The simple act of running

2007-04-20T17:23:00.001-04:00

I just felt like wanting more

2007-01-18T13:15:00.000-05:00

Today's workout was made in episodes. Instead of leaving home at around 6.45 with N I stayed until 7:25 because she didn't come and M was about to arrive at 7.30. I didn't have a real plan to do today. I thought of training only with M in order to do a longer run tomorrow. With M "covered" 3.5 miles. Running and walking. When we end made some stretching and watched the day was gorgeous,
windy, blue sky, fresh, lovely, believe me. We started talking and to continue with the chat invited her for breakfast. It happens from time to time, we are friends now.
I had what I usually eat for breakfast; 1 egg + 3 egg whites with fresh tomato sauce and a slice of bread, a glass of pineapple juice and coffee with a small pan cake.
Not conservative at all but this is the best I can make having breakfast in a hotel everyday in the buffet! The truth it was harder before not to eat other things they offer and that look great. Now I am stronger...
After that we took a brief walk, -about 10 minutes as we were finding out about an new Internet service available at the hotel (which could in the future solve my connection problems) and went to the parking lot and said goodbye.
While walking to my car I watched again the lovely morning. It was already around 10 but the sun wasn't that hot in fact the wind was fresh. I just felt like running again. The rest of course could wait. I just went and how nice it was! I had no water with me and had to stop to drink 2 times but continue until ended with 4.5 miles for a total of 8. Started thinking of going for 1 loop around the hotel (2 miles) but after drinking water felt like going for half of that again. Drank again but felt fine and went for 1 more. It is great to feel again the happiness of running. Stopping helped of course a lot but there was no one around who care in fact. Garmin had a day off as it ran out of energy but I didn't precisely missed it.
This second chance to run I was in a high. And it came to my mind that the only ones that could understand this moments is you my team from the blogsphere and knew I had to share this feeling.
It was surprising that I could run immediately after eating that amount of food, the first 3 miles it was fine ended with some discomfort but nothing that bad.
One thing different I had this morning was a dosis of ginseng that definitely was what made the trick. In fact after this that I call successful morning I am thinking about green tee. I used to have some before starting my workouts and gave me lots of energy. I will stick to that again.

Tanita loves me :D

2007-01-12T18:02:00.000-05:00

Thursday went to Punta Cana for a bike ride. The area is a new neighborhood that is being built. There are open roads and there is no transit. It was nice to be able to develop the fastest speeds I've tried. 12m/h not continuous, but I could reach it as said by Garmin. In the hotel the traffic doesn't let you speed up. Still this high speed is relative. I don't know what is high speed for a bike ride. By the way the other day I was thinking while riding 10m/h that a marathoner that ends in 2.15 develops this kind of speed that I reach when riding! They are super humans!!! It is then a nice place to run or bike ride.

This morning my WO was 2miles+strenght training+2 miles.
I will continue training on the treadmill to end recovering my energy. I want to save energy and take care. I haven't mention but now the left foot is giving me some trouble spur related. I was warned about that. Seems like people with spurs develop them in both feet. Still as I stated before, spurs don't stop me.

Now to Tanita. The new scale arrived. I don't know how accurate it is but is should be close to what it states. I waited two hours after exercises and eating: 25% fat !!!
I like it measures the hydration percentage also. I will check it to see if drinking regularly elevates my % Now I'm in a medium point.
It has a mode for metabolic age. It said that mine is 25 and I'm 35. I don't know if it is true but it sounds great!
Luis was some angry. Funny. He is 39 and his MA was 50.
I also weighted some of my friends and even M who is 30 had a MA of 40.
Seems like I'm the only one that Tanita loves.

A real runner partner

2007-01-10T17:37:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday I was supposed to met 2 moms from school to go for a bike ride. Instead of waiting for them 30 minutes I thought of going for a short run as I was in Punta Cana, the place where the school is. A beautifil green safe area that has a "trial" on the side of the road. I've run there once only as it is some far to get there early with my girls, but from this run I will have to go there more often, seriously.
It was a great run, a shame I forgot to my Garmin, I love the maps. Warmed up for 5 minutes and I was already able to run which doesn't happen lately. Immediately felt happy with a steady pace on this soft surface. I had my phone with me, there I checked the time and when I had run 20 minutes I went back. About five minutes later I met with L who was running, -she was in the group when I was with the kickboxing thing- I was so happy to see her that I turned back and continued with her. We started chatting and after about 10 minutes I started feeling the effort of running and chatting. But it was ok. She is a runner! In fact she was talking me about her training and an expedition to the highest point of the island called Pico Duarte at the end of January.
She is a short woman maybe a feet smaller than I -maybe- but she is FAST. Well at least stronger and faster. We accorded to run from time to time togheter.
The landscape and company made me realize about my lack of motivation this last days. It also should be some boreness. I need challenges, to feel motivated for running but with real runners. Sorry for N and M my actual partners but they've made me lazy :-P Now I decide it is their fault.
By the way I missed the other bike partners...

