02 February 2008

Now I have something to say :)

After my last post, I just got up off my butt and went to work out. I had put off doing weight earlier in the week so that was first on the agenda. Also, I've been slacking on my running and I have a race in 2 weeks so I figured I'd better get back to it. So weights and running was the program.

The weights kind of kicked my butt. I've been really upping the weight I use and by the end of the session I'm breathing hard and muscles are shaking. As I was getting ready for my run I was mentally debating how far to go. I haven't run in a few days so I should keep it low, but I have an 8.25 mile race in 2 weeks so I should kick it up....What to do, what to do.... I settled on 5 miles. That seemed to be kind of a midway between killing myself and cruising. So I strapped up and headed out.

Sidebar: I wonder what the running gurus would say about all this crap we run with? Can you imagine Jim Fixx or Bob Bowerman putting on the Garmin, getting the iPod, putting the orthotics in the shoes, blah, blah, blah. Those guys would just put on their shoes and run. Some of them before there were dedicated running shoes......

Anyway, I put on my Garmin (with HRM), set my iPod to shuffle, put on the new neoprene knee brace I got, put the new orthotics in my running shoes, grabbed my pink visor and a bottle of water. Did the Garmin dance on the driveway for a few minutes. Got everything set and turned on and I was finally ready to run.

I got new orthotics specifically for running. The first pair I got, which I love, are softer and won't stand up to long distance running. So I got a plastic, molded pair. I've been wearing them for a week and a half to break them in, today was the first run.

I also picked up a neoprene knee brace. My right knee (which has no cartlidge) has been giving me some problems when I run. I remembered that I used to use this type of brace before and it worked well. It doesn't provide a whole lot of support but it does keep the knee warm and blood flowing which I believe makes a huge difference.

Since I hadn't been running consistently in the last 2 weeks, I decided to go slow. I had nothing to do and no one to meet so there was no reason to rush. I decided to keep my HR below 150 and just take it slow. I ended up doing 5 miles in 1:16. Now that is really slow, even for me, but there were a couple of walk breaks in there. But instead of trying to justify my slow pace, let me highlight the really good things about this run. I walked very little, less than 5 minutes :) I was singing along with the music (not out loud) the whole way having a fantastic time. Nothing hurt. Nothing. My knee feels great, my ankle doesn't bother me (sometimes a problem), my feet don't hurt. Nothing. I feel awesome. It was the best run I've had a in a long time. Not only did I feel great the entire time but I had fun. I love to run and sometimes I get so focused on the numbers that I lose sight of that. I love to run and I had a great run today. Yea!!!! for me!!!!

Now I'm off to shower, cause I smell like a rhino, and get some food. Since I had no intention of staying out that long, I didn't eat first and now I'm hungry :)

2 comments:

Irene said...

I never thought about what the pros train with, or if they train with much at all. Hmmmm. Now you've got me wondering!

Fe-lady said...

How do you know what Rhinos smell like?? :-)
Good for you for just getting the workouts done...it will pay off in the end, no matter how slowly you are going!

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