… Is All That You Can Do. To be yourself is all that you can do!
Been trying hard to catch-up on things that needed catching-up on! Accomplished plenty in a short amount of time so am really chuffed – voted in the Ontario election, went for a run too – ok, only 2.5K … but at this point I’ll happily take it, and focus on its positiveness … is all that I can do!
Audioslave – Be Yourself
my training has been seldom and sporadic. today, I planned on running farther and slower. I really was hoping for a 12K at maybe a 4:48 – 4:50 pace. I know too, that this was probably overly optimistic, but that was my plan. my 4:41 first K, I was fine, I felt well within myself … slow it down for the next K I said to myself. 4:31 – yikes, but still felt good. when I saw that 4:34 third K, I knew I was fucked! my lungs were beginning to burn too, not helping matters – lack of training is my enemy. shut it down at my proverbial 4K run, and I’m fine w/ that. I’m always happy with a sub 18 minute 4K – I know this one wasn’t, but easily coulda been – I ran it thinking, I’d be running farther than a 4K, so I was saving some gas in the tank. still thrilled w/ an 18:17! have I told y’all lately how much I REALLY miss running, lol?!
… er, tried to! I needed to see what I have in me, what I can still do. I miss running, so today was gratifying. Upon reflection, I don’t know what surprises me more – my decent 1500m time considering lack of training/fitness level – OR, the fact that I accomplished the feat w/ coffee (3 cups this morning) and water (2 liters) being all I consumed (still haven’t eaten … yeah yeah, after I finish this post, lol) after a 13 hour day?! And then mere seconds after stopping my Garmin (being ever critical of myself), said, “shit, shoulda ran 110m more trying for a 1M PR” … LOL!
1K warmup
1500m
2K up the hill! 2K down!
Only fitting today I had a great run! This will be my last run in awhile. I don’t know when I’ll be running again. It’s not by choice, I hope it won’t be as bad as I fear. Also, I won’t be around WP as well. I won’t be blogging, and I don’t think I’ll be commenting?! I want to, but my Reader/Feeds fucks-up on my phone at times, making simple tasks impossible! I’ll try my best to read blogs of friends, when and if I’m able to, and do what I can, if and when I can! It is what it is!
Ok, now my Garmin good news – I’m very pleased w/ today’s run, had a great rhythm going – 46:12 – the final 5K in 22:52 – the final 3K negative splits, finishing w/ a 4:27!
I’ll be honest; sometimes (read: most times), when I go for my run, I do so without ANY training plan in mind! I start running, and after my 1K mark, I check my pace and I pretty much make it up from there … doing what my body tells me/allows me to do! Today was @ 4:35 … and I know that’s bullshit ’cause I ran for a good 10 seconds past the actual 1K mark before Garmin FINALLY buzzed my wrist! So, outta the gate, suffice it to say, I was flying. K#2 @ 4:23 pace (nice!) … I really wanted to push it far & long like this, but bailed at 3K, as I was now running into a strong headwind and knew that I’d be upset I wouldn’t be able to keep my pace down while battling that big breeze! After this run, I continued walking along for a couple hundred meters, and now was keen to attempt a 1M run (against wisdom of trying it on fresh legs, lol), so turned around and w/ the wind at my back took off. But inexplicably, ok, not REALLY inexplicably; for the final 200m or so kept sneaking peeks at my watch, and started seeing my pace slowly creeping upward from 3:45 …so ‘stead of 1M-ing it, 1K-ed it! Got it? Good! Oh, I know I’m nitpicking here, but goddamngarmin had its own mind again?! And wouldn’t stop, when I definitely & decisively PRESSED stop?!
What’s up w/ those extra laps? I did hit stop @ 3:48 @ 1.01K?! PISSED!!
At that point, wanted to get home quickly. Ran another (not wind aided either, lol) @4:04!
