The Jello State
18/07/09 13:18
After a tough running week, I just logged my first 8 miles. Earlier in the week I shortened a should be 4 mile run because of stomach stuff and the following day I had to brake off after half a mile because I was throwing up. I think I had just eaten too much feta cheese a little earlier, although I waited 2 hours before hitting the road. Perhaps it was from the stomach flu from last week. I guess I really need to run on an empty stomach. So today I went out without any breakfast and came back 8 miles later. I'm too exhausted to celebrate my accomplishment, but perhaps as the day wears on and my legs solidify from their current jello state, it'll start to settle in what I managed. Me. 8 miles. Wow.
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The First Day
06/07/09 22:42
Today H and I officially started our 16 week training preparation for a marathon. We are two weeks behind schedule for the Cologne marathon, but are trying to stay optimistic. I'm not sure which two weeks we can afford to cut out, but I'm thrilled to be in the plan and feeling like I'm at a physical place where I can start. Our week vacation in Spain knocked us off schedule (even-though we ran twice there, we slacked the two following weeks) and I'm a little worried our trip back home in September might be difficult. With a little resolve I'm sure I can make it. Where else in the world would I prefer to be running my 18 milers?
So we started our schedule today. A planned three miles turned out to be a 3.4 miler on a tummy full of BBQ goodies. We had lots of left overs from our 4th of July party and sat in the garden with friends, played a round of garden soccer in the sunshine, popped inside to change into shorts and came out into a surprise burst of rain. I don't mind the rain and especially like it today because a mama and her two ducklings were out playing in the stream of mud along our running trail. It was a good run, despite the lump of tofu dogs in my tummy although next time I'll pass on a big meal before I take off.
Wednesday a 4 miler is planned, followed by 3 miles on Thursday and 5 on Saturday (we might skip to 6 miles if we think we can make it to shave off a week of training). Getting excited!
So we started our schedule today. A planned three miles turned out to be a 3.4 miler on a tummy full of BBQ goodies. We had lots of left overs from our 4th of July party and sat in the garden with friends, played a round of garden soccer in the sunshine, popped inside to change into shorts and came out into a surprise burst of rain. I don't mind the rain and especially like it today because a mama and her two ducklings were out playing in the stream of mud along our running trail. It was a good run, despite the lump of tofu dogs in my tummy although next time I'll pass on a big meal before I take off.
Wednesday a 4 miler is planned, followed by 3 miles on Thursday and 5 on Saturday (we might skip to 6 miles if we think we can make it to shave off a week of training). Getting excited!
No wind left to write a title.
02/07/09 22:48
11pm, 80˚, 90% humidity, 3.4 miles. I deserve a cold shower!
Accomplished
03/06/09 07:03
At 5:30am I woke up and ran 4.8 miles. There must be some kind of drug involved.
8.56m per mi
25/05/09 09:46
Henrik, his little brother Hannes and I went camping over the four day weekend. It was a wonderful escape, but we only managed one of the three runs we wanted to get in. The three day break made it all the harder to get up and put on my new running shoes this morning, but somehow I managed and had a great run! Henrik forgot about a meeting he had this morning and wasn’t able to come so I ventured out with some music and found a new route to the castle. It was wonderful and I had the feeling I was running so much faster than normal, so much more fluid. Once I got home and checked my running stats I realized I ran not only a half a mile longer than usual, but also my best mile so far: 8.56 minutes. Yes, it’s a bit far off from a 4 minute mile, but I’m still thrilled! So now I’m headed off to work on my runners high.
Big Baby Steps
18/05/09 21:57
Today I broke the 3 mile mark AND I ran two-thirds of the way. I’m following the pre-training plan from the book and I’m amazed how I can feel my endurance building from day to day. They are still baby steps, but I’m thrilled to feel progress.
