Power through or Stop?

My long run for this week was 7 miles.

I normally do my long runs on Saturday morning. The group I run with on saturday now does yoga after the run AND goes to brunch. I missed brunch a few saturdays ago and I never make it back in time for yoga. So, this week, I decided to do my long run on Friday morning. However, on my group's facebook page, a shout out for a thursday evening run. I thought I'd just do my long run on thursday evening, sleep in on friday, do a shorter run on saturday and go to brunch. (I really am looking forward to brunch :P)

I get home, my sister and niece were there, so I got caught up in talking/playing with them. I rushed out of the house without a bottle of water OR eating anything before the run. Ideally, I would have a tablespoon of natural PB and an apple. When I got into my car, I noticed I had a box of raisins--thank goodness! They came in handy.

I got to the park and the ladies told me that we would do 2/1 intervals. One girl wanted to do 6 miles, so the plan was we would do 2/1 intervals with the other girls for 3-3.5 miles, then we would continue on for 6 miles, and I would do the final mile by myself.

Good plan, right? Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans...

They are destine for failure.

We started the run, I was a bit out of breath, but able to keep up. We got to mile 1 pretty quickly. We did about an 11 mm (run/walking intervals). This is faster than I normally do my long runs, or better yet, any run. But I was feeling ok, so I decided to keep up with the girls.

Mile 1-2 was a distaster!! I suddenly got a very bad pain in my calves. I tried to run through the pain, but knew I needed to stop and re-lace and stretch. I also had to use the restrom. By this time, the girls were about a block ahead of me. They turned around to see where I was, but I waved them ahead.

I stopped and used the restroom. I also retied my laces and stretched. I actually thought about turning around and going back to my car. I was at 1.14 miles at this point.

I told myself to buck up and power through. I started jogging REALLY slowing, until the pain in my calves subsided.

Miles 2-3 were spent jogging really slowly. I actually saw my group up ahead. They very nicely waited for me at the entrance of the park to make sure I hadn't keeled over. I was able to trail them until 3.5 miles. When they stopped...

I was tempted to leave the park, also. However, I told myself I would do 7 miles. By this time, it was getting darker. The park we were at is a wooded park with shallow streams of water. There are also signs all over saiying, "Beware of Alligators." There is also NO lightening on the trails (WTF, City of SL??).

I ate half my box of raisins, drank some water at a fountain and continued down an unlighted trail. I was actually getting some energy and felt great. But, it was getting dark.  There were also a lot of rabbits and I kept hearing rumbling in the wooded areas. I was getting FREAKED out. So I ran this part very fast. At one point, I thought about someone hiding waiting to get me. I fortunately hit 5 miles by the time I was finished with this part of the trail.

So anyway, I get back to the main part of the park. Two boot camp classes were going on, so I felt safe in that area. I decided that I would just loop around this part until I got to 7 miles. I stopped at the water fountains--and they cut them off!!! I started panicking at the thought of going two more miles with no water. However, stubborn as I am, I kept going.

I did one loop around the park and it was a whole .35 miles. I KNEW I'd go crazy looping that area.

So I saw some people walking and they told me there were people on the trail. So I went on the trail. It was SO dark. I kept asking myself, "Nichelle, WHY are you doing this??" ...but, I couldn't stop! Not because it was one of those great, soul pumping runs...it was actually pretty shitty. I had bursts of energy, but it wasn't a great, I can't stop feeling. It was more of a "please stop" feeling. But, I kept going...

I finally got to 6.5 and knew that .5 miles was nothing. The last .5 miles went by in a flash.

When I saw 7 miles on my Garmin, I got an enormous sense of accomplishment. I felt great for powering through and not allowing negative self talk to stop my efforts.

Since the run, I've been thinking...why? Why didn't I stop? I could have done the run on Saturday. I AM so happy that it's done for the week. But what if I am having a great running day on Saturday?

I've been pondering this all morning. When people have sucky runs DO they stop or do they power through? I normally get very stubborn and when I say I am doing X amount of miles, I do X amount of miles. But is that always smart training? I wasn't in pain past 2 miles, but I was not feeling the best. So is it silly to keep going or is it heroic? LOL.

I can guess why I had such a bad run:
1. I wasn't mentally prepared for a longer run.
2. I did not properly fuel.
3. I had drank a lot of water that day, but obviously, I may have been a bit dehydrated.
4. I was probably due for a bad run.

Sticking to it Monday!

I stuck to my goal and went to Body Pump this evening. I heard mixed reviews about this new release, but I liked it best of all the body pump classes. The squats and lunges are intense, but I actually really liked them. My favorite are the dumbbell clings. I always feel so powerful when I do them!

I also have done well with my eating. I snacked a bit too much, but no sugar!

Since February is right around the corner, I've been thinking about goals I'd like to set. I need to ruminate a bit more on them and then decide on what they will be.

Today was an overall good day :) Let's hope the rest of the week follows suit.

Tomorrow-spin! I do not want to get up at 5am, but it will feel so good to have it all done by 7am. I also plan on hitting the TM to either run or walk or combo 2 miles.

