Apparently, all that stuff we learned about the importance of stretching in PE class was wrong:
Stretching: The Truth
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Days Off
I haven't been running for the past few days. Tuesday, an early morning at work prevented me. Wednesday, I was too exhausted (I fell asleep on the floor with the TV and the lights on Tuesday night). Today, my ankle hurt. My ankle actually started hurting earlier in the week. I think it might have been because of my sprinting on Monday. I'm not sure though, but have nothing else to blame it on.
If that's not bad enough, tomorrow and Saturday, it's supposed to rain. I feel like I've been obsessing about running and feeling guilty if I don't run or spend too many days away from running. I think my body will quickly revert to its pre-running stages, when I struggled to run across the street without getting winded, and that I'll have to spend more time and effort trying to get better.
What I need to do is to figure out how to work out and do cardio work indoors. Or, I need to brave the rain and run wet.
If that's not bad enough, tomorrow and Saturday, it's supposed to rain. I feel like I've been obsessing about running and feeling guilty if I don't run or spend too many days away from running. I think my body will quickly revert to its pre-running stages, when I struggled to run across the street without getting winded, and that I'll have to spend more time and effort trying to get better.
What I need to do is to figure out how to work out and do cardio work indoors. Or, I need to brave the rain and run wet.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sprinting
On today's run, I was too tired to run a full third lap but had enough time to do a little more running. So, I spent the last few minutes sprinting. I sprinted for two blocks, then walked about a quarter of a block, and sprinted for another two blocks.
These last bursts of sprinting were easier to get through than the sluggish jogging. I was energized. I kicked my legs up high and stomped the ground hard. I felt like I was one of those other runners who I enviously see whizzing past me and hoped that the people in their cars would be impressed with my speed and form and all together awesomeness.
I think these sprints weren't as exhausting because I was using different muscles than when I jog. With the sprints, I use more of my upper legs than the lower part. Now, I kinda understand what people mean when they talk about intervals and how it's a good way to get better and faster and run for longer. I'm planning on ending each morning run now with a little bit of speed.
These last bursts of sprinting were easier to get through than the sluggish jogging. I was energized. I kicked my legs up high and stomped the ground hard. I felt like I was one of those other runners who I enviously see whizzing past me and hoped that the people in their cars would be impressed with my speed and form and all together awesomeness.
I think these sprints weren't as exhausting because I was using different muscles than when I jog. With the sprints, I use more of my upper legs than the lower part. Now, I kinda understand what people mean when they talk about intervals and how it's a good way to get better and faster and run for longer. I'm planning on ending each morning run now with a little bit of speed.
Sweating to the Music
Scott has been gone all week. He's in New Orleans to be the Best Man in his friend's wedding. Not only does this mean that I can shower with the bathroom door open and walk around in my underwear, but I can also turn up the music when I'm working out in the morning.
As sweat is running down my face because of my repitition of arm curls, crunches, squats, lunges, and push-ups against the wall in my living room, I'm listening to Bryce's Birthday Mix Volume III (Friday), Santogold (Saturday), The National (Sunday), and Radiohead (Monday).
As sweat is running down my face because of my repitition of arm curls, crunches, squats, lunges, and push-ups against the wall in my living room, I'm listening to Bryce's Birthday Mix Volume III (Friday), Santogold (Saturday), The National (Sunday), and Radiohead (Monday).
Sunday, October 26, 2008
6 Miles
For the last three days, I ran/walked/jogged six miles on my morning routine. I go from my house up to the Panhandle, do three loops around the Panhandle, and then head back home. Granted, I probably only run for four of those six miles, but I'm impressed with myself.
I can run about three-quarters of a mile to a little over a mile without walking or stopping, which is an improvement from half a block. My breathing is steady and not strained, as it was when I first started my running routine. But, my legs get tired. My feet feel like cement blocks weighing me down and my legs can feel wobbly let wet noodles.
But, as I've heard more and more often recently, it's mind over matter. If I think it, I can run it. I've been trying to push myself more and more. No stopping until the red light. No stopping until that tree. No stopping until making it across the crosswalk.
