Northland Hospice 5K

Saturday I participated in my first official 5K event. The 5K I have been training for during the appropriately named, "Couch to 5K." Leading up to the event I was having a little issue with running. Mostly I just hated it. And it is starting to get really hot here. So unless I want to wake up at 3:00 in the morning, I just sort of suffer through. But I was determined to finish this race. I will admit I briefly considered ditching it when I found out Aaron wasn't running with me but I went ahead and made hotel reservations so I couldn't back out. I'm glad I did.

I went into the race with a personal goal time of 38 minutes. I know this sounds slow to all of you fast little rabbits out there. But I am a turtle. A big, slow turtle. Or tortoise if you're really picky. I had previously run 3.1 in 38 minutes a couple of times so I knew it was possible. But here's a little fun fact. Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet above sea level. My little town sits at about 1,200 feet. My husband says we're a little higher because we sit on the ascent of a (small) mountain but I don't know. Let's just round up and say that is a 5,500 foot difference. This is a huge difference. I optimistically told myself my training in the heat would offset this a little because it would be nice and cool in Flag. And it was in the high 60s or low 70s when the race started. I was definitely just right in my shorts and sleeveless running shirt. I started out towards the back, unfortunately behind quite a few walkers. I intended to start out slow and do my 4/1 jog and walk breaks. I started out at my usual pace of around 11 to 11.5 minute miles. About three minutes in I realized I could not breathe. What is up with the air? Oh, you mean it's thinner at 7,000 feet? Of course I knew this but I don't think I KNEW it. I thought I was going to vomit. And then HILLS. Because thin air isn't enough. They want to kill you with hills. So about a mile in I abandoned all training plans and almost abandoned the race. I thought, "Who could care if I just walked off the course?" I would care. So I started walking. I walked until I could catch my breath. And sure a man with his two kids, a man in his seventies and a woman pushing a wheelchair passed me. But I didn't throw up and I didn't quit. Eventually I caught my breath and had a little water. Now normally I don't drink water from a hose. I just kept telling myself it was probably mountainy fresh water. I then started jogging. And I ended up jogging for an extended period of time. But this time I went about 12 miles per hour. And I felt pretty good. I just kept going. Eventually I started slowing down and I knew it was time for a walk break. And I did this through the whole race. I finally turned the corner where I could see the finish line and I decided to just run all out. All out being about 6 miles per hour. Even though I felt a little like throwing up. I just turned up my music and sprinted to the finish. And then I heard them announce my name and I saw my kids waving and I knew I had really done it. I had finished my first 5K. And I had run a good portion. My official end time was 37.56. I swear I was about 30 seconds faster but my Garmin only read 3.04 miles so I guess the extra time makes up for the missed distance. But I made my goal of 38 minutes in a race where I didn't initially think I would finish. It makes me optimistic about the other things I'm capable of.

Flatout and Running Out (of steam)

Lately I have been really obsessed with Flatout Multi-Grain wraps. I know a lot of people (doctors and such) suggest eating the same thing for breakfast or lunch every day. They say variety leads to overeating due to the multitude of different flavors. I don't know if this is true but eating the same thing certainly helps out time wise. I am not normally the sort of person who can eat the same thing daily. Variety is the spice of my life (which is perhaps the reason I overeat. Damn those doctors). But since I discovered the plain wraps at Costco I have been having a PBJ wrap every morning. Sometimes I even use almond butter. Wow. And I just learned Trader Joes has almond butter with salt! Now my life is complete. If you need a little protein to start the day and you do not do well with simply oatmeal or cereal (you feel like eating a side of beef - or a dozen donuts - one hour after breakfast) you should try the Flatouts. And they are not even paying me to say this. But I would accept free samples!

And now the exercise. I have developed a mental block against running. I know I should do it, I know I'm capable of it, I know it won't kill me. But IT HURTS. Maybe I should take it slower. But is it really "jogging" at 13 minute miles? I can almost walk that fast. I am capable of between 11 and 12 minute miles at this point but I always have to stop for walking breaks. I never feel like I could just go on and on. Who are those people anyway? My sprint triathlon training cuts back the minutes I have to run (from the Couch to 5K thirty minutes) so maybe I can start slowly again and build myself up. I just can't imagine the day I will love it. But maybe that day will come. Possibly in November when it is not as hot as the surface of the sun.

