Hot to Trot (I accidentally went for a run)...

Several hours ago, Carrie and I collectively vetoed the idea of an evening run due to the humidity. That decided, I started working on publicity for Trina Hamlin and Natalia Zukerman.

At about 8:30 pm, I started feeling restless. Before I knew it, I was at the gym in motion. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen.

In other news, I bought some new sparkly silver running shorts (pictured). Why, you ask? They were on sale for $3.23. After putting them on this evening, I saw the error of my ways. Next time, basic black it is. I'd rather not draw attention to my bumper, and these shorts are the equivalent of wearing Christmas lights on my a**. But, they were on sale.

MOOD: From grumpy to groovy
DISTANCE: 3.78 miles (3.28 r, .50 w)
SPEED: w/u @ 4 mph, 20 minutes at 5.5 mph, 5 minutes @ 4.5 mph, 3 minutes @ 5.8 mph, 2 minutes at 6 mph

For those of you who have extra running shorts that you don't need/want in a size 14, I'd be happy to take them off your hands. I can't keep up with the laundry around here. ;)

mini-run!

YAY Carrie! Welcome back! ;) RMFR!!!

I have nothing much to say other than I ran today - 2.5 miles at about 4.8 mph. I did a 1/2 mile walk for a cool down.

Felt great!

I got new running shoes - Asics - and they're great!

Love,
Kel

Back on the Wagon

MOOD: Apprehensive; low energy
DISTANCE: 3.5 + .5 walk to cool down
SPEED: 5.6-5.8 mph

So I kinda fell off the wagon. I go through phases. I'm a moody one, that's for sure. Kellie got on me for not complaining in the beginning because I was running running running and was thrilled about it. Then I teetered on the lip at the back of the wagon ... and fell right off.

Kel and I went away last weekend so I ran on Friday, which was when I fell off the treadmill. Rather, fell ON the treadmill. We then planned on running Sunday morning (last) before heading back home, which we didn't do. I think we both wanted to get on the road and we didn't want to overstay our welcome, though we were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted. We chose the road. In a car. For 7 1/2 hours. Kellie was AWESOME and ran when she got home, after driving the entire way. I did not.

I think the complete exhaustion from last weekend did me in and I had trouble waking up early for my run on Monday so I skipped it. I think I ran briefly on Tuesday, maybe 2 miles, but I don't remember. I also think I ran on Wednesday, but I'm not sure about that either. It was a busy week and I've blocked it out. Thursday was my race. A short race. Just 3 miles. But it was 3 miles in a pack of 12,000 people. I started off running fast. Way too fast. Like 9 1/2 minute mile fast. And that's not even that fast. But I'm not up to that pace yet, so with the extra speed and the energy I expended running around people, I had to stop by mile 2 and walk a good 5 minutes or so. I ended up averaging a pace of slightly under a 12-minute mile, which was slower than I wanted, but I finished.

I didn't run then on Friday. I didn't run yesterday. Bad bad bad.

Today I ran. And I feel so much better. I feel better about myself, I feel better for stepping back up on the wagon, I feel better for having faith that I can do this. I did 3.5 miles at a slightly quicker pace, and I am applauding myself for doing this because I need to keep a positive attitude. :) Like Kellie.

You are my inspiration, Sistah.

I'm hoping Kel will be able to run with me after work tomorrow. Everyone should leave comments begging her to make time for it. :) Ready, set, go!

long run: 4 miles!

Special thanks to my pals Andy & Mary (pictured here) who helped me get through my long run today up in Concord, NH. I was supposed to run 4 miles, but due to getting lost, I ran closer to 5. Oops!

I would've gotten a better picture, but gimme a break! I ran 4 miles today! Besides, none of us could be bothered by holding still for another shot. ;)

Mary helped me by taking me around in the car before the run to psyche me up and to plot my 4 mile route. Andy helped (with Mary) by finding me after I got lost. ;)

My training at Watercountry the day prior was also a huge success. I tackled the Double Geronimo Slide, (which was later renamed Double Ger-ENEMA by my pal, Tim, for reasons that I'll leave to your imagination).

I'm thrilled that I was able to do my run today, though. I was nervous about running outside, and having my pals there to cheer me on made all the difference.

Mary is helping right NOW by cooking me dinner - she's a phenomenal chef!

And this is JAX - the dog who owns Andy & Mary. He took me on a walk today after the run, which was also helpful.

