Since I started running, I never run without music. This started as a sport discman, graduated to an ipod mini, then my touch 2G, and now my iPhone 3G. Since I started using the touch over 4 years ago, I've also never run without some sort of tracking program. I used Nike+ with the touch and graduated to full-GPS tracking once I switched to my iPhone. My current program of choice is joglog. It allows you to create interval workouts, change music to pace, set music to intervals, and has a whole variety of verbal cues you can set for your runs. I loved getting feedback every 7 or 8 min regarding my pace and distance. I could hear myself getting faster and a cue that I was running slower than I could was good incentive to pick up the pace a bit.
And then I turned the notifications off.
I'm not sure why. I currently have my target distance set at 6 miles w/ only one "halfway point" cue. I don't necessarily run faster or slower, and I certainly haven't figured out a more "internal" sense of pace, but for some reason I needed to turn off the pace/distance voice in my head. I think part of it is that I've become more comfortable with the distances I run and don't feel the need for the cheery "30% done!" The other part of it is that I know with the warm conditions I'm better just getting out the door and running happily than running competitively. I still check my stats and upload them to Daily Mile at the end of my workouts, but I no longer feel the need for the constant updates.
This may change if I get back into speed work, or distance training, or anything that requires me to pay attention to pace. But for now, I'm enjoying just running and seeing "how I did" at the end of the run.
How about you? Were you a gadget junkie who slowly backed off at some point? Did you go back?
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Warm Running
Due to diss editing I didn't get out the door until 11 today - and boy did I pay the price. We're already in the high 70s low 80s and I was really feeling it today. I'm slowing back down to my 10 min/mile pace in this heat. Hopefully I'll adjust and speed back up again, but I'm definitely heading into the running season where it's an accomplishment to get out the door and run, regardless of the pace.
I did only 5 miles today and it's just reaffirming my relief at signing up for the 5 mile race instead of the 10 miler. I could do the 10, but I'll actually ENJOY doing the 5. Super cool thing about this race? Fleet Feet is sponsoring a middle of the pack prize! The man and woman who finish dead in the middle of all finishers will win a Garmin Forerunner. Boy oh boy do I want that running gadget. Guess we'll see.
What do I do to beat the heat?
#1 most important thing I wear is a hat. A good wicking running cap to keep the sun off my face and absorb the sweat (thus preventing sunscreen from running into my eyes) is key to my summer running routine.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Back to blogging!
I haven't been blogging but I have been running. I have a 5 mi trail run on Sunday, a 12 K the following weekend, a 10K May 6, and a 5K with my mom on Mother's Day. I also have a new goal:
20 miles a week.
More if I can do it, but that's the total mileage. One of those can be a walk, especially if it puts me over the 20 mile mark. Running-wise, it means that I need to do at least one long run a week, my normal runs need to be closer to 5 miles, and I have to make a 6 or 7 mile run standard in my "upkeep runs".
To help me in my goal I'm going to start doing morning runs with a friend here. We did a slow 8 miler today. I had some really awful cramping that began at mile 2.5/3 and didn't let up until we finished. Yeah, 5 miles w/ painful side stitches, but I did it. And it was fun!
20 miles a week.
More if I can do it, but that's the total mileage. One of those can be a walk, especially if it puts me over the 20 mile mark. Running-wise, it means that I need to do at least one long run a week, my normal runs need to be closer to 5 miles, and I have to make a 6 or 7 mile run standard in my "upkeep runs".
To help me in my goal I'm going to start doing morning runs with a friend here. We did a slow 8 miler today. I had some really awful cramping that began at mile 2.5/3 and didn't let up until we finished. Yeah, 5 miles w/ painful side stitches, but I did it. And it was fun!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Running, weight, and the heat
From freezing temps in Sunspot to a high of 90 today in Tucson - talk about a change in weather!
I've been feeling really down in the dumps about the few pounds I put on in the last week or two.
I know why:
-drinking more
-eating more
-moving less
I also know that I shouldn't beat myself up about it because what's 3-4 lbs? And after all of the work I've done to try to get to a healthier and happier place in regards to body image, I hate that even those little numbers on the scale, and the tightness in my jeans, can affect how I feel about... well, everything. I'd love to say "about myself", but as anyone struggling with disordered body image knows, it's never just about "yourself". All of a sudden, the weight change effects everything - from my hair not behaving, to my dissertation not getting itself written. I wish I wouldn't feel so much better when i have those 3-4 lbs gone. I wish I didn't measure my success in how "good" I am with controlling my weight (in a healthy way, I promise. I love food way too much to give it up), based on the numbers on the scale or the poochiness in my stomach - but there it is.
Because beating myself up about my weight can easily translate into beating myself up abouteverything my running, I decided to turn off the speed/pace/distance cues on joglog when I left for my run today. It was a good idea.
Today's run was my first long run in a while. I have a 12K trail race in early April and I need to add distance to prepare for it. So today I did a 7 mile run. My pace was about 10 min/mi, which is a fine starting pace for me. I plan to add a mile a week through March, and hopefully on into April as well. I felt comfortable, if a bit heavy legged from yesterday's 8 mile hike, and had no cramping. If I can keep this as my long run training pace, I'll be in good shape and very happy.
Because the temps are heating up I brought along a new training partner:
I've been feeling really down in the dumps about the few pounds I put on in the last week or two.
