First and foremost.... Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No presents, no religious pretense.... just good food and lots of it. I was lucky enough this year to be invited to Steve's family friend's home for the holiday. Of course I couldn't show up empty handed, so I offered to make and bring a pecan pie - my momma's recipe.
The pie takes about 50-55 minutes to bake, giving me the perfect window to fit in a run. Of course, this then puts a bit of pressure on me to make sure I get back in time to ensure the pie isn't overcooked. My usual West Philly loop takes me about 45 - 47 minutes, giving me adequate cushion in case I didn't have a good run.
Luckily, I felt good throughout the run and made it back in just under 45 minutes, allowing for a nice cool down walk around the block before heading back into the kitchen to retrieve my perfectly cooked pecan pie.
South Street Bridge sign was up announcing its closure on or around December 8th - that's gonna suck.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Gym Rat
">
I went looking for a picture of a hamster wheel and found this video, which is kind of silly and stupid, but made me laugh, so I'm sharing it for what it's worth.
All of that is a rather lengthy intro to what will be a brief post about my runs this week. As you may have already guessed, I did all three runs on the treadmill. I ran four miles on Tuesday, four and a half on Thursday, and a grueling nine and a quarter treddy-miles on Saturday. As much as I hate the treadmill, I hate the wind even more, so I suffered for the 9+ miles and called it a week.
I went looking for a picture of a hamster wheel and found this video, which is kind of silly and stupid, but made me laugh, so I'm sharing it for what it's worth.
All of that is a rather lengthy intro to what will be a brief post about my runs this week. As you may have already guessed, I did all three runs on the treadmill. I ran four miles on Tuesday, four and a half on Thursday, and a grueling nine and a quarter treddy-miles on Saturday. As much as I hate the treadmill, I hate the wind even more, so I suffered for the 9+ miles and called it a week.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Untitled
I'm having trouble getting this entry started. Not sure where I want to begin or end and I only have a vague sense of what I want to say in between. My body is tired from running the Tinicum figure eight a few hours ago.
My runs earlier in the week were very rushed... Wednesday's run was through the dark and rainy streets of West Philly. A much needed stress reliever run... one where I just wanted to keep going, but I had things to do and was a bit worried about slipping on wet leaves or tripping over some uneven pavement, so I cut it short. And I couldn't find my watch. My best guess was that I ran somewhere around three and a half miles.
Friday was, again, a beat the clock run. I had hopes of running at Ridley Creek State Park as I made my way home, but I soon realized that I didn't have nearly enough daylight minutes left, so I opted for East Goshen Township Park, which is about a half mile down the road from where I work. There is a paved loop around the west side of the park that is about a mile long. I was glad to have my iPod, as four loops around that thing was not the most exciting run ever. But, hey, at least I got some sort of run in.
This morning, I had designs on the Art Museum, but given that I was in West Philly and my running shoes were in Prospect Park, I ended up running Tinicum again... and, really, I was happy to be there. It was nice too, not to be constrained by waning daylight or anything else pressing upon me (except for the usual Sunday chores).
I'm getting better at being nice to myself when I run. I am doing a better job of just letting myself relax and not worry about speed. I run. I push it sometimes. I take it easy other times. I walk if I want to and I don't worry about it. My only goal for today was to do the figure eight loop and to run for at least eighty minutes. Done. My body is tired, but in a good way.... and with so few remaining glorious autumn mornings, I am glad I got out there.
My runs earlier in the week were very rushed... Wednesday's run was through the dark and rainy streets of West Philly. A much needed stress reliever run... one where I just wanted to keep going, but I had things to do and was a bit worried about slipping on wet leaves or tripping over some uneven pavement, so I cut it short. And I couldn't find my watch. My best guess was that I ran somewhere around three and a half miles.
