Today's run went very well! I realized that there is probably nothing keeping me from running four miles except the mental factor. The level of effort that got me through three miles is something I can carry on for four miles, if I can will myself to continue. I played around with pace a bit in my last mile, hence the faster time there. I realized that my usual pace for mile one and two is a moderate level -- I was able to talk to myself in a somewhat clipped, short-sentenced conversation. The last mile, however, was at a faster pace that was definitely in the huffing/puffing category, a level that I don't usually push myself into.
Otherwise, nothing great to mention, except that I'm glad it's Thursday and that the weekend is almost here.
Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 33:08
Avg Pace: 11:03 min / mile
Lap 1 - 11:32 / mile
Lap 2 - 11:05 / mile
Lap 3 - 10:31 / mile
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
2-3-2-4
OK, so I'm not running on a real plan these days - hence the blank under the "Scheduled Runs" section of this blog. However, bumming around on the forums over at www.runningahead.com (the site that also graciously hosts my training log), I saw a bit of advice for a new runner -- "mix up your runs" the poster wrote, and then went on to suggest four runs a week. 2 miles, 3 miles, 2 miles, then 4 miles, for a total of 11 miles a week.
For some reason, this resonated with me a lot, so I started today. It boosts me up to running four days a week, but keeps my weekday runs short. The two mile run lets me experience what it's like to move my legs fast and strong, which I kinds like the idea of. Of course the reality may wind up being very different.
For now, I'm going to try the following for three weeks or so:
Monday - 2 miles
Wednesday - 3 miles
Thursday - 2 miles
Saturday - 4 miles
So, my two-mile run this morning was at a surprisingly fast pace for me (um, for me anything below 11 min/mile is screaming fast), even though it probably looked like plodding. And I'll be honest, I was huffing and puffing my way through it. There was no way I would have been able to carry on a conversation at this pace, though I did manage a decent and hearty "good morning" to a man parking his car. I need to look at my watch and pay attention to my breath and slow down.
It was nice to be running with the morning crows again. I miss watching them jostle for position on the top of a particular tall pine tree in my neighborhood.
For some reason, this resonated with me a lot, so I started today. It boosts me up to running four days a week, but keeps my weekday runs short. The two mile run lets me experience what it's like to move my legs fast and strong, which I kinds like the idea of. Of course the reality may wind up being very different.
For now, I'm going to try the following for three weeks or so:
Monday - 2 miles
Wednesday - 3 miles
Thursday - 2 miles
Saturday - 4 miles
So, my two-mile run this morning was at a surprisingly fast pace for me (um, for me anything below 11 min/mile is screaming fast), even though it probably looked like plodding. And I'll be honest, I was huffing and puffing my way through it. There was no way I would have been able to carry on a conversation at this pace, though I did manage a decent and hearty "good morning" to a man parking his car. I need to look at my watch and pay attention to my breath and slow down.
It was nice to be running with the morning crows again. I miss watching them jostle for position on the top of a particular tall pine tree in my neighborhood.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Urban Runner
In between bouts of eating some Very Good Vegan Food in Los Angeles, I have also managed to squeeze in a run. Yesterday morning, before I lifted any forks, I put on my running shoes and headed out into the streets of the San Fernando Valley, just a few blocks north of Ventura Blvd. I enjoyed what I never enjoyed when I lived in Los Angeles - getting up early and exercising. I noticed what I never noticed before -- that there are precious few peopleout and about in the early morning and it's like having the teeming city to yourself. And despite never being more than a half-mile away from the always busy and noisy Ventura Freeway, you can hear birds call. I've taken to running without an iPod, so I can hear the birds (and hear the cars as they come barreling up from behind).
And so, I first heard a familiar call, but didn't quite believe that it was what I thought it was. And then I saw heard the call again and located the bird -- 'twas the black phoebe, aka the 'tuxedo bird,' so called because of its distinctive black and white coloring. This bird was just about the very first bird I learned when I moved to Chico and became the amateur birdwatcher that I still am. In Los Angeles they seem to have much more black on their breast than in Northern California, but their call and behavior are identical to their Northern relatives. And so it goes, full circle -- the birds were always there, I just didn't have the eyes to see them.
And the run? The run went well. Three miles isn't so long after all. I'll continue with three 2.5 mile runs for the work week or so, then try and boost my 'long run' to four miles by the weekend.
And so, I first heard a familiar call, but didn't quite believe that it was what I thought it was. And then I saw heard the call again and located the bird -- 'twas the black phoebe, aka the 'tuxedo bird,' so called because of its distinctive black and white coloring. This bird was just about the very first bird I learned when I moved to Chico and became the amateur birdwatcher that I still am. In Los Angeles they seem to have much more black on their breast than in Northern California, but their call and behavior are identical to their Northern relatives. And so it goes, full circle -- the birds were always there, I just didn't have the eyes to see them.
