5k Training Plan Has Been... On Hiatus :/

My inability failure to stick with things that I've started frustrates me. I set out to start things--projects, blogs, training programs--and rarely finish them. I thought the sense of accountability that blogging about it would create would keep me on track, but I guess I was wrong.
That's not to say I'm giving up this time, though. It's just that I have not been as consistent as I originally set out to be. I ran after I last posted-- for 1.5 miles. My asthma has gotten in the way. It's a fact, as I've said so often in the past, that I'd like to ignore but simply cannot. You know that saying, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game"? I haven't exactly been heeding that advice lately. I suppose that my fear of asthma getting in the way of my training, in addition to letting my busy schedule talk me into putting it off, has led me to take a break from my training. I haven't ran since that 1.5 mile run. Once I stop running for a few days, it's so hard to get myself back on track.
Here's another thing that has led to me putting off my training: the possibility of going with Chris to New York for New Year's Eve. Why? That means not being here for New Year's Day, which means I wouldn't run the race. The chance to go with Chris to New York and see his family doesn't come around often; the only time I have usually is over the weekend, and it's rare that he gets a whole weekend off of work. So, if he gets off work, we're going to New York. 5k's are in plenty supply in New England; I can easily find one on another weekend.
But what if we don't get to go to New York? The plan is, I'm still running the 5k. Which means, I better get myself back on track. Don't worry. I'm going to do just that. Starting today. Today, I will run. We'll see how it goes with my asthma, but I'm not going to let fear hold me back.
I'll let you know how it goes!

I must admit, I've kind of been avoiding this, for two reasons--kind of like my other blog. 1. There have been some changes to google accounts and I was too lazy to deal with them. 2. I haven't been sticking to my training, and I didn't want to admit it.

See, that's the problem (or blessing?) with these things; once you start something, you create some kind of accountability.

Friday, my training called for 2.5 miles easy. I did nothing. Sure, I could blame it on the fact that my abs were more sore than they'd ever been in my entire life due to my spontaneous decision to exercise them the night before, but really it just boiled down to laziness.

Saturday called for 3 miles easy. I did 2. It was getting dark, and I needed to get ready to eat dinner with my family, so that called for a shortening of the run. But hey- I thought about not running at all, because my abs were even more so on that day than they were Friday. But, I ran. I ran.

Sunday is usually my scheduled day of rest, but I have ran on Sundays at points in my training (once or twice) if I skipped a day earlier in the week. I skipped multiple days this week, so really I should have ran on Sunday. But, I didn't. I was going non-stop from 8 am until 9:30pm, with church, running home to eat and pack up my stuff, running to the Halifax Country Club to dress rehearsal, perform in our church's dinner theater, and then drive back to school! Needless to say, I was exhausted, so instead of running I crawled into my bed and lay down for a little while before eventually falling to sleep. That exhaustion carried over into Monday, so I didn't run. :/

But today's the day! Today's the day I get back on track. And I'm going to take things a little easier. Exhausting myself to try and strictly follow a training regimen is not worth it. I am running! And right now, that's what's important. I'd rather run a few miles easy than avoid running at all because I don't have the energy to run 5x800 repeats at goal 5k pace. If I don't get a decent time, hey. Time will be my focus next.. time. Hehe. This time, my goal is to enter the 5k race, and complete it. That's more than I've done in over two years! So I'm okay with that goal. Gonna start small, and work my way up. So here I go! Off to squeeze in a decent run before curfew!

5k training!

