Bonk

Bonk: "a word used to describe excercise induced low blood sugar levels; being a feeling of light-headedness and weakness in all limbs." -- urbandictionary.com

I can now say from personal experience that this is not a fun or good feeling and should be avoided at all costs.  That said, I can also personally attest to the fact that I have learned a number of very very important lessons from that not so fun day a few weeks ago.

Lesson #1: Mental vs. Physical
There is a difference between mentally giving up on a run and my body saying it can't do it.  And, now, I know what that feels like.  Knowing that there is a physical line has really taught me that the mental line comes so much sooner than the physical.  Not that I would like to reach that physical line again, but I know where it is now....and I know that the mental wall is one that I can and will continue to push through.

Lesson #2: Prepare...Prepare...Prepare
When I woke up and got ready for the run that morning, I was thinking about a million other things.  As a result, I headed out with no mid-run snacks and at least 2 hours between breakfast and the run.  Result: not enough calories to finish.  A good, healthy breakfast of slow burning carbs and faster burning protein with a carby mid-run snack is the way to go...and don't be stupid and wait before going.  Most of all, be mentally with the run from the moment I wake up.  Stay with the visuals and know the purpose of the run before heading out to do it.  The run isn't always about the actual run....

Lesson #3: A Little Stupidity Can Go a Long Way
As a result of my bad run, I had to take Friday off, using a sick day that I could have used elsewhere.  I weakened my immune system and got a cold in the next couple of days.  The next runs were much harder and the week following was by far my worst mileage week of the year, clocking in at only 12 miles (including an 8 mile run) and a fall on one of them.  I never had realized that one poor decision and one poor day can have repurcussions far into my running schedule.  This one not only put me out of commission for the day, but out of my normal activities for the entire week.

Lesson #4: It Doesn't Stop Me
I had a terrible run.  I got sick.  I had a terrible week.  And I have still run 10 more miles so far in February than I did in January.  I have lifted more weight than I ever thought I could and run further than I ever thought possible.  And, do you know why?  Because I'm a runner...and that's what we do.

Epiphany

I've been running for four months...and in that time, I've gone from barely being able to run five minutes without being winded to an 8 mile outdoor run with light hills.  And I've taken four minutes off my PR for my mile.  (I'm actually really really sure I've taken more off but I wasn't calculating data earlier than that one...)  And, I'm officially signed up to run the Cap City Half on May 6.

But, over the past week or so, I've been very frustrated with my (perceived) lack of progress.  The first run I did at Sharon Woods kicked my butt so hard I couldn't finish it and my interval runs have been very very inconsistent.  And I still couldn't tell that I was getting any faster....and I started to doubt myself that I could even run a half in the time I wanted or beat Mike in that 5k.  And somewhere this week, I had an epiphany about all that.

I needed to stop whining about how I couldn't do it and focus on why I could.  I realized that I wasn't going to get faster if I didn't PRACTICE being faster.  I realized that part of the reason for intervals is so that my body builds up to learning how to go that speed.  And the reason for the long runs isn't just to go faster each time...it's to build up my body's tolerance to that distance for a run.  So, this week, I stopped focusing on the races and started focusing where I should have been focusing in the first place -- on being a better runner.  I concentrated on my breathing, focused really hard on keeping the attitude in a positive direction, and was able to go out and kick that trail's butt and complete consistent runs with what I had planned. 

Most of all, I learned that my motivation and drive have to come from within.  To get better, I have to believe that I am already better.  I have to have confidence in myself and know ultimately that nobody else can achieve my goals for me.  To continue to inspire others, I have to continue to inspire myself.

NSV

In the lingo, that's a Non-Scale Victory.  Over the past few months, I've had so many NSVs that I've stopped counting them all.  But, I've had so many in the past week that I just had to write about them!

1.  I'm an Inspiration, Part 2
After crazy birthday fitness weekend, I was a bit sore.  Nursing two very aching quads and a huge blister on my left foot, I decided to take Tuesday as a slow it down and just get the distance in day.  Advice from the coach and the husband: slow slow slow!  Now, that's hard advice for me to follow because slow distance just isn't always fun on the hamster wheel.  As I was nearing my third running lap, one of Alexa's teachers came up behind me.  We've said hi at the gym and talked a little about our working out plans but this was really the first time that she had come up to me and really talked.  As it turns out, she's tired of spinning her wheels at the gym and has decided that she wants to give running a try....because she has seen all of my success.  So, I paid it forward and convinced her that she could run just a lap or two.  I slowed way down and was able to talk her through jogging an entire mile on the hamster wheel.  We spent the time talking about how to start running, why anyone can get started, and the myths of "toning" and "bulking" for women.  It felt amazingly awesome to be able to pay forward the advice and knowledge that I've learned over the past few months.  So, another incredible thanks to my mentors.... :)

