Okay, so everyone has heard me go on and on about how wonderful bootcamp is. I rave about how much I've done and how much I can do now. But you know what...I'm not the only one.
This is actually a link to a CNN story about one of the veteran bootcampers who has lost 128 lbs. Everyone should watch this link and be inspired by this guy. I know I am!
CNN On Operation Bootcamp
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Nine...Just One Away From Double Digits
So today was the nine miler. I have to say I was pretty worried about it since I didn't do the 8 miles last week. Ahh...but the route...it was right back at Piedmont Park and through downtown again. It made me want to get out of bed.
I went to bed early and got up early. Of course we've been getting more little tips about hydrating and what to eat before. I downed a glass of water and ate some peanut butter toast. Not bad.
I got there and everyone was there....except my compadre Emmers. Well, at least my little running buddies were there. Brenda and I set our pace together and we stuck together the whole time. Brenda is awesome, but part of the decision criteria in sticking with her is the fact that she had a water belt and vitamin bricks. Oh yes...zero in on the person with the most to offer and stick with them.
I have to say it was probably the best pace I've hit yet. I was so consistent. One of the trainers was running with us for a bit. She is a big history buff. As we were running through different areas she would point out little things and start spouting out facts. It was like a running tour. Pretty cool. She's also very entertaining. She'll run up behind you at a stop light and start break dancing or singing "All the runners in the house say oooo oooooooo (disco noises)".
It was my first time trying the bricks. Brenda shared one with me about midway through. Wow! What a difference! It's like mouthful of energy! Emma asked what the consistency is like. It's like a cross between jello and taffy. It takes some getting used to, but all in all, not bad. And, hey, if it gets me to the end then I think I am a willing participant.
We finished it and we had a good time doing it. Nine miles was actually easier than the 7 miles. Who'da thought?
I went to bed early and got up early. Of course we've been getting more little tips about hydrating and what to eat before. I downed a glass of water and ate some peanut butter toast. Not bad.
I got there and everyone was there....except my compadre Emmers. Well, at least my little running buddies were there. Brenda and I set our pace together and we stuck together the whole time. Brenda is awesome, but part of the decision criteria in sticking with her is the fact that she had a water belt and vitamin bricks. Oh yes...zero in on the person with the most to offer and stick with them.
I have to say it was probably the best pace I've hit yet. I was so consistent. One of the trainers was running with us for a bit. She is a big history buff. As we were running through different areas she would point out little things and start spouting out facts. It was like a running tour. Pretty cool. She's also very entertaining. She'll run up behind you at a stop light and start break dancing or singing "All the runners in the house say oooo oooooooo (disco noises)".
It was my first time trying the bricks. Brenda shared one with me about midway through. Wow! What a difference! It's like mouthful of energy! Emma asked what the consistency is like. It's like a cross between jello and taffy. It takes some getting used to, but all in all, not bad. And, hey, if it gets me to the end then I think I am a willing participant.
We finished it and we had a good time doing it. Nine miles was actually easier than the 7 miles. Who'da thought?
Snow Day!
Eight- Yeah, it snowed here. I was actually ready to rumble and wanting to kick some serious tail. I didn't care that it was going to snow, I was going running. Then I started watching the weather report. Eh, okay started having some doubts. "No, no, I'm totally going. No excuses!"
I wrote out my route. Laid out my clothes. Everything was all set. Then the alarm clock rang and I looked out my cold bedroom window to a pitch back sky and frost. ICK! Now, if you didn't read my little blurb about 4 miles in the rain, now is the time to scroll down to see it. Images of the 4 mile run came flashing back. If 4 miles was that bad then 8 miles was guaranteed to be twice as bad. I wave the white flag!
I tried to go running at the gym later that night. I figured it may actually be a good thing. A good way to keep pace at a longer distance. Oh how WRONG I was!
Can I just say that there is nothing interesting about running on a treadmill. It is perhaps the most boring and frustrating experience ever. I made it 30 minutes and 3 miles before I called it quites on that too. I once heard a comedian say that running on a treadmill is a metaphor for life, "I keep running and running and I can't get anywhere. No matter how hard I work, it's like I'm running into a wall." Yup, would have to agree with that.
I wrote out my route. Laid out my clothes. Everything was all set. Then the alarm clock rang and I looked out my cold bedroom window to a pitch back sky and frost. ICK! Now, if you didn't read my little blurb about 4 miles in the rain, now is the time to scroll down to see it. Images of the 4 mile run came flashing back. If 4 miles was that bad then 8 miles was guaranteed to be twice as bad. I wave the white flag!
I tried to go running at the gym later that night. I figured it may actually be a good thing. A good way to keep pace at a longer distance. Oh how WRONG I was!
Can I just say that there is nothing interesting about running on a treadmill. It is perhaps the most boring and frustrating experience ever. I made it 30 minutes and 3 miles before I called it quites on that too. I once heard a comedian say that running on a treadmill is a metaphor for life, "I keep running and running and I can't get anywhere. No matter how hard I work, it's like I'm running into a wall." Yup, would have to agree with that.
