Mind you, 2008 did have its high point--my husband, dog, and I had a fabulous road trip in Feb-March...but even that was tarnished by the looming deployment, and it didn't quite make up for spending pretty much 3/4 of the year apart from the man I love.
Still, I got some stuff done, got my career change/re-education started, at least, and I got my eyes fixed. No more legal blindness! And I got to see a whole lot more of my family, and I joined a great running club, and had a few really good races, the Hypothermic 1/2, the Hintonburg 5K and the Army Run, and then also a few 'learning experiences'. This whole year has been a pretty good learning experience altogether. But there's no denying that it took a big chunk out of me.
Which is why I'm at home typing (and blowing my nose) while the Resolution Run is going on. I'd planned to go--I'd also planned to nap after work, but instead finished a bio assignment which was pretty exciting...and then my throat got sore, I got lethargic and sniffly, and, around 5:30, I crashed. Woke up around 6:05. I wanted to go running, wanted to see my friends, but I've just recovered from my inflammatory fever, and so, no.
Which leads me to new years resolution #1--don't cut things so damned close! I've had so many short nights of sleep, it isn't funny. Yeah, the first 1/2 of the deployment does inspire casting oneself in the crucible, and I got through that, and then that darned fever came on and now I'm cleansed. or something. I can relax a bit more now. Stay tuned for work developments...reducing the split shift, at least, hopefully. This is the third time I've had a split shift--seems like I'm good for about six months and then that's it.
Meanwhile, resolution #2....tighten up the schedule! meaning, get back on the morning routine, observe the netfew, plus no caffeine at my evening job AND no snacking afterwards! Is it any wonder that I've been up until 2 or 3 these past few nights? LOL
resolution #3.....enjoy running and races more! Less pressure about pace. Who the heck cares except for me? LOL. Dare I leave my watch behind at races and immerse myself totally in the experience, not numbers? I'm seriously considering this. It'll be kind of weird, but the Hypo Half is coming up so I can give it a good try then, if I dare.
resolution #4....go to the doctor! geez, I feel guilty about using resources seeing as I'm still more active than most people, but knowing all these old people who get a medivac and hospital stay just for UTIs has kind of made me realise that, shoot, what are my few tests but a drop in the bucket? LOL.
So, there it is. Hopefully 2009 will be better. 2008 will end with some Chinese food with my parents and maybe The Spirit of the Marathon (part of my husband's Christmas gift to me :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
recovering?
yeah, still, but there's less and less to recover from. :)
I jogged to my morning job, and will likely jog to and from my evening one, so a total of 3.5 miles again today. Bullcrap short runs, but probably the best thing for me at this point. I didn't use the machine today--I was busy between jobs with a course project/experiment that didn't work out, so I'll have to repeat it. Bummer!
Pushups today too, but no morning routine. Not enough time...I didn't get enough sleep as it was. Oh, well, I have five easy days ahead of me to recover somewhat, plus I don't have to work at all this weekend. nice!
I jogged to my morning job, and will likely jog to and from my evening one, so a total of 3.5 miles again today. Bullcrap short runs, but probably the best thing for me at this point. I didn't use the machine today--I was busy between jobs with a course project/experiment that didn't work out, so I'll have to repeat it. Bummer!
Pushups today too, but no morning routine. Not enough time...I didn't get enough sleep as it was. Oh, well, I have five easy days ahead of me to recover somewhat, plus I don't have to work at all this weekend. nice!
Monday, December 29, 2008
still recovering...
I'm still stiff, but at least there's much less pain, and I seem to be running fine.
I ran 2 miles and might run more to/from work, will see. The sidewalks are still pretty bad in parts, so I'm not going to count on a steady jog, but it might be a case of walking on the slippery bits and jogging on the clear to make up time. lol
Anyway, my 2 miles (sort of) were on the WalkFit machine---I remembered the name this time. It was pretty much the same workout, effort, and feeling as yesterday. An added element was having the dog there this time...we managed to share the belt for about ten seconds. It's a little too narrow. LOL
Unfortunately, I didn't manage to add the run to my morning routine (I just did yoga and pushups...until it gets lighter earlier, I don't think I'll be able to do it. After my morning shift was ok, but that's usually dog-exercising time. We'll see if I manage to toughen up. Meanwhile, I'm going to attempt my resistance exercises. It's been a week since I've done them last, but things feel a lot better now, and even getting into and out of lunges is fine. I still can't touch my toes, though.
I ran 2 miles and might run more to/from work, will see. The sidewalks are still pretty bad in parts, so I'm not going to count on a steady jog, but it might be a case of walking on the slippery bits and jogging on the clear to make up time. lol
Anyway, my 2 miles (sort of) were on the WalkFit machine---I remembered the name this time. It was pretty much the same workout, effort, and feeling as yesterday. An added element was having the dog there this time...we managed to share the belt for about ten seconds. It's a little too narrow. LOL
Unfortunately, I didn't manage to add the run to my morning routine (I just did yoga and pushups...until it gets lighter earlier, I don't think I'll be able to do it. After my morning shift was ok, but that's usually dog-exercising time. We'll see if I manage to toughen up. Meanwhile, I'm going to attempt my resistance exercises. It's been a week since I've done them last, but things feel a lot better now, and even getting into and out of lunges is fine. I still can't touch my toes, though.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
still recovering...but....
I actually ran today, sort of! 2 miles, sort of.
See, there's one of those NordikWalk machines or whatever here. It's a user-propelled treadmill for walking--it also has things you move with your arms. Definitely not something which seemed useful for running.
However, over the past week
-I've been recovering from LAT and general stiffness,
-I've been eating like I'm going into hibernation soon,
-the weather outside has been definitely non-pedestrian friendly--not just ice, not just slick ice, but slick ice with a layer of water over it. I will run over/through most things, but this is one that I won't (the others being hot coals, radioactive/chemical waste (although, I had to shelve this rule while on APG, lol) and raw sewage,
-the dog has been getting a little hefty.
Me too, but it was easier to criticize the dog. So, we've been playing more in the backyard, and then I thought, hey, wouldn't it be cool if he could use the NordikWalk? We've sort of hit a snag, in that it's designed to be human-propelled and not dog-propelled, but I might increase the incline and see if that helps him gain the necessary traction. Meanwhile, with time and patience and peanut butter, I've got him walking/trotting on it while I move the belt along with one of my limbs.
This got me thinking...well, my LAT is finally subsiding and I really want to increase blood flow to the area and burn a few Cs while at it, without breaking my neck outside. I googled 'running on manual/user-propelled treadmill', and got very little info, and almost all of it negative. If there's someone who's happily running on such a treadmill, they're not writing about it...except for me.
Yeah, it was a really good experience. Maybe I'm so cagey now that anything's better than nothing, but with some adjustments, I got it working. It's near-impossible to use without contact with the arm-thingies: the belt stops unless one digs in really deep or lengthens contact time with the belt, neither of which seem beneficial. I hung on the arm things for a while and it was easy as long as I didn't try to move them. I tried moving them, and maybe this might work with less resistance, but my cadence was still too fast. To get a good swing in, I had to slow things down too much. At any rate, hanging onto the arm things still wasn't good for my gait: my aborted arm-swing was translating into unnecessary movement in my shoulders and torso. I adjusted the arm-things (what are those things called?) so that I could swing my arms normally and still punch/tap the arm things with every arm swing. This momentary contact was enough. It required concentration, but it also allowed--and even encouraged, I think--good form.
It was definitely different than running normally or even on a normal treadmill, least of all because the incline was considerably steeper (and I might jack it up a little more), but it's not too far off from barefoot running. I was in my socks, which helped make it more comfortable. Maybe in time my feet will toughen up to go completely barefoot, but just socks is still nicer than shoes.
So I'm pretty stoked! I did only about 20 min (3X 4:1, and then the last running interval 6 min), which I'll say is about two miles. I played a CD of sounds of the rainforest and watched some birds outside, both of which adequately distracted me from the stuck-indoors-on-the-treadmill aspect. And I LOVE running without shoes. I don't get to do this often enough. And I love that the thing doesn't use electricity and that it's so convenient--I can toss on a few things and go for a quick jog. When I run outside, it's a bigger production, so it involves at least ten extra minutes for a not-very satisfying run, not including a few minutes eaten up at traffic lights. I live only about a mile from good bike paths, which is pretty decent, but not practical for shorter recovery jogs. Outside, my 20 minute jog probably takes up 30-40 minutes total. Inside, maybe my 20 minute jog takes up 22 minutes or so. (neither including shower!) Not to mention that the laundry generated inside is pretty slim, short-shorts and a tank top and bra.
This has opened up a couple of possibilities:
1. I can go for a short jog every morning, as part of my routine, before leaving the house. This won't make up for a longer run later on, but it's a good way to rev things up and justify the morning shower.