Today I went to the gym thinking of running at the treadmil and do there an easy workout considering yesterday as a hard day. Warmed up for 5 minutes and had to stop to move one of my orthotics that has caused me a blister grrrr. Still I was able to concentrate and continue running.
I was checking my low heart rate. I set my usual speed of 5m/h and it was still around 140 when normally it is over 150. I wondered if I could reach again 160 as before. Started a hill session. Made in total 8 reps of 1 min at 8 incline which is the max rate I usually reach, with about 2 minutes to recover on 4 miles total.
For the first 5 reps I lowered the speed to 4.7 The HR continue being very low; it only increased to 150 not 160. But it was nice, incredible, but I wasn't as tired as before in same conditions.
The last 3 reps I left the speed on 5 and finally the HR climbed to 160. But it was fine, in fact I haven'r feel tired or bad during the day :D
With this run I completed 6 days in a row training with a low total of 17 miles and 1 hour bike. I am feeling fine so I'm planning to go to Punta Cana tomorrow again for an hour or more of bike ride!
Photos and map tomorow!

*A note about weight. I feel happy to confirm that I didn't gain weight on December. I feel proud. Didn't loose but I'm still on 149 despite my lack of training. Yeah!
Spell checking doesn't work and loggin in is a whole problem since I moved to betta grrr.

Looks like I'm improving :D

2007-01-07T18:36:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm feeling better. I haven't feel that weak and not stomach issues!
Saturday wanted to try the tread mil which I haven't in a long time. They were busy. Instead of that since I was already in the gym and mentally programmed for not hitting the road I choose an elliptical. Stayed there for about 45 min. I will count it like 3 miles, as it counts on distance. I don't really like it. My feet become still there. But still it felt like a good effort and a big sweat.
As Spark suggested better now than latter I started with the bike. An hour, 10 miles. Felt fine. If I will be using it for my marathon training it will work nicely since now while I recover my energy.
About the marathon training I still think that if I feel better I still can change some of the Cross training sessions for easy runs.
I will focus now on hydration. Now that here is not that hot I am not drinking enough water. I bought on an Internet sale a Tanita that measures the hydration level, I know for some of your blogs, that it is not that accurate, but I hope it helps me to focus on that as a key to improve my running.

A start

2007-01-05T13:10:00.000-05:00

Well, finally made it. The year started with four easy miles.

A good point is that my heart rate is lower now. It should be not only for the fitness level :P but because of the weather. Still it is some strange looking that my heart rate is still on 145 -148 at the end of 4 miles. It used to be 150- 155. Of course I have no good fitness level at this point... is it maybe the age???

I'm looking for the marathon training and found some with only 3 days a week running, the rest combines lots of xt. Maybe that could be a good way to enjoy my runs again.

I have talk about my "partners" since a long time. Two of three that started are still trying. N is already running 25 minutes non stop. M is still doing intervals of running as she has missed many sessions during this months. I am trying to motivate them to follow a half marathon training and travel with me to Cleveland on May but will see if they finally want to come. I also understand that racing is not for everyone :)

Beyond numbers

2007-01-02T22:18:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Looking at my numbers, well, I might say that is not that I can precisely say that I feel proud of this year as a runner and there are doubts about my running that I would like to state here.

I understand that long distance is not for everyone. I realized about that reading Lulu's blog, seems like a good choice doing it right before going to the next step. Am I prepared for it?

I like to be there "in the long run" as Scott referees. I will find out again how to get there. I have no clue of how to do it right now. Thinking of a 10 mile run seems pretty scary. I know I like it but am I able to do them again?

I wonder what is the secret to keep all the way up during the year with a fresh Moho and feel full with all the energy required to run all those miles most of you do.

I also think that anyone complains as I do. And I don't mean complaining about spurs. In general I think that my health is not that good as yours for example. My stomach is still giving me some troubles and looking back during the year makes me think that I am not strong as you are. I won't say I am not strong enough since I've already done it before, but has it taken too much from me and my body is not reacting as it should adapting itself to this new stress that will make me grow and instead of that is somehow stepping back getting weaker and weaker against what is expected??????