And the run? The run went well. Three miles isn't so long after all. I'll continue with three 2.5 mile runs for the work week or so, then try and boost my 'long run' to four miles by the weekend.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Aves and Reptilia
Another pre-work run under my belt! I had intended to run yesterday, but just couldn't get up in time. I attribute my reluctance to two things - the extra scoop of soy dream that I had the evening before and failing to sleep warmly enough. I somehow scooted the blanket off the bed in the night, so I was sleeping much colder than I like, which meant it wasn't restful recuperative sleep. Last night I bundled up a bit in sweatpants before bed, so I was much more comfortable from beginning to end. Having Tammy the cat snuggle next to me helped, too.
While running today I came across a poor run-over garter snake of a good size - it was very sad. And then on my cool down walk, I encoutered a small alligator lizard that looked like it had met the business end of a cat, poor thing. But on my Tuesday walk in the park with Daniel -- we came upon a very young rattlesnake on the trail. I didn't even see him/her, but Daniel is much better at pattern discrimination. He spotted it and we moved him/her off the trail. The little snake was about as big around as a Sharpie pen, had no rattles, and was about eight to ten inches long. I touched the end of his/her tail while Daniel was fetching an appropriate snake-relocation stick, and the rattle-less tail vibrated back and forth quickly and silently. It was electrifying.
Then...on our drive out of the park, as the sun was setting and the light turned dim and reddish, Daniel spotted a great horned owl up in an oak tree. As we watched, the owl swooped out of the tree, crossed over the road and landed on the ground, where he walked a few steps and then captured a small snake! We had binoculars and were able to see these details quite clearly, but we were not able to tell what species of hapless snake wound up being the owl's dinner. The owl grabbed the snake in his talons and swallowed the snake whole from atop a dinner-table fencepost. Chilling and amazing at the same time.
While running today I came across a poor run-over garter snake of a good size - it was very sad. And then on my cool down walk, I encoutered a small alligator lizard that looked like it had met the business end of a cat, poor thing. But on my Tuesday walk in the park with Daniel -- we came upon a very young rattlesnake on the trail. I didn't even see him/her, but Daniel is much better at pattern discrimination. He spotted it and we moved him/her off the trail. The little snake was about as big around as a Sharpie pen, had no rattles, and was about eight to ten inches long. I touched the end of his/her tail while Daniel was fetching an appropriate snake-relocation stick, and the rattle-less tail vibrated back and forth quickly and silently. It was electrifying.
Then...on our drive out of the park, as the sun was setting and the light turned dim and reddish, Daniel spotted a great horned owl up in an oak tree. As we watched, the owl swooped out of the tree, crossed over the road and landed on the ground, where he walked a few steps and then captured a small snake! We had binoculars and were able to see these details quite clearly, but we were not able to tell what species of hapless snake wound up being the owl's dinner. The owl grabbed the snake in his talons and swallowed the snake whole from atop a dinner-table fencepost. Chilling and amazing at the same time.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Miles Increase
After my 'long' run on Sunday, I decided to see how I felt about increasing the length of my weekday easy run to 2.5 miles. Turns out, it's doable! What a concept--the body responds to challenges. This morning I actually ran a bit further than 2.5 miles and the hardest part, oddly, was the middle of the run at the turnaround point. I can't explain it, but it was very tempting to walk for a bit. I decided not to, however, because past experience has told me that tactic just causes me to lose all momentum.
So, I pushed through the mental block and just kept going.
Thought for the day: I am doing something at the age of 44 that I have never voluntarily done since childhood--and even in childhood, I didn't enjoy it as much as I do now. Go figure.
So, I pushed through the mental block and just kept going.
Thought for the day: I am doing something at the age of 44 that I have never voluntarily done since childhood--and even in childhood, I didn't enjoy it as much as I do now. Go figure.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Turkey Vultures for the Win
Today was not supposed to be a run day. It was supposed to be a Bird Day - Big Day Birding with the Chico State Bird Club. But that group met up at 7:00am and I did not go to bed till 12:30am, so...that just didn't happen. So after sleeping in a bit, I decided to make today a longer run day, just to see if I could do it. Of course, I know that to many, a three-mile run doesn't qualify as a long run, but to this honest runner, it does. Looking back at my running log, I see that my last three-miler was on June 11, 2008 and that I had no special comments on it. As it turns out, that was my last run since I started running again this month.
Because I got started a little late, it was hot and it was quiet. My crow friends had already gotten their morning started hours before, though I did hear a lot of starlings and a few titmice as I started out. After those chipper fellows, however, all I heard were a few water pumps and diesel engines. Fortunately, there wasn't any almond harvesting going on, else it would have been tremendously dusty.
