Florida

Whew! It's hot down here. I ran 3.5 miles today at 5.0 - 5.5 mph. I was very sore and tired, but per usual, felt fantastic afterwards. I'm with my family (sis, nephew, mom & dad).

More soon!
Kel

4 more - rackin' up the miles

Go, Carrie! I'm proud of ya!

I had a day last week where I thought I'd never run again. In the evening, I was limping around and I thought my right femur had permanently removed itself from the hip socket. The next morning, I had an amazing run. A little ice and some rest can do wonders. I'll be interested to hear about how the wool sock experiment goes for Carrie. ;)

I ran 4.07 miles today at a pace ranging from 5.5 mph to 5.8 mph. Near the end, I thought my life was ending, but I suddenly realized that my legs felt great. I said to myself, "Just relax and ride your legs." That sounds odd, I know, but I used that image to make the last 10 minutes fly by.

I still can't believe that 3 weeks ago, I wasn't running at all.

Here's my progress up to this week. X1 - X3 were my base training weeks. This week is week 14, and next week will be week 13, etc., as I count down to the week of the actual event.

Well I'll be ...

Who knew?
I ran 5 miles today. Very comfortably. I could have kept going for at least another mile, I'm sure, and that's almost halfway there! I warmed up briefly with a walk of about 2 minutes, maybe less, then ran for 5 miles, then jog/walked a cool down of maybe a quarter mile. All I know is that all told, I was on that treadmill for 5.43 miles, ran a full five miles, and I wasn't in pain. Who knows? Maybe my leg will fall off tomorrow. Right now, it's not too bad.

I'm going to ice it tonight (I iced it this morning while at work at the gym) when I get home, and perhaps try something my friend Peter, a naturopathic doctor, recommended. He recommended wetting a pair of cotton socks, wringing them out so they're not drippy, putting them on, putting on a pair of wool socks over the cotton pair, and going to sleep. He said that the heat produced by my body from bottom up while I sleep will increase the circulation in my legs and might help. We'll see. I'm game. Just gotta find a pair of wool socks. I know I have a pair here somewhere, especially since I never bothered switching out my winter clothes for my summer ones.
Yeah. Don't ask.

I'm also going to try and decrease my outdoor runs until my shin is more consistently better. I really want to do this half marathon and I can't do it with my shin the way it is, so this is the way it has to be for now.

I have to say, it is so fantastic to work at a gym where everyone there is encouraging you and cheering you on and eager to give helpful tips and advice. I feel fully supported by everyone and I'm so grateful. Warm fuzzies all around.

the weekend - my personal trainer

I spent the weekend with friends out of town, but never fear, I DID run. I borrowed a friend's dog (pictured here). This is Grace, also known as Gracie, and she was a fantastic running partner. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this dog. She's an absolute doll - and she kept me moving!

I ran 4 miles on Friday, and 4 on Sunday, so I'm on schedule.

I did have a lot of trauma with a new blister, but my pals helped me to get it under control and I'll hit the gym again tomorrow for 4 miles.

Xrays?

I took yesterday off because my shins were just really too painful. I decided to use today as my long run day.

I hadn't even gone a mile-and-a-half and I truly felt like my right shin was going to crack in half. I kept going, though, walking whenever I needed to, stretching, running again, etc. I ran WAY more than I thought I could, and probably more than I should have.

I'm beginning to wonder if the shin splint in my right leg is not actually a shin splint but something worse. I'm contemplating getting a referral to see a doc who specializes in this schtuff, and seeing if I can get an xray.

I'm trying to ice it as much as possible but this weekend's been kind of crazy and now I have to do laundry and clean up the pig-sty.

Think nice, comforting, positive thoughts for my poor leg.
I am planning on treadmilling it tomorrow morning, but we'll see how that pans out.

Interval training

Today was my first official interval day. I've done short interval trials in the past but have always suffered from such painful shin splints the following day that I've tended to avoid doing it.

But it's a necessary evil. I know this. And today was actually really fun, and I'm very proud of myself.

MOOD: ON FIRE! Woohoo!
DISTANCE: 2 miles at 5.7 mph, then minute or minute-and-a-half sprints ranging from 6.5-6.8 for the next 2 miles, alternating with 1 minute of 5.7 and 5.8.

