Running journal ~ Day 46-48

Time flies when your BUSY!! =0) Seems I am forever in the catch up mode. I think I need another trip to Africa to slow down a bit.

Okay, Tuesday. As I recall I went out for 30 minutes right before I had to leave for Karate Class (in which Sensei decided to do this bag drill which totally exhausts you even if you have great stamina). I decided to test my lungs and not use my inhaler before I started. Not such a good idea, though I have more lung capacity than when I started. I should have brought it along (that would have been the smart thing to do), but I - being in a hurry - did not. It's a good thing I don't have really bad asthma. No complaints in the running/walking department, 'cause I can't remember them even if I had any. That is one good thing about my memory...I hardly ever remember the bad stuff (like pain and misery and achy muscles) later.

Wednesday ~ circa March 25th ~ Very little time to go out before work, so I cut my time to about 20 minutes. I was determined to run from the intersect of Planer Rd to Deuterrow and back to Northwood, but had to stop for an urgent doggie pottie break about 30 seconds into it. Once that was taken care of, we pressed on. I was sure I had run at least 3 minutes when I petered out at Deuterrow, but the watch said only 2. ( I think it was operator error!) Walked back about 45 seconds and jogged again for a while, probably about equal time. Then walked and jogged off and on until we reached home. My dog was not too happy that we passed by Stonewood without venturing that way. He gets highly indignant when his routine is changed.

It just occurred to me that I did not wear a watch on Wednesday, so some of these events must have occurred on Tuesday, but at this point I can't seem to sort it out. That's what happens when I don't write it down immediately. It becomes a jumbled mess.

Today. No running, unless you count my 1 minute run from my store to the intersection (uphill)...wait for the light to change...run across the street...wait for that light to change...run to Subway where I bought a yummy chicken sandwich for lunch...repeat the process on the way back to the store so I could enjoy eating that yummy lunch. I worked the day shift and then went to Karate, so no time to fit in a run. Although, had I gone to bed before 1:30 am the previous two nights I probably could have arisen early enough to squeeze one in. Here it is that time again, so I shall bid you all adieu until tomorrow.

Oh yeah, I kearned that side stiched come from shallow breathing, not lack of water like I thought. Thanks coach! =0)

Shalom mis amigos.

A photo for you to enjoy. Click on it to really see the details.

Monday

So I planned on coming home after work and getting my training time in, but a friend called me at work and asked if I was free. She has been trying to get together for at least 3 weeks, so out with the exercise and in with the HUGE bucket of popcorn, GIGANTIC soda (supposedly a medium!!) and terrific movie. All of it overpriced, but since I don't go every day or week I guess it's okay to splurge once in a while. The funny thing is I have two free tickets at home! Oh well, maybe next time.

I talked a friend into walking the Sound to Narrows 12k with me. I didn't really talk her into it. I just asked and she said yes! Cool. Anyone else who wants to walk 7.2 miles with us on June 13th is welcome.

Since I didn't go out running today here is my "pic" of the day. Enjoy.

Eryn

Running journal ~ Day 42-44

So I forgot to mention Thursday I took the day off to rest (even though I could have and probably should have gone out for 30 minutes). My dog was not too happy, but I just had so much to finish before Saturday!

Friday ~ almost had to run in the rain, but once again God graciously gave a 30 minute window of time for the fair weather runner such as I to go out and stretch her endurance level some. That's probably a good thing, because I was seriously considering not going out if it was raining since I would then only have a short window to dry off and get to work. I really didn't think I should show up looking like a drowned rat! =0) Good running time. My stamina is getting back up to 2 to 3 minute jogging periods. Though I seem to peeter out at the end. I think however that is a matter of will rather than physical limitation. I think I need to imagine my "great cloud of witnesses" standing along the roadway screaming "you're almost there," "it's just around the corner," "come on...you can make it 20 more feet," and my favorite ~ "GAMBATTE!!!!"
I can feel my muscles getting stronger though, especially my hips. Perhaps one day soon I will glide instead of bounce (or vault for all you technical people out there).

Saturday ~ technically a rest/cross training day. I don't get a lot of exercise teaching my Little Dragons class, so I was going to go out for a run after that (since my Sensei had cancelled the bonus class to do a demo and the Health Fair over at North Thurston), but Sensei asked if I would come over and help them out with the demo, which of course I said yes to. That was fun, and having been away from Karate all week my muscles told me about it later. I also found out that I have nearly perfect blood pressure (thanks to the cardiologist booth)! Who knew! So no running Saturday.

