This morning I had a meeting with a client and her printer rep contact. This woman was quite a character. First of all, one of her daughters had just gotten into a very bad automobile accident. She wasn't wearing a seatbelt and smashed her face and body pretty good into the steering wheel and dashboard. The printer rep told the story about when she went to the hospital, seeing her for the first time after the accident, starting with her bloody boots that were beside her bed, to her mangled leg, to her smashed up face. Her motherly and unchecked reaction made the daughter cry.
She told the story hidden behind an almost comical veil, as if she were telling a "good one" about a humorous encounter at the grocery store. I couldn't help but to take it all in: her facial expressions, her chosen words, the knowledge that she didn't know me at all and was freely talking about something so serious, her appearance of being completely unbothered by her daughter's situation while simultaneously emitting an aura of deep concern...
It was fascinating.
The entire drive back to work from the meeting, I thought about how interesting she was. Not that I liked her or disliked her, but that I just found all of the elements around this human being so intriguing and pleasantly compelling. Maybe what romanced me so much was I felt a security through the recognition of her as a person.
And then I thought about the time where I thought I had come up with a fresh idea to write and collect true stories about people. Just ordinary people, and their ordinary but captivating lives...but showcasing their lives in a thought-provoking way. But it had already been done on NPR through StoryCorps. Of course it had.
And then I thought about how much I hate what I'm doing at my job.
I feel like I can be more, do more, create more and show the world (or maybe just the city) more and it is frustrating the hell out of me. I'm drowning in work. Not in the volume of work as it has been so many times before, but in the substance. I am better than this. I need to figure out how to make my talents useful.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
6 Miles
I feel like I'm starting over. There's no point in belly aching over it. All I can do is keep going forward and hope that I figure out some asthma/allergy treatment that works.
I did some jumping jacks and jogs in place and burpees to try to do a "dynamic warmup" thinking that might help my leg pain. I must not have done the right things - the leg pain was strong.
Mile 1 - 11:20
Mile 2 - 11:06
Mile 3 - 10:56
Mile 4 - 10:48
Mile 5 - 10:55
Mile 6 - 10:32
I did some jumping jacks and jogs in place and burpees to try to do a "dynamic warmup" thinking that might help my leg pain. I must not have done the right things - the leg pain was strong.
Mile 1 - 11:20
Mile 2 - 11:06
Mile 3 - 10:56
Mile 4 - 10:48
Mile 5 - 10:55
Mile 6 - 10:32
Monday, April 2, 2012
10 ish Miles
Sunday morning began with a light drizzle and plenty of clouds. The drizzle was over by the time Casey and I started a 10.5 mile run. It was chilly and breezy.
Max joined us for the first 2.5. It felt quick, but the watch told me it wasn't. After a short break dropping off the 4 legged running companion, we headed out for the remaining 8. My breathing was sporadic. We had stopped a couple of times during the first 2.5 due to dogs wanting to say hi to Max. But I figured the short break would have allowed me to get everything back under control.
By mile 3 or 4 it was just really rough. Just wasn't a good running day for me I guess. I'm not 100% sure what the deal was, but by later in the run low blood sugar became an apparent issue. So maybe it was just kind of not ideal from the start. With Red Bird Lane looming in the distance for the stint between 6 and 8, I was a bit nervous. I knew I could get through it, but not well. The first hill had me crawling. I did better coming back. But then I was done. My head was light and I felt puffy-dizzy. The last two miles I talked to my belly button, started and stopped my watch at the wrong times while talking walk breaks, became really grumpy and couldn't stop thinking about downing a can of Pepsi. I was pretty happy to eat some yogurt with chocolate chips back at the Gways. When I got home, I drank most of a Coke...heaven.
Splits...though they became very off towards the end since I couldn't seem to consistently start and stop my watch (I was stopping it when we'd start running after a walk break even though I never stopped it in the first place). Way worse than I've been doing. Never was in the 10:15 arena.
Mile 1- 10:22
Mile 2- 10:47
Mile 3- 10:30
Mile 4- 10:43
Mile 5- 10:51
Mile 6- 10:47
Mile 7- 11:18 (but this could be off)
Mile 8- 12:02 (definitely off)
Mile 9 - 12:30 (definitely off)
Watch ended up showing 9.5 miles, but we think we ran 10 or 10.5. Took a wrong turn at one point - and with my bad watch operation...not sure! But it was at least 10.
In about an hour I have an appointment with the allergist to see if I need anything else for the breathing. I just want to make sure I'm doing all I can on my end, and then I'll go from there. Chest never tightened, airway never really was restricted, but I still wheeze on my exhales.
