Rain or shine....you run

So on Wednesday I headed off to the cafe to study for my RD exam (the test before I can start my career as a Registered Dietitian). It was a gorgeous overcast day (Yes, I am that weird Southern Californian that LOVES clouds and rain). Well the overcast day became a day of torrential downpour. It was a great start to my day sitting and watching the rain. Then the hail came and my smile grew more.

After about 4 hours of studying, I headed home and that's when it dawned on me....I still have to do my 5 miles run! So I waited to see if it would die down a bit. Two hours later and still nothing had changed! So I got on my long, tight-like running pants, long sleeve thermal, my huge windbreaker/snow jacket, and hat. I had signed up to train and that means even in the rain!

I have to admit, I LOVED it!! It was wonderful to run to the quiet patter of the rain and within God's nature! The rain remained constant for the majority of my run. Once I hit my half way point, I was happy to be heading back home because by this point my legs were getting pretty cold. Out of anything I would have to say cold legs, or should I say muscles, make running quite difficult! My speed and endurance started to ebb, but I keep going as much as I could. I made it home, even though I was probably about 0.5 miles short of my 5 miler. But I am proud that I still went out and did the best I could. Sometimes that is more important that the actual success- the drive to try! Like John C. Maxwell says in his books, "the first step to success is to try" (paraphrased).

Needless to say, I ended up opting out of yoga that night! The yoga class I go to is heated. So I didnt want to go from cold to hot and chance getting a cold!

Until next time....

Day 14- My first Fartlek….ya you heard me!

For most of you (which also included myself initially), you are probably wondering to yourself what is a Fartlek!! Well to my limited understanding, it is composed of a warm up easy run, following by a specified distance at a fast pace that ended with a cool down run (much like the warm up in speed/ pace).

With this idea in my head, I set out for my first 4 mile fartlek. According to the above description, I failed to maintain my fast-pace for 2 miles. It was more like a medium, fast, fast, “Oh my gosh cant do that anymore”, slow, slow, and deciding to stay with a medium pace. LOL

Later that night, I was talking to a friend about my run and how I just did not meet up to the definition of a fartlek when I was told that my definition was incorrect! Thank God! J

So Everybody…..a Fartlek is “ a run in which the runner varies his pace during this run” (according to http://www.coolrunning.com.au/expert/1997c002.shtml). So what my 4 mile fartlek should have looked like was 1mile warm up, 2 mile varied paces (2 minutes fast pace, 2.5mins medium pace, repeat until finishing 2 miles) and end with 1 mile cool down! Now that I have a better idea as to what I am supposed to do, I am excited to try my next fartlek, which will be next Tuesday!

Motivational song for this run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ODDtLMiGnY

Day 12- Yeah...so I skipped a few posts :-/

Not to worry I did not skip any scheduled runs since my last post!

Today I set out to run 7 miles. I felt good and up for the challenge. I focused on breathing steadily and taking each step that I needed as it came. I did have to stop a few times to catch my breath, take my jacket off, put my jacket back on, and readjust my water belt (belt that has two water bottles attached to it). Other than that, I found a nice stride and just ran. The run was quite enjoyable and as usual, the road back home was much quicker than the road out. I actually timed this run and to my shock finished in 70 minutes. I know to some that might not be an accomplishment, but for me it was great! I hope to have more runs like this one!

Reflection from my run: Two things matter most in running: Patience and the RIGHT perspective. Ironically the same goes for life.

Day 6- My first long run (6 miles)

At sunset as the sky turned its beautiful, unique pinks, purples, and golds, I set out to conquer my first long run of 6 miles. Even with the beautiful scenery, my stride was variable- run, walk, run, walk, walk.. (haha). Come the 2 mile marker (the beloved end marker for my past runs) I was on to new territory which brought new excitement to the run. Yet as it grew darker and the trail became a bit secluded (a bike lane on a two way street with improper lighting), I grew a bit wary about staying the course so I detoured. It was a bit funny because I turned into a cul-de-sac thinking it went through only to find that I had made a complete circle. In the end, I made it back to the correct road and that well known 2 mile marker. This is where it became difficult. I wanted to cut corners. I wanted to just turn down a street I knew would get me home faster, yet I kept strong. I kept telling myself one more step. By the end, I had made it home without any short cutting and when I calculated my mileage with my one “Safety” detour I was shocked that I had actually gone 6.1 miles on accident.

What I learned the most from the last leg of my run was that sometimes things in life –whatever it may be- are difficult and we want to find a shortcut that will lessen the pain or the hardship. Yet when we take those shortcuts, we miss out of the challenging ourselves to grow. We end up not pushing our limits and see that we can do more. Now I know some of you may be saying to yourself, “ Jenna you are talking about running…pfff…life is different”. If you hold that belief than that is your opinion and you are definitely free to have any opinion you like. However, the Bible draws a correlation between life and a race (running). The lesson I learned was we can all do difficult things if we take it one step at a time and continually remind ourselves A) why we are doing it and B)that we CAN do it!

That’s enough chit chat for one day haha

….Until next time!

DAY 5 - I really don't want to run

After another 4 miles on Thursday and a day off on Friday...yet another day of running!

It’s so funny how my attitude changes!! I really didn’t want to go for a run, but I pulled my body off the couch and strapped on my running shoes. I choke up my attitude to having a great day with friends and catching up and just not wanting to do work. But like with any commitment, there will come days where you just don’t want to do it, yet those are the days you reach deep down inside and find that extra gumption that we all have within us.

My run tonight was definitely below par, but I am NOT beating myself up about it. I at least didn’t cave to the temptation of “well its not a biggie its only a 3 miler, you can have a day off”. Even though I walked for the most of my run, the view was breathtaking. The road I was on takes you up the hills of Loma Linda resulting in a gorgeous view the city, especially at night when all is a light and shining. Upon hitting my halfway marker, I found the urge to run and ran the entire way back. It’s funny how the last part of most things can be the easiest. Starting the run is difficult and tedious, but knowing that the end is near gives you that needed push to finish.

DAY2....4 miles

I used gmap-pedometer to create my four mile route. It mainly was comprised of a few hills and many straight aways. Trying to have more straight aways just to build up stamina. I was able to hit my stride earlier than usual and just ran. Just me, the road, and my ipod playing great tunes. I finished it in the nick of time to go to Yoga at 5pm. It probably wasn’t the best idea to go straight to yoga seeing that the yoga class was quite advanced (level 2-3). If any of you know Daniel from the Yoga Room in Redlands, he works you out VERY well! It was great. Yoga is going to be one my strength training options. As I am sure most of you know, when training it is always best to combine strength training and running. It helps you remain strong and develop lean muscle to help you last those LONG runs, which will come sooner or later in training.

It was a good, but tiring day!

Mood: Satisfied

Song Where I found my stride: “Restless” by Switchfoot