So, I took a few more days off because I had woke everyday this week with soreness around my ankle. On (I guess?) a good note, I've been able to rule out that it is not my Achilles. To be honest, I think this long waiting for it to heal has also been a selfish delay, as instead of actually "resting", I was resting by doing the elliptical. I can't just sit around, I need to do something. However, my brain finally started working and I realized I need to *rest*. The last two days have been me sitting around, doing very minimal other than taking care of my twin babies. As I've said before, it's complete torture not running, doubled by the fact that my used-to-be-non-runner husband is going off running without us. I have to put on my supportive face, hide the jealousy and see him off every time he does though.
Today, my ankle feels pretty good though. I've been icing it at night, doing stretches and I even took out my old friend, the sport stick, and started rolling my right calve (as the peroneal tendon runs along the outside of the foot, below the ankle and on the outer aspect of the achilles tendon along the calve).
Tomorrow, I will test out it out. I'm nervous, but so very anxious to run. I don't want to be stupid about it, but I have to try. I bought KT tape in hopes that that will help stabilize my tendon and make it less of a potential to damage it more. Between the tendonitis and my previous IT band injury, I feel this injury is a bit more scary. I felt my IT band when I was not running, mainly sitting and once in awhile when I went up and down stairs but never when I ran. This injury, I feel it most of the time; worse in the morning, slightly when I walk and from the last time I ran - it had thwarted my stride to a hobble, for the most part. However, my last run, I was doing my speed run (7' pace) and tomorrow, I am going to take it easy - slow and steady and hopefully no hills (as from what I've read, hills and uneven terrain and damage the tendon). My husband will be the one to push the baby stroller (which I will miss), but tomorrow is about gauging my injury and not actually running. If it hurts at all, my husband and I have already agreed I will stop immediately and probably rest (no elliptical-rest) for a good week or so. I feel bad there is potential I may ruin his run, but he said we would both stop and he would just run by himself later in the day. Boo Hiss to running injuries! Crossing my fingers and toes to a pain free day tomorrow!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
I Miss Running
Not having run for about a two weeks is really starting to effect me. I've always been a pretty-much-daily runner, save a little before, during and after pregnancy. The last injury that had me on hiatus was the longest I've endured; an IT band injury. That was in about 2009, when I was running 6 miles a day, plus the 3 miles or so with my husband at night when he was just starting running and doing the C25K program. I had to stop running for close to 3 months! Although, it wasn't completely void of running; I would still be running one day every 2 weeks or so, but for short runs. Now, with my husband running and running faster than he's ever ran, it's leaving me pretty jealous and depressed. The injury this time is Achilles tendonitis. Last week I noticed it after our trail run (the trail that I was complaining about the whole time that had huge hills and horrible terrain). This is my first time getting A.T. and apparently it comes with running too much, running faster or running with a lot of hills. It could be a bit of everything, but I think that with those recent trails we did with the hills, plus the baby stroller/extra weight and uneven terrain - that's probably what did it, as I'm totally not used to running that type of run.
So, after that trail run, I and in to end of last week, I was running through the soreness I felt. That's also when I noticed it was a stupid idea as the soreness soon became an actual pain (even when I wasn't running). I had taken close to a week off, then started feeling a bit better. I decided I would try a quick 10minute speed run on the treadmill instead of venturing off with my husband on the streets only to tempt fate and have my ankle start hurting 15 minutes in or so and then have to walk back and maybe even ruin his run. So, when I was running on the treadmill around a 7' pace, I was aware of a little soreness, but thought it felt ok. This is the problem with runners. We always notice some kind of subtle pain, but it seems we are trained to think pain can only be temporary if we don't think about it and to keep running. Well, I was only planning on doing 10minute so there was that encouraging me to not stop as well. What's 10 minutes? It's practically nothing. Of course, after my run was when I realized 10 minutes was enough to do some damage. I was feeling the pain again and realized I shouldn't have even gotten on the treadmill at all (let alone the rationalizing in my head of maybe I cold have ran on it but not so fast). Whether it was speed or distance, I'm sure I would have hurt myself regardless.
My ankle seems to be on the mend. It still feels a bit sore, but after some massage, it actually feels almost 100% better. I have been not icing it, as I should, but I will do that tonight and I have my fingers crossed to try a short/easy-paced run on the treadmill tomorrow. The true test is to see how my ankle feels in the morning when I wake up; as for some reason, that is when it is at it's sorest (other than when I'm actually running on it).