… started my morning run with no expectations, knew I’d be reigning in the pace was all. at around 3K, the plan to go 6K at the same pace, and wanted to kill it for the final 2K arriving home for my 8K run. on that 6th kilometer, wasn’t really feeling it … so I stopped, and walked a few hundred meters. now, plan B was to run ‘n gun it for 1.5K to my house. best laid plans, right? anyways, I did run hard for 1K, and I’m glad I took that break after six … I know from the runner I am, it’s much easier establishing a pace, as opposed to changing a pace! those couple of minutes rest was just what the doctor ordered. first 6K slightly under 5:00 pace … final 1K @ 4:15 … and, honestly … woulda KILLED that final 500 meters a smidgen more – just sayin’!!
my 4K run ends at a major intersection. 150 meters before that is a traffic light. a traffic light which 90%+ of the time shows me green as I approach, allowing me to run through, to run hard straight to the finish. not today. plan B; I have a secondary route if this occurs while I’m killing it. nearing, and I all I see is RED (damn you all to hell timed traffic lights, lol)! at the last possible second … I veer left … to continue making up the necessary distance without stopping. this sharp turn alone costs me a couple of seconds, but due to ongoing construction in the area, not permitting traffic, pedestrian traffic as well as I painfully found out to continue, I unknowingly ran myself into dead-end … AND, as close to a 4K without being a 4K. but luckily, I saw stairs that weren’t part of this blockade, and were left accessible for pedestrians. stairs that ultimately I ran up to finish my final few meters. I know this musta cost me at least 10 seconds on my final lap … as well as a a lot of ‘can you believe that shit’? laughter afterwards, as I admired my run on my Garmin, lol!
Not so much the time – although I’m very pleased; only 75 seconds from a PR … but, more pleased in the way I ran it. I know I’ve had a few other good runs in terms of time, but till today, I always felt I was struggling. It wasn’t coming easily, or naturally. Every time I finished a run, I felt like death – a lot of times DURING a run, I felt like death. It was hard, it’s been hard getting motivated knowing/feeling that. Yet, I continued to persevere. Today, I was able to run, and for the first time, I felt incredibly strong, relaxed … I was enjoying it SO much. I was almost tempted to keep going, making it a 12K run. Check out my 4 middle splits – three 4:42 laps, and one 4:44 … WHOA, steady as she goes, lol! I picked up the pace and shaved 8 seconds on kilometer 7, and then I took off 8 more seconds on my final kilometer, finishing my run. I stopped my Garmin (36:58), and I just stood there … I didn’t hunch over, I wasn’t gasping for air … I stood there in amazement at what I had just done. I stood there thinking, I can’t believe I ran hard for 8K, and I feel as if I hadn’t ran at all – I felt THAT good! Not only was this my best run to date, it was my most enjoyable one as well. God, I missed that feeling, loving running! I’m happy it’s back!
… I know I was posting last year some ‘o this good stuff … healthier foods/drinks etc., that w/ my running became an integral part of whom I am in the here and now … my, in the grand scheme of things effort becoming a healthier (better too) human if you will! Tiff found the recipe on one of her many foodie sites; is the second time I’ve made it this week. I love salads, especially tasty-good-for-you-salads … chick peas, lentils, radishes … drizzled & tossed w/ a lemon, dill, dijon, garlic, vinaigrette … so mothereffing awesome!!
… a coupla pics, y’all!!
I said I was going to do it, and I did. I think that’s what kept me motivated to complete it … saying I was going to do it to inspire/motivate … yet, I was the beneficiary, lol. And, I’m pleased w/ my time – 47:06 … 2 minutes short a PR. Although, I had another nagging issue trying to get my watch to stop, then reset (you can see by the extra two laps; 11 & 12). Those little things bother the fuck outta me, it coulda been disastrous with the clock ticking away, as I’m finished the distance, trying to get it to stop. And if you add time (the 10 laps), it comes to 46:58, not to mention my moving time (whatever the hell that is) of 47:01 – I know, it’s only slight differences, but I’m anal that way, and I only want the clock to measure it accurately giving me the time I deserve! Anyways, still chuffed – my 10K!
I LOVE running in the rain – getting caught running in the rain. Starting out my run when it’s raining – not so much. Today marks 1 month of training, 2 weeks from today and it’ll be 1 year I became a runner. AND, since I’m talking anniversaries; watch for my next blog post – is an ANNI-BIGGIE – fair warning!
I ran 7.5K today. I stopped and restarted, not because I was hurting, but because of an issue w/ my Garmin. Don’t wanna get into it now, give details – will soon enough! First 5.5K was on a 4:36 kilometer pace, so I felt good. Finished the final 2K stronger – sub 4:30 … YES, 4:29 is sub 4:30, lol!
