RunningBySheds

I want to do a run every month this year. Not a marathon, not necessarily a half, just a run for the fun of it. So far I’ve got:

January - London’s Run at Schnepf’s farm in Queen Creek. I ran it last year, a nice 10K run, out in the farm fields. I remember thinking to myself, “I’m running in fricken cotton fields, man!!” as I did it. I’d never seen real cotton in my life! And along the way, when you got tired and wanted to quit, there were pictures of children who were currently battling cancer — so motivating!

February - Lost Dutchman half, for which I am presently training.

March - the Nun Run, either a 5K or a 10K, at Tempe Kinsmen park.

April - I’ll be in Loughborough England, so I don’t know what I’m running yet but I’ll find something!

May - Back home in Alberta, there’s the Five Miler around Jessie Lake, organized by Portage College students with funds raised for children of students in financial need.

June - open

July - open

August - I’d like to do the River Run Classic in Saskatoon Sask, because it’s along the river valley. When I was going to the U of S I spent a lot of time walking back and forth to classes, always for work never for pleasure; I’d like to finally take that path just for the FUN of it.

September - Always a Terry Fox run somewhere.

October - I’ve done the Victoria half three times, maybe the Kelowna run the following weekend? Not sure.

November - I’ll do the Veteran’s Day run in person this time, not virtually! Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just nicer to get the ambience/mood/spirit of the actual run.

December - 12 Ks of Christmas, and maybe another run that I couldn’t do this year because I had a prior commitment, but it involved running around a neighborhood and looking at fabulous lights.

From reading on Tumblr, what really interests me is that Soaring Wings run in Conway. Maybe I’d fly there, then work my way back to AZ?

10 things you didn’t know about me

1. I have two homes, one in Alberta and one in Phoenix
2. I have two kids and three grandkids
3. I seem to have self-esteem issues (I’m not important, no one will care what I say/do, tend to put others needs ahead of my own — but running is really helping me to deal with that!)
4. I played clarinet when I was a kid
5. I have a set of drums (which I want to learn to play with passion and intensity, even tho I haven’t touched them for a year)
6. I taught in Norman Wells NT for seven years (about 400 mi east of Alaska border)
7. My highest weight was 170; lowest adult weight 125 (I looked very unhealthy at both)
8. I was into photography a few years back; I love taking pictures with my old Nikon D50 camera, esp sunsets and nature
9. I’ve been told I have a great sense of humor and I believe it
10. Before I started this Tumblr blog I had another: Rantankerous.blogspot.com, but I stopped it when I started this. Might go back to it on occasion; sometimes I have some really strong opinions that don’t really belong on what I like to think of as my fitness blog..

Before I went for today’s run I checked Tumblr and saw a pic of Robindoesrunning after a good treadmill workout — man she was glistening! I wanted to sweat like her, that was my self-talk as I headed out, and I knew it could happen because I was supposed to do some hill training. I ran a couple of miles outside, then went on the treadmill to do inclines. I did six, running at 4.6 at a 10% incline for a minute and a half each time, walking 30 sec to a minute in between. And there was sweat! I guess I’m not pushing myself hard enough when I run, because I don’t sweat very much at all, at least not like today.

I checked my book (John Stanton, Running Start to Finish) and I think I got it figured right — hills should be at a 10% incline and be at least 400m or 440 yards long, and I figure that should take me at least three minutes. So, as much as I was played out by today’s “hills”, I was only doing half of what I should. I think.

I am unable to spend Christmas with the three little people I love most in this world, ages 4, 2, and eight months, so in some ways it’s been hard for me to get into the “spirit of the season”. But I will say this. I started my Tumblr blog six months ago, and I feel a greater connection with my peeps on here than I do with actual family members. For all your support I thank you, you have helped me in ways you cannot imagine, and I hope that some of you can say the same of me.

