"Blurg" is a word Liz Lemon uses on 30 Rock. She uses it when uncertain, frustrated, or discouraged by temporary defeat. Today, on the way home from my 'run' (ha, ha), all I could think of was, "I have to write 'Blurg' on my blog".
No more fried pickles. These are Nemeses Number One. I blame them entirely for my demise today. My legs were 500 pounds, I had aches in my legs where most children forget to draw (hips, ankles), and I was just discouraged all around. It was a "blurg" kind of day. "We all get them," said my live-in trainer (a.k.a. my husband, Derek).
When I told Derek about the front of my ankles bothering me, he said "ohno" and informed me that those are still part of my shins! Who knew! He showed me some stretches to do for them. All of this running takes a lot of dedication and determination. Not only do I have to change into clothes into which I will sweat, I have to warm up and stretch before I get to sweat! It takes body parts that I'm not used to using - I don't know if I even want to use them, to be honest. I'll see how the rest of the week goes, I may decide to walk this gig 8/31. There's no shame in walking 13.1 miles. I just have to maintain an 18 minute mile, maybe I can do that. Maybe not! What if I have blurg days when I'm training to walk? What's left? I can't drive the 13.1 miles that day!
Plus, my MP3 player's battery ran out. Indeed, it was a Blurg kind of run today.
This running is not a 3 times a week type of thing. To be good at it, it needs to be a lifestyle - no crappy food, remembering to do excercises, cross-training, etc. I have been a lover of ease for so long it's hard to get into the new swing of things. I hope to get swinging correctly sooner than later. I like Liz Lemon, but I don't like blurg days.
For posterity, I did a 2:2 run:walk (mostly walk) for 38 mins, 2.5ish miles. Blurg.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The ups and downs...
Now that I have this blog on my signature, I feel like I will have to be pithy and pondering and entertaining with each entry. Meanwhile, really I feel like Doogie Houser typing away... ACH! and the ellipsis, too! Oh no!
Well, then, the up side... I sent out my email fundraising letters and I didn't die. I was so apprehensive about doing it - "Hi Friends, this is what I'm doing. By the way, would you fork over your cashola please!" Can you see me with a big ol' grin on my face and my hand out, the other on my hip, foot tappin', just waiting for the outstretched hand to be slapped full of green? Eeek! More like an old man in the rain wringing his old black cap on your doorstep, "May I have a warm cup of tea?" I still have to snail mail others, the personalization of them takes time. BUT - just by asking - I'm 1/4 the way to my goal, thanks to some very generous people! That is very encouraging! Thank you, thank you!
The other side to it is, I know many folks don't have gobs and gobs of left over $ at the end of the week, and if they do, maybe they want a pizza or a movie for themselves or their kids. Honey, that is OK by me. Just think of me every once in a while and ask the good Lord to give me and the rest of these running rabblerousers strength and endurance, good health, and a mild summer! Ask big, baby! He can take care of us (and our fundraising needs)! :)
Now, the down side - my knees hurt a bit. :( They ache on the inside. I've asked my coaches via email for any of their thoughts, and they've been very helpful. One exercise I think I'll like is eating ice cream - oh, no it's not! I made that up! :) - it's writing the alphabet (upper and lower cases) in the air with my toes. I wanted to ask if I can do the numbers up to 20 for extra credit but I forgot. One coach said I may be going too fast for what my body's ready for - chikKAH! ZIP! Zoom! I think that may happen to other people, but it's nice she thought it might happen to me! Ehh! It'll all get worked out! My first oooch of my running career! :) [Did I just say 'career'?] 8-D
Well, then, the up side... I sent out my email fundraising letters and I didn't die. I was so apprehensive about doing it - "Hi Friends, this is what I'm doing. By the way, would you fork over your cashola please!" Can you see me with a big ol' grin on my face and my hand out, the other on my hip, foot tappin', just waiting for the outstretched hand to be slapped full of green? Eeek! More like an old man in the rain wringing his old black cap on your doorstep, "May I have a warm cup of tea?" I still have to snail mail others, the personalization of them takes time. BUT - just by asking - I'm 1/4 the way to my goal, thanks to some very generous people! That is very encouraging! Thank you, thank you!
