Running with Dogs

Gibbs and Bess, my running buddies

I love running with my doggies. They keep me motivated, and it makes them so happy to go along.  One is a chihuahua and one is a pug chihuahua, at least that's what the vet thinks, they were both adopted.

Last run I did, I had to do without them. I want to run farther and farther, but their little legs get tired after about a mile and a half, then I'm the one who's trying to motivate them.  I feel so bad leaving them behind, and I know they don't understand that next run will only be a mile and that they can come.

I've been doing one day a mile, one day a mile and a half and one day two miles.  It breaks up my routes and makes it more fun, and two of those days doggies can come.

When I did my last run, it was my first time in a while that I went without them, and it was actually quite lonely. I'd look down at my side and there were no furry bodies running next to me.  I have to admit, though, it was easier to run without holding the leash.

Back to the Real World

I'm back, but only for a bit... I leave on Saturday to visit my dad, and my sister is coming back from Israel so it will be a little family reunion.  I'll also get to see my uncle, which is usually a big deal, but I just saw him at my second cousin's bar mitzvah.

The bar mitzvah was fun.  Even though half of my family is Jewish, this was the first one I'd been too... well, as a magician, the first one that I wasn't paid to be at.  It was good meeting family members that I didn't know existed, and a ton of fun hanging out with my uncle.

The dogs are happy I'm home, and today for the first time, I took them out on one of my runs.  I decided to do a mile to see how they fared.  Gibbs could have gone another mile, but I think Bess was just about done when we had a block to go. Now they are zonked out on the couch and there is peace in the house.

2 miles... getting there

So today I did a little over 2 miles today.  I'm slowly getting back to the 2.7 that I could do before my vacation.  I'm finding that I have a really hard time pacing myself.  I want the run to be over with so I go faster, and then I use up all my energy and I feel like I'm going to die.

I did walk once on my run today, for a couple tenths of a mile, but I finished at a run.

I know I can get back to where I was, I just have to build up my indurance again and watch my pacing.  Easier written than done, but I am determined.

Post Vacation Run

So today was my first running day since returning from vacation.  Yeah, I know I could have run during my vacation, however there were so many steep hills, I really didn't think that I could have made it.

Instead, I did high intensity interval training. Yes, there's an app for that, and I used it every three days for my entire vacation.  You get a good work out in a short amount of time and you don't really need a lot of space so you can do it anywhere.  The day after every work out I would be sore, so it must have done some good.

During the first run, my legs actually felt great from all the muscle building I was doing during my time off. However, because I hadn't done any indurance training, my breathing was way off and I got really winded. I only made it 1.7 miles... I actually went further, but I turned my pedometer off when I started walking.

I think I'm going to keep doing both types of training since they are good for different things, and we shall see if I can go faster and longer next time.

Running... Two steps back

Today was my first run since I've been sick.  I know that technically I only missed one day of running, but it felt like a lifetime.  I didn't complete my full run; I ran 1.8 miles, which a few months ago would have been a huge success, but now it seems like going backward.

I've learned that at least half of running is in your head.

Today, I went out thinking, "I'll do what I can," and that's exactly what I did.

When my mind is strong and I go out with a good attitude, my brain can urge my body on.  When I go out wondering if I'm going to make it, I never do.

Oh well, there's plenty more running days out there, and I'll do better next time.

Breaking Records

So I did my run today, and though it was totally exhausting, I beat my record. Hello 12.2 minute per mile pace! That's about 4.9 mph. 


I just kept saying in my head, the faster you run, the faster it will be over. 


I don't know what my sister's pace is, but I'm trying to get as fast as I can so I don't embarrass myself when I see her in August. She's been running for much longer than I have, so she's probably much faster than I am. 


Next run is Wednesday. Hopefully I can keep this pace up and not revert back to my old times. Fingers crossed.

Getting Slower

I don't know if it's the heat, or what, but after running my best average time, now I'm getting slower and slower. I'll start out at a good pace, and then, after less than half a mile, I'll feel like I'm dying and then I'll slow down.


I'm still running 2.6 miles with my goal being 3.1 (which is a 5K). I want to get my pace up a little bit before I make my run longer. 


This whole running thing is still pretty new for me.  Most of my friend's that run, go to a gym and use a treadmill which of course will keep their pace where they want it.  I, however, don't belong to a gym, and the thought of running in place when there's free sidewalks everywhere just seems stupid to me. So to increase my pace, I have to do it all on my own.


Sunday is my next running day.  We'll see where it goes from there.

Picking up the Pace

I'm still running 2.67 miles, but my pace has really improved.  Now I'm running at a 12.4 minute per mile pace.  It's a new record that I reached on wednesday, but I matched it again today.


