Alright, I didn't really kill it since I had to walk for a minute to recover. But I'm pretty damn proud of how I did.
I was supposed to do 14 miles yesterday. But I didn't. I didn't do any miles yesterday. I didn't do any kind of exercise yesterday. Ah, well.
So I had fresh legs today! I hit the gym treadmills this morning intent on doing hill intervals. It had been a while since I last did them. I hopped on a treadmill, but then got a feeling that my friend Steph was around. Lo and behold, after looking around for a second I saw her a few treadmills down and so I moved to the one next to her.
She was running easily at 6.5 (9:14/mile) (murder for me!), then moved it up to 7.0 (8:34/mile). I felt like a sloth as I set mine to 5.7 (10:31/mile). Oh, well. We chatted for a bit before she went off to her Zumba class.
I used to do my hill intervals at 5.7 as I remember reading that you were supposed to do them at your "race pace." Hm, well, 5.7 was my easy pace now, so after a 10 minute warm-up I set the incline to 1.0 and upped the speed to 6.0 (10:00/mile). I figured if it was too much, I could always back it down. It felt pretty easy! I did that for 5 minutes then upped the incline to 5.0. Now that was a challenge for the 2 minutes I was supposed to do it. But I did it! And then I had to walk for a minute to recover. Then back to 5.7 to recover for the next 2 minutes. And repeat that interval 2 more times.
Hooray me! I did it! The total run was about 4 miles in just under 42 minutes.
Now I'm trying to psych myself up to do P90X's Shoulders and Arms. Sigh.
11:00 PM
P90X Shoulders and Arms done!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Woke up with an itch
This morning was the first morning in a long time that I've woken up with the urge to go for a run. I knew it was cold as hell outside (30's) and bed was warm and cozy with my husband, but as soon as I opened my eyes I felt the desire to get out there and pound some pavement.
I didn't eat anything prior. I did a quick three miles in my hilly neighborhood. I felt pretty good throughout most of the run. Again, after seeing my pace during the first mile decided not to check it again. 3.28 miles in 34:25. Average pace was 10:29. I felt pretty happy seeing that, especially since the route was super hilly. Then I looked for my best time for that route. 07/28/10, 3.21 miles in 32:35, average pace of 10:08. Boo. I'm still pretty pleased with today's time seeing as how I haven't been putting in any kind of training runs or, well, not much running really. Splits/pace for today and 07/28/10 are as follows (because you know me, I like to compare):
Mile 1: 9:44 9:24 (-0:20)
Mile 2: 11:11 10:59 (-0:12)
Mile 3: 10:59 10:16 (-0:43)
.28-.21 8:58 8:17 (-0:41)
I might do a 5K with some friends in April. The course is really hilly. I checked the results from last year, and the top runners' paces were from 8 minute miles to 11 minute miles, so you know it's got to be a pretty tough course.
I didn't eat anything prior. I did a quick three miles in my hilly neighborhood. I felt pretty good throughout most of the run. Again, after seeing my pace during the first mile decided not to check it again. 3.28 miles in 34:25. Average pace was 10:29. I felt pretty happy seeing that, especially since the route was super hilly. Then I looked for my best time for that route. 07/28/10, 3.21 miles in 32:35, average pace of 10:08. Boo. I'm still pretty pleased with today's time seeing as how I haven't been putting in any kind of training runs or, well, not much running really. Splits/pace for today and 07/28/10 are as follows (because you know me, I like to compare):
Mile 1: 9:44 9:24 (-0:20)
Mile 2: 11:11 10:59 (-0:12)
Mile 3: 10:59 10:16 (-0:43)
.28-.21 8:58 8:17 (-0:41)
I might do a 5K with some friends in April. The course is really hilly. I checked the results from last year, and the top runners' paces were from 8 minute miles to 11 minute miles, so you know it's got to be a pretty tough course.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Oh, man, did I screw up?
I just got off the phone with my boss. He asked me how my part-time hours were working out for me and if he offered me to go back to full-time would I take it? Well, I told him the part-time hours were actually working out pretty great for me, but I'd like to think about it.
