Kicking of the Weekend with a Run

My typical Fridays involve happy hour, and zero physical activity. Well, I decided that I set a different trend this Friday. I came home, laced up my Asics, and harnessed up the trusty Moose, and headed out. While I felt a little stiff, and a little less energetic at the end of the week, I managed to get in a 4.16 miler, that had more then its fair share of hills.

Despite the hills, stiffness, and low energy - I feel good about accomplishing something other then a few 12 ounce curls on my Friday afternoon. :)

Happy Running!

2 Good Runs!

Sunday this week started with my first "race" of the season, the 5K Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Spokane. This is my fifth race for the cure, and it is always a fun event. I always love seeing all the people, men and women sporting their special survivor shirts, and moms, sisters, daughters, friends holding hands and sporting matching pink shirt, all united to fight breast cancer. It truly makes you feel appreciative of the gifts in your life.

Having this as my first race of this new running journey, I really really wanted to make a good effort of it. My last 5K, also a Race for the Cure (in Coeur D' Alene) was, in the fall, took me 41 minutes - not real impressive - and I was pushing my physical level. Not this time. I finished with my personal best for a 5K at 31:24!!! almost exactly an average of a ten minute mile!! While a ten minute mile isn't what most would say is great, especially compared to this weekend's record breaking Boston marathon time in the news, but it was to me! I typically average about an 11 min/mile, so this was just great in book!

And the even better part, I didn't feel like I was going to curl up and die when it was over!! :) I survived it, rather successfully.

So today, I decided to set out for a new long run on this journey, as I am supposed to be preparing for a half-marathon after all. Today I ended up doing a 5 miler!!! Woo! My new longest run yet! (I was hoping it was 5.5, alas, i mapped it after I was done). I did a double loop of the Centennial trail through downtown Spokane. I though after the first loop that there would be no way - but the truth was, that the next loop was no harder then first, in fact I think I even ran a little faster on that half! (I really need to figure out my watch!). So for all you doubters out there that think that 3 miles is your limit - it really isn't! It was great to know that I had the distance in me! I honestly thought I had been fooling myself about this running thing, and over estimating my endurance, but I was wrong!

To all my readers, Happy Running!

Another run, another day spent having my desk smell like a package of mint gum…

Well, its official, I am a shirted member of the Spokane’s Flying Irish Running Club!!! {Insert Golf Clap Here} Last night I climbed onto the bar at O’Doherty’s, and told an Irish joke to a bar filled with people – most of whom could not hear my joke anyways. It was totally nerve wracking --- and I couldn’t tell if people found it funny or not. Pictured is Texie and I sporting our new shirts - we ran all of our six runs together!
For those of you not attendance, the joke is reprinted below:

A guy walks into a bar and informs the crowd -. I'll give $500 dollars to anybody in here who can drink 10 pints of Guinness back-to-back."

The room is quiet, and no one takes up the man’s offer. One man even leaves.

Thirty minutes later the same gentleman, an Irishman, who left shows back up and taps the man on the shoulder. "Is your bet still good?" asks the Irishman.

The man says yes and the bartender to line up 10 pints of Guinness. Immediately the Irishman tears into all 10 of the pint glasses, drinking them back-to-back.

The man gives the Irishman the $500 and says, "If ya don't mind me askin', what took you so long?”

The Irishman replies, "Oh... I had to go to the pub down the street to see if I could do it first."

Yep. Its probably the greatest joke ever. :) Just kidding. Any who, I certainly had to earn my sixth run last night. The run was called the “Stairmaster.” Who doesn’t love running up stairs? Me….and basically anyone who has done it. It burns, its leaves you huffing and puffing, and overall it is a poor life experience . And last night, my 6^th Flying Irish run, incorporated about 7 different sets of stairs scattered around downtown Spokane. And we’re not talking about some namby-pamby stairs in your house, we’re talking long ass flights of stairs. And as a result – my calves are burning today.

Not too mention, it totally threw off my mojo. For a 3.25 mile run, and with the exception of two traffic jams on a couple set of stairs (there were over 300+ people on the run) I ran the whole thing – albeit at a snail’s pace. Even a good hearty “sprint to finish” (with the little energy I had left) brought me to the end at a little over 40 minutes. Eww. Not a spectacular run (if you can even call that a “run”), but it earned me the right to climb on the bar, and officially join the club.

