One of the first things I learned when I started running was that hills can be psychological killers. You see them looming before you and even before you start up them, they can start to take a mental toll. They play head games with you, making you think you can't possibly make it to the top. A friend told me early on that instead of thinking about how much she hated running hills and how miserable she was doing it, she simply repeated this mantra in her head (or out loud, if necessary!): I love hills. That darn positive thinking keeps popping up, doesn't it?? She looks at each hill as a challenge and doesn't allow it to make her back down.
The thing is, this works. Most of the time. This past Saturday our long run was 10 miles over a very hilly course with some steep climbs. Don't get me wrong, there were some long descents, too, and I'm sure it evened out over the haul, but it felt like it was 99.5 percent uphill. I actually have started to love hills through positive thinking...I have seen first hand how much faster and stronger running hills has made me, so I focus on that a lot while running uphill and it helps.
For the first lap of the run, I was pretty fast. I was able to keep up with the rest of the much faster marathoners on the Team. But by the second time we headed up one particularly steep hill (and had already climbed several others along the way), I had fallen off the pace. By the third time going up that hill, I did NOT love hills anymore. I was hurting and tired and no amount of telling myself I loved hills was going to make me love what I was doing at that moment. That being said, my average pace for the duration of the 10 miles was under 12 minutes, which for me on a long run, is fairly outstanding. So even though I did hate the hills by the time I pushed through the last lap, I feel pretty good about my effort.
Which brings us to today. I ran 5 miles with a couple of gentle grades, and I felt every bit of them. I'm still pretty sore. The combo of my faster pace plus the hills on Saturday seems to have left me a bit battered. Which hopefully means I'm building more strength for next time! I love hills. Kind of.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wrestling the Wind
There are a few things that can totally throw off your mental game when you're running. One of them is running against the wind.
I needed to get in the 5 miler scheduled for tomorrow's team run today, because tomorrow I am the "stay-behind." That means I stay back at our start point and act as an emergency contact, guardian of the key can, and watcher of the drink jug. I had the time to get the run in today, so I didn't mind. Or so I thought.
I got out there and felt GREAT on the out portion of the out-and-back. I felt cool, fast, together, in the flow. I was sub-pace and enjoying myself. Until the turn around. Suddenly I realized why I had felt so fast and cool. The wind slapped me in the face and blew gravel into my legs the moment I turned. Why hadn't I noticed how hard it was blowing while I was going out??? My eyes were stinging, and every step felt like I was running smack into a squishy rubber wall. I don't think I've ever run into a headwind like that before. It was all I could do to muster the willpower to keep going. I desperately wanted to stop. I wanted to find a shortcut home. I wanted to bug out and be done.
I am very pleased to say that I stuck it out. I did battle with the wind and battle in my mind. I think I may have had one of the slowest average pace times I've ever run, but by gosh, I made it all the way home. Physically, it wasn't my best run. Mentally, it was way up there. Today I fought the wind, and won.
On another note, I met an amazing guy on my run today. He was maybe mid-60's, dressed for a long bike ride and coming up behind me at a slow cruising speed. Anyone coming up next to me on a run tends to make me nervous, but this guy had a huge smile and sort of reminded me of my dad. He mentioned how it was a great day to run, aside from the wind, as he came up alongside me. I agreed and he asked me if I was training for something. I told him I was, and we started chatting a little. He said he was training for the LA Marathon coming up this Sunday, but that he might do the San Diego, too. Turns out this guy has run 27 marathons in 27 months. His goal is to do a marathon a month for as long as he can do it. Wow. I was amazed! We parted ways shortly, because I had a big hill to tackle and he was at his turnaround. We wished each other luck and safety, and went on our way. I hope he keeps doing a marathon a month for a long, long time.
I needed to get in the 5 miler scheduled for tomorrow's team run today, because tomorrow I am the "stay-behind." That means I stay back at our start point and act as an emergency contact, guardian of the key can, and watcher of the drink jug. I had the time to get the run in today, so I didn't mind. Or so I thought.
I got out there and felt GREAT on the out portion of the out-and-back. I felt cool, fast, together, in the flow. I was sub-pace and enjoying myself. Until the turn around. Suddenly I realized why I had felt so fast and cool. The wind slapped me in the face and blew gravel into my legs the moment I turned. Why hadn't I noticed how hard it was blowing while I was going out??? My eyes were stinging, and every step felt like I was running smack into a squishy rubber wall. I don't think I've ever run into a headwind like that before. It was all I could do to muster the willpower to keep going. I desperately wanted to stop. I wanted to find a shortcut home. I wanted to bug out and be done.