Friday was, again, a beat the clock run. I had hopes of running at Ridley Creek State Park as I made my way home, but I soon realized that I didn't have nearly enough daylight minutes left, so I opted for East Goshen Township Park, which is about a half mile down the road from where I work. There is a paved loop around the west side of the park that is about a mile long. I was glad to have my iPod, as four loops around that thing was not the most exciting run ever. But, hey, at least I got some sort of run in.
This morning, I had designs on the Art Museum, but given that I was in West Philly and my running shoes were in Prospect Park, I ended up running Tinicum again... and, really, I was happy to be there. It was nice too, not to be constrained by waning daylight or anything else pressing upon me (except for the usual Sunday chores).
I'm getting better at being nice to myself when I run. I am doing a better job of just letting myself relax and not worry about speed. I run. I push it sometimes. I take it easy other times. I walk if I want to and I don't worry about it. My only goal for today was to do the figure eight loop and to run for at least eighty minutes. Done. My body is tired, but in a good way.... and with so few remaining glorious autumn mornings, I am glad I got out there.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Steady as She Goes
The good news is, I'm getting some consistency back in my running. The bad news is... I'm S.L.O.W. I know, I keep saying I'm not going to obsess over that anymore and I'm trying not to, truly I am.
So this week, I've run the usual four or so miles twice during the week. Friday I woke up obscenely early and made it to the gym when it opened at 5am to get a treadmill run in. I've been helping Amy move into her new house, so an after-work run was not in the cards. I miss working out in the morning. I miss the familiar faces, yes, even the annoying ones. Yes, I even miss Bruce.
This weekend, I had a wedding on Saturday evening so I wisely chose to get my long run in on Saturday morning. I set out to do a Seebeka loop, but ended up doing the whole figure eight loop around Darby Lake. Again... it was pretty slow going... probably averaging around nine minute miles, but I was really glad just to get the miles.
I love Tinicum. I know I've said it before and I will likely say it again. I love that I see more members of other species than I do of my own. I am fortunate to have that as my backyard and will be sad when the day comes when it is no longer so easily accessible.
So slowly I'm starting to settle back into some sort of running routine. Next week, I'll likely revive some of the old West Philly routes.
So this week, I've run the usual four or so miles twice during the week. Friday I woke up obscenely early and made it to the gym when it opened at 5am to get a treadmill run in. I've been helping Amy move into her new house, so an after-work run was not in the cards. I miss working out in the morning. I miss the familiar faces, yes, even the annoying ones. Yes, I even miss Bruce.
This weekend, I had a wedding on Saturday evening so I wisely chose to get my long run in on Saturday morning. I set out to do a Seebeka loop, but ended up doing the whole figure eight loop around Darby Lake. Again... it was pretty slow going... probably averaging around nine minute miles, but I was really glad just to get the miles.
I love Tinicum. I know I've said it before and I will likely say it again. I love that I see more members of other species than I do of my own. I am fortunate to have that as my backyard and will be sad when the day comes when it is no longer so easily accessible.
So slowly I'm starting to settle back into some sort of running routine. Next week, I'll likely revive some of the old West Philly routes.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Art Museum
Its been a while since I've run the drives and given that it was such a beautiful fall morning, how could I resist? Of course there was some sort of regatta silliness going on and possibly a 5k run or something, making for nearly mob-like conditions. Luckily the parking gods smiled upon me (I had a weird feeling they would) and I found a spot across the street from Lloyd Hall.
It was one of those autumn mornings where it is crisp and sunny, making me unsure whether to wear warmer clothing. I was later glad that I left the long sleeves behind. I wasn't sure how this run would go. I haven't run more than six miles since late August. Most of my runs have been around four. Still, I wanted to run the drives and I figured that one way or another I'd get myself around the loop.
Not surprisingly, it was slow going the whole way around. I averaged about 9:10 miles which is a bit humbling, but I was really more focused on getting in the distance and trying not to feel too beat up.... Oh yeah, and enjoying the beautiful day. I've been having a bit of back pain recently and I found myself stopping to stretch my back out a few times as I made my way around the loop. I NEED to strenghten my back more. I really do not want a repeat of last June's torture.