2. I can do shorter recovery runs if I need them. Since I've come here, my recovery runs have lengthened, mainly because it takes me that mile to get past all the traffic lights, and then once I'm on a good path, I don't want to leave it right away. So, instead of 2-4 miles, my recovery runs have been in the 5-8 mile range. I didn't notice any strain from this, but maybe it still affected my other workouts, and maybe, some days, I really need only 2 miles or whatever, or maybe 2 miles twice a day instead of a 4 mile run...this way, I can do that.
3. Maybe I can build my own NordikWalk! How cool would that be? LOL Or, at least, hook it up to a generator...oh, the possibilities....
Meanwhile, I'm going to stick to 20ish minutes on this thing, and 4:1 (mostly) for this week. Ease into it gently. I don't need any more LAT or whatever!
edit: I also did my morning routine (yoga--just 10 sun salutations) and then 3 rounds of pushups.
edit edit: this thing looks pretty much like what I used, the Nordic Whatever device with the arm thingies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruibe0H0rys (same link as in comments)
See, there's one of those NordikWalk machines or whatever here. It's a user-propelled treadmill for walking--it also has things you move with your arms. Definitely not something which seemed useful for running.
However, over the past week
-I've been recovering from LAT and general stiffness,
-I've been eating like I'm going into hibernation soon,
-the weather outside has been definitely non-pedestrian friendly--not just ice, not just slick ice, but slick ice with a layer of water over it. I will run over/through most things, but this is one that I won't (the others being hot coals, radioactive/chemical waste (although, I had to shelve this rule while on APG, lol) and raw sewage,
-the dog has been getting a little hefty.
Me too, but it was easier to criticize the dog. So, we've been playing more in the backyard, and then I thought, hey, wouldn't it be cool if he could use the NordikWalk? We've sort of hit a snag, in that it's designed to be human-propelled and not dog-propelled, but I might increase the incline and see if that helps him gain the necessary traction. Meanwhile, with time and patience and peanut butter, I've got him walking/trotting on it while I move the belt along with one of my limbs.
This got me thinking...well, my LAT is finally subsiding and I really want to increase blood flow to the area and burn a few Cs while at it, without breaking my neck outside. I googled 'running on manual/user-propelled treadmill', and got very little info, and almost all of it negative. If there's someone who's happily running on such a treadmill, they're not writing about it...except for me.
Yeah, it was a really good experience. Maybe I'm so cagey now that anything's better than nothing, but with some adjustments, I got it working. It's near-impossible to use without contact with the arm-thingies: the belt stops unless one digs in really deep or lengthens contact time with the belt, neither of which seem beneficial. I hung on the arm things for a while and it was easy as long as I didn't try to move them. I tried moving them, and maybe this might work with less resistance, but my cadence was still too fast. To get a good swing in, I had to slow things down too much. At any rate, hanging onto the arm things still wasn't good for my gait: my aborted arm-swing was translating into unnecessary movement in my shoulders and torso. I adjusted the arm-things (what are those things called?) so that I could swing my arms normally and still punch/tap the arm things with every arm swing. This momentary contact was enough. It required concentration, but it also allowed--and even encouraged, I think--good form.
It was definitely different than running normally or even on a normal treadmill, least of all because the incline was considerably steeper (and I might jack it up a little more), but it's not too far off from barefoot running. I was in my socks, which helped make it more comfortable. Maybe in time my feet will toughen up to go completely barefoot, but just socks is still nicer than shoes.
So I'm pretty stoked! I did only about 20 min (3X 4:1, and then the last running interval 6 min), which I'll say is about two miles. I played a CD of sounds of the rainforest and watched some birds outside, both of which adequately distracted me from the stuck-indoors-on-the-treadmill aspect. And I LOVE running without shoes. I don't get to do this often enough. And I love that the thing doesn't use electricity and that it's so convenient--I can toss on a few things and go for a quick jog. When I run outside, it's a bigger production, so it involves at least ten extra minutes for a not-very satisfying run, not including a few minutes eaten up at traffic lights. I live only about a mile from good bike paths, which is pretty decent, but not practical for shorter recovery jogs. Outside, my 20 minute jog probably takes up 30-40 minutes total. Inside, maybe my 20 minute jog takes up 22 minutes or so. (neither including shower!) Not to mention that the laundry generated inside is pretty slim, short-shorts and a tank top and bra.
This has opened up a couple of possibilities:
1. I can go for a short jog every morning, as part of my routine, before leaving the house. This won't make up for a longer run later on, but it's a good way to rev things up and justify the morning shower.
2. I can do shorter recovery runs if I need them. Since I've come here, my recovery runs have lengthened, mainly because it takes me that mile to get past all the traffic lights, and then once I'm on a good path, I don't want to leave it right away. So, instead of 2-4 miles, my recovery runs have been in the 5-8 mile range. I didn't notice any strain from this, but maybe it still affected my other workouts, and maybe, some days, I really need only 2 miles or whatever, or maybe 2 miles twice a day instead of a 4 mile run...this way, I can do that.
3. Maybe I can build my own NordikWalk! How cool would that be? LOL Or, at least, hook it up to a generator...oh, the possibilities....
Meanwhile, I'm going to stick to 20ish minutes on this thing, and 4:1 (mostly) for this week. Ease into it gently. I don't need any more LAT or whatever!
edit: I also did my morning routine (yoga--just 10 sun salutations) and then 3 rounds of pushups.
edit edit: this thing looks pretty much like what I used, the Nordic Whatever device with the arm thingies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruibe0H0rys (same link as in comments)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
still recovering...
I did yoga today, and some pushups...easing back into it. I'll walk some more, too, and I have work this evening. That should loosen me up a bit. No thoughts of running, yet, though, and it's still icy out.
I think I feel better than yesterday, but I'm still stiff.
I think I feel better than yesterday, but I'm still stiff.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Still recovering
In the interests of humour, I've decided that I'm suffering from lower-ass trauma, or LAT. It's a bit lower anatomically, but, hey! It's mostly a hamstring pull--on both sides, but I'm still stiff in other places, so it's more than a hamstring pull. I'm not really sure. And it's curious that the damage seems to be mostly in my hamstrings. Other parts were hurting a lot more during the class. One of my hamstrings got a little sore at the end of my run after my yoga class, and so I stopped running and I was fine. Perhaps the class relaxed them too much to withstand the forces of running, and maybe the ordeal of the class--it was pretty transcending--somewhat numbed me to what was going on in my body afterwards. I didn't run right after, but I definitely still felt relaxed when I did set out. And, honestly, it was a slow and stiff run from the get go, but I didn't think anything of it because I've done tons of easy recovery runs in that condition. However, there might have been a subtle difference...when I'm battling illness, even when it's not yet apparent, runs feel ever so slightly duller and heavier...I'm not bring fresh blood to sore/repairing muscles so much as not activating so many muscles to begin with. My body is cocooning. It's hard to explain, and it's a slight difference, but definite. If I do the 'sick' recovery run, I usually feel just as crappy as the day after, as opposed to the 'sore' recovery run, which almost always paves the way to a successful harder workout the day after. Perhaps I failed to recognize the 'sick' recovery run for what it was, and so I went longer than I would, 5.5 miles or whatever instead of 2 or 3. And, thus, LAT!
Anyway, I'm still not running, but I'm eating and resting lots, though! And walking is easier.
Unfortunately, I'm not sleeping as much as I should. I'm not getting tired enough. I feel better, but I think that if I could sleep more, my recovery would be quicker. So it's frustrating.
At any rate, I'm enjoying my last day off.
Anyway, I'm still not running, but I'm eating and resting lots, though! And walking is easier.
Unfortunately, I'm not sleeping as much as I should. I'm not getting tired enough. I feel better, but I think that if I could sleep more, my recovery would be quicker. So it's frustrating.
At any rate, I'm enjoying my last day off.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
:)
I'm a bit better today. I don't have a fever anymore, and I'm less stiff. My hamstrings still hurt, though, but I'm walking better, at least. I'm trying to not walk much, just stretch and relax, but I did take the dog for a walk this morning and it was ok, just slow. It was better than yesterday because nobody stopped and stepped aside for me--I must have looked in pretty rough shape yesterday because people were being really polite. LOL
I really wanted to run today because the conditions were so good, but I really need to take it easy. I had a couple of issues with my hamstrings in the past--like any other sort of injury, it's the sort of thing that you can't push. However, some exercise is good, to increase blood flow around that darned connective tissue, as long as it's easy. Easy right now means a 15-20 minute slow walk or thereabouts; with time, 'easy' will encompass running too. I just have to be careful. And if this means that I won't run again until 2009, so be it. It was still a good year.