I know every time I post in here, I always say I'm going to start posting more often. : /
Maybe this time that will actually happen?
This semester I haven't been running too consistently, at least not until recently.
I don't exactly remember when it was that I decided this, but I decided to start training for a 5k. The last time I did that, I ran a few times, didn't run for a while, and then showed up on race day after sleeping in and having hardly any time to warm up. That was a fun time. That was also... over two years ago. I guess it was about three weeks ago I decided to start training for one again, seeing as I'm three weeks into my training. I had found a six-week training program online, and then found a race taking place on New Year's Day, which happened to be exactly six weeks from that point- perfect!
The training program is designed for "recreational runners." I don't really know what to qualify myself as; I know I'm not really a beginner, but I know I'd be foolish to still consider myself a "competitive runner." I haven't been one of those since my senior year of high school. I guess "recreational" will have to do. It's nice because the training program will prepare me to be able to complete the 3.1-mile distance with ease, but isn't too much of a time constraint. That makes it really manageable for a full-time college student.
I'm just about halfway through my 3rd week of training now. I haven't stuck to the program strictly, but it's nice to know that even if I get off-track for a day, I can always jump back on the next day. The program is pretty flexible, too, which is nice.
It's nice to have something to aim towards, although I have to remember not to aim too high. I know if I didn't have a race to train for, it would be a lot harder to motivate myself to get out and run almost every day, because that never happened before. I would decide I needed to start running again, and would do it for a few days, and then just stop again. But for almost three weeks now, I've been fairly consistent. That feels pretty good. Having a goal reminds me not to give up on my training, and also motivates me to keep going, even when it's cold outside, or when I don't want to run on the treadmill (sometimes I have to because it's too dark outside by the time I am able to run).
Here's what I mean though by aiming too high. I'm just going to put it right out there. I was aiming for a 22-minute 5k. I figured, my best time was around 20:30 in high school, and I probably won't be able to run that fast, so I'll aim for slower but not too slow. Part of my training calls for doing repeats at 5k pace or faster, and I've found that to try to do so, I'm reallllly pushing myself hard. Last week, I just barely finished my 4x800 workout at 7:00 mile pace, and was so worn out at the end. Tonight, I was supposed to do 6x400 at :10 faster than my goal 5k pace. I only completed four. : /
It doesn't help that I have asthma. I'm pretty sure I mention that often in here- that sometimes I forget that I have it. You'd think by now it would have sunk in. But, the reality is, I have it. And I have to accept it. I have to stop being stubborn and realize that with that, along with other health problems, and the fact that I'm no longer 17 and able to train as extensively as I used to, it's probably not too reasonable to aim for a 22-minute 5k. And my focus has changed; it's not so much as getting a fast time. I know that I need to exercise to stay healthy, and training for this 5k has helped me to do that consistently.
So, I'll keep training. I've been able to do my "easy runs" pretty, well, easily, but for my speed workouts I'll need to figure out a pace that is a little more manageable- one that I can keep up throughout the whole workout consistently without feeling like I'm dying. And I'll run the 5k. I'll do my best, but be okay with not getting a time under 22 minutes.
I really am going to try to post more consistently in here, even if it is just a quick update on what I did for training that day. Here's what I've done so far:
Week 1-
Monday, 11/22: 2 miles easy
Tuesday, 11/23: 4xhill repeats at a pace that feels like 5k pace
Wednesday, 11/24: rest
Thursday, 11/25: took the day off.
Friday, 11/26: 2 miles easy
Saturday, 11/27: 2 miles easy
Sunday, 11/28: 2 miles easy, on the treadmill

Week 2-
Monday, 11/29: 2.25 miles easy
Tuesday, 11/30: 4x800 repeats at 3:30, with 400 rest in between. Ran at Milton Academy; 1st repeat: 3:33. 2nd repeat: 3:31. 3rd repeat: 3:34. 4th repeat: 3:30. 800 cooldown
Wednesday, 12/1: rest
Thursday, 12/2: 2.25 miles easy, on the treadmill
Friday, 12/3: 2.25 miles easy
Saturday, 12/4: 2.5 miles easy
Sunday, 12/5: rest

Week 3-
Monday, 12/6: didn't run
Tuesday, 12/7: didn't run. wasn't feeling well.
Wednesday, 12/8: 2.5 miles easy
Thursday, 12/9: training called for 6x400 at :10 faster than 5k goal pace. I finished 4, on the treadmill.