Did I screw up? Should I have just jumped at the chance to go back to full-time? But I don't want to go back to full-time! I love being able to take my daughter to school in the morning without having to rush to get to work after. I love working with my son with his home-schooling in the morning. I love leaving work at 4 to go to the gym afterwards. Yeah, never mind that we're poor as hell. These hours work out great!
In other news, I am sick. I have a horrible cold again. Yesterday I left work early (Well, earlier than normal. I left at 2.) because I was miserable. Later in the afternoon I got chills and started shaking. My body was sore, but I didn't know if it was from working out earlier that day (I actually went to the gym that morning and did weights. I haven't gone to the gym to strength-train in a long time.) or because I had the flu.
I'm still sore today. I'm pretty sure it was from doing tricep dips at the gym yesterday. Those always leave me sore. I even had problems lifting my arms while I was changing this morning. It just shows me I did an awesome job working on my triceps. Hehe.
I was planning on doing 5 miles at the gym after work, but I didn't even bother bringing my gym bag with me today. I figure my body needs a rest right now.
Did I screw up? Should I have just jumped at the chance to go back to full-time? But I don't want to go back to full-time! I love being able to take my daughter to school in the morning without having to rush to get to work after. I love working with my son with his home-schooling in the morning. I love leaving work at 4 to go to the gym afterwards. Yeah, never mind that we're poor as hell. These hours work out great!
In other news, I am sick. I have a horrible cold again. Yesterday I left work early (Well, earlier than normal. I left at 2.) because I was miserable. Later in the afternoon I got chills and started shaking. My body was sore, but I didn't know if it was from working out earlier that day (I actually went to the gym that morning and did weights. I haven't gone to the gym to strength-train in a long time.) or because I had the flu.
I'm still sore today. I'm pretty sure it was from doing tricep dips at the gym yesterday. Those always leave me sore. I even had problems lifting my arms while I was changing this morning. It just shows me I did an awesome job working on my triceps. Hehe.
I was planning on doing 5 miles at the gym after work, but I didn't even bother bringing my gym bag with me today. I figure my body needs a rest right now.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bay Breeze Pics
I wanted to start off this post by saying that Brazen Racing, the company that put on this race seriously does the most awesome races. They are fun and well-organized. Their volunteers are great and friendly. I swear, every single volunteer at the aid stations yesterday had on smiles, and this was in the freakin cold and rain! They've got a ton of grub at the end of every race - fruit, bagels, pastries, nutella, etc. Believe me, I know. 4 of my 5 races were Brazen Racing races. Yesterday I walked back to my car munching on my customary It's It ice cream bar. Their races are also great if you're a beginner intimated by races with huge turnouts. Brazen Racing races usually just have a few hundred runners instead of thousands. Oh, and another positive - their pictures are free! How kick-ass is that! If you live in the Bay Area, I seriously recommend their races.
Now, on to the pics (all courtesy of Brazen Racing and their great volunteer photogs).
About a mile or two into the race I saw a guy decked out in all black leaning on a bench. I thought he was a homeless guy just hanging out. I also thought how that would have been a great place for a photographer to be. Of course when my blind ass passed him, that's when I realized that it was a photographer.
Now, on to the pics (all courtesy of Brazen Racing and their great volunteer photogs).
About a mile or two into the race I saw a guy decked out in all black leaning on a bench. I thought he was a homeless guy just hanging out. I also thought how that would have been a great place for a photographer to be. Of course when my blind ass passed him, that's when I realized that it was a photographer.
At Mile 3, I spotted another photographer at the end of the bridge and got excited, so I did what any other excited dork would do - I waved.
Getting ready to wave. I think I look fast in this one because of my hand! Of course no one else needs to know that I had it up because I was getting ready to wave.
Air born and waving (read dork).
And just air born.
If you read my recap, you might recall a certain senior citizen passing me as I stopped at the 10 mile aid station. Here I am, all bad-ass chasing down a 62 year old.
Yeah, you keep waving, Grandma. That you should slow you down!
Wait, a camera? Better smile and pose! (Huge thanks to chicrunner and her awesome post on how to take great race pictures. To sum up - smile and over-exaggerate your stride so it doesn't look like "you are either in pain, constipated, or dying" and so you don't look like a "glorified power-walker." For great examples of this, see the first two pictures I posted when I didn't know the camera was on me.)