At any rate: Merry Christmas!!!
I really wanted to run today because the conditions were so good, but I really need to take it easy. I had a couple of issues with my hamstrings in the past--like any other sort of injury, it's the sort of thing that you can't push. However, some exercise is good, to increase blood flow around that darned connective tissue, as long as it's easy. Easy right now means a 15-20 minute slow walk or thereabouts; with time, 'easy' will encompass running too. I just have to be careful. And if this means that I won't run again until 2009, so be it. It was still a good year.
At any rate: Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
:(...more of the same
I didn't get much sleep, about 4hrs again--took me a while to drop off after a busy evening shift, and then I got woken up earlier than early because of an emergency at my morning job. I'm pretty ripped to shreds--i can't even touch my toes! lol. So there was more squatting and less bending over at my evening job, which is supposedly better anyway, and fortunately there seemed to be less lifting and carrying than normal. Still a busy shift, though. It's pretty hard to walk today because i'm still stiff all over, but more of the pain/tightness seems to be around my hamstrings. I'm continuing to stretch and massage those--gently!--as well as my quads. Laughing baby pose, as sickeningly 'precious' as that sounds, feels really good.
Fortunately, I don't have to work anywhere again until Saturday, so I'll be sleeping lots. :) :) :) If that isn't enough, then I'll go to the clinic. I have a slight fever, but this sort of thing has happened before, including during my husband's last deployment: sleep debt + infection = fever/stiffness/wide-scale inflammation. Six months in instead of seven, and nowhere as much dough to show for the long hours, but I haven't gotten to the falling asleep while standing and/or talking stage, and I have just a sore throat, no tonsil or sinus infection. so it's an improvement over last time. Just have to rest and eat anti-oxidants or whatever. Fresh fruit, mostly, but I actually tried Vega today, the 'Natural' flavour. Um...the thing is, as much as I love eating seaweed (really!) anything in liquid form that remotely reminds me of it makes me gag. I got most of it down, though, and will try one of the non-'Natural' flavours next time.
At least I almost made it through 2008 without getting injured! No big deal if I don't run again this year, which might happen. I doubt I'll be taking a stab at BQing in the spring. I have a full marathon in February, but without any time goals and my fitness from the fall will go a long way in preparing for that--I'll probably just do one 30+K run sometime in late January or early February. And, if my schedule permits, I'd like to do the Ottawa full or 1/2 marathon. And I would like to maintain a good weekly mileage, whatever that means. I'll see what I can handle. And I want to be more regular with cross-training. I'll be refining my goals for 2009 over the next week.
Fortunately, I don't have to work anywhere again until Saturday, so I'll be sleeping lots. :) :) :) If that isn't enough, then I'll go to the clinic. I have a slight fever, but this sort of thing has happened before, including during my husband's last deployment: sleep debt + infection = fever/stiffness/wide-scale inflammation. Six months in instead of seven, and nowhere as much dough to show for the long hours, but I haven't gotten to the falling asleep while standing and/or talking stage, and I have just a sore throat, no tonsil or sinus infection. so it's an improvement over last time. Just have to rest and eat anti-oxidants or whatever. Fresh fruit, mostly, but I actually tried Vega today, the 'Natural' flavour. Um...the thing is, as much as I love eating seaweed (really!) anything in liquid form that remotely reminds me of it makes me gag. I got most of it down, though, and will try one of the non-'Natural' flavours next time.
At least I almost made it through 2008 without getting injured! No big deal if I don't run again this year, which might happen. I doubt I'll be taking a stab at BQing in the spring. I have a full marathon in February, but without any time goals and my fitness from the fall will go a long way in preparing for that--I'll probably just do one 30+K run sometime in late January or early February. And, if my schedule permits, I'd like to do the Ottawa full or 1/2 marathon. And I would like to maintain a good weekly mileage, whatever that means. I'll see what I can handle. And I want to be more regular with cross-training. I'll be refining my goals for 2009 over the next week.
Monday, December 22, 2008
:(
I didn't sleep well so I'm in more pain today. Working tonight is going to be interesting. At any rate, I will likely travel 4ish miles today...alternating very slow jogging and walking to/from work this morning seemed to help things loosen up. Everything's stiff and my hamstrings especially, leg-wise. My upper body is pretty much trashed too. I'll see how I feel over the next few days.
I got a protein shake and some citrus fruit, too, and I'll have a looong nap soon. Hopefully all this will help me shake this. I haven't been drinking milk but I'm beginning to think that it really helps with recovery.
I got a protein shake and some citrus fruit, too, and I'll have a looong nap soon. Hopefully all this will help me shake this. I haven't been drinking milk but I'm beginning to think that it really helps with recovery.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Snow and pain
I didn't run today. I didn't even get outside much. I wanted to try running in the snow, but I'm really stiff, and I have a heavy work day tomorrow. I decided instead to stay in and knock out my last Anatomy assignment. I stretched too, and will do so again. Hopefully I will be in better form tomorrow and this stiffness won't linger too long...seems like I've just gotten rid of the last bout of lingering stiffness I had.
However, I'm still happy I went through the Solstice mala because it was groovy and it's added incentive to maintain a regular (non-yin) yoga practice and core exercises: I would like to do an Equinox mala in March, but would rather not feel afterwards as though I was hit by a truck, as I do today. This is worse than after the marathon, though I can walk better.
However, I'm still happy I went through the Solstice mala because it was groovy and it's added incentive to maintain a regular (non-yin) yoga practice and core exercises: I would like to do an Equinox mala in March, but would rather not feel afterwards as though I was hit by a truck, as I do today. This is worse than after the marathon, though I can walk better.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Solstice
I guess technically the solstice is tomorrow, but I want to push that thing aside now.
It's been a struggle getting to it. I'm not a fan of long cold dark nights to begin with, but this turnaround back to the light has been extra-significant this year. My blog title is no longer accurate. It's not even 2XX days to go, but something close to 182.5ish, give or take a week: in other words, HALFWAY. Halfway through this deployment. The 3 months or whatever of training my husband went through before the deployment doesn't count. Still, he has been away for 9 months already, which has made the first six months of the actual deployment seem extra long. But they're behind us now and I can rest a little more. I feel a lot lighter.
I've been keeping myself busy in my husband's absence, and certainly I'm not one to hinge everything onto a husband (much as the army would like me too, lol) but being with him does enrich my life and we have a lot of fun doing various things together. To have him suddenly gone for over a year was hard to handle, so I had to break it down a bit. Hence the significance of this solstice, which was so conveniently placed.
It's strange that something as insignificant as a date (which isn't all too accurate anyway) can nevertheless bring such hope. It's like the middle of a race, sometimes, one which isn't going very well. Struggling to get to the halfway point dredges up all sorts of negative thoughts. If it's this hard already, what's it going to feel like during the 2nd half? And then, an inauspicious turn around, a pylon, or timing mat, or even just a blip on a Garmin, and suddenly everything changes for the better. The brain realizes that the majority of the challenge is gone, and so it eases its iron grip on the body's reserves, and a cloud is lifted.
Then the hurt and all comes flooding back...BUT it's still ever so slightly better.
Which is where I am now. It helped that it was sunny today. Cold as heck, but sunny. I slept in and enjoyed waking up to a room bathed in light. I dithered for a bit over the yoga class, and then decided to just go for it. I can do 5 sun salutations, what's another 103? So, a few sips of pop and some almonds (I failed breakfast today), and I was off to yoga. I had run out of classes, and I was going to buy 5 more, but I'm kind of low on funds already, so I bought one class, ripped off my outer clothes in the change room, and entered the class as that last person who doesn't quite fit so others gracefully make room while wondering why it is that they always have to do so, despite being more conscientious about getting there with plenty of time to spare. LOL
I was that last person to enter the class--apologetically--but there was room, and we got to it. It was really a fun class. Tough in many ways, and it was appalling how I couldn't keep count. We did the sun salutations in sets of 20, which seemed bad enough, but the breathing and concentration helped. But it seemed that I'd already done heaps, and then I'd hear that we had done almost ten in that set. Somehow, in my mind, I'd already be up to surely 14 or whatever. So I had to chuck negative thoughts aside and crank out the rest. I did the first two sets pretty strongly, and then my knees started dropping in the last bit of the third set. The fourth set was surprisingly strong to start, and then I had to resort to knees for the last half. The fifth set was a blur, and then, for the last eight, I did my best to hold myself up, no knees, and I closed my eyes. Those last eight salutations went by quickly. I got into a zone, a surprisingly joyous zone...it was a big sense of accomplishment.