It makes a huge difference bring water along with me. Now I set little goals along the way: "If I make it to the next corner I can have a drink," or "As soon as I pass that parked car, I can have a drink." Motivation and hydration all in one.


Now that I got my breathing and drinking under control, next I have to work on not getting so tired halfway through... Although it could be because of that hill that gets in my way...lol.

Getting Close to 5K

I've lengthened my running route, and last Wednesday and today I ran 2.64 miles! I'm almost to 3.1 which is a 5K.  


Luckily it is still relatively cool in the mornings when I run, but I know that soon it will be in the 90's as early as 7am.  I'm going to need to buy some running shorts as sweat pants aren't going to cut it for too much longer.


I'm still not a huge fan of the actual running part. I really have to force myself to go. I am a huge fan of the weight I've lost, and I'm also a fan of how I feel after the run.  My body is so exhausted that after a couple glasses of water, I feel like I've drunk half a bottle of wine. Maybe I just get my "runner's high" a little too late...lol

Kind or Stupid: Stopping Violence

I went out for my Sunday run today and took a new route.  Now I don't live in a dangerous area, but I don't live in the nicest area either.  I hadn't even gone a tenth of a mile when I saw a woman struggling with a guy.  I couldn't tell if they were horsing around or if she was in trouble, until I heard her say, "You're hurting me!", but she wasn't screaming or anything.

I stopped and asked if she was ok.

She said, "No." meanwhile the guy was trying to get his keys from her and wouldn't let her go.

I asked if she wanted me to call someone.  She didn't seem in mortal danger, so I didn't want to call 911 unless she wanted me to do so.

I got no answer and they started arguing.  I couldn't understand all that they were saying as it was a mixture of English and perhaps an African or Caribbean language.  They both had accents when they spoke in English.

I kept asking again and again if she wanted me to call someone.

Eventually, she got free and jogged one way while he jogged to his car.  She thanked me for stopping and assured me that she was OK, so I went on my way.

I'm not an especially brave person, but relying on my instincts I didn't feel that I was in danger, so I stopped.  Could have been really stupid of me, but I felt I needed too.

The rest of my run I thought about what I would have done if I did feel I was in danger. I wouldn't have stopped, but I couldn't let someone be hurt.  I probably would have run into the hospital (which is the closest building to where this happened) and tried to get help that way.

There are so many stories of people in trouble where no one stops to help, and so many stories where people do stop and help.  I can understand the reasoning on both sides, but now I know which side I am on.

Running Sunday

I have a busy day ahead of me, so I'll just cover the basics...


Longest run to date was today: 2.4 miles (before it was 2.3), now I'm .7 away from the 5K my sister wants me to run.


I ran at a pretty good pace too!  Today was 12.6 minutes/mile, the record is still 12.5, but I'll take it.


Now I'm sweaty and gross, and yet I feel accomplished.  Now it's off to Sam's Club and the knitting store for me, I got some projects to finish.

Running longer

Ok, I'm almost ready to increase my distance, though not by much.  I'm currently running 2.3 miles, and I'm ready to up it to 2.5. I'm at the point now where the 2.3 is tiring, but I'm actually making it through more easily.

My sister wants me to run a 5K with her this summer.  To most runners this is no big deal, but since I started in September only being able to do a half a mile, it's a huge deal to me.  I'm hoping that by the time I see her in August, it will be no problem.

For people like me, who don't do the whole metric conversion (yes, I had to look it up) a 5K is about 3.1 miles, so I'm really less than a mile away from this goal.  We shall see...

Running with a Cold

I usually get a cold once a winter, but I guess since my winter cold was really mild, life decided to give me another one.  I still did my running, which I don't know if it is the healthiest choice, but I feel better for doing it.


I only did 2.15 miles instead of 2.3, I had to walk the last little bit.  Not because of my lungs, but my legs were threatening to go on strike and without them, getting home would have been tough.


Surprisingly, I did my best time ever! I was averaging 12.3 minutes per mile.  Before my best was 12.6.  Woot! Woot!


So hopefully next run, I'll keep the pace, but actually finish the run.  Fingers crossed.

Another Sunday Run

I went out running this morning for the first time without a sweatshirt or my headband/earwarmer. It was in the mid sixties, and there were clouds in the sky so I didn't need my sunglasses yet.


No walking for me this time, and no huge gusts of wind.  I thought I was doing a really good pace and thought that I would get past the 12.6 miles/min.  Unfortunately, I was at 12.7.  Close, and I'll take it, but next week I'm going to try to do better.


In other news:





I listed a pair of lace fingerless gloves yesterday.  I actually made two pairs, one for the shop and one for tophatter.  That way I can advertise my shop without depleting my stock.


I also photographed a new piece which I'm going to try to list today.

