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(no subject)
Sep. 22nd, 2009 09:34 amI had forgotten how good running makes me feel!
And, in fact, I've never gotten the hang of running first thing in the morning, so that part is a totally novel experience.
Yay!
And, in fact, I've never gotten the hang of running first thing in the morning, so that part is a totally novel experience.
Yay!
Today, I was going to write about how thankful I am for Burning Man, but I've been sidetracked by having a really nice run this afternoon, so, instead, I'm going to write about how awesome running is.
It's been about a year since I thought to myself, "Hm, maybe... maybe I should give this crazy running thing that people seem to enjoy a try." And I went to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
moominmolly and said, "I think this is crazy, but I'm thinking about trying running. What should I do?" And she told me I should get a good pair of shoes and check out the Couch to 5K running plan, and I did, and it was great.
I still often think of going out for a run as a chore, and so it can be hard for me to motivate to do it, but when I do, I'm always glad I did. Running is an opportunity to be in my body in a different way from any other, and it's also a way to be in the world in a different way. Everything looks a little fuzzier when I'm running, and although I'm glad it's not always like that, it's a nice way to have a vacation from the ordinary. Colors are more colory, light is more lighty. And today was so perfect for that, because the stretch of the bike path behind my house is carpeted with bright yellow leaves, so it was like running through a tunnel of bright gold light with almost no shadows.
I'm thankful for what running represents to me in terms of claiming an activity that I always eschewed and avoided, and in the fact that it makes me reconsider my conception of myself, which still balks at including the descriptor of "runner" in the list of things I am. And, yet, I run, entirely voluntarily, even when I have no place to run to nor particular reason I'm doing it. Is this what a zen state is like? You just do it for it itself and that's all?
Well, in any case, I'm thankful for it, because it's fucking awesome. And also fucking weird. What kind of nut runs for fun, anyway?
My kind of nut, apparently.
It's been about a year since I thought to myself, "Hm, maybe... maybe I should give this crazy running thing that people seem to enjoy a try." And I went to
moominmolly and said, "I think this is crazy, but I'm thinking about trying running. What should I do?" And she told me I should get a good pair of shoes and check out the Couch to 5K running plan, and I did, and it was great.I still often think of going out for a run as a chore, and so it can be hard for me to motivate to do it, but when I do, I'm always glad I did. Running is an opportunity to be in my body in a different way from any other, and it's also a way to be in the world in a different way. Everything looks a little fuzzier when I'm running, and although I'm glad it's not always like that, it's a nice way to have a vacation from the ordinary. Colors are more colory, light is more lighty. And today was so perfect for that, because the stretch of the bike path behind my house is carpeted with bright yellow leaves, so it was like running through a tunnel of bright gold light with almost no shadows.
I'm thankful for what running represents to me in terms of claiming an activity that I always eschewed and avoided, and in the fact that it makes me reconsider my conception of myself, which still balks at including the descriptor of "runner" in the list of things I am. And, yet, I run, entirely voluntarily, even when I have no place to run to nor particular reason I'm doing it. Is this what a zen state is like? You just do it for it itself and that's all?
Well, in any case, I'm thankful for it, because it's fucking awesome. And also fucking weird. What kind of nut runs for fun, anyway?
My kind of nut, apparently.
running: keep the pace
Oct. 3rd, 2007 09:19 amI just went out for a short run, because it's cool and nice out and I didn't feel like getting started with work, yet.
When I started keeping track of my pace way back last year sometime, I learned that I keep a pretty steady pace around the 12min/mile point, give or take a bit depending on all sorts of things.
Today, if my calculations are right, I ran the first half of my run at a 20 minute mile pace (!!!), and the second half at 10:30. Ooookay... That's weird enough, but on top of that, I can't figure out why the halves didn't feel at all different.
(Actually, I feel like this isn't possibly true. I normally walk at 20min/mile or slightly more, and I was passing walkers at a reasonable rate both ways this morning. Maybe I just need a new stopwatch.)
When I started keeping track of my pace way back last year sometime, I learned that I keep a pretty steady pace around the 12min/mile point, give or take a bit depending on all sorts of things.
Today, if my calculations are right, I ran the first half of my run at a 20 minute mile pace (!!!), and the second half at 10:30. Ooookay... That's weird enough, but on top of that, I can't figure out why the halves didn't feel at all different.
(Actually, I feel like this isn't possibly true. I normally walk at 20min/mile or slightly more, and I was passing walkers at a reasonable rate both ways this morning. Maybe I just need a new stopwatch.)
(no subject)
Sep. 27th, 2007 09:43 pmI feel fucking awesome! I love running.
