and will meet up with me to lift weights. Better break out the weight-training books.
Maybe, MAYBE will run the towpath half marathon on 10.10.10. I think if I build mileage these next couple of weeks, then finagle a training plan that includes a couple of ten-milers and lots of cross-training (SWIM!), I might be able to fit to run it by October. Probably won't PR, but it might feel pretty good to feel closer to my former fitness (a la me and Liz at the 2008 Hermes 10-Miler!):
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Crap.
Too hot, I guess. I like to run pretty empty-stomached and had finished eating by about 2:00 today. Around 8:00, I had a fruit leather. So by 10:00, I was sure I wasn't too full of food to run. I set the (beloved) T-mill at 400 calories over 38 minutes, and felt pretty strong until just after the first big interval. Queasy! I hopped of with ten minutes to go. Boo.
Tomorrow, my window to run is something like 3:30-4:30 (garage sale clean-up/husband time, AM; James Taylor and Carole King with my mom, PM), which is likely to be HOTTER.
Today's problems and tomorrow's solutions:
1. Heat- Okay, I can't fix the weather. But maybe I can convince the Writer to haul out a box fan and position it for me. May also try wetting my hair before I run.
2. Hydration- I had a couple of drinks last night (as I do every night lately, because I don't have to work!) and may not have properly re-hydrated throughout the day, especially for this kind of heat.
3. Sloshy belly- Eat more throughout the day. I had a small breakfast and was STARVING by lunch, of which I then ate a ton. I'd also been feeling some digestive upset in the morning; perhaps eating something gentler (or taking some Pepto) would have helped.
Still not feeling very confident about running on the roads, or about joining the running club. Their next meeting is Tuesday, so I may just show up and ask some questions (and join the pre-meeting run?). I could use some solidarity, I guess...they also have a slower division/sub-club. They might turn out to be my people!
Now to shower off my shame...
Tomorrow, my window to run is something like 3:30-4:30 (garage sale clean-up/husband time, AM; James Taylor and Carole King with my mom, PM), which is likely to be HOTTER.
Today's problems and tomorrow's solutions:
1. Heat- Okay, I can't fix the weather. But maybe I can convince the Writer to haul out a box fan and position it for me. May also try wetting my hair before I run.
2. Hydration- I had a couple of drinks last night (as I do every night lately, because I don't have to work!) and may not have properly re-hydrated throughout the day, especially for this kind of heat.
3. Sloshy belly- Eat more throughout the day. I had a small breakfast and was STARVING by lunch, of which I then ate a ton. I'd also been feeling some digestive upset in the morning; perhaps eating something gentler (or taking some Pepto) would have helped.
Still not feeling very confident about running on the roads, or about joining the running club. Their next meeting is Tuesday, so I may just show up and ask some questions (and join the pre-meeting run?). I could use some solidarity, I guess...they also have a slower division/sub-club. They might turn out to be my people!
Now to shower off my shame...
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
New shorts!
Chatted with the guy ringing me up and distracted him to the point that he gave me 20% off the whole thing (two pairs of shorts), instead of the single item listed on the coupon! Woo!
I got a size up from a pair I own (boo! But it will make me feel more confident running on the streets- or with a local running club I may join- if I have nice-fitting, no muffin-top-y shorts). They are Nike and have a pseudo-compression boy short (not just bun cover lining) inside. I also picked up the Nike Pro compression shorts in black with a long, 7" inseam (and a larger size). I have the bun shorts in red for under my tights and hiking pants- I use them exclusively as running UNDERpants (am no Kara Goucher) and love the fit and feel.* Gear-related, too: purchased updated RoadID, with husband's info (new) and on a shoe pouch!
Anyway, 400 calories in 43 minutes felt easy today. I may have to drop down to 40 minutes and see how I do tomorrow!
As a side note, some of this audience may be aware that after nine years of vegetarianism, I have become entirely vegan in my dietary choices as of this year (while working on the rest). So far, I feel great! I can get comparable protein and calcium to cow's milk from soy, almond, or rice milk; seitan has a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving (and I love it!), etc. I'm eating almost all my own cooking and preparing everything from scratch, whole food style. We keep Boca burgers and fake nuggets on hand in case there's no time to cook, but at least 80% of what I eat is my own cooking (or fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.). Here was my post-run snack/meal:
A half cup of oatmeal (dry), made with water in the microwave. Before I nuked it, I tossed in a handful of frozen strawberries and a tablespoon-ish of chia seeds, which are supposed to be awesome for you. I munched on some raw almonds while it cooked. Should be around 430 calories (ha!) and about 10 g. protein, plus some much-needed fat (crucial for injury prevention, I read). Pretty good, no? It took my gross calorie intake today to just under 1800, netting me about 1400, which is in the healthy zone!