So, after that trail run, I and in to end of last week, I was running through the soreness I felt. That's also when I noticed it was a stupid idea as the soreness soon became an actual pain (even when I wasn't running). I had taken close to a week off, then started feeling a bit better. I decided I would try a quick 10minute speed run on the treadmill instead of venturing off with my husband on the streets only to tempt fate and have my ankle start hurting 15 minutes in or so and then have to walk back and maybe even ruin his run. So, when I was running on the treadmill around a 7' pace, I was aware of a little soreness, but thought it felt ok. This is the problem with runners. We always notice some kind of subtle pain, but it seems we are trained to think pain can only be temporary if we don't think about it and to keep running. Well, I was only planning on doing 10minute so there was that encouraging me to not stop as well. What's 10 minutes? It's practically nothing. Of course, after my run was when I realized 10 minutes was enough to do some damage. I was feeling the pain again and realized I shouldn't have even gotten on the treadmill at all (let alone the rationalizing in my head of maybe I cold have ran on it but not so fast). Whether it was speed or distance, I'm sure I would have hurt myself regardless.
My ankle seems to be on the mend. It still feels a bit sore, but after some massage, it actually feels almost 100% better. I have been not icing it, as I should, but I will do that tonight and I have my fingers crossed to try a short/easy-paced run on the treadmill tomorrow. The true test is to see how my ankle feels in the morning when I wake up; as for some reason, that is when it is at it's sorest (other than when I'm actually running on it).
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Get faster at 5k week, Day #1.
Today was our first day to make it to 5k in 30 minutes or less (actually, it's my husbands goal, as when I run by myself I'm around a 26 minute mile when I run at my regular pace). It was a gorgeous day, albeit a little humid, but my husband was determined. I had already started out the run with a little negativity by saying I hope that my side stitches didn't come back today. I told my husband, if they did, for him to keep running and to not hold back with me if I did have them. Thankfully, there were NO side stitches, so my energy was there. However, my ankle was being a pain, but those little hurts I usually can run through by just changing my stride, etc.
We started off great - around an 8'50 pace and pretty much kept it under a 9' pace until the 15 minute marker, where once we turned around, the wind was against us. Wind + baby stroller = no easy Sunday morning jog. But here's the more frustrating part. Throughout our whole run today (and the previous 5k training runs we've been doing), I've always ran ahead of my husband, which he allows for these "speed" runs. I was about 2 minutes ahead of him (maybe a city block and a half distance?). I did slow my pace to a 9'30 and even ended up stopping at a stop light to wait for him. Other than the stop, I had to stop at two side streets for people and their cars, an stop sign intersection as a lady in her car was not paying attention and did not let me cross, and a truck that was blocking the side walk so I had to go around him and run in the street. This, is why I hate street running. I had to pause my GPS more than a few times and because of this, I feel my GPS was probably wrong, as my husbands GPS said his average pace was a 9'36 and my GPS said my average pace was at a 9'50 (even though I was about 2 minutes ahead of him?). Well, I won't get too concerned over it, as it was technically his run/his goal.
All in all, it was a great run - felt like I was actually running and NO side stitches! Hooray. AND my husband made it to his goal; completing a 5k in 30 minutes!
We started off great - around an 8'50 pace and pretty much kept it under a 9' pace until the 15 minute marker, where once we turned around, the wind was against us. Wind + baby stroller = no easy Sunday morning jog. But here's the more frustrating part. Throughout our whole run today (and the previous 5k training runs we've been doing), I've always ran ahead of my husband, which he allows for these "speed" runs. I was about 2 minutes ahead of him (maybe a city block and a half distance?). I did slow my pace to a 9'30 and even ended up stopping at a stop light to wait for him. Other than the stop, I had to stop at two side streets for people and their cars, an stop sign intersection as a lady in her car was not paying attention and did not let me cross, and a truck that was blocking the side walk so I had to go around him and run in the street. This, is why I hate street running. I had to pause my GPS more than a few times and because of this, I feel my GPS was probably wrong, as my husbands GPS said his average pace was a 9'36 and my GPS said my average pace was at a 9'50 (even though I was about 2 minutes ahead of him?). Well, I won't get too concerned over it, as it was technically his run/his goal.
All in all, it was a great run - felt like I was actually running and NO side stitches! Hooray. AND my husband made it to his goal; completing a 5k in 30 minutes!