I know why:
-drinking more
-eating more
-moving less
I also know that I shouldn't beat myself up about it because what's 3-4 lbs? And after all of the work I've done to try to get to a healthier and happier place in regards to body image, I hate that even those little numbers on the scale, and the tightness in my jeans, can affect how I feel about... well, everything. I'd love to say "about myself", but as anyone struggling with disordered body image knows, it's never just about "yourself". All of a sudden, the weight change effects everything - from my hair not behaving, to my dissertation not getting itself written. I wish I wouldn't feel so much better when i have those 3-4 lbs gone. I wish I didn't measure my success in how "good" I am with controlling my weight (in a healthy way, I promise. I love food way too much to give it up), based on the numbers on the scale or the poochiness in my stomach - but there it is.
Because beating myself up about my weight can easily translate into beating myself up about
Today's run was my first long run in a while. I have a 12K trail race in early April and I need to add distance to prepare for it. So today I did a 7 mile run. My pace was about 10 min/mi, which is a fine starting pace for me. I plan to add a mile a week through March, and hopefully on into April as well. I felt comfortable, if a bit heavy legged from yesterday's 8 mile hike, and had no cramping. If I can keep this as my long run training pace, I'll be in good shape and very happy.
Because the temps are heating up I brought along a new training partner:
I've run with hand helds but never a belt. The handhelds get annoying and really sweaty, so I figured I'd try a belt this summer. So far, I like it! I'll take on-body pics next time I use it. I was concerned that having something around my waist would aggravate cramping, but if anything I think the wide compression belt helped alleviate cramping! It gave my stomach something to press against and helped me take fuller, deeper breaths.
I started with the belt on my hips but quickly discovered that it fit better on my waist. The two flasks were very easy to reach and b/c it fit over a shirt I didn't have any chafing issues. 16 oz was plenty of water for my 7 mile run (70 min), but I can see that might want to add another flask in higher heats/longer distances - or at least run in a place where I can refill. I look forward to running with this belt again.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Running, weight, and cold
I just spent the last 8 days with Luke in Sunspot. It's a tiny collection of people who live in close proximity to the solar telescope he works at. He goes up there once a month, I make it once a year.
I want to like Sunspot, to think of it as my mountain top writing retreat. But at 9600 ft elevation and with below freezing temps and winds up to 40 mph... it's a hard place to love. If the temperature was ok, the winds we so blustery that I couldn't venture outside w/o a heavy coat (I don't have wind proof running gear). If the winds died down, the temps dropped well below freezing (I have gear for the 30s/40s, but not much colder than that). If both the temp and the wind cooperated, the elevation was brutal. I did a lot of walking, we got in a day of skiing... but man oh man did I miss my running.
And my body noticed. I gained 3, maybe 4 pounds while there. Why? Because I was stuck in a pre-fab w/ no where to go and inclement weather. Combine that with stress and it's a recipe for not enough movement for what I was eating. God, I hate Sunspot.
Weight is a really tricky thing for me. If I watch what I eat, eat well balanced meals, and exercise every day (at least 45 min, running, walking, rock climbing, something), I can generally eat the foods I like, drink the beer I want to drink, and feel ok. If any one of those is out of whack, I gain weight, and I gain it pretty quickly. I'm at a point in my life where I am more comfortable in my skin, but I also hate being reminded at how even a small eating change can pack on the pounds in record time. For me, weight gain is definitely a sign that I"m not eating right for my body and I'm certainly not moving enough.
I'm also realizing that working from home is catching up with me. I don't walk from my parked car to an office, or even around the office to pick up a cup of coffee. I walk from my kitchen table to my kitchen for coffee, and back. I'm going to set an alarm to go off at 10am and 2pm every day and make myself go for a 10 min walk - no matter what I'm doing.
I'm back in Tucson and never been so happy to come back to a place. Luke and I did our standard 4.5 mile loop and I already feel better. Even fighting cramps for the last 1.5 miles I feel better. I can't wait to do a longer run tomorrow.
I want to like Sunspot, to think of it as my mountain top writing retreat. But at 9600 ft elevation and with below freezing temps and winds up to 40 mph... it's a hard place to love. If the temperature was ok, the winds we so blustery that I couldn't venture outside w/o a heavy coat (I don't have wind proof running gear). If the winds died down, the temps dropped well below freezing (I have gear for the 30s/40s, but not much colder than that). If both the temp and the wind cooperated, the elevation was brutal. I did a lot of walking, we got in a day of skiing... but man oh man did I miss my running.
And my body noticed. I gained 3, maybe 4 pounds while there. Why? Because I was stuck in a pre-fab w/ no where to go and inclement weather. Combine that with stress and it's a recipe for not enough movement for what I was eating. God, I hate Sunspot.
Weight is a really tricky thing for me. If I watch what I eat, eat well balanced meals, and exercise every day (at least 45 min, running, walking, rock climbing, something), I can generally eat the foods I like, drink the beer I want to drink, and feel ok. If any one of those is out of whack, I gain weight, and I gain it pretty quickly. I'm at a point in my life where I am more comfortable in my skin, but I also hate being reminded at how even a small eating change can pack on the pounds in record time. For me, weight gain is definitely a sign that I"m not eating right for my body and I'm certainly not moving enough.
I'm also realizing that working from home is catching up with me. I don't walk from my parked car to an office, or even around the office to pick up a cup of coffee. I walk from my kitchen table to my kitchen for coffee, and back. I'm going to set an alarm to go off at 10am and 2pm every day and make myself go for a 10 min walk - no matter what I'm doing.
I'm back in Tucson and never been so happy to come back to a place. Luke and I did our standard 4.5 mile loop and I already feel better. Even fighting cramps for the last 1.5 miles I feel better. I can't wait to do a longer run tomorrow.
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