run every morning

I ran 12km this morning in another community fun run event. I listened to the radio hoping feebly that the strong winds and heavy rain would cause the event to be cancelled (not the right attitude!), but had a feeling it wouldn’t be. I turned up a little late, but still had time to warm up before the run.

I was not very happy with my performance today. Despite that it rained the whole way, and despite that the course was nasty, I still didn’t put my best effort in. I was slightly suspicious when my fitness instructor told me that she gets more tired after the 12km course than she does after the 21km course. I can see why! It was steep and the road was unsealed in places. The hills seemed endless! Also, part way into the course I found a running partner whose pace was matching mine. It was fine to begin with, but he had a bigger stride and I found that I had to push myself to keep up. It’s not a bad thing to push yourself, but then he walked a lot too, and rather than continue on, I dropped my pace to a walk. I was looking for any excuse to walk too, because I had a severe stitch. Really, it was not the best 12km! I’ve done much better before, but it was good practice for the Half Marathon.
Afterwards, I won a spot prize at the prize giving :) It was an XL t-shirt (hehe), a bag, and a cap. I’m sure i’ll find a use for them :)

I had the afternoon off. I feel utterly exhausted. I’m on the edge of falling asleep. My next running plans involve a 15km run out to the local town, where i’m going to ask mum to pick me up from. I’m hoping that we can have breakfast together there too :) It was Daylight Saving in NZ last weekend which was a hassle, because I usually start work at 8:30, and instead of it being light early at 6am, it’s not light until a bit later which means less time for running before work!

^{I don’t know if you can tell in the photo, but i’m soaked to the skin!}

I took part in a community fun run today, and ran 10 km :) Afterwards someone told me it was actually 12 :/

It was nasty and gruelling, with steep uphills, and steep downhills, but I proudly ran every step of it! No walking those hills for me! :D

My time was 1 hour 15 minutes, which is consistant with my 7 minutes per kilometre running time. Not a fast time, but a steady time!

I felt like I could’ve run further! The next run i’m planning is 15km, and then i’ve got a community 13km run. Easy! :)

I’m struggling to find time to run recently, not surprising with the travelling and work that i’ve had on. I can’t use this as an excuse however!

I’ve been going to Pump classes each week still, and have been increasing my effort there. I’ve also thought about finding time to bike ride again, so that I can cross train. But I can’t see myself bike riding if I can’t even find time to run!

I’ve got a 10km run this weekend. It’s just a fun run for practice for the upcoming half marathon. It’ll be good for practice, and it may turn out to be the only running I get done this week after everything else that is going on.

I went to Pump class in shorts and a singlet today, the weather was so summery. :) Despite my lull in physical activity, I felt really good!

I also stopped at a sports shoe shop the other day to discuss the blisters i’m getting from my shoes. There are a number of things: it could be the socks i’m wearing, it could be that my feet are quite susceptible to blisters (some feet are), it could be that my cross training shoes are too rigid for running and that I need running shoes (eek!), it could be a lot of things basically. I’ve still been experimenting with different techniques of dealing with the blisters and have made some progress in reducing the severity of them. :)

I have always been resolved to exercising more, losing the weight I’ve wanted to lose and having a healthy diet, but I’ve always managed to fall behind and altogether stop. I’ve been done trying for a long time now, to the point where I’ve spent all day in bed during my vacation. My lack of self-motivation even manifested itself in the way I would gasp for breath when I would start walking fast for a prolonged period of time…even though I’m only 5’0” and 120 lbs.

But today, for the first time in 6-7 years, I actually took initiative and got up, dressed and went out for a run. Not surprisingly, I only lasted 20 minutes and I spent a good half of those minutes walking.

I was winded and I started to have that metal taste in my mouth, which I abhor. But for once, I actually feel good about starting off the day somewhat positively. I go to university in a week and I hope to make this into a somewhat solidified habit once I’m all settled in.

I actually broke the ice. Let’s hope I don’t drop the ball. I resolve not to, since I took the first wavering steps by myself and on my own accord. I CAN DO THIS.

I went to a specialist bra shop this morning which was fantastic! The lady there was really lovely and helpful, and I got fitted properly for a sports bra. I’m so glad I didn’t settle for the last sports bra I tried on, which didn’t feel “right”. I ended up having to travel four and a half hours away from home to find one that fitted! I tried all sorts of sizes before we determined that the right one for me was an 8F. Heck.

I’d tried on D’s that didn’t feel right, i’d tried my sister’s E which I didn’t fit, and I even tried an FF, but the F was the best fit for running at the end of the day. I can jump up and down and not move! haha this will sound crazy, but I really love that!