Max joined us for the first 2.5. It felt quick, but the watch told me it wasn't. After a short break dropping off the 4 legged running companion, we headed out for the remaining 8. My breathing was sporadic. We had stopped a couple of times during the first 2.5 due to dogs wanting to say hi to Max. But I figured the short break would have allowed me to get everything back under control.
By mile 3 or 4 it was just really rough. Just wasn't a good running day for me I guess. I'm not 100% sure what the deal was, but by later in the run low blood sugar became an apparent issue. So maybe it was just kind of not ideal from the start. With Red Bird Lane looming in the distance for the stint between 6 and 8, I was a bit nervous. I knew I could get through it, but not well. The first hill had me crawling. I did better coming back. But then I was done. My head was light and I felt puffy-dizzy. The last two miles I talked to my belly button, started and stopped my watch at the wrong times while talking walk breaks, became really grumpy and couldn't stop thinking about downing a can of Pepsi. I was pretty happy to eat some yogurt with chocolate chips back at the Gways. When I got home, I drank most of a Coke...heaven.
Splits...though they became very off towards the end since I couldn't seem to consistently start and stop my watch (I was stopping it when we'd start running after a walk break even though I never stopped it in the first place). Way worse than I've been doing. Never was in the 10:15 arena.
Mile 1- 10:22
Mile 2- 10:47
Mile 3- 10:30
Mile 4- 10:43
Mile 5- 10:51
Mile 6- 10:47
Mile 7- 11:18 (but this could be off)
Mile 8- 12:02 (definitely off)
Mile 9 - 12:30 (definitely off)
Watch ended up showing 9.5 miles, but we think we ran 10 or 10.5. Took a wrong turn at one point - and with my bad watch operation...not sure! But it was at least 10.
In about an hour I have an appointment with the allergist to see if I need anything else for the breathing. I just want to make sure I'm doing all I can on my end, and then I'll go from there. Chest never tightened, airway never really was restricted, but I still wheeze on my exhales.
Monday, March 26, 2012
9 miles after the race
Casey and I ran 9 miles Sunday. Last week I didn't do much. Had one sloppy slow run. No spinning (it was kind of nice to take a break from spinning). A lot of yard work that made me sore. And fighting a motocycle I was dropping that made me sore.
But by Sunday I was good to go.
Splits:
Mile 1- 10:18
Mile 2- 10:35 (leg pain)
Mile 3- 10:34 (leg pain)
Mile 4- 10:31
Mile 5- 10:13
Mile 6- 10:01
Mile 7- 10:20
Mile 8- 9:52
Mile 9- 10:02
So, kind of sort of a negative split run? The hills kind of dictated the pace fluctuations. But I tried to finish strong. Asthma kicked in at the end, which was a weird sensation. I'm still figuring it out.
But by Sunday I was good to go.
Splits:
Mile 1- 10:18
Mile 2- 10:35 (leg pain)
Mile 3- 10:34 (leg pain)
Mile 4- 10:31
Mile 5- 10:13
Mile 6- 10:01
Mile 7- 10:20
Mile 8- 9:52
Mile 9- 10:02
So, kind of sort of a negative split run? The hills kind of dictated the pace fluctuations. But I tried to finish strong. Asthma kicked in at the end, which was a weird sensation. I'm still figuring it out.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Next Up...the Pig
Heart Mini done.
Fitness exposed.
Motivation high.
I am not disappointed with my time at the mini, because I thought all I could do was probably a 10:30 pace, given my very late in the training asthma revelation and the toughness of the course. So really, I'm pretty happy with it. I would have liked to have done better, but realistically, I think the way it turned out was great.
And now...the Pig.
I'm so excited. Now that I know the source of all of my breathing issues, I'm hopeful that training will be more productive once I have the asthma all under control. I feel like an athlete again, even if a very amateur one :) My leg issue hasn't gone away. But holy crap now I can breathe and breathe when I run and not cough and I'm sleeping better and GAH!!!!!! It's soooooo exciting!!!!!!!
So, my plan for the next weeks is to get stronger, lose more weight, and run more miles. Time is time, but I'm a hopeless dreamer for progress. Plus this weather is awesome right now. Makes me want to go outside all of the time.
I geek out thinking about schedules.
Current schedule has been like this:
Mondays - usually rest, occasional lifting
Tuesdays - spinning and yoga, a couple times I'd run 2 or so miles
Wednesdays - hardly ever did anything
Thursdays - spinning
Fridays - hardly ever did anything, but more frequent than Wednesdays
Saturdays - nothing
Sundays - long run
......This is what got me 10:31 at the Mini. Well no wonder. I only had 2 days of running usually. 3 if I was lucky. Spinning is awesome. But, it's not running. It is important cross training for sure. And I know it makes my legs stronger. But...still.