I am very pleased to say that I stuck it out. I did battle with the wind and battle in my mind. I think I may have had one of the slowest average pace times I've ever run, but by gosh, I made it all the way home. Physically, it wasn't my best run. Mentally, it was way up there. Today I fought the wind, and won.
On another note, I met an amazing guy on my run today. He was maybe mid-60's, dressed for a long bike ride and coming up behind me at a slow cruising speed. Anyone coming up next to me on a run tends to make me nervous, but this guy had a huge smile and sort of reminded me of my dad. He mentioned how it was a great day to run, aside from the wind, as he came up alongside me. I agreed and he asked me if I was training for something. I told him I was, and we started chatting a little. He said he was training for the LA Marathon coming up this Sunday, but that he might do the San Diego, too. Turns out this guy has run 27 marathons in 27 months. His goal is to do a marathon a month for as long as he can do it. Wow. I was amazed! We parted ways shortly, because I had a big hill to tackle and he was at his turnaround. We wished each other luck and safety, and went on our way. I hope he keeps doing a marathon a month for a long, long time.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Running safe soapbox
Running as often as I do around the area where I live, I have noticed a few folks being a bit unsafe out there. I'm certainly far from perfect myself, but I really felt like I should point out a few important safety notes.
If you are running before dawn or after dusk, please, please remember to wear light colors and reflective gear. Just the other night, I was driving home in the dark and came awfully close to hitting a fellow who was running along the shoulder, with his back to traffic, and wearing ALL black. It scared me to death, and I hope it gave him a wake-up call, too. If it's dark and you're wearing black, drivers have a tough time seeing you. Even drivers like me who are hypersensitive to runners out on the roads. If all your running clothes are dark colors and don't have reflective print or piping on them, invest in a reflective vest, armband or legbands. Anything that will help you be seen.
I am totally guilty of one thing that people tell me over and over is not safe. I run with my iPod. The things is, I keep it low enough that I can carry on a conversation with someone next to me, and I can hear traffic and other ambient noises around me. I don't use the earphones that actually plug into your ears, rather the buds that just sit on the outside of your ear. This really helps me be able to pay attention to outside noises. I'm pointing this one out because as I was running along yesterday, I was coming up behing a woman who was walking and seemed oblivious to my approach. I didn't want to startle her, so I called out several times before I got too close, letting her know I was coming up behind. She had headphones on, and apparently they were so loud, she couldn't hear me coming or calling to her. When I went to pass her, she nearly jumped out of her skin, and then she yelled at me for scaring her. If someone had wanted to come behind her and attack her or grab her, she wouldn't have been the wiser until it was too late.
Next up, when running against traffic and coming up to an intersection where a driver is making a right turn, remember that many drivers making a right turn don't always look to THEIR right. They are looking left to check oncoming traffic. If you are running up towards them, they might not see you before they start their turn. I saw a guy last weekend almost get hit due to this very circumstance. It's always a good idea to try to make eye contact with a driver in an intersection so you KNOW they see you.
Last thing, then I promise to get off the box, is bring ID with you. You think it won't happen to you, but I know of two friends that have had accidents while running, and it is so important to have ID. If you aren't able to communicate for any reason, it will help others help you and potentially contact your family or friends. I run with RoadID and I feel the peace of mind is totally worth the expense.
Alright, I'll hush now and return to the regularly scheduled training updates. Please be careful out there!!
If you are running before dawn or after dusk, please, please remember to wear light colors and reflective gear. Just the other night, I was driving home in the dark and came awfully close to hitting a fellow who was running along the shoulder, with his back to traffic, and wearing ALL black. It scared me to death, and I hope it gave him a wake-up call, too. If it's dark and you're wearing black, drivers have a tough time seeing you. Even drivers like me who are hypersensitive to runners out on the roads. If all your running clothes are dark colors and don't have reflective print or piping on them, invest in a reflective vest, armband or legbands. Anything that will help you be seen.
I am totally guilty of one thing that people tell me over and over is not safe. I run with my iPod. The things is, I keep it low enough that I can carry on a conversation with someone next to me, and I can hear traffic and other ambient noises around me. I don't use the earphones that actually plug into your ears, rather the buds that just sit on the outside of your ear. This really helps me be able to pay attention to outside noises. I'm pointing this one out because as I was running along yesterday, I was coming up behing a woman who was walking and seemed oblivious to my approach. I didn't want to startle her, so I called out several times before I got too close, letting her know I was coming up behind. She had headphones on, and apparently they were so loud, she couldn't hear me coming or calling to her. When I went to pass her, she nearly jumped out of her skin, and then she yelled at me for scaring her. If someone had wanted to come behind her and attack her or grab her, she wouldn't have been the wiser until it was too late.
