I'm a runner....almost

re: I'm a runner....almost

HeatherLeigh — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 03:08:31 GMT

Yeah, my little intervals are a total mind game. Based on my lap time (not an impressive one at that but I am sure I'll get better), when I get toward the end, I mentally calculate where on the track I'll be able to stop, approximately. I guess I am a visual person. Because today, it got me through my 20 minute interval (up from 15 minutes last week). I was worried today because the last run I did was Saturday, before the bizarre swelling of the feet incident. The end of the program is in sight...5 more days until I am running for a full half hour. Then I can focus on faster/further in the 30 minutes.

The way you describe your training is how people tell you it will be (focus on the small stuff...just keep going) but knowing someone that confirms that this is indeed how it was for them really helps. I still can't believe that I can run for 20 minutes. My shorter intervals didn't allow me to get to my "out of body experience" point (I'm sure there's some technical term for that but it's where your body just keeps going without you having to focus on the mechanics or the pain). Anyway, I got there today 14 minutes into the run, so it was great. It's great to hear that progress is possible!

I definitely think we should peer pressure Suzanne into the 5K. I'll check around to see what is coming up. I probably need about another 6 weeks to be ready, I think.

re: I'm a runner....almost

Raquel — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 01:38:39 GMT

Yes, it's me Heather! :) I've only ran one half marathon (2004 in SF) and am training to run the Seattle half this November. By no means am I fast, my time was just under a 12 min mile. I spent about 6 months to training for the half. Had I not climbed Rainier the year before I'm not sure I would have had the new found confidence that I could do anything sbut since I did I didn't hesitate to sign myself up.

Interval training helped me increase my speed and my cardio capacity to run longer distances. Before the half I'd only run just over 8 but everyone said "if you can run 8, then you can run 9, and if you can run 9, then you can run 10, and you can do the rest on race day adrealine". They were totally right! Either that or I let myself think that they were to get me thru it. :)

With each mile I only focused on getting to the next one and then the next one so I wouldn't be overwhelmed with what was ahead of me. It is a very mental game, at least for me anyway, but it worked and I crossed the finished line.

I swore I would never run another one, but here I am again.

I'll run a 5k with you anytime if Suzanne won't or we can bully her together. :)

re: I'm a runner....almost

Recruitah — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 20:52:50 GMT

Anybody watched last night's episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart...they had something to say abt marathons and walks.. :)

I used to run...used to feel great waking up and being on the road before dawn and enjoy the sunrise...need to get back pronto to that...Golf ain't cuttin it...lost 120 lbs...amazing !!

As RJD said, Mountain Biking is a great idea as well..a friend just visited from South Africa and bought a bike for $ 2200...jeez...my car costs less than that..Im going to get a used bike and start already...

I was at Lake Tahoe last month and it so happened that " America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, 2006 " was going on....I met so many people from all over the country...people biking up and down the mountains around the lake....Id say that the average age of bikers seemed like 40 +...I have seen some people who are 60+...and it almost felt like a slap in the face.....you can imagine how beautiful it was..but you can also go to

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=0B3Z003G

You can also imagine how tough it is..think its 40 miles around the lake, and look at these people..

Great going Heather....abt your sunglasses..yea..many on the market but nothing like a pair of Oakleys...85 to 135 bucks..but worth every penny...

re: I'm a runner....almost

pwibbele — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 18:45:35 GMT

Running groups are awesome! Many people are needlessly intimidated - thinking that they themselves aren't /real/ runners. Check with the running store that sold you your shoes. Many stores have a regular group run as a means of getting people to come back (It works - I bought 3 bottles of no-sweat sun block last week). The group at my local store has runners training at all paces for 5ks, 10ks, marathon's, IronMan's and nothing at all (me).

re: I'm a runner....almost

HeatherLeigh — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:23:51 GMT

Yeah, I'm actually starting to feel good. I've found that I now can keep my heart rate under control. Today, I ran 2 twelve minute intervals in a half hour and after my day off yesterday, it felt pretty good. How weird.

re: I'm a runner....almost

Ray Minchew — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:36:24 GMT

Don't ever feel bad about days off, as long as you don't over do it! Even the best runners in the world take days off; running every day is the exception rather than the rule. Those days off give your muscle time to repair itself. If you're worried about your cardio fitness, just take your offdays and go to the gym to do something else - lift weights, swim, ride a bike.

Congrats on getting started and sticking to your program, but don't feel obligated - that sense of obligation or guilt when you need to rest can undo the best of us. Let yourself enjoy the process as you get stronger. :-)

re: I'm a runner....almost

HeatherLeigh — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:36:32 GMT

I hear you about the breathing requiring concentration sometimes. Sometimes I feel that the fact that my legs continue to move is a force of sheer will. I'm getting there!

re: I'm a runner....almost

Pablo — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:08:25 GMT

Great job Heather! I'm glad to see you're progressing well.

Like some other readers, I find running is good for the mind. I can take the time to think about anything I need to, or nothing at all. But I also have found running can be a fine challenge mentally as well as physically. On very hard runs, I need to concentrate on my breathing, motion, pace, and of course, just getting to the end. When I get to the end, the combination of physical and mental exercise makes it sooooo satisfying!

Keep up the good work :)

re: I'm a runner....almost

HeatherLeigh — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:56:25 GMT

Hey Raquel-I saw your article in the ProClub newsletter a couple months back (if this is the Raquel I think it is). Really inspiring! I'm pretty sure that even in week 4 of my program I can barely run 2 miles now. I have to run pretty slow to keep my heart rate in the target range. Tomorrow I go up to ten minute intervals...yikes! I still can't believe I am doing this. The encouragement helps!

I'm impressed that you are running half marathons. That's awesome! How long have you had to train for something like that? I just mentioned to my buddy Suzanne (who you know) that she should run a 5K with me. I think I can be ready for that in a month or so. I'm actually surprised how the increases in my running intervals are doable when they are added on slowly.

re: I'm a runner....almost

Raquel — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:09:13 GMT

Heather, you can do it! I know you can. I hated running but found it a nice distraction from work and an excellent way to relieve stress. When I started out I could barely run 2 miles and went on to complete a half marathon. Just keep at it and you will notice the difference and it will encourage you to keep on running longer distances!

I recommend the boot camp class at the pro club. It's a big group but you run on your own and to/from destinations with other people so you have accountability. Everyone is really encouraging and you free great after your done.