It was very relaxing afterwards. I couldn't believe how much I'd sweated...the room was pretty packed, though, and it was certainly the most rigorous yoga class I've been to in a long while. It's been eons since I've been to anything but a yin class, and, gosh, I kind of miss the other poses now, even though I've been getting back into them on my own. So maybe I'll use some of my free classes for non-yin classes. Yes, there were door prizes and I won 5 free classes! that's a good omen. :)
It was still too cold for the dog, so I walked home, ate lunch, and then went for a run on my own. My body didn't feel too bad then, but I was definitely somewhat trashed....it was a very slow run. Things weren't sore, just not moving at the usual speed. I took it easy and coasted around for 5.57 miles.
Now I'm pretty sore, mainly in my arms and, strangely, hamstrings. They started hurting during the end of the run, so I cut it short and abandoned my mileage goal for the week: over 40 miles. I did do some exercises targeting them yesterday, so maybe they're still recovering from that. At any rate, I'm really tired. But happy.
The best part of this is that, while there's six months remaining of the deployment, it'll be broken up by a two week visit :) Yes, my husband still hasn't taken R&R. That's something to look forward to, and only a few months away! Work and school will keep me busy until then.
Somehow, Christmas has totally been off my radar this year, but that's a good way to kill another week or so.
It's been a struggle getting to it. I'm not a fan of long cold dark nights to begin with, but this turnaround back to the light has been extra-significant this year. My blog title is no longer accurate. It's not even 2XX days to go, but something close to 182.5ish, give or take a week: in other words, HALFWAY. Halfway through this deployment. The 3 months or whatever of training my husband went through before the deployment doesn't count. Still, he has been away for 9 months already, which has made the first six months of the actual deployment seem extra long. But they're behind us now and I can rest a little more. I feel a lot lighter.
I've been keeping myself busy in my husband's absence, and certainly I'm not one to hinge everything onto a husband (much as the army would like me too, lol) but being with him does enrich my life and we have a lot of fun doing various things together. To have him suddenly gone for over a year was hard to handle, so I had to break it down a bit. Hence the significance of this solstice, which was so conveniently placed.
It's strange that something as insignificant as a date (which isn't all too accurate anyway) can nevertheless bring such hope. It's like the middle of a race, sometimes, one which isn't going very well. Struggling to get to the halfway point dredges up all sorts of negative thoughts. If it's this hard already, what's it going to feel like during the 2nd half? And then, an inauspicious turn around, a pylon, or timing mat, or even just a blip on a Garmin, and suddenly everything changes for the better. The brain realizes that the majority of the challenge is gone, and so it eases its iron grip on the body's reserves, and a cloud is lifted.
Then the hurt and all comes flooding back...BUT it's still ever so slightly better.
Which is where I am now. It helped that it was sunny today. Cold as heck, but sunny. I slept in and enjoyed waking up to a room bathed in light. I dithered for a bit over the yoga class, and then decided to just go for it. I can do 5 sun salutations, what's another 103? So, a few sips of pop and some almonds (I failed breakfast today), and I was off to yoga. I had run out of classes, and I was going to buy 5 more, but I'm kind of low on funds already, so I bought one class, ripped off my outer clothes in the change room, and entered the class as that last person who doesn't quite fit so others gracefully make room while wondering why it is that they always have to do so, despite being more conscientious about getting there with plenty of time to spare. LOL
I was that last person to enter the class--apologetically--but there was room, and we got to it. It was really a fun class. Tough in many ways, and it was appalling how I couldn't keep count. We did the sun salutations in sets of 20, which seemed bad enough, but the breathing and concentration helped. But it seemed that I'd already done heaps, and then I'd hear that we had done almost ten in that set. Somehow, in my mind, I'd already be up to surely 14 or whatever. So I had to chuck negative thoughts aside and crank out the rest. I did the first two sets pretty strongly, and then my knees started dropping in the last bit of the third set. The fourth set was surprisingly strong to start, and then I had to resort to knees for the last half. The fifth set was a blur, and then, for the last eight, I did my best to hold myself up, no knees, and I closed my eyes. Those last eight salutations went by quickly. I got into a zone, a surprisingly joyous zone...it was a big sense of accomplishment.
It was very relaxing afterwards. I couldn't believe how much I'd sweated...the room was pretty packed, though, and it was certainly the most rigorous yoga class I've been to in a long while. It's been eons since I've been to anything but a yin class, and, gosh, I kind of miss the other poses now, even though I've been getting back into them on my own. So maybe I'll use some of my free classes for non-yin classes. Yes, there were door prizes and I won 5 free classes! that's a good omen. :)
It was still too cold for the dog, so I walked home, ate lunch, and then went for a run on my own. My body didn't feel too bad then, but I was definitely somewhat trashed....it was a very slow run. Things weren't sore, just not moving at the usual speed. I took it easy and coasted around for 5.57 miles.
Now I'm pretty sore, mainly in my arms and, strangely, hamstrings. They started hurting during the end of the run, so I cut it short and abandoned my mileage goal for the week: over 40 miles. I did do some exercises targeting them yesterday, so maybe they're still recovering from that. At any rate, I'm really tired. But happy.
The best part of this is that, while there's six months remaining of the deployment, it'll be broken up by a two week visit :) Yes, my husband still hasn't taken R&R. That's something to look forward to, and only a few months away! Work and school will keep me busy until then.
Somehow, Christmas has totally been off my radar this year, but that's a good way to kill another week or so.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday...busting the netfew once again
I'm slogging through an assignment. I care ever so deeply about substrate-level phosphorylation so it's a good mental test/struggle to tear myself away from that. lol
I didn't do much on Thursday except about a mile of jogging around, and pushups, and my morning routine (5 whole sun salutations and the deep breathing, lol)and a yoga class. Yin yoga, of course. one of these days, I should really go to a regular class. It's been eons since I've done one of the Warrior poses. Anyway, Thursday was pretty much a wash as far as running was concerned because I was low on sleep and stiff.
Today was better. I ran almost 6.5 miles today, one commuting, and then 5.5ish to/at/from run club. Two people count as a club, right? Attendance was a little low, lol. It was one of those bragging-rights runs. Not as much snow as expected, but what was falling was concentrated into little ice needles or something, and they weren't falling so much as flung with deadly force. Not that there was much exposed skin, not with the windchill close to -30. However, my eyes were vulnerable and there were a few times I felt close to tears. And then my lashes started sticking together and it got better.
The groovy thing about such runs in such temps is the increased insulation...it kind of makes me feel like I'm not really there, with such a big buffer. It was a little surreal at times. I was floating again...no, really running, but I wasn't connected.
My scarf started freezing into the shape of my face, but otherwise I overdressed somewhat. I think my windbreaker started collecting ice on the inside....at any rate, it's beginning to smell like old hockey equipment, so I'd best wash it.
Well, back to α-ketoglutarate & Co., especially if I want to do what I hope to do tomorrow: run and maybe go to this crazy two-hour yoga class: 108 sun salutations. It'll be a bit of a stretch, as I've been doing only 5 in the morning. Apparently, 108 is traditional for the Solstice. It's supposed to be cleansing. It's intriguing, at any rate.
I didn't do much on Thursday except about a mile of jogging around, and pushups, and my morning routine (5 whole sun salutations and the deep breathing, lol)and a yoga class. Yin yoga, of course. one of these days, I should really go to a regular class. It's been eons since I've done one of the Warrior poses. Anyway, Thursday was pretty much a wash as far as running was concerned because I was low on sleep and stiff.
Today was better. I ran almost 6.5 miles today, one commuting, and then 5.5ish to/at/from run club. Two people count as a club, right? Attendance was a little low, lol. It was one of those bragging-rights runs. Not as much snow as expected, but what was falling was concentrated into little ice needles or something, and they weren't falling so much as flung with deadly force. Not that there was much exposed skin, not with the windchill close to -30. However, my eyes were vulnerable and there were a few times I felt close to tears. And then my lashes started sticking together and it got better.
The groovy thing about such runs in such temps is the increased insulation...it kind of makes me feel like I'm not really there, with such a big buffer. It was a little surreal at times. I was floating again...no, really running, but I wasn't connected.
My scarf started freezing into the shape of my face, but otherwise I overdressed somewhat. I think my windbreaker started collecting ice on the inside....at any rate, it's beginning to smell like old hockey equipment, so I'd best wash it.
Well, back to α-ketoglutarate & Co., especially if I want to do what I hope to do tomorrow: run and maybe go to this crazy two-hour yoga class: 108 sun salutations. It'll be a bit of a stretch, as I've been doing only 5 in the morning. Apparently, 108 is traditional for the Solstice. It's supposed to be cleansing. It's intriguing, at any rate.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
run club!
Today was a good running day. I jogged nearly 2 miles to work and errands, and then run club was 5.63 miles plus getting there and back, so about 9.57 miles altogether. Not bad for 4ish hrs of sleep and feeling like utter crud when getting up.
