I went over to the Dan O'Brien track today at the University of Idaho. I set a new 1-mile PR today with a 9:12 mile. It makes me think that a sub-30-minute 5K might be possible for me. That kinda makes me smile. :)
<3
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Since the Half
Since I ran my first half marathon in July, I haven't had much direction in terms of my running. I met my goal, and I haven't known if I wanted to make a new goal - like a full marathon or a faster half - or if I was content to just run a couple of miles a day, take part in my new runners' group, and train for the occasional 5K or 10K. From what I have heard from other runners, this is a dilemma that many runners face after they meet their first big goal. That is comforting.
As I write this now, I still don't know where I stand or what role I want running to have in my life. As I look back over the past twelve and a half months since I first started to run, I can see that my motivations have changed. I can see that my outlook has changed. I can see that my goals and my expectations have changed. And I am pretty sure that they will continue to change as I grow as a runner, as an athlete, and as a person in the next twelve, too.
As my plan for running takes shape, I'll keep posting blogs here. All I can say for now is "stay tuned."
Even without a clear running goal, I have been staying busy with running and fitness activities. As you know from my last blog, I co-coordinated and participated in my first two-day trail race. I also ran the Spokane Indians 8K Pennant Race on July 24th, and I improved my time from my last 5 mile race. My official time for the 8K was 57:27. (I know they are technically different distances and that I got a PR for this 8K, but my joy comes from seeing the improvement from the 5-miler that I ran in October when I clocked in at 1:00:07.)
I also went to the Spokane River one day and hiked a good four or five miles. I found a nice little spot in the middle of the river to day-camp on. I caught some fish, drank a beer in the sun, and then hiked back to my car.
And I biked the farthest I have ever biked - 32 miles - on Saturday. (And on Sunday, I biked another 10.25 miles, despite some very sore body parts.) In the process, I found out that I am capable of things that I didn't know that I had in me... and equally important, I questioned what else I have in me that is hiding out, waiting to be discovered.
I am enjoying my fitness journey and look forward to where it is going to take me.
<3
As I write this now, I still don't know where I stand or what role I want running to have in my life. As I look back over the past twelve and a half months since I first started to run, I can see that my motivations have changed. I can see that my outlook has changed. I can see that my goals and my expectations have changed. And I am pretty sure that they will continue to change as I grow as a runner, as an athlete, and as a person in the next twelve, too.
As my plan for running takes shape, I'll keep posting blogs here. All I can say for now is "stay tuned."
Even without a clear running goal, I have been staying busy with running and fitness activities. As you know from my last blog, I co-coordinated and participated in my first two-day trail race. I also ran the Spokane Indians 8K Pennant Race on July 24th, and I improved my time from my last 5 mile race. My official time for the 8K was 57:27. (I know they are technically different distances and that I got a PR for this 8K, but my joy comes from seeing the improvement from the 5-miler that I ran in October when I clocked in at 1:00:07.)
I also went to the Spokane River one day and hiked a good four or five miles. I found a nice little spot in the middle of the river to day-camp on. I caught some fish, drank a beer in the sun, and then hiked back to my car.
(This video was taken from my cell phone, which should explain the quality.)
I am enjoying my fitness journey and look forward to where it is going to take me.
<3
Monday, July 12, 2010
Palouse Double
I ran another race this weekend. Although it was not as huge or emotional as my half marathon last weekend, it was unique for two reasons: 1) it was a two-day race, and 2) I was a co-director of the event.
Our race was called the Palouse Double, and it took place in two states - on Moscow Mountain in Idaho and on Kamiak Butte in Washington. Basically, the goal of the race is to run as many loops as possible (or as desired) in a seven-hour window. Runners, walkers, and hikers of varying abilities and levels of seriousness came out, and it was a lot of fun. Here are the highlights (for me as a runner, not as a director).
Day 1:
The day was beautiful, and after the .8-mile climb to the trail head (carrying camp chairs, Gatorade, and other race items), the race began at 8:00 AM.
I decided to run my first lap with another runner, and we had a great time just taking it slow and easy. We enjoyed the shady, fern-bordered trail; the open, meadow-y areas; and even the switchbacks that took us up the mountain and back down again. We joked about how the trail seemed to be uphill both ways, and we never worried about our 20-minute/mile pace.
A little over half way down the mountain, the other director of the race (and the one who was attempting to run 28 miles that day) caught up with us. Surprisingly, he decided to finish the lap with us, even though my left knee had started hurting something awful and we were going even slower than before.
Once we finished the first lap, I decided to ice my knee and play cheerleader for the other participants. And when no one was around, I soaked up the sun, watched chipmunks dart here and there, and attempted to finish an unexpectedly difficult crossword puzzle.
After my ice was melted, and my knee was sufficiently numb, I decided to do a second lap. I don't have much to say about this lap other than my mind was glad that I did it even though my body wasn't. My knee hurt almost immediately, and I ended up walking almost 100% of the loop.
At the end of the day, I was happy to have completed 8 miles on the race course, and an additional mile or so on the road leading up to the trail head. Not too shabby for a Saturday on Moscow Mountain!