So, I ran 8 of the 8.5 miles of the loop (73:15) and was happy enough with that. The best part of the run was stretching by the Lincoln statue and watching happy dogs chase frisbees and each other.
It was one of those autumn mornings where it is crisp and sunny, making me unsure whether to wear warmer clothing. I was later glad that I left the long sleeves behind. I wasn't sure how this run would go. I haven't run more than six miles since late August. Most of my runs have been around four. Still, I wanted to run the drives and I figured that one way or another I'd get myself around the loop.
Not surprisingly, it was slow going the whole way around. I averaged about 9:10 miles which is a bit humbling, but I was really more focused on getting in the distance and trying not to feel too beat up.... Oh yeah, and enjoying the beautiful day. I've been having a bit of back pain recently and I found myself stopping to stretch my back out a few times as I made my way around the loop. I NEED to strenghten my back more. I really do not want a repeat of last June's torture.
So, I ran 8 of the 8.5 miles of the loop (73:15) and was happy enough with that. The best part of the run was stretching by the Lincoln statue and watching happy dogs chase frisbees and each other.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Somehow it wasn't as bad as I thought
You know it's bad when you're fighting to stay awake during a therapy session at 3pm. Luckily I think I managed to fake wakefulness pretty well. Yes, it was a beautiful fall day... a nice one for running... with one exception. It was windy... one of my most hated weather conditions. The Weather Channel said the winds were blowing at 18mph, gusting to above 30.
I called Seebo for a pep-talk. He wasn't immediately available, but his return call was, lets just say, less than inspiring. Now I'm sure I'm interpreting this a bit liberally... but it was something along the lines of "Get yer fat arse out the door!". No, of course, Seebo isn't THAT stupid... he didn't say that.
A nap sounded much better, but somehow... despite being tired and wind-shy... I made it out the door and headed to Tinicum for yet another trip around the lower loop. Yes, it was windy - so much so that I had that running-in-place feeling much of the time. But, as the title suggests, it wasn't all that bad. My legs felt pretty fresh and my lungs felt kind of actually good. Huh.... who knew?
I've long since given up trying to figure out when a run will go well and when it won't. I almost wanted to start timing my runs again....... I said almost.
I called Seebo for a pep-talk. He wasn't immediately available, but his return call was, lets just say, less than inspiring. Now I'm sure I'm interpreting this a bit liberally... but it was something along the lines of "Get yer fat arse out the door!". No, of course, Seebo isn't THAT stupid... he didn't say that.
A nap sounded much better, but somehow... despite being tired and wind-shy... I made it out the door and headed to Tinicum for yet another trip around the lower loop. Yes, it was windy - so much so that I had that running-in-place feeling much of the time. But, as the title suggests, it wasn't all that bad. My legs felt pretty fresh and my lungs felt kind of actually good. Huh.... who knew?
I've long since given up trying to figure out when a run will go well and when it won't. I almost wanted to start timing my runs again....... I said almost.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Full Circle
Once again.... the blogging has been less frequent than the running.
I've run several times since my last entry.... nothing terribly notable. I've done the lower Tinicum loop a few times and maybe a treddy run or two. It's been a slow process, trying to regain my fitness.
Most of my runs lately have hovered right around the four mile mark, so yesterday I decided to try to go longer. I wanted to do something I used to call the Seebeka loop - essentially, the lower loop of Tinicum with a mini upper loop, without going around the lake.
Looking back in my blog, I see that I ran this loop almost exactly a year ago. Reading that entry is depressing me right now as I was in such a different place with my running. I also see that I was about to begin dealing with some hip pain that put running on hold for a while. I had a mojo going then that I have yet to regain.
Seeing that I did the same loop a year ago about four and a half minutes faster than I did yesterday does not leave me with a good mind set. Ironically, as I was finishing my run yesterday (and feeling pretty wiped) I was thinking about how I'm working on being more accepting of myself when I'm not running the way I wish I were. It's not easy. I tell myself that I should feel good that I'm continuing to be consistent with running, that most people can't run as far as I can, and that the purpose of my running is to stay and shape, relieve stress, and be outside. Still, it's hard to not be competitive with myself.