My calves were good...the snow has made them complain a bit, but they're certainly not as trashed as they were last week or so. They're adjusting well, I think, to the change of footplant or whatever it is that's going on with the snow. I think it's a good change, to work different muscles.
And the temps were lovely for a run.
The dog got his outing after I came back, a walk and then a romp around a field. Well, he was more interested in sniffing than sprinting around this time. Another dog showed up and it looked like they were going to have some good play time, but it wouldn't get off my dog and there was some growling, too....it sounded like play growling, which my dog does sometimes when he's playing with certain dogs, but he wasn't in the mood tonight...not sure which dog it came from, anyway. He stuck by me instead of tearing around with the other dog, which is his cue to leave. The owner was kind of anxious to get his dog away as well. Hey, who's jumping on who? Quit judging my dog. LOL
When I got home, I did core exercises. No pushups today for some reason--must get back to them, but the morning routine did happen, miraculously.
My calves were good...the snow has made them complain a bit, but they're certainly not as trashed as they were last week or so. They're adjusting well, I think, to the change of footplant or whatever it is that's going on with the snow. I think it's a good change, to work different muscles.
And the temps were lovely for a run.
The dog got his outing after I came back, a walk and then a romp around a field. Well, he was more interested in sniffing than sprinting around this time. Another dog showed up and it looked like they were going to have some good play time, but it wouldn't get off my dog and there was some growling, too....it sounded like play growling, which my dog does sometimes when he's playing with certain dogs, but he wasn't in the mood tonight...not sure which dog it came from, anyway. He stuck by me instead of tearing around with the other dog, which is his cue to leave. The owner was kind of anxious to get his dog away as well. Hey, who's jumping on who? Quit judging my dog. LOL
When I got home, I did core exercises. No pushups today for some reason--must get back to them, but the morning routine did happen, miraculously.
tuesday
Today, about 3 miles around, to/from work, etc...
And I am exhausted, yet revved up. Not in a good way. I spoke up at one job, about changes that need to be made, and it's happening but for the time being I have more work still. The other job is, I'm afraid, a lost cause. Time to get more irons in the fire. LOL
At any rate, I didn't run around after the 2nd job...I even accepted a lift home (hangs head in shame--I was pooped). I didn't even do pushups today, just the morning routine.
Tomorrow will be better. Run club, and I should run with the dog beforehand. Will see what the weather dictates.
And I am exhausted, yet revved up. Not in a good way. I spoke up at one job, about changes that need to be made, and it's happening but for the time being I have more work still. The other job is, I'm afraid, a lost cause. Time to get more irons in the fire. LOL
At any rate, I didn't run around after the 2nd job...I even accepted a lift home (hangs head in shame--I was pooped). I didn't even do pushups today, just the morning routine.
Tomorrow will be better. Run club, and I should run with the dog beforehand. Will see what the weather dictates.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
engulfed by the evening shift
In a good way...it's really my best sort of schedule. I guess I'm not a morning person. Left to my own devices, I go to sleep around 2-3 and wake up around 9-10.
Anyway, I did my pushups and core exercises, and ran to and from my 2nd job. Way too slippy to run to my first, but that stuff eventually melted. It was pretty mild today, about +8 when I was running to work. And mucky! By the time I got out at night, though, the sidewalks were pretty much bare, with ribbons of thin ice, but very little slush or snow or anything else. Just bare concrete and smooth ice. And almost no traffic.
It's been pretty miserable since the strike with all these extra cars and extra-frustrated motorists jamming up MY neighbourhood, even the little B-list streets--I've felt caged. To have the asphalt empty was a real treat. I love running on downtown streets with buildings around me...I'm not a fan of traffic lights, but neither am I particularly fond of paths along rivers and canals. I'm grateful that they're there, and I use them a lot, and I would miss them, but the scenery and so forth is largely wasted on me. Take the Philadelphia marathon--my favourite parts are the first bit through downtown and then Manayunk; the park and stretch by the river do not inspire me. I like nature more when it's a little more well-rounded, like dirt/mud trails and decaying deer carcasses and multi-species scat and so forth, like where I ran in Maryland. That was interesting. The Canal, not so much. But stores and houses, which I can peer into, or dumpsters, or just a lot of different little nearby things that go by quickly, that's entertaining.
The temps were cooler tonight, but not enough to make the gusty wind miserable. In fact, that wind seemed mostly behind me; it was invigorating and kept my gait light. I was airborne. It was really refreshing to have all this space around me. I used to spend a lot of time outdoors after dark, just walking or running around, wherever I lived, here, Montreal, Halifax, NB, Seoul, wherever....well, the States kind of broke that habit. Meth and guns. lol. Altough, the two times we lived on post were better. Anyway, I used to clear my head quite regularly in the night expanse, but it's been a while. I felt so happy to be running tonight that I grabbed the dog and we did a few more miles for fun. I hope conditions will be as good tomorrow night. It's been a while since I've actually craved a run this much, which is really sad.
It made me realise that I wanted to qualify for Boston for the wrong reasons. Why do I have to prove myself? I think I had this idea that serious runners qualify for Boston and I felt that I had to justify all the running this way too. Do I really want to be a serious runner?
Anyway, I did my pushups and core exercises, and ran to and from my 2nd job. Way too slippy to run to my first, but that stuff eventually melted. It was pretty mild today, about +8 when I was running to work. And mucky! By the time I got out at night, though, the sidewalks were pretty much bare, with ribbons of thin ice, but very little slush or snow or anything else. Just bare concrete and smooth ice. And almost no traffic.
It's been pretty miserable since the strike with all these extra cars and extra-frustrated motorists jamming up MY neighbourhood, even the little B-list streets--I've felt caged. To have the asphalt empty was a real treat. I love running on downtown streets with buildings around me...I'm not a fan of traffic lights, but neither am I particularly fond of paths along rivers and canals. I'm grateful that they're there, and I use them a lot, and I would miss them, but the scenery and so forth is largely wasted on me. Take the Philadelphia marathon--my favourite parts are the first bit through downtown and then Manayunk; the park and stretch by the river do not inspire me. I like nature more when it's a little more well-rounded, like dirt/mud trails and decaying deer carcasses and multi-species scat and so forth, like where I ran in Maryland. That was interesting. The Canal, not so much. But stores and houses, which I can peer into, or dumpsters, or just a lot of different little nearby things that go by quickly, that's entertaining.
The temps were cooler tonight, but not enough to make the gusty wind miserable. In fact, that wind seemed mostly behind me; it was invigorating and kept my gait light. I was airborne. It was really refreshing to have all this space around me. I used to spend a lot of time outdoors after dark, just walking or running around, wherever I lived, here, Montreal, Halifax, NB, Seoul, wherever....well, the States kind of broke that habit. Meth and guns. lol. Altough, the two times we lived on post were better. Anyway, I used to clear my head quite regularly in the night expanse, but it's been a while. I felt so happy to be running tonight that I grabbed the dog and we did a few more miles for fun. I hope conditions will be as good tomorrow night. It's been a while since I've actually craved a run this much, which is really sad.
It made me realise that I wanted to qualify for Boston for the wrong reasons. Why do I have to prove myself? I think I had this idea that serious runners qualify for Boston and I felt that I had to justify all the running this way too. Do I really want to be a serious runner?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
snow
And sleep--I slept for about ten hours straight!
My stiffness is going away, thank goodness, but my abdominal region is still sore. I broke down and had some milk in my tea today. No ill effects. Milk will likely trickle back into my diet. lol
Anyway, I did my morning routine (sans Qigong...will have to brush up on that) and I've done my pushups. I'm getting better at remembering to do them...it was suggested to do them every time I went to a certain spot, but that wasn't clicking. So, I just do them whenever I remember, wherever I am. And I jogged 7.5 miles...the first mile was with the dog but he was getting kind of fussy with his paws (he won't wear booties) so I dropped him off and continued. There was an inch or two of snow on the sidewalks, but it was ok. My legs were still tired from yesterday's 5K race, and my calves are still a bit sore, but things seem to be recovering nicely. I had a good run. Maybe part of the cause of the stiffness was not running enough. My body got used to and then needed that level of activity. At any rate, I must get enough sleep these next two days--I'll have both jobs.
