running

So if you are within the words of this post, be proud of me. After having 5.5 weeks off with no running and just doing the weight machines and the elliptical once (Gosh, I hate that machine) I was still able to successfully run 3.1 miles in 28 minutes.

I had my last rehab appointment was on the 17th of November. I told Melissa that I would run the following week and see how my hip was. Well, that was Thanksgiving and with my knees bothering me, I didn't want to risk it. So I didn't. Then last week, I still didn't either. But she called me on Monday, left me a voicemail asking how things were going and if I ran. Craps. She cares. And then I got a Holiday card in the mail from her as well. Yea, Too bad it didn't have a check in there for $520 as that is how much I owe them. OUCH.

So on Monday, Bob and I decided to get down and serious with our workout again. Since Pumpkinfest I really laxed on the whole running thing mainly cause of my hip problem. All the ellipticals were taken (no skin off my nose) so we went with the Treadmills. YAY! Walking only at first. Bob had his at an incline so I did mine as well. Then even sped it up a bit. Feeling good! Then I went up to my normal run speed of 6.7mph. I did that for like .20miles. I totally forgot how good running feels!!!!! I was hesistant at first though but once I got going, it was nice. Then I walked. Then I ran again a while later only doing .5 miles. I did have on my yoga pants and a baggy shirt after all. Not quite running apparel. I was soo excited! We did the situps and then the hip raises and my hip had a twinge in it. Then I showed Bob this situp thing that I'm doing at home to work my lower abs, and BIG twinge. Craps.

We did weight machines yesterday. Today I went and packed a half running outfit (just the top, my shorts were my basketball shorts) and after work, I went running! I didn't think about actually doing the 3.1 miles. After a mile, I decided to keep on going. My hip was feeling fine. It was still feeling fine when I was done too. I walked to cool down and still fine.

So in conclusion, I'm not sure what this means. Is it a fluke. Is my hip better? Is the the exercises that I'm doing at home to strength it working? I have no clue.

Categories: hip, treadmill runs

healthy me? nah...

so i ran 2 miles at the Y tonight. first time for that.

10 laps = 1 mile

so i walked for 3 laps (i always mean to walk 5 but i get bored) then ran for 1 mile total. then walked for 4 laps and then ran another 1 mile then walked for another 5 laps.

usually i only do the walk, run 1 mile and walk more then leave. but no, i was upset about today so i decided to run until my heart stops. and stop it did. but it was awesome and i pounded my frustrations on the track.

now i think i'm gonna do some pilates. i need to look healthier (ie toned). plus i need to get stronger for some skiing i'm gonna do this winter!

hip update

So after the race on Sunday, I went to the Northern Rehab booth. My physical therapist was not there but Denny was. He's the best for runners, I've been told and Melissa told me to go find him since he sat in with us on a session. So he asked how it was and where it was hurting, then did this new stretch on me (point, counterpoint) and then rolled me out for a bit. He gave me a roller with handles this time around. That day I was sore and then I walked the parade, not the best idea to do. My feet were on fire by the end of it. I took a hot bath that night and Conor kinda rubbed my thigh (man I was wanting a full body massage! ha!) and then went to sleep.

On Monday morning, I rolled out of bed expecting to feel pain when I walked but um, I took like 4 or 5 steps before I realised that I wasn't feeling any pain. WTF? My calves felt tight but they usually do after a race and considering this was 6.2, I'll take it. So I'm walking and walking around, I exclaimed loudly that I wasn't feeling any pain! Then all day at work, I moved stuff and still no pain. I didn't do anything that evening in terms of working out.

Tuesday morning, got up again, with no pain. Strange I thought. What on Earth did Denny do to me?!? I did lift weights Tuesday eveing and put on a little more weight (I decided that I want to gain bulk and defintion instead of just toning - especially in my thighs. This guy I saw after the race amazing thighs and calves, you could SEE THEM. That's what I want) on the machines and did do a few stretches. I rolled myself out last night but nothing felt tight or knotty.

So this morning, I was a little sore in the hip flexor but nothing like I was limping or anything. Went to see my PT at 1pm, told her what happened and she said that she has a call in to Dr. Bodner about an MRI. She did the pressure massage on my hip and it still felt a little tight. While we were working on rolling out my thigh (which was knotty) he called back. He agreed that an MRI is something that should be done, so I have to schedule that. I had her explain to me what it was and then asked, so that's the big round metal tube right? Yes, she said. Craps. I'm clausterphobic! She didn't know if they had any open ones around here. But I guess I'll just have to live. I'll have to think Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning when I go in there. She also worked on my knee problem again. The patella tendon goes vertical so she said that if you rub your patella left and right it'll cause friction and it'll speed up the healing process by encouraging blood flow to the area but MAN was it uncomfortable for her to do that! She asked me if I was going to go running at any point but I haven't decided that yet. I want to get my knee in okay shape and then my hip as well. Both of that I think needs rest. So maybe just the ellipictal tonight. We'll see.

Melissa (my PT) is having me do lunges in which I also lift a weight above and behind my head on the step up. She started me on 2 pounds cause I told her I have no arm muslces. Today though, she snuck in 3 pounds. Sneaky I told her, she just smiled. Last night I also raised up my weights for the arm lift machine (I don't have an actual name for them) and I managed to do 20 pounds on that. Usually I could only do 10lbs! Of course, Bob had to keep on saying Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning. But I told Melissa that I think because of the lunges and the small amount of arm lifting I'm doing, that's why I was able to increase it to 20 pounds. Also last night, we also added in the butterfly press so that I can work my pec muscles. Now I don't want those big or anything like that (well, maybe on a guy ;-) but just stronger cause I know I'm weak there, can't even do any pushups. Melissa said if you're strengthening the front, make sure you do the back as well. I'm not feeling too sore in that area today. Not like I thought I'd be.