How many times were you sick during last year?

I was thinking of all this last night when trying to figure out how will I start training for the marathon again. Anyway I feel very engage in this marathon thing and I will attempt and will take this new challenge. I want to enjoy my training and at the same time feel proud of how I do it and do it complete and with quality, which will not exactly mean being fast ;-)

THANKS, THANKS, THANKS for your supportive words, it is incredible to have to say this but is like feeling that you guys will understand what I mean, people that I don't actually know but from the ones I receive so much! Your welcome back words have being so important to be inspired about my running even more.

*My running year hasn't started yet. No miles logged yet. I want to refresh my legs and try to recover my Moho which I will need a lot for the marathon training.

Last post of the year

2006-12-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

****Running Goals for 2007*****
- Improve 2006 numbers, (1080) in 20% at least
- To run my second marathon and set a better mark (!)
- End the year training for my third marathon in Miami 2008
- Keep posting on blogger :S

December numbers:

90 miles 20 running days of 31.

2006 ended with 1080 miles total.

After and during taking the medication my performance decreased a lot. It was a shame to step back precisely when everything was going so right. It lasted 10 days and it wasn't that bad but seem like this medicine affected my sleep and made me very anxious. I just wasn't on the mood to run, but still try my best effort. Cancelled running four days in a row and then came back easily running five days in a row, then resting 2 and this last week ended with 36 miles in 6 days running that were not perfect, but done. The spring training wasn't completed... I completed only 9 of 12 weeks and missed many of the speed session from the second season, "again".

December... a very busy month. It mean all sorts of parties, not to mention school holidays and with kids at home everything changes. I had no longer my mornings and instead of that I become in to my daughters driver and tour guide :D

I spent a lot of time on the Internet I confess, but with my slow connection I could only made the basic research for Christmas presents and until two days ago the presents for the 6Th of January when we Mexicans celebrate "Los Reyes Magos" (it is when baby Jesus received presents from the three wise men). Kids receive toys from them, so they are on the way! I have always to buy on line, there is nothing available here.

Thanks D for recommending me the Oklahoma marathon I really appreciate it, the thing is that I wasn't able to start training on time. I choose Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, May 20Th! I will have to start training on January 15! Have anyone run that one?

Happy New Year for all of you my inspiration from the Internet. It is amazing to discover how important is the state of mind. This days I was absent form the blog sphere but when running many of you were still inspiring me in more that one way! The best for you and your family!!

Glutes on the run

2006-12-10T21:40:00.000-05:00

It was a productive week that ended with 24 miles.
Since Thursday I noted something different on my glutes but until Friday and then again on Saturday, was that I started using and enjoying it. After about two miles into the run there is some new energy coming from my glutes and make my run stronger and easier. Maybe I think is like my strike has grown some maybe only a bit in length and that should aloud now this muscle to move better and for that reason now I can use them. I feel like the rest of my leg is useless now that I can use my glutes for pushing. It's energy is crucial. What a nice sensation. Seems like everything takes me long to happen and for that reason I can almost watch how my progress goes on...
On Friday I had to go for a speed session but missed it again. Instead of that I ran in what seemed to be a tempo run which had the best mile in 9:20. It was a great run. On Saturday I could felt the effort and change the run for the afternoon and that gave my legs a chance to run the last day of my running week. The start wasn't that nice but it ended full of renewed energy!

In other notes, I finally visited the doctor to receive the results of the studies, I was busy yes, but the truth is that as I felt recovered just didn't paid attention to it. I have gastritis coming from a bacteria and the treatment is with two different antibiotics. I didn't wanted to take them as some internet research I found saying it is common in this countries but exactly yesterday morning I started having some nausea and stomach discomfort. Hope this doesn't change my runs that at the moment are going so well... What a time for this to come, but still I should focus on the future and think of this as a part of the taking care of my health now and not in the middle of a marathon training. :-)

5 under 10 and 147!!