This week will be the darkest one and then the light will be at the end of the tunnel, in more than one way :)
My stiffness is going away, thank goodness, but my abdominal region is still sore. I broke down and had some milk in my tea today. No ill effects. Milk will likely trickle back into my diet. lol
Anyway, I did my morning routine (sans Qigong...will have to brush up on that) and I've done my pushups. I'm getting better at remembering to do them...it was suggested to do them every time I went to a certain spot, but that wasn't clicking. So, I just do them whenever I remember, wherever I am. And I jogged 7.5 miles...the first mile was with the dog but he was getting kind of fussy with his paws (he won't wear booties) so I dropped him off and continued. There was an inch or two of snow on the sidewalks, but it was ok. My legs were still tired from yesterday's 5K race, and my calves are still a bit sore, but things seem to be recovering nicely. I had a good run. Maybe part of the cause of the stiffness was not running enough. My body got used to and then needed that level of activity. At any rate, I must get enough sleep these next two days--I'll have both jobs.
This week will be the darkest one and then the light will be at the end of the tunnel, in more than one way :)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Girding up for battle
I've run about 5.32 miles so far today, to a fun 5K prediction run, the 5K run, and then home. It was pretty interesting running a 5K in -19C. Plus, my calves are still a little sore (but definitely better) and I'm having GI issues majorly. The dull roar of the past month seems to be getting worse (this morning was awful and I'm still sore) so I am considering seeing my doctor. The thing is, I haven't seen her in a while because I've been away, and my doctor in the States wasn't really willing to consider a holistic approach to whatever it is that's my problem, be it dietary changes or meditation, or whatever. I'm kind of pessimistic about it. The medication I was on for a year helped, but after a while it was losing its effect. I don't want to be on something that I become dependent on; I'd rather make changes to my life. At the same time, though I know what my trigger foods are, roughly, and what I should avoid, there might be something innocuous that I'm nevertheless allergic to, and it would help greatly to sort that out.
I gave up dairy about a week ago, just to see if that would help matters, but they're worse. So lactose intolerance isn't my big problem. I don't even know if I'm lactose tolerant...both my sibs are, but I usually drink a lot of milk. And there have been times where I stayed off of dairy (particularly in Asia) and still had issues. I'll stay off it for a few more days to be sure, though.
And after going through my anatomy test on the digestive system, I realized that I wasn't chewing my food as much as I should--turns out that chewing releases an enzyme which helps digest carbs, and this happens in the mouth--so I'm trying to be more conscious of that and less in a hurry.
And maybe I need to get back into Qigong, or at least do the movements having to do with the digestive region. Won't be hard to add that to the morning routine.
And STRESS...well, there's only so much I can do, but I'm working on it.
So, anyway, I ran the 5K in 23:33, which is about a minute and a half slower than it should be for me, but better than I thought I'd manage today. I also did core exercises and 2 sets of pushups so far.
edit: 8.48 miles total today and 6 sets of pushups....yes, I've busted my net curfew (netfew?) once again.
I gave up dairy about a week ago, just to see if that would help matters, but they're worse. So lactose intolerance isn't my big problem. I don't even know if I'm lactose tolerant...both my sibs are, but I usually drink a lot of milk. And there have been times where I stayed off of dairy (particularly in Asia) and still had issues. I'll stay off it for a few more days to be sure, though.
And after going through my anatomy test on the digestive system, I realized that I wasn't chewing my food as much as I should--turns out that chewing releases an enzyme which helps digest carbs, and this happens in the mouth--so I'm trying to be more conscious of that and less in a hurry.
And maybe I need to get back into Qigong, or at least do the movements having to do with the digestive region. Won't be hard to add that to the morning routine.
And STRESS...well, there's only so much I can do, but I'm working on it.
So, anyway, I ran the 5K in 23:33, which is about a minute and a half slower than it should be for me, but better than I thought I'd manage today. I also did core exercises and 2 sets of pushups so far.
edit: 8.48 miles total today and 6 sets of pushups....yes, I've busted my net curfew (netfew?) once again.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Getting crazy
First of all, the dog and I need to put our heads together and find that nonexistent happy medium between his no-booties stance with his no-running-in-slush stance....can't have both in this weather!
I haven't been running as long as I usually do because he's good for only 4-5 miles, which is FINE. I just have to be more strict with myself and accept that we have fewer options and I might have to run the same way every day, or nearly. I'm thinking that we'll do loops around a nearby park, and then I return home and keep going on my own. That will cut down on the traffic lights, rather than running the mile to the Canal and then having to return home soon after. Or I get snowshoes and tire him out by the river. that's a possibility too.
At any rate, I haven't done my core exercises yet, but morning routine and pushups are in so far. and running, 4.5ish miles.
And I'm going NUTS! I really am getting seriously scrambled. I was kind of hoping that this wouldn't happen again, but at least I've been through this before and it's not stressing me out as much, though I'm still doing the same crap as before, not eating or sleeping enough, spending way too much time checking, rechecking email:
The 1/2 way point of my husband's deployment is nearly here, give or take a week or so. I don't know the exact date, but that doesn't stop what I'm going through again: for some reason, time really starts to drag a few weeks before this 1/2 way point. I'm not sure why! It's not as bad as when time drags the couple of days before he's due home, but it's more annoying in a way because I endure all this angst for nothing tangible. I'm off my nut but, yay, the day will come and, oh, it'll still be at least three more months before I see him.
So I really really really need to run all this off, but I need to exercise the dog too and he bails after a few lousy miles, and of course, when I'm at home dropping him off, I need to check my email, and then, geez, I might as well shower and get on with the rest of the day.
So, new net rules to save my sanity: no checking after 9:00pm. That's right! no checking before the morning shift, nor no more than five minutes between the morning shift and exercise. That's it so far...
I haven't been running as long as I usually do because he's good for only 4-5 miles, which is FINE. I just have to be more strict with myself and accept that we have fewer options and I might have to run the same way every day, or nearly. I'm thinking that we'll do loops around a nearby park, and then I return home and keep going on my own. That will cut down on the traffic lights, rather than running the mile to the Canal and then having to return home soon after. Or I get snowshoes and tire him out by the river. that's a possibility too.
At any rate, I haven't done my core exercises yet, but morning routine and pushups are in so far. and running, 4.5ish miles.
And I'm going NUTS! I really am getting seriously scrambled. I was kind of hoping that this wouldn't happen again, but at least I've been through this before and it's not stressing me out as much, though I'm still doing the same crap as before, not eating or sleeping enough, spending way too much time checking, rechecking email:
The 1/2 way point of my husband's deployment is nearly here, give or take a week or so. I don't know the exact date, but that doesn't stop what I'm going through again: for some reason, time really starts to drag a few weeks before this 1/2 way point. I'm not sure why! It's not as bad as when time drags the couple of days before he's due home, but it's more annoying in a way because I endure all this angst for nothing tangible. I'm off my nut but, yay, the day will come and, oh, it'll still be at least three more months before I see him.
So I really really really need to run all this off, but I need to exercise the dog too and he bails after a few lousy miles, and of course, when I'm at home dropping him off, I need to check my email, and then, geez, I might as well shower and get on with the rest of the day.
So, new net rules to save my sanity: no checking after 9:00pm. That's right! no checking before the morning shift, nor no more than five minutes between the morning shift and exercise. That's it so far...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Slacking off
Sort of....I'm still freaking stiff! I'm not sure why. granted, I haven't been to a formal yoga class for a few weeks now....ohhhhh. But I have been stretching at home, and am getting better about the morning routine and getting enough sleep, so I'll keep things going a bit longer and see. And maybe try to get back to a class, too.
It didn't help that this morning I woke up with a pretty fierce knot just under my left shoulder blade. I'm falling apart! lol
So, yoga, walking, pushups today. no running.
I am toying with the idea of throwing a few crunches in, probably in the morning....I know that I'm doing core exercises, but I guess I somehow feel that I should be doing the various crunches too, and every day. At any rate, the push ups are getting a little easier. I don't do many at a time, just often--3+ times a day. today has been 5 so far. I'm also doing a different sort than I've done in the past: elbows in instead of out. This is considerably harder for me--my base level (without any recent training) of the old sort is about 25-30 until I start getting shaky, lol, but with this other type, I'm lucky to get 5 in. LOL. However, I was told that if I ever want to do a one-armed or a Chinese pushup (which I can't describe except that it looks really cool), then this is the sort to practice.
Oh, and running....my calves are still a little sore. I've been stretching them regularly, as well as stretching the other stuff on the opposite side of the line, esp quads. My quads are usually tight.
Busted! I broke my no net after ten rule again! it's after ten? geez!
ok, before I be good and ditch this for a few yin yoga poses and my bio textbook, I have a confession to make. It's kind of gross, I think. My sore calves are just an excuse. Running actually gets them to loosen up. But why am I not running as much? nothing to do with recovery....in my defense, those 100+K weeks amounted to a LOT of showering. usually, 2X a day. I'm enjoying not having to shower quite that much. Will leave it at that.
It didn't help that this morning I woke up with a pretty fierce knot just under my left shoulder blade. I'm falling apart! lol
So, yoga, walking, pushups today. no running.
