903 left to go!

I walked a lot, but it was still cool on the treadmill. I'm glad I joined a gym. Even though I'm using my apartment complex treadmill mostly, it is a small space and the windows do not face outside. It can be boring. If I get bored, or if I start to run longer times, I will use the gym more.

I love running!

906 left to go

October 8th = 3 miles
October 9th = 2 miles
November 29th = 2 miles
December 2nd = 3 miles

Not pretty, and not elegant, but Fear the Turtle! :)

916 left to go!

I ran 3 miles last night non-stop for the first time in about 2 months. I was sweaty, and it was very cool. I ate a greens salad and green grapes before I left work. Then I took the metro to the WSC. It was a great start to the new season of running.

This morning I saw many runners. One runner glided - something about her posture was very fluid, and she didn't move much. She was faster than the others, maybe because it seemed like she used so little energy. I wonder if that was Chi-running. Her running style looked like the Kenyan main runner in The Spirit of the Marathon.

919 left to go!

Yippee! I ran. I ran on the new treadmill at my apartment complex. I planned on using the stationary bike for 40 minutes and then run a mile. Unfortunately, the stationary bike is broken. So, I just ran the mile. It's a good thing I joined the gym even though I haven't been in a while.

I can't say it was smooth sailing, and I can't say it was painful. It was just a mile after all. It was a time to love sweating, and a time to get back into the feel. My left knee hurt a bit, so I was working on my form. I would like to attend a Chi Running workshop, and they come around here every so often. I hope to attend one next year. We'll see.

When I get up to 3 miles comfortably, I'll attend the Silver Spring Pacers Tuesday fun runs. It's right near my gym, so I can leave my stuff there, and then pick it up when I'm ready to go. I have goals, I have charisma, I am me!

Getting inspired

It's been a while since I last ran, but I'm slowly getting inspired. A big way for me to get inspired is to see all of the runners after or before work just running down 17th near the White House. I feel like such a slacker because I'm not one of them. I may ask my boss if I can come in late so that I can work out at my apartment complex. What is interesting is early in the year I asked if I could come in early so that I could work out at my apartment complex. I just can't get it right . . . or is it I just couldn't get it right? I will be inspired! One day I will run even though it may be somewhat painful the first time after over a month. Oi! Ok, that's been said, now it's time to move on.

920 left to go!

It was a good solid run until the last half mile. For that good part I was thinking that I will tweet that the run was as necessary as a smile on a face. It still was a good ingredient of a day as it's good to sweat. However, I threw up afterwards into the garbage can near the parking lot of the gym. Now I know what was bugging me that last half mile. Unfortunately, I threw up in front of a woman obviously waiting for someone. I hope I convinced her that I was ok.

I'm pretty sure I threw up because I ate too close to the run, and as I'm not a relaxed runner (which means my stomach was tight), the food needed somewhere to go, and it could only go up. It was a learning experience that's for sure. I used to be concerned if I didn't eat close enough to my run. This was definitely too close as I figured out the gym was closing earlier during the summer months, and I timed my dinner for a latter gym time. Three to four hours is probably a good time to run after a meal. Before that the food doesn't have the chance to slide down and break down into the energy I need.

923 left to go!

OMG! I LOVE my twin's work out place because it has the coolest stationary bicycle. It's like a video game, and today's video included many hills. I was switching gears left and right. I worked at it, and that boosted my confidence for my run. There is also a sit-down-and-twist your back type of machine. It's awesome! I started faster than usual, but it didn't last long. It will last long . . . I really worked it during part of the bicycle exercise.

925 left to go!

I'm dog sitting, and my twin was able to get guest passes for her gym. I did another day of trying 5 minutes there, then some weight resistance, and then 10 minutes here, and then weight resistance, and then ran a mile. There was a part within the run which wasn't exactly a runner's high, but I just felt like I was running efficiently. It didn't last long :), but it was a great comfortable feeling.

I know I can do 3+ miles no problem, I just psych myself out what with all the gaps because of heat or what have you. Soon this one-mile or 2-mile run on the treadmill will not be included. It will be 3+ miles, baby!