Suffice it to say, I was hauling ass. And it was fun. My shins were bothering me when I was running a little, but mainly when I finished. They feel ok now, though they need to be iced. The top speed was between an 8- and 9-minute mile, and that rocks for me.

Oh, and Kellie, I'm super proud of you! You go, girlfriend!

Tomorrow's long run - I'm aiming for 6 miles.
Wish me luck!
For now, I have some baby-kissing to do.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!
(Now let's stop embarrassing ourselves)

Happy Birthday Michael Andrew Cheron!

Running post above. This one's just gratuitous.
Michael Andrew Cheron was yanked from the warm grips of his mama's womb at the lovely hour of 4:28 am. I hear ya, kid. I hear ya.
Welcome!

i did, i did, i did, i did!!!!

3 miles, baby!

i ran yesterday at 4:30 am before driving to new haven, CT before getting in a car with pals to drive even further to the jersey shore, before eating waaaaaaaaaay too much pizza on the boardwalk and then staying up all night laughing with another good pal who hosted all of us for the weekend.

i will run today, and subsequently, i will post. ;)

i'm being a very good girl.

love,
kel

p.s. no pic because my cell phone has gone crazy and i can't type in any letters or numbers to send myself blog pics. there's something wrong with it. i can't dial out either!

Baby's first (and second!) outdoor run

Well, Kellie exaggerates. I didn't kick her ass. Not at all. Girlfriend rocked it. Though, I was pretty good at pacing, once we got on the street, which was quite a surprise to me. I've always had trouble pacing myself when I'm not on a treadmill, but I felt pretty good on our first run. Don't get me wrong. It was tough - really hot, really humid, shin splints, HILLS - but we did it and I'm really proud of us.

I didn't go upstairs and log additional miles on the treadmill. I tried, but I was pretty dehydrated and soaked right through. I think I ran one minute, maybe two, before just stopping and stretching instead. But it was a fun run and it really helped to have Kellie there. I can't wait to do it again.

I repeated our run the following morning (yesterday) and found it a lot more difficult to do alone. I thought the hardest part was probably the track. Mentally, I have a lot of trouble running on a track. But. BUT BUT BUT, after the mile on the track, I started our loop, which begins with a nice size hill that had both KLK and me panting and walking the day before. I ran the whole thing. WOOHOO. I was totally Rocky at the top also, fists up in the air, pumping.

My calves are pretty tight today, in spite of extensive stretching upon return from my run and throughout the day yesterday and today. I'm also experiencing shin splints again and an old ankle injury has come back to bug me a bit. My ankle is a bit swollen, so I may do my intervals inside tomorrow on the treadmill. I'll see how I'm feeling. My long run on Saturday is going to be either 5 1/2 or 6 miles. I'll see how my ankle is doing. And I'll see how much sleep I get in the next couple of days. There's a big event on the schedule (tonight, hopefully!).

No duo runs for us this weekend 'cause Kellie will be in NJ with M, W, and J. I'm sure they'll have a blast, but I'll miss my running buddy. Treat her kindly. And make sure she gets in her runs. :)

1st Duo Run (Carrie kicked my as...k me a question and I'll give you an answer)

We had our first duo run today and Carrie kept me on track with her regular pacing and no stops. I'd stop and whine and she'd keep going, and then I'd chase after her and feel better because I was still running.

Carrie also pointed out that perhaps I'd have an easier time breathing while running if I didn't lead so drastically with my chin. I do this because if my chin gets across the finish line before my feet do, it counts. I made it. I can stop. ;) She's right - I need to pull my friggin' head back, but I'm straining forward because I wanna be done sooner.

We passed my friend Crit's house and were tempted to bang on the door and yell, "Run, MotherF'er, Run!" He was the one who shared the story/phrase that is now our official battle cry.

The course we ran was about 3.07 miles, but we stopped at the Tufts track near Powder House and ran an additional mile there, so total distance logged was 4.07 miles. After the run, Carrie went inside the gym and logged additional mileage, which I'm sure she'll post here.

If you'd like to see today's run, you can view it here:

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!