end of week 5

Well, this post is titled "Before I ran 9 miles and After I ran 9 miles (aka I can't believe I freakin ran 9 miles)"

School started and I can definitely see why running was so challenging for me last year. Life was great when I had no schedule. I lazed around all day (read, slept, ate) and then it felt great to get outside and run.

I was scheduled to run light on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday leading up to the dreaded long run today (Saturday).

After meetings all day on Monday, the last thing I wanted to do was run. But I did and it was tortuous. 45 minutes. Arrhhhh! My body hurt the entire time.

Tuesday brought a first.....I skipped a run. I was just so tired (again, meetings sucked my energy) and I knew that it was going to another bad one.

I decided to run on Wednesday. The run was actually better than the previous one. But again, I was exhausted the entire time. My pace was so slow....I was even passed by a woman running on the other side of the street....quite depressing.

Then with the first day with the kiddies, a long day of get to know you games and classes there was NO WAY I was going to run. I think I even went to bed at 7 pm. I thought it wise to rest up for the big run today.

Needless to say I was very nervous for the long run. Last week I ran for 60 minutes. How in the world was I going to do that and then continue for another 30 minutes? Especially after these two bad runs.....I kept thinking, "This is it. I can't possibly run a marathon. What was I thinking?"

So I tried to visualize myself having a wonderful run. I read some of John "The Penguin" Bingham's book, the Courage to Start. He is called the Penguin because he runs, but is maybe at the back of the pack, waddling. He writes of enjoying running when real young, but because he was so bad at it, stopped. Sounds very familiar.

I mapped out my route. I decided to run my usual route (4 or so miles), then I would get to the hill at Diamond Head. If I continued into Waikiki, then I could get 5 miles on nice flat ground.
Friday night I set out my running clothes and set my alarm for dawn.

And so, I set out, as the sun was coming up. I thought about how nice it would feel when I finished. I could read and hydrate the rest of the day.

As usual the first 2 miles (20 min) were painful. The sidewalk was steamy as I clopped along. My pace felt uneven. My calves burned. But after that, life was good (well, maybe not good, but I didn't stop).

I saw three fellow teachers on my way into Waikiki. It felt great to be outside and there were many people running. I actually got stuck behind one of the marathon training groups. I hope their pace was slow because I zipped right by them. With 20 minutes to go, I knew I could make it. With 10 minutes, my feet did begin to tire. But I was hard core determined to get back to the Diamond Head side of Waikiki and make 9 miles. Wahoo! I can't believe that I did it!

But I learned two things
1) I should carry money with me - because at the end of the long run in Waikiki I wanted a Gatorade, or coffee, or frozen yogurt, or that cute T shirt in the store. I passed a craft fair and the farmers market.
2) It may be a good idea to map my route better. After 9 miles, I still had to walk 3 miles home....that took an hour.

in the end, a very good day
keep on running :-)

end of week 4

Today's run should be titled "Where is the bathroom?"

Even though I went before starting, most of the run was thinking about finding the nearest bathroom. I feel so hard core....I kept on running. (Last run, I ran the last mile with something in my eye - there was tearing and I ran with one eye closed). Mind totally off the pain of running.

Today was another good run.....weird, right?

I wanted to wake up early and run at 6 am, but insomnia kicked in and I didn't really get sleep. So I decided that I should sleep (and nap later) and go for my usual 4 pm run.

At 4 pm, the sun was still pretty strong, but I charged up the hill. Detouring to go by the park (and seeking bathroom) AGAIN, football dads. Jeez, no matter what time I run, they are always there. At least today, I was wearing their colors (red and black) and got some waves. Game was in the final stretch. It really is amazing that the first 20 minutes are painful, but after that, I get into a groove. The wide roads of Kahala are great, I can shuffle along in the streets. Today for 60 min

Looking forward to next week.....will be interesting since school starts.

week 4

So I am kind of liking this running thing :-)

OMG! Not while running or anything - I still hate the actual running. I really have to motivate myself to even get out there. But you know that after feeling when you are finished.....even better in the hot shower.....

This week I ran Monday (50 min - an okay run, I didn't really push myself and at times I felt tired, calves burned) and Tuesday (50 min - one of those wonderful runs. I don't have too many, but I accelerated up the steep hill. At the light, I really didn't feel like stopping. I kept going, even to Kahala Ave with its muddy grass and obstacles)

Wednesday rest day!

Today's run was also a good one. I mixed up the route. Instead of turning into the flat before the hill (where I usually get my mind ready to tackle a steep incline), I kept running. Not much fun, because the road curves, so it looks like the end is near, but it actually keeps going. But then there is the sweet descent. I didn't even feel tired when I waited for the light. 2.25 miles in. I can't even believe that once this distance was a challenge. I walk across the light until the next block (and light) because if I run that short distance I feel stupid. Here I turned and started on my second journey. Not even halfway done. Instead of going around the park, I decided to take a tour of Kahala. The roads are freshly paved and few cars, means I can run in the streets. With about 20 minutes to go, I cross paths with another runner. Her route took her about 30 seconds ahead of me. Today I had all sorts of energy, I ended up passing her. Wahoo! In the end 57 min of running, 5.5 miles.

