7 mile run

My 7 mile run this morning went better than I expected!

I started at 7a but when I went to start my Nike+ my iPod froze on me. So I had to reset it and walked back to the starting point. Then the Podcasts that I thought I brought over to my iPod through iTunes didn't transfer so I had to listen to music today. I am really hooked on Steve Runner's Podcast.

Once I got that all figured out, I see this gaggle of 12-14 girls running towards me on the path. They were from the local high school since they were all wearing the school's colours. Mind you, the Great Western Trail isn't that wide at the beginning. They were running 4 wide but were not moving over to allow me to keep running on the path as we passed each other. Finally someone scooted over and made enough room for me but I ended up hitting elbows with one of them. I said "Excuse you!" as I ran by them. I wasn't too happy with them.

Then I got settled into the run. Ran past the 2 water stations. Made it to Bob-Jo were the turn around point was and ran back to the last water station on my to so it would be the first water station. I stopped for some Gatorade and water. While there I saw a woodpecker pecking at some dead tree above me. I also had a mosquito hold on to me after I started running. I felt this stinging and glanced at my shoulder and there she was. I smacked her and saw that I had blood on my hand and shoulder. So for the next two miles, I was bugged (hehe) by that itch that she created.

Then got back to the car in 1 hr 6 minutes. I was really happy with that time! Average of 9:27 min/mi! I think I do have to remember my gloves if it's under 60* though. Or find those damn arm warmers that Ryan Hall and Paula Radcliffe wear. I want those bad!!

Categories: 7 miles, Great Western Trail, long run, Phedippidations

A warm run in just under 30

Today's run was good. I finally ran 3.1 miles in under 30 minutes, in 29:09! Yea doggies! Unfortunately, I had heard that it was only going to be 74* for a high today but when I got outside to run, it felt a lot warmer than that. I knew I was going to be in trouble even before running. Sure enough, at the end of the run, the bank said 80*.

When I first started running, I was already hurting. See, it's a few days before my period so my breasts are swollen and hurting. I have small breasts, A cup. I hated my breasts when I was younger, always wanted bigger ones. Until I started running that is. Now I'm glad that I don't have to deal with them bouncing or keeping them in place with 2 sports bras. Especially after today. With them swollen and painful, the bouncing of my runs are not comfortable. If I had B or C cups, I'm sure they would be bouncy but not painful like today. But if they were, I'm glad I don't have them! I only have to deal with this once per month and that's more than enough for me.

I ran past my boss on the bike path. She was going the opposite way than I. I knew she was running but have never seen her out and about before.

Apparently, I also have now ran 500 miles on Nike+! I was given the option to buy a shirt that says this but it's out of stock. :-(

Olympic Women's Marathon is this Sunday. I haven't decided who I'm cheering for. While I want Deena Kastor to win and get above her bronze medal (her finish at Athens is sooo moving), I also like Paula Radcliffe since she's overcoming an injury! The defending champion from Japan is out after an hamstring injury she got during training.

Categories: boss, female troubles, nike+

Another accident

My 3 mile runs are not getting any faster. I used to run it in 26, 27 minutes. Now I can barely make it under 30! I know, I know, I only started running again after a month off a few weeks ago. It's gonna take some time to get my cardio back up and going but damnit, I liked the conditioning I was in before. I know I won't be placing in any age categories for my upcoming races.

Today something new happened to me again. Well, not really new. It's happened in 2 of my races. My very first one and my 8k this year, in which I never really trained and pushed way too hard at the end. I had a leaky bladder. I was walking a few steps after stopping running and boom it felt like I had to pee. I stopped, stooped over and tried to hold it in. A few many drops managed to trickle out. Yuck. I'm not alone, see here. It even happens to men!

Now off to take a shower before my Northern Illinois Trail Runner's Organisation seminar. It's on Pilates tonight!

Categories: bathroom, NITRO

Day of firsts

I ran 6 miles today. Wanted to wake up at 6a and on the limestone path at 7a. Weeeeel, that didn't happen. Slept in until after 7a and at 7:40a it started raining so I decided to wait until 8a and if it was still raining I'll go to the Y. Luckily, it stopped so off I went to the path in Sycamore.

Ran the 6 miles. It was tough. I did manage to do it in an average of 9:47 min/mi. which is just under 59 minutes for 6 miles. Not too shabby. Considering that I haven't ran 6 miles since the springtime! I take that back, not since Feb 16!! WOW.

Also, I had several firsts today. I had to poop about 2 miles into it. I thought I could hold it but it started to get uncomfortable so I found a corn field and off I went! HA! I peed and pooped in a corn field. Lots of mosquitoes but I did it. The thighs were sore after getting up from my squatting position. But I felt a whole heck of a lot better after that!! I guess running loosens my bowels which I have read can happen.

Another first was taking a cold bath. You're supposed to take an ice bath. I have yet have the courage to do that. So I put in cold water in the bath, stood and complained as my feet got used to the cold water and then sat down. I was naked except for a sweatshirt to keep me warm. I had enough water in the tub to cover my thighs. I stayed in there for about 8 minutes. To get the best out of an ice bath, it's supposed to be 10-20 minutes. Oh well. It's my first time. But I did get used to the cold water after a while and it did feel good. After driving back after my run, I got out of the car and my thighs hurt. They don't hurt now as I sit here and get up every once in a while.

Now I'm off to eat something. I should note that I didn't eat anything this morning. After the delay, I should have. Oh well.

Categories: 6 miles, bathroom, cold bath, long run

More like noRun

I never ran in the entire month of July. Wow. I haven no idea how I did it. There were times in which I wanted to run or needed to run but never got out there and did it. My weekends were busy with the boyfriend and then at the end of the month we were getting his place all packed and together and then of course I had RAGBRAI the week before his move.

I mostly biked in July. So my muscles should still be in good shape, save for my knees.

I went running last night for the first time since June 29th. I ran 3.1 miles in 30 minutes. Pretty slow. First 1.7 miles were just over 10 minutes. Second part I sped it up so that I was running faster (yay negative splits!) and was going 9:10 or so. The last half mile I sped it up even more and was going 8:48. For an average of 9:47. Not bad as that's probably what I'll end up doing for the marathon and my training pace need to be slower than that.

Today, the muscles outside my hips hurt. My thighs hurt a little. Calves I feel nothing. I didn't feel any pain in my knee today but did after my run last night. I put it up, didn't use ice, and it feels fine this morning. I must always remember my knee bands.

Brent rode his bike with me last night. It was good to have someone else there with me, able to talk to me. I eventually told him to help me. Then I told him to count and with each number, I planted my foot down. It helped with my foot rotation and kept my mind off my pain. My lungs were also dead, mainly because it was still 78 when I left high humidity and I didn't have any water. I could hear the phlegm in my breathing. Next time, he'll have to bring a water bottle to put on his bike so he can douse me with it every now and then.

Oh and since I run on a bike path that's through some wooded areas, I need to spray down with some bug repellent. Mosquitoes were all over me last night and kept distracting me from my running and disrupting my form.

Saturday is 6 miles. That'll be interesting. I bet I'll be going way slow or even walking some of it. I also plan on doing that out at the Great Western Trail in Sycamore. Maybe early in the morning. It's gonna be 80 that day.

Categories: Brent