Finishing up Mile 13. I didn't see the photographer until it was too late, so I am rewarded with yet another power-walking picture.
At the finish. And you bet I knew there was a photographer some where here, so I cheesed big and ran!
And you can see Grandma right behind me. But I held on. I beat her! Hehe. Martin looked closely at this picture and said that she didn't even look very fast.
All joking aside, how inspiring is she! Really! I think it's pretty freakin amazing! But not just her, look at the following three runner's results behind me:
All three in their 60's! How awesome is that! Look at their pace! Practically identical to mine! They ran 13.1 freakin miles! It's inspiring, I tell ya. I hope I'm still running when I'm that old.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Bay Breeze Half Marathon - Race Report
The race was super cold (30's) and rainy and surprisingly not too bad.
Goal B accomplished! Hooray! Hehe.
Yesterday, Martin came with me to pick up my bib. How freakin cute is the bib and race shirt!
The half started at 8 am this morning and I got there around 7:15, which I thought would be early enough to nab a close parking spot. No go. I still got a spot just on the other side of the park, about a 5 minute walk away. I threw all kinds of stuff in my car (i.e. Warm headband, regular cap, waterproof cap, water-resistant jacket, etc.) the night before because I had no idea if it was going to rain or not. This is what it looked like outside my car window when I got there.
Waterproof cap and jacket it is then!
About 15 minutes before the race I started walking over to the start line. I had to walk on some grass as I got closer and I stepped into a puddle. Cold soaked left shoe and sock. Nice.
I felt pretty good to start. But then I glanced at my watch after 2 miles and saw it read 22 minutes already. Yeah, I knew right then I wasn't going to beat my old time, so I figured I would just enjoy the rest of the race and made myself not look at my pace anymore.
I saw a girl in a gold vest in front of me stop repeatedly to take pictures of the scenery with her phone. I knew I wasn't going to PR, so I offered to take one of her. She thanked me, but said it was okay.
The race was an out and back course and when I got to 4.5 miles, I saw the lead runner on his way back. I gave him an awestruck look and said out loud, "Wow!" He returned my smile and kept running. I started looking at the rest of the runners on their way back, and most of them looked prettymiserable focused.
At about 5.5 miles Gold Vest passed me. I felt pretty slow. Didn't I leave her behind taking pictures? Ah, well.
When I got to the aid station at the halfway/turnaround point, I grabbed a GU. I tried tearing the top off but my fingers were numb! So I took off my gloves figuring maybe I needed more grip. Nope. I felt like a little kid as I was this close to asking one of the volunteers if they could open it for me. I managed to tear a little bit off the top and tried sucking it out through that tiny opening. That was hell. And then I had to turn my glove back from being inside out.
Between Miles 7 and 9 I kept getting annoyed by this little chick wearing what looked like a blue garbage bag. The bag kept flying around and hitting her in the face. It wasn't raining that hard anymore, and I wanted to suggest that perhaps it would be easier if she just took it off. That plus the fact that she would creep up on me and start running my same pace or slower right in front of me repeatedly bothered me. Thank God after Mile 9 I passed her for good and didn't see her anymore.
At the aid station at Mile 10, I stopped to take some water and a Clif Bloks shot I had on me. It was at this point I saw an older lady run by. I paced her for a little bit, and I know this will sound super vain, but I had to pass her as I couldn't have a picture of me finishing behind a 60 year old.
I was still feeling pretty good, and then I saw a volunteer picking up one of the mile markers from the 5K race. He cheered me on and said, "Mile 12!" And at those words my legs felt like they turned to lead. All of a sudden running became hard. But I soldiered through and mustered enough energy to go a little bit faster at the end to run through the finish. It's all about looks, right? Hehe. The clock read 2:29:18. Well, at least I finished in under 2:30, for now. The results can change in the next couple of days.
