Every Saturday morning, runners from the running training group (and anyone else who wants to join) meet at the running store and train together. I got back in town last night and decided to get up early and join the running training group. While I was gone, I did run in LA (beautiful run along the boardwalk from Venice Beach into Santa Monica) and also in San Antonio (hilly neighborhood my folks live in!) We ran between 2 1/2 and 3 miles this morning and it was tough but it felt great. The race is 3 weeks from tomorrow so it's time to get serious about the training! (Not that I haven't been serious, mind you.)
I'll keep y'all updated this week!
I'll be running Monday, Wednesday, Thursday night, Friday (easy run) and next Saturday (with the group.) I'm about to go back to the store to get them to check my shoes and feet because I'm getting some blisters and I want to see if it's the fit of my shoes or something else...I'm also going to get a watch so I can do splits and pacing and other official running type timing stuff--I'm truly just throwing around words here to impress y'all. "Stuff" is such a technical term...
MOST SPECIAL SHOUT OUT!!
Happy Birthday to my amazing step-daughter, Rachel. Rachel is one of my sheroes. She embraces challenges, sets difficult goals for herself (and achieves them), she is beautiful, smart, loving, funny, tolerant, forgiving, compassionate, and the list goes on and on. I owe her so much. Times haven't always been easy in our household but Rachel has helped us weather many storms together. One of the things I admire most about her is her thoughtfulness. Rachel doesn't forget to sent cards on birthdays, holidays, etc. I'm horrible about this and she loves me anyway. I have had lots to learn about parenting and, bless her heart, Rachel had to be the test ground. I screwed up a lot and she loves me anyway. She is an amazing big sister and just darn fun to be around. So Rachel, here's to you. I love you, I'm proud of you, and I'm so glad you'll be with me as I complete my first 5k! You get the credit for being my inspiration. Keep doing what you're doing. Trust your instincts. And be your best self!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Saturday, Monday, Wednesday
Yep, gentle readers, I ran all these days. Now Saturday was very tough on account of I was bushed. Maxed out. Close to exhausted. Ready to be done. And I still had to get through an Easter Vigil (love that Exsultet but it's lots of chanting! And Eucharistic Prayer D!) and a Sunday morning Easter mass. So Saturday was more of a run with periods of walking. But Monday and Wednesday were straight running through. The amazing Rachel gave me some good advice about starting slow, gradually increasing my speed, and then doing some intervals where I push up the speed for 30 seconds or a minute. I found that I like running faster for about two or three minutes and then decreasing the speed...My goal is to be running 3 miles in 30 minutes and now I'm at about 2.75 miles but I still have a little over 4 weeks until the 5k. And since Rachel will be here to be my pace person, I know I'll be fine.
Off to LA tomorrow to preach and preside at a U2charist with a Bono impersonator. Then I go from there to Texas to spend some much needed time with my folks and the little reds. I'm ready for some heat! And grateful that my parents have a treadmill in their house because running in the Texas sun might be worse than running in Palau.
More from the West Coast!
Peace,
RevMutha
Off to LA tomorrow to preach and preside at a U2charist with a Bono impersonator. Then I go from there to Texas to spend some much needed time with my folks and the little reds. I'm ready for some heat! And grateful that my parents have a treadmill in their house because running in the Texas sun might be worse than running in Palau.
More from the West Coast!
Peace,
RevMutha
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday's Run
I ran first thing this morning (well, after drinking some coffee, drinking some water, and eating half of a power bar.)
I didn't go as fast as I did on Wednesday--I think I actually tried to start out too fast instead of starting slower and gradually increasing and then slowing back down. So when I run tomorrow morning, that's what I plan to do--7 to 8 minutes at a slower pace, 15 to 16 minutes at a faster pace, and then 7 to 8 minutes at a slower pace. We'll see how it goes. I still ran 2.5 miles. I tried not to look at the time on the treadmill so often and I think that helped. If the weather cooperates, I'll run outside in the morning.
Today is my baby girl's 9th birthday! I didn't plan so well in terms of timing my chirren's births--one 2 weeks after Christmas and one that usually falls in/around Holy Week and Easter. That combined with a husband's birthday on April 6. The thing is, I'm not all that good with remembering birthdays anyway. I try to let folks know on a fairly consistent basis that I love them and try to do little things for them year round cause doing big birthday parties isn't so much my thing...That said, we have never yet not had a big birthday party for our daughters. Tonight younger daughter will have 18 school friends over for a pizza/swimming party and then 8 young ladies will spend the night and go with us to see the "Hannah Montana" movie tomorrow. Thank God for an associate priest who's willing to take the evening service for me tonight. I'll join him for the Vigil tomorrow night. But this certainly makes for a long(er) weekend!
Prayers, please.
Peace,
RevMutha
I didn't go as fast as I did on Wednesday--I think I actually tried to start out too fast instead of starting slower and gradually increasing and then slowing back down. So when I run tomorrow morning, that's what I plan to do--7 to 8 minutes at a slower pace, 15 to 16 minutes at a faster pace, and then 7 to 8 minutes at a slower pace. We'll see how it goes. I still ran 2.5 miles. I tried not to look at the time on the treadmill so often and I think that helped. If the weather cooperates, I'll run outside in the morning.