Categories: hip

racing

And the next time I race, I want someone there at the end cheering me on damnit. I'm sick of doing these things without any support. Plus, I want a photo of me crossing the finish line. That would be awesome to see!

Categories: races

bad or good?

I'm nervous as all hell about tomorrow for some odd reason. My hip, the length, Wes, my knees, the weather (it's supposed to be windy tomorrow) and then the parade later on. Still no walker to this point. But anyway, I'm nervous. I realise that it's like 650 people in this race (much more than anything I've ever done before) so I'm not expecting a medal this time around but just getting under an hour would be good. I'm really scared for the pain that I'll encounter tomorrow. I may take Monday off work. Oh wait, can't. We're moving our furniture that day and getting new stuff on Tuesday morning. Craps. Craps craps. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it. Wes is still running and wearing jeans and doing it hungover. Just like last year. All I can say is that if I don't beat him, I'm done running. For good.

Categories: aches and pains, Pumpkinfest 10k, races

randomness again

Ever since I found out that I have a leg shorter than the other, I feel like this FREAK. Even though it's only a little bit, it's making me feel somewhat down. I'm not working out tonight. Just don't feel like it. I won't on Wednesday or Thursday either (I'll be with my dad). I hope that by Friday I'll be back to my old self.

Categories: aches and pains

stuff

I found out today that my right leg is a little shorter than the other leg. That could be why my hip is sore. They videotaped me running and my left leg swung out at the back of the gait. That was totally great to watch. They were also talking about all sorts of muscles. Sounded like Rob! haha. But they also said that both my calves were very tight (they did the ankle test to figure that out) and then they grabbed my right ankle. They couldn't rotate it. They were surprised at how tight it was. Well, I have sprained it multiple times in like softball and basketball and after a while I lost mobility in it. They gave me some lifts to put in my shoe. Then we talked some more about my gait. All in all it was a very informative session today.

Pictures from yesterday's events.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lcbarron/20061008AutumnOnParade

Categories: hip

Autumn on Parade race

Got up at 6:10. Took my Advil and ate my peanut better and jelly on toast. Up and left around 6:40/45. Then once I got on Bethany, I realised I forgot a hat. But I didn't go back to get it. Figured that if I really needed it, I could wear my Scrubs hat in my backseat. Saw the sun rise behind me. That was sweet.

Got there with plenty of time to spare. But I had to warm up. At first I took off my warmup suit and left it in the car while I got my packet (long sleeved t-shirt!!!) but I had to go back to get it. I needed it while jogging. I put in my tunes and was listening to it even though they had a DJ playing some pumped up music. My hip was still sore as well. I was thinking why wasn't my Advil kicking in! Then figured it was cause of the cold weather. I could see my breath!! I left my warmup suit near what would be the finish line. They said it would be safe there. Again what sucks about going alone.

Anyway, got to the beginning and off we went. Running straight east into the sun. That sucked. Hardc0re. This girl and I started running together. We were keeping up with one another, keeping pace. Then once we hit like this hill, she kept her pace up and I think I fell back. Or she sped up and I kept my pace. No split times. I kept looking for them but nothing. Then I see one coming up. I get to him. 15:58. WTF! Was that for 1.5 or 2 miles? Then I'm like well, I know the water was supposed to be at the 2 mile mark, and then I see the water station. Okay, so 1.5 mile was the time? I took a nice big swig and spit it out all over my legs. I didn't care, it was somewhat warm. By that time, my left bicep was tensing up. That could be I was holding my shuffle instead of in my shorts. Then I found my power song!! I let it play but I kept a knowledge of where it was at so I could go back to it for the final stretch and it helped! I saw the time and bing bang boom. 25:38. They might have clocked me at 25:39. Either way, that was freaking 2 minutes off my time at OTW. Booya!!! I found the girl that I was racing with. She got 24:50. Hmm, damn. but it was funny, she was wearing heavy heavy makeup and her sweat was getting into her eyes and her mascara was running. That's why you don't wear any like me! :-D

I waited around and around and around. People were still trickling in at the 1 hour mark. OMG! Then they were doing random drawings for Gift Certificates to a RoadID so that if you fall and you have this, people will know who you are (and in my case that's a good thing). I won one. I went up there to the DJ to get one. I'm like Shaun? He said Lindsay? I was like hey! It was DJ Shaun Lowe from Corn Fest. Since I worked it this year and was with Lisa, he knew who I was. Thought it was pretty cool how I was out there racing.

Then the awards come. They do the women first. I got 2nd place. Again! :-) And another medal. They didn't announce times though so I don't know where the girl in front of me timed in at. Then I left. No point in staying right?

I went up to Josh's folks place, Tom and Deb. So who thinks it's weird that I hang out with my ex's parents? ha. Anyway, I surprised Deb, Tom knew I was racing but didn't tell Deb. So I got there at 9:30 and well, I didn't leave until 4:30p! I thought NIU was playing at 2:30 so I was going ot leave and get up to Old Chicago before then but alas they weren't playing until 7p. So instead I went with Tom and Deb down to the parade and then the craft fair at Autumn on Parade. That was awesome. Walked around the craft fair and they bought stuff. Things got awkward for me when they were buying a present for Josh's girlfriend but I quickly got over that when I thought of something and all was better. Got food and then watched the parade a bit. Had to get back by 3pm for the Eagles game. :-) I got lots of pictures. Then just chilled back at their house until I felt it was time to get out of their hair and then I went shopping at the Galt Convinence Store, aka their basement. HA! I love them both so much!!