Here are my splits, and for comparison, my splits from 08/21/10:
Mile 1: 10:54 10:37
Mile 2: 11:01 10:29
Mile 3: 10:58 10:33
Mile 4: 11:42 10:25
Mile 5: 11:30 10:06
Mile 6: 11:39 10:27
Mile 7: 11:38 10:11
Mile 8: 11:01 10:27
Mile 9: 11:06 10:41
Mile 10: 11:27 11:02
Mile 11: 11:31 11:01
Mile 12: 11:11 11:25
Mile 13: 11:33 11:07
Last .10: 1:04 1:17
02/19/11
Total time: 2:29:18
Avg pace: 11:24
Age group: 18/27
Overall: 291/354
08/21/10
Total time: 2:20:00
Avg pace: 10:40
Age group: 6/13
Overall: 120/165
I figure my time today isn't that bad considering all the training runs I've either missed or half-assed. Plus, I was doing Insanity in conjunction with the half "training." I'm also quite pleased that my splits were pretty consistent throughout the whole run, even without me looking at my watch.
Oh, and the big win? I beat Garbage Bag Girl.
Goal B accomplished! Hooray! Hehe.
Yesterday, Martin came with me to pick up my bib. How freakin cute is the bib and race shirt!
The half started at 8 am this morning and I got there around 7:15, which I thought would be early enough to nab a close parking spot. No go. I still got a spot just on the other side of the park, about a 5 minute walk away. I threw all kinds of stuff in my car (i.e. Warm headband, regular cap, waterproof cap, water-resistant jacket, etc.) the night before because I had no idea if it was going to rain or not. This is what it looked like outside my car window when I got there.
Waterproof cap and jacket it is then!
About 15 minutes before the race I started walking over to the start line. I had to walk on some grass as I got closer and I stepped into a puddle. Cold soaked left shoe and sock. Nice.
I felt pretty good to start. But then I glanced at my watch after 2 miles and saw it read 22 minutes already. Yeah, I knew right then I wasn't going to beat my old time, so I figured I would just enjoy the rest of the race and made myself not look at my pace anymore.
I saw a girl in a gold vest in front of me stop repeatedly to take pictures of the scenery with her phone. I knew I wasn't going to PR, so I offered to take one of her. She thanked me, but said it was okay.
The race was an out and back course and when I got to 4.5 miles, I saw the lead runner on his way back. I gave him an awestruck look and said out loud, "Wow!" He returned my smile and kept running. I started looking at the rest of the runners on their way back, and most of them looked pretty
At about 5.5 miles Gold Vest passed me. I felt pretty slow. Didn't I leave her behind taking pictures? Ah, well.
When I got to the aid station at the halfway/turnaround point, I grabbed a GU. I tried tearing the top off but my fingers were numb! So I took off my gloves figuring maybe I needed more grip. Nope. I felt like a little kid as I was this close to asking one of the volunteers if they could open it for me. I managed to tear a little bit off the top and tried sucking it out through that tiny opening. That was hell. And then I had to turn my glove back from being inside out.
Between Miles 7 and 9 I kept getting annoyed by this little chick wearing what looked like a blue garbage bag. The bag kept flying around and hitting her in the face. It wasn't raining that hard anymore, and I wanted to suggest that perhaps it would be easier if she just took it off. That plus the fact that she would creep up on me and start running my same pace or slower right in front of me repeatedly bothered me. Thank God after Mile 9 I passed her for good and didn't see her anymore.
At the aid station at Mile 10, I stopped to take some water and a Clif Bloks shot I had on me. It was at this point I saw an older lady run by. I paced her for a little bit, and I know this will sound super vain, but I had to pass her as I couldn't have a picture of me finishing behind a 60 year old.
I was still feeling pretty good, and then I saw a volunteer picking up one of the mile markers from the 5K race. He cheered me on and said, "Mile 12!" And at those words my legs felt like they turned to lead. All of a sudden running became hard. But I soldiered through and mustered enough energy to go a little bit faster at the end to run through the finish. It's all about looks, right? Hehe. The clock read 2:29:18. Well, at least I finished in under 2:30, for now. The results can change in the next couple of days.
Here are my splits, and for comparison, my splits from 08/21/10:
Mile 1: 10:54 10:37
Mile 2: 11:01 10:29
Mile 3: 10:58 10:33
Mile 4: 11:42 10:25
Mile 5: 11:30 10:06
Mile 6: 11:39 10:27
Mile 7: 11:38 10:11
Mile 8: 11:01 10:27
Mile 9: 11:06 10:41
Mile 10: 11:27 11:02
Mile 11: 11:31 11:01
Mile 12: 11:11 11:25
Mile 13: 11:33 11:07
Last .10: 1:04 1:17
02/19/11
Total time: 2:29:18
Avg pace: 11:24
Age group: 18/27
Overall: 291/354
08/21/10
Total time: 2:20:00
Avg pace: 10:40
Age group: 6/13
Overall: 120/165
I figure my time today isn't that bad considering all the training runs I've either missed or half-assed. Plus, I was doing Insanity in conjunction with the half "training." I'm also quite pleased that my splits were pretty consistent throughout the whole run, even without me looking at my watch.
