It's Father's Day here so we got up and made pancakes for Stefaan and he got to open his presents. Then I dragged him off to the lake for our long run!
We did 6 loops (8.4 km) in 55 minutes and it all went nice and easy, except for that predictable tough point I always hit somewhere between loops 3 and 4. You know, when the running feels hard and your legs feel like cement and your mind is going, "Why am I doing this? What is the point? Am I crazy? What did I ever think was so great about running? I don't have to do this. I could quit. Then I could sleep in on Sundays and drink wine on Saturday evening...bla, bla, bla"
And so it keeps on, my disobedient mind, until I focus on my legs and soften up my stride so it feels better and think about how lucky I am to be able to run. And remember that I always hit that hard spot, nothing unusual about it, and just push through it and it will pass. And it did.
Happy trails to you all today!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tough Tempo Time
I needed to do a tempo workout today, which normally I would have done on Tuesday. On the schedule was a "8-6-4-2" interval workout, which I usually enjoy, but today it was tough.
First of all one thing about this workout is that the first interval is 8 minutes, so you have to pick a tempo speed that feels challenging but that you are still able to maintain for 8 minutes. Normally I think I am probably way too conservative (Jenny and Mark have told me before that I am probably capable of running faster than I think I can); today I plugged in 10 km/hr and it felt so hard! I think it must have something to do with the fact that I did a run on Wednesday and cross training yesterday (not to mention all those lunges), and am just more physically tired in general. Usually my tempo workout is on Tuesday, and I usually do no cardio on Monday (because it is the day after my long run), so I am more rested.
But I kept thinking what Mark or Jenny (yes, they are my gurus) said one time, about the hard workouts being the ones that make you progress. Plus, it seems that changing things about your workout schedule is also very beneficial - we don't want our body getting too complacent or comfortable, or it stops improving!
So I really really REALLY wanted to stop but I kept going, and pushed the speed up a notch at each successive interval. Boy was I glad when I was done! I ended up doing a total of 5.6 km in 40 minutes (this includes warm up and cool down).
I was a "test client" this week for an exam in food therapy at the school where I got my diploma (that was why my workout schedule was all mixed up). As a "test client" you are interviewed by the student and have to tell as much as you can about your eating habits and lifestyle so they can write up a therapy plan for their exam. So I was yapping away, and the very nice person interviewing me said at one point, "You are very disciplined."
This just stopped me in my tracks, because I have never really thought of myself as disciplined, although that was always one of the qualities I always wished I had more of. A few years ago, I was reading one of Marianne Williamson's books* and she was discussing the idea that we wish we were a certain way, and how we can get there. Well, Marianne's advice is so simple: practice what you want to become, and you become it. I remember writing in my journal: "Practice being disciplined and you become a disciplined person."
And so I guess I would have to say that this is one of the benefits I have reaped the last two years in this crazy running adventure: by practicing being committed to my running workouts and not giving in to my feelings of wanting to stop every time it feels hard (which is often in running), I guess to my surprise I would have to agree with my interviewer, I have become more disciplined! And this has spilled over into other areas of my life.
And so when one of those hard workouts pops up, and we perservere and buck up and just do it, not only do we improve physically, but we become mentally stronger as well. How cool is that?
By the way, tempo runs totally embody Marianne's idea: Practice running faster and you become a faster runner! Now I just need to practice believing I can run faster!
*I just went to verify which book I was thinking of and it is "The Gift of Change" which was published in 2004 and is wonderful. Another favorite of mine by Marianne Williamson is "Everyday Grace".
First of all one thing about this workout is that the first interval is 8 minutes, so you have to pick a tempo speed that feels challenging but that you are still able to maintain for 8 minutes. Normally I think I am probably way too conservative (Jenny and Mark have told me before that I am probably capable of running faster than I think I can); today I plugged in 10 km/hr and it felt so hard! I think it must have something to do with the fact that I did a run on Wednesday and cross training yesterday (not to mention all those lunges), and am just more physically tired in general. Usually my tempo workout is on Tuesday, and I usually do no cardio on Monday (because it is the day after my long run), so I am more rested.
But I kept thinking what Mark or Jenny (yes, they are my gurus) said one time, about the hard workouts being the ones that make you progress. Plus, it seems that changing things about your workout schedule is also very beneficial - we don't want our body getting too complacent or comfortable, or it stops improving!
So I really really REALLY wanted to stop but I kept going, and pushed the speed up a notch at each successive interval. Boy was I glad when I was done! I ended up doing a total of 5.6 km in 40 minutes (this includes warm up and cool down).