I am toying with the idea of throwing a few crunches in, probably in the morning....I know that I'm doing core exercises, but I guess I somehow feel that I should be doing the various crunches too, and every day. At any rate, the push ups are getting a little easier. I don't do many at a time, just often--3+ times a day. today has been 5 so far. I'm also doing a different sort than I've done in the past: elbows in instead of out. This is considerably harder for me--my base level (without any recent training) of the old sort is about 25-30 until I start getting shaky, lol, but with this other type, I'm lucky to get 5 in. LOL. However, I was told that if I ever want to do a one-armed or a Chinese pushup (which I can't describe except that it looks really cool), then this is the sort to practice.
Oh, and running....my calves are still a little sore. I've been stretching them regularly, as well as stretching the other stuff on the opposite side of the line, esp quads. My quads are usually tight.
Busted! I broke my no net after ten rule again! it's after ten? geez!
ok, before I be good and ditch this for a few yin yoga poses and my bio textbook, I have a confession to make. It's kind of gross, I think. My sore calves are just an excuse. Running actually gets them to loosen up. But why am I not running as much? nothing to do with recovery....in my defense, those 100+K weeks amounted to a LOT of showering. usually, 2X a day. I'm enjoying not having to shower quite that much. Will leave it at that.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
run club
Well, I was late out of the gate for run club....actually, I was late all day. My watch is starting to run low on battery life, and the first thing that goes seems to be the volume on the alarm. So one thing led to another, and eventually I was half-in my running tights and looking at my watch ("hmm, can I get to run club in like 2.5 minutes?") and then at my dog (guilt, massive guilt, allegations of neglect, "and are you going to replace me with a Christmas puppy while you're at it?")
Usually I run with him in the morning and do run club in the evening, but I'm, uh, base building these days, or recovering, or whatever happens between training cycles. Slacking off, pretty much.
So I grabbed him and we jogged around for nearly 5 miles.
I also did my core exercises and pushups, but the morning routine went out the window when I woke up about 11 minutes before I was supposed to leave for work. LOL
Usually I run with him in the morning and do run club in the evening, but I'm, uh, base building these days, or recovering, or whatever happens between training cycles. Slacking off, pretty much.
So I grabbed him and we jogged around for nearly 5 miles.
I also did my core exercises and pushups, but the morning routine went out the window when I woke up about 11 minutes before I was supposed to leave for work. LOL
commuting
So, I wasn't going to run today, but the heavens opened and spewed all this snow, and who can walk in that? Can't trust the buses either. And I have no car. I jogged, probably about 4-5 miles altogether.
My calves were a bit sore still when I got up, but the funny thing is, it's still way more comfortable to run mostly on my toes and that makes my calves feel BETTER, even afterwards. So I'll just roll with that.
I jogged, as usual, to my morning job, and by the time it got to my afternoon/evening job, the snow was quite thick. I've jogged there a few times in my scrubs, but that wouldn't have worked (although, I jogged home with them and they didn't get too wet....). I wore running clothes and carried the scrubs and a spare pair of shoes.
The endorphins were great! I was totally off my mind for a bit there, like I was all revved up and everyone else was moving so slowly. It was a really good start to the shift, and a good thing I had all that excess energy because I needed it. Pretty trippy with all the Brownies and old folks--the Brownies were there to give a concert and there were about 40 million of them. Fun but very busy evening.
And then I jogged home because the bus schedule has been changed...and they'll likely go on strike, anyway, so running made more sense although i was momentarily peeved about that. After a few minutes, though, I was happy. Happy enough to grab the dog when I got home and run a bit more with him. At one point we were tearing around a playing field and he was jumping up to shoulder height around me (not on--he knows better!)....he loved it. There was nobody out around midnight or whenever it was, and the field had all this fresh unbroken crunchy ankle-deep snow. It probably now looks like a pack of dogs had ripped through there.
at any rate, sometimes I really like running at night!
Unfortunately, I broke that no-net-past-ten rule, so will pay for it tomorrow. Meanwhile, x-training...morning routine, check, pushups, check. Core exercises tomorrow.
My calves were a bit sore still when I got up, but the funny thing is, it's still way more comfortable to run mostly on my toes and that makes my calves feel BETTER, even afterwards. So I'll just roll with that.
I jogged, as usual, to my morning job, and by the time it got to my afternoon/evening job, the snow was quite thick. I've jogged there a few times in my scrubs, but that wouldn't have worked (although, I jogged home with them and they didn't get too wet....). I wore running clothes and carried the scrubs and a spare pair of shoes.
The endorphins were great! I was totally off my mind for a bit there, like I was all revved up and everyone else was moving so slowly. It was a really good start to the shift, and a good thing I had all that excess energy because I needed it. Pretty trippy with all the Brownies and old folks--the Brownies were there to give a concert and there were about 40 million of them. Fun but very busy evening.
And then I jogged home because the bus schedule has been changed...and they'll likely go on strike, anyway, so running made more sense although i was momentarily peeved about that. After a few minutes, though, I was happy. Happy enough to grab the dog when I got home and run a bit more with him. At one point we were tearing around a playing field and he was jumping up to shoulder height around me (not on--he knows better!)....he loved it. There was nobody out around midnight or whenever it was, and the field had all this fresh unbroken crunchy ankle-deep snow. It probably now looks like a pack of dogs had ripped through there.
at any rate, sometimes I really like running at night!
Unfortunately, I broke that no-net-past-ten rule, so will pay for it tomorrow. Meanwhile, x-training...morning routine, check, pushups, check. Core exercises tomorrow.
Monday, December 8, 2008
x-training!
Or, in other words, no running. not even to work! My calves are a bit sore from yesterday (which is what I'd expected) and I had errands to walk, lol, and it's too cold for the dog and I've been finishing my chem assignment, and I'm not training, just maintaining, or whatever. See, no reason to go for a run!
However, I did the morning routine and the pushups and the first round of core exercises, to be repeated on Wednesday and Friday (I think....will see how that goes...). I hope to do yoga tonight. Just one more gnarly problem to hash through, and I'll be good.
I probably won't run tomorrow, either...will be very busy with both jobs and errands in between. Will try to stick to the routine, though!
However, I did the morning routine and the pushups and the first round of core exercises, to be repeated on Wednesday and Friday (I think....will see how that goes...). I hope to do yoga tonight. Just one more gnarly problem to hash through, and I'll be good.
I probably won't run tomorrow, either...will be very busy with both jobs and errands in between. Will try to stick to the routine, though!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
It's winter!
I have been a slug, though a swamped one...and since it still hasn't been too long since I ran that marathon, I haven't felt especially pressured to run. missing a day or two, no big deal. This will go on probably for the rest of December, and then things will get more strict.
At any rate, I worked late last night, and slept in this morning. Run club, wasn't going to happen. So I did homework instead and figured I'd head out once it warmed up.
Well, it didn't! I was a bit shocked at how much the temps had dropped.
But it was nice...the wind was too much, but the air was crisp and clear and the crunch-crunch of the snow beneath my shoes was satisfying. The footing was good (thanks to my new trail shoes!) and the path/scenery white and clean and thinly-populated. I usually find winter running enjoyable, and today was a reminder of how I missed it. Hopefully, I will manage to ride the good vibe for a few months at least, and not get sick of winter prematurely.
I ran about 7.36 miles in something...I think just over an hour. I have toyed with the idea of going by time and not by distance--would save time clicking on runningmap.com--but I like miles too much and don't want to give minutes up at traffic lights. Wearing my Garmin would simplify matters even more, but some of the mystique would be lost.
I wore three long-sleeved shirts, one of which was hooded, a hat, thin pants, and mitts...the pants were too thin. I felt fine during the run but the skin on my legs was tingly/itchy afterwards and very red. The funny thing was, I was scratching it at one point in the shower and then looked down and saw really deep red/maroon marks. OMG! well, then I realized that that was my birthmark, which has long been white, but occasionally turns red, but the scratching had aggravated it to purple. never saw that before. Then again, I keep forgetting that I have a birthmark at all--the sight of it keeps catching me off-guard--so who knows what it does on its free time?
Apart from the thinness of my pants, I felt a bit overdressed during the run, except for my face---must consider some sort of scarf next time--and I was fine walking one block back to my house at the end, to let things loosened up, and I was fine inside. I ate something before going into the shower....and then it struck me. I usually sweat like a pig during exercise--even today--and then get chilled afterwards. Even in summer! More blood goes to whatever's moving, while in other parts it gets stagnant and thus chilled, and then when THAT blood starts to circulate more and hits my core, I quickly get cold. I forget the fancy medical term for this. Anyway, I got the shower nice and hot, got in, and after a few minutes, it suddenly wasn't hot anymore. I couldn't crank up the heat enough and I was starting to feel sort of weird. So I dried off and got under the covers, got my dog to lie on top of me, and I warmed up. Next time, I'll try to hop into the shower as soon as possible. I should have brought my wind-blocking layer, not for the run but for the short walk afterwards. Usually I tie it around my waist, but I didn't bother with it at all for some reason.