Part of the running year, 2010, is food. I'm definitely hitting the nail on the head this week. I'm eating many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. My twin's juicer is being used 2x's day, and I'm eating a nice salad of red lettuce, green lettuce, spinach, garbanzo beans, pecans, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. It's very good. I can just FEEL my body heal :) I think balsamic vinegar is the way to go, fyi.

926 left to go!

To get back into the swings of things I implemented my twin's strategy, and went from machine to machine.

5 minutes on stair climber
20 reps on a weight resistance machine
10 minutes on leg arm moving thing
20 reps on another weight resistance machine
15 minutes on treadmill
20 reps on another weight resistance machine
20 minutes on stationary bicycle

By doing this I realized how much I like to run more than other machines/activities. There just seems to be a freedom with running even on the treadmill. I still worry that I'm going to hurt my neck because I look at the news when I run :)

927 left to go!

This was a good run. My main concern is that I look at the TV too much and I wonder if it's putting a strain on my neck. The TV is above the treadmill and on the wall. I wasn't looking straight out the windows so I needed the TV for a little more distraction. At the same time when I do look straight out the windows I still look at the TV, and I twist my neck more :)

Tomorrow I'll try a little interval training - some fast, then my regular slow, then some fast, then my regular slow. Should be fun!

930 left to go!

Is there greater pleasure after running 3 miles non-stop than dipping a chocolate chip cookie into a cup of coffee :)

It's been a while since I ran 3-miles non-stop, and I'm pretty excited. I really like the work out place, and the fact that it's just one more metro stop past my home. The walk from the work out place to my home is about 2 miles, but by the time I'm ready to walk home I'm already hot, and I don't worry about adding more sweat to my shirt.

I was focused on feeling my form, and that contributed to my slowness, but also, I just wanted to run the distance today. It would be the most humiliating experience to go through the hassle of trying to be a long distance runner only to be sidelined by some common running injury. I feel if my form is good, like ChiRunning form, then I should be able to go the distance injury free.

Of course, I will not allow myself to get too tired. One of the best parts of working out after work is that it helps me sleep. However, if my heart gets too tired, I'm stopping. That's it.

It's been a while since strangers have seen my scars. They are 35 years old, and skin color so maybe people don't see. I guess it's just a waste of time to wonder if they are affected by my scars. I should just focus on the fun running, eh?

933 left to go!

I decided to fashion my work-out after my twin's. She would exercise on one machine for 5 minutes, and then on another for 5, and then on another for 5 and on and on until she worked out 40 minutes.

Yesterday, I realized I needed a new strategy because riding a stationary bike was more exciting than running. Today I did a step-y thing for 10 minutes, then ran a mile, and then did stationary bike for 10 minutes, and then ran a mile, and then did some resistance training. It was very cool. It's nice for a change. I expect some days I'll just run, but it's good to have the other options.

The best part about the run was that I sweat the bad vibes from the work day. I totally looked forward to the work out. I'm very thankful that I found the sports club that has good equipment, but that I can afford, and is within walking distance (about 2 miles.)

935 left to go!

I worked out at my twin's facility. I was really happy on the bike machine that had a video game-like bicycle path screen. It was very cool, I rode longer than I anticipated. With the running, I stopped a lot. I was paying attention to my form, but I just barely did a mile. I wonder if I was a wee bit bored. That's one of the foes in my running race - not just will power, but the will power to go beyond boredom, and to find the speed, ability, what have you, to make the running challenge, a challenge I will accept. It's definitely something to work on, and I'm looking forward to getting over this inner strength hurdle . . . and then onward to more inner strength hurdles :)

936 left to go!

I walked about 10-15 minutes from the Metro station to the Washington Sports Club, and it kindof did me in a little. It was a very hot day. I still ran 2 miles non-stop, but I really made it easy, and I was slower than yesterday. I still did it, which is very cool.

I think my restrictive jog bra turned into a constrictive jog bra. I need to buy a couple new ones or else I won't know what it's like to breathe normally while running.

I wore a shirt that wicks for the first time today. That was exciting! I think I bought a size too small, but I'll just say it's part of today's skin hugging fashions. Today is not the 80s thankfully, or else I would really look out of place.