Aside from the aching in my calves today, I feel pretty good about it. I am still feeling a bit discouraged that I haven’t hit the sort of mileage and or running times I secretly have been hoping for, but I have started to notice little changes in the way I look and feel. Nothing incredible or mind blowing, but my confidence and energy levels are starting to regain some traction, and my ass is starting to look good again. Both of which I will consider to be tiny victories.

Also, Sunday will be my first “race” of the season and this journey to half marathon glory – the Eastern Washington – Race for the Cure. If you are reading this, and can participate, you should – it’s a great event, for an even greater cause. It will be my 5^th Race for the Cure – and each one makes me appreciate the blessings I have had in my life, and reminds me that miracles happen everyday. Here’s a link to the info:

http://www.komeneasternwashington.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/

If you have any questions about it, hit me up via Facebook or cell, I’m happy to tell you the little I know. In closing, to you the makers of Icy Hot – I love you. :) Happy Running!

Kicking up the Pace

Last night was my 5^th Flying Irish run – one left until it is t-shirt and Irish joke time! The run was a 3.25 mile loop above the northwest corner of downtown Spokane. I could definitely tell that yesterday was sunny, because the group seemed even bigger then the previous week. Texie and I were the only two of our regular group that made yesterday’s jaunt – but we bumped into a guy we play County rec volleyball with, and his friend – so it appears the influence of the Flying Irish is spreading.

As usual, the run took off from O’Doherty’s Pub downtown – and because of some sort of youth conference that was in town, the running club had a cheering section as we took off. And took off we did. While I can’t be sure that I was running faster then normal, I would bet the small change in my wallet that, yes, in fact, we were running faster then normal. This seems plausible for two reasons – one, Texie and I were managing to keep pace with what seemed to be a fairly large pack of runners, which typically is not the case for me. And two, I actually felt like I really had to try in order to keep the pace we had. Normally my plodding is just a notch above walking (or at least that is how it feels). But yesterday’s run, well, it felt like I was RUNNING. How odd.

As usual, Texie and I spent the 3 plus miles chatting about important current events, such as sunglasses, the weather, waterfalls, guys that are good looking, getting into shape, and how working in a small law firm (like our pal Meredith) would probably be kinda nice. The chatting was further evidence of our kicked up pace, at times, I felt it was, *gasp*, difficult to talk. Supposedly that is a good measure of your level of exertion, so clearly I was working hard. ;) As we neared the end, I actually avoided conversation, because I knew my remaining energy reserves could only be used one of two ways – talking or getting the hell done with the run as quickly as possible. In a move that will shock those that know me and my ever flapping pie-hole, I chose finishing the run as quickly as possible. At the end, my lungs burned. And it felt great.

With the sun still shining (man, I love daylight savings), Texie and I had a beer (ok it was a cider, but it looked like beer). Overall, I have decided that it doesn’t matter how the rest of a day has went, a day when I run always seems to be a little better then most. Happy Running!

Saved from Zombies

Hooray! Today was a great run! 4.11 miles of actual running enjoyment. In an effort to avoid being disappointed post run by finding out I didn't run as far as I thought I did, today, I mapped my run before I set out...what a brilliant idea! For those interested ... mapmyrun.com is a pretty cool tool (and no you don't have to join in order to utilize the mapping stuff, you just can't save your routes). Today's run took me through and around nearby Manito and around another nearby park, named Cannon Hill. Colin joined me along the first couple miles of my route, and together we conquered a rather steep hill that I unwittingly map into my run. It made my lungs burn, but it felt great to run all the way up it. I even beat Colin by a hair. Also my route let me to discover a big area of Manito that I had never realized was there.

What I didn't realize is that I also had incorporated a run through a zombie infested area of Manito Park. While I didn't, thankfully, a little boy and his dad - who introduced themselves as members of the Manito Park Zombie Squad were on patrol. So as I unwittingly plodded into enemy territory - this team saved me, by firing upon the zombies who undoubtedly had been trailing me for the prior 3 miles. Not only am I thankful for their tireless efforts in saving my life - but also for reminding me of the child-like awesomeness of having a great imagination. My "near-death-by-zombies" experience left a smile on face until I reached my house.