Up to Rockford and Old Chicago. Got my three beers. Watched the Eagles win the rest of their game. Got my shirt for completing my mini-tour. Then I couldn't wait until 7pm. My legs were tired/sore and so was I. So I left at 6:45p. Came home and immediately got into a hot bath with soaking crystals. Sweet.

and now I'm here, on the couch, watching tv. about to go to bed. btw, i got sunburned again today while running. that's awesome!

Categories: Autumn On Parade 5k, races

running problems

i fucked up my right flexor last night while running. i was running when my hip was hurting, even in the first mile. wasn't very smart eh? i was limping all day today. so i left work early, in that i left work a half hour after i should have, not doing tribute to heroes stuff tonight and going to lie down on the couch and ice my hip. i stretched it but it didn't help. still hurts when i stand on it. glad that i have a physical thearpy appointment tomorrow morning. i have a race on sunday to run in!! eep. :-/

Categories: aches and pains, hip

running milestone

Ran 5 miles tonight. First time for that. Felt awesome, wasn't breathing hard or anything. In 45:45min too. So another 1.2miles and I'll have the Pumpkinfest race.

Tomorrow I have a Physical Therapist appointment for my hip. We'll see what they have to say about it.

I found my power song on shuffle today. Once I hit that song, man, I wasn't tired anymore. My feet pounded with the beat. I need a running playlist. I just don't know what songs to put in it. Plus, I don't think that the Shuffle can have a playlist though. Only Nano's and iPods.

Next Monday and Tuesday I'm running outside again. Gonna be gorgeous or so I hear.

Off to shower my stinky sweat off of me!

Categories: 5 miles, hip

nano speak

Days back from vacation are my favourite. everyone asks you how your week was. but they don't really expect you to go into details about it. they just want to hear that it's fine and then move on. so all day today that's what i've been saying.

I took my bike down to North Central Cyclery. best. Bike Shop. EVER! Wow. I'm impressed. I took it down there at 1pm. They called me at 3pm saying that it's ready. Sweet! It was a pretty penny but i got new tires and new brake pads and they spiffed it up. I also hate my bike rack. I have to use bungee cords to secure my bike to the rack. It sucks. hardc0re. So they had one for $119 but that's way out of my price range but it's nifty looking. So called up Dad and he said to look at CostCo and sure enough they had one in my price range! When he's comes up next month, he'll bring it up. sweet.

But this weekend i've got to use the old one. If things are still looking this weatherific then I'll be going to Rock Cut for some biking! I'm totally stoked about that! I can't wait to get out on the trails. I haven't been on a bike in years so i know that I'll be sore. Gotta be careful cause of my next race is coming up soon.

Speaking of race, so while i was down south, i didn't do *much* running as you all know. But today, i ran outside on the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Path in Hopkins Park and ran for 35 minutes with only 10 minutes of walking. Pretty damn good. Unfortunately, i have no idea how long i ran for. I want my NANO! My hip hurt aftewards but that's why i have written on my hand to call Northern Rehab. But I think it was the weather that was throwing me off down there. Which means, anything 70 degrees and above, I die.

So speaking of Nano's, remember how I wanted a Nano? Well, my dad (at my brother's suggestion) bought an iBook. yea yea, i hear it now, anyway... his Toshiba laptop kept giving him a BSOD and it's like well, duh! PEBKAC error, but anyway, i digress. so with this iBook, he also got a Nano. Yes, that's what i'm thinking! I found out once I got down there, John showed me ASAP. So I kept talking about the Nike+ thing and finally showed John a video about it. he said it's pretty cool. Duh. That's what I want one. Dad actually did offer me his nano for my shuffle but I don't want it just because he felt sorry or whatnot cause then I would feel like I got a better deal out of it, which I would have. Anyway, we all know that he'll never use his Nano and I use my shuffle now all the time when running. Heck even the ear buds stay in and everything. I didn't think they would.

Have I mentioned a Nano yet? Wes says I'm brainwashed like the rest of the Apple people. No. I just want the Nano for the Nike Plus thing. ;-)

Categories: aches and pains, biking, hip, nike+

typical day in So.IL

John and I went to Quatro's last night in Carbondale. Deep pan pizza. Which is different than deep dish. But good pizza nonetheless. Hell, John even went with a vegetarian pizza on top of that! I was in awe!

I found a 5k race in March down here that is a couples race. Husband/Wife, Mother/Son, Father/Daughter, Brother/Sister. Can be any couple just needs to be male/female. So I sent it on to John yesterday and told him that we could do this! He'll have PLENTY of time to get ready. they add up the ages and that's the age group and then they combine the times and that's the total time. But with that, I won't be competing as much as encouraging John to finish the 3.1 mile race.

John did some grocery shopping and he's going back on a diet. His diet is the Lean Cuisine diet. He's a bachelor so that's okay. I also told him about the fruit bars I bought. It's like eating ice cream but without all the bad stuff. It's only 50 calories compared to 310 for ice cream cones. So he bought those. And fat-fat chips (that won't cause anal leakage anymore hehe). We also looked at treadmills since he knows that his sucks. So I think I'm going to motivate him again! :-) I'm proud of him!

Now I just gotta get back into shape. I ran today outside but ran too late in the day. It was 74 by the time I headed outside. Wrong idea. Didn't run the route that I mapped out on Google Maps Pedometer. I can't wait until I get back on Saturday. Then on Sunday I can run at my Y again. I just hope that I didn't lose my desire to run. Felt like I did when I started running today.