I'm not sure what I will do tomorrow as it just may be too hot, and it may be time to shop for groceries instead of run . . . maybe I'll run :)

938 left to go!

I went straight from work to the gym, and that made all the difference. I had to bring a gym bag to work. When I originally joined the gym I thought I would go home, change, and then walk the 2 miles to the gym as a warm up. However, today it's over 100 degrees outside, and there is no way I'm walking as a warm up.

It was win-win. I love running on a treadmill, and looking out of a tall window to the city, which in this case is Silver Spring, below. It's such a distraction. It's better than TV as it's not a rerun or a rehearsal.

I ran 2 miles non-stop, which I haven't done in a while. I was a little slow at times, but I'm still very excited about the gym, and using the other equipment to strengthen, and using running as the fun part (ha, who knew!)

940 left to go!

I worked out at my twin's gym in Columbia, MD. It was pretty cool. The run was stop and start, but I tried to go fast, and then walk a little. I'm looking forward to going faster and not stopping as much. I think it's just around the corner.

I finally received my Washington Sports Club pass when I went to the gym on Saturday. It's beautiful on my key chain :).

I decided to go to the gym straight from work, and then walk home. If I went home first I think I would get stuck at home, and not move away. It's very hot here so I definitely won't move from my apartment once I'm in.

941 left to go!

I worked out since the last post, but it's been on a stationary bicycle. My apartment treadmill broke. Through my work I was able to procure a free one day pass to the Washington Sports Club. The equipment is almost as nice as the W in Miami Beach, but that was very nice equipment. I'm very excited to use the WSC again. It takes me a half-hour to walk there so I'm nice and warmed up by the time I walk through the door. Also, for those days I need to grocery shop, I'll just bring gear to shower afterwards and then cross the street to Whole Foods.

Through GlobalFit which is the liaison between where I work at WSC I will pay about $19.00/week. I don't know if that's much of a discount, and there is a year commitment. I disconnected my cable this week, so some of the money would come from what I used for cable. I can handle it. I just need to be dedicated to it as I won't have the money for any other expense beyond necessities besides Christmas knitting projects and books.

942 left to go!

I was very sweaty in my apartment's work out area, so I stopped after a mile, basically out of concern and because I was tired. I can't wait until I'm up to 15 miles a week with 5 days of running. Then I'll increase my mileage.

I'm still inspired by my treadmill runs in Miami, but today was difficult. I was on standby for 10 hours yesterday, but I thought I got enough sleep today. Also, I thought I ate enough. Hmmm, maybe it's just the will today. I think my will is good, so I know I'll get there. I just need to push the daily walls open, and run through them.

If it is too hot in my apartment complex work out area, then I need to start to run outside, which always drains me. As long as I have 24-32 oz of juiced fruit to rejuvenate me after the run I should be ok. Imagine that, I may end up spending most of my money on fruit. In fact, I've been thinking of drastically reducing my chocolate intake, and adding more fruit. I consistently eat/juice 5 fruit a day before I have my first coffee. Also, I feel better if I juice fruit before I run. I should juice fruit before I run to have after my run. I'll get there, just not yet. It's the runner's life after all.

943 left to go!

I strategically planned the slower times, and the rest times. I worked on how fast I could go on an hotel treadmill, and I was very happy with the results. I ran faster on this treadmill than on other treadmills. The sprints were in short segments, but then I would walk, then I would pick up speed, and then I would be back to sprinting.

I look forward to including some speed workouts on my home treadmill. It's inspiring to see that my body can handle it, and it will get me on the path to run faster. I was very encouraged.

946 left to go!

I ran on a hotel treadmill in Miami. The view was of the street, but at least I figured out where the ocean is flowing. It was the best treadmill I ever used; it had it's own fan. The tread was very easy on the feet. Usually, I'm very hot in hotel rec areas, and this run was no exception. I stopped many times. However, by the end of the run I was not completely worn out and discouraged; I even hit the mileage I run on my apartment treadmill. I was just careful. We shall see, eh?

948 left to go!