Today is my baby girl's 9th birthday! I didn't plan so well in terms of timing my chirren's births--one 2 weeks after Christmas and one that usually falls in/around Holy Week and Easter. That combined with a husband's birthday on April 6. The thing is, I'm not all that good with remembering birthdays anyway. I try to let folks know on a fairly consistent basis that I love them and try to do little things for them year round cause doing big birthday parties isn't so much my thing...That said, we have never yet not had a big birthday party for our daughters. Tonight younger daughter will have 18 school friends over for a pizza/swimming party and then 8 young ladies will spend the night and go with us to see the "Hannah Montana" movie tomorrow. Thank God for an associate priest who's willing to take the evening service for me tonight. I'll join him for the Vigil tomorrow night. But this certainly makes for a long(er) weekend!
Prayers, please.
Peace,
RevMutha
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday's Run
I ran late yesterday evening.
I noticed that there are a few places in the thirty minute run that I just have to push through. At about 8 minutes, I'm starting to get a bit tired but I tell myself I'm almost 1/3 of the way done. At 13 minutes I'm saying "Ugh! 17 more minutes to go!" And then at almost 20 minutes, I'm having to just say "Deal. Gift. Breathe. Healthy." I'm ready for the weather to be nicer so I can run outside but this week has been all about the mixed precip and strong winds. There were a couple of times in the run yesterday when I felt pretty good and it was mainly when I got into the music I was listening to or just let my mind think about other things. I did focus on my running being a gift to myself but there was an equally vocal part of myself that said she would prefer a spa gift certificate. Honestly, I crack myself up.
Honestly, however, there is nothing that feels as good as stretching after the run and knowing that I have met my goal for the day. That is probably when I feel most like a winner. Everyone should feel like this about something in their lives.
My shins were so sore last night! I took Rachel's advice and iced them and they feel better today. I'm glad today is a rest day. I'll run again tomorrow and on Saturday.
And, as always, gentle readers, I'll let y'all know how it goes!
Peace, love, and tranquility!
RevMutha
I noticed that there are a few places in the thirty minute run that I just have to push through. At about 8 minutes, I'm starting to get a bit tired but I tell myself I'm almost 1/3 of the way done. At 13 minutes I'm saying "Ugh! 17 more minutes to go!" And then at almost 20 minutes, I'm having to just say "Deal. Gift. Breathe. Healthy." I'm ready for the weather to be nicer so I can run outside but this week has been all about the mixed precip and strong winds. There were a couple of times in the run yesterday when I felt pretty good and it was mainly when I got into the music I was listening to or just let my mind think about other things. I did focus on my running being a gift to myself but there was an equally vocal part of myself that said she would prefer a spa gift certificate. Honestly, I crack myself up.
Honestly, however, there is nothing that feels as good as stretching after the run and knowing that I have met my goal for the day. That is probably when I feel most like a winner. Everyone should feel like this about something in their lives.
My shins were so sore last night! I took Rachel's advice and iced them and they feel better today. I'm glad today is a rest day. I'll run again tomorrow and on Saturday.
And, as always, gentle readers, I'll let y'all know how it goes!
Peace, love, and tranquility!
RevMutha
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Running through Holy Week
Ran 30 minutes on Monday.
Will run another 30 minutes late this afternoon or this evening before dinner.
I'm spending lots of time thinking about balance...
And praying for my clergy sisters who try to do so much for so many...
And not just my clergy sisters--so many women!
Not that men don't, but I think women view the world differently.
A friend of mine recently "re-framed" my running.
It's something I do for myself, not for others.
Not punishment but a gift.
I don't need to beat myself up on days that it's hard--I need to celebrate each step.
I like this.
My beloved Rachel ran 10 miles on Sunday and set a personal record!
She averaged 7 minutes, 35 seconds per mile.
I don't even think that fast.
I hope to run my 5k in less than 35 minutes.
But finishing will be my success.
Happy Holy Week.
RevMutha
Will run another 30 minutes late this afternoon or this evening before dinner.
I'm spending lots of time thinking about balance...
And praying for my clergy sisters who try to do so much for so many...
And not just my clergy sisters--so many women!
Not that men don't, but I think women view the world differently.
A friend of mine recently "re-framed" my running.
It's something I do for myself, not for others.
Not punishment but a gift.
I don't need to beat myself up on days that it's hard--I need to celebrate each step.
I like this.
My beloved Rachel ran 10 miles on Sunday and set a personal record!
She averaged 7 minutes, 35 seconds per mile.
I don't even think that fast.
I hope to run my 5k in less than 35 minutes.
But finishing will be my success.
Happy Holy Week.
RevMutha
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Oh yeah I did and yeah I had
Okay, so I wasn't quite as lame as I was making myself out to be and I had posted within the week.
I did my running on the treadmill this morning and felt so good after I finished and did all my stretching. So thanks for the positive vibes, gentle readers! I have looked at my schedule and written in my running days and am feeling pretty good.