Aker (John's cat) is sleeping on my lap but I miss mine sooo much. Wes said that they looked lonely and he tried to pet them but they ran away. I'm sure he didn't try too hard. As in didn't sit on the floor and let them come to him. He probably wasn't there long. He also closed the deck door. It's getting cold up there at night I guess. So my place will be a little stuffy when I get back. I'm not picking him up on Sunday after all. He couldn't find anyone to take him to the airport so he has to park his car up there. OUCH. That's gonna be a pretty penny.

Categories: southern illinois

running

It's amazing what having a few days from running will do to your cardiovascular system.

Last time I ran was on Wednesday. Thursday I had a concert, Friday I drove down here. Saturday was all day with family, Sunday was day with family. So yesterday I tried running on John's treadmill. Operative word there is "tried." It's freaking small and rattly and on an incline. Yuck. I could only run a mile. I was constantly looking down at my feet to make sure that they were on the track.

So then last night I asked him if his old workout place (West Frankfort Aquatic Center) has daily passes. Yes, he said, he thinks only $3. SCORE! So this afternoon I head on over there. I explain my situation how I'm only visiting this week. The daily pass is actually $4 but the first time is on them. I take a tour of their facilities and they use the LifeFitness treadmills like the Y so I'm excited. 2 floors of equipment. It's not as big as you think when I say 2 floors but it's impressive for being West Frankfort. HAHA. I tell them that I'm going to run today (I packed everything up just in case). They pointed out the locker rooms.

I get on a treadmill and start running. But I could only go for 2 miles. Worst feeling ever. But here's what I was doing.
0-0.5 6.5mph 9:17mil
0.5-1.0 6.6 9:05mil
1.0-1.5 6.7 8:57mil
1.5-2.0 6.8 8:49mil
and then I stopped cause I was outta breath and it was warm. First time that I ran like that. Usually I do a steady pace. Then I walked for .3 miles and started running again but only at 6.5 and for 0.6 miles.

I also stopped cause it was the most boringest run I've ever had. I stared at a blank ivory/cream coloured wall 2 feet in front of me the entire 20 minutes. No tv's, no facing people; good thing I had my music otherwise I would have gone crazy!

I had to keep asking questions. Where's a mat for situps? Upstairs. Where's the spray equipment sanitiser at? They themselves clean everything off. What's the room temperature? They keep it at 70, I'm sure the Y keeps it at 65. The room temparture was the difficult part to deal with. But the lady working was also working out so I had to wait until she was done lifting weights before I could ask questions. That was a bit odd.

iDo

I also got an appointment with Midwest Ortho to look at my hip. Hopefully they'll tell me what to do to make it not hurt after running! I ran yesterday at 4.5 miles and it hurt but only after I quit running. Today, I ran 4.5 miles but it started huring WHILE I was running. Even afterwards while stretching, something wasn't right. And it's not the muscle. It's the joint. I know it is.

So last week, Bob won an iPod shuffle. Got it through Lee's Summer Fitness Challenge. He gave it to me. Every week they are giving away iPod shuffles (week 1 - 1 iPod shuffle; week 2 - 2 shuffles; week 3 - 3 shuffles; etc.) and one iPod Nano each week. I was really wanting the Nano just so I can get the iPod + Nike thing and then when I run outside it'll keep track of how fast and far I'm going and how many calories I'm burning. That'll be awesome. But I'm happy with the shuffle. For now. I had iTunes put random songs on it and most of it turned out for good running today. Today, in fact, was easy running, even with the pain in my hip. 4.5 miles in 41:08. Not too shabby. I couldn't tell if that was because of the running I did yesterday, the not being sick anymore, or the music helping me along. In any case, I own an iPod brand mp3 player now. I guess I should delete the above icon now huh? :-)

Speaking of October 8th, I gotta remember to register for the Autumn on Parade race soon. This one is gonna have hills. :-/ And water only provided at the 2 mile mark. Gotta remember to bring my own little bottle then. But all racers are guaranteed a shirt! Awards for the first 3 male and female in each age group. I'm starting to look at clothing to wear for the cooler weather. I'm thinking at least long running tights. My thighs were red in the last race from the cooler weather.

Tomorrow is weights and bike. I like the bike, I just sit, listen to music and work out my legs. It's kinda fun. :-) BTW, I'm 3 pounds away from my goal weight. Then what?

Categories: Autumn On Parade 5k, iPod, orthopedic, weight

2 hours at the Y tonight

I'm kicking butt at this. I'm dead serious about running. Getting fit. Being toned. I'm obsessed and that's good.
An hour on the weights with Bob and then an hour on the bike. That one was tough but I did it.

Side note, Bob was only there with me until 7:15p. While I was on the bike, I had my eyes closed just listening to the music, ignoring Bob. Then at 7pm, I open my eyes and see Y boy there. Shit. Close my eyes, close my eyes, keep them closed. Then Bob leaves at 7:15p. I'm wondering if Y boy will then come over and talk to me. Not with my headphones on I decide. Then around 7:30p, I see Jack over on the machines. I wave hi, he comes over. I tell him more about my race and the bike and then about my bronchitis (more on that later). I glance over, Y boy is listening to me. I tell Jack that I still have to stretch, then we'll go to dinner. I'm walking around, Y boy is walking around. No contact. I wouldn't even look at him, keep my eyes to the ground.

But here's what I'm thinking. 1) I had on my headphones. 2) I had Bob beside me and then Jack talking to me. 3) I had my eyes closed (which helped me not look at him so much) which may have told him I wasn't interested. But I am almost not interested anymore. I want to do more with my working out. Cross train more. Dating will not fit into my schedule.