I juiced and drank 12 clementines before the run. The run was much better, much more joyful than yesterday. Was it because of the vitamin C, or because it was during the evening, or because the day was cooler, and easier to breathe through? I don't know, but I think I built on the effort of yesterday, and that the two days, although worlds apart in feeling while running, were really extensions of each other. I couldn't experience the joy of today without realizing how different it was from yesterday.

951 left to go!

There is a definite line between when I have rested enough, and when I rest too much. I usually love Saturdays because I can just sleep all day. Part of the reasoning is because it is to make up for the week. However, if I am bored, and it's too hot, or I don't have money to spend, I stay indoors, and just take a nap. When it's humid, the sleep results in a type of malaise. Yesterday's extra sleeping affected my morning run today. I stopped a lot.

I ran 3 miles, which is good. I think I'm not only strengthening my muscles, but my will. Of course it still needs a little more exercise because I did stop quite a bit. I'm just happy I did all 3 miles instead of giving up entirely after the first time I stopped. I think it has to do with this monitoring of my miles :)

954 left to go!

Happy National Running Day! It was a good run today. Not too easy, and I pushed myself a little, but not enough to hate it tomorrow.

I follow FibreSpace on Facebook. FibreSpace is a knitting store, and the owner compared a knitting project to a long run. What's funny is that because I'm devoting my evenings to running, and the before and after running activities, I haven't had much time to knit. I should get back to devoting some time to knitting while not removing my running time. I bought yarn today to finish a scarf for XMAS, so I should get going on it and finish it.

957 left to go!

I think I'm hitting the threshold of becoming a runner. Today I spent most of the day with my twin sister, and I didn't get home until about 8:00pm. I knew I wanted to read tarot cards with her, and I knew I wouldn't let myself read tarot cards unless I ran. So, I ran. The attitude was not, let's run so I can read tarot cards. Although that was part of my inspiration to run today, the attitude was Just Do It. It also included be happy you're running, and sweating, because it's a great way to feel ALIVE.

960 left to go!

Running doesn't take up a lot of time, per say. However, because I'm running, I'm reading less, and I'm knitting less. Also, I have to REALLY plan my grocery shopping. I won't let myself have coffee unless I eat 5 fruit, and yesterday I didn't have coffee. I didn't seem to have a problem, and it was quite surprising. Maybe it's all the fruit I eat. Bottom line is I didn't have my fruit yesterday, and it's very warm outside today. I'll have to walk to the grocery store, which is not pleasant as it's so far away. This summer will be an exercise in determination. Can I plan my non-running days well enough so that I have enough food during the rest of the week. I carry my groceries back, and it's just a pain. I wish I had a car. I wish I had a lot of things, but what's great is that running is becoming less and less fearsome, and more of a joy :)

963 left to go!

That was fun! Done for the week. Next time I will run will be Sunday at the earliest.

965 left to go!

I released the sweaty beast within, and it felt great! It's much better to sweat at play than at work, eh? :)

GULF COAST OIL LEAK WIDGET

GULF COAST OIL LEAK WIDGET

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968 left to go!

A great way to inspire yourself to run is to take a picture of yourself from the back. Holy cow, my hippos are kissing! Golly, I guess it's time to be more consistent with the running.

Another way to inspire yourself to run is to realize it sheds the dust from the day. Today at work was mostly good. There was that odd 5 minutes of stupidity which resulted in my wondering if I still have a job. I wasn't the stupid one, of course ;)

971 left to go!

When I run my thighs are like two hippos kissing. The day the hippos become estranged will be a good day.

973 left to go!

This was a really comfortable good run. I tried speed for a little, and ran slower for a little. I didn't stop at all, and all around it was just working, and dreaming, and relaxing, and noticing, and listening to music. I'm looking forward to getting stronger, and more comfortable in my skin as I get stronger.

976 left to go!

Part of me always wants to see if I can go a little more. I don't usually go a little more, but I feel I should, and then I get discouraged that I don't, and then I stop running. Well, I run 3 miles at a time at most now a days. Once I run 5 days a week for 3 consistent weeks, I will allow myself to up the mileage on any one day. Also, once I run 5 miles a run for at least 3 runs in a week for at least 3 weeks then I will allow myself to run in a club. I'm not a fast runner, and I know the treadmill is a little off. I think I need to work up my mileage and strength before I join a club. There is one that has fun runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm looking forward to joining that. It will probably be later in the year. I don't think it will be this summer, but who knows maybe I'll surprise myself.

