Recently in Exercise Category

Late Sunday afternoon I was parked on the loveseat with my laptop.  My boyfriend was parked on the couch with his laptop.  It was a kind of dreary morning weather-wise, but the afternoon was showing promise.  My boyfriend lifted his head from the computer screen and asked if I want to go to the park for a hike.  Without hesitation I said yes.  I used to do a lot of hiking a few years ago, but not much in recent history.  I quickly changed into some hiking clothes and we were off. 

The park is really large with several parking areas and several different trails.  We got a little lost but eventually found our way.  We started on the "green" trail, which was the most challenging in terms of hills, and 4.7 miles long.  We quickly were greeted with a couple of surprises.  The first was a great, big, huge, pile of horse crap.  And then more horse crap.  And then some more.  I think it would have been more aptly named/colored the "brown" trail.  We also began being attacked my lots and lots of bugs.  Not so nice.  Next time we'll remember the bug spray.  Luckily neither of us ended up with any bites.

Despite those two issues, we actually ended up really enjoying ourselves.  It's so nice to be out in nature and doing some sort of physical activity.  It does a mind and body good.  We ended up hiking for a little under 1.5 hours.  During that time, in addition to the crap and the bugs, we saw guys running up hills that we were barely able to walk up without getting slightly out of breath.  And we saw a whole bunch of deer.  Just chillin'.  We were really close but they didn't seem worried about us in the least. 

I'd like to try this trail again in the fall.  I'm pretty sure it will have some pretty amazing fall foliage.

The sun was shining all day long.  The temperatures broke the 60 degree mark.  I looked out the window longingly from 9a until 6p.  I decided mid-afternoon that I would go for a run/jog after work.  I just couldn't resist.  I had put it off long enough.

There was a huge hurdle, mostly a mental one, in getting going again.  I was so afraid that I would be back to square one again and not be able to finish my route.  I was really dreading that.  It took me several weeks from when I started to be able to run the route without having to stop and walk.

I was pleasantly surprised this evening.  I was certainly slower than the last time I ran, but I finished!  My small accomplishment for this warm St. Patrick's Day 2010.  I cleared the hurdle and I'm ready to go.

I started "running" back on August 23rd.  It wasn't so much a run as it was a very slow jog, some walking, lots of gasping for air, and jello-like legs.  But since then I have started experiencing a sort of high from it, I've noticed some changes, and I have learned a lot.

The High

There isn't much that gets me as excited and pumped up and.... high these days, as going for a run.  In fact, instead of waiting and taking a day off from running there have been a few times where I have gone two days in a row.  I can't wait to run and try and beat my previous time, which I am still doing almost every single run.  (On Sunday I even beat my time after being stopped by a neighbor and having a short conversation!) And I am just as happy and excited each and every time.  I know that won't last forever and I will peak at some point, probably soon, and then not see such steady progress.  But for now, I'll take it.

Each time I get back from a run I exclaim, usually to the boyfriend who is the only one around, "I did it!"  What I mean when I say this is I beat my previous time.  And then I jump around a bit, and request multiple high-fives.  Probably mention a few hundred times how amazing I feel.  Then I stretch and ice my knees.  And while I am icing I open up the (new!) laptop and start entering my data into a spreadsheet.  (Yes, I really do this.  Yes, I know I am a total geek.  I may not understand electrical fuses but I can easily navigate my way around an excel spreadsheet.)  I enter the data for each of the 3 laps I do along with the total time.  I report to my boyfriend preceisely how much time I took on each lap and the total time I improved by.  My boyfriend is so encouraging and patient that he listens, gives me all the requested high-fives, and tells me how great I am doing... each and every damn time.

The Changes

I have definitely noticed a change lately, after the first 6-8 weeks or so of running.  I am much more motivated to go running despite the very frigid temperatures we've been having (such as 36 or 38 degrees).  First, I suppose I am just getting used to it, and it is part of my routine.  Second, it is so much better now that I can actually run the entire route at a somewhat reasonable pace and not feel like death.  I am no longer gasping for air or barely able to move my legs after I am done.  It was much more difficult than it was fun.  And now that has shifted.  I have a steady rhythm of movement and breathing the entire time.  I recover my breath much more quickly now.

The Things I've Learned

I love using a watch when I run.  It makes it a little more fun and interesting.  And it allows me to track my progress (again, dork with spreadsheet who loves numbers).  My older sister runs and a while ago she recommended I buy a Timex Ironman watch. It has all sorts of nifty features including a stopwatch, the ability to split laps, and store up to 50 pieces of data in memory. 

There is a great website where you can purchase some really nice (somewhat expensive, but very high quality) running attire.  My sister was also the one that introduced me to the site: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/.  Items ordered from there arrive 2 days after ordering, shipping is free, and so is the return shipping.  So far the only item I have purchased from there myself is the Brooks Womens Nightlife Podium Zip.  I run after work and now it is getting to the point where I can't come home from work and finish my run before it gets really dark out so I thought the Nightlife collection with the reflective zipper and logos would be ideal.  I wore it tonight and I love it.

Apparently I am not too embarrassed to wear running tights in front of all my neighbors.  A little embarrassed, yes, but not embarrassed enough to keep me from wearing them.  They are actually really comfortable, easy to run in, and keep you warm when the temps are in the 30's.

In terms of running in the cold/rain/snow I have learned quite a bit from a few other runners, including my friend Christina: wear something close to the ankle so snow and rain don't get on your legs; wear a baseball cap in the rain to keep it from getting in your face/eyes; don't wear anything cotton because it will hold all the moisture and you will get very, very wet.

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Related Posts:

Running Milestone - reaching my first milestone related to running
Jogging - my thoughts on running/jogging after about 4 weeks

I am writing this more for my own sake that for anyone else to read or comment on.  I was so excited the other night, though.  My goal before it got too cold/dark was to be able to run my entire route without having to stop and walk any of it.  I didn't think this would happen for another few weeks.  But Tuesday night when I did my run, it happened.  I ran the entire route.  Slowly, but I ran it!  And tonight I discovered it wasn't just a fluke.  I did it again!

The first time I ran it, it took me 45 minutes.  The last two times, it took only 34 minutes.  The first time I ran I could couldn't even finish one full loop running.  Made it about 3/4 of the way.  Now I do 2 full loops. 

I've come a long way, baby!

Now I just need to increase my speed.  :)