To top it off, today's run lacked my pathetic calf pains...I think the knots in my legs have finally started to recede (thank you icy hot!), and aside from a few moments of weaknesses, overall the joy of running was with me today. I hope it finds you as well - and returns for my next run! ;) happy running!

Sore calves, short socks, & beef jerky – a tale of Thursday running

Last night was my fourth Flying Irish, so for those of you keeping track, I will need an Irish joke in a little less than two weeks. To date, I have received no suggestions. Thanks.

I am a firm believer that it is healthy to eat 5 times a day. 3 meals, 2 snacks - roughly a couple hours apart, over the course of each day. I like it because you keep yourself from becoming overly hungry, and you end up eating less at meals. I was introduced to this sort of eating schedule by my former personal trainers. For me, it totally works. So long as I eat my five little meals a day, I tend to curb my late night food binges and over eating. So yesterday, having stayed at my office until it was time to go to the Flying Irish, I was in need of a snack – so I swung into the downtown Rite-Aid and purchased me some fan-tab-ulous jerky. I figured a little protein was a good bet, and aside from the over load of sodium, isn’t too god awful for you (at least by Rite Aid food standards). Upon arriving at Flying Irish, and spotting a friendly face, I offered some jerky to my vegetarian friend. In the words of Homer Simpson – “D’oh!” At least she laughed while answering, no thanks. After managing to pawn a little more of the jerky off to my non-veggie friends, it was time for the run.

You know it is going to be an interesting evening at the Flying Irish when the guy announcing the run for the night refers to it as “The River Run also known as ‘That Goddamn Run.’” Not only is “the river run” the longest of the 7 Flying Irish routes, but it is also the run selected for the night when the weather ends up being the nicest for that month. I am assuming this is to pay back all those jerks that only show up when it is sunny, and not, as it was last week, windy and rainy and generally crappy. In the end it kicks the poor schmucks like me (who decide on a crazy whim that running is going to be their new favorite hobby) squarely in the ass.

The first mile wasn’t so bad, since it is almost entirely downhill, through the always classy Spokane neighborhood of Pleasant valley …. *cough*…. Ok so it’s a little on the Ghetto side. But who complains about downhill? Me. Almost immediately my calves are hurting. I have been suffering from calf pain since this running journey began. Basically it just makes me HATE the first mile of every run. I know what you’re thinking… “Stretch Dumbass.” But I can’t truly stretch out until my muscles are warm and I do stretch what I can before. And currently I don’t have enough miles in me to run a mile before the real run just so I can stretch out. So like a dumbass I just suffer through.

You should always know that a run that is a loop will likely suck if the first mile is all down hill – trust me, with very few exceptions, you have to re-gain the altitude you lost. Its science. So with each step down, I hurt and I knew I was f*cked. This route is special in that it regains all the lost downhill in the second mile – with what feels like one section where it is a steep quarter mile up. *ugh* But I kept plodding along, sore calves and all, and accompanied by Sara, with my other girl friends Texie & Meredith close behind, we all reached the end of the run, somewhere between 3.7 and 4 miles. Aside from the required stops at traffic crossings, and shoe tying interlude, I managed to trot the whole way, fueled no doubt by my beef jerky snack.

Upon arriving back at O’ Doherty’s the pain in my calves, was overwhelmed by the rubbed raw feeling on my ankles. I had foolishly extra low ankle socks, with my fairly new shoes. Grrr. Despite feeling accomplish, and my little giddy runners high, my ankles burned all the way home.

Thursday is also our regular Girls night. Due to other scheduling conflicts, it ended up just being Sara, Texie and I. It was while applying Icy-Hot to my every tightening calves at girls night, I discovered what feels like a knot in each of my calves one the size of a mouse, the other slightly smaller. I spent the evening massaging and applying Icy-Hot – to the point where when I climbed into bed, Colin commented that I smelled like mint gum. For those of you who care, I also continued my application at work …and the area around my desk now bears the smell of a package of Dentyne Ice. And I love it. So here’s hoping that by my run tomorrow, the knots will haunt my calves no more! But since I love Icy-hot, I’ll probably just keep applying it anyways. J

Happy Running!