Because I was running late, I ran only about 1.8 miles on a sun-filled, warm (about 66 degrees!), but windy, afternoon this past Friday. I ran pretty quickly up the hill, thinking that I might be able to squeeze in the two miles in the 20 minutes I had. Of course that hill that left me pretty breathless, and it took me a few minutes to recover. Ultimately, I decided to cut it short; I just could not take a chance and risk getting back into the parking lot, neither cooled down nor stretched at the same time my kid was walking to my empty car.
Fortunately, I also swam 15 or so laps an hour later, so I did get a pretty good workout in. The very next day, the kid and I walked about a mile in 30-some degree temps. (C'mon, did we really need to lose over 30 degrees in under 24 hours?!)
And on Sunday, I swam about 25 laps, which I thought was the most ground (well, water) I had covered since I started swimming again. But then I realized I did that last weekend. I am now trying to swim three or four laps at a time instead of two, to try to increase my stamina. Hopefully, I can keep that up.
Unfortunately, I developed a slight cold Friday evening. Again. After only about a month and a half of being healthy. Grr.
I am still trying to exercise. And fortunately, I have felt better after I have done something physical. But I have a feeling I will neither swim nor run today. Just can't motivate myself.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I'm running on sunshine!
I ran yesterday, a day that was mostly sunny and about 50 degrees. According to the (rarely correct) weather forecast, it was supposed to be around 40-some degrees during my run, but the temps were happily almost 10 degrees higher than that. I ran in a long-sleeve t-shirt and a jacket slightly thicker than a windbreaker, and I was kind of warm on the way back. Yeah, sun! Yeah, temps that are quite a bit above freezing!
My times were almost identical to what I did last week. Right about 10:10 for the mile up and around 8:30 for the mile back. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the first hill was tough, but I felt pretty good coming back, and I was practically sprinting (which is why it was a little surprising that my second mile was not quicker, although I accidentally exited out of my stopwatch, so I am going by memory).
A few hours after the run and a couple of errands later, I went swimming, managing about 15 laps. So I definitely had a good workout day. Since I did nothing on Monday or Tuesday, I felt as if I need to do a little more. On Sunday, though, I did swim about 25 laps, my most ever. And I actually swam 12 consecutive laps, followed by another 8 after a short break. Yeah, stamina!
My times were almost identical to what I did last week. Right about 10:10 for the mile up and around 8:30 for the mile back. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the first hill was tough, but I felt pretty good coming back, and I was practically sprinting (which is why it was a little surprising that my second mile was not quicker, although I accidentally exited out of my stopwatch, so I am going by memory).
A few hours after the run and a couple of errands later, I went swimming, managing about 15 laps. So I definitely had a good workout day. Since I did nothing on Monday or Tuesday, I felt as if I need to do a little more. On Sunday, though, I did swim about 25 laps, my most ever. And I actually swam 12 consecutive laps, followed by another 8 after a short break. Yeah, stamina!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Not as cold but rainy
I am happy to report I ran two miles again today. The temps were about 37 while I was running, and fortunately, there was not that crazy wind as there was last week when I ran. On the other hand, it was raining lightly but steadily the entire time, which was a bit annoying considering I did not have a windbreaker to keep dry.
Oddly enough, running up the first killer hill seemed more difficult than it was last week (which had marked over 60 days since I had last run up that hill). No idea why. But I did run a little faster today, so there is that.
Mile one: 10:10
Mile two: 8:29
I swam yesterday, completing about 15 laps. I decided running was the lesser of two evils today. It just made more sense to run in the rain, surrounded by gray skies, after that Steelers loss.
Oddly enough, running up the first killer hill seemed more difficult than it was last week (which had marked over 60 days since I had last run up that hill). No idea why. But I did run a little faster today, so there is that.
Mile one: 10:10
Mile two: 8:29
I swam yesterday, completing about 15 laps. I decided running was the lesser of two evils today. It just made more sense to run in the rain, surrounded by gray skies, after that Steelers loss.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Back on the road again
I finally ran outside again yesterday, running my "usual" route. Even more important is that I ran at all, as it had been over 40 days since I had last done so (not counting jogging in the water one day last month).
The temps were about 29 degrees, and it was windy; in fact, several times during the run, snow flurries were blowing in my face. Probably not the best day to get back in the saddle, but after about 70 days since my last outdoor run, I figured if I was motivated, I should just go with it.
Before I took my first stride, I had pretty much decided to run about 10 to 15 minutes/to at least get one mile in, God willing. But after I ran up the killer hill, and it actually was not that bad, I figured I might as well run to the last uphill near the end of my first mile. I had about 25 minutes to run, so I reasoned that if it took 10 minutes to get to that point (it takes me around 7 or 8 minutes when I am in good running shape), I should have time to spare. When I reached the bottom of the hill, I saw that I had been running for about 8:30 or so, so I decided to throw caution to the wind (and fight the wind, in general!) and do the whole mile, which meant I would be doing the second mile back.