Monday: Run outside - just so I can get a feel for my body.
Tuesday: Weights and bike
Wednesday: Treadmill
Thursday: Treadmill
Friday: Weights and bike
Saturday: Speed training.

Soon water will come into this schedule. This will help with my cross training even more. My breathing and muscle training.

It may sound like I'm training for a triathlon but I'm not. Well, maybe. :-) I have a list of exercise goals. The very last one is to do a Sprint Triathlon. Which is MUCH less than a regular triathlon. Swim .6mi, bike 14mi and run 3.1mi. But that'll take a lot more training. Will have to practice the transitions. This will also be a lot more money because of equipment that I'll have to buy. But the bike will be the most $$. You can't use a mountain bike for those things.

I just wish that I could have gotten into shape sooner than at the end of summer. While there are races over the winter time, I'm not really interested in running during the dead of winter. Late fall, November, is pretty much the latest I'll want to run outside. Which means track at the Y for winter, which is B-O-R-I-N-G. Ten laps around is 1 mile. That means 40 laps for 4 miles. Oh. My. Gosh. Geeze.

Now onto my cough. Finally went to the doctor today. Scolded me for self-medicating. Thought it was walking pneumonia. Then took x-rays. A remnant form of bronchitis. Gave me a really strong antibiotic for 5 days. She said that it should take care of my cough. I hope so. I can't even remember what it's like to be able to take a deep breath and not cough afterwards. I can only imagine how much better I'll run once I can breathe again. She actually told me not to run but I can't take 4 days off. I'll lose my training. Even if I do the bike and weights only, I'll still lose some and I can't take that chance. Not now. Not with 4 weeks till my next race.

Tomorrow I'll make an appointment at Unlimited Performance for my hip and foot. Maybe even have them do the Runner's Gait Analysis as well. Then sometime next month will make another appointment at KMA to get several moles removed. I'm all about my health lately. (except for not going to the Dr for this sickness last month. *blush*)

BTW, yesterday Wes said that he's stopped running. He hasn't been for 4 weeks now. HAHAHA, so what did we learn boys and girls? His only motivation was me. Without me around, he had no one to compete with. Instead, I'm now losing weight and he's gained it. Though he got his fair share of competition/beating me yesterday at putt-putt. Though I've never been on that course before and he's been a lot more. Once just last week even. Then at hitting golf balls too. I've never wanted to shake someone as bad as him. Makes me soooo frustrated I could actually SCREAM around him!!!!

Categories: friends, hip, sick, sprint tri, y guy

running

I saw Jack at the Y. That was a surprise. He said that the Godsmack tickets came in. He was on one side of me while Bob was on the other. Thanks for the well wishes Jack! Means a lot! I'll let you know how I do. :-)

After all the bad stuff that I ate this weekend, I was still weighing myself every day and for 5 days straight, I stayed under 140. In fact, I now weight 137. So I did finally lose weight. Not a lot but I'm consistently under 140. My calves look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, if I do say so myself. And I'm starting to get defintion in my stomach. So it's finally come to fruition now. Bob and I are doing weight machines on Tuesday and Fridays. This Friday though I gotta head up to Rockford to pick up my packet. Then buying a new running outfit, brand name at that too! Gotta make it look pretty too! Treat myself for doing this! One accomplishment. And then I'll be doing weights that evening. I got an email reminder about it today and I finally realised that it's gonna happen! I'm just now starting to get a little nervous. I know I'm gonna finish so I just want to hit my goal of under 30 minutes. Which I should have no problem doing. It's gonna be 75 degrees on Saturday so it'll be a little chilly that morning but I'm still going to wear a racer tank top. Now I just have to figure out what to eat the night before.

I went down to do recycling after running and the only one that I know of is down by the dorms. Wow. Worst idea ever. Why didn't I do this BEFORE students came back? That was when I realised that I'm glad I don't live on that side of town anymore. I quite enjoy living on the more grown up side that's for sure. Though I miss Pita Pete's so I went there afterwards to pick myself up a pita. Also, I picked up a NIU id holder to put my YMCA pass in it. I realised that if I put it in my bag, it usually falls to the bottom and since I put my shoes and clothes in there, I have to bring everything out just to find it. Plus when I go running outside, it'll be nice to have that on me in case anything happens; which knowing my luck things will happen!

Off to do laundry since I can't do it tomorrow. Stupid.

Categories: weight

Running

I filled up my tank last night at $3.04. Today it was $2.98. Figures.

Another 4 mile run. Another easy run. Next week I think I will speed it up a bit.

I gotta go in though. I'm gonna go to Lundeen's and grab some Boone's wine while I'm out. I need a drink. Been a week now since any alcohol for me!

Running

Yesterday Bob and I did free weights and the machines. He's really sore today. I was okay.

Speaking of the Y, I ran 4.5 miles. This was good since I could only run 3.0 on Monday and 3.5 on Tuesday before I felt like I was dying. Today I hardly coughed (yes I STILL have a cough) at work so I knew that today was gonna be good. And it was. Still I'm not going any faster. Just at my 9:30 pace. But seriously, I shouldnt' be hard on myself about that. Could YOU keep up with me at a 9:30 pace?? Yea, that's what I thought.

Categories: sick

First race

I signed up for my OTW race. Running and then NIU vs. Ohio on ABC that afternoon and OTW the rest of the day. I'm actually going this year. I'm not relying on promises that was told to me like last year. I'm not relying on asking friends and them not getting back to me. I'm not relying on asking people and them saying no and then they're going anyway with others. I'm going. One way or another. I'm seeing the bands that I want. And the good news? You can buy drinks in the bars and then take them out on the street now!