2006-12-05T12:08:00.000-05:00

More numbers. It is good to watch them sometimes :-)

My schedule said for today an 8km race. No race of course but still tried to go fast and strong. For the first time ever despite of had stopped several times to recover set a good time for me. Looking at my chart I see that the average is 9:53 the last mile was around eleven so for the next race I will have to start easier to complete as strong as at the beginning. Still I tried to end with a negative split. It was a short one, but still I felt good while doing it.
It is the first time that I complete 5 miles with this numbers, good day! I know for most it is a turtle pace but still I was going -as it should be- only against myself and I think it was good. I know that with some more concentration I could be doing even better.I have to translate those stops in to slower pace. Another detail to remember is to carry my pack with water. My mouth felt dry for moments and I was feeling some thirsty.
Those stops that I made in fact helped me, then I needed them. My heart rate was very high and making it to go down by stopping felt good.
The 147 is what my scale read today. I know my weight goes up and down depending what I drink also, but still I hadn't seen that number since maybe last year, so the 'DETERMINATION' month worked... To be honest, the determination wasn't as strong as should be. It is a process and with my visitors, sharing meals with them... (By the way I read an article that mentions that if you eat in groups for business for example, it is harder to follow your diet, seems like you eat more if you eat in groups). But I can say that the process is working. Lately I am not puttin in my mouth junk food that easy, but not only because I think I shouldn't, but because I have no more carvings for it. My friend who is a personal trainer, is a vegetarian also. She used to tell me that she can not eat certainly foods as they appear too sweet or too greasy. Is this finally happening to me? Hope so, fingers cross :-P

Ending the year with hope and energy!!!

2006-12-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

New month, new chances, lots of energy!!! Happy but absent from the blogsphere... That's the only bad part.
We received a visit and I was very busy. The truth is that is not that I was completely unable to write, but writing in english need some more concentration and inspiration still. Also I don't like to write my blog if I can't read yours. That's about writing, but not for running!
I didn't miss any of my scheduled runs. I found myself happy to wake up early to run still inspired from blogs like Jen's who says she needs to end her training at 6.30. I was very dedicated this days, I am happy for that. My legs feel strong and the weather conditions are better than ideal, what else can I ask for?
November ended with 120 miles. Of 30 days I ran 24, rested 5 scheduled and skip 1 for a forced trip to Santo Domingo.

The trip worth the shame, you know what? It was for applying for an american visa. And we receive it!! Of course I am happy as it means now I can travel "close" from where I live, to run marathons!!! That's the reason that finally moved me to apply for it. I hate doing any kind of papers :P specially as it means cancelling running, but still looking for papers questions, grrr. Now that's done and I can say now that I am looking for a flat course. RW have some options, I want to run at the end of april or in may. Could you recommend any, please?

Best days to run in Bavaro

2006-11-08T16:17:00.000-05:00

Tuesday 9 miles walk-run.
What lovely running mornings we are having here. It is a shame people in general don't appreciate them. Well I won't blame them as they are not all the time measuring the humidity and the weather in general to enjoy running, but believe me, suddenly it has had a lovely change. Great running mornings are ahead in our tropical winter! Wish you were here :-)
The long run change from run to half walking. It was not for being tired, first I ran about 2 miles and stopped to start with one of my partners. Walk and sprint for about 45 minutes and then took my camel pack and headed to the beach. It is been a long time since I haven't had a serious run there. The view and weather were awesome, but the sand was ot firm enough to run, I tried from time to time. Couldn't move to the hotel as the day was so beautiful. Ended with 9 miles, total, but stayed on my legs for almost 3 hours. What I've planned was to run along the beach from the opposite side to here, which will be about 8-9 miles. Fortunately I wasn't there as there was nobody available to drive me there, lucky me as the sand was so soft!

Wednesday 3 miles + strength DVD.
Three miles non stop and the avg pace around 10 makes official that after the marathon there is an improvement. Running seems now easier with this weather changes, time to enjoy!
Felt totally energize after doing my strength DVD, I am feeling back on good shape!

On the right path

2006-11-06T14:16:00.000-05:00

This is going well and that makes me happy, there is no better sensation than to know that I've programmed myself and I am just doing what I want to do.

Training until today:

Friday 5 miles including 5xHills

Saturday 3 miles + DVD strength training.

Sunday Off It was so weird not to run on Sunday after a long time doing it!

Monday 3 miles including 25 minutes tempo. I was supposed to run 35 as the schedule said but I headed home as it was late and my partners were supposed to be there... But they weren't. I ran a last mile with brief intervals that made me had lots of fun!

Today's weight was 149 pounds. It's been a long time since I haven't seen the 14... I am on the right path!!!

Google earth has updated photos from my area recently and now that my new Garmin is here I just upload this morning's run. Total of this path is 2.42 miles.

Here we can see how the photo was taken exactly on the boundaries of the hotel.

I'm planning a special long run for tomorrow, hopefully I will give you the good report tomorrow!

