Do the One Hour Runner (OHR) program

Originally completed on Thursday, December 19, 2008

Reacting to the pressure of leaving that very a night for a two week vacation where I might not have the opportunity at all to run, I decided to jump to the full 60 minute run. It wasn’t totally random; I made sure I felt not just good but GREAT at the 54 minute mark before embarking towards the last 6 minutes. The result? Due to a technological mishap, I ended up running 65 MINUTES!!! And to boot, I felt like I could have run an extra half hour at least at the end.

Milestone!!!

In all honesty, I didn’t think I’d be as jazzed doing the One Hour Runner, being that I loved the C25k so much, but I was wrong. If you were to ask me which program I loved more, however, I couldn’t answer that one. It’s a lot like asking a mom which of her two kids she loves more. Usually she will say that she loves kid A for kid A’s tenacity but also loves kid B for kid B’s ability to make mom laugh. I loved the C25k because it made me a runner; I loved the OHR because it was what convinced me that running is my thing.

OHR’s also taught me a lot about taking my time during those long runs and spreading my pace out. It helped me knock out bad habits like going all out in the beginning rather than in the end. It pushed me to learn more about training in heart rate zones and other techniques like tempo runs. It forced me to examine how I run so that I can continue forward without injury. C25k was about introducing my body to the hard poundings of the activity and my mind to stretch beyond what I originally thought where my physical capabilities lie, but it was OHR that made me massively addicted to running and opened my mind to enjoying it fully!!!

Good luck to those who are currently in this program. May you find the joy I discovered in the One Hour Runner!

Originally completed on Tuesday, December 16, 2008

How Goes It

Today’s run was supposed to be 38 minutes, but the Garmin went completely nuts right after mile one and would not work the rest of the time! ARRRGH!!! Upset, I fiddled with it for a about a minute or two before giving up. (Lesson: Instruction manuals exist to be read.) I continued on my way without any form of technology to track my time or mileage.

I started incorporating what I’ve learned in the running clinics and Chi Running into my past few runs. It was awkward at first, but then on this run, it seemed to come together, because before I knew it, I’d run 4.88 miles completely unintentionally and I felt even better than I started – I had to force myself to stop!

In my running history, this is revolutionary. I never felt winded, sore, stressed or tired. Garmin reported my first mile at 9:17, yet it felt so easy, especially since it’s the first part of my run that contains 4 super steep hills. When I climbed the half mile ascent just after mile 2.25, there was no question whether or not I would complete it – I did it without breaking a sweat and I could have done it again. It was like a breakthrough.

Today I have a 54 minute run, but I may attempt to get to the full 60!!! ^{Was it just in August that I started out running 60 seconds at a time???}

Stats
4.88 miles

Conditions

60°F, Sunny, Overcast

How Goes It

I ran in 40-something degree weather for the first time! ^{Actually it was 49°F, but I still consider 49 to be in the “40s”} It was also rainy – ewww. Seriously, if it wasn’t for the fact that I am leaving for vacation on Thursday, I would have skipped it.

I used my nifty new heart monitor today – nevermind that it took me 20 minutes to figure out that it goes under my “girls,” not above them. I synched it easily to my Garmin and went out the door to see what would happen.

It of course showed that I am running completely out of my fat-burning zone and into anaerobic levels. Not good. My reports after also showed that I am at 100% when I go up a hill – duh. Lesson: SLOW THE F DOWN!

The upside is that I’m learning to pace myself in the beginning of the run, instead of the opposite.

I’m also happy to avoid a near-death incident with a garbage truck. I’m not sure how he didn’t see me when he’s staring right at me in my super bright turquoise vest, but whatev’s – I’m alive!

Stats

Timing:
Total Time: 00:30:00
Avg Pace: 09:10 min/mi
Max Pace: 07:35 min/mi

Conditions

49°F, Light Rain

How Goes It

Laziness really spoke to me today, but I still managed to get my butt up and out the door.