As I was signing up last night, I found another 5K race I can do. The Autumn on Parade in Oregon. That's on October 8 and then I should be in prime shape for the Pumpkin Fest 10K at the end of October!

What I'm thinking about doing this weekend is getting up and running on Saturday with the group at 5:30a, shower and then by that time it should be time to work at the VIP tent on Saturday for Corn Fest. Bob doesn't know if he's going to it yet. He not sure on the drive out here again.

I never went shopping this week. I should go tonight but I've been so tired this week. Like I'm going to bed around 11p which is really early for me. I thinking it's the running and the sickness. I got yelled at today at work about not going to the doctor and self-medicating myself with my leftover anti-biotics. Anyway, so when I come home from running, i just shower and chill on the couch. Sometimes getting online and chatting with my brother, sometimes just laying down and not getting on the computer.

Categories: Autumn On Parade 5k, On The Waterfront 5k, races

butt crack of dawn

Actually, it was even before that. 5am is when I awoke and then 5:15a is when I left to head out to Sycamore Speedway. Off to go running on the Great Western Trail. HAHA I ran in Kane County! I have no idea how long the distance was I ran though. Julie said that it was approximately 3.25mi when I stopped. We did that in 27min. That's a lot faster than my normal pace but I did it. Though the rest of the group was up ahead of us, just three in back of the pack. Then I ran for another 10 minutes once I walked a bit.

I suck at goodbyes. I sucked when Josh left. I sucked saying goodbye to Ali last night and then today when I was done running to Chris Doyle. He was one of runners today, he and his wife Julie, and it's just sad to say goodbye. 2 years of working with him. He's been here for 7 years. The paper was much different back then. They're leaving on Wednesday for Florida.

I saw last night that Shawn White is now also a skateboarder as well as a snowboarder. Apparently this is the first year that he's been a pro at it though.

I gotta work today. PCM ads and then techie stuff. I have to clean the server room and clean up my desk. Corporate Tech is coming in on Monday! Eep! Will do that after a hour sleep or so. Cause I think it's time for a nap. Too bad I have nothing to do this morning otherwise I would just stay up. Too exhausted. Next Friday, I won't be going out the night before. :-)

Categories: dark 30

ATTENTION!!!

I JUST RAN 4 MILES CONSECUTIVELY TONIGHT!!!! :-D
Not going slower than 6mph!! I even went 6.7mph; fastest I've ever been!
I'm gonna be so ready to go for my first race!

Categories: 4 miles, treadmill runs

running

Several things i have learned from today's workout:
1) Must eat lunch in order to have the energy to run even a mile, much less 2 miles.
2) Must remember to drink enough liquids in the afternoon to not dehydrate while running said 2 miles.

Also, I'm running on the treadmill now at the Y. I'm afraid of these things:
1) That I'll condition myself to run only a certain speed. My normal speed is a 8 minute mile. On the treadmill I'm doing a 10 minute mile.
2) That I'm going to be used to running in AC that once I do run outside again, I won't be able to handle it.

There's this guy that I always see at the Y. I lust after this guy not for him but for the fact that he has the best runner's body! His calves, thighs, even his arms are toned but not too musclar. Doesn't hurt that he wears a fitted runners shirt too (which I need to buy several since I'm sick of wearing the baggy shirts that just flop around). He usually runs on the second row of treadmills and I run on the back. I try to see how fast he's running but hes usually in front of me AND he's usually already running by the time I got there. Today, he came in REAL late and was off to the side so I got to see what he does. He walks for a bit slower than what I walk and then runs faster than I run BUT while running he was talking to the guy he came in with next to him. He was TALKING and motioning with his hands all while RUNNING!!!! After seeing that today, I was just in awe. I wasn't even listening to my music anymore, I just kept watching the actions of this dude. That's what I wanna be able to do! MAN! I don't even know him (nor do I want to) but I admire him! After seeing him, I also don't know if I'll ever be in shape to run a 10k, 8k or even a 5k. It's something that I've always wanted to do but I've accepted that and I'm just running to run now.

BTW, now that I've seen the first Pirates of the Caribbean, I can't wait until the second one comes out!!!! :-)

Categories: races, treadmill runs, YMCA

No AC at YMCA

I went running this evening after work and the AC in the gym didn't work. So I walked in and was nearly knocked over the smell and the heat. haha. But I stuck it out. It was weird though since the gym and the track was not cold but the rest of the building was.

Categories: YMCA

Skiing to running

i went from skiing obsessively to running. planned on doing a few races (like 5) over the summer but now since hurting my knees i've slowed that down.

Categories: runner's knee

runner's knee

i have diagnosed myself with runner's knee(s). so i'm off this week from running. supposedly I should take off a few weeks but screw that. I'm the type that will run until my body breaks. i'm stupid like that though. haha. So I went into MC Sports to buy knee bands and I see a friend in there who also runs. I talked to him about my problems and he thinks it could be my shoes. I hope so, cause getting this after only a mile and a half is not cool with me. So this weekend I'm buying new shoes, expensive shoes, good ones that will help me I hope!

Categories: aches and pains, runner's knee, shoes

pain

Today I'm taking off all together from any sort of workout. I just had Thursday off but Wednesday will be my new day off. Yesterday I ran outside. Today's the day to actually do it cause it's B-E-A-UTIFUL out there. But a friend of mine told me his route and he said it's .8 miles so I ran that plus around my block. I forgot how runny your nose can get or how cold your ears will get and hurt afterwards. So I have no times to tell ya. Today, my knees hurt. Pain it comes with the terriority.