We did not manage to run the Armenian Hustle tonight, due to traffic, parking in the wrong place, and generally being off the mark for the race. But! We did get down to the river and run for a while, and it was beautiful and nice. We also eventually found the site of the race, and only 8 minutes after the start, and we got to watch some people finish. We didn't stay for dinner, which smelled amazing, but, you know, it's hard to eat after running (though 45 minutes later, I polished off a huge handful of peanuts and chocolate chips.)
I'd never run by the river before, and it was really great! I now wish (again) that I lived nearer to it, since one of the things that keeps me running is how incredibly convenient and easy it is to do it right out my front door.moominmolly suggested we could do longer weekend runs along the river this fall and winter, which is an idea I love.
Also, tonight reminded me that a) running a race is exciting and fun, and I should do that more, and b) races are great motivators, so I should pick a few for this fall and winter to aim for them as fun little treats and nudges in the ribs. Yay!
Man, I really need a running icon.
We did not manage to run the Armenian Hustle tonight, due to traffic, parking in the wrong place, and generally being off the mark for the race. But! We did get down to the river and run for a while, and it was beautiful and nice. We also eventually found the site of the race, and only 8 minutes after the start, and we got to watch some people finish. We didn't stay for dinner, which smelled amazing, but, you know, it's hard to eat after running (though 45 minutes later, I polished off a huge handful of peanuts and chocolate chips.)
I'd never run by the river before, and it was really great! I now wish (again) that I lived nearer to it, since one of the things that keeps me running is how incredibly convenient and easy it is to do it right out my front door.
moominmolly suggested we could do longer weekend runs along the river this fall and winter, which is an idea I love.Also, tonight reminded me that a) running a race is exciting and fun, and I should do that more, and b) races are great motivators, so I should pick a few for this fall and winter to aim for them as fun little treats and nudges in the ribs. Yay!
Man, I really need a running icon.
Armenian Hustle
Sep. 27th, 2007 08:58 amThanks to the moominmolly's sharp eyes when it comes to interesting races to run, this is what I'm doing tonight!
This is further than I've run since I picked it back up recently, but as always, I've given myself to walk portions of it if that's what feels right.
moominmolly's sharp eyes when it comes to interesting races to run, this is what I'm doing tonight!This is further than I've run since I picked it back up recently, but as always, I've given myself to walk portions of it if that's what feels right.
running: back in the sneakers
Sep. 14th, 2007 08:12 amLast you all knew, I was having runner's knee and had cut back on my running a lot. That was back in May or June (looking back at my log, it was actually the beginning of May), and I had decided to give myself a break from running while rehabbing my knees a bit. Then I went to SF and watched Bay to Breakers, and then I had my crazy traveling summer, and, although I brought my running gear with me, I never actually used it. So it's been four months since I ran at all.
Tuesday,moominmolly and I got up early and went for a "let's see where we are" run. I figured I'd be back in the early weeks of the couch to 5k plan that I love so much, so I was pleased to discover that running the 4 minute intervals that we did felt entirely doable.
So, my goal for today was to do run/walk intervals of 5/3/5/3/5, for a total of 15 minutes of running. Imagine my surprise and delight, then, when I discovered at 5 minutes that I felt good enough to keep going. And again at 10. And at 15. So I ran a total of 16:30, and I felt like I could have kept going, cardiovascularly, and decided to stop on the theory that I actually shoudl ease my body back into this by not pushing it and keeping myself to comfortable paces and distances for the next month.
But, seriously! How awesome is that? Runners had been telling me that once your body knows how to run, it's way easier to pick it back up than to start from scratch, but, honestly, I didn't believe them. Now, to be fair, I've lost :45 off my pace, but, hell, who cares?
Oh, and, of course, I'm reminded of the best part: After running, I feel awesome. I can do anything today. Just watch.
Tuesday,
moominmolly and I got up early and went for a "let's see where we are" run. I figured I'd be back in the early weeks of the couch to 5k plan that I love so much, so I was pleased to discover that running the 4 minute intervals that we did felt entirely doable.So, my goal for today was to do run/walk intervals of 5/3/5/3/5, for a total of 15 minutes of running. Imagine my surprise and delight, then, when I discovered at 5 minutes that I felt good enough to keep going. And again at 10. And at 15. So I ran a total of 16:30, and I felt like I could have kept going, cardiovascularly, and decided to stop on the theory that I actually shoudl ease my body back into this by not pushing it and keeping myself to comfortable paces and distances for the next month.
But, seriously! How awesome is that? Runners had been telling me that once your body knows how to run, it's way easier to pick it back up than to start from scratch, but, honestly, I didn't believe them. Now, to be fair, I've lost :45 off my pace, but, hell, who cares?