The weather here has been dismal. Rain mixed with snow and lots of fierce wind. Made one want to go back to bed and pull up the covers! I did manage to take young daughters shopping for Easter dresses so they won't be wearing jeans and tshirts to church. Not that they ever need to wear jeans and tshirts since their closets are filled with nice clothes but I tend to not notice what they're wearing until we actually arrive at church and am usually aghast at which point it is too late to do anything about it...
Prayers, gentle readers, prayers.
Peace,
RevMutha
I did my running on the treadmill this morning and felt so good after I finished and did all my stretching. So thanks for the positive vibes, gentle readers! I have looked at my schedule and written in my running days and am feeling pretty good.
The weather here has been dismal. Rain mixed with snow and lots of fierce wind. Made one want to go back to bed and pull up the covers! I did manage to take young daughters shopping for Easter dresses so they won't be wearing jeans and tshirts to church. Not that they ever need to wear jeans and tshirts since their closets are filled with nice clothes but I tend to not notice what they're wearing until we actually arrive at church and am usually aghast at which point it is too late to do anything about it...
Prayers, gentle readers, prayers.
Peace,
RevMutha
Movie Review "I love you, man!"
This movie was fantastic.
Laugh out loud funny.
Just what I needed on a rainy Friday afternoon. I felt like it gave me a glimpse into the world of guys and gave me lots of compassion for them! I also liked that much of it was filmed in Venice Beach where I'll be visiting in a couple of weeks--that's the boardwalk where I'll be running (or strolling, depending on the heat...)
And getting to spend time with Kyle was just what the doctor ordered.
A late afternoon lunch (big ole salads with fried calamari on top,) a movie, and then a trip to Wegmans to see the new grocery carts.
Life is Good.
Peace,
RevMutha
Laugh out loud funny.
Just what I needed on a rainy Friday afternoon. I felt like it gave me a glimpse into the world of guys and gave me lots of compassion for them! I also liked that much of it was filmed in Venice Beach where I'll be visiting in a couple of weeks--that's the boardwalk where I'll be running (or strolling, depending on the heat...)
And getting to spend time with Kyle was just what the doctor ordered.
A late afternoon lunch (big ole salads with fried calamari on top,) a movie, and then a trip to Wegmans to see the new grocery carts.
Life is Good.
Peace,
RevMutha
I need some inspiration!
Yes, dear readers, I'm aware.
I haven't posted for over a week.
And my running hasn't been up to par, either.
The weather here has been questionable, as has my discipline!
I went to my Medved training on Thursday night. We did some great warm-up exercises--toe walks, heel walks, high knees, butt kicks--and then ran a mile at "conversational pace" but I wasn't quite up to making conversation--then went to the track to do 2 800s at a faster pace followed by 1 400 at shuffle pace (which I basically walked/shuffled)--repeated this, then walked 800.
I was just having a hard time pushing through!
And today the weather outside is rainy and windy.
So, back to the treadmill.
Looking ahead, I've got a crazy schedule.
This week is Holy Week.
Next week, I fly to California on Thursday and then from California to Texas on Sunday. I'll be in Texas until Friday, 4/24.
I've got to work out my own training schedule and then stick to it.
Today I'm supposed to do my "long run" of 2-4 miles which I'm psyching myself up to do and then I'll let y'all know. I can't do the Medved training for the next 3 weeks because of my church/travel schedule so I'm really thinking I need to go back to the 30 minutes of running 4x week. I have discovered that I do much better running in the morning and it's actually easier for me to do this when I'm traveling provided I have access to a fitness center (which I won't have in California--but the friend I'm staying with lives near Venice Beach and has assured me I can run on the Boardwalk.)
Y'all pray for me. I've come this far--it's time to find out what I'm really made of!
Peace,
RevMutha
I haven't posted for over a week.
And my running hasn't been up to par, either.
The weather here has been questionable, as has my discipline!
I went to my Medved training on Thursday night. We did some great warm-up exercises--toe walks, heel walks, high knees, butt kicks--and then ran a mile at "conversational pace" but I wasn't quite up to making conversation--then went to the track to do 2 800s at a faster pace followed by 1 400 at shuffle pace (which I basically walked/shuffled)--repeated this, then walked 800.
I was just having a hard time pushing through!
And today the weather outside is rainy and windy.
So, back to the treadmill.
Looking ahead, I've got a crazy schedule.
This week is Holy Week.
Next week, I fly to California on Thursday and then from California to Texas on Sunday. I'll be in Texas until Friday, 4/24.
I've got to work out my own training schedule and then stick to it.
Today I'm supposed to do my "long run" of 2-4 miles which I'm psyching myself up to do and then I'll let y'all know. I can't do the Medved training for the next 3 weeks because of my church/travel schedule so I'm really thinking I need to go back to the 30 minutes of running 4x week. I have discovered that I do much better running in the morning and it's actually easier for me to do this when I'm traveling provided I have access to a fitness center (which I won't have in California--but the friend I'm staying with lives near Venice Beach and has assured me I can run on the Boardwalk.)
Y'all pray for me. I've come this far--it's time to find out what I'm really made of!
Peace,
RevMutha
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