Thanks for your wishes and comments about my visit to the hospital. Staying with out food wasn't bad, in fact I'll confess that I stayed in bed until 10 and then headed to the hospital. No time for thinking on food. The study was a stomach endoscopy. They practiced it me with out being sedated -I don't know if asking for your cooperation is normal-, they told me they were going to give me a chance to behave instead of sedating me as it lasts just a couple minutes. I didn't like it at all, of course none will, it gives you terrible nausea and feeling that tube crossing my throat well... At least I saved time. The results will be ready in one week.

Do you want it or not?

2006-11-02T21:28:00.000-05:00

YES or NO are the only answers to this question. Is what I have to think about to practice my Determination month. At least my problems aren't about running or in______. Better not even mention them.
Is the food. Hilda, repeat with me again: loosing weight will help your running A LOT. At least this are the current problems with the ones I have to be determinate to decide what I want for my improvement which at the same time means happiness. I've said it before. Running and training for a marathon is thousand times easier than to loose weight, -well not exactly- to keep my mouth as closed as it should be. (for me)
The scenery is not easy. I've been taking care of this issue the last two years and sounds like it will be a for ever task. Eating is one of the pleasures of life but leaving it on the side for something higher will have its regards.
I remember those days when being thin meant something completely different. It was about vanity only. In fact as soon as I started training four years ago, to loose weight, I put vanity on the side as I started feeling with energy and healthier than ever. Now when I see thin girls around or on TV I wish I could have a body like that to be a better runner or at least lighter.

Running is going fine by the way.
Wednesday 3 miles + DVD Jillian Michaels. Ran on the treadmill, felt much better not having to stop at all. Well, being indoors is impossible not to end doing a decent workout. I will train on it I wish, about 2 times a week.
Thursday 5 miles. It is definitely that my legs are stronger. It is now my breath and hasn't have improved as wished.

Tomorrow morning I have a couple studies at the hospital to end making clear and sure how my stomach is. When they gave me my appointment I was completely disagree of having to wait until 11 with out eating as they are busy until that time. The doctor gave me this killer look saying, "it is only for one day, nothing will happen". I wanted to be able to at least drink water.
Is not that I thought of not surviving with out eating. Is that I didn't wanted to cancel my morning run. But, ok I will move it for latter. How nice to defend my runs like this! It was just about that, but how could she understand how terrible could something like that be?

The wind is blowing again

2006-10-31T21:42:00.000-05:00

This was the last day of the month and as lost as I am in other things took it off just like that instead of putting on some more miles to end with a better mark. October ended with 86 miles.
Still I am not that disappointed. Despite the bad days this number puts me in the range of my low mark. I mean, I feel like I am "in" again.
I lost one of the four long runs programmed this month but made all the tempo and hills.
This last week I ran six days in a row for the third time during the month and at least I can say I am feeling fine during the day despite of not being running in the best of the shapes.

November will be a DETERMINATION month. If I want it, I will do it. Just like that. I have to be determinate about my commitment with struggle improvement and effort.

Fresher days are here. The wind blows through my windows, I can hear it and as it sounds a nice sensation of good times brings me back to last year when I was doing my first long runs. It is a great sensation that comes along with a desire for running, how nice! Certainly the endorphins produced took me all the day along with a high that now, while listening and being in that same ambiance, takes me there. Better running days had gone, but better should be ahead. It is just about time. I am patience they will be back.

Fresher days are here, my legs are feeling strong. I am feeling fine.... Is just about to happen!

Always

2006-10-26T12:01:00.000-04:00

I opened a new blog that talks about my youngest daughter, it is in Spanish, I discovered I like writing in Spanish too :P it is faster to think!!!

Finally I resigned and visited the doctor. But it was needless -as always-. It is very hard to find good service in a hospital around here. At least for some of your reports I know that it can happen anywhere. The thing here is that when arrive to the hospital I asked for an appointment with the internist. Waited 40 minutes to find out with this doctor that he was an specialist for the heart and lungs. I will need to visit another doctor who is at the hospital only from 2-4 pm. Ok, so I will have to re-schedule this visit for latter on the week. It was only around 12. Still the visit worked psicologically somehow. I started feeling some better after being there at the hospital. Hope my organism can deal with this by itself. How I miss my "curandero" in Mexico, a place where all sorts of natural medicine are available and they word pretty well...

There is always an up to come during any down. Always, always, always!