Ideal schedule for the future:
Mondays - rest, lift
Tuesdays - run 2, spinning, yoga
Wednesdays - mid-distance run (4 - 5 miles)
Thursdays - spinning
Fridays - run 3 miles quick
Saturday - run 3 miles easy
Sunday - long run
Is that possible? I'm not sure. I think spinning twice a week is challenging and might take away from running. I honestly go every week because of Erin! :) Running Tuesday before class might be OK. Running Thursday before class would be easier because it's a later class. I could run at home even, then go. Hmmm. Also, I need to lift and work on my core!! Mondays are easy for that. And Tuesday is a strength day of sorts. Maybe Friday is also a lifting day?
I am not sure what should be done when. But I will figure this out and make it work. I've made spinning Tuesdays and Thursdays work. I haven't missed in a LONG time. It took a few weeks, but I managed to make it fit into my schedule. I am confident I can add in more running. It's just going to take some thinking ahead.
Fitness exposed.
Motivation high.
I am not disappointed with my time at the mini, because I thought all I could do was probably a 10:30 pace, given my very late in the training asthma revelation and the toughness of the course. So really, I'm pretty happy with it. I would have liked to have done better, but realistically, I think the way it turned out was great.
And now...the Pig.
I'm so excited. Now that I know the source of all of my breathing issues, I'm hopeful that training will be more productive once I have the asthma all under control. I feel like an athlete again, even if a very amateur one :) My leg issue hasn't gone away. But holy crap now I can breathe and breathe when I run and not cough and I'm sleeping better and GAH!!!!!! It's soooooo exciting!!!!!!!
So, my plan for the next weeks is to get stronger, lose more weight, and run more miles. Time is time, but I'm a hopeless dreamer for progress. Plus this weather is awesome right now. Makes me want to go outside all of the time.
I geek out thinking about schedules.
Current schedule has been like this:
Mondays - usually rest, occasional lifting
Tuesdays - spinning and yoga, a couple times I'd run 2 or so miles
Wednesdays - hardly ever did anything
Thursdays - spinning
Fridays - hardly ever did anything, but more frequent than Wednesdays
Saturdays - nothing
Sundays - long run
......This is what got me 10:31 at the Mini. Well no wonder. I only had 2 days of running usually. 3 if I was lucky. Spinning is awesome. But, it's not running. It is important cross training for sure. And I know it makes my legs stronger. But...still.
Ideal schedule for the future:
Mondays - rest, lift
Tuesdays - run 2, spinning, yoga
Wednesdays - mid-distance run (4 - 5 miles)
Thursdays - spinning
Fridays - run 3 miles quick
Saturday - run 3 miles easy
Sunday - long run
Is that possible? I'm not sure. I think spinning twice a week is challenging and might take away from running. I honestly go every week because of Erin! :) Running Tuesday before class might be OK. Running Thursday before class would be easier because it's a later class. I could run at home even, then go. Hmmm. Also, I need to lift and work on my core!! Mondays are easy for that. And Tuesday is a strength day of sorts. Maybe Friday is also a lifting day?
I am not sure what should be done when. But I will figure this out and make it work. I've made spinning Tuesdays and Thursdays work. I haven't missed in a LONG time. It took a few weeks, but I managed to make it fit into my schedule. I am confident I can add in more running. It's just going to take some thinking ahead.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Heart Mini Marathon Results
Steph:
Overall 1644.
146/281 age group.
769/1615 female.
5K - 31:56 (10:15 pace)
10K - 1:04:15 (10:22 pace)
FINAL - 1:37:47 (10:31 pace)
Casey:
Overall 814.
94/173 age group.
518/1158 male.
5K - 26:46 (8:38 pace)
10K - 55:08 ( 8:54 pace)
FINAL - 1:24:52 (9:08 pace)
This was a tough race...but I'm pretty pleased with how I did. It was what I expected I could manage, after figuring out the breathing issues. It was amazing running without the struggle to breathe. I'm just still amazed an kind of in shock about the whole asthma thing.
The hills are what got me. They always do. Torrence was mentally defeating. I ran up it all the way, trying not to check too often for the turn-around. Then the hill after Torrence really sucked the rest of the life out of me.
For most of the race I was just bored. It is boring not running with anyone.
My splits:
Mile 1 - unknown (watch wasn't syncing, so I didn't start until the first mile marker)
Mile 2 - 10:38
Mile 3 - 9:51
Mile 4 - 10:12
Mile 5 - 10:12
Mile 6 - 11:12 (Torrence!!!)
Mile 7 - 10:31
Mile 8 - 10:28
Mile 9 - 11:07
Mile 9.3 - 10:33
Sooooo....I only had a couple miles over 11's and those were ones with HUGE hills. I'm pretty pleased. But I know that I need to do a lot more work before the Pig. Hill repeats. And more running. The spinning is great, but I need to run more. I need to work it back into my morning schedule. That's it plain and simple.