2.  Steelers Fan?
No...I'm not a Steelers fan.  But, this Sunday?  I became a fan of Steelers jerseys.  We were given permission to wear NFL jerseys on Sunday because of the Super Bowl.  Being that I haven't really followed the NFL prior to this year, I don't own one of those.  (NY Rangers? yes.  Ohio State hockey?  yes.  NFL?  hahahaha)  Anyway, one of my coworkers had one that I could borrow.  When she brought it in, I looked at it and was a little skeptical cause it looked REALLY small.  But, I brought it home and tried it on anyway.  And, know what?  It fit perfectly.  In fact, I looked super darn cute in it.  Best part of the story?  When I wore it Sunday, she told me it was a boys large.  Wow.....never thought I'd fit into something that small again.  (And for the record in case you were curious....I was cheering the Niners all the way this year!!)

3.  I'm NOT Intimidated by You
Okay...so, maybe I am a little.  A week and a half ago, I was uber lucky to have one of the fitocracy gurus come out and teach me how to do some actual real lifting of weights.  So, aside from learning how to complete the lifts without injury, one of my goals for this week was to enter that "bodybuilder" section of the gym that is full of the heavy lifters without feeling intimidated.  Know what I learned this morning?  It's all about the attitude.  I entered by myself and decided I didn't care what the other people at the gym thought.  I did my lifting workout, was able to squat a barbell for the first time (WOO HOO!), and felt entirely comfortable.  But asking for a spotter on the bench presses....I'm building up to that.

A Happy Healthy New Me

I'm unusual for my age.  I turn 35 today and I find that I look forward to my birthday even more as an adult than I did as a kid.  Maybe it's because Christmas centers around my kids now, but I love my birthday.  In fact, as far as I'm concerned, I don't have one day to celebrate my birthday...I celebrate the whole weekend.  And this weekend turned into one of the best birthday weekends ever.

I kicked off "birthday weekend" with my free venti skinny 4 splenda extra shot of espresso hazelnut latte and, after work, headed to the gym for short intervals.  HA!  I have no idea why I bother planning these things sometimes.  My knee was still bothering me from the sub 11:00 mile (PR!) and 8 mile (PR!) runs earlier in the week and I accidentally packed the "pants on the ground" pants which are definitely NOT appropriate for intervals.  I made the best of it, went out WAY too fast on the first interval, but proceeded to modify my intervals for every other lap instead of 2 lap intervals.  I set a lap PR (that's 4 this week if you are counting!) and had a blast speeding around the track.  Imagine if I hadn't had to slow a little to pull my pants up at every turn.....I got home from the gym and got to open an awesome birthday present from one of my very good friends.  It was an OSU Mr. Potato Head.  Really?!?  How many people can say that they got a Mr. Potato Head for their 35th birthday??  :)  I was jazzed....

Saturday dawned with coffee and an outside run in the snow with the husband!!  Came home and immediately went out shopping for my BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!  What made me so excited about these shoes?  Well....they have toe pockets!!!  Yes, I am the proud new owner of Vibram Five Fingers.  The guy at the store was awesome and the second pair that I was planning on getting in the spring were 40% off so I ended up going home with two pair!!  See...birthday magic!  Saturday night, we went to the Big Bang Bar for drinks and all around great fun.  I was pleasantly surprised that the walk from the parking lot to the bar was easy peasy and could definitely tell that my running has had an impact on what I do in my daily life.

Sunday was one of the best days EVER.  One of the admins from fitocracy (seriously more addicting than FB) was coming to Columbus for his lifting tour.  So, Mike and I joined him and three other fitocrats for a day of lifting at OSU's RPAC.  I even got to lift in my new Vibrams!!!  We had a great time meeting new people and I got to learn how to squat, deadlift, row, press, and bench all in one day.  (Note: I'm very sore....)  We were definitely the newbies in the group but had a ball.  I'm definitely going to be working some lifting into my weekly routine to get me stronger.

Monday followed with my actual birthday.  What's on the fitness menu today?  HIKING!  Luckily, the weather held for us with no rain and no snow and 40 degree weather so Mike and I headed to Battelle Darby Metro Park for a nice moderate 5 mile hike.  Know what we found when we got there?  MUD!  In my new Vibram Treks (the trail shoe), I gleefully traisped through mud puddles, ice puddles, slippery mud, and off trail.  I had an enormous blast!  We are finishing the day with dinner at my favorite restaurant.

More than anything in my wonderful birthday weekend was that each and every day, the highlight was focused around something active.  I don't think I've ever had a birthday that was as much fun and filled with exercise as I did this year.  If this is what 35 looks like...I happily embrace it!!!  :)

"That's not going to happen..."

April 28, 2012. 

