I am constantly amazed with the climate changes between the seasons as well as from one season to the next. To feel our bodies adjust from freezing to sweltering humidity back to freezing once again is a gift. My run/walk journey through the temperature changes has only increased my awe and appreciation of the complexity of nature. It makes me feel more connected to our planet.
Clothes
Earlier in the spring I took a trip to REI for summer running clothes. It was hard for me to imagine wearing the very thin, lightweight pieces of cloth that provided no warmth. Now, with the dew point in the 70’s and the temperature floating between 80 and 90 degrees – I find these wispy clothes to be too heavy and wish I had that kind of body where I could only wear shorts and the running bra.
San Francisco wardrobe is basically built for fall. I had one or two pair of shorts in San Francisco that lasted me 10 years. (Yes, they had elastic around the waist!) Moving to Boston two years ago I immediately had to buy summer clothes and now find them worn and needing to be replaced.
Water
Run/walking in the summer means wanting to wake up early and get the days “run” in before it gets too hot. It means needing to carry water for something as short as 4 miles. It also means sweat… lots and lots of sweat. I never knew I could sweat like that… I’ve taken to keeping a towel just on the inside of my door to wipe all that hard work off – preventing drip marks on my hardwood floors. I’ve never done well in the heat. In Mexico I was in a persistent “jelly-brain” state, finding it difficult to teach in a coherent manner. But somehow – even with all this humidity – I’m able to put one foot in front of the other for anywhere between 5 and 11 miles.
Mileage
I’m currently waiting in the airport for my flight to San Francisco to participate in a journalism conference. As luck would have it the San Francisco Marathon is Sunday and I’ve decided to run/walk the first half! (13.1 miles) (update on this soon!)
The first half of the San Francisco Marathon is similar to the first half of the Women’s Nike Marathon I’m training for in October. There are long, steep grades up that never seem to end. Not quite at the half way mark, Coach Mellissa had me run 11 miles this past Sunday in preparation. Since my previous Sunday was at 8 miles, I gave myself permission to stop at 10 miles. I surprised myself by feeling pretty good and made it to eleven. My time slowed a bit as I’m nursing a sore ankle and the heat and humidity were quite high. I’m not sure how I’ll do come tomorrow in a much cooler environment, less humidity and significantly more hills.
During the week I’ve changed my route. No longer am I running in circles around the reservoir, rather I’m exploring the hilly nature of Brighton and Brookline. I’m just lacking hills on the long runs. I’ve also been experimenting with my tempo and run/walk ratio. I’m starting to feel like running for two minutes and walking for one. I’d like to build to consistently doing a 2 - 1 ratio. During the L Street 5 miler the other week (photo on this page), I got caught up in the “start jitters” and ran the first 5 minutes. In rather humid conditions I averaged a 12-minute mile. I’m glad I pushed, but my heart rate was quite high. I know I can’t sustain that pace for any length of time – certainly not for a half let alone a full marathon! Will write soon on the SF 1/2 Marathon.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Rain, Pins & Needles
I kept plugging along the Charles River quietly enjoying a fantasy of being in the rain and not having any rain gear. It felt like a defiant childhood moment - similar to jumping into a pool with all your clothes on. You know, one of those things that's not done - but something that is referred to in a dramatic moment. Saturday, June 3rd, was our 5 mile run - it was pouring and the rain was cold.
All fantasy aside, the fact was, I was running slower than I could walk. 5 miles in 82 minutes (16+ min/mile). That's 82 minutes of pounding the pavement and my body ached. Soon after, my fingers and toes got that "pins & needles" sensation and fears of old injuries re-entering my life caused concern. Looking back, I believe I created my own problem (as is usually the case) between poor running mechanics coupled with some shoe "issues".
Regardless, this sent me on a new journey of seeking consults from various doctors, physical therapists and people who have completed marathons. I had my feet & gait analyzed, been given core strengthening exercises and have a MRI scheduled once my insurance takes my doctors advice and agrees it is medically necessary. (oy!) I also contacted the "walking the marathon" group of Teams in Training and the following Sunday went "to look". Meanwhile, I continued with the running schedule, made some modifications, and the "needles & pins" have not returned. Making a switch from running to walking makes logical sense, but my emotions are slow to catch up with my mind.
The 10th of June (another rainy morning, but much warmer) I chose to run the 6 miles but with modifications. It took me 95 minutes. My time went to just under a 16 min/mile. While I didn't have the same pain, recovery took me quite a bit longer than expected.