Another hellacious run! But this time, it wasn’t me – it was the 24 mph winds (runnersworld.com classifies it as “stormy” – yikes!) blowing dirt, leaves and small puppies into my face. At certain points, I had one arm pumping while the other tried in vain to keep down the bill of my cap and towel in my eyes. Misery. My calves are pretty sore right now too, probably from running into the wind. I must be a complete NUT for running in this weather! (((picturing the flying cow in that movie Twister)))

A minor lesson I had to learn:
long run = run slow
long run = run slow
long run = run slow
long run = run slow
long run = run slow

Yeah… That light bulb lit at around mile 2.

Other than that, I’m pretty proud of myself for running 5.25+ miles straight without stopping!!! ^{Minus the one time I was forced to jog in place to allow a [explicative] car – who obviously had no intention of stopping – through an intersection. Grr.} I could have easily run the full 60, but I’m planning squeezing in the entire Week 9 between tomorrow and before I leave for vacation on Thursday, so I didn’t want to over do it.

According to a quiz in Jan 2009’s issue of Runner’s World, I am meant to run long distances like marathons and such. I wasn’t sure about that until today, when I felt my body turn into “autopilot” right before mile 4. I’m also really good at running without music. Who knows! This could be the first indication towards tapping into what my body’s true talents. Exciting stuff.

Stats

Total Time: 00:50:01 ^{it was supposed to be 49 minutes but I like round, even numbers hee}
Avg Pace: 09:30 min/mi
Max Pace: 07:40 min/mi

Splits
Mile 1: 09:19 min/mi
Mile 2: 09:29 min/mi
Mile 3: 09:40 min/mi
Mile 4: 09:34 min/mi
Mile 5: 09:30 min/mi
Finish: 09:13 min/mi

Conditions

56°F, Sunny, Windy (24mph)

How Goes It

It didn’t go that well today; in fact, I stopped three times – two for side cramps and once when I got super tired.

Oh and did I mention this was only supposed to be a 36 minute run??? Pffffft.

Typically I run my best after a day’s rest, but today was nothing like that. I’m beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with my diet – wouldn’t be the first!. I will look at my food log and see about my carb/protein (and maybe fat too) intake.

Today’s run doesn’t bother me a bit; in fact, I look forward to running again! I recognize that it’s just one of those things that just happens.

Oh oh oh! I went to a running clinic held by this guy who’s trained Olympic medalists and NBA players the other day. Very helpful! I tried to implement the methods I learned but it feels weird to lift my knees when I run. I think I need to work my gluteus maximus muscles as recommended and continue to practice the leg thing. I do have to say though, it felt really super cool (and a little scary too!) to allow my center gravity to take me.

I also learned that in order to run faster, you have to run slow. I ran what I thought were 10+ MM (according to live packing) but it turned out that I was still doing 9 MMs. Garmin needs to stop hitting the margaritas!

Stats

Total Time/Distance : 37:04 and 3.93 miles ^{(I forgot it was s’posed to be 36 min only)}
Ave Pace: 9:26 MM
Max Pace: 7:33 MM

Splits
Mile 1: 9:07 MM
Mile 2: 9:14 MM
Mile 3: 9:42 MM
Mile 4: 8:59 MM

Conditions

68° F, Sunny

How Goes It

My intention was to pop out an itsy-bitsy 2 miler today (I’ve been running 4-5 days a week lately with 2 milers in between the OHR days), but some things happened that forced me to have to be away from home for a longer period of time, so I thought, “hey why not just knock out the 30 minute run?”

Nothing too wild to report today, except that I went my regular route backwards for the first time and hellooooo – it is WAY easier! If I wasn’t so hung up on building my strength, I’d go this way from now on.

Stats

Total Time/Distance : 30:08 and 3.37 miles
Ave Pace: 8:56 MM
Max Pace: 7:04 MM

Splits:
Mile 1: 8:57 MM
Mile 2: 8:52 MM
Mile 3: 9:01 MM
Finish: 8:54 MM

Conditions

60° F, Sunny

Originally completed on Monday, December 8, 2008

How Goes It

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about running 45 minute straight with ZERO breaks, but thanks to Garmin, my new BFF, I was able to control my pace and hence not blow myself up by running at outrageous speeds (for me).

At about mile 3.33, a part of my regular route loops so that I can stretch my journey to 6-7 miles, but let me just say that it feels weird/awesome to actually run into the areas where it used to be time for me to walk!!! It’s unbelievable to think back to 2007 when 8-minute runs was quite the tackle. I have conquered, yeah!