What's that date, you ask?  The next half marathon that I've signed up for?  Nope...that's May 5.  The anniversary of when I started running?  Nope...that's not until October.  So, what's the date?

That is the date of The Charles School 5k.  My husband used to teach at this school and still teaches within their family of schools.  About a month ago, I jokingly mentioned that I was going to beat him in a 5k.  (In my head, I wasn't really joking but that's how I said it....)  New Year's Eve, I wrote down as a goal for 2012 that I was going to beat him in a 5k.  I mentioned it again last night and he said to me, "that's not going to happen..."  Interestingly, he didn't say it in a challenging way...just sort of matter of fact.  And, as we all know, I can't resist that type of challenge. 

So, that date up there??  That's the date that I am going to beat Mike in his own 5k.  Will simultaneously training for a 5k and a half marathon be difficult?  Probably....but I'm definitely up for the challenge!!

BRING IT ON!!!!

Level UP!

Did you just see a little green mushroom go by?  Me too....

A couple of months ago, I read an article about a new website created by some self-proclaimed geek gamers.  Evidently, the gamers had both had switched their obsessions from online gaming to bodybuilding.  They realized that trying to improve by leveling and continuing to best yourself worked as well with exercise as it did with online gaming.  It seemed really cool and I tried to join.  Unfortunately, I had to sign up for an invite since the site is still in beta testing.

Well, two days ago, I got to totally GEEK out at work because I FINALLY got my invite!!!  I waited about thirty seconds before signing on to the computer (yes...at work) to join.  While the site doesn't work well at work (it's not super compatible with IE), I was able to play a little with it.  I waited until I got home and checked it out in it's full glory on my netbook.  And, what I found?  A super amazing website that mixes exercise, gaming, and a social FB like atmosphere.

The site features challenges, ways to "level up", achievement badges, quests, and groups to join to meet others.  I immediately joined the running and long distance running groups.  I was amazed at how friendly everyone was.  I am following and am being followed by a few different people.  One of my awesome friends who is training for an Olympic distance tri in April with Team in Training joined too!  She promptly challenged me to a point total race for next week!  2000 points in one week!!!  :)  I'm so going to kick your butt, Tracy!

My favorite part of the site is the social aspect...there is a FB like wall where you can post to your groups and get a newsfeed from them as well.  You can see others' workouts and provide moral support to others.  It's pretty darn cool.

I am currently Level 5.  Only 663 points to LEVEL UP!!  :)  Wanna join?  Email me....you still need an invite!

Things Bree Hates about Running that Will Make Her a Better Runner

This blog post is dedicated to Josh, who threatened me with it if I didn't stop whining.  :)

1.  Running Outside
I like my hamster wheel.  I like the regularity of the track.  I like that I can run at sunrise, sunset, after dark, in the rain, in the snow, in the heat...and it all feels about the same.  Just the scenery changes (kind of).  I like that there is eye candy.  I like that I can tell myself that I am doing more laps than I can count.  I like playing math games with my lap times.  Heck, I like that I can pace myself with those lap times.  Outside I lose all of those things...but, I gain a harder workout, crunchy leaves, and a change of scenery every few minutes.  I get to think about Pop-Up talking to squirrels (since I don't do those things) and wave at people.  I get to have dogs bark at me and cars roar past.  I get to wonder why my town doesn't feel the need for sidewalks.  So...do I prefer my hamster wheel?  Yes.  Will I get to be a better racer by going outside and dealing with the elements?  Absolutely.  I'm not whining about this one (much) anymore...

2.  Pacing my Laps
For the first month or so of running on the hamster wheel, I had my heart rate monitor set to display total time instead of lap time while I ran.  Every time I would hit the lap time button, it would stop briefly to display the total time at the end of the lap before the total time came back to the display.  Since I was having difficulty with pacing my laps consistently, suggestions were made that I should view the lap time so that I could monitor at the half lap spot to see where I was at with my pacing.  I resisted this suggestion for awhile, but gave it a shot one day and haven't moved back since.  Has it made me a more consistent runner?  Yes.  Does it make it difficult for me to know my total time yes?  Has it made me a faster runner already?  Absolutely.  I'm not whining about this one (at all) anymore either....

3.  Jogging my Recovery Laps during Intervals
This is the one that inspired this blog post.  I have been walking the recovery laps during my interval sessions whether they are short, medium, or long.  It is easier to walk these laps because typically by the time I'm done running the interval distance, I'm tired and out of breath.  This week, for the first time, I aimed to jog the interval laps.  Was it fun?  No.  Was I more tired and out of breath?  Yes.  Did I whine about it when I got home?  Yes.  And threats were made by my friend Josh that inspired this blog post.  (*grin*)  Will doing this make me a better runner?  That's what I'm told...the jury is still out on this one.  (But, probably, I shouldn't be whining about this one anymore either......)