My bright six days a week running started until Wednesday.
Yesterday's run was along with nausea and dizziness. It came to my mind a RW's interview about this woman who struggle training for the marathon while she was under chemotherapy. I just thought, certainly nothing compares to that. This is the time to go back again to think about how much do I struggle, sorry... Completed 4 miles. At least...
Today was much better. Programmed two loops from home to the end of the hotel and back. Made both without looking G, it happens that I discovered that my pace is going some faster that usual, -nothing really fast of course-, but as soon I was looking at this faster pace, I felt tired. Like thinking that this faster pace, -despite feeling well- was something to feel tired about! Grrr...
Went only by RPE. Avoiding watching G at all. I think this is what I have to do....

Later edit
I interrupted my writing thinking of posting a photo from Google earth who has refresh photos from my area and I wanted to show you some of those. Also I still haven't being able to look for the map from the day that I ran the marathon.
I was trying to connect G to my laptop when suddendly it stocked. It can't even being turn off and it wasn't sending data to my computer... Will it be the end of its days???

Truths

2006-10-23T16:39:00.000-04:00

RW's wake up calls:
"Each extra pound of body weight is equal to four pounds of pressure on the knee when walking and 25 pounds when running".
"For every week you take off it takes two weeks time to regain fitness".

Yes, all we know about this stuff, but is good to read it again, remember...
No, it is not that I've stop! Not at all, is just that sometimes I get lazy on checking your blogs due to my slow internet connection. It takes me LONG to do it. Then I just don't write mine either. Hope I can improve that finally this week.

Last week continued with 3.5xhills (4 miles) on Thursday, Friday was off, Saturday 4 miles. Total 19. Goal was 23.
The truth is as walking with my partners is taking me apart from my own training. When I go with them we are not yet running as they are beginners trying to loose weight.
Felt too tired to run Sunday morning. I had some "social activities" on Saturday. Woke up at 7 but feeling tired.
This morning made my weights session. Today I still have to run and an Abs session to do.
I will have to change some details on my schedule. Doing long runs Sunday morning is not working. Even to think of it the day before gets my stressed as I have to be ready around 8.30 to take the children to horse ridding. I can only go for around 4 miles.
The goal of running 6 days a week is not yet reach. My week will start today and reach that goal with no excuses. Just because I want to do it. I want to feel stronger and fitter and for that I have word to do!

My breath has to catch my legs ?!?!?!

2006-10-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

ril
Monday's long run, was made late, but done. In the morning I still felt tired. It isn't lack of motivation. Maybe my organism fighting with a bug. I feel suddenly tired, or too hungry (more than normal :P) some dizzy sometimes.
Motivation is fine. I feel butterflies in my stomach everytime I think of running!

Monday: 5pm run 7miles
The truth is that I wasn't very pleased with this run. My legs were ok but started feeling too tired too soon. Introduced many walk breaks to catch my breath. Now I can't say it was the weather. Now it is becoming fresher and the sun is low enough to not interfer with my running. Lack of fitness. Ended feeling too tired like a very long run.

Wednesday run: 4 miles.
Lost the chance to run on tuesday. First, in the morning I had to attend an event at school. Then I had the intention of running in the afternoon, but our usual afternoon activities didn't let me enough time... This morning I lost valuable time because of my partners. As we finally started training made a resistant training with bands. Then, time only aloud us to walk 2 miles. The sun was already high and I wasn't even able to think as I was SO HUNGRY. Bla, bla, bla. My run was still missing!

Started running at 6pm. How strong my legs feel, even I can tell they are running faster. Is my breath what I can't catch. My lack of work of this last month. But this improvement in strenght is real and my legs are in great shape. I don't even have to complain about the spur or my left knee! The run went great. Weather was perfect and I was just there enjoying what I expect will be a great off-season training!

Blame the weather!

2006-10-15T22:47:00.000-04:00

It all was going just great until this morning!

Made a hill session on Thursday as planned. I should not skip this session, they are so important and in fact I had fun. The thing is that there are no hills around here and the only one that I've seen has dogs around. Then I have to go to the gym. Lately that sounds so boring for me that last week changed it for a speed session.
This time it was late and sunny, so I just went to the gym. The schedule said to do only 3 x hill. That could be a clue for the other times hate this sessions. I was doing around 6 to 8 times repetitions. I ended too tired to repeat it again the next week. After that made a weights session.

Saturday woke me up with a headache. But just ignore it and went for a 3 mile run. It ended well and it felt fine to do it. The weather changed and started being very cloudy and rainy. I started feeling tired and with no energy.
It should be the weather changes.

