Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Running In The Heat Is Not Too Fun

Ok, I did run on Sunday morning. I think it was about 9:30 or 10:00am when I left the house. I left my watch at home so I wouldn't get too insane with numbers and I walked to the end of my street to warm up. I should have stretched but I didn't feel like it! Ha!! I was fine anyway.

I ran about 1.5 miles to a bridge that over looks a small canal. I peeked over the edge looking for gators, of which have been elusive. Never saw one. I think I saw a catfish though. The whiskers on this fish were long. I took off again and was feeling pretty dizzy within another half mile out. It was about 95 degrees out, but breezy.

There's a man I see every time I run, no matter the day/time. He has a funky color yellow hair and he's very darkly tanned. He went by me on his bike doing 110 MPH, we waved. About 1 mile later, no kidding, he RAN past me on the other side of the street. I was walking because I was dizzy and when he ran by me I got a little irritated. I felt like screaming "Where's your freakin' bike mister?????" I wanted to ride it home. This guy always comes out of nowhere and passes me in the weirdest spots. I never hear him coming or see where he's come from. He must run a 5 minute mile, the show-off. If I wasn't wearing my bleaching trays and could've talked, I would've stopped him for a chat. But I didn't want to be spitting all over him while trying to speak with bleaching trays in my mouth. So he's been spared...for now.

I ran down to Publix and got some water. Ran to the middle school and did once around the track. I was so hot, I ran home from there. Ended up being a 5.25 mile run. Very leisurely. Very, very hot. Very enjoyable believe it or not. (hey, that rhymed) It was good to get out there. On the run back I saw some cyclists coming my way. I stopped on the bridge and waved as they went by. Then I saw HIM. The most handsomest biker EVER. Our eyes met, our hearts jumped. He pulled over for some smoochies. Ooohh, what a kisser! Yep, my husband Bobby! He was with the Coastal Cruisers, they were on the last mile or so before their bagel gathering. Very fun to see him!! Oh, he's such a lucky man to have me....LOL. I know this because he tells me that everyday. And I believe him.

I have yoga tonight, I think I'll run after that class. It's perfect stretching for a run. It might be a little cooler by tonight. I have a buncha things to do today, I won't be able to run until tonight anyway!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

NP Endurance Project and Vibram's Update

This is an image from my embroidery design program, so it looks strange. It's our logo for the half marathon training program. I saw the swirly sun on a YMCA brochure and Jim thought up the name. That part took 3 minutes. Getting it into my software took me 3 hours....lol. Stitching it out took 5 minutes, that was the easiest part.


I'm so very excited to be a part of this project. Being a co-captain makes me feel like the 7th grader who tried out for girl's softball and was so bad the coach made me an honorary "co-manager"....true story....lol. I sat on the bleachers keeping score. So sad. But I got a purple hat!! Had a ton of fun too. I hope to help bring a fun, positive attitude to this group. Jim's way of training worked for me, I'm proof it can be done. If I can run a whole marathon after 4.5 months of doing everything he taught me, this group can too! I think I'm going to enjoy seeing people evolve into endurance runners. The friendships that I've found through running is another bonus. We're going to have a great time! If you live in this area, please email me or leave a message, I'll give you all the details!

VIBRAM 5 FINGERS

*Nitmos, you are right, I need a new picture with my Vibrams!

I ran a slow and easy 2 miles in these bad boys last Wednesday. My coach advised me to go very easy and I'm glad I listened. Even though I felt great and the run was so comfortable, my calfs were KILLING me until Saturday! I can't believe how sore they were! I haven't run in them again yet. I'm waiting for my power bar and coffee to settle and then I'm going for a sweet run. A sweet run is a run where I don't bring my watch, I don't have a plan and I stop and smell the flowers along the way. And look for gators in the canals. Oh, and I go before it's 94 degrees out. Sweet.

My husband is out on his Coastal Cruisers bike ride. They usually do about 35 miles. He loves it. He has to work later, another reason for me to get my run in early. Hey, I have a picture of him on his bike.....



There he is!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Oooohh, I Like 'Em...

I ran in my Vibrams today. I ran one mile out, walked about 1/2 mile back and ran the rest of the way in. I felt great, but I wanted to take this first time run a little on the easy side. It really felt wonderful. It felt smoother and so free! Very natural. My legs seemed weightless. The bottoms are pretty thick rubber so I didn't feel too much through them as I ran.

The down side is my baby toe on the right foot is hurting a little. It doesn't seem to fit in the spot for it very well. When I was looking into these shoes, I read a few times about this happening. All of the people who had this problem said it worked itself out over time. All my other toes fit fine. I did pull the back lace too tightly at first too. I had to loosen that up so I don't know if that had any bearing on my toe hurting. Maybe it was too tight?

All in all, I think I'm going to like these shoes. I plan on running very short distances in them maybe twice a week and do the 5K beach runs in them. Anything more than that and I'll be wearing my Asics. I don't need an injury 3 weeks before I start the half marathon training. And Jim advised me to be careful with these Vibrams. Since I have not had any bad advice from him yet, I'll keep listening!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

They Have Arrived!!