It's been a rough year for me running wise... with the hip injury, then my back, then the pneumonia... and I guess I should cut myself some slack. As I get older, I'm realizing that I'll be a much happier person if I do so.
I didn't head into this blog entry with the notion that I'd be reflecting on the past year... though, for some, this is the end of the year. Given how I felt this time last year, I would have never predicted that I'd be heading into such a disappointing year, running wise. So, perhaps, given how I'm feeling about my running now, I'm heading into a great year of running.. and hopefully other wonderful things as well. One can only hope.
I've run several times since my last entry.... nothing terribly notable. I've done the lower Tinicum loop a few times and maybe a treddy run or two. It's been a slow process, trying to regain my fitness.
Most of my runs lately have hovered right around the four mile mark, so yesterday I decided to try to go longer. I wanted to do something I used to call the Seebeka loop - essentially, the lower loop of Tinicum with a mini upper loop, without going around the lake.
Looking back in my blog, I see that I ran this loop almost exactly a year ago. Reading that entry is depressing me right now as I was in such a different place with my running. I also see that I was about to begin dealing with some hip pain that put running on hold for a while. I had a mojo going then that I have yet to regain.
Seeing that I did the same loop a year ago about four and a half minutes faster than I did yesterday does not leave me with a good mind set. Ironically, as I was finishing my run yesterday (and feeling pretty wiped) I was thinking about how I'm working on being more accepting of myself when I'm not running the way I wish I were. It's not easy. I tell myself that I should feel good that I'm continuing to be consistent with running, that most people can't run as far as I can, and that the purpose of my running is to stay and shape, relieve stress, and be outside. Still, it's hard to not be competitive with myself.
It's been a rough year for me running wise... with the hip injury, then my back, then the pneumonia... and I guess I should cut myself some slack. As I get older, I'm realizing that I'll be a much happier person if I do so.
I didn't head into this blog entry with the notion that I'd be reflecting on the past year... though, for some, this is the end of the year. Given how I felt this time last year, I would have never predicted that I'd be heading into such a disappointing year, running wise. So, perhaps, given how I'm feeling about my running now, I'm heading into a great year of running.. and hopefully other wonderful things as well. One can only hope.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Me and My Shadow
Running and blogging.... two things I haven't been doing much of lately. Thankfully, I've been doing more running than blogging. My last two runs have been through Tinicum - the lower loop. Sunday, I drove to the Tinicum entrance, which seems really pathetic considering the price of gas, my desire to reduce my carbon footprint, and the fact the entrance to Tinicum is about a half mile from my house, but given how I've been feeling on my runs recently, I decided it was worthwhile. I felt pretty good during that run, so today, I decided to go green and get myself to Tinicum and back on my own.
This was about as perfect a fall day as you could get. I set out around quarter after five and watched my shadow keep pace. I kind of liked the company of my shadow, liked seeing my pony-tail bob to and fro... it felt like a familiar sight, but one I haven't seen in quite some time.
Tonight's run was the first time I felt like I might be able to get back into shape following my bout with pneumonia. Lately, I've felt as though the fitness I'd worked hard to achieve over the last several years was slipping through my fingers. Today I felt like it is still within my grasp... it ain't quite gone yet. Still, I have a long, long way to go and I'm not sure that I'll ever get back into the kind of shape I was in this time last year. And I'm okay with that. I just want to be healthy, want to be able to feel like I'm in shape and can go out for a run and enjoy it, like I did today.
I love the fall.
This was about as perfect a fall day as you could get. I set out around quarter after five and watched my shadow keep pace. I kind of liked the company of my shadow, liked seeing my pony-tail bob to and fro... it felt like a familiar sight, but one I haven't seen in quite some time.