*I can link to these, I think, if anyone wants me to. Or photograph myself in them?
I got a size up from a pair I own (boo! But it will make me feel more confident running on the streets- or with a local running club I may join- if I have nice-fitting, no muffin-top-y shorts). They are Nike and have a pseudo-compression boy short (not just bun cover lining) inside. I also picked up the Nike Pro compression shorts in black with a long, 7" inseam (and a larger size). I have the bun shorts in red for under my tights and hiking pants- I use them exclusively as running UNDERpants (am no Kara Goucher) and love the fit and feel.* Gear-related, too: purchased updated RoadID, with husband's info (new) and on a shoe pouch!
Anyway, 400 calories in 43 minutes felt easy today. I may have to drop down to 40 minutes and see how I do tomorrow!
As a side note, some of this audience may be aware that after nine years of vegetarianism, I have become entirely vegan in my dietary choices as of this year (while working on the rest). So far, I feel great! I can get comparable protein and calcium to cow's milk from soy, almond, or rice milk; seitan has a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving (and I love it!), etc. I'm eating almost all my own cooking and preparing everything from scratch, whole food style. We keep Boca burgers and fake nuggets on hand in case there's no time to cook, but at least 80% of what I eat is my own cooking (or fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.). Here was my post-run snack/meal:
A half cup of oatmeal (dry), made with water in the microwave. Before I nuked it, I tossed in a handful of frozen strawberries and a tablespoon-ish of chia seeds, which are supposed to be awesome for you. I munched on some raw almonds while it cooked. Should be around 430 calories (ha!) and about 10 g. protein, plus some much-needed fat (crucial for injury prevention, I read). Pretty good, no? It took my gross calorie intake today to just under 1800, netting me about 1400, which is in the healthy zone!
*I can link to these, I think, if anyone wants me to. Or photograph myself in them?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Am genius!
I did 400 calories in 43 minutes tonight (and Saturday: I skipped yesterday afraid of the storm and power outages. I had wonderful and horrifying visions of flying backward off a suddenly dead, but beloved, T-mill into a suddenly dark garage full of ghoulies). It looks weird to put it that way, but the weight loss program is better designed than the other programs on the machine, and it usually evens out to about 2.8 - 3.1 mi., which is my lower limit for a run, anyway.
Anyway, it was lovely both times. I spent slightly less than half the time actually running (jogging? trotting?), rather than walking quickly. It feels better to run than walk, and better to run faster (though I can't go as fast for as long) since it seems to be a more fluid motion. Am proud of myself (though mostly about the koozie).
Thursday, June 24, 2010
And again!
Same routine. How is it possible to feel like tonight was simultaneously easier (breathing controlled, better posture, more run than walk, less pain) and harder (low energy)? Am taking tomorrow off to ponder. Will return on Saturday with a time of 43:00! Upping the tempo!
Have made tentative friends with the ghoulies in the garage. There's a white spider that hasn't moved in several days and it comforts me to know it's probably dead. Tonight, a moth and a lightning bug kept me company while hanging out on the door frame.
I have a route in the neighborhood planned, but this week was a fitness trial of sorts (rather crap out on the treadmill or re-sprain the ankle in the garage than miles from home). Look for a new mapmyrun after I achieve said new route. Or I'll just run my old routes at my mother's.
Have made tentative friends with the ghoulies in the garage. There's a white spider that hasn't moved in several days and it comforts me to know it's probably dead. Tonight, a moth and a lightning bug kept me company while hanging out on the door frame.
I have a route in the neighborhood planned, but this week was a fitness trial of sorts (rather crap out on the treadmill or re-sprain the ankle in the garage than miles from home). Look for a new mapmyrun after I achieve said new route. Or I'll just run my old routes at my mother's.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I did it!
I have "run" tonight! I did the calorie-counter/weight loss function on the T-mill (roughly 3 miles over 45 minutes, so a lot of power-walking with some jogging mixed in), and I feel good (ankle appears to have healed- details below)! I have been lax about running and swimming since about this time last year and am now lethargic, pudgy, and stressed. Some of these things have other roots, but running will help ALL of them.
Here are the sources of the 15 lb. weight gain:
-got fired
-got engaged
-started new medication (is it too ew to mention that it's birth control known for causing minor weight gain?)
-started new (!) job, teaching high school (joyfully and maddeningly stressful)
-got married
-rescued a kitten (not really a factor, but she's super-cute!)