Next up, when running against traffic and coming up to an intersection where a driver is making a right turn, remember that many drivers making a right turn don't always look to THEIR right. They are looking left to check oncoming traffic. If you are running up towards them, they might not see you before they start their turn. I saw a guy last weekend almost get hit due to this very circumstance. It's always a good idea to try to make eye contact with a driver in an intersection so you KNOW they see you.
Last thing, then I promise to get off the box, is bring ID with you. You think it won't happen to you, but I know of two friends that have had accidents while running, and it is so important to have ID. If you aren't able to communicate for any reason, it will help others help you and potentially contact your family or friends. I run with RoadID and I feel the peace of mind is totally worth the expense.
Alright, I'll hush now and return to the regularly scheduled training updates. Please be careful out there!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Flailing Arms and Bloody Toes
Yesterday I had to miss Team practice because they were meeting on the other side of the world (Redlands) late (8am) and my son had an early baseball game, his first of the season. Couldn't possibly miss that, so I headed out the front door alone to get in my 8 miles promptly at 6am. It's amazing to me that I took off fairly cheerfully, both because cheerful is not usually a word that would well-describe me at 6am, and because the thought of doing 8 miles all by myself a year ago seemed completely out of the question.
This morning was actually a good run. I spent a lot of time focusing on keeping my upper body still after getting some form pointers from my Team coaches last weekend. (I believe, "you are a MESS" was the phrase they used.) I tend to twist my arms and shoulders from side-to-side instead of keeping my arms pumping straight. As one of my assistant coaches put it, "you're just flailing your arms in totally the wrong way." Great, I twist AND flail!! I'm a flailure!!
It's actually difficult to "fix" things when you're running unless you constantly focus on it. The moment my mind would drift I'd suddenly realize I was twisting again. My shoulders ended up being a bit sore from the tension of trying to relax them, although I know that probably makes no sense! Since I want to propel myself forward, twisting my arms from side to side is a total waste of energy. I know this, but man, my body just doesn't want to cooperate. It's going to take me a while to get this adjustment made.
All the time I spent focusing on my arms and shoulders made the miles fly by since I had no room in my head for focusing on the distance I had left to run. I was almost surprised when I realized I was rounding the corner to home. I flew in the door and immediately started for the shower so we could get to the baseball game. As I removed my right shoe, however, I quickly realized something was wrong. The toe of my sock was covered in blood. I suspected another black toenail at first, but I hadn't felt any pain at all in my toes or feet for the whole run. I peeled the sock off and found lots more blood. What had I done?!? After a full minute of freaking out, I stuck my foot under the bath faucet and was able to inspect it. Turns out when I trimmed my toenails a few days ago, I must've left a sharp corner on my third toe, which had subsequently sliced open the side of my second toe with surgical precision. Amazingly, it didn't hurt at all...until I got in the shower. Water and soap hit the open cut and stung like MAD. OWWWW!
I have since repaired the offending sharp corner and bandaged the incision. I really hope it doesn't hurt when I run again. Limping along with flailing, twisting arms and bloody toes, I will be the terror of Foothill Boulevard.
This morning was actually a good run. I spent a lot of time focusing on keeping my upper body still after getting some form pointers from my Team coaches last weekend. (I believe, "you are a MESS" was the phrase they used.) I tend to twist my arms and shoulders from side-to-side instead of keeping my arms pumping straight. As one of my assistant coaches put it, "you're just flailing your arms in totally the wrong way." Great, I twist AND flail!! I'm a flailure!!
It's actually difficult to "fix" things when you're running unless you constantly focus on it. The moment my mind would drift I'd suddenly realize I was twisting again. My shoulders ended up being a bit sore from the tension of trying to relax them, although I know that probably makes no sense! Since I want to propel myself forward, twisting my arms from side to side is a total waste of energy. I know this, but man, my body just doesn't want to cooperate. It's going to take me a while to get this adjustment made.
All the time I spent focusing on my arms and shoulders made the miles fly by since I had no room in my head for focusing on the distance I had left to run. I was almost surprised when I realized I was rounding the corner to home. I flew in the door and immediately started for the shower so we could get to the baseball game. As I removed my right shoe, however, I quickly realized something was wrong. The toe of my sock was covered in blood. I suspected another black toenail at first, but I hadn't felt any pain at all in my toes or feet for the whole run. I peeled the sock off and found lots more blood. What had I done?!? After a full minute of freaking out, I stuck my foot under the bath faucet and was able to inspect it. Turns out when I trimmed my toenails a few days ago, I must've left a sharp corner on my third toe, which had subsequently sliced open the side of my second toe with surgical precision. Amazingly, it didn't hurt at all...until I got in the shower. Water and soap hit the open cut and stung like MAD. OWWWW!
