Tag: training

Calling the Run

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I’ve been a diver since around February 2008 when I was certified by Girl Diver. One of the most important rules of diving (aside from diving with a buddy) is that anyone can call a dive, for any reason, at any time. This means that if you get geared up, and don’t even step in the water, you can say, “I’m not feeling it.” Or maybe (like happened to me once) you get stung by a jellyfish IN THE FACE, and you think, “Ow, I’m not going to continue this dive, I’m going up.”

Of course, running is a solo thing for me. There’s no turning to my buddy and saying, (signing) that I’m not sure I want to continue the run. There’s no one saying back to me, “Hey, let’s end this (run).” So there I was, after a pasta meal, 2 miles under my belt already and a good pace, and I was getting serious waves of nausea and stomach pain.

I’ve never had that kind of pain before – my husband complains of such things, though, when he exercises on a full stomach. It’s never been a problem with me – but then again, I’ve not been running with this kind of intensity before, and also – my Garmin needed to be charged, and was possibly being inaccurate with my heart rate.

Oops.

I ended up walking for the last 9 or so minutes of my 30 minute run. I also ended up skipping the kick-off for the Team in Training. The first run with them is Saturday, and I don’t plan on missing that. Here’s hoping tomorrow’s run will go a bit more smoothly.

Rest Day Healing and Charity Binders

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I nearly missed my scheduled acupuncture appointment all together today, but I’m glad I didn’t. My body is slowly starting to feel better after the punishing doubling of my training over the past couple weeks. The training exhausted me, and I’m convinced threw my hormones out of whack. Slow and steady! Embrace it!

On my way out of my appointment I passed Westlake Center where the usual charity binder guys were trying to get my attention. Usually I tell them kindly that I’m not interested, other times, I let them know that I’m unemployed and volunteer my time at a local non-profit, but today I shouted “I have $3200 to raise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!”

He stood bugeyed and then responded, “How are you going to do that?”

“I don’t know, I was thinking of grabbing s binder and doing what you do.”

He said, “It works.”

I don’t know about it working for me.

Day Off of Training (Plus note to readers)

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Today was a running day, but I was feeling absolutely beat. I ached everywhere – partially due to starting to do yoga again. Then there was the four mile run I did on Thursday, and the five mile walk I did yesterday. I’m just working myself too hard, too fast.

I decided to take a long bath and read again from the Runner’s World Complete Book of Women’s Running. Again, I was reminded that I should be easier on myself, as a novice, train a little slower, and train for time, not for mileage. Instead of going out for 4 miles, I should be going out for 40 minutes. I need to just chill out, especially to keep my injuries to a minimum. I think I’ll do an easy run tomorrow, maybe just a 30 minute (and ignore the mileage) and just have fun. I need to not work myself so hard.

I have started to look at the Team in Training official marathon training schedule for the Fall season. It’s not unlike what the book I have recommends. Slow and steady, right? Injury prevention, right? OK. I’ll chill out. Do some yoga. Weight training.

In other news to my readers – I know that some that know me that come across this blog might not have an enthusiasm for running the way I do. If you find this blog triggering, or upsetting in any way, please don’t read it. This is the way I’ve found to cope with stressors in my life, one of the major ones being a consciousness of mortality, and a willingness to do what I can to put myself in the best odds. I don’t expect anyone to make the same choices I do. To each their own. Take care of yourself. This is how I’m trying to take care of myself.

Four Miles – and Team in Training Doubts

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Today I did my four mile run in the fastest time yet – just over 45 minutes. I even did some hills, even though today was to be a flat run day. You try finding a flat surface that’s more than a few blocks in any Seattle neighborhood! I can’t find it, that’s for sure!

I was sluggish on my run, but I think I did pretty well. I need to figure out my appropriate running food is. I think that some research must be in order.

As for the Team in Training – oof. I think I’m going to choose to opt-out. I’ll have more on this in my primary blog.

Saturday is my five mile run. I think I’m going to start looking for a local women’s running group (if Team in Training doesn’t work out, which is likely.)

BTW, if you’re reading this, holla!

Team in Training

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Uh oh, what have I gotten myself into?

Yesterday I went to the Washington/Alaska chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training informational meeting held at the REI flagship.

I am SUCH A SUCKER.

No doubt that they do good work (they have a 3 out of 4 star rating through Charity Navigator), and considering the healthcare gaps in this nation, and the expense of fighting cancer, I’m glad that there are organizations that help fill in the gaps with emotional and material support to families who are undergoing treatment for serious (and expensive) diseases.

However, there are a gazillion other charities that I’m also fond of and wanting to give my time to. Many of them local (think globally, act locally, etc.)

The thing is, not all charities have distance training as part of their draw.

And so I went to the info meeting, plopped down $50 to start (and got a moisture-wicking t-shirt), and signed up to train for a marathon in October.

The catch is that in order to get to the end point of all this, the marathon, not only do I have to train, but I have to raise $3200 (maybe less) for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by October. I don’t have that money in my bank account (and I know that many of the people I know also don’t.) They assured me that we will learn how to fund raise – and yes, this is what I’m worried about, not the actual marathon.

I can back out at any time before July – though I’m sure there’s pressure to not do so. I will have only lost $50 (to a good cause) and gained 2 months or so of training. I’m so intimidated!

Also – a half marathon is a crazy distance. A whole marathon? OMG.

I’ll be thinking on this for awhile.

In the mean time: My Fundraising Page