The other side to it is, I know many folks don't have gobs and gobs of left over $ at the end of the week, and if they do, maybe they want a pizza or a movie for themselves or their kids. Honey, that is OK by me. Just think of me every once in a while and ask the good Lord to give me and the rest of these running rabblerousers strength and endurance, good health, and a mild summer! Ask big, baby! He can take care of us (and our fundraising needs)! :)
Now, the down side - my knees hurt a bit. :( They ache on the inside. I've asked my coaches via email for any of their thoughts, and they've been very helpful. One exercise I think I'll like is eating ice cream - oh, no it's not! I made that up! :) - it's writing the alphabet (upper and lower cases) in the air with my toes. I wanted to ask if I can do the numbers up to 20 for extra credit but I forgot. One coach said I may be going too fast for what my body's ready for - chikKAH! ZIP! Zoom! I think that may happen to other people, but it's nice she thought it might happen to me! Ehh! It'll all get worked out! My first oooch of my running career! :) [Did I just say 'career'?] 8-D
Monday, April 14, 2008
Two thoughts - 1 pondering, 1 proud
Here are my thoughts, in order in which I had them... First the "Pondering"
Compromise vs. Commitment - Last Thursday, after Derek and I put the kids to bed, I hemmed and hawed for a bit about going out to the shed to run, knowing that my favorite show, 30 Rock, would soon air for the first time after the way-too-long writer's strike. Derek said, "Go ahead, you have 38 minutes before it's on!" So, by the time I got out there, after changing and all, I had less than 30 minutes; I knew I was going to miss some of my fave gal Liz Lemon. I tried to concentrate at the effort at hand and juggle in my mind which was a better choice for me, to watch this show, which makes me laugh and reminds me of all the zaniness in the exotic and chaotic world of business and New York, or persevering in this new discipline of running. I knew Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin would never know if I tuned in or not, and I could catch the rerun in the summer. On the other hand, would 5 or 10 more minutes today really make a difference in August? At the end of it all, I compromised, I missed the first 5 minutes of the show, and ran only 28 minutes. A lose-lose in my book. I was disappointed with my time and distance (1.7 miles), and I was bummed I missed the hip theme song and plot introduction.
Later that night, I conceded to myself that I really should have honored my long term commitment to training for this race. And I began to think that most long term commitments are for the best - savings (huh?), marriage, raising your kids instead of selling them, even training to run a half marathon. Running, even in our smelly shed, certainly was more important/substantial to my life than Hollywood. When thought of that way, why did I ever question it? This lesson renewed my commitment to long term commitments and how sometimes distractions along the way can be fool's gold.
Now my proud moment - I ran 2.5 miles yesterday in 35 minutes. I was floored - the thought of running more than 2 miles was beyond me, let alone a whole half mile more than the original 2, which I couldn't even muster up several nights earlier! I mentioned it today to a few people and they were really pleased for me. I'm pleased for me. Group training starts this Saturday and I was nervous about running a mile - it looks like I can really do it! Being fully committed to my commitment is all right! :)
Compromise vs. Commitment - Last Thursday, after Derek and I put the kids to bed, I hemmed and hawed for a bit about going out to the shed to run, knowing that my favorite show, 30 Rock, would soon air for the first time after the way-too-long writer's strike. Derek said, "Go ahead, you have 38 minutes before it's on!" So, by the time I got out there, after changing and all, I had less than 30 minutes; I knew I was going to miss some of my fave gal Liz Lemon. I tried to concentrate at the effort at hand and juggle in my mind which was a better choice for me, to watch this show, which makes me laugh and reminds me of all the zaniness in the exotic and chaotic world of business and New York, or persevering in this new discipline of running. I knew Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin would never know if I tuned in or not, and I could catch the rerun in the summer. On the other hand, would 5 or 10 more minutes today really make a difference in August? At the end of it all, I compromised, I missed the first 5 minutes of the show, and ran only 28 minutes. A lose-lose in my book. I was disappointed with my time and distance (1.7 miles), and I was bummed I missed the hip theme song and plot introduction.
Later that night, I conceded to myself that I really should have honored my long term commitment to training for this race. And I began to think that most long term commitments are for the best - savings (huh?), marriage, raising your kids instead of selling them, even training to run a half marathon. Running, even in our smelly shed, certainly was more important/substantial to my life than Hollywood. When thought of that way, why did I ever question it? This lesson renewed my commitment to long term commitments and how sometimes distractions along the way can be fool's gold.