Senkspreizfüße
13/05/09 09:49
The green line represents my Achilles tendon and should be at 180º
I’m home sick with laryngitis and am forbidden to talk; however, I am allowed to write (and run!). After my unsuccessful shoe shopping trip I broke down and went to a sports doctor to have my feet looked at. It was at a well respected clinic right next to my dorm in Hamburg when I studied abroad so it was fun to see my old stomping ground again and I felt like they did a good, thorough job checking my feet and running style. At least they didn’t laugh when I told them I was planning on running a marathon in the fall (like my doctor did).
The verdict: I have flat, splay feet. (Or in German, Senkspreizfüße)
It sounds much worse than it is. It basically means that both my inner arch and arch under the ball of my foot is weak and sunken. This causes me to over pronate (my ankles flop inward) thus giving me knocked knees. Funny thing is it’s never given me any pain, but the truth of it is that if could cause problems if I’m running often or long distances. So I’ve ordered specialty sport insoles and the doc gave me a list of shoes that help support this problem as well. I’m going to try and build up the muscles in my arches because insoles and shoes are only passive support and don’t really solve the root problem. The best thing I can do is run in the sand. Oh Lincoln City how I miss you now!
Don’t mind me if you find me trying to pick up pencils with my feet; I’m just training.
On Feet and Shoes
11/05/09 17:03
We are of the class of people who like to stock up on all the perfect gear before we decide if we like a hobby. It’s a naughty habit which we are trying to curb. And when I say we, I mean Henrik. The most recent trial hobby has been photography. We are now proud owners of a digital SLR and are very well on our way to being well equipped with all the bells and whistles. Now we’re on to the next...running.
Like I said, we’re trying to curb stocking up on all the fancy gear, but there is one must. The combined age of Henrik and my running shoes is older than Henrik. We read a few articles on good shoe choice, clipped out a few test reviews and headed to downtown Hamburg. An hour and a half later Henrik was the proud owner of a pair of Supernova Glides and I left empty handed. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in our history. I can remember the lovely shopping trip 4 years ago when Henrik left with 3 new pairs of shoes and I ended up with a pair of pity socks. But this time it was different. They wouldn’t sell me a pair of shoes because they said I over pronate (ankles turn inward) so much I need to have my feet checked and have insoles made before I buy new shoes.
So I left pretty bummed, thinking my career as a marathoner was over. A few hours later I put on my old running shoes and off I went feeling ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead, bad feet and all.
Like I said, we’re trying to curb stocking up on all the fancy gear, but there is one must. The combined age of Henrik and my running shoes is older than Henrik. We read a few articles on good shoe choice, clipped out a few test reviews and headed to downtown Hamburg. An hour and a half later Henrik was the proud owner of a pair of Supernova Glides and I left empty handed. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in our history. I can remember the lovely shopping trip 4 years ago when Henrik left with 3 new pairs of shoes and I ended up with a pair of pity socks. But this time it was different. They wouldn’t sell me a pair of shoes because they said I over pronate (ankles turn inward) so much I need to have my feet checked and have insoles made before I buy new shoes.
So I left pretty bummed, thinking my career as a marathoner was over. A few hours later I put on my old running shoes and off I went feeling ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead, bad feet and all.
26.2 Miles
10/05/09 11:57
To say I know exactly what inspired me to pick up my running shoes and shoot for the moon would be a lie. If I try hard enough I can pinpoint perhaps 3 key elements: a strong desire to shed the 6 extra winter kilos; the book The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer; and the urge to set a goal beyond my wildest fascination.
Why a marathon? I keep asking myself the same question and the only answer I can find is because it is so much greater than myself. There was perhaps a time in my early youth when I considered myself athletic, but that time has long passed. To be honest, it’s not my goal (but hopefully a little perk). Recently my life has felt off track, heading in whatever direction someone pulls the hardest or maybe the direction of least resistance. To run is my way of pulling myself back into MY direction, to achieve something greater than myself by sole means of my two legs and determination.
Let’s see how this little exercise goes...