I have since repaired the offending sharp corner and bandaged the incision. I really hope it doesn't hurt when I run again. Limping along with flailing, twisting arms and bloody toes, I will be the terror of Foothill Boulevard.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Moving on up.
I'm thrilled to say my oldest son's school fundraisers are going great. He is so precious and excited about doing it, and tells EVERYONE he meets what he's doing and asks if they'd like to donate. With his fantastic help, I am definitely going to hit my $1500 goal, so I'm going to be rockin' and rollin' the full marathon in San Deigo! Woohoo!!
Yesterday the practice run was 6 miles. We thought it might rain us out again, but we were lucky enough that the storm decided to wait until we were done before dumping. I'm slowly moving back up into higher mileage again, but I know I have to really start to bump it up if I'm ever going to make that long 26.2 in June! Today's run was nice and easy, out in the citrus groves in Riverside. It's feeling pretty good to get back to the longer runs again, although I'm definitely feeling nervous about the big runs coming up in the next months. My longest run to date has been just under 15 miles, so 20 is sounding like a lot!! I just have to stay focused on what I'm doing NOW and worry about the long stuff coming up when I get to it.
This week I'm planning to get in some hill work and intervals early in the week, with a rest on Thursday and cross-train day on Friday. It's a bit off from my usual schedule, but we have a busy week and I have to squeeze in what I can when I can! Next weekend I will be running solo for an 8-miler. Got to be home in time for an early first-of-season little league baseball game. Can't miss that!!
Yesterday the practice run was 6 miles. We thought it might rain us out again, but we were lucky enough that the storm decided to wait until we were done before dumping. I'm slowly moving back up into higher mileage again, but I know I have to really start to bump it up if I'm ever going to make that long 26.2 in June! Today's run was nice and easy, out in the citrus groves in Riverside. It's feeling pretty good to get back to the longer runs again, although I'm definitely feeling nervous about the big runs coming up in the next months. My longest run to date has been just under 15 miles, so 20 is sounding like a lot!! I just have to stay focused on what I'm doing NOW and worry about the long stuff coming up when I get to it.
This week I'm planning to get in some hill work and intervals early in the week, with a rest on Thursday and cross-train day on Friday. It's a bit off from my usual schedule, but we have a busy week and I have to squeeze in what I can when I can! Next weekend I will be running solo for an 8-miler. Got to be home in time for an early first-of-season little league baseball game. Can't miss that!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Semi-Famous?
Check out this article by the Riverside Running Examiner! Thanks, Jamie!
Three minutes with...Jana Resch, Team in Training participant and fundraiser
Posted using ShareThis
Three minutes with...Jana Resch, Team in Training participant and fundraiser
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, March 1, 2010
Waterlogged warrior
Okay, I remember feeling very hardcore the last time I ran in the rain. It was a 14.5 miler and even though I came back looking like a drowned rat, I actually kind of liked it.
This past Saturday, our Team practice was in the POURING rain. I don't just mean raining, I mean pouring so hard it made it hard to see sometimes. And secretly? I still liked it!! We did around an hour and I wasn't even miserable when I stopped...of course, I was prepared this time! I had a towel, change of shirt, dry jacket and dry shoes and socks waiting in the car. Plus, I ran in the new Asics Storm Shelter jacket I got for Christmas (thanks honey!!) and it was awesome. Kept me dry without making me hot.
Giant puddles made my feet squishy, water dripped off the brim of my hat right into my face, my running tights were more like a wetsuit. And, I liked it. How scary is that?? Running in the rain feels like looking Mother Nature in the face and saying, "You will not stop me!" I am runner. Hear me roar. It does just feel hardcore.
I did, however, REALLY enjoy my hot shower and hot coffee when I got home. There's something to be said for the post-inclement weather run warm-up, too!
This past Saturday, our Team practice was in the POURING rain. I don't just mean raining, I mean pouring so hard it made it hard to see sometimes. And secretly? I still liked it!! We did around an hour and I wasn't even miserable when I stopped...of course, I was prepared this time! I had a towel, change of shirt, dry jacket and dry shoes and socks waiting in the car. Plus, I ran in the new Asics Storm Shelter jacket I got for Christmas (thanks honey!!) and it was awesome. Kept me dry without making me hot.
Giant puddles made my feet squishy, water dripped off the brim of my hat right into my face, my running tights were more like a wetsuit. And, I liked it. How scary is that?? Running in the rain feels like looking Mother Nature in the face and saying, "You will not stop me!" I am runner. Hear me roar. It does just feel hardcore.
I did, however, REALLY enjoy my hot shower and hot coffee when I got home. There's something to be said for the post-inclement weather run warm-up, too!
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