Monday, May 20, 2013
From One Runner to the Next. Day #2 2,500 mile challenge.
Sunday, May 19th run:
This was day 2 of my husband and I's running for the 2,500 mile challenge. On Saturday, we made it to 8 miles and it was my husbands first time making it that far - he is officially a long distance runner! I told him there's no going back now. Today's run was not on the lakeshore, but on the outskirts of the city in a forest preserve. This trail was beautiful. Paved trails, lots of trees, streams; pure nature. The air smelled great and the morning sun was shinning. We knew it was going to be a hot and humid day, so we set out right when the babies woke us up, around 7 a.m.! We always gauge how far and how fast on my husband. The focus is on him on these runs together, because he is the one who is training his body now and getting proper running form down again. I did my re-training 4 months or so after I gave birth to twins (I gave birth in January 2012 and the last time I ran from that point, was a half marathon on the lakeshore in June 2009). So, today, my husband was a bit sore from the 8 miles from the previous day, so he was going to try to make it to 5k today (an easy paced one). We were loving our run through the forest so much with the great scenery and the NICE people, I think that motivated us to go further. At our 20 minute mark (when we usually turn around), my husband wanted to push further. He continues to surprise me. The previous years I have ran with my husband (when he started the C2k5 in 2008? and the continuing summers), he's always knew his limit and usually didn't push too much. Well now, he really loves to challenge himself and refuses to let his body tell his brain what to do. We ran another 10 minutes. We were starting to feel the humidity, but it still felt great to be out there; tired from the babies and sore from yesterday. For me, I wasn't sore at all, as I usually don't get sore unless I'm running close to a 13 miler, but a new thing I was dealing with the last two days were side stitches. I am not totally unfamiliar with them, but they are rare (along with shin splints). I usually am able to run through them, but even with my breathing techniques (and sometimes short bursts/sprints) were not making them go away completely. Thankfully, the intensity wore down around 20 minutes in to the run and I was able to breath easier and run more comfortably. We made about 6 miles and were so happy because we set out thinking this might be a short run.
The highlight of this run: on our way back, on the path ahead, we saw a "running family" coming in the opposite direction. We were all about "good mornings" and in a great mood this run, so we were getting ready to greet them. There was an older lady (I'm guessing mid-50's?), a man presumably her husband and a middle aged woman (daughter?). The lady beat us to a greeting by raising her arms up and waving them excitedly and saying out loud to us "I LOVE THIS FAMILY", as she looked at us and gave us the worlds biggest smile. One can assume, from one runner to the next, the appreciation or admiration one can feel when running through a challenge that may thwart another from running (i.e., age, babies, etc.). I was so happy to hear her comment and her sincerity that it really gave me chills while running. I really hope that I can be that person when I get to that age. To be running, to have that energy, to have that happiness and sincerity. It was truly awesome. From the "runners nod" to this exchange of "runners love" is something should keep us all running; for the betterment of ourselves and each other.
This was day 2 of my husband and I's running for the 2,500 mile challenge. On Saturday, we made it to 8 miles and it was my husbands first time making it that far - he is officially a long distance runner! I told him there's no going back now. Today's run was not on the lakeshore, but on the outskirts of the city in a forest preserve. This trail was beautiful. Paved trails, lots of trees, streams; pure nature. The air smelled great and the morning sun was shinning. We knew it was going to be a hot and humid day, so we set out right when the babies woke us up, around 7 a.m.! We always gauge how far and how fast on my husband. The focus is on him on these runs together, because he is the one who is training his body now and getting proper running form down again. I did my re-training 4 months or so after I gave birth to twins (I gave birth in January 2012 and the last time I ran from that point, was a half marathon on the lakeshore in June 2009). So, today, my husband was a bit sore from the 8 miles from the previous day, so he was going to try to make it to 5k today (an easy paced one). We were loving our run through the forest so much with the great scenery and the NICE people, I think that motivated us to go further. At our 20 minute mark (when we usually turn around), my husband wanted to push further. He continues to surprise me. The previous years I have ran with my husband (when he started the C2k5 in 2008? and the continuing summers), he's always knew his limit and usually didn't push too much. Well now, he really loves to challenge himself and refuses to let his body tell his brain what to do. We ran another 10 minutes. We were starting to feel the humidity, but it still felt great to be out there; tired from the babies and sore from yesterday. For me, I wasn't sore at all, as I usually don't get sore unless I'm running close to a 13 miler, but a new thing I was dealing with the last two days were side stitches. I am not totally unfamiliar with them, but they are rare (along with shin splints). I usually am able to run through them, but even with my breathing techniques (and sometimes short bursts/sprints) were not making them go away completely. Thankfully, the intensity wore down around 20 minutes in to the run and I was able to breath easier and run more comfortably. We made about 6 miles and were so happy because we set out thinking this might be a short run.