-moved to another county
-planned a wedding
-nursed desperately ill (with pneumonia) husband back to health
-got desperately ill with pneumonia
-sprained ankle and broke toe in April
Am taking June off and am back on track for my goals of shedding the dreaded weight (and lethargy, and complaints about said weight- it bugs the Writer). I'm going to think about running the Columbus half (mid-October) and have the weight off by then. I'll be going off this particular birth control at the end of the summer, and will try to have my mileage up to 20-25 mi./week by school starting (mid-August).
I leave you with a kitten:
Here are the sources of the 15 lb. weight gain:
-got fired
-got engaged
-started new medication (is it too ew to mention that it's birth control known for causing minor weight gain?)
-started new (!) job, teaching high school (joyfully and maddeningly stressful)
-got married
-rescued a kitten (not really a factor, but she's super-cute!)
-moved to another county
-planned a wedding
-nursed desperately ill (with pneumonia) husband back to health
-got desperately ill with pneumonia
-sprained ankle and broke toe in April
Am taking June off and am back on track for my goals of shedding the dreaded weight (and lethargy, and complaints about said weight- it bugs the Writer). I'm going to think about running the Columbus half (mid-October) and have the weight off by then. I'll be going off this particular birth control at the end of the summer, and will try to have my mileage up to 20-25 mi./week by school starting (mid-August).
I leave you with a kitten:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Race Report- Cleveland RiteAid [Half] Marathon
Um, I thought long and hard about this, and don't have much to say. Basically, I didn't do as poorly as I feared (i.e., DNF, or a slower time than last year), nor as well as I had hoped (beating two hours). The more I think about it, though, the happier I am with 2:09 after months of antibiotics and health drama. It was a faster pace by more than :20 per mile over last year (PR!), I felt solid and strong the whole time (sloshy belly near mile 11 notwithstanding), and my recovery has been quick and easy (while last year I was achy and exhausted for days). It felt more like a long run with a good friend, which is exactly what I think I needed (for body confidence and/or sanity).
Hi from mile 6-ish!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Cleveland Half Marathon 2009: James' Report
Photo courtesy: Thomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerThis year, the race began at 7:00 am, which was earlier than previous years. This difference in time is enough to make the most stalwart bleary-eyed.
I stayed in Tremont with my old high school friend Umakant this year. Wendy and her boyfriend were kind enough to stop by and pick me up on their way into the city for the race. We parked a few blocks away near Jacob's (now Progressive) Field. The walk and wait at the race line was very chilly and I was glad I had thought to don a garbage bag that morning. The temperature reading outside of the Huntington Bank building read 51 degrees Fahrenheit though the wind off of Lake Erie made it feel much colder.
The race started on time and for some bizarre reason the entire race column walked to the start line before starting to run. I have never seen that before and was confused as to why everyone wanted to walk if they were going to be running 6, 13.1 or 26.2 miles that day?
Wendy and I kept each other company and took our running tour of downtown and the West side together. It was a very quiet race with no especially loud runners or loud spectators; classic Cleveland it felt like. Very charming and quiet and professional it seemed. The elevation was not ever too drastic it felt like except for the last few miles where there was a noticeable drop as we returned to the downtown area and enjoyed the extra downhill speed.
I broke off from Wendy at the end and I felt strong. At the Half and Full split, I felt strong. The pasta and two-week training period had made this run into something of a planned long run and I felt like I could do at least a few more. The crowd was excited and I felt pumped, but I ended up veering right and finishing the race strong, passing the majority of people rocking out at about a 7:45 pace the last mile.
My race results are below:
8376 James Tsai Baltimore MD 29 02:07:40 02:11:55 9:44.2 1:00:50
My two week training program: (Disclaimer: I don't recommend this to everyone, but as I promised in a previous post, I wanted to document my short period of training to get ready for the half)
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 miles to start to get back into shape at Race pace (10 min/mi) | 5 miles with running club at slightly faster Race Pace (9.5 min/mi) | Ultimate Frisbee game (heavy cardio exercise ~90 minutes) | 5 miles at slightly faster Race Pace (9.5 min/mi) | |||
| 10 miles at Race pace (10 min/mi) | 5 miles with running club at slightly faster Race Pace (9 min/mi) | 3 miles to keep limber (time intervals between 8 and 10) | ||||
| RACE DAY |
My carb-loading: I had a pasta dinner the Wednesday night before; just linguine and some chicken. Friday I had spaghetti and meatballs and then the night before I had a big bowl of Pho. I will do a future article on carb-loading.
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