On my last quarter mile, I noticed a beautiful adult turkey vulture (pinkish red head!) fly over me, directly in line with the street, silently gliding. I assumed that he (she?) was scanning the road for roadkill. In my reverie I forgot to keep an eye on him, but on my cooldown walk I saw not one but two turkey vultures messing about with something dead way over on the side of the road. So the one vulture had landed right in front of my eyes, but I hadn't noticed!! Anyway, I walked over to the other side of the street so they wouldn't have to take off. They both hunched their wings, ready to alight, but I was happy that they actually stayed put to finish their gruesome Sunday brunch. A lovely way to end the run.
Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 33:29
Avg Pace: 11:09 min / mile
Because I got started a little late, it was hot and it was quiet. My crow friends had already gotten their morning started hours before, though I did hear a lot of starlings and a few titmice as I started out. After those chipper fellows, however, all I heard were a few water pumps and diesel engines. Fortunately, there wasn't any almond harvesting going on, else it would have been tremendously dusty.
On my last quarter mile, I noticed a beautiful adult turkey vulture (pinkish red head!) fly over me, directly in line with the street, silently gliding. I assumed that he (she?) was scanning the road for roadkill. In my reverie I forgot to keep an eye on him, but on my cooldown walk I saw not one but two turkey vultures messing about with something dead way over on the side of the road. So the one vulture had landed right in front of my eyes, but I hadn't noticed!! Anyway, I walked over to the other side of the street so they wouldn't have to take off. They both hunched their wings, ready to alight, but I was happy that they actually stayed put to finish their gruesome Sunday brunch. A lovely way to end the run.
Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 33:29
Avg Pace: 11:09 min / mile
Friday, September 12, 2008
On the road...
Although I am traveling for work today, I got up early and ran two miles. On the street, on the sidewalk in front of the hotel - back and forth maybe two times. Cool and nice, very windy in one direction, not so windy in the other. Thank goodness for the Garmin, a reliable mile-keeper even in strange places. I mostly had the sidewalk to myself, so not too scary. One truck full of landscapers passed by, and I noticed that at least one of the gardeners inside craned his neck around to get a better look at me. That was a little inkling of the dangers of running in the suburbs.
Overhead I heard, but did not see, Canada geese. I saw them yesterday, as I was going to dinner with my co-workers. 'Tis the season.
There were crows heading out to wherever crows go this morning, just like on my morning run at home. It is comforting to be in the presence of crows. And lucky for me, crows are smart, adaptable, and weedy -- when we corrupt and destroy most of the rest of the planet's natural systems, I hope that at least crows will remain, if not prosper.
Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 22:18
Avg Pace: 11:10 min / mile
Overhead I heard, but did not see, Canada geese. I saw them yesterday, as I was going to dinner with my co-workers. 'Tis the season.
There were crows heading out to wherever crows go this morning, just like on my morning run at home. It is comforting to be in the presence of crows. And lucky for me, crows are smart, adaptable, and weedy -- when we corrupt and destroy most of the rest of the planet's natural systems, I hope that at least crows will remain, if not prosper.
Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 22:18
Avg Pace: 11:10 min / mile
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Starting a Habit
Another run under my belt! This is starting to become a habit that feels good--at least when I'm finished with the run. Even though I'm only doing two-mile runs at this point, I have to say that I still feel like walking from the halfway point and on. That is probably a sign that I'm running too fast and need to slow down, but I already feel like I'm running pretty slowly as it is.
It would be interesting to see what a heart rate monitor would tell me about my level of effort, because my level of effort always feels moderate to high.
I'm going to be away for work on Friday, so I'm going to run again tomorrow. I'm curious to see if the run is any harder to do.
If nothing else happens today, at least I know that I have accomplished a two-mile run. Honestly, it feels that way.
Distance: 2.01 miles
Time: 22:01
Avg Pace: 10:58 min / mile
It would be interesting to see what a heart rate monitor would tell me about my level of effort, because my level of effort always feels moderate to high.
I'm going to be away for work on Friday, so I'm going to run again tomorrow. I'm curious to see if the run is any harder to do.
If nothing else happens today, at least I know that I have accomplished a two-mile run. Honestly, it feels that way.
Distance: 2.01 miles
Time: 22:01
Avg Pace: 10:58 min / mile
Monday, September 8, 2008
Pre-work Running and Blogging
Although I got a late start this morning on my run, I did it anyway - two miles in the cool early morning. I ran partly on road and partly on a dirt road that runs between orchard properties nearby. Doing so will make me late for work, but at this point, the running is way more important than work. I'll make up the time, don't worry.