The highlight of this run: on our way back, on the path ahead, we saw a "running family" coming in the opposite direction. We were all about "good mornings" and in a great mood this run, so we were getting ready to greet them. There was an older lady (I'm guessing mid-50's?), a man presumably her husband and a middle aged woman (daughter?). The lady beat us to a greeting by raising her arms up and waving them excitedly and saying out loud to us "I LOVE THIS FAMILY", as she looked at us and gave us the worlds biggest smile. One can assume, from one runner to the next, the appreciation or admiration one can feel when running through a challenge that may thwart another from running (i.e., age, babies, etc.). I was so happy to hear her comment and her sincerity that it really gave me chills while running. I really hope that I can be that person when I get to that age. To be running, to have that energy, to have that happiness and sincerity. It was truly awesome. From the "runners nod" to this exchange of "runners love" is something should keep us all running; for the betterment of ourselves and each other.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Lakeshore Path run. Day #1 of 2,500 mile challenge.
Today was a great day for a run. We got up early, packed up the babies and headed to the lakeshore with an 8 mile run as our goal for the 2, 500 mile challenge. Perfect weather, 70's and a slight breeze off of the lake. People were sparse, but the one's that were out that early in the morning on a Saturday were the type to say "good morning". We decided to just take our time with the run and pace ourselves comfortably and enjoy the scenery instead of working for speed (that we can work on in my husband's 5K's we're working on for next weekend!). Pushing the stroller was pretty easy going, but once we started hitting the smaller hills, then working against the lakefront wind, it started to become "work", but enjoyable. Once we hit the 6 mile mark, I was feeling my calves a bit, but we were determined to make it to 8. Toward the 8 mile mark, there was a split in the trail. On one side, there was a pretty decent sized hill and on the other was just flat trail that did a wide curve for a bit more distance. My husband decided he wanted to challenge himself to the hill. I decided it sounds like a great challenge, but to conserve my energy, I thought it best to take the flat side of the trail and just increase my speed (I think making it up to a 7' pace). My husband and I met up at the connecting trail at the end of his hill and curve of my flat trail. He was quite happy with himself for making it up the hill. I was pretty surprised at his energy - he was doing so good.
We turned around at this point and of course, one of the babies was very upset that we had been running this long and happy with ourselves. Whenever I have a crying or unhappy baby while running, it sometimes makes me feel like a neglectful mother to keep running. Obviously I'm running because I enjoy running, but if the baby is not enjoying it - it just seems totally selfish. Of course, I do what I can to try to calm the baby, but the real thing the baby wants is to not be restrained anymore and wants to be out running around and also enjoying this nice day. We had about 10 more minutes to get to the parking lot. I am a regular runner of half marathons, but that is solo/no baby stroller. So, even with what little energy I had, I sped my pace up a bit; leaving my husband behind (which he HATES), but babies first. Surprisingly, everytime I looked back to make sure he was ok, he wasn't too far behind me. I was only running at a 9' (sometimes 8') pace through some of it, but our usual speed together for this run was around an 11' pace. Eventually, we got to the parking lot with minimal screaming and minimal sneers from passerby's. Time to let the babies out to play in the grass in front of the lakeshore and stretch out. A great run and with 8 miles under my husbands belt, I'm hoping he might be able to run my next half marathon with me (this month?).
Also, wouldn't you know it, I was so involved with appeasing the screaming baby that I forgot to turn the GPS watch off and it tracked my time standing around and whatnot for a few minutes. Whoops. :)
We turned around at this point and of course, one of the babies was very upset that we had been running this long and happy with ourselves. Whenever I have a crying or unhappy baby while running, it sometimes makes me feel like a neglectful mother to keep running. Obviously I'm running because I enjoy running, but if the baby is not enjoying it - it just seems totally selfish. Of course, I do what I can to try to calm the baby, but the real thing the baby wants is to not be restrained anymore and wants to be out running around and also enjoying this nice day. We had about 10 more minutes to get to the parking lot. I am a regular runner of half marathons, but that is solo/no baby stroller. So, even with what little energy I had, I sped my pace up a bit; leaving my husband behind (which he HATES), but babies first. Surprisingly, everytime I looked back to make sure he was ok, he wasn't too far behind me. I was only running at a 9' (sometimes 8') pace through some of it, but our usual speed together for this run was around an 11' pace. Eventually, we got to the parking lot with minimal screaming and minimal sneers from passerby's. Time to let the babies out to play in the grass in front of the lakeshore and stretch out. A great run and with 8 miles under my husbands belt, I'm hoping he might be able to run my next half marathon with me (this month?).