Sunday ~ running sort of split up. I got to chase the kids around the open field in a rousing game of freeze tag for a while until church was done. Then I went out at 4 for a 20 minute lap. My goal was to walk 2 run 2 and see how many of those I could do. However, there were a few distractions along the way ~ namely other dogs ~ so I walked a little longer than I wanted to in some places, but I did run for 2 minutes for most of the runs. As I said earlier, there comes a point where you just have to will yourself to carry on, and if you do not have a cheerleader with you it is very easy to give in to your fleshly desire to quit! I must confess I quit twice. TWICE!!! Once, at a minute and a half ( you would think 30 sec is nothing, until you can't breathe well and your legs don't like you anymore) and the other on the home stretch with rain drops on my face; but I was so close to home I didn't have to run to get there in a good amount of time, so 45 seconds was "good enough" and then just walk the rest of the way. Again you would think that rain and cold wind would be motivating, but the rain wasn't hard enough to override the exhaustion I was feeling. Not enough water either, causing that annoying stitch in my side. You'd think I'd have that down by now. Water...good. No water...bad!!! hmph...

Tomorrow I get to try again.

Shalom y'all. =0)

Day 37-41

Looks like I have some catching up to do.

Saturday ~ I cross trained in Karate and learned a very valuable lesson...NEVER block a round kick with your thumb!!! An ice wrap, wrist wrap, and arinca montana cream helped with the swelling; but it's still a bit bruised and sore. I can touch my pinkie again, though under protest.

Sunday ~ declared a rest day due to factors beyond my control. I rode to church with my Mom, so after lunch she wanted to go to the mall for a few things and by the time we were done there it was time to run home, feed the dog and let him out, and then head back to church for a business meeting. So I did a lot of running around, just not the kind I needed to do. =0)

Monday ~ after work Jazz and I went for a twilight run. God graciously stayed the rain while we were out. As I recall it was a good walk/run. I am still trying to decrease my walking time and increase my jogging time, but so far 4 minute runs are sporadic and usually not repeatable in the same outing.

Tuesday ~ also declared a rest day. I did not have the day off like I normally do, so after Bible study and lunch I had to go to work. No time to run that day. =0(

Wednesday ~ Decided to walk out to Gloria's house just to see how long it would take me and give me a goal to shoot for. Sure that it was only three miles or so, I figured, if it takes me 30 minutes to go about a mile and a half (which is what I estimated my normal training runs are) then it should take me about 1 1/2 hours to get out there, allowing time for leg cramps and slower walking toward the end. I left at 12:30 pm with a bag full of snacks (having only eaten a bowl of cereal for breakfast) and 12 oz of water praying the Lord would be gracious and keep the rain away while I was walking (He did). Overall it was a good journey. Stopped once or twice to try to work out the kinks in my ankles and calves, but then decided to ignore them. Eventually the went away, or I just didn't notice them anymore. I was hoping to run for longer periods of time, but 2 minutes was the max (though with an analog watch it can be hard to tell for certain). About a third of the way there I got hungry, so I pulled out a cheese stick and scarfed that down, which made me thirsty. Glug...glug...glug...a little more water and we press on further.

About the half way point, I pulled out the packet of gu Gloria had given me to try. It's not bad. This one was kind of a vanilla flavor and has the consistency of "frosting and hair gel," just thick enough to feel like food, but not thick enough to make you work for it. Soon after that is when I had the 2 minute run (of course I was going slightly down hill and had paced myself better, so it may have been a combination of many factors). I probably could have run longer, but I just didn't want to. I also saw the 2nd set of train tracks coming up and I didn't want to be exhausted when I crossed over them (safety first you know). When I was just about to the crossing, the lights started flashing and bells chiming...there's a train a comin'. =0) I could have beat it across, but I remembered a TV program I watched that said once the lights start going and the arms come down you have 10 seconds before the train gets there. I didn't think it was going to be a long train anyway. What do I know! 2 minutes or so later the bars went up again and we were on our way. The respite gave me time to stretch out a bit, so that was nice. I expended too much energy running across the tracks and only lasted for about 45 seconds before I started walking again!!! Plus, my feet started to complain! You can't please everybody can you. I told them we were almost there and they could make it. Gambatte! =0)
Well, I made it and hour and 15 minutes later, exhausted and out of water and thinking that I am very slow!!! Somewhere along the way I remember thinking that 26 miles is an awfully long way and 13 looks a lot better! I also remember thinking "OY! I have to go back the way I came...on foot!", but my gracious friend said she would take me home. So, after some rest time, good conversation, and playtime with the boys, Gloria drove me home and we found out that it was really 5 MILES!!! That actually makes me feel a lot better ~ not as slow as I thought I was. Yea! =0)
Now, I've decided to do the Sound to Narrows run. It is only 7.2 miles and that is not much further than what I just did, so why not? (I wonder who put that thought into my head???) =0)