Whether you are alone, or with family, or with good friends, at home or far away, I wish each and every one of you the best of the season, and a New Year that is as filled with the joys and successes and accomplishments as this past year was!

All of you, you rock!

I am so glad I stumbled upon Ben’s blog and the Do Life movement a year ago. It has changed my life for the better in so many ways, and will continue to do so. Thanks again Tumblrs for all your inspiration!!

Today my run called for a 3K run, five hills, then another 3K cooldown.

No hills here, so I ran 3K outside, then hopped on the treadmill to do the hills. My running speed was 3.5 and I changed the incline each time, from 11 to 11.5 to 12 to 12.5 then 14. Which all prompted the thought: How the hell high does this thing go?? I ran a minute at 11 (“These go to 11” — ha! ha! thanks Nigel!!), then lowered for a minute, then back up, and so on and so on.

My husband insists on buying candy and nuts for the holiday season “in case company comes, so we have something to offer them”. Any company that does come never eats anything anyway, and I have issues with this whole candy thing because when it’s not around, I don’t even dwell on it, but guess what happens when I know it’s sitting up in the cupboard a mere three steps away. Dammit!!!!

So I’m (wisely I think) putting my resolve on the shelf for the next few days, gonna continue with the running and other exercise, but if I do happen to chomp on a few chocolate-coated nuts and raisins, I won’t beat myself up over it. Just as long as I keep the amount at a reasonable level, like a handful here or there, not the whole platter. And I anxiously await the arrival of the new year, post-holiday time, starting-over time!

Meanwhile, happy holidays & merry Christmas all.

2.5 mi = 25:55

Plus a good pool workout. I resolved at the beginning of December — no, let me re-phrase that, I considered — spending the month learning to swim decently. Swim every day, start with half a length, keep at it, build up my time, same way I learned to run. After two days I quit. I’m still not ready to commit, and I’m running out of time, but that would be a good New Year’s resolution.

I was really inspired by the post of OurTimeToChange today. He rocks! Hey, we ALL rock because we all have a similar story to tell, facing challenges and changing the parts of our lives that we don’t like. But his story was especially resonant for some reason. I could never do all the CrossFit things he’s doing. Amazing!

12K = 1:24:24

The final reading was 1:27:24 but I took off three min for a wardrobe change

I have a nice tech top with long sleeves. It clings to me so there is no chafing, and it keeps in the heat for when I run in cold weather. Well, it was cold this morning, so I put on this top. I put a short-sleeve top over the first one. This is a common practice for me, nothing unusual at all. It either keeps me warm in cold weather, or else I can remove one of them.Then on goes my armband with the MP3, a hat to keep out rain or sun, and a fuel belt because today was supposed to be my LONG run (which happens to be at 12K at this stage of my training).

But once I got going, it was suddenly very NOT cold, and the breeze wasn’t enough to cool me off, so after about 48 minutes of running, I knew I had to get rid of some clothes. Meaning the tech shirt underneath. Why the underneath one, you ask? Because it has the long sleeves which you can tie around your waist. If you remove the short sleeves, what do you do with them? This time, however, I was close enough to home so I turned around and came back to my carport to change.

I have this routine perfected wherein I can remove the shirt underneath without missing a step, but this time everything was soaked in sweat. Removing wet clothes = difficult, no way (that I know of) to do it quickly.Off with the hat and the Garmin, thot I could leave my fuel belt on, and so the acrobatics began. My tech shirt was glued to my body; what a struggle to remove. It took almost three minutes!! Then on with the Garmin and my MP3 apparatus (armband, headphones etc) so I could carry on. It doesn’t sound like much, but I must look like a crazy woman for sure.

Note: When I was doing the Vegas half a few years ago, some bystanders got a really nice view when I went to remove my undertop, because I grabbed my sports bra and was trying to lift it over my head as well. I just need to convince myself that I’m further ahead to STOP and take care of these things, then carry on; I can’t be saving any time by doing it whilst running. Altho three minutes….