Run, MF'er, Run!!!!

NOTE: Carrie ran a race tonight! Yeeeeeee-haw.

DISTANCE: 3.30 miles (2.7 r, .6 w)
MOOD: from Kinda Freaked Out to pissed off to feeling good

A friend sent me some words of encouragement yesterday. He had a pal who used to coach highschool track. Apparently, she (the coach) had a special technique to motivate the kids. Standing on the edge of the track she'd yell, "Run, Mother-F'er, RUN!!!!"

I will think of that now whenever I feel like quitting. And if I can stop laughing long enough, I'll continue running. ;)


I started out today with some interval training. I did 5 minutes of warm up, jogging at 4.5 mph, and then did 20 second intervals at 5.5, 6.5 & 7.5 mph. I recovered for 60 seconds at 4.8mph before repeating the sequence.

The run felt physically more difficult today. I was challenging myself with the faster intervals, but there's more. Last night, I drank about 1/4 of a Miller Lite. I don't usually drink, and when I do, even just a tiny bit, the next morning, I'm a bloated & groggy mess. I woke up this morning feeling like a Nyquil addict - so heavy with a mind so thoroughly foggy that I didn't even know where I was for a good thirty seconds after opening my eyes. No more drinking the night before a run. I don't need the calories, and I don't need the headache.

I need to learn to relax my upper body when I run. I'm holding a lot of physical tension in my neck, upper back & shoulders. I had another bout with anxiety today on the treadmill. I start to feel tension in my upper back (between the scapulae) and, as I mentioned in a previous post, it feels like a terrible anxiety attack. I started walking when I didn't physically need the break due to the freak-out factor. I've got some work to do there.

HOWEVER, I still felt fantastic at the end of the run. And I feel lucky to have this opportunity.

Tomorrow (Friday) I'll go to Water Country Water Park in Portsmouth, NH with two of my best pals. I'll take the day off from running to "let my muscles heal and replenish their glycogen stores." (says 7 time Boston Marathoner, Josh Cheron). I will also be getting a nice sun-burn while doing my best not to use profanity on my first encounter with the vertical slides. It's all an important part of the training, you see.

No Sweat...

So I lied a little. Today's run was a little more difficult. Pictured is how I felt during the last 1/2 mile of today's run. ;)


MOOD: Apprehensive
DISTANCE: 3.19
SPEED: 5.1 mph for first 2o minutes, 5.5 mph for 9 minutes, intervals from 5.5 - 6.5mph for 5 minutes

About 30 minutes in, I almost stopped, but a 71 year old woman on the treadmill next to me said, "You're doing great, honey." That was just enough to shift my attitude to get me through it. I worked out at a faster speed for longer today. I do feel myself getting stronger.

I'll post tomorrow with info from Josh Cheron (Carrie's brother & long-time marathoner), who has been kind enough to let me pepper him with running questions via email all day long. Stay tuned for that! ;)

Best,
Kel

I'll get there

Today's run was tough, I'm not going to lie.
I didn't finish my run and I was struggling all the way through it. I don't know if it was because I hadn't run since Friday, but I suspect it's because of residual exhaustion from this weekend. I don't recover the same way I did in my younger days. I'm not getting enough sleep, I'm working a lot more than I usually do, etc.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

I have a race on Thursday evening and I'm hoping I don't die. :)

Adolfo & Antonio - My Sexy Italian Feet

I received some great advice via email from veteran Boston Marathoner, Josh Cheron. He had me pick up some Arrid Xtra Dry spray deodorant to stop the sweating & excess friction that contribute to blisters. By Golly, it worked! No new blisters today.

And, as a bonus, my feet now smell like a very attractive Italian man - you know the type - well muscled with perfect teeth. I can picture him now. He looks like an Antonio or an Adolfo - definitely Italian. Here we (Adolfo & I) are with Arrid Xtra Dry.

PICTURED: Adolfo (left), Arrid (middle), Kellie Lin (right)

DISTANCE TODAY: 3.03 miles
INTENSITY: Between 4.8 - 6.2 mph
MOOD: Cheerful

The run felt good. I'm amazed at the fact that I'm able to run this much after so many weeks away. It just goes to show you how powerful the mind/body connection really is. As soon as I stopped telling myself, "You're not a runner," I became one. I can't wait to go again tomorrow.