This morning was the problem. Woke up on time. It took me long to leave home and went to the gym to get some cold water. Couldn't get out as heavy rain started. If I am already in the run I don't mind to run with rain, but I'm not good as starting with it!
Anyway, after just a few minutes I could get out. Started running, but it didn't work. The engine could not be turn on never. I tried one and once again, but no. Something didn't let me. It should be that my body felt the weather changes! It has happened to me before, just hope it doesn't go farther.
The worst part is that I was just about to loose my only "long" run of the week. But I still have a chance tomorrow. My friends aren't coming as they are traveling to Santo Domingo.... I will attempt again!

11am Run!

2006-10-11T13:31:00.000-04:00

Week 2
Day 2 = 3 mile
Started early to run before training with M and K. Finally had my first run after two weeks. I didn't stop and no walking breaks, felt great! Covered them in 30 minutes, I was very pleased.
After that we made a 45 minutes walk. I must confess that at the end I was feeling some tired. My legs were some stiff. It must had been the weights from Monday.

Day 3 = 3xhills
missed the hills because of not checking right my schedule. Doesn't matter, I will make them tomorrow.
I had a terrible night. Now it is like if I have a baby at night. Luna started crying at 1.30 then at 2.30 and didn't checked the time the third time when she cried. She wanted to pee. After each one it was very hard to go back to sleep.
strange but despite of this I woke up easily and in a good mood.
The "group" training consisted this morning in 30 min walk and 30 minutes of deep water running. The water was so fresh that we really enjoyed it. I felt like it was going to be enough for the day.
The nice history of this morning is that when we ended the "group'" workout, I realized that it was going to be a cloudy and fresh day. My mind immediately scheduled a run.
Arrived home and started preparing myself for going to the run, when a friend arrived. She stayed for about an hour. When she left I thought it was too late to start running, but as I was trying to start doing something else, everything seemed to be like confusing. I wasn't in my own. My mind had scheduled a run because of the cloudy morning, that there was no choice and I had to go.
Oh! If I was feeling great and strong! It rained nicely for about 10 of the 30 minutes the run took me. Garmin even said 10:05, 9:50 and 10:25 which as you know is like flying for me, but if I listen to it when is too slow, why won't I listen to its positive statements?
Ended with a great sensation again, thinking that there is not even one time, that I have regret of going for what could had seemed to be a bad day!!! Never, not even once!!

2006-10-09T22:43:00.000-04:00

Week 2 Day 1 = 3 mile+strength
My partners were specially slow today (now they are two!!). One of them will have to loose about 40 pounds, which makes her beginning hard. It is nice to think how much is in them, how much they can improve and I hope I will be able to see them grow!
Walked with them for 45 minutes. It was late when I was ready to start with myself, the sun was BURNING. Despite of my wishes of running outside I went to the gym and climbed in to the elliptical. The treadmill was busy... I made there 3 miles, in about 30 minutes. My feet get numb with the elliptical. When I ended the session also my right knee was sore. I don't like it, but well, I had 3 miles to go! Then after, my weight and abs session. It is nice to workout seriously.
I have to work myself apart. Now with two persons is harder to combine the workouts.

Week 1 Day 7 = 6 miles (long?)
I was expecting a lot from this run, but it wasn't the right day. Started just fine, but couldn't enjoy my first "long run" since the marathon happened. Still experience tells me that enjoyment sometimes starts only after the 8th mile. Anyway, my legs were tired at the end. Better days will come. I am just climbing up to the stairs of it!

Struggle No.1

2006-10-07T11:24:00.000-04:00

As I will be doing two-three "hard" sessions a week, I will rate them and analyze what kind of effort I made. It was so interesting to read about your opinions about what a struggle is!! Now I understand more how it is so relative, depending on the day, the stage, the fitness conditions, etc.
Last night it wasn't junk food but delicious food what I put into my mouth. A steak called churrasco and smashed potatoes was my dinner, about 1000 calories, great. !@#$
Sooner than latter I paid for this. That is not the recommended diet for someone who is planning to run the next morning. No matter what kind of run is!

Week 1 Day 6: 30 minutes tempo
I thought it was going to be too hard to rise the speed so I decided to change it for the easy 6 miles.
Started easy but it wasn't going good. Changed again and thought that a 10 minutes "struggle" was easier.
Rate: Good effort
It was my first tempo ever and felt good. Despite the humid morning, blah blah blah, I could rise the speed bit a bit and sustain it for 10 minutes. Or at least that was my feeling. Minutes flew sooner than I could imagine. The sustained effort gave a good confidence and made me feel good. Laps were 11:39, 9:52, 10:51. It was some hard to go back to an slower pace at the end. For some moments I wanted to walk but I struggled, -not so bad- and kept going. I sweat so much, but ended feeling very happy. It was fun.
Garmin graphic says my tempo wasn't that in fact. Look more like a normal run... I will work on that and try to be as accurate as D when doing her laps :) Oh yeah, someday someday....