I'm all hyped up and excited about it...I will probably make a rough schedule for the weeks to come before the Pig tonight :) I'm a dork like that.
Overall 1644.
146/281 age group.
769/1615 female.
5K - 31:56 (10:15 pace)
10K - 1:04:15 (10:22 pace)
FINAL - 1:37:47 (10:31 pace)
Casey:
Overall 814.
94/173 age group.
518/1158 male.
5K - 26:46 (8:38 pace)
10K - 55:08 ( 8:54 pace)
FINAL - 1:24:52 (9:08 pace)
This was a tough race...but I'm pretty pleased with how I did. It was what I expected I could manage, after figuring out the breathing issues. It was amazing running without the struggle to breathe. I'm just still amazed an kind of in shock about the whole asthma thing.
The hills are what got me. They always do. Torrence was mentally defeating. I ran up it all the way, trying not to check too often for the turn-around. Then the hill after Torrence really sucked the rest of the life out of me.
For most of the race I was just bored. It is boring not running with anyone.
My splits:
Mile 1 - unknown (watch wasn't syncing, so I didn't start until the first mile marker)
Mile 2 - 10:38
Mile 3 - 9:51
Mile 4 - 10:12
Mile 5 - 10:12
Mile 6 - 11:12 (Torrence!!!)
Mile 7 - 10:31
Mile 8 - 10:28
Mile 9 - 11:07
Mile 9.3 - 10:33
Sooooo....I only had a couple miles over 11's and those were ones with HUGE hills. I'm pretty pleased. But I know that I need to do a lot more work before the Pig. Hill repeats. And more running. The spinning is great, but I need to run more. I need to work it back into my morning schedule. That's it plain and simple.
I'm all hyped up and excited about it...I will probably make a rough schedule for the weeks to come before the Pig tonight :) I'm a dork like that.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Weekend Things
This weekend's eating was ok. I was a bit more mindful of it at least. At home, things were good. Friday night we had Mexican which was tons of calories I'm sure. Saturday morning I had eggs, then we had Chipotle, then there was a lot of walking around downtown for Bockfest. I think I had three, maybe four beers. We ate at a pretty delicious Belgian restaurant: chicken, a waffle, and salad.
Sunday morning, I got up around 7:30 and headed to the grocery. Casey and I were going to run 10 miles, and I needed something to eat other than eggs. I had a bagel with cream cheese. Bagels are so filling! Seems to be a good pre-long run breakfast for me.
The run was really rough. I went back and forth between feeling like I had a lot of energy and like I had little energy. We got through the 10 though. I was really struggling during certain parts. But Casey helped greatly to pul me along.
Our splits (determined by my pace of course) were as follows:
1 - 10:06
2 - 10:32
3 - 11:03
4 - 10:57
5 - 10:59
6 - 10:52
7 - 11:15
8 - 10:57
9 - 11:13
10 - 11:42 (ug!)
So, not a stellar performance, but comparing to the two 8s we've ran, I suppose it wasn't far off.
What is WAY different however, is how I felt afterwords. I felt terrible. We had some Ovaltine then I took a shower. I could have stayed in the shower for 15 more minutes to warm up. I was chilled to the bone, which is common for me after a cold long run. But then I just didn't feel good. After eating, I slept for 2 hours, which finally made me feel better. It just really wiped me out!
Very glad we finished the 10!!! :) On a good training track for sure.
Sunday morning, I got up around 7:30 and headed to the grocery. Casey and I were going to run 10 miles, and I needed something to eat other than eggs. I had a bagel with cream cheese. Bagels are so filling! Seems to be a good pre-long run breakfast for me.
The run was really rough. I went back and forth between feeling like I had a lot of energy and like I had little energy. We got through the 10 though. I was really struggling during certain parts. But Casey helped greatly to pul me along.
Our splits (determined by my pace of course) were as follows:
1 - 10:06
2 - 10:32
3 - 11:03
4 - 10:57
5 - 10:59
6 - 10:52
7 - 11:15
8 - 10:57
9 - 11:13
10 - 11:42 (ug!)
So, not a stellar performance, but comparing to the two 8s we've ran, I suppose it wasn't far off.
What is WAY different however, is how I felt afterwords. I felt terrible. We had some Ovaltine then I took a shower. I could have stayed in the shower for 15 more minutes to warm up. I was chilled to the bone, which is common for me after a cold long run. But then I just didn't feel good. After eating, I slept for 2 hours, which finally made me feel better. It just really wiped me out!
Very glad we finished the 10!!! :) On a good training track for sure.
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