All in all, it was not that bad. I was cold; the thin shirt underneath a thick hoodie left me a little chilly during the first mile, but I was feeling okay during the second/last mile. I kept my hands in my sleeves the whole time, so I was not missing gloves too much.
My stats?
First mile completed in 10:23
Second mile completed in 8:37
Obviously this is nowhere close to my best time, but is pretty much where it was before I really started pushing myself and becoming what I consider "good." Taking the weather and the layoff from running into account, I am quite pleased. I had been concerned that when I finally ran outside again, I would only be able to complete one mile and that it would take me something like 12 minutes. But that did not happen, and I felt pretty good the whole time, which leads me to believe that swimming has done its job of keeping me in shape. I also have to consider that on Sunday, I swam 22 laps, and on Tuesday, I swam about 18 laps, so I definitely have worked my body out this week.
I am taking the day off!
The temps were about 29 degrees, and it was windy; in fact, several times during the run, snow flurries were blowing in my face. Probably not the best day to get back in the saddle, but after about 70 days since my last outdoor run, I figured if I was motivated, I should just go with it.
Before I took my first stride, I had pretty much decided to run about 10 to 15 minutes/to at least get one mile in, God willing. But after I ran up the killer hill, and it actually was not that bad, I figured I might as well run to the last uphill near the end of my first mile. I had about 25 minutes to run, so I reasoned that if it took 10 minutes to get to that point (it takes me around 7 or 8 minutes when I am in good running shape), I should have time to spare. When I reached the bottom of the hill, I saw that I had been running for about 8:30 or so, so I decided to throw caution to the wind (and fight the wind, in general!) and do the whole mile, which meant I would be doing the second mile back.
All in all, it was not that bad. I was cold; the thin shirt underneath a thick hoodie left me a little chilly during the first mile, but I was feeling okay during the second/last mile. I kept my hands in my sleeves the whole time, so I was not missing gloves too much.
My stats?
First mile completed in 10:23
Second mile completed in 8:37
Obviously this is nowhere close to my best time, but is pretty much where it was before I really started pushing myself and becoming what I consider "good." Taking the weather and the layoff from running into account, I am quite pleased. I had been concerned that when I finally ran outside again, I would only be able to complete one mile and that it would take me something like 12 minutes. But that did not happen, and I felt pretty good the whole time, which leads me to believe that swimming has done its job of keeping me in shape. I also have to consider that on Sunday, I swam 22 laps, and on Tuesday, I swam about 18 laps, so I definitely have worked my body out this week.
I am taking the day off!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
22 laps
First of all, I am pretty sure that post title should have 22 spelled out, but then it loses the impact. Second, I am referring to swimming, not running.
I have not gone running (other than running in the pool) for over a month now, which is my longest layoff since I started running again in September 2009. But I have been swimming three times a week (four during a good week) the entire month of January, so I am hopeful I am keeping in shape.
Knowing that I have not been running, I have really been pushing myself while in the pool. I used to do five laps, six on a good day. Eventually I starting swimming 10 laps, with 12 coming on a good day. Last week, I surpassed that, and today, I swam 22 laps!
The pool I swim in is a junior Olympic-sized pool (so the hotel says), which is 25 meters long (so the internet tells me). Assuming all that to be true, that means today, I swam 1000 meters. In full disclosure, I would swim two laps at a time, stopping anywhere from two to five minutes in between each "set:"; since I come to the pool with my kid, I need to keep an eye on her as well as play with her. But in all honestly, it would be difficult for me to swim more than two laps at a time, unless I am doing the side stroke or "T" back stroke, two easy strokes.
On the one hand, I am super proud of myself. I know that swimming is very challenging, and it uses so many muscles. Plus it is low impact, so it is really good for you. But what bothers me is that even though I can and have been completing a lot of laps in the last few weeks, I feel out of shape because I can't swim for more than a few minutes without needing to take a breather. For someone who does not regularly exercise, that may not seem like that big of a deal. But for someone like me who can run for 45 minutes without stopping (or at least I could before Christmas), it seems odd and makes me wonder if I am not in as good of shape as I think.
Once it stops snowing or sleeting for more than two days at a time, so I can feel reasonably sure I won't slip on ice AND once the temps are above 30, I plan to get back out there and run. I guess that will be the true test.
Until then, I am just going to be proud of my 22 laps!