Tomorrow I'll do 2.5 easy, then 3 easy on Saturday, and that'll complete training for week 3!

I'll keep ya posted!

I prahhhmise March 20th was not the last time I ran. I'm just really bad about posting. I'm terrible with consistency when it comes to these things. I suppose if I knew people actually read this that I'd be more inclined to write more often. But, no. I will do this for me. That's why I created it in the first place. If anybody happens to read along, cool. Enjoy. But I'm writing this for me, because it helps me to flesh out what I actually learn from running and to mark my progress, and it's designed to give me some kind of accountability. So, here's to a fresh start. Today, August 11, 2010, I resolve to write about each run. Starting today.

I don't know how long I ran, or how far, but I don't care. I mean, I have an idea, because I've ran that route plenty of times, but I don't care. That's not the important thing. The important thing is, I did it. I finished. Ohhh, how I've missed you, running. How I've missed the feeling I get after a run. I wish I could to describe it to you, those of you who may read this.

And oh, how I wish that I didn't have asthma. But, I do. That's a fact I have to accept. And, I have to actually take responsibility and realize that not taking my asthma medication actually does make a difference on a day-to-day basis, as much as I'd like to try and ignore that fact. Today was the first day in a while that I can remember that the humidity wasn't stifling. I realized I needed to take advantage of that and run. So, I did. It started out great, but as I went along, my lungs felt like they just weren't getting any air in. But, I'm stubborn and I kept going anyway.

About 10 minutes into my run, a sense of thankfulness swept over me. I was thankful for the lessons that running teaches me. I suddenly felt a surge of energy and was excited, but knew I couldn't let myself pick up the pace too much and expend all my energy in one short burst. I love that God uses those things to teach me spiritual parallels. Sometimes, I get a fresh vision of who God is and who He wants me to be, and I just feel on fire and filled with joy and energized to tread forward full-speed ahead. But when I hit a rough patch, and I get tired, it's easy to want to give up. So, just like when I'm running, I realize I have to pace myself, and be consistent.

As I got toward the end of my run and was getting tired, it was so tempting to give up because I was hurting. I was tempted to let my form fall apart and just shuffle along messily. But I realize that if I want to do things right, it may hurt. If I want to do things God's way, it may mean pain. But I know it's worth it. At that point in my run, I wasn't concerned with finishing fast, but finishing strong. I'm competitive. I always want to be the first, the best. But God is teaching me that fast isn't always best. I don't want to finish fast if it means letting my form fall apart. I don't want to rush into anything to make a name for myself before God has led me to do anything. I want to pace myself and live consistently for Him, and focus on finishing strong. I want to focus on waiting on His timing before I rush into something because it looks admirable. I believe that God has called me to ministry. But right now, I don't know what that looks like. I don't know that when I graduate, I'm going to go straight onto the missions field or end up working at a church. David was annointed as king as a young teenager, but it was years before he actually became king. I want to wait on God's timing. I don't want to get ahead of Him and jump into something because it looks good and it seems like something He would want me to do, only to realize I'm not ready and end up backing out. Now, I know people have made mistakes. I've made mistakes. I guess that's why now I realize that I'm willing to wait. Ready to move as God leads, but willing to be faithful in the things He's given me to do now without having even a glimpse of the timing or the place or position He may place me in in the years to come.

I love God.
I love running.
That's all.

Today I learned two things:

1. The importance of keeping your arms close to your body when running.
2. When it is windy and you're running, no matter in which direction you are running, you are always running into the wind.

1. For some reason, I randomly pulled my arms closer into my body during my run. There is a tendency there to scrunch up the shoulders, so I think that in keeping my shoulders down I have felt the impulse to keep my arms out to the side a little. But not so! Keeping them in close to the body makes for more efficient running. I love when I discover new tricks that improve my form.