Oh, and, of course, I'm reminded of the best part: After running, I feel awesome. I can do anything today. Just watch.
running, running!
Jun. 5th, 2007 11:04 amBetween my knee troubles (runner's knee is the official word -- how classic is that?) and travel, it's been about a month since I've run at all. Despite several runners of my aquaintance assuring me that picking up running after a hiatus is entirely different from starting from scratch, I've been somewhat anxious about all the conditioning I've been losing. Not anxious enough to run when I couldn't do it in the right circumstances (no cement, must have ice available for my knees afterwards), because I figure it's always easier to regain condition than it is to replace a blown joint, but still.
So, today is my first day back in my running shoes, and it turns out, they're right! I've clearly lost ground, but that's to be expected, and my stopwatch died 8 minutes into my run, so all I can say for sure is that I ran 5 minutes and walked three. After that, I'm guestimating I did intervals of 7 running, 3 walking and 6 running, but who knows? The point, though, is that I can still run, I feel great, and my knees don't hurt at all. Yay!
I have exercises for my knees, which I'm doing slightly less frequently than would be ideal, but still within the range of what the PT said I should aim for, but even with only about 3 weeks of that, I can feel improvement, which probably also relates to not running for that time, too.
Anyway, I'm feeling good, and I'm glad that I didn't entirely forget how to run in my time off. It's silly, but I really was kind of worried about that.
Also, I got to try out my new summer running attire: a running skirt! It's awesome. I'm ordering more as soon as I click "post".
So, today is my first day back in my running shoes, and it turns out, they're right! I've clearly lost ground, but that's to be expected, and my stopwatch died 8 minutes into my run, so all I can say for sure is that I ran 5 minutes and walked three. After that, I'm guestimating I did intervals of 7 running, 3 walking and 6 running, but who knows? The point, though, is that I can still run, I feel great, and my knees don't hurt at all. Yay!
I have exercises for my knees, which I'm doing slightly less frequently than would be ideal, but still within the range of what the PT said I should aim for, but even with only about 3 weeks of that, I can feel improvement, which probably also relates to not running for that time, too.
Anyway, I'm feeling good, and I'm glad that I didn't entirely forget how to run in my time off. It's silly, but I really was kind of worried about that.
Also, I got to try out my new summer running attire: a running skirt! It's awesome. I'm ordering more as soon as I click "post".
What a pain in the... knee
Apr. 30th, 2007 09:39 amBack in December, early in my running experiment, I started having knee pains, which I treated by taking a week off running at all and then never running on cement anymore, and that was entirely effective in dealing with the pains, which was great. About a month ago, I started having similar knee pain, especially after longer runs, and after a couple of weeks of dealing with it somewhat haphazardly and with recognizable denial, I decided that I ought to see a physical therapist, but probably first, I should talk to someone who knows bones and joints. So I made an appointment to see an orthopedist and then had to twiddle my thumbs for a couple of weeks worrying about what he would say.
During that time, I thought of all the possible outcomes I could, from, "Hey, it's no big deal. Ice, ibuprofen and these new exercises," to, "Stop running immediately," to, "Wow, you're lucky your knee's lasted this long. Let's replace it tomorrow, 'kay?" I decided that I was basically fine with any outcome that concluded with my still being able to run and not needing surgery. But I worried that that wasn't realistic. So, needless to say that I had a restless and anxious night last night.
( Read more... )
So, it's not a total, "It's no big deal. Ice and ibuprofen." But it's close enough to my best case scenario that I'm relieved and happy. I'm also pleased to be seeing a physical therapist and I hope I learn some good stuff from that.
During that time, I thought of all the possible outcomes I could, from, "Hey, it's no big deal. Ice, ibuprofen and these new exercises," to, "Stop running immediately," to, "Wow, you're lucky your knee's lasted this long. Let's replace it tomorrow, 'kay?" I decided that I was basically fine with any outcome that concluded with my still being able to run and not needing surgery. But I worried that that wasn't realistic. So, needless to say that I had a restless and anxious night last night.
( Read more... )
So, it's not a total, "It's no big deal. Ice and ibuprofen." But it's close enough to my best case scenario that I'm relieved and happy. I'm also pleased to be seeing a physical therapist and I hope I learn some good stuff from that.
Going West
Apr. 27th, 2007 09:13 pmThis week, I bought my tickets to SF for Bay to Breakers, which means that I can keep waffling as much as I want, but like it or not, I'm going. Yay!
I'll be emailing those of you out there whose email addresses I have, 'cause I hope to see lots of you, but I'm posting here, too, because I know I'll overlook someone, possibly multiple someones.