Categories: aches and pains, runner's knee

not about running

Just kidding here's the running stuff. haha.

quick update. I thought on Tuesday that I ran a 8:44 but I saw in my notebook that it was a 8:08. So better than I thought. Tonight. This is awesome now. You ready? 1 mile: 8:00.71. Walked three laps cause I was DEAD after that. 1/2 mile: 4:00.71. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?! However, the first 2 laps of the mile I was actually saying ow ow ow ow cause of my knees. Even the first lap of the 1/2 mile I was still saying ow ow ow. Damon, you are going to get a really long message chalk full of questions from me about my knees tomorrow. Cause seriously I'm starting to get freaked about this. It hurts.

More tomorrow. I'm gonna take drugs for my knees now.

Categories: fast mile, lap repeats, runner's knee, Y track

running

is there anything else going on in my life besides that?

I think my body is breaking down. I don't remember my joints hurting after running. I sat for three hours tonight, I got up and started walking and my knees, both of them, started hurting! DAMN. then during lunch I realised that my left hip hurt when I stood on my left leg. I couldn't quite pinpoint the pain I was feeling. Not cool. Yes I know that it was 10 years ago I was a lot younger but c'mon, I'm still young right?

Tonight's figures are:
1 mile: 8:44 (first lap in :46) (last lap in :44)
1/2 mile: 4:00 even (last lap in :44)

I must admit I was a little dying after the mile today. Especially once I started running and my hips were going creak creak creak. But they got oiled up after a lap or two. I think I need to stretch more. But once I get in there I just wanna go. I don't even wanna do the walking laps anymore. But I still do.

After I was done, i was walking through the hallway and past a guy talking to someone else about races. I heard the guy (he was a teacher at the Y, does cycling classes) that was talking about his goal this year is to finish a 10k in 36 minutes. That a little under 6 minutes a mile. DO WHAT?!?! "Since I'm not doing a tri[athlon] I decided that should be my goal." Boy, did I get a case of the "Can I's?" and "Will I's?" after hearing that. I mean, seriously, the race is one month from tomorrow. Will I seriously be up to shape to do a 3.1 mile race in one go?? I feel like I need to "kick it up a notch" (sorry watching Emeril) in order to reach my goal.

Categories: aches and pains, hip, runner's knee, Y track

eh, no subject

I did a mile run today. 8:36m. I originally planned on doing a 10 minute mile but then I ran a :46 lap and I realised that I was going too fast and why should I do a 10 minute mile when I actually usually run a 4 minute half mile on average. So I decided on 8:30 and I managed it! YES! I actually wasn't that red either. Sweaty yes, red no. Then afterwards I did some machines in the gym. I didn't really like it. I did a thigh lift thing and then a hamstring thing. I wanted to do a calf thing but the weights on there were 2 45lbs weights and I didn't know where the smaller ones were at. and i didn't ask where they were at. yea I'm a pansy. one of these nights I'll do what Stacey does and go late at night. Maybe it won't be as busy. Or only lift weights on Friday when the whole place is pretty much empty. Anyway, so if I do a 10 minute mile on average then I should be done with the 5k race in 30 minutes. BUT I should be faster than that. At least I hope so!!

I got invited to go skiing on Friday during the day at Devil's Head. I wish I could go. Not last minute like this though. Then The Brat Pack is playing down in Carbondale. Modern Day Romeos at Cubby Bear in Chicago again. Amazing Kilowatts here in DeKalb. Aw Craps.

Um yea that's it.

Categories: lap repeats, weight training, Y track

running again

yea, i know. i get obsessed with something and that's all you'll hear about it in my blogs. earlier this year, it was work, and now this. Difference with this is that I'm actually gonna keep time from now on. I meant to borrow AJ's stopwatch today but he left before I could ask him for it from his car. So I had to use my watch. I tried to be accurate as best as I could. We'll see. Tomorrow during lunch, I plan on picking one up. A real one.

Walk 2 laps.
Run 5 laps. Time: 3:30
Walk 2 laps.
Run 5 laps. Time 4:20
Walk 2 laps.
Run 1 lap as fast as I could. 35 seconds.
Walk 2 laps.
Run 1/2 lap full blast 15 seconds.

My legs were jello by the end. Especially during the 1 lap, I could feel myself slowing down but I just kept on pushing! Tomorrow will be in-line skating to work different muscles. I saw a guy jump roping, I thought I need to do that to work my respiratory system.

And that's that. I'm feeling good about what I'm doing. I just wish I had more of a trainer. Have to remember what I was taught back in high school but that was when I was running 5 miles in practice alone! I think that all we did was run, no lifting I know that much. I miss my little 4 pack stomach. hehe.

Categories: inline skating, lap repeats, Y track

Running Man

So, I have decided that I'm going to run in a marathon. Or at least a really big race. This way I keep up with my running and then I also have a goal to attain. I know of DeKalb Corn Fest 10k at the end of August. And then the Sycamore Pumpkin Fest 10k at the end of October. I don't know of any earlier ones but I don't know if I wanna do any earlier ones. Gotta make sure I'm all trained up for them. Winner of the 2004 Corn Fest Race in my age category ran it in 40 minutes. I think I can do that! Never had to run that long before. That's longer than my cross country races in high school!!

Tonight's running was too easy. I did the 2 walking laps to warm up but the next 5 laps were too easy. I almost felt like I only ran 4 laps. In fact, it felt so easy that I only did 1 walking lap and then the rest. I even busted out the last lap full force. Well, as full force as my weak legs could take me! I wasn't concentrating on my breathing as much. I gotta think more about that.