2. Whenever the wind blew, it was always against me. And it seems to just happen to blow when I'm running up inclines. Which I hate. I have grown to love hills, but the long, gradual inclines, not so much.

Anyway, I ran for 4 1/4 miles today. It took me about 45 minutes. It was hard. I was breathing hard pretty much from the get-go. Sometimes I forget I have asthma and that it makes running difficult. : /
I feel like it makes it that much more satisfying when I finish, though. I wanted to quit on multiple occasion, and wasn't running very fast, but I did it. :)

Hi guys.
I know I said I'd post last weekend, but I didn't. I'm sorry! I promise it hasn't been that long since I've run.

I didn't run on Friday, but I did buy my new sneaks! Woo hoo! I got the Asics Nimbus 11, which just came out. My previous pair were the Asics Nimbus 10. I like these one a lot, but they've made some changes in the fit. They're firmer than my old ones (I know they're new and need to be broken in, but still).

So, I headed back to school Sunday night. At school, I try to run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (I have time in the morning before my first class) and work out on Tuesday and Thursdays when I get back from work at night (my day is jam-packed until I get back!). I didn't run Monday, because I woke up a half-an-hour before I had class. Thus, no running. :( Tuesday I could have worked out after work, but I chose to watch American Idol instead. Whoops! For the record, though, I planned on working out after I watched it, but I didn't know it was going to be on until 10. Oh wellll.

Wednesday I did run, but I still woke up late so I only had time to run for 20 minutes. I was tired. And, had major issues with shoelaces. I don't know what my deal is-- I don't know if it's just that I'm really picky about how my shoes fit, or if I have weirdly shaped feet, or what. But I had to stop to retie my left shoe like 8 times within 20 minutes. And each successive time, I grew more and more frustrated. It was either too loose, or too tight, or too constricting on my ankle, or.. whatever. My right shoe was just fine. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get my left shoe to tie just like the right one, but I couldn't. I vowed that whenever I ran after that, I'd do a little test run and make sure my shoelaces were tied satisfactorily before I actually headed out on my run.

Last night I did actually work out after work. I borrowed Maya's Jillian Michaels' Thirty Day Shred DVD, and she kicked my butt--literally. Well, actually, I kicked my own, but she made me. It was worth it, though. I'm definitely feeling it today.

Okay. SO. Now for today's run.

I fought off a wild dog that was trying to chase me. Just kidding. ;) But I did have blood all over my shirt when I got back. The reason why was not all that exciting, though. I got a bloody nose.
I had a runny nose, so I blew a snot rocket. Gross, I know. (I'm so ladylike sometimes, aren't I?) Then I went to spit, another gross habit of mine when I run (what? it's not like I do it when I'm not running... it's kind of a necessity, okay?), and I noticed it was red. Oh, no. I held up my hand to my nose, only to pull back a bloody hand. Great. I still had a little bit of a ways to go before it was going to be time for me to turn back, but I realized I just needed to go back and turn around then. I balled up the bottom of my shirt and held it up to my nose to block the gushage, and continued to run. After a little bit, I thought, "Who am I kidding?" So I stopped and walked the rest of the way.
Bloody noses are bad, but they seem intensified when I'm running. I've gotten them twice before while running--not fun.
So I walked back to the school, blood-stained t-shirt and all. Megan ran past me and stopped and walked with me for a little bit to make sure I was okay, which was nice.
I felt pretty embarrassed-- I didn't want all these people driving by and whatnot to think, "What's wrong with that girl?" But then, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. It is pretty funny. And besides, it makes for a good story. I mean, I had you going there for a second with the wild dog story, right? (Humor me--say yes).

Needless to say, the bloody t-shirt is in the trash can. I didn't get to finish my run, but stuff happens.

I didn't run today. Or, rather, yesterday now. Tomorrow (aka today, or when I wake up from sleep, which should begin right about now), I will run. And post. And buy new running sneakers perhaps? Ooh I hope so!