Also, wouldn't you know it, I was so involved with appeasing the screaming baby that I forgot to turn the GPS watch off and it tracked my time standing around and whatnot for a few minutes. Whoops. :)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Trail Fail
Tonight was a running with husband night. Last night I ran a 10k by myself on the treadmill (at night, while the babies were asleep). We had an obligation to do in the evening and it was my husbands night off, so I'm dedicating his nights off to my two goals of running a sub 25 min 5k and/or a 10k at a steady pace of 8'30 (I'm currently around an 8'50 pace on my "long" runs).
Anyways, tonight my husband suggested getting out of the city and driving up to a trail. We ran our first trail on mothers day and it was pretty difficult running through gravel and such as opposed to pavement in the city. Little dips and hills gave a comfortable challenge, but nothing too severe. Tonight's trail, however, had the_worst "terrain" at most parts. The trail was unkempt; we recently had some rain and most parts of the trail was soft mud with some parts hardened grooves and pits from bikes, shoes, etc. Then there were parts where the park district had thought it a good idea to put sand over the mud (sounds nice on the feet, but the stroller was zig-zagging and sinking - argh!). Well, I guess a trail runner should be wary of these things and expect them, but when you're pushing a 3 ft wide jogging stroller carrying two ~20lb babies, it becomes questionable if it's safe/comfortable for them.... and well, mommy isn't enjoying her run that much either. Running that way totally makes your run feel really draggy and chaotic and I like running with soft steps and easy glides. It also makes your form all wonky, I think I was heel striking a lot during this run. The babies were a bit whinny in the beginning, but they eased up about halfway into our 45min run and fell asleep probably in our last 10minutes of the run (go figure). Maybe the bumps actually lulled them to sleep instead of jostling them uncomfortably. Did I mention it's also not the greatest to be running over big, jagged pebbles and chunky gravel in barefoot shoes? Not to mention pushing through this gravel going uphill as the stroller sinks into the gravel... phew.
BUT! I definitely am willing to run trails like this, but a little more stroller friendly to get a break from running in the concrete jungle that is Chicago. The constant stop and goes, dodging of oblivious people, running off of the paved trail in the park into the grass because the tamale vendors (or other random Hispanic food carts) take up the whole trail path, etc. Where, halfway into your run, you feel like you've inhaled tons of city dirt, gross peoples perfumes/colognes that they were to a PARK, and even though your running through a park that has some trees and grass - you know you've inhaled loads of car exhaust from the streets less than an eyes blink away.
Well, that being said, I do love running outdoors and I hope my husband can endure it once the weather gets sweltering here in Chicago once summer hits. It will be a huge challenge to me too, as we are running a bit more together, he's getting a bit faster each time. I'm sure if he keeps with it, he'll be shooting up to an 8' pace and wanting to run longer distances. Yikes! I hope I can keep up, but if I do, I'll need to build up some strength in my legs to do so. I was thinking of doing 200 squats app to get more toned.
I think I've done enough complaining for this blog entry. That's where we are; sticking to regular runs to our local park in the evening after work and venturing into the trails on the weekend. Getting a good bit of new feel on the feet is a good thing though. One thing I do have to say I love about trail running is that once the trail gets smooth (there were some parts on today's trail), that earth under your feet feels great!