I was a "test client" this week for an exam in food therapy at the school where I got my diploma (that was why my workout schedule was all mixed up). As a "test client" you are interviewed by the student and have to tell as much as you can about your eating habits and lifestyle so they can write up a therapy plan for their exam. So I was yapping away, and the very nice person interviewing me said at one point, "You are very disciplined."
This just stopped me in my tracks, because I have never really thought of myself as disciplined, although that was always one of the qualities I always wished I had more of. A few years ago, I was reading one of Marianne Williamson's books* and she was discussing the idea that we wish we were a certain way, and how we can get there. Well, Marianne's advice is so simple: practice what you want to become, and you become it. I remember writing in my journal: "Practice being disciplined and you become a disciplined person."
And so I guess I would have to say that this is one of the benefits I have reaped the last two years in this crazy running adventure: by practicing being committed to my running workouts and not giving in to my feelings of wanting to stop every time it feels hard (which is often in running), I guess to my surprise I would have to agree with my interviewer, I have become more disciplined! And this has spilled over into other areas of my life.
And so when one of those hard workouts pops up, and we perservere and buck up and just do it, not only do we improve physically, but we become mentally stronger as well. How cool is that?
By the way, tempo runs totally embody Marianne's idea: Practice running faster and you become a faster runner! Now I just need to practice believing I can run faster!
*I just went to verify which book I was thinking of and it is "The Gift of Change" which was published in 2004 and is wonderful. Another favorite of mine by Marianne Williamson is "Everyday Grace".
Thursday, June 5, 2008
It's Raining Again
Do you remember that song? It's been going through my head the last few days. All it took was hearing it once on the radio and this week's weather and I am stuck with it!
Seriously, the weather is bad, we had a huge storm on Tuesday, a lot of our neighbors' basements were flooded and some of the streets look dangerously close to flash flood conditions. Hardly June, but oh well. So I went down to the gym today for cross training.
My legs were still sore (thanks a lot, Christy!) but 40 minutes on the elliptical actually felt really good. Then I did some upper body weights and yes, LUNGES. But I decided I was far too enthusiastic on Monday, and limited myself to one set, which I will repeat on Saturday. Maybe I'll try two sets next week.
Seriously, the weather is bad, we had a huge storm on Tuesday, a lot of our neighbors' basements were flooded and some of the streets look dangerously close to flash flood conditions. Hardly June, but oh well. So I went down to the gym today for cross training.
My legs were still sore (thanks a lot, Christy!) but 40 minutes on the elliptical actually felt really good. Then I did some upper body weights and yes, LUNGES. But I decided I was far too enthusiastic on Monday, and limited myself to one set, which I will repeat on Saturday. Maybe I'll try two sets next week.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Poetry in Motion?
I got a lot of biking in yesterday, but not my run, so unusually for me, I needed to get a run in on a Wednesday. It was supposed to be 40 minutes with hills...but as I walked home from dropping the boys at school I was wondering to myself how I was going to manage that when just lowering myself into a chair is difficult! Can one actually run on lunge-tortured legs? I really was not sure this was going to work, especially when just walking I could still really feel how tight and painful my inner thighs are!
I am happy to report that it went (to my great surprise) fine! My legs did seem to tire more quickly than usual but for the rest they didn't bother me at all except on the downhill parts - which are always tough for me. It did take me slightly longer to finish my 6.2 km route; 44 minutes. But that's okay. So I guess running muscles are not exactly the same ones you need for lunges? Or is it just because they are used to running but not used to lunging? Hmmm.
So I wasn't exactly poetry in motion (she blinded me with science!) during my run, but the Daily Om did have a nice little reminder this week about how important it is to include movement in your life:
Poetry in Motion: Moving Our Body
Our bodies love movement... If you are feeling stuck, ready to release old energy, or eager to feel more alive, try moving your body. By giving your muscles a chance to do what they were created for, you may find that all areas of your body and your life benefit as well.
Many times we can be so busy that we forget moving our body is even an option. Some of us remain seated at our computer for hours every day or rush from task to task ... When we are caught up in crossing items off our to-do lists, we tend to neglect all the opportunities there are to enjoy our bodies in the process of living. If this is true for you, begin looking for opportunities to move.... See if you can sense your bones providing graceful support, your muscles and tendons expanding and contracting in just the right measure, your lungs changing pace to fill deeply with fresh air. Movement is a vital celebration of life. It is a way to proclaim your own existence and relish in the joy of being alive. Today, and into the future, give yourself the gift of your body in motion.
I often find that the Daily Om has something pertinent to say! www.dailyom.com
I am happy to report that it went (to my great surprise) fine! My legs did seem to tire more quickly than usual but for the rest they didn't bother me at all except on the downhill parts - which are always tough for me. It did take me slightly longer to finish my 6.2 km route; 44 minutes. But that's okay. So I guess running muscles are not exactly the same ones you need for lunges? Or is it just because they are used to running but not used to lunging? Hmmm.