I ended up forking out $105 for it. It’s an investment. Now I can actually run. I’m so glad I found the shop. :) I found out the also sell bikini’s, so i’ll be heading back there in Summer! I spent about 4 hours trying on Bikini’s last summer before giving up.

Shoes! Bra! Motivation!

I’m sorted!! :D

I stayed at a friends on Sunday night, and ended up staying up until 1:30am to do some emergency proof reading for my sister who had an assignment due the next day. With that kind of bedtime there is no way I was going to get up and run in the morning, especially seeing as I had a 9am dentist appointment.

I spent Tuesday morning recovering and sleeping in. Wednesday I woke early for work, as I also did for Thursday. I can’t see myself running tomorrow morning because as well as an early start for work, i’m also leaving home tomorrow to stay with my nana. (Oh heck! I haven’t rang her to ask if I can stay!). Saturday I am heading to my sister’s in Auckland (can’t see a run fitting in that morning, I leave Nana’s early). I had all-day plans for Sunday. Maybe I can rearrange them slightly. If not, this means i’ve only run 2.5km’s this week! My worst week by far! I was averaging 20km a week up until now…

I expected this. September is going to be crazy for me. I need to make the commitment now to get organised and fit my running into my life.

My training for the half marathon in November is going very well. :)

I’ve been aiming to equal or better my running distance for each week and have managed to so far, with a total of 57km run since I started training. :)

I went for a run last Sunday intending to do 4 or 5km, but after 2km I didn’t want to stop, and ended up running a total of 12. A wonderful feeling! :)

I’ve found a way around sore legs by massaging them after the run, this has worked really well! :)

I’ve bought the Nike+iPod chip to track my runs and some nice new running shoes. I’d just really like to get healthier and I think that waking up every morning and running 3 miles is a great start.

I started my marathon training program on Monday. I wanted to start it as soon as I got home from my road trip, but was held up by sickness. I’m now fully recovered, and rose from bed bright and early (ok, 8:30) for an 8km run on Monday morning. This run was only made only possible due to a late start at work on Monday. I did the 8km ok, I forgot to tape part of my foot, and could feel a blister starting which was a hassle. I’m using trial and error to deal with the blisters I get on my little toes. If the problem persists I may have to see the podiatrist, as I can see it being a big obstacle in the half marathon.

Apart from that, the running is going well, another 8km today. I got up early (though not early enough) and managed 4km, and then another 4km before the gym tonight. This means i’ve run 16km so far this week. I’ll have time to do a longer run this weekend, i’m hoping for either 10km or 12km – i’ll see how my legs feel!

There are three main obstacles to this goal.
1. Running shoes.
2. Sports bra.
3. Motivation.

About four weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and invest in some good (i.e. pricey) running shoes. Mum recommended the shop where she brought some for my brother, as they were quite proffessional to deal with. I spent over an hour there one saturday, until I found a pair that i’ve been thrilled with :)

I ran on the treadmill barefoot first, and they videoed me running, then showed me on the computer screen what i’m doing right, and what i’m doing wrong when I run. Apparently my feet splay slightly when I run (I think i’m doing this for balance). Also when I lift off, I lift off from my big toe instead of all of my toes.

With this in mind, they picked out shoes that would correct my splay, and provide good frontal support so that I lifted off on my toes. The first pair I tried on were my favourite, but they didn’t have my size. I narrowed it down to two pairs, but with one of the pairs I found the front too wide, and my foot shifted from side to side.

I decided on a pair of Asics Gel 580TR Cross Training Shoes, which weren’t cheap, but i’m hoping that they’ll last, and i’ll get some really good use out of them.

I also went shopping for a sports bra, but didn’t find one big enough. Oh dear. Will keep looking.

Thirdly, whilst motivation is lacking in other areas of my life, i’ve been quite motivated when it comes to running these past few weeks. I started out slowly, with short runs, then increased the distance when my sister and my friend came to stay over the univeristy holiday. (They are both keen runners.)

I ran about 8km yesterday, and 5km today. I thought my little toe was a little sore afterwards, then when I looked more closely I have a blister. Ouch. I also got a blister on the arch support last week, but it’s not a problem now. I guess it’s to be expected when you get new shoes.

My sister has suggested we do a half marathon together in November. I told her i’d think about it, I don’t want to commit myself too soon. For now i’m focussing on increasing my distances, my endurance, and my overall fitness level.

I really feel like i’m making progress with this goal. :)