Oh, and the big win? I beat Garbage Bag Girl.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Goal Bs suck
Man, this Saturday, the day of my half, is coming up quick. I'm feeling a wee bit sick mostly because I didn't really stick to a lot of my training runs.
My goal was to beat my previous half time, 2:20. 2:15 was what I had in mind.
However, I'm not as fit as I was last time as evidenced by my previous long run times and paces. They say you should have have a Goal B and possibly a Goal C in place. I say this sucks.
I already feel like a loser. (Man, am I already condemning myself before the race even starts?) How much more of a loser would I feel like if my Goal B is to get in under 2:30, and Goal C is to just freakin finish? (This reminds me of a bit I heard from a comedian (I can't for the life of me remember who though). He said that winning the silver medal in the Olympic sucks. If you win gold, hey, that's the top, that's the goal, you're the winner. If you get the bronze, at least you got something. But silver? WTF is that? I "almost" won. Yeah, sounds like my Goal B.)
I had an easy 3 miles planned for yesterday. I did the first mile at my usual 5.7 (10:31/mile) pace. Easy. Then a guy got on the treadmill next to me and started running at 8.0 (7:30/mile). Well, I can't just lope along at 5.7 next to that. So after 1 mile, I upped it to 6.1 (9:51/mile). He fnished his 1 mile 2 minutes faster than I finished my 1 mile, and then got off. After 1.5 miles, I felt tired and just started walking. Yeah, after only 1.5 miles. Sigh. And then it hit me. I was probably tired because I hadn't had a rest day in almost 2 weeks! Yay! There's possibly a reason for me having recent crappy runs. That made me happy, and so I finished the rest of the run doing speed intervals.
Today and tomorrow are rest days! Hooray! Although I have been stuffing myself silly with tons of chocolate from Valentine's Day and boxes and boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Gotta carb-load, right?
My goal was to beat my previous half time, 2:20. 2:15 was what I had in mind.
However, I'm not as fit as I was last time as evidenced by my previous long run times and paces. They say you should have have a Goal B and possibly a Goal C in place. I say this sucks.
I already feel like a loser. (Man, am I already condemning myself before the race even starts?) How much more of a loser would I feel like if my Goal B is to get in under 2:30, and Goal C is to just freakin finish? (This reminds me of a bit I heard from a comedian (I can't for the life of me remember who though). He said that winning the silver medal in the Olympic sucks. If you win gold, hey, that's the top, that's the goal, you're the winner. If you get the bronze, at least you got something. But silver? WTF is that? I "almost" won. Yeah, sounds like my Goal B.)
I had an easy 3 miles planned for yesterday. I did the first mile at my usual 5.7 (10:31/mile) pace. Easy. Then a guy got on the treadmill next to me and started running at 8.0 (7:30/mile). Well, I can't just lope along at 5.7 next to that. So after 1 mile, I upped it to 6.1 (9:51/mile). He fnished his 1 mile 2 minutes faster than I finished my 1 mile, and then got off. After 1.5 miles, I felt tired and just started walking. Yeah, after only 1.5 miles. Sigh. And then it hit me. I was probably tired because I hadn't had a rest day in almost 2 weeks! Yay! There's possibly a reason for me having recent crappy runs. That made me happy, and so I finished the rest of the run doing speed intervals.
Today and tomorrow are rest days! Hooray! Although I have been stuffing myself silly with tons of chocolate from Valentine's Day and boxes and boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Gotta carb-load, right?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Seriously lacking discipline
What's wrong with me? During training for my last half I stuck to my all my training runs and thensome. I remember waking up at 3 in the morning sometimes and running in the freakin dark.