Why is Six Afraid of Seven?
Seven- Emma and I got our booties up early and made it out to Piedmont Park for our seven mile run. The weather was actually beautiful. It was sunny and warm. It was our first time back with the group after all the holidays. We had a beautiful route and it was so nice to be out there, but I must admit that I was not feeling the run as much as I thought I would.
We found a little group to run with. Emma took the lead, and I...I took the rear. Really, I think it is a was a form of team work. Emma realized the others would need someone to show them the way, and I realized that everyone would need someone to make them feel better about themselves. Awesome! We were the cookies and the others were the cream!
My new shoes are great but I have to say there is something very different about them that my feet haven't gotten used to. My ankles started aching about 3 miles in. All I could think about was how true the analogy of running as "pounding pavement" is.
Two things kept me going. First the route. It was so awesome. We ran past the BOA where I used to work. Then down to Centennial Olympic park. Then back to Juniper Street through all of the pretty neighborhoods. Finishing off with one more loop around Piedmont Park.
The second thing that kept me going was the waterstop. The trainers had planned a waterstop into the route which they said was about 4 miles in. Starting at mile 3 all I could think of was "H2O!!!" They kinda lied. It was really 5 miles in. It helped, but by that time I was already wiped out. I didn't have a chance. I struggled through the last mile but I did it. As long as I finished I don't even care.
They timed us on this run. My time? One hour twenty-four minutes. Not to shabby. Right on pace for an 11 minute mile. Thats awesome! It's actually a great marathon pace! Go me!
We found a little group to run with. Emma took the lead, and I...I took the rear. Really, I think it is a was a form of team work. Emma realized the others would need someone to show them the way, and I realized that everyone would need someone to make them feel better about themselves. Awesome! We were the cookies and the others were the cream!
My new shoes are great but I have to say there is something very different about them that my feet haven't gotten used to. My ankles started aching about 3 miles in. All I could think about was how true the analogy of running as "pounding pavement" is.
Two things kept me going. First the route. It was so awesome. We ran past the BOA where I used to work. Then down to Centennial Olympic park. Then back to Juniper Street through all of the pretty neighborhoods. Finishing off with one more loop around Piedmont Park.
The second thing that kept me going was the waterstop. The trainers had planned a waterstop into the route which they said was about 4 miles in. Starting at mile 3 all I could think of was "H2O!!!" They kinda lied. It was really 5 miles in. It helped, but by that time I was already wiped out. I didn't have a chance. I struggled through the last mile but I did it. As long as I finished I don't even care.
They timed us on this run. My time? One hour twenty-four minutes. Not to shabby. Right on pace for an 11 minute mile. Thats awesome! It's actually a great marathon pace! Go me!
Ode to Brooks
After many long months, two bootcamps, and a obstacle course relay race, my little pair of shoes had finally given up. As much as I hated to retire them, their time had come. Without further ado, here is my farewell poem to my good friend...Brooks.
Even when I couldn't run a mile,
I'd put you on and smile,
You kept my feet from getting blisters,
My two little yellow sisters,
Over rocks, pebbles, stones, and even snakes,
You kept my feet safe in every race,
Thanks for sticking with me through the injury,
Even when you were getting weary,
You were wonderful and helped me get my start,
Now it's time for us to part,
Thanks for getting me to the pole,
I'll mourn your little soles.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Runner's Mindset
"So I run a little slower than usual, warming up, reminding my poor knees and ankles that their life's work is to carry me far and fast on demand. I can feel the cold dry air in my lungs, feel my heart serenely pounding, and as I reach North Avenue I am feeling good and start to speed up. Running is many things to me: survival, calmness, euphoria, solitude. It is proof of my corporeal existance, my ability to control my movement through space if not time, and the obedience, however temporary, of my body to my will. As I run I displace air, and things come and go around me, and the path moves like a filmstrip beneath my feet....I'm flying now, that golden feeling, as if I could run right into the air, and I'm invincible, nothing can stop me, nothing can stop me, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing---."
-The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
-The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
New Years Runs
It's 2008 and I'm determined to hit the ground running. Fortunately I had plenty of time off over the holidays so I was able to get started on my regimen without disrupting my sleep cycle. Always a PLUS!
We went to one of the local trails which is paved and flat all the way through. That way we could work on our distance runs without adding in too many additional stressers such as large hills and broken pavement.
Our first run...5 miles. Really not so bad. It was unbelievably cold that day so by the end neither of us could feel our face let alone any other extremities, covered or uncovered. It felt so good to get back out there and man oh man I didn't think I would be able to keep pace with Emma for so long, but we actually managed to stay together up until the last half mile.
Our second run...6 miles. The weather was actually warm. It was actually the exact opposite of the weather from the last week. So instead of going 2.5 miles and turning around we only had to do 3 miles and turn around. It was a good little mind trick. Just kept telling myself it's only a little bit further. To make it even more interesting the last mile was by a golf course so I just kept thinking "Oooo, what's around the next bend?" Before you knew it I was done.