Week 1 Day 4: 3 m + Strength
I went with my partner walking along the beach for about 30 minutes. The sun was SO HOT, you can't imagine, we were there giving away our energy to the sun. As we reach the hotel again, I NEEDED to run. What a nice feeling. It is that after the beach my HR and legs were warm enough to go on. The last mile was the best. Still I have to burn more calories. No more walking for me.
The strength session was ok. From next week after finishing with my partner, I will stay at the gym to continue with an extra serie and my old abs session. I need strength!

What a struggle is??

2006-10-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

Week 1 day 3 - 3 x hill
This wasn't a very energetic morning. For a moment thought of going back to bed. That is the truth. But, as I know is better, I just kept preparing and ignore the somehow lack of energy and went for it. My partner wasn't training today, so I turned on my music and went on. As I am not able to reach the closest hill, I change it for a speed session. Started jogging for about two miles. Set Garmin and started 3 x 400. Time laps were 2:12, 2:12, 2:06. I was over 1:58 last time I practiced this. That was on the beach, today on the road...
Between each lap I felt I recovered better walking for 2 minutes instead of jogging, (how I hate this word). The session ended with 1.5 miles running and walking. There was no problem with my legs but with breathing while recovering on the last miles. For the next week I will try a shorter distance as Ewen recommended me before to check if I recover better.

Thinking of this morning session, I wonder what a struggle is. Am I struggling enough? During the hard part do I do my best? I see myself finding it easy to run harder but not while recovering and starting over. Recovering seems to be too much and the fact to avoid the session. I will have to program my mind to understand that this doesn't last that much. I feel sometimes like I'd go faster because I feel I can, but something stops me.
I know I have to be on certain HR zones and it is where I get when training.
Maybe I need the courage to jump to the next step. Defeat my fears thinking that this is normal and the "hard part" of the training as it is, I am not in a birthday party! To see results I should work harder on speed sessions. Struggle should be the part that is missing in my training.

How hard is the hardest part for you guys? Could you share it with me?

2006-10-03T11:31:00.000-04:00

Week 1 Day 2 : 3 mile run

Yesterday's headache remained until late afternoon. Then it became suddenly in a terrible nausea that after became in a ........ Ok, I don't know if that is the worst or the fact that after "that" I was so hungry with the smell of the arriving dinner consiting in Tacos de Fajitas, that I had dinner and ate. I am nasty.

The good part is that this morning I was amazingly recovered. Not completely strong but I went for my training. I checked on my HR all the time and instead of a run I choose for going only for a walk. HR remain some high still.

I haven't commented here yet about a new friend that is training with me. She wants to stick to a fit life and loose some weight. I can see myself at the begining of this journey 4 years ago. I was comparing her HR with mine during the walk and hers was of course much more higher than mine even walking. I think that works as she is mexican too and our genetics could be more similar than compared with others. We head down to the beach and completed a 4 miles walk. Yes a walk only.

Another reason for my High HR should be the overweight. The diet is on, my mind is agree. I just have to watch my mouth.... for ever.

The training

2006-10-02T18:31:00.000-04:00

I found a 12 week plan at Hal Higdon's page. It is an off-season program to improve speed and be in shape. It says it is also to learn to race, I will just skip that :P. Here's the link in case you want to check it out.
It will make me increase from 4 to 5 days a week running and includes tempo runs, hills, fartlek. It doesn't include long runs, that is sad, but for me sounds like less stress and more chance to accomplishment. It recommends to save the long runs for the marathon training. Will see if I can avoid the temptation of doing long runs as soon as I feel stronger!

Week 1 Day 1: 3 m + Strength
My heart rate continues unusually high. The morning was in fact finally fresher so I can stop saying it is the weather who makes my HR higher... What is it then?
Completed the 3 mile run. It wasn't very comfortable as I had to stop a couple times to breath. Great.... My legs feel very strong and there is no other problem than breathing.
The bad part of it was that when I was at the weight room, I felt suddenly terribly dizzy. I looked at my HR monitor and it was on 55. As I recovered, -about 3 minutes later- I tried again to continue training and it happened again. Of course I recovered but during the day I've been with a headache. Hope it doesn't go farther.

Thanks for asking about Luna, but I am not sure yet if she will be a runner. For the moment I can tell you she is a very good dog for the family, very intelligent and tender. Just what my girls dreamt.