Today called for an easy 6 miles at a nice slow speed. I hit the gym, set the treadmill to 5.7 (10:31/mile) and intended on going that nice easy pace for the full 6 miles. After 3.25 miles, I just didn't feel like doing anymore and started walking. I wasn't tired. I wasn't out of breath. I just didn't want to do anymore. Then I felt guilty and started doing intervals (7.5 (8:00/mile) and 4.0 (walking)) for the next mile, and then just quit altogether.
I just can't get my mind right.
Today called for an easy 6 miles at a nice slow speed. I hit the gym, set the treadmill to 5.7 (10:31/mile) and intended on going that nice easy pace for the full 6 miles. After 3.25 miles, I just didn't feel like doing anymore and started walking. I wasn't tired. I wasn't out of breath. I just didn't want to do anymore. Then I felt guilty and started doing intervals (7.5 (8:00/mile) and 4.0 (walking)) for the next mile, and then just quit altogether.
I just can't get my mind right.
BOO-YA!!! INSANITY GRADUATE!!! WHAT WHAT!!!
I finished Insanity on Saturday! Ha-ha, mutha-fuckers! Final fit test results: (Results are from 10/03/10, 10/17/10, 11/07/10 and when I restarted again at 12/05/10, 12/20/10, 01/09/11, 01/23/11, 02/12/11.)
Switch Kicks - 48.5 - 50 - 51 - 55 - 62 - 63 - 60 - 65
Power Jacks - 42 - 47 - 46 - 50 - 52 - 52 - 55 - 54
Power Knees - 86 - 104 - 110 - 112 - 120 - 130 - 128 - 128
Power Jumps - 31 - 35 - 37 - 41 - 38 - 39 - 55 - 61
Globe Jumps - 8 - 10 - 11 - 11.75 - 12 - 12 - 11.5 - 13
Suicide Jumps - 15 - 19 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 19 - 20
Push-up Jacks - 20 - 30 - 27 - 40 - 45 - 38 - 45 - 49
Low Plank Obliques - 22 - 35 - 40 - 40 - 45 - 42 - 41 - 52
10/03/10
Weight: 125.0
Body fat %: 21.2%
12/05/10
Weight: 122.4
Body fat %: 20.3%
02/12/10
Weight: 121.8
Body fat %: 16.5%
My weight hasn't changed much. I don't think 3 pounds is much of a difference since my weight fluctuates almost by that much daily. And I'm pretty positive the scale measuring my body fat % is busted, because 16.5% body fat is pretty impossible when I still look the way I do. (My scale at home said 122.4 pounds and 19.0%, but I used my work's scale to be consistent since that was what I used for the initial measurements.)
However, the major change is in the fit test results! In some of the exercises I've been able to do double what I originally did!
Insanity works! It gets you in shape! But it is hard work! Just when you think you can kind of keep up in Month 1, Month 2 comes along and drops a bag of bricks over your head. I love Shaun T. Love. I love looking at him, I like his coaching style and encouragement.
I'm pretty sure that after my half this Saturday, I'm going to be starting Insanity all over again.
"And I'm smiling because I love it."
Switch Kicks - 48.5 - 50 - 51 - 55 - 62 - 63 - 60 - 65
Power Jacks - 42 - 47 - 46 - 50 - 52 - 52 - 55 - 54
Power Knees - 86 - 104 - 110 - 112 - 120 - 130 - 128 - 128
Power Jumps - 31 - 35 - 37 - 41 - 38 - 39 - 55 - 61
Globe Jumps - 8 - 10 - 11 - 11.75 - 12 - 12 - 11.5 - 13
Suicide Jumps - 15 - 19 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 19 - 20
Push-up Jacks - 20 - 30 - 27 - 40 - 45 - 38 - 45 - 49
Low Plank Obliques - 22 - 35 - 40 - 40 - 45 - 42 - 41 - 52
10/03/10
Weight: 125.0
Body fat %: 21.2%
12/05/10
Weight: 122.4
Body fat %: 20.3%
02/12/10
Weight: 121.8
Body fat %: 16.5%
My weight hasn't changed much. I don't think 3 pounds is much of a difference since my weight fluctuates almost by that much daily. And I'm pretty positive the scale measuring my body fat % is busted, because 16.5% body fat is pretty impossible when I still look the way I do. (My scale at home said 122.4 pounds and 19.0%, but I used my work's scale to be consistent since that was what I used for the initial measurements.)