979 left to go!

I didn't know if I would get a chance to run. I warmed up as I usually do with a half hour of dancing, and then I went to the exercise area of my apartment complex. Someone else was on the treadmill. I was on the stationary bike for about 25 minutes, and then I was able to run 2 miles. It was a good 2 miles, I felt strong. It could have been the biking warm up, it could have been the banana shake I described yesterday, which I drank today, or it could be I have the ability to do it. Either way it was nice and sweaty.

981 left to go!

I strongly recommend eating bananas before a run. OMG! They are the superfood of runners. I also made sure to eat one before I attended a Pearl Jam concert last week. I just knew that the blessed potassium reserves would be needed. From How it All Vegan I discovered a very good and rich banana milkshake: 1 banana, 3 dates, and 3/4 cup of soy milk in a food processor. Excellent! It's very sweet, but full of potassium goodness.

984 left to go!

This was a nice casual run on the treadmill. I made myself a rule - I can't read my tarot cards until I run. Well, there were many times today I just wanted to whip out the cards and do a reading, but I didn't. I foresee me running quite a bit. I can't go long without reading my tarot cards.

I was trying the lean forward and kick back chirunning method, and I don't know if I was doing it right. It definitely felt different, but I was still concerned about my shins, so part of my form still needs work.

986 left to go!

Yippee! I ran . . . and I ran, I ran so far away. I just ran. I ran all night and day. I couldn't get away . . ., but I digress.

So, it's been almost a month since I last ran. At least it hasn't been a full month :)

I made the run very easy. Hardly broke a sweat because I focused on form, and I didn't want to push it the first day back after a big break. I'm looking forward to running some more, and then some more, and then some more, and all the way down to 0 left to go!

989 left to go

This was a frustrating run. I was up at 2am this morning, and I couldn't get to sleep so I took the day off, as I wasn't at my best. I slept through the day, and I was planning on running strong tonight so that I could go to sleep like a log.

Unfortunately, I was wearing the running shorts that were too short, and my thighs rubbed together. I ended up running half of what I planned, and it was slow, but at least I ran. Those Nike shorts are now in the trash. I have a few pairs of shorts from Foot Locker that have not shrunk substantially in 10 years. These Nike shorts shrank the first wash, and I only used them when everything else was in the laundry basket. Looks like I'll need to buy a few new pairs of shorts. In fact I just threw away a total of 4 pairs of shorts because it is a waste of time to rely on shorts that don't fit.

991 left to go

It was a smooth run on the treadmill. Can't go bad when Santana's Samba Pa Ti is included in the mix. I was suppose to run the Cherry Blossom 10-miler today, but I transferred my bib to a co-worker. I think I'll buy a copy of Born to Run for her as a congratulations.

The goal of my treadmill running is to get prepared for more outdoor running. On April 26th I plan to run with my co-worker after work, so I'm basically working towards the outdoor run on that date. I'm around a lot of running clubs, but they are sort of a ways a way. If I become more comfortable with outdoor running then I will join more whether it is a DC club or a Silver Spring club.

994 left to go

After reading Born To Run, I'm looking at running as a time to come to terms with joy of spirit. I may be over doing it when I dance while running, but the thought is there. Of course, I could probably just focus on the running, and become zen, but dancing is joyful. It was a joyful run even if all of my energy wasn't spent on just running. I have such great taste in music that when I hear my iPod, I need to move my hips to the groovy tunes, man.

997 left to go!

I ran 3 miles today, and it was very cool. I just finished, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, and it was inspiring. He wrote about quickness of turnover for a short stride. How people with these short strides can run long distances, and often. I tried the quick turnover, and it felt good. I can't say I'm doing it correctly as I may be cement feet right now, but I'm consciously trying a quick turnover, as I imagine myself running over hot coals. The feeling should be light and easy, and I'm reaching for that state of running.