My Vibram 5 Fingers are here!!!!!! My husband had today off and wasn't really doing anything...(haha) so I asked him to hang around in case Fed Ex came by. He kinda breathed into the phone and said "ok"....PERFECT! What a sweetie! This is why I married this man. I knew someday I'd order a pair of Vibrams and I'd need to count on someone to be there for me. He's the one...sighhhh...

Anyway....I looked up from the desk and there he was....my Knight In Shining Armour. With a box. Oooohhh....I got all tingly. I knew what he had there under his arm! I was excited for a couple reasons...
1. I love packages
2. I couldn't wait to try these bad boys on
3. I couldn't remember what color I ordered (black and tan) (only cuz they don't come in pink)

I took off my sandals and thought I'd "throw" the Vibrams on. W-R-O-N-G! They don't just get "thrown on". It's hard to get these on. My toes had a mind of their own and wanted to stay together. It took me a few minutes, but I got 'em on finally. I walked around the office in them, pretending to run. My husband sat watching me with a smirk on his face. He's just jealous my sports stuff is way cheaper and more easily acquired than his. Whatever.

I had to stay in the office, I couldn't go running down the road like I wanted to. In the meantime, I wore them around the office. After about 3 hours, I noticed some discomfort in a couple toes. I was expecting this, so I wasn't deterred. I was late but I made it to the last half of my yoga class (the best half may I add) because I worked late. I slipped the Vibrams off. I need to be barefoot for yoga. Trouble was, there were people waiting to get into the room once yoga was over and I could not get those shoes back on so fast. I walked to my car barefoot. No biggie.

A handful of people at work saw my Vibrams and thought they were pretty cool. I think. They're all so sweet, they'd never make me feel bad, so who knows what they really think...lol.

When I got home, I put them back on and went for a quick run down the street. It was awesome. I felt barefoot but protected. It was so weird to actually feel the road beneath my feet. I can see how my feet land now. I love this feeling! I will be careful not to go for too long of a run. I know there isn't any support in these. I'm wondering if I could put a pair of Dr Scholl's in there. I'll look around and see....in the mean time....I'm out of work by noon tomorrow...I plan on getting a little 2 miler in with these on. I'll be back after that to give a full report!

For now, 2 thumbs up for my Vibrams!!!!!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

See Kim Run (kinda)

Well, I did run Saturday afternoon. A little. A very little....lol. I went to the gym and warmed up on the bike then went out. I ran the first mile in 8:37. I swear this is a true mile and time! I know in the past I've been negligent on my actual mile measure, but I got it this time. Anyway, it was about 93 degrees out and I'd worked the night before until after midnight. Might have gotten 4 hours of sleep. To say I was tired is an understatement. So I walked back to the gym, kicking pine cones all along the way. Had my iPod on my faves playlist...had some "me" time I guess.

I haven't been too into running lately. The kids are out of school, I'm working days now, Friday Runners Club ended for the summer and my tried and true running friend went to Maine for the summer. Probably eating lobster all day....grrrrrr...(come back Mike, come back!!!!!)

There are a few exciting things going on that should get me back in the spirit.

1. July 5th 5K
2. 1/2 marathon training program at the YMCA in July
3. 5K weekly beach runs at Siesta
4. Ed is going to start running with me!

All are pretty exciting, especially numbers 2 and 4. The 1/2 marathon training program is run by my coach (he's letting me be a co-captain) so I know the program well. If all the people I've talked to really do sign up, there should be a pretty big turn out. I'm looking forward to meeting some new runners and working on my speed for the space coast marathon in November.

Ed is a friend of mine. He and his wife Joan are one of the first people I met when I started running in October. I met them in my first race on December 15, 2007. They are 2 very special people, very involved with the Zoomers club and our community here in North Port. Joan was city commissioner for a while and still is an interested, active contributor to so many committees. Joan doesn't hear/understand the word "no".....LOL. Not that she hears the word too often anyway. Who can say "NO" to Joan????? I've been to a few of these meetings and have seen her in action. She's an inspiration to so many!!!

Joan doesn't run anymore but she is at every race helping from beginning to end. Ed runs. And I have the good fortune to be able to run with him. YAY! I need to run with people one on one now and then to keep me focused. I realised that when Friday Runners Club ended. I don't have anyone to run with anymore. It's kind of a weird thing. Runners are usually loners on the road, but I'm a major people person. While running by myself is wonderful 80% of the time, I still need to have people to talk with, compete with and share the road with. So I'm really looking forward to running with Ed. And guess what Ed has??? Yeah....a GARMIN! He even said I could use it! I wouldn't know how....you should see me with my stopwatch...haha!!

I mentioned Ed in an earlier post. He's the friend who was waiting to hear about the NY marathon lottery. Remember I was being selfish and hoping he didn't get in so he could run Space Coast with me in November? That was Ed. And he got into NY! While I'm sorry he won't be running Space Coast beside me (well, 4 miles ahead of me) I am very, very happy for him. Running NY was a goal for him. How can I be unhappy about that??

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads. I hope your day is a special one. My husband is a wonderful father and as soon as he gets home from work, he'll know just how much we love him. Which is A LOT!