Thanks to all who commented or wrote in response to my announcement about this blog. So many of you shared inspiring stories or training tips. I'm grateful. Keep coming back! Your encouragement is so much appreciated.

Love, Kel

In spite of it all...

Carrie and I were in the PA/NJ area for business & pleasure this weekend. Today, we drove for about 7 hours to get home, (from Bryn Mawr, PA to Boston). Pictured here is a self-portrait I took after stumbling into the bathroom this morning. Check out that hair. HOT.

ANYWAY...

I was absolutely determined to run after not running on Friday & Saturday due to:
(1) the blister of death
(2) a 22 hour long day on Saturday, complete with 9 hours of driving, 1 performance (Carrie & I in NJ at the Fuel House), and 1 happening involving Susan Werner who played a faaaaabulous set in Bryn Mawr at the Gazebo.

THAT was yesterday.

Today, after the drive home, I dropped Carrie off and drove straight to the gym. I arrived at 5:57 pm. The gym closes at 6 p.m. This was news to me.

I briefly considered going home to take a nap. Instead, I mapped out a new running route with my car's odometer, parked the car, re-tied my shoes, and took off down the street on foot.

The route I'd picked is one incline after the other. I was shuffling along like an 80 year old asthmatic until I saw my reflection in the store windows. My heart rate jumped about 20 beats per minute every time I got near a reflection - meaning I'd check myself out and then extend my stride, stop slumping, suck my stomach in, and start to move. When I couldn't see myself, I aged dramatically again. That's a habit that needs breaking. Anyone watching was surely amused by my obvious vanity...

All in all, the run was good. My goal was to run 3 miles, but due to the incline and the impact of the concrete, I ran about 2.5 miles and walked .5. I feel good about that, though. I could've given in to my instinct to order a pizza and watch an aerobics video (my usual work-out). But I didn't. That's cool. ;)

BUT the b***h is back. BLISTER. My new blister-proof band-aids and non-friction socks did not solve the problem, so I will likely need new shoes. The sandals I've been wearing for the runs are absolutely adorable - strappy, sassy with 3 inch heels - but...

Kel

Yeah? So what.

So I fell off the treadmill.
Shut up, thank you very much. :)

Friday's ridiculousness has developed into huge bruises on my elbows and left thigh, and a really stiff neck.

I know you want to know what happened and I really don't want to relive it, but if I can tell the audience at my gig on Friday night, I can tell you.

I was at about 2 1/2 miles on Friday, but I needed a tissue. It wasn't the "wipe your nose on your sleeve" thing either. I needed a tissue.

Fine.

I hop off carefully, leaving the treadmill running, because if you pause it, it will shut itself off before you have a chance to come back from your tissue trip. 'Tis true. I've tried that. And yes, I usually bring tissues with me, but I forgot on Friday.

Anyway ... hopped off, got tissue, finished my business, saw little girl crying in gym, knew her, said "Hi Marlena!," watched her start screaming again, got really distracted, walked back to treadmill, went to walk back on it ...

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

Yes. I forgot I'd left it on. I was distracted!
MORTIFYING!!! I promise you, it's just as mortifying as you imagine it to be. This is all to be imagined with a very cute runner on the treadmill across from me. Horrifying. I did actually feel like jumping out the window but it's triple-paned and that would suck.

I haven't run since Friday because Kel and I have been out of town having a super super time gigging and listening and hanging.

I'm glad to be back and will be running tomorrow at 5:30. Woohoo!

I can't go back there

I have an absolutely mortifying and painful story to tell about today's run but I'm just not mentally capable of doing that yet without wincing.
Needless to say, I didn't finish my long run today. I'm upset about it, but I will get over it. I'll do it on Sunday.
I will post later.
I need to go find somewhere to hide my head.

CEC - Cheat meal

I have been so good all week. I've tried to feed my body what I felt it needed when it needed it, nothing more, nothing less. Tonight was a special night for a special friend and I ... partook. Tomorrow will be tough. I'm feeling it already. Just fair warning to myself, I suppose. Though I probably shouldn't "warn" myself, thereby making it easy to tell myself it's ok to give up in one run on one day.

I wanted to post about it to make it more difficult for me to give up.
We'll see how it turns out!

KL: day 2, 3 miles

The blister on the bottom of my left foot is just where the big toe joint starts on the inner arch. I didn't notice it much during the run itself (adrenaline) but it's about twice the size it was yesterday. I wonder if there's some way I can wrap my foot so that I don't make it worse and I can keep running.