I'm still ironing out details beyond my flights (Wednesday, May 16, midday - Tuesday, May 22, midday) and my plans to run Bay to Breakers on Sunday, May 20 in the morning. There's some noise being made about a possible picnic at the end of the race. Beyond all that, everything's up in the air. If you want to see me while I'm out there, drop me a line!
I'll be emailing those of you out there whose email addresses I have, 'cause I hope to see lots of you, but I'm posting here, too, because I know I'll overlook someone, possibly multiple someones.
I'm still ironing out details beyond my flights (Wednesday, May 16, midday - Tuesday, May 22, midday) and my plans to run Bay to Breakers on Sunday, May 20 in the morning. There's some noise being made about a possible picnic at the end of the race. Beyond all that, everything's up in the air. If you want to see me while I'm out there, drop me a line!
(no subject)
Apr. 25th, 2007 04:57 pmI try to look on the bright side of those days when I start to feel crappy partway through my run and can "only" run a mile or a mile and a half by telling myself that a few months ago, I was feeling accomplished to run 3 minutes at a stretch. But it's kind of cold comfort when I don't get the post-run high that comes with an actual distance (which seems, at this point, to mean a minimum of 2.25 miles.)
Bay to Breakers: cold feet?
Apr. 10th, 2007 11:34 pmSo, I've been planning for a couple of months to head out to SF for Bay to Breakers, planning to run/walk it (I might could have trained to be ready to run it, but I'm way too laid-back for that), and I've been excited about it! Mysteriously, though, I'm finding myself reluctant to buy plane tickets. Why? Why??
I should go, right? I'll have a blast, and get to see people, and run in a crazy race, and generally enjoy myself. Right?
I should go, right? I'll have a blast, and get to see people, and run in a crazy race, and generally enjoy myself. Right?
June 24 running
Apr. 2nd, 2007 03:33 pmThe New Charles River Run
I'm going to aim to be ready to run the 7.5 miles by then. Which means getting back onto training, which I haven't been doing since getting back from MI!
I'm going to aim to be ready to run the 7.5 miles by then. Which means getting back onto training, which I haven't been doing since getting back from MI!
(no subject)
Mar. 30th, 2007 11:37 amI am a big doofus and have other plans Sunday, April 22, so I can't run that 5k, after all. Stay tuned for an updated racing plan.
moominmolly suggested we run a 5k a month to help us stay motivated in training for Bay to Breakers (hmm, I should buy my plane tickets at some point), so our next one is this. Join us!2nd Annual Architecture for Humanity Boston 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, April 22, 2007 12:00 PM
Artesani Park
1234 Soldiers Field Road
Brighton , MA
Ras na hEireann
Mar. 18th, 2007 07:17 pmWith running these days, I'm like the newly converted -- I can't stop squeeing about my newfound love. ( I cut because you might not care. )
(no subject)
Mar. 15th, 2007 05:33 pmOn Sunday, I, along with many others, will be running in the Ras na hEireann 5K race around Davis Square. I wish I could invite people over for brunch on the porch, which overlooks the bike path where people will be running the last half mile or so, but a) I will be running myself and b) it's going to be too cold for brunch on the porch.
But! I will want to celebrate! The pubs will probably be wicked crowded after the race, but it might be fun to pop in briefly, anyway. I'm also thinking about going to Chinatown for dinner. Or...?
In other fun, though, people who live in and around Davis, Teele and Ball Squares will have the chance to cheer me on, if you're so inclined! The course map is here, and you can see that I'll be running by a bunch of your houses! Yay!
But! I will want to celebrate! The pubs will probably be wicked crowded after the race, but it might be fun to pop in briefly, anyway. I'm also thinking about going to Chinatown for dinner. Or...?
In other fun, though, people who live in and around Davis, Teele and Ball Squares will have the chance to cheer me on, if you're so inclined! The course map is here, and you can see that I'll be running by a bunch of your houses! Yay!
heads up, Californians!
Mar. 14th, 2007 03:12 pmI'm about 90% sure that I'm going to run (or, more likely, run-walk) Bay to Breakers in May, and while I'm out there, I'll want to see my people who live in and around there.
I'm thinking of a dates something like May 16-22. The race is May 20, and other than that, I'll have my time fairly flexible. Want to have lunch/dinner/tea/other such things? Want to offer me crash space in your living room/guest room/bed? Hooray!
More details to follow once I've fully talked myself into this crazy idea.
I'm thinking of a dates something like May 16-22. The race is May 20, and other than that, I'll have my time fairly flexible. Want to have lunch/dinner/tea/other such things? Want to offer me crash space in your living room/guest room/bed? Hooray!
More details to follow once I've fully talked myself into this crazy idea.