Ramping it up a bit in the training. The schedule called for 4 hills, which is preceded by a 3K run, then a cool down, I usually do a K or so.

I had to modify again. From where I sit, I can see mountains on all sides, ergo lots of hilly terrain. However, they are dozens of miles away, and in my immediate vicinity there are only a few dips with about a 2% grade, and you’re up and down ‘em in 25 seconds. Maybe even 15. If there are no hills, I have to modify, so I do minute-long sprints instead. I’d say my running was around the 6:30-7/min per K pace, and when I did my sprints it was anywhere from 4-5min per K pace. So that’s a bit faster, isn’t that right? (Trying to stay away from “eh?”)

So my time was: 3K = 20:44, followed by four minute-long sprints interspersed with minute-long walks, then a 1K jog. It’s not ideal, but it shows my ability to compromise and adapt, and stick with my commitment. Win. And just to make sure my thighs and calves get a good workout, I’ll do a few sprints on the bleachers at the hockey game tonight. Go Oilers! And ‘yotes.

Well now, that’s more like it. The air is fresh and humid (from over two inches of rain in two days) and the sun is shining, there’s a gentle breeze — perfect running weather! Actually, I do like running in the rain. But it was coming down sooooo hard sometimes, I felt almost threatened! So I didn’t. Run.

But today, as per my schedule, I did 4K, and I did it in 27:56 so almost 28 minutes. Good for not having run since Saturday. Yikes, has it been that long? I did go into the pool — notice I avoid saying I was swimming laps — still have to learn how to do that effectively. I don’t have proper form (I’m thinking) so I don’t move, my neck and shoulders are killing me…. but I digress. I ran, it felt good, and I’ve forgotten all about the two turtles I consumed yesterday in a moment of, well, it was more desire than weakness.

Meanwhile, more rain tomorrow or the next day. I’ve run over ice and snow-packed paths; this is good. I’ll take the rain… OMG I never thot I’d say it, but wouldn’t a winter (i.e. snow) run be nice? I guess it’s part of the human condition to always seek something different. My lesson for the day:

Be happy in the present moment and grateful to be a runner regardless of where it happens.

Worked out in the water today, stayed out of the rain.

I had a couple more comments about the 12 K’s of Christmas….

I listened to my special playlist, and was particularly moved when Lady Antebellum’s “I Run” came on, as well as “Long May You Run” by Neil Young. Appropriately themed! Plus several Zack Brown Band songs — the beat is perfect for me to run to, in most of their songs. I have an eclectic assortment of music, tho admittedly not some genres which are less appealing to me. Hey, it’s my run, my ears, my music. ;-)

Another thing, I was curious about running along the canals here in Phoenix. They make for long, flat runs. I don’t care for concrete, which was part of the deal. I don’t mind dirt paths as long as they’re not too soft or the gravel’s too loose. I prefer pavement but (shame on me) I have a wee complaint. There was quite a slope on some portions, starting high on the inside then slanting down toward the outer edges which meant that my left ankle was continuously tilted, moreso than my right ankle, which made for a different kind of stiffness in the following days.

Overall tho it was another amazing experience, as all runs turn out to be.

Did I say I was ambivalent about running amongst dogs? Well no more. I do not like it at all!! They run at their own pace, get tangled, it was sooooo hot for some of them (they were panting heavily, thick coats in this heat?? I know they got water and shade, but why, was it necessary? but I digress…) That said, I saw some real cuties that melted my heart, which was the whole objective of the thing. Want a puppy for Christmas? How ‘bout a rescue dog??? Like that.

My time was 1:24:28. We ran along the Eastern canal for part of it. I took a few pics, most of them with my finger in the corner, and I’m posting some. One with Santa who looks like he’s standing in the trash but he’s not. One self-portrait (must remember to smile) and then one of my shirt, the finisher’s pin (instead of a medal, gotta save the $$ for the pups, good idea)

a cute Santa hat, and my Asics with the timing chip, why, I don’t know. (I mean, why I put my shoes in the pic.) First time posting multiple photos, so if you don’t see them all, I’ve done something wrong.