Camping and Hiking

This weekend we spent two eventful nights in a tent perched on the edge of the Mogollon Rim. Literally perched on the edge. And I ate and ate and ate. Took a little holiday from the Points counting. I had good intentions to follow through on at least healthy eating for breakfast and lunch. But the Pop Tarts undid all of my resolve. I don't usually buy those devil pastries but I thought the kids would like them for a quick breakfast. And I ended up liking them a little too much. We did do quite a bit of walking to counteract the food. We hiked around our campsite and on Saturday we took a hike with the kids around Woods Canyon Lake to see nesting bald eagles and a little eaglet. It was a little hard with two children who seemed to lose the use of their legs but it was worth it. The hike was through a beautiful forest (kind of looked like the Ewok forest) and the temperature was on the cool side. So different from life in Hell. Sunday we took a short hike along the Rim Lakes Vista Trail before heading back. You walk right out to the edge of the Rim (again)! Aaron and I had plenty of exercise carrying children in our arms and on our shoulders. I was fearful of the Monday weigh in but I was down half a pound. I'll take that. Even if the bad eating sneaks up on me in the middle of the week! Back to reality and back to my routine. I could not wake up this morning to run (have I mentioned how exhausting vacation is?) but I know that 3 miles is hanging over my head. Northland Hospice 5K is this weekend. Aaron and I won't be able to run together for this one, which was especially disappointing for Aaron, but we did sign up for another 5K in September and we are determined to run it side by side.

Online Training Log

I'm not a total tech geek or anything but I like to see all of my numbers add up. I have noticed several blogs with workout counters so I did a little "research" (also called just spending inordinate amounts of time on the computer reading blogs) and found this. Buckeye Outdoors is a free training log that keeps track of your workouts and nutrition. You can download your Garmin info too. I just like to look at my monthly totals. Then I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something. I rode Ruby today for my first official ride. She performed quite well. I felt like Lance Armstrong. But with shoulder pain and hand numbness. I guess I just have to toughen up. On a positive note, the padded cycling shorts really do help out with seat pain. But I can see how I will probably need extra padding and a womens seat for longer rides. I also tried riding clipped in (for any non bike riders, the bike has pedals that clip onto a special shoe and you can't get your foot out without twisting. And possibly falling over). Getting in is no problem. Getting out on the other hand. I know I will fall over. It's just a question of when. And unfortunately there's not a lot of grass in the desert so it will probably be on rocks. Just preparing myself for the cuts and bruises. I just hope Ruby is not harmed in the process.

And I Shall Call Her Ruby

Last week was an unintentional rest week. I've been reading about training for triathlons and most of the plans have a week once a month or so when you reduce your mileage and intensity. Sort of a working rest so you are stronger in the coming weeks. So let's just say I was doing that. I really felt worn out last week. I would wake up exhausted and getting out of bed for any reason (especially exercise) was difficult. I did manage two days of Couch to 5K Week 8. But I have made a huge discovery. Walking breaks are my friend. I was having a very hard time psychologically dealing with going 28 minutes straight. So I took Jeff Galloway's advice to heart and started doing walking breaks during my jog. I started with a four minute jog and 1 minute walk, alternating seven times for a total of 28 minutes jogging. So that counts. The next time I went for a jog I decided to keep going until I jogged 3.1. I do have that 5K coming up so I thought it would be a good idea to see if I can do it. And I made it in exactly 38 minutes. Not much of a cushion for the race (with the altitude and all) but I'll take it. I'm also starting to get less rigid about the time goal. I know I can do it. So why not just have fun? I will give it my all and see where that gets me.

In other oh so exciting news, I spent my life savings on a new road bike. I am the proud owner of a Fuji Roubaix. I call her Ruby. She is red and pretty and I love her. Now I just have to learn to ride her. My husband (and children but that's a different blog) accompanied me to the bike shop. He is worse than I am when it comes to upgrading from your original plan. Truthfully the salesman didn't even show us the bike we came in for (it was crap evidently) but he made me try out the Roubaix "for size." Now the first law of marketing is getting the consumer to touch the product. Because if they do they're hooked. And then I actually rode the Roubaix and another lower end Fuji ladies bike. Emma liked the ladies bike because it was blue with pretty flowers (because Lord knows women don't want to actually go out and kick ass on a bike without pretty girly flowers). She said the flowers would make me happy if I didn't win. And I assured her I would not win. So maybe I need the flowers? But I took the Roubaix. Being the long legged and apparently long armed lady I am, I don't need a ladies bike fit and was very comfortable with the mens. I also bought my very first pair of clipless pedals and shoes. The bike tech advised me to just get used to the bike before putting the shoes on. Maybe he was saying that because I could not twist my left foot out no matter how hard I tried. But he adjusted the tension on the pedal and it was much easier. I'm still a little apprehensive about trying out the pedals. I know I'm going to fall over. The bike tech told me it wouldn't hurt me. I hope he knows what he's talking about. I look forward to taking Ruby out for many long rides. I finally feel like I can actually do this.