It takes me a little over an hour to complete my route, which works out to be 12 minutes per mile. Runners of San Francisco's half marathon must run at pace of at least 13 minutes a mile, which I had been nervous about. But, seeing that now I can run at about 12 minutes a mile and will only get better, I'm much more relieved.
I can run about three-quarters of a mile to a little over a mile without walking or stopping, which is an improvement from half a block. My breathing is steady and not strained, as it was when I first started my running routine. But, my legs get tired. My feet feel like cement blocks weighing me down and my legs can feel wobbly let wet noodles.
But, as I've heard more and more often recently, it's mind over matter. If I think it, I can run it. I've been trying to push myself more and more. No stopping until the red light. No stopping until that tree. No stopping until making it across the crosswalk.
It takes me a little over an hour to complete my route, which works out to be 12 minutes per mile. Runners of San Francisco's half marathon must run at pace of at least 13 minutes a mile, which I had been nervous about. But, seeing that now I can run at about 12 minutes a mile and will only get better, I'm much more relieved.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Morning Pains
I went running this morning after a four-day hiatus because of my cold. I started off better than I thought, jogging steadily but slowly and easily managing up the slight slope of Grove Street and past the woman walking. It was cold out and I could feel the air sting my lungs. My breathing felt off. My inhalations and exhalations weren't in rhythm with the sound of my feet against the cement. I tried to remind myself to breathe through my nose and out from my mouth, and to take deeper breaths. But, it hurt.
Then, I felt a cramp in my left side. I have no idea how I could get a cramp. I didn't eat anything and only had water before I left the house. This was my first morning run cramp and it hurt too. But, I powered on. I made my way up Geary, jogging up almost the entirety of the incline. I told myself to jog through the pain because I might have to endure this when I actually run my marathon. When my legs needed a break and I turned my jog into a walk, I felt like vomiting. My lungs felt heavy. I wanted to turn back, return home, and pass out on the floor. But, I kept going, though only walking. I walked most of my second lap.
And, when I felt good enough to jog again, I was able to take just a few strides before my cramp returned, this time on my right side. Tomorrow will be better.
Then, I felt a cramp in my left side. I have no idea how I could get a cramp. I didn't eat anything and only had water before I left the house. This was my first morning run cramp and it hurt too. But, I powered on. I made my way up Geary, jogging up almost the entirety of the incline. I told myself to jog through the pain because I might have to endure this when I actually run my marathon. When my legs needed a break and I turned my jog into a walk, I felt like vomiting. My lungs felt heavy. I wanted to turn back, return home, and pass out on the floor. But, I kept going, though only walking. I walked most of my second lap.
And, when I felt good enough to jog again, I was able to take just a few strides before my cramp returned, this time on my right side. Tomorrow will be better.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Marathon, Here We Come!
I have never been excited to run, but, today, I am excited to run!
Winnie told me that Tree also wants to run the marathon with us. So, that makes four: me, Winnie, Tree, and Billy. At first, I thought they were all just trying to humor me and had no real intentions of training and running too, but the more we talk, the more I realize that they are committed too. I've totally got a running crew!
Winnie and I were on the San Francisco Marathon's website, reading up about the training program and how we can run and train for free if we raise money for a charity. We also read about how we can start a team if we can recruit at least one more member. So, it clicked: What if we start a work team and raise money for our youth educational programs? We could even run in matching outfits!
Winnie also reminded me that we need to get together a training schedule if we're really going to go all out. I'm going to look into that. In the meantime, she and I both put the SF Marathon training program's information night on our calendar. We're gearing up; we're getting ready to go.
Winnie told me that Tree also wants to run the marathon with us. So, that makes four: me, Winnie, Tree, and Billy. At first, I thought they were all just trying to humor me and had no real intentions of training and running too, but the more we talk, the more I realize that they are committed too. I've totally got a running crew!
Winnie and I were on the San Francisco Marathon's website, reading up about the training program and how we can run and train for free if we raise money for a charity. We also read about how we can start a team if we can recruit at least one more member. So, it clicked: What if we start a work team and raise money for our youth educational programs? We could even run in matching outfits!
Winnie also reminded me that we need to get together a training schedule if we're really going to go all out. I'm going to look into that. In the meantime, she and I both put the SF Marathon training program's information night on our calendar. We're gearing up; we're getting ready to go.
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