Run with the Wind

Wow! I know runners talk about getting their second wind, but today was ridiculous.  Instead I was getting winded because of the very strong winds that were blowing.

I checked the temp and knew it was about 40 degrees, so I dressed accordingly.  The first part of the run was going fine, then, the wind kicked up.  It must have been at least 20 mph.  


When it was coming from the side, it wasn't too bad, just a little cold, but then I turned the corner and it was coming straight at me. I felt like one of those mimes you see, but this was for real.  I had to stop twice as I felt like I was pushing against a sumo wrestler and try as I might it seemed like I wasn't getting anywhere.


When I turned the corner again, alleluia, the buildings were blocking the gusts, and the sun was shining and all of a sudden it felt really easy.  I made up some time on the last stretch, but still my average pace was 13 minutes per mile. Last week without the wind I was at 12.6.  


Hopefully I built up some strength and next week it will be easier.


Just checked the weather site, my estimate wasn't too far off.  Wind was going at 23mph.

Getting the Running Groove Back

So I've been having a lot of trouble with my runs lately.  I give up before I've finished my route, and sometimes I get half a block and think, "How am I going to make it the rest of the way?"


Because of this, I went back to doing sprints on Wednesdays and the long run just on Sunday.  So far it's working.  I actually finished my route for the first time in a while: 2.3 miles at a pace of 12.6 minutes per mile. I'm always happy when it's less than 13 minutes per mile since that's where I started at.


I actually felt myself getting in to a running groove a couple of times during the run.  Unfortunately, the minute you realize that you're in a groove, you're not in the groove any more.  


I'm so proud of myself!  Someday I'll be able to run 4 miles. That is my goal.

Running: New Route

I really didn't want to go running today.  So I thought that changing my route might help motivate me.  I planned it out so it would be a little longer than I went before, but not too much longer to make me want to give up.


I held up pretty well, and during the middle section I actually got into a nice rhythm where my legs weren't hurting and I wasn't gasping for breath, but I wasn't going to slowly either.  


When I finished my run, I looked at my phone (I have a handy dandy pedometer app), and it was completely frozen on the lock screen.


I have since fixed it, but now I don't know how far I actually went (the map and actual distance differ a bit), and I'm not sure how fast I went.  *sigh* ... I was so excited to look down and see my accomplishments, and now I have to wait until Sunday so I can do it all over again.  


Damn technology!

Running & The Dog Park?

... Well, not at the same time...


I just finished my run for today, and still it's not getting any easier.  I really want to up my distance and get a little closer to my goal, but I don't think I'm ready yet.  A quarter of the way of my current route, I already feel like I'm going to die.  


We'll see... Wednesday is my next running day, so maybe I'll have the guts to go further by then.


Doggies:

Bess and Gibbs, the fur monsters

It's been a really long time since I took the dogs to the dog park, so I think I might do that today.  Bess, the chihuahua, really needs to go more often so she can get used to other dogs.  She doesn't attack them, but she gets really nervous when they come up to her.


Gibbs, the Puggle or Chug (or whatever he is), is a different story.  He's ok with other dogs, but people make him nervous and he tends to hide behind mommy (that's me).  

But the best thing about the dog park is they both come home exhausted, and the house is quite peaceful afterward.

Running: It's getting harder

So, good news: I didn't skip this Sunday's running!


Bad news: It's getting harder.


Now I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that if you do something over and over again, it should get easier. Especially where exercise is concerned.  Your muscles are supposed to get stronger, and able to do more.


So, why is it that now every time I go running, it gets harder and harder.  I usually run 2 days a week, though I did skip last Sunday.  Now, less than a minute after I start, my legs are burning and I'm ready to quit.  I make myself keep going, but it's not getting any easier.  


I really want to be done with this 2 mile route and move on to a 2.5 mile route, but I don't see this happening in the near future.  My goal is 4 miles.  At some point (sooner rather than too much later), I want to be able to run 4 miles twice a week.  


*sigh*, I guess I'll just keep plugging away.

Catching Up

In running news:
After I skipped Sunday's run, it was very hard to make myself do it today, but I did.  I thought I was going so fast too, and by the end of it I was so tired that I was sure that I did a better time than last week... Actually, it was slower.  I could be due to missing a day, time of the month, or working and being tired.  Oh well, Sunday, here I come.


In cleaning news:
On Monday, I was going to clean the entire house.  Well, it started taking longer than I thought.  After 3 hours I got the downstairs done (not including the kitchen), then I called it a day.  I won't have much time to do anything today, but I'm going to try to get the upstairs done tomorrow.


In knitting news:
I'm almost finished with my newest top.  I'm really digging it, and now I'm not sure if I want to sell it, or keep it for myself.  I doubt I'll finish it today, but I'm going to give it the old college try.