I only learnt about this by googling my girl Natalie Morales running The Boston Marathon. Apparently, she was diagnosed w/ proximal hamstring injury – proximal hamstring tear – high hamstring tendinitis … (different names for it) causing her great pain/discomfort. I did some reading on the subject, and it’s definitely a runner’s infliction (ooh, the crosses we bear, lol) … and I HAVE IT!! Well, I have similar symptoms, I can’t sit for prolonged periods without feeling excruciating pain in my rear! And, this all started when I resumed running this year, so putting 2+2 together, I assume it’s related. I haven’t been diagnosed yet by a doctor (yeah yeah … am going, lol), but I’m hoping *fingers crossed*, what I have is something not as serious and will eventually self-heal w/ time. Funny thing is, that I really don’t notice it much in terms of pain when I run – maybe 5% if I had to quantify it, But man, when I’m sitting on my ass, it’s def 100%, and soon as I get a chance, need to get up and walk around for relief!! Maybe should read: Butt man, lol!
… 5.94K – 27:04 minutes! I’ll take it – was a great day for a run, blue skies and cool, albeit a bit breezy by the lake for my liking. Don’t know what to make of my runs lately, I don’t necessarily feel strong yet, not like last year … but my pace doesn’t indicate that?! Funny; my final run, saw a strong runner approaching, so I waited and let him pass – allowing him a generous lead, then took off following. Was never my intention to pass, just to keep pace – but surprisingly was quickly on his heels and knowing I’d be stopping shortly, wasn’t about to pass showing him up. BUT he veered off onto a parallel path – THEN, I figured all bets were off – all’s fair in love and running … so I kicked it into high gear for my remaining 400 meters, intentionally giving him a periphery of speedy danzoles, lol!!
Longest one to date – 14K … and just 3 weeks into training. Been reading lots, getting advice from runners wiser than me, and today took to heart slowing down, running farther! I even felt as if I wasn’t slowing down enough – next time I’ll try reigning myself in even more. I must say, I’ve never had such a GREAT GREAT run in a long time! I stumbled upon a path I wasn’t aware of, and being all alone, felt so quiet and peaceful, the sun shining in my face … I kept thinking, “I hope this path goes on forever, I ain’t getting off” … I swear, I woulda ran forever! It felt THAT good, I felt THAT good! I think it ended after 1 kilometer, so back to the sidewalks I went. I knew I’d be stopping as I neared my house, so NOW, I picked up my pace in anticipation … and for those few kilometers, running once again became running for time, and it became harder! So weird, it’s not even that much pace difference, but boy, do you feel it – sure makes a difference! And now, can’t help but think, today I ran 1/3 marathon … so invariably I extrapolate multiplying my time by three – plus tacking on 1 minute for the extra 200 meters, and I kinda like what I see. And I think, there’s still so much room (ok, a LITTLE room, lol) for improvement. I know marathons aren’t run on paper, they’re run on the streets … but, it sure is nice to think!
Chuffed! First eighteen minute 4K of the season, and occurring today … the eighteenth day of the fourth month! Eery weird y’all – my spooky run!
Check out all new stats courtesy Garmin!
I ordered it online yesterday at 2:39 p.m..
UPS tracking info; from Quebec last night, to Concord and out for delivery at 8:15 a.m..
Arrived at my house between 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Less than 24 hours!! That’s fucking sick! My Garmin is fucking sick (so’s the $ I paid)!!
A quickie wrist-pic … can’t wait to run!
Finally showing some speed! And you know how you can’t always tell how fast you’re running? I was well past my road marker waiting for the 5 minute audio cue, and I ran for another 5-10 seconds before it came. My distance was 1.10 kilometers so I decided to push. I knew it’d mean a shorter run, I had to run back home, so it’s still a 5K + run … and, it was freezing cold, so I was happy to be finished!
WOW! I amazed myself! It’s only been 2 weeks of training, and today I ran my longest distance. And, I’m very pleased with my time; sub 48 minutes! I’ll be honest, when I resumed training after the winter layoff, I was discouraged during my first week back. I think (I know) I expected to jump right back in the saddle and continue where I left off. Today was definitely a step in that direction. The weather was near perfect – so happy to finally have Spring like temps. Oh … and, I wanted to run 10K acknowledging tomorrow’s Toronto Yonge Street 10K … my 10k y’all!
… 49.1K tracked! Finished with my strongest showing to date, even took time for a running-selfie too! Expecting a high of 11° with full blown sunshine beating down. Perfect day for a Sunday brunch on a patio …
danistrulytheman 