Today was a little bit more difficult mentally near the end of the run. When I start breathing hard, I feel my lungs tighten in my back and it feels like an anxiety attack. At that point, two things can happen. I either consciously determine that I'm tensing up, and concentrate on breathing, or or flip out. Today, I just paid attention, and kept the pace up (around 6 mph when this started happening) and focused on my breathing. It worked and I finished!

Physically, I was fine once I got my breath under control. I'm not pushing yet. I'm just easing my way into this, so I ran again fairly slowly - between 4.7 - 5.7 mph until my speed bursts at the end. I will say, it was knowing that the blog was here that got me through the last of it.

I got off the treadmill and could hardly walk because my hips were so tight after all the impact. This will take a little getting used to. I think I'm going to slip in some yoga to keep my joints loose, especially while I'm adapting to the more frequent runs.

Carrie (and any of you readers), would you like to do some yoga in the park with me this summer as we train? I'll put together a series designed to speak to what running can do to the body - hips, knees, & hamstrings in particular.

Who's up for yoga (and maybe some Pilates!) in the park? ;)

Carrie, fyi, you're not whining enough. Follow my lead and start complaining, will ya? What's the fun if we can't commiserate? ;)

That's it. I'm having fun and I feel great!

4 miles, 9.1 to go!

Just got back from today's run (on a treadmill). I covered up the "dashboard" on the treadmill so I couldn't see how far I'd gone already, because I always have a tough time when I can see how much longer I have to go. I promised myself I wouldn't look until I really couldn't wait any longer, or until I was just so pooped that I had to know how much longer I had to go. I didn't look until I had already run 2 3/4 miles!!! Today's run was much easier than yesterday's, and I feel really good right now. I walked an additional 10 minutes or so at the end of my run, to cool down and get my heart rate back to normal, and I think that definitely helped my body recuperate more quickly.

I'm (oddly enough) looking forward to tomorrow's 5-mile long run! The long run is supposed to happen on Saturday but since we're going away on Saturday, there won't be time for a run. Tomorrow it is!

Blisters!!!

Perhaps now would be a good time to just mention blisters and other foot problems afflicting runners everywhere. I'll plan a post later on in our training, for our million readers out there, but for right now, we need to get you fitted for shoes, Kel. Most probably, your shoes are what's causing these blisters.

Great job on the run today!!!

KL First Training Run: 3 miles

I ran my 3 miles today, and then I walked 2.25 miles after that. My pace was pretty slow - I'd say between 4.5 - 5.5 mph - for the majority of the run. During the last 10 minutes, I did speed intervals up to 6.5 mph to focus on building strength and fast- twitch muscle fibers.

My left foot is now covered in blisters (let the whining begin), but I feel fabulous.

I haven't run in about 3 weeks, so I was surprised that I was able to grab my 3 miles, even if they were slow ones.

I'm excited to run outside too. It is considerably more challenging, but if this gorgeous weather keeps up, perhaps we can find some interesting places to log some miles. I'd like to try trail running too - softer ground. I know we need to build up the skeletal endurance to run on the concrete, but maybe we'll mix it up some.

I'd like to run around Walden Pond so that when we're through, we can jump in. I LOVE the water. ;)

Good job, Car!

Carrie's First Post

So yes, I did run 4 miles this morning. At the most disgusting hour of 5:30 in the morning.
It was tough, I'm not going to lie, though I do have some excellent experience with early wake-up calls.

I've been running relatively regularly for the last few months but some days are just harder than others. I even uploaded a profanity-laced Pink song onto my IPod to keep me going but the Ipod never shuffled it! Maybe it just wasn't my day. :) My Ipod needs to learn to shuffle better.

I need to focus on running outside. That was a significant contributor to the problems I had in my 5-mile race a couple of weeks ago. A treadmill has give. It definitely has a rebound. Concrete doesn't give you anything. It takes a lot more endurance to run on the ground, for sure. I need to focus on that. It will help when KLK and I start running outside together.

Kel's first post: pre-run

My goal today is to run 3 miles, but if I hit 4 (to keep up with Superstar Cheron), I'll take that too! I'll report in after the deed is done.

Friends who are interested - please feel free to comment as the blog turns. ;)

More soon!
Kel