However, the major change is in the fit test results! In some of the exercises I've been able to do double what I originally did!
Insanity works! It gets you in shape! But it is hard work! Just when you think you can kind of keep up in Month 1, Month 2 comes along and drops a bag of bricks over your head. I love Shaun T. Love. I love looking at him, I like his coaching style and encouragement.
I'm pretty sure that after my half this Saturday, I'm going to be starting Insanity all over again.
"And I'm smiling because I love it."
Monday, February 14, 2011
10 Miles Revisited
Is fatigue part mental? With my last few long runs, I'd look at my pace, get disappointed and try to go faster only to get more tired and wind up walking.
I ran that 10 mile route again yesterday. And this time I refused to look at my pace. (Of course, I still wore my watch. I have to know how far I've gone and my actual pace once I'm done.) And I actually ran the whole way and felt pretty damn good. I was actually smiling and saying good morning to everyone I saw. This older lady, maybe around 50 or 60, said good morning to me and then left me eating her dust. I was awestruck and amazed. I want to be like her!
Anyway, here are my splits/pace for this route for comparison, with the dates being 08/17/10, 01/16/11 and 02/13/11 respectively:
Mile 1: 10:42 11:19 11:19
Mile 2: 10:51 11:28 11:35
Mile 3: 10:36 11:01 11:05
Mile 4: 11:08 10:55 11:35
Mile 5: 10:58 12:00 11:38
Mile 6: 11:20 12:00 11:45
Mile 7: 11:04 12:10 12:15
Mile 8: 11:06 12:46 11:46
Mile 9: 10:59 12:42 11:36
Mile 10: 12:02 13:19 12:16
.2-.3 9:56 11:34 11:23
Total: 1:52:57 2:03:32 2:00:19
Avg pace: 11:03 11:57 11:41
Granted, I was no where near as fast as I was back in August. But my splits were pretty consistent and I felt good for the whole run, unlike last time where I just kept getting more and more tired and slower as the run progressed. This time I forced myself to stay slow and relaxed and to just enjoy it. It was an epiphany. (Note that Mile 10 has a huge hill, hence the slow time for that mile for all 3 runs.)
I ran that 10 mile route again yesterday. And this time I refused to look at my pace. (Of course, I still wore my watch. I have to know how far I've gone and my actual pace once I'm done.) And I actually ran the whole way and felt pretty damn good. I was actually smiling and saying good morning to everyone I saw. This older lady, maybe around 50 or 60, said good morning to me and then left me eating her dust. I was awestruck and amazed. I want to be like her!
Anyway, here are my splits/pace for this route for comparison, with the dates being 08/17/10, 01/16/11 and 02/13/11 respectively:
Mile 1: 10:42 11:19 11:19
Mile 2: 10:51 11:28 11:35
Mile 3: 10:36 11:01 11:05
Mile 4: 11:08 10:55 11:35
Mile 5: 10:58 12:00 11:38
Mile 6: 11:20 12:00 11:45
Mile 7: 11:04 12:10 12:15
Mile 8: 11:06 12:46 11:46
Mile 9: 10:59 12:42 11:36
Mile 10: 12:02 13:19 12:16
.2-.3 9:56 11:34 11:23
Total: 1:52:57 2:03:32 2:00:19
Avg pace: 11:03 11:57 11:41
Granted, I was no where near as fast as I was back in August. But my splits were pretty consistent and I felt good for the whole run, unlike last time where I just kept getting more and more tired and slower as the run progressed. This time I forced myself to stay slow and relaxed and to just enjoy it. It was an epiphany. (Note that Mile 10 has a huge hill, hence the slow time for that mile for all 3 runs.)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wanna see Hawaii pics?
Of course you do.
Why am I wearing a hat in a lot of the pictures? Remember that giant pimple? Yeah. That's why. And I just wasn't feeling my bangs.
Our hotel, well, the reflection of our hotel. If you look hard enough, you can see me, second balcony up from the bottom on the left-hand side in the reflection.
Our balcony overlooked a marketplace. Martin used the provided earplugs to sleep at night.
I thought it was pretty neat how they had both the The Teachings of Buddha and The Holy Bible in the dresser drawer.