My question: Why does the level of effort not vary for me? No matter whether I am running two miles or three miles, the runs all seem to require the same amount of effort. Very confusing.
No matter...I'm going to continue with the two-milers for a while. Maybe someday they will seem easy?
Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 22:29
Avg Pace: 11:14 min / mile
My question: Why does the level of effort not vary for me? No matter whether I am running two miles or three miles, the runs all seem to require the same amount of effort. Very confusing.
No matter...I'm going to continue with the two-milers for a while. Maybe someday they will seem easy?
Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 22:29
Avg Pace: 11:14 min / mile
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Walk in the Park
Not a run today, but a nice brisk one-hour walk in Lower Bidwell Park. About halfway through we encountered four young buck deer in the middle of the park. They had small velvet antlers and they moved quietly and carefully.
Later I made scrambled tofu from Vegan With a Vengeance and it was wonderful.
Later I made scrambled tofu from Vegan With a Vengeance and it was wonderful.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Saturday Runnin'
Today I ran another two miles! I developed some soreness in my quadriceps after Wednesday's run, but I decided to run through it at an easy pace. So far so good! I REALLY need to incorporate some yoga into my routine, but I haven't done that yet.
It's not officially fall yet, but fall is in the air. I'm running without headphones, so all I hear is my breathing, my footsteps, and suburban nature. Today, I could hear the tiny crinkling sounds of the almond leaves as they dropped to the ground. The almond harvest has begun in earnest. Trees are shaking all over my neighborhood, which raises a tremendous amount of dust. This morning's run was on a different route from my usual one.
Anyway, it's going to be hot around here today, so I'm glad to have gotten my run finished before the heat really kicks in. As it was, it was about 80F!
I'm going over to my friend's house tonight for dinner -- I'm making vegan lasagna and also a batch of mini-cupcakes with frosting. It's a good thing I'm running again, so I can sort of afford these caloric splurges.
Distance: 2.01 miles
Time: 22:01
Avg Pace: 10:58 min
It's not officially fall yet, but fall is in the air. I'm running without headphones, so all I hear is my breathing, my footsteps, and suburban nature. Today, I could hear the tiny crinkling sounds of the almond leaves as they dropped to the ground. The almond harvest has begun in earnest. Trees are shaking all over my neighborhood, which raises a tremendous amount of dust. This morning's run was on a different route from my usual one.
Anyway, it's going to be hot around here today, so I'm glad to have gotten my run finished before the heat really kicks in. As it was, it was about 80F!
I'm going over to my friend's house tonight for dinner -- I'm making vegan lasagna and also a batch of mini-cupcakes with frosting. It's a good thing I'm running again, so I can sort of afford these caloric splurges.
Distance: 2.01 miles
Time: 22:01
Avg Pace: 10:58 min
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Back at it, again
After doing a lot of hiking these past two weeks, I'm back in the mindset to run again. This morning I got up and ran a nice two-miler - not a big run, not even my formerly usual three-miler, but a run nonetheless.
I am happy that there wasn't a big change in my fitness level or speed, so I'll just keep at the two-mile distance for a week or so, then increase up to three miles. I considered starting a 5K training program through the local running store, but I think I'll do it on my own for a while until there's a 10K program later this season. I still have the pesky mid-hamstring pain in my left leg -- I noticed this quite a bit on some of my hikes, too, especially on the uphill portion. I'll keep monitoring it.
I need to focus on consistency, so I'm going to follow up each run with a post when I can. Just to put the period on the run.
There are two elements for me to add to my physical fitness routine - yoga and upper body (=pushups). For now, however, I'm content with running and hiking.
Pics from my hikes...
August 23 - Bumpass Hell and beyond
August 30 - Cluster Lakes with Sierra Club
Distance: 2.02 miles
Time: 22:50
Avg Pace: 11:19 min
I am happy that there wasn't a big change in my fitness level or speed, so I'll just keep at the two-mile distance for a week or so, then increase up to three miles. I considered starting a 5K training program through the local running store, but I think I'll do it on my own for a while until there's a 10K program later this season. I still have the pesky mid-hamstring pain in my left leg -- I noticed this quite a bit on some of my hikes, too, especially on the uphill portion. I'll keep monitoring it.
I need to focus on consistency, so I'm going to follow up each run with a post when I can. Just to put the period on the run.
There are two elements for me to add to my physical fitness routine - yoga and upper body (=pushups). For now, however, I'm content with running and hiking.
Pics from my hikes...
August 23 - Bumpass Hell and beyond
August 30 - Cluster Lakes with Sierra Club
Distance: 2.02 miles
Time: 22:50
Avg Pace: 11:19 min
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