Posts tagged running

Rasputin and I talked briefly about the redwood forest  This turned into a July roadtrip, with a convenient half marathon on the way in Oregon. 

And this is why I am smitten. He indulges my need to see everything. 

I have nothing to say about Boston that has not already been said. I do know each step I want to stop on my runs is now null and void. I have been given a gift. I will not neglect the beauty of this gift. 

It’s unfortunate that it sometimes takes tragedy to build a little perspective. To help up remember how fortunate we are. How blessed we are. How every step is a gift we have been given. How every step is uncertain, and still we choose to continue, to press on, to push for something greater. The end is never a promise, but I’ll still step out with the hope and expectation that I’ll get there. 

Because every single step I take in every single run is gift I hope to never take for granted. Because it marks my capability to push on. 

Today was the longest run I’ve done yet in my super minimalist merrell shoes. I honestly love them, especially now that I’m getting past that initial transition where my calves just ached all the time. I hope to run many many miles in these shoes. I love how light they are. And I love how I can feel my feet on the ground. It makes running all the better, in my opinion. Thanks Rasputin, for the suggestion. 

4 miles: 42 minutes. 

So I thought it was time to make a good goal list of what I want to accomplish with my running now that the weather is improving. 

• Continued mileage build up with my merrells. I haven’t mentioned it, but I purchased some minimalist shoes and have been loving them. They definitely take some adjusting, but so far I am really enjoying the difference it makes in my running. I’d like to get to the point where these can be my primary shoe.
• Mileage increase in general. I need to start building my miles up. I have a 12k in a month, which I am not worried about. I can do that distance no problem. I have a half in June. And a full marathon in September. I need to be consistent and safe with my mileage increase to avoid injuries. 
• Speed. I’m not going to focus on my speed on long distance, but I would like my under 6 mile runs to be faster. I am going to focus on pushing myself and challenging my expectations of myself.
• More puppy runs. They went to the wayside over the winter because of the bad weather. But, he loves them and so do I. So they will be making a comeback. 

Right now I am running 3 days a week, but am about to increase it to 5. I’ve decided I really enjoy running the most, so it is my primary form of exercise and release. I am loving having Rasputin, who runs also. He is so helpful to bounce ideas off of, race goals, and to, of course, run with. It’s sweet his thoughtfulness and concern. 

I feel slightly disturbed that the skin on the balls of my feet has just decided to come off. Running problems. 

The merrells I have been stalking just went even more on sale on amazon in my size. That in conjunction with a lingering gift card I have would mean I could get them for 45 dollars. How could I not!?

I really just want registration for my marathon to open up! Running 26.2 miles just for the 3 miles at the beginning through a dark tunnel is reasonable, right?

I haven’t been running too much since starting insanity. But, with my decision to start pursuing a marathon training plan I’m beginning to pick my miles back up. Because I have been enjoying the challenge of insanity I haven’t noticed the funk not running was giving me. This last week, albeit exhausting, has been wonderful with my running back on the table. 

Running does something for me that nothing else does. I need my miles. I need that peace in me. I guess for that reason alone I identify as a runner. Even if I am exhausted for the next 6 weeks. Even if it is just a few miles a week. I need them. 

If I started adding a mile a week, with plenty of regression weeks…I would be ready for the July tunnel marathon with time to spare. That doesn’t sound unbearable. That sounds completely doable. I need to think about this.

(And by that, we all know that if I am thinking out training and logistics I’ve already made my heart up. And just need to get my brain on board.)

There is a marathon in July…where 3 miles are through a dark unlit tunnel…

I wonder if I could be ready in time?

It sounds so great and amazing. But they don’t have a half option…

I think I could? Slow, but ready

3.5 miles of hill repeats: Totally untimed

I was super happy with this run. I live near this crazy hill in my town that is about .5 miles long and super steep. I ran up and down it 3 times, that with the distance to get to the hill and back totaled in about 3.5 miles. It’s funny how earlier this week I ran up this hill once at the end of a run and felt like I was going to die from exhaustion. But, today I was able to run up and down it multiple times without feeling like I was about to die, let alone like I even needed to walk! The best part about hill repeats? Flying down the hill super speedy quick! I just love that burst of speed and then to turn around and chug up the hill, then the reward of flying back down once you get to the top. Repeats are becoming a quick favorite of mine. It’s interesting to see how I fluctuate between what styles of runs I like best. First I liked big loops, then I fell in love with out and backs (which I still love), but right now I’m going to enter the season of the hill repeats. 

It helps that it was still dark out. I love darkish early morning runs. Where everything is mine and there’s hardly even any cars out to disturb my pace. I feel like the world is mine. 

I want to run outside this afternoon instead of on a treadmill. Hopefully I don’t die on the ice. 

Second dates that go on for hours and where conversation is just easy. It’s refreshing. Life seems so crazy and uncertain right now. It feels nice to have something where I don’t stress about it, where it just feels comfortable. It is kind of funny how my “just feels comfortable” is with somebody I really don’t know all that way. By no means should this be read into too far. It’s just nice and refreshing to laugh. And joke. And, hello, hugs! 

Running is helping. Having consistency  Moments where I don’t feel like the world is caving in. Where everything is calm and still. Where I remind myself this is my life. I am living my life. And I like my life. Bryce is living her own life. 

2.5 miles (avg pace 11:14) 

Two and a half miles of silence. Of quiet freedom. Where if I want to cry, it’s fine to just cry. So I did. 

And I cam out feeling better. Cleared my head. Sometimes you just need those moments in your day that belong to nobody. Not even yourself. .So you run. 

Two Miles: Avg pace 10:45

It’s slower for only being two miles. But, I’ll get there again. It just feels to run again. It feels good to have my head space back. Especially in light of recent life developments.

It’s starting to sink in that my sister is married. That she’s going to be a mama. I’m still very sad. But, what’s done is done and she needs love and support more than ever. Sometimes love is hard. Sometimes it doesn’t come naturally because I’m a broken person who is still learning what it means to love fully. But I do know it’s always worth it. That I will always stand by my sister. Sometimes life gets messy. But I believe in a God that suffered because He loved me. I believe in a God that chooses me even when I am at my ugliest. How could I not choose Bryce? How could I do anything but pursue her heart?

Love wins. 

That go really well are fun.

Coffee that turned into a three hour talk about everything until the shop closed. Kind of great. 

On a fitness related note:

Now that I’m back to running I need to evaluate some goals. 

• No watch. While my watch was very helpful when I was training for my half marathon, it’s only going to be frustrating to me right now. I lost a lot of speed during my injury recovery. Plus, I just can’t go as far distance wise right now. If I wear my watch I am going to be in competition with the time, which I don’t need right now. Right now I just need to listen to my body, and go at a pace that fits my body right now. 
• Keep my mileage low and SLOWLY build back up. Today I did two miles. That’s about as far as I can handle just yet. But, I’ll take what I can get.
• Keep up with weight and resistance training. Part of my problem to begin with was that I wasn’t doing weights. At all. And I developed a pretty substantial muscle imbalance. I don’t want to injure myself again. I need total body fitness. 

Those are the big three that I can pinpoint right away initially. I’m sure by the time I have another physical therapy appointment I’ll have a few things to talk about with my PT and get clearance on. We are going to work together to build an appropriate mileage build up plan as well as a resistance plan. It feels good to be back out there. So unbelievably good. 

The miles are hard. But they are so worth it. 

I’m trying not to think too much about my sister. What’s done is done. Yes my feelings are hurt terribly. But, she’s still my sister and I love her. And now, more than ever, she needs to know her family will always stand by her. That’s what love is, standing by even when it hurts.