On our first night there we went to a club near our hotel and had a drink...
...or twenty.
We decided a rental car would be pretty beneficial so the next morning, Martin and I caught a bus to pick up the rental. This ad made me laugh.
We headed out to the north shore that afternoon.
There was a beautiful rainbow, and I tried to get a picture of it but wound up looking like a perv taking a picture of a lady's behind.
They all went in the water, but I was a wuss. Water needs to be bath temperature for me to get in there.
One of two turtles on the beach.
They started skipping rocks, and Michele, Martin's sister was pretty excited when she was finally able to do it.
Why am I wearing a hat in a lot of the pictures? Remember that giant pimple? Yeah. That's why. And I just wasn't feeling my bangs.
Our hotel, well, the reflection of our hotel. If you look hard enough, you can see me, second balcony up from the bottom on the left-hand side in the reflection.
Our balcony overlooked a marketplace. Martin used the provided earplugs to sleep at night.
I thought it was pretty neat how they had both the The Teachings of Buddha and The Holy Bible in the dresser drawer.
On our first night there we went to a club near our hotel and had a drink...
...or twenty.
We decided a rental car would be pretty beneficial so the next morning, Martin and I caught a bus to pick up the rental. This ad made me laugh.
They all went in the water, but I was a wuss. Water needs to be bath temperature for me to get in there.
One of two turtles on the beach.
They started skipping rocks, and Michele, Martin's sister was pretty excited when she was finally able to do it.
The sunset going back was gorgeous. Don't know why my dumb-ass used my phone instead of my camera for this pic.
On Saturday we went to Pearl Harbor.
Then we went to Waimea Falls. There were actually peacocks hanging out there. I think this one was named Fred.
Shortly before, upon our encouraging, Anthony tried climbing on one of the hanging "vine" thingies and falling flat on his back when it snapped. Man, where is the video we shot of that?
I was actually expecting a huge waterfall. But then, I guess, it would be hard to swim around if it were gigantic. Before I got in, one of the lifeguards told me that it was 30 feet deep, so my no-swimming ass immediately grabbed a life vest before going in.
On Sunday, we hiked up Diamond Head. There were a ton of tiny little gnats at the top! Ick! View from the top:
Anthony and Michele.
Rest break back at the bottom:
Later that evening we went to a luau. The previous day Michele and Anthony got invited to some vacation/time-share presentation, which if they sat through they would get luau tickets for super cheap. Thanks, guys!
Waiting for the bus to pick us up.
For some reason, I thought it was going to be held on a paved area so I wore my cute 4" wedge sandals. Yeah. It was on sand and everyone named Martin laughed at me when I twisted my ankle walking. No one told me this prior, but I got a ton of mosquito bites! I was pretty disappointed with the food. (Poi is not tasty!) And I expected more than one fire-dance guy. But it did have an amazing sunset.
On Monday we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. We dropped Michele and Anthony off at the airport earlier, so Martin made me snorkel with him. And yes, I felt like a complete fool being the only person there wearing a bright yellow life vest. But this actually turned out to be my favorite part of the trip.
Most of the pics there were taken with our other camera, and I don't know where Martin uploaded the pictures, and I'm too lazy to look for them. But I did get this one picture after a brief stop after driving there and seeing the parking lot was full. We drove back a few minutes later, and surprise, surpise, it was no longer full.
On Tuesday, our last day, we drove up to Kuoloa Ranch. There were some tiny shacks houses on the way there and Zillow showed that some of them were worth around $800,000!
We had some time to kill before our movie tour started so we went down to the beach. That's Chinaman's Hat in the background. That's Martin walking toward a sewer pipe(?) before realizing it was a sewer pipe in the foreground. (Thank God my water-hating blind ass didn't go in, because I thought it was a rock.)
It was just so pretty out there! My pictures do not do it justice.
Our movie tour included the log from Jurassic Park where they ducked behind during the stampede.
And of course my nerd Lost fan self had to get a pic of this. It was the location of the scene were Hurley drives the Darma van.
I really miss Hawaii. It was in the 80's the whole time we were there. In the middle of winter! And it wasn't a gross hot 80's. It was nice and cool and just perfect. I'm trying to convince Martin we should move there.
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