Mile Mile 5-6 were hard though. By that time we had completed all the really scenic parts of the trail and it was just two miles of trees. Not only that I was soooo thirsty! All I could think about was "Water...Gatorade...Must Have!!" Emma made it in 5 minutes ahead of me, but I never stopped. My pace just slowed down during those last two miles.
Of course knowing me I have to know why, scientifically, I slowed down. Of course hydration was an obvious answer, but what was going on, really. Then we got our weekly running email and low and behold,
"Physiologically, the body must learn to tap into and utilize energy reserves from fat storage sites after the glycogen (fuel stores in the muscles, converted over from carbohydrate food sources) have been depleted. Through long run training, the capacity to store more glycogen within the muscles increases. An increase in glycogen stores translates into the ability to maintain one's pace during the marathon and delay the onset of fatigue. Conversely, trouble is on the horizon when you run out of glycogen, as your pace will significantly decrease."
Gotta love it! Science is brilliant!
We went to one of the local trails which is paved and flat all the way through. That way we could work on our distance runs without adding in too many additional stressers such as large hills and broken pavement.
Our first run...5 miles. Really not so bad. It was unbelievably cold that day so by the end neither of us could feel our face let alone any other extremities, covered or uncovered. It felt so good to get back out there and man oh man I didn't think I would be able to keep pace with Emma for so long, but we actually managed to stay together up until the last half mile.
Our second run...6 miles. The weather was actually warm. It was actually the exact opposite of the weather from the last week. So instead of going 2.5 miles and turning around we only had to do 3 miles and turn around. It was a good little mind trick. Just kept telling myself it's only a little bit further. To make it even more interesting the last mile was by a golf course so I just kept thinking "Oooo, what's around the next bend?" Before you knew it I was done.
Mile Mile 5-6 were hard though. By that time we had completed all the really scenic parts of the trail and it was just two miles of trees. Not only that I was soooo thirsty! All I could think about was "Water...Gatorade...Must Have!!" Emma made it in 5 minutes ahead of me, but I never stopped. My pace just slowed down during those last two miles.
Of course knowing me I have to know why, scientifically, I slowed down. Of course hydration was an obvious answer, but what was going on, really. Then we got our weekly running email and low and behold,
"Physiologically, the body must learn to tap into and utilize energy reserves from fat storage sites after the glycogen (fuel stores in the muscles, converted over from carbohydrate food sources) have been depleted. Through long run training, the capacity to store more glycogen within the muscles increases. An increase in glycogen stores translates into the ability to maintain one's pace during the marathon and delay the onset of fatigue. Conversely, trouble is on the horizon when you run out of glycogen, as your pace will significantly decrease."
Gotta love it! Science is brilliant!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Come Rain or Come Shine
December 29, 2007-
I traveled back from Christmas vacation with everyone in Florida. After a 6 hour drive back I was pretty exhausted, so needless to say that waking up at 7am for a 5 mile run was not tip top on my agenda. We both decided that we would sleep in that Saturday but the running shoes would be mandatorily laced up on Sunday morning.
Sunday morning I wake up and look out the window. I can tell when I swing my legs out of bed that it's cold but I can now see that it's pouring down raining. Sweet! Just what I was looking forward to.
It's too late now. I tell myself it's a good thing to train in the elements. Emma and I do the course I've mapped out around my place. It's a 4 mile loop full of hills. After the first mile we are completely drenched. Mile 1-1.5 is the monster hill in reverse. Wahoo, it's like a wet slip and slide. I feel like I'm flying down the hill! Sad part is that the rest of the course is uphill from here on out.
My running shoes are shot. It's time to get new ones but I keep putting it off telling myself that I can get a few more miles out of them. After this run though, there is no denying it. The shoes are done. I can feel every step and on the way back I can feel shin splints. Uhhh...this is just miserable. I like the rain by the end of it...all I want is new shoes.
I traveled back from Christmas vacation with everyone in Florida. After a 6 hour drive back I was pretty exhausted, so needless to say that waking up at 7am for a 5 mile run was not tip top on my agenda. We both decided that we would sleep in that Saturday but the running shoes would be mandatorily laced up on Sunday morning.
Sunday morning I wake up and look out the window. I can tell when I swing my legs out of bed that it's cold but I can now see that it's pouring down raining. Sweet! Just what I was looking forward to.
It's too late now. I tell myself it's a good thing to train in the elements. Emma and I do the course I've mapped out around my place. It's a 4 mile loop full of hills. After the first mile we are completely drenched. Mile 1-1.5 is the monster hill in reverse. Wahoo, it's like a wet slip and slide. I feel like I'm flying down the hill! Sad part is that the rest of the course is uphill from here on out.
My running shoes are shot. It's time to get new ones but I keep putting it off telling myself that I can get a few more miles out of them. After this run though, there is no denying it. The shoes are done. I can feel every step and on the way back I can feel shin splints. Uhhh...this is just miserable. I like the rain by the end of it...all I want is new shoes.
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