Anyways, tonight my husband suggested getting out of the city and driving up to a trail. We ran our first trail on mothers day and it was pretty difficult running through gravel and such as opposed to pavement in the city. Little dips and hills gave a comfortable challenge, but nothing too severe. Tonight's trail, however, had the_worst "terrain" at most parts. The trail was unkempt; we recently had some rain and most parts of the trail was soft mud with some parts hardened grooves and pits from bikes, shoes, etc. Then there were parts where the park district had thought it a good idea to put sand over the mud (sounds nice on the feet, but the stroller was zig-zagging and sinking - argh!). Well, I guess a trail runner should be wary of these things and expect them, but when you're pushing a 3 ft wide jogging stroller carrying two ~20lb babies, it becomes questionable if it's safe/comfortable for them.... and well, mommy isn't enjoying her run that much either. Running that way totally makes your run feel really draggy and chaotic and I like running with soft steps and easy glides. It also makes your form all wonky, I think I was heel striking a lot during this run. The babies were a bit whinny in the beginning, but they eased up about halfway into our 45min run and fell asleep probably in our last 10minutes of the run (go figure). Maybe the bumps actually lulled them to sleep instead of jostling them uncomfortably. Did I mention it's also not the greatest to be running over big, jagged pebbles and chunky gravel in barefoot shoes? Not to mention pushing through this gravel going uphill as the stroller sinks into the gravel... phew.
BUT! I definitely am willing to run trails like this, but a little more stroller friendly to get a break from running in the concrete jungle that is Chicago. The constant stop and goes, dodging of oblivious people, running off of the paved trail in the park into the grass because the tamale vendors (or other random Hispanic food carts) take up the whole trail path, etc. Where, halfway into your run, you feel like you've inhaled tons of city dirt, gross peoples perfumes/colognes that they were to a PARK, and even though your running through a park that has some trees and grass - you know you've inhaled loads of car exhaust from the streets less than an eyes blink away.
Well, that being said, I do love running outdoors and I hope my husband can endure it once the weather gets sweltering here in Chicago once summer hits. It will be a huge challenge to me too, as we are running a bit more together, he's getting a bit faster each time. I'm sure if he keeps with it, he'll be shooting up to an 8' pace and wanting to run longer distances. Yikes! I hope I can keep up, but if I do, I'll need to build up some strength in my legs to do so. I was thinking of doing 200 squats app to get more toned.
I think I've done enough complaining for this blog entry. That's where we are; sticking to regular runs to our local park in the evening after work and venturing into the trails on the weekend. Getting a good bit of new feel on the feet is a good thing though. One thing I do have to say I love about trail running is that once the trail gets smooth (there were some parts on today's trail), that earth under your feet feels great!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Husband is getting faster
Throughout my running 'career', I never cared much about my pace. I always ran to what I was comfortable and tried to keep going as long as I could. This is what had me excited about running; is going the distance - not really how fast I could go. It wasn't until this last year, reading up on HIIT running and increasing my strength and endurance after pregnancy that I realized it was a good thing to try and challenge myself further. I've been doing a bit of it with a goal of once a month. I'm shooting for a sub 25 minute 5k and nearly there. However, now that it is summer and I run with my husband (and babies) outside, I run at his pace. In order to not lose my endurance and speed, I try to hop on the treadmill after our runs to try to put in a quick 10 minute run at my fastest though.
Today, we set out with my husbands goal: to reach 5k in 30minutes. I wasn't sure how fast I could go with the stroller (I run at my husbands pace, but it's about my comfort level with the new challenge of pushing the stroller), but I told myself that I would do it for him and knowing it would full-well benefit me as well. So I pushed and was pleasantly surprised at how natural it felt. My husband starts his runs out fast (which is around a 9' pace) and I usually try to start out a little slow and burst towards the end of my run (if even for that last mile or half mile). We kept a good pace under 10 throughout the majority of the run (the slow downs being the usual urban obstacles of stop lights, hazardous sidewalks, alleys, etc.), but I was feeling quite confident we would make it. We hit our hit our halfway point and my husband was telling me we weren't going to make it. I was running ahead of him at this point (which he usually doesn't like), but I wanted to be the marker for under a 10' pace. I would yell out to him when we went above 10'. He kept up with me, but was still lagging behind a bit and didn't want to push him too much because the last thing I wanted was for him to get ill (as the last thing he said to me before we started our run was "give me a kiss in case I die on this run and I'll leave everything I own to you" and I replied with "oh yeah, debt and dirty laundry"). :)
Well, to conclude, we didn't meet our goal, but we were only 19 seconds off from hitting 3 miles in 30minutes. It was the fastest he ever ran and he feels good about himself - and that's what matters in running. It really doesn't matter how fast or how far you go, as long as you feel that great feeling that running offers you at the end of your run. Good job babe! I love running with you (and the babies)!