I felt completely refreshed at the end of the run; in fact, I probably could have knocked out the full 60! But alas, patience pays. It would not be worth botching up the 5k race I have this weekend nor risk hurting myself (I would just die if the latter happened).

Stats

Total Time/Distance: 45:03 and 4.88 miles
Avg Pace: 9:14 MM
Max Pace: 7:49 MM

Splits:
Mile 1: 9:16 MM
Mile 2: 9:15 MM
Mile 3: 9:21 MM
Mile 4: 9:11 MM
Finish: 9:03 MM

Conditions
60° F, Sunny, Windy

How Goes It

INSANELY AWFUL!!! (sob-wail-sniffle) I got a bad case of the cramps again – this time TWICE. To cope, I stopped my watch and lightly semi-jogged in place for a minute or two (in a very pissed off way) and continued again when the pain went away.

There are two reasons why this could be happening:

• Breakfast. The most I used to eat prior to a run was part of a granola bar, but this and the last time I ran, I had a bowl of oatmeal about 45 minutes to an hour prior. Maybe I run best with an empty stomach.

• Time of day. I’ve been running at noon versus 6 am. It’s highly unlikely that this change causes cramps, but it is something different I don’t usually do and could be a possibilty.

Other than that, the conditions are identical as usual. It’s just annoying that these aren’t side stitches but actual cramps that make me stop. (What? Am I wishing that they were side stitches instead? Oh my!)

Stats

34:00 – 8:56 MM @ 3.81 miles

Splits:
Start to 2.16 miles – 8:50 MM
2.16 miles to end – 9:04 MM

Conditions

60°F, Sunny

How Goes It

This was supposed to be a really quick and easy 30 minute run, however, at about 24:30, a terrible case of sharp cramps gripped me on the right side which forced me to jog in place for a minute or two.

Of course this is my own fault for drinking a ton of liquids minutes before I left the house (therefore creating a “sloshing” sound in my tummy) and I ran much faster than I intended. Lessons learned!

I also developed a massive headache as I walked home after the run. Arrrgh.

Stats

30:00 – 3.41 miles @ 8:48 MM

Splits
Start to 2.16 mi – 19:09 min @ 8:52 MM
2.16 mi to end – 10:00 min @ 8:41 MM

Conditions

58°F, Overcast

This was completed on Saturday, November 29, 2008

How Goes It

Being that I was vacationing in the fabulous city of Scottsdale, I took the opportunity to see the city with this 41 minute run. Three things here: 1) It was great to run on flat land, 2) I learned a lot about running on city streets, and 3) This is definitely the best way to see a new city.

I welcomed the relief of flat land, but of course the trade off is running on the sidewalk. OUCH! I can honestly say, this was the FIRST time since I started running this year that I got shin splits. This did not make me happy and even a few days later today, I still feel the tingle of my shins. Booo for concrete!

Unlike my usual running route which contains zero traffic lights, running in a city means you need to abide by those electronic organizer thingies. Now typically in Los Angeles, you have a good few seconds to start walking when the WALK light comes on. Scottsdale? Oh nooooo. It flashes for less than a second and then it turns into the flashing warning hand. On the way back, I encountered this and since in LA you have 15 seconds of flashing hand to cross, I didn’t think of it as a biggie, so I stepped into the intersection anyway. Well little did I know that about a quarter of the way through this intersection, the crossing street’s light turns GREEN!!!! Thank goodness I took it easy during this run because I easily found the power to SPRINT through the rest of the intersection burning with embarrassment while praying that I didn’t get run over. Note to self: Scottsdale traffic lights are to be taken seriously!!!

I thought it was best discovery ever when I ditched my iPod, but there something even more magical about running in a new city. It might have something to do with how the mind is silent when taking in new sights, so when that happens, you can really hear the new strange birds in the background and appreciate the little things like landscaping and how much more blue the sky is than home. And of course exchanging small smiles of camaraderie with fellow runners as you share this secret discovery! I think this may be a little tradition of mine from now on when I travel. :):):)

Stats

41:00 min – 4.31 miles @ 9:31 MM