I did not do the all the training the following week. I felt discouraged until I spoke with the walk/run coach. She did the combo for a marathon with a 10 min/mile average. This past Thursday and Friday I gave it a try and found my time dropped to 14 min/mile, hurt a lot less and had a blast!
Today I switched to the "walking marathon" group and could not be more pleased. We did 6 miles and I kept to my 14 min/mile in some pretty humid, hot weather. I'm bound to get in better shape as time goes on and expect to drop my time. My goal is to do the marathon in no more than a 13 min/mile.
It took two weeks to accept the switch and can't believe I hesitated. I only hope I don't have to walk the whole 26.2... but I will if I must!
All fantasy aside, the fact was, I was running slower than I could walk. 5 miles in 82 minutes (16+ min/mile). That's 82 minutes of pounding the pavement and my body ached. Soon after, my fingers and toes got that "pins & needles" sensation and fears of old injuries re-entering my life caused concern. Looking back, I believe I created my own problem (as is usually the case) between poor running mechanics coupled with some shoe "issues".
Regardless, this sent me on a new journey of seeking consults from various doctors, physical therapists and people who have completed marathons. I had my feet & gait analyzed, been given core strengthening exercises and have a MRI scheduled once my insurance takes my doctors advice and agrees it is medically necessary. (oy!) I also contacted the "walking the marathon" group of Teams in Training and the following Sunday went "to look". Meanwhile, I continued with the running schedule, made some modifications, and the "needles & pins" have not returned. Making a switch from running to walking makes logical sense, but my emotions are slow to catch up with my mind.
The 10th of June (another rainy morning, but much warmer) I chose to run the 6 miles but with modifications. It took me 95 minutes. My time went to just under a 16 min/mile. While I didn't have the same pain, recovery took me quite a bit longer than expected.
I did not do the all the training the following week. I felt discouraged until I spoke with the walk/run coach. She did the combo for a marathon with a 10 min/mile average. This past Thursday and Friday I gave it a try and found my time dropped to 14 min/mile, hurt a lot less and had a blast!
Today I switched to the "walking marathon" group and could not be more pleased. We did 6 miles and I kept to my 14 min/mile in some pretty humid, hot weather. I'm bound to get in better shape as time goes on and expect to drop my time. My goal is to do the marathon in no more than a 13 min/mile.
It took two weeks to accept the switch and can't believe I hesitated. I only hope I don't have to walk the whole 26.2... but I will if I must!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Reality Strikes
Shock
Folks often say i look young for my age, and perhaps it's true... But there is nothing like signing up to train for a marathon with people one and two decades younger to make me understand my age and how out of shape i really am!
May 11th was the kick-off and our first "team" work out was Saturday, May 20th. The week prior I walked/jogged the 2.75 miles from my home, around the reservoir and back again. I know i'm slow, but not concerned. At the first team work out I went 2 miles... was unable to continuously jog the distance and was the last 2 miler to make it back to the start.
Heart Rate
We're instructed to maintain our heart rate between "something" and 85% of maximum. I reach my 85% of maximum by a brisk walk! I'm told it will take any where from 3 to 6 weeks for that to change...
One week after the first "team" work out, I was confident there would be some improvement as I followed the training schedule (run 3 days, cross-train two + the long run on saturdays), lost a few pounds and bought new running shoes and a heart rate monitor.
Reality Strikes
I walked most of the 4 miles and was the last one to return to the start. Maybe a t-shirt saying "last one in" would be appropriate! Nothing like a 15 minute mile (x's 26.2) to motivate me to get in better shape!
Taking it one step at a time...
Folks often say i look young for my age, and perhaps it's true... But there is nothing like signing up to train for a marathon with people one and two decades younger to make me understand my age and how out of shape i really am!
May 11th was the kick-off and our first "team" work out was Saturday, May 20th. The week prior I walked/jogged the 2.75 miles from my home, around the reservoir and back again. I know i'm slow, but not concerned. At the first team work out I went 2 miles... was unable to continuously jog the distance and was the last 2 miler to make it back to the start.
Heart Rate
We're instructed to maintain our heart rate between "something" and 85% of maximum. I reach my 85% of maximum by a brisk walk! I'm told it will take any where from 3 to 6 weeks for that to change...
One week after the first "team" work out, I was confident there would be some improvement as I followed the training schedule (run 3 days, cross-train two + the long run on saturdays), lost a few pounds and bought new running shoes and a heart rate monitor.
Reality Strikes
I walked most of the 4 miles and was the last one to return to the start. Maybe a t-shirt saying "last one in" would be appropriate! Nothing like a 15 minute mile (x's 26.2) to motivate me to get in better shape!
Taking it one step at a time...
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