It's time for me to go practice today, so I'll check in again later.
Happy trails y'all
eryn

Friday ~ Day 36

So I tried something new today. I wanted to see if I could avoid the cramping I usually get in my abdomen (from sloshing food and digestive juices), so I skipped eating breakfast until after my run. I got up, drank 14 oz. of water (cause I was really thirsty), and got ready to go. However, I did not get out fast enough and the hunger pains started. So, I grabbed a KrispyKreme donut (thanks Mom) and a handful of M&M's I found in my bag while looking for my stop watch (which is still missing in action) to stave off the hunger monster (I know...loaded with EMPTINESS), and out the door we went. It seemed to be working well. My first run was about 4 minutes (WOOHOO!), I was feeling good, the sun was shining. Second run, only about 2 minutes (I think I started out too fast and increased speed a bit going up hill), good run even though shorter than I was hoping for. We made the last turn before heading back...my bladder says, "excuse me, but you might want to consider a bathroom break." Guess I shouldn't have consumed 14 oz. of water with nothing in my stomach to absorb it (unless you count the donut which is mostly air, sugar, and a little bit of dough ~ but OH SO GOOD). =0) I just had to inform my bladder that there were no bathrooms out here and it would just have to stop sending signals to my brain for about 15 minutes. It seemed to comply for the most part, though it did send little reminders once in a while. =0) Kind of like a child you ask to wait, but he really has something urgent to tell you. He just keeps trying until you pay attention to him.

Anyway, my experiment was successful in that I did not have any cramping in my abdomen; however, I think it was unsuccessful because I had no food energy to draw from (though perhaps that's a good thing since I have ample fat reserves to draw from). I think I just need to get up earlier so my food has a chance to digest before I go out. That means, of course, going to bed before 2 am!

All right...I guess I better get some things done before I head out to work.
Have a beautiful day in your neighborhood today.
=0)

Day 35

I press toward the mark....
Only 1/2 a mile to go...
for the prize...
Lord, be my tylenol...
of the high calling of God...
why didn't I use my inhaler before I left today...?


Oh the thoughts that run through your head when you push your body beyond what it is comfortable with; but oh the reward! How sweet it is to know that by walking and running I can help somebody else to live! No matter how much grumbling I do, wondering if it's supposed to be this difficult, and "how come it was so easy yesterday, but today I feel like I'm climbing up hill the whole way?" ~ "I run because I can." I keep going because those that I run for do not have the option to quit!!! TO QUIT IS TO DIE ~ THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. So despite the set backs and the frustrations, the prayers and the triumphs, I press on...toward the goal...to run 13.1 miles (or 26.2 if God is gracious and I am that motivated) for the glory of the Lord and the benefit of the LLS (that's the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in case you didn't know). Today I learned a lot about perserverance, because it is sooooo easy to say "if I turn here I'll be home in 5 minutes and my body will thank me" versus "I run because they can't...IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!!!!" Oh how the flesh hates that phrase.

Today was a good day.

Okay, off to plan a karate lesson for my little dragons.
Love to all.
Eryn

more photos

here's a few from last week working primarily
on aperture settings.
feel free to leave a comment to let me
know what you think. =0)

Shutter

This week we worked on just changing the shutter speed and allowing the camera to do the rest. Here are my top 5 pics. from our field trip on Sunday. Click on the image to see it larger.

Stardate *32*

It's on days like today, full of set back and questions, that I have to be reminded why I chose to run this crazy marathon!
These are my inspirations. The first is a little gril names Carli. she's one of TNT's honored teammates. Then there is Issac, Gloria's grandson, who at the age of 4 and 3/4 is almost to his "clean" mark. And, of course, my Dad (the one on the left ~ a long time ago) who lost his fight with leukemia almost 4 years ago. Ironically Issac's clean date is the same day my dad changed addresses ~ July 12! How cool is that. =0)

Today, my legs felt like they were heavier than normal! I could not run for any long intervals ~again none more than two minutes. About half way through the 45 min. outing, I was heading up Stonewood (which is on a slight grade) and I knew I couldn't quite, so I just said "Lord...help...please..." (breathing heavily in between) and I made it another 30 seconds or so. Thanks God. It seemed to get a little bit easier after that, but I did take it a bit slower too. I was reminded on my photography field trip yesterday that often times you get worse before you get better. Perhaps I'm in that cycle? Perhaps I should not take 2 days off in a row (I didn't have time to run yesterday, unless you count the worlds fastest 15 min. "make the dog happy" walk/jog). Perhaps my diet should consist of more fruits and veggies? Perhaps they are all true??? Anyway, I am now cold and must get ready for work again. It seems I always write these just before I have to go to work! Que interesante!