The other funny thing about the run was a change of gait. I was in my new trail shoes, but they were my 2nd pair of that model, so not totally new. However, I've been wearing pretty light and flexible shoes, and to suddenly switch to a trail shoe, however light, is a pretty big change. The soles are a lot stiffer. Plus, there was still a bit of snow which changed things too. The traction was great, but for some reason I felt a lot more comfortable running much more on the balls of my feet...my heels hardly came down at all. THis is how I run barefoot, but never before in shoes. Every so often, I'd try to run like I usually do in shoes (I don't seem to be a heelstriker, but my heels definitely make contact with and push off of the ground), but it felt wrong. Too much effort forcing my heels down and back up. The shoes were making that too clunky. After a while, I gave that up. My calves are a bit sore now, but otherwise it was fine. If I alternate running like that and running normally, and stretch lots afterwards, I should be fine until my body gets used to it. It's pretty much the same thing with running barefoot. Why I was running like that today is beyond me, but it worked.
Oops, I went over the computer cutoff! And I haven't touched chemistry...will polish that off tomorrow. I forgot to do the breathing exercise this morning, but got in yoga and at least 3 sets of push-ups throughout the day. Gotta keep reminding myself of that stuff. And tomorrow will also be the start of a core strengthening regimen. I did the same program last spring and I think it helped.
At any rate, I worked late last night, and slept in this morning. Run club, wasn't going to happen. So I did homework instead and figured I'd head out once it warmed up.
Well, it didn't! I was a bit shocked at how much the temps had dropped.
But it was nice...the wind was too much, but the air was crisp and clear and the crunch-crunch of the snow beneath my shoes was satisfying. The footing was good (thanks to my new trail shoes!) and the path/scenery white and clean and thinly-populated. I usually find winter running enjoyable, and today was a reminder of how I missed it. Hopefully, I will manage to ride the good vibe for a few months at least, and not get sick of winter prematurely.
I ran about 7.36 miles in something...I think just over an hour. I have toyed with the idea of going by time and not by distance--would save time clicking on runningmap.com--but I like miles too much and don't want to give minutes up at traffic lights. Wearing my Garmin would simplify matters even more, but some of the mystique would be lost.
I wore three long-sleeved shirts, one of which was hooded, a hat, thin pants, and mitts...the pants were too thin. I felt fine during the run but the skin on my legs was tingly/itchy afterwards and very red. The funny thing was, I was scratching it at one point in the shower and then looked down and saw really deep red/maroon marks. OMG! well, then I realized that that was my birthmark, which has long been white, but occasionally turns red, but the scratching had aggravated it to purple. never saw that before. Then again, I keep forgetting that I have a birthmark at all--the sight of it keeps catching me off-guard--so who knows what it does on its free time?
Apart from the thinness of my pants, I felt a bit overdressed during the run, except for my face---must consider some sort of scarf next time--and I was fine walking one block back to my house at the end, to let things loosened up, and I was fine inside. I ate something before going into the shower....and then it struck me. I usually sweat like a pig during exercise--even today--and then get chilled afterwards. Even in summer! More blood goes to whatever's moving, while in other parts it gets stagnant and thus chilled, and then when THAT blood starts to circulate more and hits my core, I quickly get cold. I forget the fancy medical term for this. Anyway, I got the shower nice and hot, got in, and after a few minutes, it suddenly wasn't hot anymore. I couldn't crank up the heat enough and I was starting to feel sort of weird. So I dried off and got under the covers, got my dog to lie on top of me, and I warmed up. Next time, I'll try to hop into the shower as soon as possible. I should have brought my wind-blocking layer, not for the run but for the short walk afterwards. Usually I tie it around my waist, but I didn't bother with it at all for some reason.
The other funny thing about the run was a change of gait. I was in my new trail shoes, but they were my 2nd pair of that model, so not totally new. However, I've been wearing pretty light and flexible shoes, and to suddenly switch to a trail shoe, however light, is a pretty big change. The soles are a lot stiffer. Plus, there was still a bit of snow which changed things too. The traction was great, but for some reason I felt a lot more comfortable running much more on the balls of my feet...my heels hardly came down at all. THis is how I run barefoot, but never before in shoes. Every so often, I'd try to run like I usually do in shoes (I don't seem to be a heelstriker, but my heels definitely make contact with and push off of the ground), but it felt wrong. Too much effort forcing my heels down and back up. The shoes were making that too clunky. After a while, I gave that up. My calves are a bit sore now, but otherwise it was fine. If I alternate running like that and running normally, and stretch lots afterwards, I should be fine until my body gets used to it. It's pretty much the same thing with running barefoot. Why I was running like that today is beyond me, but it worked.
Oops, I went over the computer cutoff! And I haven't touched chemistry...will polish that off tomorrow. I forgot to do the breathing exercise this morning, but got in yoga and at least 3 sets of push-ups throughout the day. Gotta keep reminding myself of that stuff. And tomorrow will also be the start of a core strengthening regimen. I did the same program last spring and I think it helped.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
recovery
Yes, once again, I'm recovering, sort of. I'm still feeling run down, and the last few days have been worse than usual. I did have two short nights of sleep, but usually that doesn't hit me as hard. Then I realized that, whoa, I'm eating too much junk while studying, so I'll be making changes to that and my diet in general. Strangely, unseasonally, I'm craving salad so I'll be eating more of that, with iron-rich nuts and feta and so forth to boost it up. I also realized that it's been at least two weeks since I've taken any iron supplements. I take them after running. But I haven't been running! Well, now I've restarted and I'll see how I feel in a week.
Morning routine, breathing exercises and a bit of yoga. Will build on this after a week or so. Pushups--I'm still forgetful, but will get as many sets in as I can manage. Stretching, after runs. Running: 5.24 miles with the dog. Just an easy run. I worked on loosening up and keeping things light--like I usually do--but I focused specifically on picking my feet off the ground as quickly as possible, and in keeping my form tight. And it was actually sunny for a bit, which was really nice.
As for resistance exercises, Friday will be a good day. I think Wednesday will be good, too. I like doing them on tougher days...not that any day will be particularly tough for a few weeks....lol. Anyway, I'll start tomorrow and see.
Morning routine, breathing exercises and a bit of yoga. Will build on this after a week or so. Pushups--I'm still forgetful, but will get as many sets in as I can manage. Stretching, after runs. Running: 5.24 miles with the dog. Just an easy run. I worked on loosening up and keeping things light--like I usually do--but I focused specifically on picking my feet off the ground as quickly as possible, and in keeping my form tight. And it was actually sunny for a bit, which was really nice.
As for resistance exercises, Friday will be a good day. I think Wednesday will be good, too. I like doing them on tougher days...not that any day will be particularly tough for a few weeks....lol. Anyway, I'll start tomorrow and see.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
breaking in the new shoes
I'm back in the saddle!
7ish miles...on the one hand, I was fresh; on the other, I was tired. The last few days have been fatiguing. The first 1/2 hour was oddly tiring...I wasn't breathing hard, and my legs were rolling over quickly of their own accord, but everything was stiff, too. And things were a little rusty and kind of scattered. I still felt like I was working too hard.
After about a 1/2 hour, though, things clicked and the endorphins kicked in and all the jagged bits smoothed out.
oops, I busted my no-net-after-ten rule! Will get enough sleep, though, and then restart the new deep breathing/yoga routine tomorrow. I'm also trying to get back into resistance exercises. I have to slot in the anti-ITBS stuff 2-3X a week, and then I'd like to incorporate pushups too, grease-the-groove method, little bits but often. I used to do 5 every time I had to use the bathroom. LOL
7ish miles...on the one hand, I was fresh; on the other, I was tired. The last few days have been fatiguing. The first 1/2 hour was oddly tiring...I wasn't breathing hard, and my legs were rolling over quickly of their own accord, but everything was stiff, too. And things were a little rusty and kind of scattered. I still felt like I was working too hard.
After about a 1/2 hour, though, things clicked and the endorphins kicked in and all the jagged bits smoothed out.
oops, I busted my no-net-after-ten rule! Will get enough sleep, though, and then restart the new deep breathing/yoga routine tomorrow. I'm also trying to get back into resistance exercises. I have to slot in the anti-ITBS stuff 2-3X a week, and then I'd like to incorporate pushups too, grease-the-groove method, little bits but often. I used to do 5 every time I had to use the bathroom. LOL
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