Tonight's run was the first time I felt like I might be able to get back into shape following my bout with pneumonia. Lately, I've felt as though the fitness I'd worked hard to achieve over the last several years was slipping through my fingers. Today I felt like it is still within my grasp... it ain't quite gone yet. Still, I have a long, long way to go and I'm not sure that I'll ever get back into the kind of shape I was in this time last year. And I'm okay with that. I just want to be healthy, want to be able to feel like I'm in shape and can go out for a run and enjoy it, like I did today.
I love the fall.
Monday, September 22, 2008
First Day of Fall
Well, it's been a disappointing September. Yesterday was the Distance Run and, somehow, it went on without me. I'm slowly recovering from pneumonia and trying to be cautious. While my mind is eager to resume business as usual, my body still has not gotten with the program. I've been urged to truly allow myself to recover from this rather than risk an even more prolonged illness.
I've worked out a total of three times since being officially diagnosed with pneumonia and all three of those workouts have been within the past week. Running has been difficult. I can feel that my lungs are not in "normal" working order. In general, I feel like either I've lost an incredible amount of fitness in the past few weeks, or I'm still not fully recovered. Probably a bit of both.
Instead of running PDR yesterday, I ran a measley 3 or so miles around West Philly ... And it just about killed me. I was very disheartened by this. I just want to be better and be able to enjoy a run. So I'm frustrated, to say the least. And, of course, I feel fat and out of shape.. which puts me in a bit of a foul mood.
I'm hopeful that I'll continue to feel better and that I'll eventually get back in shape. I love fall running, so I'll try to put the last month behind me and enjoy the change of seasons.
Thanks to Maggie for checking in on me.
I've worked out a total of three times since being officially diagnosed with pneumonia and all three of those workouts have been within the past week. Running has been difficult. I can feel that my lungs are not in "normal" working order. In general, I feel like either I've lost an incredible amount of fitness in the past few weeks, or I'm still not fully recovered. Probably a bit of both.
Instead of running PDR yesterday, I ran a measley 3 or so miles around West Philly ... And it just about killed me. I was very disheartened by this. I just want to be better and be able to enjoy a run. So I'm frustrated, to say the least. And, of course, I feel fat and out of shape.. which puts me in a bit of a foul mood.
I'm hopeful that I'll continue to feel better and that I'll eventually get back in shape. I love fall running, so I'll try to put the last month behind me and enjoy the change of seasons.
Thanks to Maggie for checking in on me.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
... In other news
Yeah, so it's been a zillion years since I updated this blog. If memory serves, I think I ran two or three times since my last blog entry, but it really doesn't matter now.
After a stressful last week of work at my former place of employment, I seem to have come down with some sort of nasty virus. The long and short of it is that I've essentially had a fever (sometimes as high as 102.7) for the last week, along with an annoying and worsening cough, aches, and general misery. Oh yeah, and I sound like this lovely lady:
I've kind of self diagnosed with viral pneumonia - all the symptoms are consistent with what I have. Bad news is there really isn't any treatment, other than time and ibuprofen for the fever and cough drops and the like. Good news is I'll survive - eventually. Of course this does not bode well for me and the Distance Run, which is quickly approaching. Right now, I can barely think about it... I'm forgetting what if feels like to feel normal, let alone feel well enough to run a bunch of miles.
After a stressful last week of work at my former place of employment, I seem to have come down with some sort of nasty virus. The long and short of it is that I've essentially had a fever (sometimes as high as 102.7) for the last week, along with an annoying and worsening cough, aches, and general misery. Oh yeah, and I sound like this lovely lady:
I've kind of self diagnosed with viral pneumonia - all the symptoms are consistent with what I have. Bad news is there really isn't any treatment, other than time and ibuprofen for the fever and cough drops and the like. Good news is I'll survive - eventually. Of course this does not bode well for me and the Distance Run, which is quickly approaching. Right now, I can barely think about it... I'm forgetting what if feels like to feel normal, let alone feel well enough to run a bunch of miles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
