today's mission: 11 miles
after 2 weeks full of exciting fund raising events I was ready to hit the pavement for yet another personal best,11 whole miles! Although I was feeling sluggish at the start and it was a chilly 40 degrees out I was up for the challenge! The run did not go as planned. The asthma beast reared its ugly head around mile 10. It was pretty freaky! I haven't had a real asthma attack since high school. I was approaching the hill of pain when I couldn't take in air. I popped my ear buds out to listen to what my body was telling me, and it was not good. I walked the rest of the route, in words of coach Tim, its not a fail because you didn't leave in an ambulance. I must be sick since that eased my frustration with the over all run.
My suspicion is the cold weather, hill of death, and just one of those days is the culprit.
Now onto the good parts of this post.
I have such a great support system. A great turn out of my Culver's event! Raised $100 in just 4 hours. Must be some good eaters!
Lucille's was super fun, celebrating a good cause and 30th b-day. Still not sure how much was raised at that event, but it doesn't really matter, got the CCFA name out there and great entertainment!
Friday was wine shop at home tasting, quote of the night: "this kicks candle lights butt!"
And last night the Bucks game- I am exhausted!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
10 miles.... no problem!
The best part of training is that every week a new personal best happens. How cool is that? This sunday I conquered 10 miles! Of course there were moments of "when is this torture going to end!??" But I finished strong. I know what I am about to say will inevitably curse the next month of training but, we are having some amazing fall weather for Wisconsin. Its unwritten rule here to not mention great weather because the moment you do the snow begins to fall. But for now we are all enjoying the great colors and mild temps.
Lets back up the time frame for a moment since I've been excessively busy with fund raising and neglecting Craps in Vegas. Last week I was unable to attend team practice since I was at the ALS Walk to Defeat. Attending the walk definitely put the motivation for this half marathon right back to where it needed to be. About 2 years ago I had the epiphany to start working out. I was done with grad school, had a grown up job, and for the first time in a long time I had free time. I started contemplating my world and realized that I was an able bodied 20 something that sat around doing nothing while people all over were struggling with disabling diseases that literally took away their ability to run, walk, eat, and talk on the their own. What was my problem?! Laziness.
I joined the YMCA and started running and occasionally biking. This was all well and good, but I didn't really have a goal. Just going through the motions of what people are supposed to do at a gym. I eventually moved to the suburbs and joined a smaller gym where I was able to actually use the weight room... the YMCA's weight area was like a hornets nest for women, all that grunting and superficial flexing. No thanks! Soon enough I signed up for my very first running 5k, the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis. It was so fun! Freezing cold but fun! And I was hooked. I've since done 2 other 5k races and just did Al's Run for Children's Hospital which is an 8k. And here I am today, taking on 13.1 miles for a great cause. Although I am running for those suffering with Crohn's and Colitis I am also running for all those people that can't, especially my Grandma. I'd like to think she is proud of me.
After the Sunday walk to defeat ALS I had to set out on my own for a daunting task: 8 miles--- alone. No team running with me, no Coach Tim making my run when I want to tip over and die. And I did it! It was a perfect fall day along the Oak Leaf Trail, since this was my longest run yet I was able to see much much more of this trail. The leaves crunched under my feet, the trees were beautiful and the fog hadn't lifted all the way yet. It was perfect, I wish I had my camera. I don't know if it was just a great running day or the impact seeing all the ALS patients the day before, or my Betty's Butterflies wings carrying me but I made 8 miles on my own and it was great.
This week I really experienced the sense of teamwork, a Team Challenge teammate lives in my apartment complex. Along my saturday morning quick run I saw her so we finished up together and it was great. Even though running is time to be one with yourself and the road, it is nice to have company too. Lisa, my teammate and neighbor is awesome! She helped me make a poster for my upcoming fund raiser events this week and its awesome! It was great to spend time with a new friend.
SUNDAY the DAY! 10 miles- I felt pretty good. I have this pesky ankle problem which felt a little rough starting out but once the blood got pumping it felt fine. I stayed steady at about 11 minutes per mile. I've come to accept that short runs can average 9:30-10:00 minutes a mile but long runs I need to stay at 11:00. I still think that will be a great time for Vegas. My legs were a little sore Sunday night but are feeling fine this morning! I can't believe it!
Oh, and here is what I am working for:
I absolutely cannot wait for that medal on Dec. 5th!
Lets back up the time frame for a moment since I've been excessively busy with fund raising and neglecting Craps in Vegas. Last week I was unable to attend team practice since I was at the ALS Walk to Defeat. Attending the walk definitely put the motivation for this half marathon right back to where it needed to be. About 2 years ago I had the epiphany to start working out. I was done with grad school, had a grown up job, and for the first time in a long time I had free time. I started contemplating my world and realized that I was an able bodied 20 something that sat around doing nothing while people all over were struggling with disabling diseases that literally took away their ability to run, walk, eat, and talk on the their own. What was my problem?! Laziness.
I joined the YMCA and started running and occasionally biking. This was all well and good, but I didn't really have a goal. Just going through the motions of what people are supposed to do at a gym. I eventually moved to the suburbs and joined a smaller gym where I was able to actually use the weight room... the YMCA's weight area was like a hornets nest for women, all that grunting and superficial flexing. No thanks! Soon enough I signed up for my very first running 5k, the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis. It was so fun! Freezing cold but fun! And I was hooked. I've since done 2 other 5k races and just did Al's Run for Children's Hospital which is an 8k. And here I am today, taking on 13.1 miles for a great cause. Although I am running for those suffering with Crohn's and Colitis I am also running for all those people that can't, especially my Grandma. I'd like to think she is proud of me.
After the Sunday walk to defeat ALS I had to set out on my own for a daunting task: 8 miles--- alone. No team running with me, no Coach Tim making my run when I want to tip over and die. And I did it! It was a perfect fall day along the Oak Leaf Trail, since this was my longest run yet I was able to see much much more of this trail. The leaves crunched under my feet, the trees were beautiful and the fog hadn't lifted all the way yet. It was perfect, I wish I had my camera. I don't know if it was just a great running day or the impact seeing all the ALS patients the day before, or my Betty's Butterflies wings carrying me but I made 8 miles on my own and it was great.
This week I really experienced the sense of teamwork, a Team Challenge teammate lives in my apartment complex. Along my saturday morning quick run I saw her so we finished up together and it was great. Even though running is time to be one with yourself and the road, it is nice to have company too. Lisa, my teammate and neighbor is awesome! She helped me make a poster for my upcoming fund raiser events this week and its awesome! It was great to spend time with a new friend.
SUNDAY the DAY! 10 miles- I felt pretty good. I have this pesky ankle problem which felt a little rough starting out but once the blood got pumping it felt fine. I stayed steady at about 11 minutes per mile. I've come to accept that short runs can average 9:30-10:00 minutes a mile but long runs I need to stay at 11:00. I still think that will be a great time for Vegas. My legs were a little sore Sunday night but are feeling fine this morning! I can't believe it!
Oh, and here is what I am working for:
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