I read that runners need to build up a tolerance to latic acid. Apparently; "Lactic acid is a defense mechanism your body uses so it doesn't overheat. When your brain realized that you are over exerting yourself, it releases lactic acid so your muscles feel sore, which in turn gets you to slow down/stop whatever you are doing so you don't get overheat and die. The whole purpose of this workout is to infuse your body with big doses of lactic acid so you are "used to it" when it happens during the race." And how I do this is by finding a hill and running up it as fast as I can for 60 seconds and then jog back downm then repeat 5 more times. Now... all I need to do is find a hill. Know of any? DeKalb County seems pretty gosh darn flat to me.

What I also need is a stopwatch. So I can time my laps. Wal-mart should have something like that, I hope.

AMC is having 80's Week! Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club tonight. NIIIICE! But who is the guy in Sixteen Candles? I've seen him before but don't know where from. Another movie? TV Show? Not sure. My first time seeing it. The only John Hughes film/Brat Pack movie, I haven't seen and now I have!

Categories: hill training, lap repeats, marathon, Y track

no internet makes lindsay crabby

finally have internet back. as of yesterday but i was soo busy yesterday (being Thursday not Friday) that i didn't get a chance to write. so here i am, late friday night/early saturday morning writing this.

lets see what has happened to me this week? i started running. well, i've been running sporadicially but now i'm keeping it up. my stragety is this: walk 2 laps, run 5 laps, walk 2 laps, run 4 laps, walk 2 laps, run 3 laps, walk 2 laps, run 2 laps, walk 2 laps, run 1 lap. this way i will have run a total of 1.5 miles and walk another mile. this way it not only gets my heart rate up and down but i'm also not bored counting 10 laps in a row. but what i don't get is that i've gained 5 pounds. and don't give me that crap about how muscle weighs more than fat. it's only been steady for 3 days. i have NOT gained any muscle in 3 days.

Breckenridge got 4" of snow in the past 24 hours, 7" total from a few days ago. VERY JEALOUS! i wanna live in colorado sooo bad. i just wanna be outdoors.

i have 9 days without roommate, Josh. this is going to be a very lovely time for me and my cats. but now since i mentioned him, i might as well say what's been bugging me about this trip of his. It's bitter Ex-Girlfriend time.

1) Okay, so his girlfriend moved out of state right? while they were dating. and with her parents (who were also moving as they sold their house in rockford). There were no blow ups. There were no name calling. There were no fights. There were no finger pointing. They both agreed that it was financially sound that she do this right now. now where the FUCK was MY SUPPORT when I did the SAME FUCKING THING??? *whew* When i moved out of state after graduation cause i couldn't find a job, i got called every name in the book. i got accused of being selfish. i got called pyscho. i was told that he wanted to kick me out that very day and tell me to go now. he says it's a completely different situation. i think differently. it is not. i had to move cause after august i had no job to afford to live in the apartment. she had to move even though she HAD a job but cause she could not afford to live on her own. Now josh has said that he offered me to stay in the apartment and i countered back with then how would you have afforded the place on your own? he said he would have done it somehow. i retorted back with she could have done it somehow as well then.

2) it's been a GRAND FUCKING TOTAL of 10 DAYS since he last saw her. He's already out there vistiting her. FLEW out there mind you AND with Jenny! Now, get this. I was down in Mississippi for 5 months. he never, not once, came down and saw me. that's only a 10 hour drive. I even drove up to my mum's one weekend. that was only a 4.5 hour drive for him. he *thought* about coming down but decided against it. i did however, fly up here twice for him. once on halloween and then again for christmas. and then a month later, 4 days before our 4 year anniversary, he broke up with me. oh and jenny never not once talked to me. not that she ever volunteeringly talked to me while we were dating anyhow. i'm thinking that she learned her lesson how she made me feel cut out and left out and now she's actually talking to her and making her feel welcome. though it could also be b/c the girlfriend actually does what i didn't do which is illegal and will have no part in it.

Gee swell. what a great boyfriend i had eh? i think these two points either proves that A) he never did love/care for me. B) he didn't love/care for me as much as he loves/cares for her now. or C) that he learned his lessons and corrected his mistakes on me and our relationship. I don't know which one I hope its more of cause either one of those makes me pretty damn sick to my stomach. These two situations that I noticed this week has me feeling really down about the last 5 years I spent with him as soulmates and this last year we spent living together as roommates. Yes, I actually did tell someone today in fact, that josh and I were soulmates. we were. it was great cause we had equal number of common things vs. equal number of not in common. (yes, i am one of "those" that don't believe couples should have EVERYTHING in common cause how freakin boring would that be?) however, there was one big non common thing that neither one of us could let go and that was the downfall to the entire relationship. just one freakin stupid sour thing. but i'm glad that i finally held on to my standards and that i am still. it only took me 5 years to do it but i did. anyway, i'm getting off track here. the point was it's a great feeling when you realise that the one past great probably the last meaningful relationship you will ever have was all a big ole fat lie.*smiles* *thumbs up*

oh and another thing i forgot to add on to this was that i wanted to live in louisville kentucky after graduation. we talked about it and so i told him that's where i was applying for jobs at as well as Chicago. he said that it really didn't matter to him. then suddenly he changed his mind about it one day and wanted to stay near the chicago region cause he likes chicago and his family is here. but i just found out that now he's looking into jobs in the portland area --- cause GUESS WHO LIVES THERE???

I SUCK!

okay, that's it. i'm done talking now that i've gotten myself into a tizzy about this whole thing.

happy birthday chuck norris.

Categories: dating, lap repeats, rant, roommate, Y track