Now my proud moment - I ran 2.5 miles yesterday in 35 minutes. I was floored - the thought of running more than 2 miles was beyond me, let alone a whole half mile more than the original 2, which I couldn't even muster up several nights earlier! I mentioned it today to a few people and they were really pleased for me. I'm pleased for me. Group training starts this Saturday and I was nervous about running a mile - it looks like I can really do it! Being fully committed to my commitment is all right! :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wow, I'm a blogger and a runner!
A big day in history for me!
So, yes, I've decided to run the Va Beach 1/2 Marathon on August 31 - dead of summer and even more South than I am now - not to mention more humid? maybe? Ocean breezes are a possibility - let's think positively!
I can only walk/run 2 miles right now, although, I guess I haven't allowed myself to try more than 30 minutes for fear of 'over doing it' (that's the Couch Potato in me). Tonight I will run (walk/run - jog actually) on the old treadmill again. I usually do a 17 minute mile including the 5 minutes walking warm up. Listen, as long as I get across the finish line, I'm happy. Oh, and the $1,000 I need to raise in order to do so! (Did I mention this is all to raise money for Henry's school's before and after school program, Easton ROCKS.) As I'd say in college, I again say now - but not just to my parents! - "Send money, please!"
Our first timed event is May 17th, a 5K, so I do have some time to get more acclimated and pick up more mileage. Part of me is scared silly! I know I'm not alone. And the method of training seems solid, I've already transitioned from week one to week two of their version of "Couch to 5K" and it was easy. Derek, of course, can do all this in his sleep, but he had to start out some place. He is hugely supportive, and it's nice to talk to him about what I'm experiencing, learning, etc. It's nice to be able to share this with him.
I swore I would never run; I never had any interest in it. I couldn't imagine why. Just why would someone run? You can sit inside and not sweat. I can't explain why I want to do this... a friend mentioned wanting to do the 1/2 Marathon training and asked if I was thinking of it. I'm sure my answer was as simple and direct as "Nope." The flier came home from Henry's school the next day, and, like in the movies, all of my focus and attention went to the spot on the slick heavy duty paper that simply says "The Virginia Beach Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon, May 3, Race Day is August 31". I put the paper down, but had to pick it up again; my eyes shot right back to that spot. That's happened one other time in my life, and it all worked out, in aces. That experience (teaching) was a God thing. I'm supposing this adventure is going to be, too.
So, yes, I've decided to run the Va Beach 1/2 Marathon on August 31 - dead of summer and even more South than I am now - not to mention more humid? maybe? Ocean breezes are a possibility - let's think positively!
I can only walk/run 2 miles right now, although, I guess I haven't allowed myself to try more than 30 minutes for fear of 'over doing it' (that's the Couch Potato in me). Tonight I will run (walk/run - jog actually) on the old treadmill again. I usually do a 17 minute mile including the 5 minutes walking warm up. Listen, as long as I get across the finish line, I'm happy. Oh, and the $1,000 I need to raise in order to do so! (Did I mention this is all to raise money for Henry's school's before and after school program, Easton ROCKS.) As I'd say in college, I again say now - but not just to my parents! - "Send money, please!"
Our first timed event is May 17th, a 5K, so I do have some time to get more acclimated and pick up more mileage. Part of me is scared silly! I know I'm not alone. And the method of training seems solid, I've already transitioned from week one to week two of their version of "Couch to 5K" and it was easy. Derek, of course, can do all this in his sleep, but he had to start out some place. He is hugely supportive, and it's nice to talk to him about what I'm experiencing, learning, etc. It's nice to be able to share this with him.
I swore I would never run; I never had any interest in it. I couldn't imagine why. Just why would someone run? You can sit inside and not sweat. I can't explain why I want to do this... a friend mentioned wanting to do the 1/2 Marathon training and asked if I was thinking of it. I'm sure my answer was as simple and direct as "Nope." The flier came home from Henry's school the next day, and, like in the movies, all of my focus and attention went to the spot on the slick heavy duty paper that simply says "The Virginia Beach Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon, May 3, Race Day is August 31". I put the paper down, but had to pick it up again; my eyes shot right back to that spot. That's happened one other time in my life, and it all worked out, in aces. That experience (teaching) was a God thing. I'm supposing this adventure is going to be, too.
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