Jogging, Leg Pain, A New Bike

C25K Week 7 is complete. At the beginning I don't think I ever thought I could do 25 minutes straight. But I did. Slowly, slowly, slowly. But I made it just the same. This week is 28 minutes, which doesn't really seem so bad. It's just the last few minutes that kill me. I can really feel my form slipping and I'm sure I look like I'm stumbling forward. I imagine I resemble a college freshman after her first binge drinking experience.

In other news, my left leg seems to be rebelling again. I thought it was my piriformis or my ITB. But maybe I'm just getting old? I have a PT friend (thanks to the Gods) who said she would look at it. Some days are better than others. I did purchase new running shoes this weekend. I was really embarrassed as I looked at my tired Asics next to the new shoes. I have worn them for far too long. I was even making excuses for them. But I should be lightning fast in my new Asics Nimbus 11s (HAHA).

Evidently my husband has overcome his fear of me dying on the bike and is starting to say I should buy a new one. I was going to compromise and wait until Christmas. He called me today and said he thinks buying a hybrid is a bad idea and that I should look for an entry level road bike. I told him I wasn't trying to win, just finish. But really, does anyone really need to be talked into buying a new bike? Especially when the rational person in the relationship is saying it's a good idea? I'll let you know how it goes.

Hot and Cold

C25K Week 7 is going. This week the walking breaks are a thing of the past and I just have to go 25 minutes without stopping. I went Monday night when I thought there was no way I could do it. I was tired and crampy. I usually work out in the morning. My 10 year old was going along on her bike. To her credit she stayed ahead the whole time and did not complain at all. But you know what? I did it. I huffed and puffed and ran the road down. It also really helped that I went right out and bought a new IPod to replace my second broken Shuffle. I invested in a Nano this time because obviously the Shuffle is cursed. So I had music and a partner and it was actually a little breezy. But I think I prefer the morning. Which is why I went this morning. Every time I start out I think I might not make it. But then I tell myself I know I can make it and I just start going. I spent about 5 minutes of the cool down trying to figure out my race pace to make my 5K goal of 38 minutes. And I found I can't really add after working out. Isn't exercise supposed to sharpen your mind? Maybe it's just me. The spinning class kicked my butt yesterday. I told the teacher I would be back because he was tough "in a good way."

I was a little horrified (OK not really because I had a bad week last week) to learn I was up two and a half pounds from last week. I know some of it is water but it is so demoralizing to have one day to officially weigh in and then have to see that number all week. I have a habit of losing, gaining a little, losing. I can't seem to shake this 175 plateau. The last time I did was the South Beach Phase 1 but I don't think I can go back there. I know if I really stick to WW and working out I have to lose weight. Right? And when I said I didn't have days off plan, I meant I WISHED I didn't have days off plan. Some days are so off plan they are medieval. I don't even know what that means. But yesterday I had an exceptional WW day. I am allotted 25 points and I usually earn 4 or so activity points (6 yesterday for spinning). So I actually feel best eating about 30 points a day. I managed to stay within that goal range and not say, "oh it won't hurt to eat this." I also tried to only have one sweet treat (Skinny Cow) so I can hold myself to roughly 150 cals of "junk." The late afternoon is usually my worst time so I just told myself I wasn't hungry and I didn't need to snack. Seemed to work. Wow, telling myself no. Who woulda thought? So I think this will be a good week for me. I will weigh in Monday and have a great weigh in. I'm really trying to commit to a clean 10 weeks. Focus on exercise and food. And not beating myself up too much.

Struggling

Last week started off going downhill from the beginning. I ate way too much on Monday and I just assigned all my weekly points (Weight Watchers) to cover it. So by the middle of the week I was negative in points. And Saturday we had a birthday party. With chips and cupcakes. I don't usually have a big weakness for chips but if they are just sitting there in a big bowl I will stuff my face. Then the movies with the popcorn and chocolate. And well, the whole weekend is blown anyway I might as well eat all these mini candy bars. And I weigh in this morning to find I'm 2 and a half pounds heavier than last week. Discouraging. But I keep thinking I don't really have another choice. What else will I do? Just stop exercising and eat whatever I want and weigh over 200 pounds again? I don't think so. So I'll just keep going. I just wish I could change this mindset about food. It's either feast or famine around here and one little slip sends me down a rabbit hole of carbs and sugar. I don't really know where I acquired my irrational view of food and eating. But I would love to adopt a more rational view. I guess I'm working on that in a roundabout way. I have started changing the way I feel about exercise and about waking up in the morning to do it. Today my alarm went off at 5:30 and I was out and biking by 6:00. A few years ago I would have never willingly rolled out of bed until I absolutely had to. And I can't remember the last time I had McDonald's; which is a big deal since I used to eat there at least once a week or so. I know it takes time and there will be cupcakes and off days. I just have to make sure there are more good days than bad.