Geez, did I say something about considering a full MARATHON yesterday? Hmmm….. This one beat me down, but in fairness to me and the other runners as well, it was freakin’ HOT, no breeze, for the middle and end parts of the run.

4K = 26:38

I was trying to switch to miles from kms, but there are too many buttons and categories on my Garmin to do it. Gotta do some reading first… from a manual that I haven’t seen in a year and god knows where it could be, never mind two diff houses, there are two different countries involved! Wow doesn’t that sound impressive.

It’s the 12Ks of Christmas tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. Apparently there will be lots of dogs. I love animals, I really do — but I’m withholding an opinion as to whether or not this appeals to me, for I generally dislike dogs around runs. Or any public event. How many asses can they sniff? Lots, apparently. And lots of barking. It’s over-stimulating for them. But maybe that’s a good thing every once in awhile.

I’ve been in a time-of-the-year funk: winter, pre-Christmas — usually a time I really dislike for many diff reasons (seriously, how many people aren’t getting sick of the endless crowds and jingle bells and colorful toys and all the electronics you HAVE to buy to fill that empty hole in your heart) — and it’s been difficult to motivate myself re: running. I see I am not alone in this. Well, I discovered the solution to this problem. There is only one, and it is this:

RUN.

I can write things down, I can tell myself stuff, I can play the right music, I can commit to a race, I can eat this or drink that… but none of it guaranteed to get me out of my funk, just running. Without fail: every time I get out there and start running, I get this feeling of exuberance, joy, pleasure, whatever it is, and I am GLAD I got out there and did it. The alternative: feeling sluggish and guilty. I guess Nike’s right.

You gotta JUST DO IT.

5K = 32:15

So even tho my last thots before going to bed were about getting up and running with enthusiasm first thing this morning, I stillllll had a bit of a struggle. Major negativity going on here for a few moments.

Thots: Efff!! It’s cold and dark out there, gotta find my long pants, where’s my long-sleeve shirt, where’s my Garmin, where’s my water bottle, my MP3 (all were where they were supposed to be, easily accessible)….. But I went. I started getting ready, and as night follows the day, I was soon out there thumping down the lane like Frosty the Snowman.

Part way thru I started having positive thots: Man, this feels good! Nobody out here but me! It’s good to be so healthy! ….. and stuff like that…. and when I got in, I was feeling so great I wondered why I’d ever thot about postponing. Geez, eh?

I’m beginning to think runners need to be training all the time. At least for me! I AM training (for the Lost Dutchman Half) but that’s in February. What should I do in the meantime to keep motivated?? I truly do love running, especially once I get out there — but I’m finding myself struggling lately to get it done. Procrastinating, making excuses, doing some crosstraining daily instead of running.

I didn’t get out again today. But that’s changing right now, because I just looked at the 12 Ks of Christmas I’m doing in five days, and I’m starting to get excited. I’m not fully prepared for a 12K run; I can get out there and do it, but I won’t kill it. Because of my slack-ass training.

I looked at the route and it starts at Freestone Park in Gilbert, then goes over to the eastern canal — I am going to run along a canal on Saturday! It’s been bugging me; I know a lot of people are running the canals, but not me. Don’t know where to start, what the better routes are, etc. — when I ask around, all I get is, “Oh yeah, lots of people run the canals.” I need specifics!

I am motivated now. I’m all set to get out there and run tomorrow, no putting it off this time! Like I said, it seems to make a lot of difference to me if I’m just going out for a run, or if I have a specific goal in mind, an event to plan for that isn’t weeks and months away. Focus. Plan. Read Tumblr blogs for encouragement, motivation, information…. It works!