So I wasn't exactly poetry in motion (she blinded me with science!) during my run, but the Daily Om did have a nice little reminder this week about how important it is to include movement in your life:
Poetry in Motion: Moving Our Body
Our bodies love movement... If you are feeling stuck, ready to release old energy, or eager to feel more alive, try moving your body. By giving your muscles a chance to do what they were created for, you may find that all areas of your body and your life benefit as well.
Many times we can be so busy that we forget moving our body is even an option. Some of us remain seated at our computer for hours every day or rush from task to task ... When we are caught up in crossing items off our to-do lists, we tend to neglect all the opportunities there are to enjoy our bodies in the process of living. If this is true for you, begin looking for opportunities to move.... See if you can sense your bones providing graceful support, your muscles and tendons expanding and contracting in just the right measure, your lungs changing pace to fill deeply with fresh air. Movement is a vital celebration of life. It is a way to proclaim your own existence and relish in the joy of being alive. Today, and into the future, give yourself the gift of your body in motion.
I often find that the Daily Om has something pertinent to say! www.dailyom.com
Monday, June 2, 2008
Congratulations Mark!
Mark finished the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon in 3 hours, 24 minutes yesterday - way to go! Quite an accomplishment, considering he didn't even think he would be able to run it a few weeks ago. We are proud of you, Mark!
I managed to talk Christy into joining me on Viv's Weight Loss Challenge (what was she thinking) if I promised to do lunges in exchange (my most hated strength exercise). So I did them this morning, as part of the weight workout I am adding three times a week (Mom's recommendation - she is right - to help rev up the metabolism a bit). I HATE LUNGES! My legs feel so wobbly afterwards, ugh. I have never been a huge fan of strength workouts...I always tend to "forget" about them when planning my training for running races.
I managed to talk Christy into joining me on Viv's Weight Loss Challenge (what was she thinking) if I promised to do lunges in exchange (my most hated strength exercise). So I did them this morning, as part of the weight workout I am adding three times a week (Mom's recommendation - she is right - to help rev up the metabolism a bit). I HATE LUNGES! My legs feel so wobbly afterwards, ugh. I have never been a huge fan of strength workouts...I always tend to "forget" about them when planning my training for running races.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Weight Loss Challenge
Over on Lily's blog I noticed that she has joined a weight loss challenge for the month of June - just what I need to get some momentum going! Eating a healthy vegan diet has not been a problem at all for me - but I still tend to eat too much. And like Lily says, just training for races is definitely not enough to lose weight. You have to make a real effort with the eating habits as well.
All the information about the challenge is over at Viv's blog (www.imnotfittorun.blogspot.com) as well as her email address if you want to join in - don't worry, she has promised not to post anyone's weight on the WWW!
Easing Back In
For those of you who are busy training for marathons, I know 5 times around the lake (7 km) really does not qualify as a long run, but that was our distance this morning as we ease back into our routine. It went really well, took us 48 minutes, and we both felt good and could have continued on - but the plan said 5 and we decided to STICK TO THE PLAN (ha ha)! I hope I have the same attitude when the plan says we have to do 9 times!
My brother-in-law Mark is running the San Diego marathon today so we are thinking of him and hoping it goes really well for him. He sure deserves it after all his perseverance (including actually finishing in the hellishly hot Chicago marathon last fall) and struggle with his hip injury. Go Mark!
One of Mark's favorite things when he comes to Belgium is to get a hot sugar waffle at the train station, and he was feeling sorry for me that the Belgian waffles are not vegan. Luckily Christine came up with a vegan version of them! Check it out (pictures and all) on her blog: http://christinevardaros.blogspot.com/2008/05/vegan-waffle-party-huge-success.html We will definitely have to try her recipe when Jenny and Mark visit next month (yay!) - but you can still walk to the train station, Mark, and get a "real" one if you want!
My brother-in-law Mark is running the San Diego marathon today so we are thinking of him and hoping it goes really well for him. He sure deserves it after all his perseverance (including actually finishing in the hellishly hot Chicago marathon last fall) and struggle with his hip injury. Go Mark!
One of Mark's favorite things when he comes to Belgium is to get a hot sugar waffle at the train station, and he was feeling sorry for me that the Belgian waffles are not vegan. Luckily Christine came up with a vegan version of them! Check it out (pictures and all) on her blog: http://christinevardaros.blogspot.com/2008/05/vegan-waffle-party-huge-success.html We will definitely have to try her recipe when Jenny and Mark visit next month (yay!) - but you can still walk to the train station, Mark, and get a "real" one if you want!
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