Day 2:
I awoke around 2 AM with pains down my left leg. My knee was sore, and my IT Band felt like it was seizing up. I took some anti-inflammatories and tried to get back to sleep.
I awoke again around 4 and again sometime before my alarm was scheduled to go off at 5:45 AM. Needless to say, I was not rested, nor was my body excited about the second day of the Palouse Double. I gave my attitude a pep talk before reaching Kamiak Butte, saying, "You've felt this pain before, and it is temporary. Right now you just need to toughen up, find some energy reserves, and be excited for this race that you helped create. You can do this!"
About an hour after the official start time, I decided to make my way up the butte. The 1-mile climb to the top is brutal on the ol' lungs, and my heart was beating about a mile a minute. I felt the burn in my calves and tried to change my climbing technique to use other muscles. Once I reached the summit, I took a big breath and could feel the relief throughout my body.
The ridge of Kamiak Butte is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. It is just magnificent. I spent a lot of time up there taking pictures, getting photos taken of me, enjoying the view, and talking to other hikers. (I know, I know. I was supposed to be "racing," but sometimes I believe that talking to people trumps original plans. I met a couple of really neat people up there who reminded me to take care of my body, to take lots of pictures to remember my favorite moments, and to enjoy the beauty around me.)
After a very painful descent to the bottom of the butte, I decided that my first lap was going to be my only lap. I took a seat in my camp chair, put some ice on my knee, and fell asleep.
I only ran 2.5 miles, and it took over an hour, but I was proud to be one of the race's only "doublers."
****
In the end, the two-day race experience was a good one. I completed a total of over 10 miles, and came in first in my division (even though I was the only one in my division). Woo Hoo!
<3
Our race was called the Palouse Double, and it took place in two states - on Moscow Mountain in Idaho and on Kamiak Butte in Washington. Basically, the goal of the race is to run as many loops as possible (or as desired) in a seven-hour window. Runners, walkers, and hikers of varying abilities and levels of seriousness came out, and it was a lot of fun. Here are the highlights (for me as a runner, not as a director).
Day 1:
The day was beautiful, and after the .8-mile climb to the trail head (carrying camp chairs, Gatorade, and other race items), the race began at 8:00 AM.
I decided to run my first lap with another runner, and we had a great time just taking it slow and easy. We enjoyed the shady, fern-bordered trail; the open, meadow-y areas; and even the switchbacks that took us up the mountain and back down again. We joked about how the trail seemed to be uphill both ways, and we never worried about our 20-minute/mile pace.
A little over half way down the mountain, the other director of the race (and the one who was attempting to run 28 miles that day) caught up with us. Surprisingly, he decided to finish the lap with us, even though my left knee had started hurting something awful and we were going even slower than before.
Once we finished the first lap, I decided to ice my knee and play cheerleader for the other participants. And when no one was around, I soaked up the sun, watched chipmunks dart here and there, and attempted to finish an unexpectedly difficult crossword puzzle.
After my ice was melted, and my knee was sufficiently numb, I decided to do a second lap. I don't have much to say about this lap other than my mind was glad that I did it even though my body wasn't. My knee hurt almost immediately, and I ended up walking almost 100% of the loop.
At the end of the day, I was happy to have completed 8 miles on the race course, and an additional mile or so on the road leading up to the trail head. Not too shabby for a Saturday on Moscow Mountain!
Day 2:
I awoke around 2 AM with pains down my left leg. My knee was sore, and my IT Band felt like it was seizing up. I took some anti-inflammatories and tried to get back to sleep.
I awoke again around 4 and again sometime before my alarm was scheduled to go off at 5:45 AM. Needless to say, I was not rested, nor was my body excited about the second day of the Palouse Double. I gave my attitude a pep talk before reaching Kamiak Butte, saying, "You've felt this pain before, and it is temporary. Right now you just need to toughen up, find some energy reserves, and be excited for this race that you helped create. You can do this!"
About an hour after the official start time, I decided to make my way up the butte. The 1-mile climb to the top is brutal on the ol' lungs, and my heart was beating about a mile a minute. I felt the burn in my calves and tried to change my climbing technique to use other muscles. Once I reached the summit, I took a big breath and could feel the relief throughout my body.
The ridge of Kamiak Butte is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. It is just magnificent. I spent a lot of time up there taking pictures, getting photos taken of me, enjoying the view, and talking to other hikers. (I know, I know. I was supposed to be "racing," but sometimes I believe that talking to people trumps original plans. I met a couple of really neat people up there who reminded me to take care of my body, to take lots of pictures to remember my favorite moments, and to enjoy the beauty around me.)
After a very painful descent to the bottom of the butte, I decided that my first lap was going to be my only lap. I took a seat in my camp chair, put some ice on my knee, and fell asleep.
I only ran 2.5 miles, and it took over an hour, but I was proud to be one of the race's only "doublers."
****
In the end, the two-day race experience was a good one. I completed a total of over 10 miles, and came in first in my division (even though I was the only one in my division). Woo Hoo!
<3
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