http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/activity/running/detail/2142315883?external_share_id=f0051717-cea3-43d1-9fc9-9abd0c86a596
Today, we set out with my husbands goal: to reach 5k in 30minutes. I wasn't sure how fast I could go with the stroller (I run at my husbands pace, but it's about my comfort level with the new challenge of pushing the stroller), but I told myself that I would do it for him and knowing it would full-well benefit me as well. So I pushed and was pleasantly surprised at how natural it felt. My husband starts his runs out fast (which is around a 9' pace) and I usually try to start out a little slow and burst towards the end of my run (if even for that last mile or half mile). We kept a good pace under 10 throughout the majority of the run (the slow downs being the usual urban obstacles of stop lights, hazardous sidewalks, alleys, etc.), but I was feeling quite confident we would make it. We hit our hit our halfway point and my husband was telling me we weren't going to make it. I was running ahead of him at this point (which he usually doesn't like), but I wanted to be the marker for under a 10' pace. I would yell out to him when we went above 10'. He kept up with me, but was still lagging behind a bit and didn't want to push him too much because the last thing I wanted was for him to get ill (as the last thing he said to me before we started our run was "give me a kiss in case I die on this run and I'll leave everything I own to you" and I replied with "oh yeah, debt and dirty laundry"). :)
Well, to conclude, we didn't meet our goal, but we were only 19 seconds off from hitting 3 miles in 30minutes. It was the fastest he ever ran and he feels good about himself - and that's what matters in running. It really doesn't matter how fast or how far you go, as long as you feel that great feeling that running offers you at the end of your run. Good job babe! I love running with you (and the babies)!
http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/activity/running/detail/2142315883?external_share_id=f0051717-cea3-43d1-9fc9-9abd0c86a596
Sunday, May 5, 2013
First time blog, long time runner.
Once I graduated, I moved to the city and started working right away. I didn't like running on the urban roads (stop go, stop go, with tons of people to dodge and by the end of your run you felt like you had dirt and smoke caked in your lungs. ew.). So, I got a gym membership and kept on with my love of treadmill running. I never stopped. Until my husband moved down and I took a few months break. Soon, we moved in together in a bigger artist loft with a spare room (a room I could utilize for a workout room). The treadmill moved in and I moved on and on. Shortly thereafter, my husband wanted to start running and started the C25K program. We started running together on the streets at night. It was great. I finally had a running buddy to drag me outside and try to enjoy the feel of the road under our feet. Sure, I still didn't like it as much as the treadmill; still dirty, still noisy, still not convenient. I kept with it though! On my husband's off days, I would run down to the lakeshore and run 10's and 21k's by myself. Running by the lakeshore, I found, was BETTER than running on the treadmill.
So, we eventually moved into a house and on that same moving day, I found out I was pregnant with TWINS! One of the first things on my mind was if I could still run/workout; as this would be a huge change since I ran a 10k everyday. I was told I couldn't run anymore because of the fact that carrying twins was a high risk pregnancy. Low impact. Walking, elliptical and stairs. No fun. I missed the zoning out that running brought me and the feeling of visceral elation afterward that running gave me. Admittedly, I was quite jealous whenever I saw a runner while I was pregnant, but that was a fleeting thought as I knew I was already embarked on a bigger and better journey with pregnancy.
Once the babies were born (2 months early), they had each a medical ailment that kept them in the NICU for close to 3 months. Once they were healthy and stable at home, I gave every minute to them until about 4 months out. That's when I decided I should start giving back to my body and mind and start up my running routine again. Wow! Through pregnancy, bedrest and a few months post-preg, my body was completely useless. Running was SO hard and I felt hopeless at times with no endurance and no strength to speak of. Finally, about 8 months out from trying to extend my distance in running and HIIT running to build up my strength, I was finally able to complete my first 13 miler in February 2013 (last 13 miler being in 2011in June, right before I found out I was pregnant). Since February, I have made it my goal to try to run a 21k once a month. So far so good. Also, my husband is back to running. He currently is trying to build up his stamina and pace. We run at different paces, but I'm sure that won't be for long. He's taller and he's a male (currently running a pace of 11' to my 9'). I've always been a 9 pacer and I'm comfortable with that pace, however, I do feel once he gets faster, so will I as I'll be learning to push myself. I'd like to add that running outside with the duallie/twin running stroller is NOT easy. I call it the beast. It really makes running awkward and much more challenging. I'm getting the hang of it though and I think it's definitely making me stronger.
Well, I guess I had a lot to say, TLDR; running is fun and I won't ever stop!
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