Running Journal Day 29

The Lord is the strength in my legs,
My breath and my running partner,
My Rock and cheerleader,
My lungs and my life,
IN WHAT SHALL I FAINT?
Running? May it never be!

GAMBATTE!!! Hang on until you have nothing left, and then keep going!

Today I felt like I needed the coach from Facing the Giants running with me, saying "Dont' Quit! Don't Quit! Don't Quit!"...but my lungs burn coach..."Then let'em burn!"...I can't do it coach..."Don't quit on me now..."! I'm so glad the Lord runs with me, and puts thoughts in my head along the way. Today, I set out to run 4 minutes and ended up running no more than 2. It was mostly long walking periods with short spurts of running (jogging really). Perhaps one should not go to bed dehydrated??? I think I am also still recovering from giving away a pint of blood. My asthma is really acting up when I go out. It is kind of unusual. I have noticed that before after a donation. Anyway, I probably didn't eat enough of the right foods yesterday either. Too much sugar, not enough vegetables and fruit. I will do better tomorrow. Yay cross training!
Work calls me away again.
Shalom people.

Week 4 photos

Oh Yea, here's a few pictures from my homework this week. Enjoy.

Running Journal Day 28

So when they tell you to drink LOTS of extra fluids after giving blood...they mean it! I gave blood on Tuesday and didn't drink enough that day or yesterday to be able to run well today. I was going to run for as long as I could go (just to see how long that would be), but after only 2 minutes I had to stop because my breath was short and my body too weak! Now I'm sure that my body has not remanufactured the blood I gave fully, and it didn't help psychologically that it was rainy, cold AND windy, but you would think I could have gone a bit longer than that. I walked for a while and got my breath back, so I tried again to run. I think I lasted about a minute and a half, and I my hands were getting really cold (didn't bring any gloves), so I decided to head home. Thought I could run from the stop sign home, which is about a minute run, but no such luck. I got to the curve in the road (about 30sec.) and that was it. My tummy said I had not allowed enough time for breakfast to digest and my blood cells said they could not keep up with the demand for O2. Respect the machine ~ I walked the rest of the way...grabbed a bottle of powerade once I got in the house and collapsed on the couch for a moment to recover.
Time for work.
=0)

Running Journal Day 26

Well, I intended to train today, but I forgot I made an appointment to give blood. No strenuous exercise for me till tomorrow. I figured karate class would make up for something (if I took it easy), but I don't really feel good today and losing a pint of blood is not helping me feel better, so no exercise at all today (unless you count walking around the shore line down by Anthony's and taking the dog for a short 15 minute walk). Bummer. I wanted to see if I could run more 4 minute intervals or if it was just a fluke! Guess I will have to find out on Thursday.
Time for homework and more fluids.
See ya.

Day 23-25

Wow, i can't believe it has been 25 days since i decided to follow through with this crazy idea. Saturday was cross training day, and man were my legs soar. Sensei had us doing a shiko dachi stance while punching, and anyone shorter than him (6 foot or less) had to be lower than him!!! Then he had us go down an inch a couple of times!! Good work out though.
Sunday, I didn't get out before church, so I went out about 4pm. God graciously staved off the rain for the 45 minutes I was out. I actually ran for 4 MINUTES!!! WOOHOO!! The first run cycle I just decided to see how long I could go before my body said "ENOUGH" and I actually could have kept going, but figured with only 4 minutes walking in between cycles I should stop where I was. When I looked at my watch, it was four minutes from when I started. Yay! The other cycles varied between 2-3 minutes, but it's encouraging to know that I can run 4. I felt pretty good the whole time too. No cramping in the legs. Some in the lower abdomen, but that was probably lunch processing. Drank orange juice before I went out, maybe that was a good thing.
Tonight, I decided to take it easy, since it was dark by the time I got home. I just took the dog out for a 15 minute walk and jogged a couple of times. My breathing is getting easier. Not as labored as before, but then I didn't expend a lot of energy either. Jazz appreciated that. Yesterday, I practically dragged him the last 2 minutes home.
I think maybe I should try to increase my mileage as well, but I will probably have to do that without the dog. We shall see. I have lots of time before official training begins, but time does have a way of vanishing if you are not paying attention.
That's all for now.
Night.