I have not gone running (other than running in the pool) for over a month now, which is my longest layoff since I started running again in September 2009. But I have been swimming three times a week (four during a good week) the entire month of January, so I am hopeful I am keeping in shape.
Knowing that I have not been running, I have really been pushing myself while in the pool. I used to do five laps, six on a good day. Eventually I starting swimming 10 laps, with 12 coming on a good day. Last week, I surpassed that, and today, I swam 22 laps!
The pool I swim in is a junior Olympic-sized pool (so the hotel says), which is 25 meters long (so the internet tells me). Assuming all that to be true, that means today, I swam 1000 meters. In full disclosure, I would swim two laps at a time, stopping anywhere from two to five minutes in between each "set:"; since I come to the pool with my kid, I need to keep an eye on her as well as play with her. But in all honestly, it would be difficult for me to swim more than two laps at a time, unless I am doing the side stroke or "T" back stroke, two easy strokes.
On the one hand, I am super proud of myself. I know that swimming is very challenging, and it uses so many muscles. Plus it is low impact, so it is really good for you. But what bothers me is that even though I can and have been completing a lot of laps in the last few weeks, I feel out of shape because I can't swim for more than a few minutes without needing to take a breather. For someone who does not regularly exercise, that may not seem like that big of a deal. But for someone like me who can run for 45 minutes without stopping (or at least I could before Christmas), it seems odd and makes me wonder if I am not in as good of shape as I think.
Once it stops snowing or sleeting for more than two days at a time, so I can feel reasonably sure I won't slip on ice AND once the temps are above 30, I plan to get back out there and run. I guess that will be the true test.
Until then, I am just going to be proud of my 22 laps!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Running around the pool
Well, technically, I was running in the pool. And I was actually jogging. But since I have not gone running for almost three weeks now, and that was just on the dreaded treadmill, I figured I needed to do something running-related.
So for about 20 minutes yesterday, I jogged in 3' to 4' of water. It was a decent workout; I certainly felt the water's resistance. And it was good to move pretty much nonstop for that length of time. The only snafu was my feet hurt a little, thanks to the not-so-smooth bottom. Not sure if running with water shoes would help, though.
I still have no idea when I am going to get back out there. I had an awful cold last week. Yesterday it was only about 20 degrees. And we are supposed to get some snow today. Maybe by the end of this week I can attempt at least a one mile run. I sure hope so.
In the meantime, I am going to try to keep up with the swimming. I still managed to get in about six laps (which I like to call 12, since I am going up and back) yesterday after my "jog," but as usual, they were not consecutive. At least I am moving!
So for about 20 minutes yesterday, I jogged in 3' to 4' of water. It was a decent workout; I certainly felt the water's resistance. And it was good to move pretty much nonstop for that length of time. The only snafu was my feet hurt a little, thanks to the not-so-smooth bottom. Not sure if running with water shoes would help, though.
I still have no idea when I am going to get back out there. I had an awful cold last week. Yesterday it was only about 20 degrees. And we are supposed to get some snow today. Maybe by the end of this week I can attempt at least a one mile run. I sure hope so.
In the meantime, I am going to try to keep up with the swimming. I still managed to get in about six laps (which I like to call 12, since I am going up and back) yesterday after my "jog," but as usual, they were not consecutive. At least I am moving!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I don't do sick
Well, I have now gone just over two weeks without running. If my memory serves me correctly, two weeks is the amount of time it takes to lose the fitness level previously achieved. I did swim on Monday and Tuesday of this week, but thanks to congestion from a cold, my laps were rather slow. And the week between Christmas and New Year's, I did nada as far as exercising (I was out of town).
The weather this week has been pretty good for running considering it is January; temps were in the upper 20s/lower 30s with sunny skies on one or two of those days. Yet I just cannot motivate myself to lace up the shoes and get out there, as much as I need and want to.
I really hope my nose stops running and my sinuses clear out so I can put up a post about a run. Even if that post will probably contain phrases like "gasping for air" and "could not run more than 10 minutes without stopping."
Here's hoping 2011 is a good year for my fitness. It would be nice to read about 39-year-old me running farther and faster. But considering how I feel right now, I would be happy if I can get back to where I was in the fall.
The weather this week has been pretty good for running considering it is January; temps were in the upper 20s/lower 30s with sunny skies on one or two of those days. Yet I just cannot motivate myself to lace up the shoes and get out there, as much as I need and want to.
I really hope my nose stops running and my sinuses clear out so I can put up a post about a run. Even if that post will probably contain phrases like "gasping for air" and "could not run more than 10 minutes without stopping."
Here's hoping 2011 is a good year for my fitness. It would be nice to read about 39-year-old me running farther and faster. But considering how I feel right now, I would be happy if I can get back to where I was in the fall.
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