I have even lost a pound! Ha! (I am not really worried about weight - but I do find it hilarious that I have run so much (about 18 miles this week) and my weight doesn't really change.)

Tomorrow is another rest day before the final long run. It is only 60 minutes so I know that I can accomplish it. The question, do I keep the same route or do I mix it up?

end of week 3

I will alter my favorite quote from the movie Little Giants.

"Just remember, football (or running!!!) is 80% mental and 40% physical"

That is so true. Finally, a good run follows a bad one. The task this morning: get up BEFORE 6 am and set out on a 60 min run. After the disaster run, I was questioning everything. Could I make it up the steep hill? Would I be able to make it around Fort Ruger Park? For me, running is mostly mental, after 20 minutes, I can usually keep going - but that first 20 minutes, it is brutal. I am sucking some serious wind and everything hurts.

Hooray! I made it and home by 7:30. It was so weird the rest of the day knowing that my run was behind me. Ha! Maybe I even get up early tomorrow for my Sunday run.

....and big observation! There are so many freakin people out early on a Saturday!!! I normally run around 4 pm. I may see one or two runners on the bigger streets and then there are the Football Dads watching their sons in the park. (There is usually one dad standing in the middle of the sidewalk who doesn't see me until the rest of group starts yelling and then they all step out of the way.) But mostly running has been solitary. Me, myself, and I with my "I hate running" thoughts.

But today, there were TONS of people, running and walking. AT FREAKIN 6 am! I saw a nice old couple walking up the steep hill and when I passed by the park, parents were dropping off kids. Eek! A soccer game at 6:30 am. When I looped around, guess who was standing in my way.....Football Dads! I think they were as surprised to see me as I was them. I got some excited "Howzits". But it was too early. There was a makeshift dogpark in Hunakai park and then a road race on Diamond Hill Rd. Darn, I could have joined in. It seemed like everybody and their mother was out and about.

Well, I guess I see them all next week.

Keep on running :-)

Week 3

Arrrgh!!!!! After a really good run, there must be a bad one. A really sucky one. A truly awful one. (Is my point clear?) So week 3 began with two 40 min runs on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a 45 min run today (Thursday).

Tuesday's run was wonderful. I realized that my shoe choice might have something to do with it. I alternate (to save money) between Addias trail shoes and Nike Zooms. I love Addias because that is what I ran the marathon with. I also get them cheap ($35) from the outlet. But when I run with the Nike's, I feel so light and airy. The second 40 min run (while not easy) was better. So much so, that I ordered my marathon shoes, a pair of Nike Free's. They supposedly mimic running barefoot. I am not so sure, how they will be. I don't run barefoot, but all the reviews are extremely positive. Nike.com confirmed, they have shipped!

But today. Double Arrrgh! The real problem was that I did not eat lunch. By the time I finished organizing my classroom and getting supplies from Walmart. It was too late to eat, if I was going to run at 4 pm. Mistake! (although if I ate, then the run would be unbearable because I would be nauseous). I ran 42 mintutes and then walked home (took me 20 minutes). Tomorrow I promise I will hydrate. I will eat carbs + protein at lunch and I will retry the 45 minute route.

I will leave you with a message on a running shirt.
" I run light a girl. Try to keep up."

Week 2

I'm back from Boston, after a successful baby shower. I even managed to sneak in three runs in Boston (one long, two short) between all that cleaning, balloon picking up, and having fun with family.

I must emphasize how nice it was to run with my marathon partner, Karli. It really does take your mind off of how awful running is. We had nice chats about family, work, TV shows.....I am glad that Karli and I run at a similar pace (although I suspect that she will get faster as time goes by and I will get slower). As Dawn Dais writes running partners "will provide you with more support than a sports bra ever could"

I really should title this blog, "How much I hate running". Today's run was blah. I started with such a nice slow jog (I matched my pace to my music - Tattoo by Jordin Sparks)....but I must have sprinted up the hill and tired myself out. By the time I hit the halfway point, I was real, REAL slow. I had to walk a bit, after the light. But then instead of continuing up Kilauea Ave (I missed the light)....I zagged to the left and went by two parks. There was a little boy who was learning how to ride a bike - with training wheels. I felt like cheering along with Mom and Dad. Then I saw one of my rascal students (ugh!). By this time, I was warmed up and hobbled down Hunakai St. to the very end. 47 min and 4.3 miles. Tomorrow's 50 minute run should be real interesting. I will TRY to get it out of the way in the morning and run around Diamond Head (it is part of the marathon!!!)

Other random thoughts.....I finally spoke to my neighbor today (after 4 years???). She was getting out of a car as I was walking to the mailbox. I think we both had the same thought - I could see it in her face - "oh no! we are going to have to talk to each other". But we had a pleasant conversation about working out. I have no idea what her name is....and we probably won't speak again for another 4 years. She says she doesn't run (and would rather lift) because she tries to GAIN weight! (I must mention she is a twig).

Which leads me to my last point. I take comfort in Dawn Dais's book, because she did all that running and did not lose a single pound. I am seeing a similar thing. My metabolism must be at a crawl. At the beginning of the summer I walked 8 miles every day (burned about 800 calories - not that I count calories - every day), and I am still at the same weight. Amazing!