Sometimes BAD runs turn GOOD!

I promised myself when I started this blog, I'd talk about the good and bad of running. I read a lot of running blogs and I get frustrated at the fact that some of these peeps never have a bad run (at least they never talk about it)! I am one of the lucky few who have more bad runs than good, so I told myself I'd talk about them.

So here I go.

Like I said this morning, I had to meet my group for speed work this afternoon. I was supposed to meet them at 1-1:15. Like always, I took too long to get ready; stuff started popping up before I left the house--important stuff, like laundry, that couldn't wait til i got home; I lost my running shoes--read: I was rushing and put them down and forget where I put them (on top of the washing machine!); I forgot a snack, water...you get the picture. As if that wasn't bad enough, I get in my car and see "15 miles til empty"--gaah!!

I sent a hurried Facebook message to my girls to let them know I'd be majorly late and to start without me. 

I get to the park...and no one was there. The entrance we meet at was closed. 

So...my first instinct was to get back in my car and head home. Obviously, the run wasn't meant to be, right?!? But I knew that would mean that I'd have to get up tomorrow morning to do my run. So wanting to be lazy tomorrow beat out wanting to be lazy today.

I told myself I'd do 3 miles. 3 laps around the park. 

This park is particularly hilly. I knew I had a few tough workouts so I did not want to kill myself.

My first lap was ok, I started a bit slower but I made myself pick up the pace. The park has no shade and it was hot! The sun would come out and then the clouds would cover it. I got through the first mile without too much fanfare. The first mile always sucks for me, anyway.

For the second mile, I decided to veer off of the loop and go to a straight (flat) portion of  the trail. About .2 miles in, I knew I needed to stop. I started getting dizzy and my calves cramped up! I stopped, stretched and took off again. I stopped again at about 1.75 miles--stretched, caught my breath...then kept going to mile 2.

For the third mile, I only had to stop twice. Things were feeling better, but I was hot and it was windy!!

After I got to mile 3, I went to my car for water. I drank and rested a second and told myself I'd do one more loop around the hilly part.

So...I set off to do it. I was going to walk, but I was ready to go...so I sprinted/walked it. Something took over me and I had the greatest interval splits. I even saw 8:xx for a nano second. 

I've had a few runs like that--they start sucky and end up good. 

It always is a lesson to me that persistence and never giving up is the key.

Oh and I also learned that TM running is just not the same as outdoor running for me.  I must get another outdoor run in before the weekend. Someone beat me over the head when I try to avoid it. Please and thanks!

Ok, now I can start the sunday chore of LAUNDRY!! Ex-ci-ting!! Don't be jealous :)

Sunday! A start of a new week

I love Sunday's. It always feels like a new beginning. 

My Sunday will be spent relaxing, conquering hills at the park, and then cleaning. I will also make lunches for next week. I am going to make this lasagna from skinny taste.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/zucchini-lasagna.html

I will also commit to my regular 5 days a week of exercise. Here is my tentative schedule:

Monday-Body Pump
Tuesday-Spin, and maybe 1-2 miles on the TM.
Wednesday-DOR-my favorite day of the week!
Thursday-Run (3-4 miles)
Friday-HIIT workout in the AM or spin
Saturday-long run

Friday may morph into a DOR. I normally do speed training with my group on Sunday, so I will probably drop Friday to rest up for a weekend of running.

I normally hate to read my horoscope or anything of the like. But lately, I guess I've been wanting/needing confirmation about my life, so I've been reading it more. Well, today is Chinese new year and I stupidly looked up my predictions. Two words describe it: Not Good. In all aspects-Money, relationship, work, family and health- I have bad predictions. At first it depressed me, but then I realized that stuff almost wants you to have a buy in for it. I have decided that I will live my life the way I planned it for the year. I can't predict when bad things will happen, so why should I prepare for a sucky year? I decided that this year will be great, so I will do everything in my power to make it as great as possible. 

I thought this picture was good for today. We have to set goals and attain them. No matter how much it hurts. 

I'm going to spend my year proving those silly predictions wrong! (please no one tell me how their predictions were right ;))

So with that said, have a great Sunday! 

Saturday fun day!

Today has been a long full day! It all started this morning when I woke up to meet my BGR girls for a run. The park that we were scheduled to meet at is a new park that I've never been to. I got lost! On the way there, it was drizzling and as I got closer and closer to the location of the park, the rain got harder. 

The temps were reading like this:

So I decided to punk it out and hit the dry gym.

I went to spin with maniac Marcus. His class was intense. After 50 mins, I was spent...but I promised myself I'd do at least 2 miles on the TM. So I did. It was not fast or effortless, but it felt good to stick to my word.

When I got home, my sister let me know that my dad had bought donuts. I tried one, but it just didn't taste like they normally do, so I threw the rest away. Win for me!

After being lazy all morning, and half the afternoon, I went to watch my sister play basketball.

 Shock (her team) won...no shock in that. They've only lost 2 games.

After the game, my mom and I went to "my" new house to check it out and see what needs to be done. The contractors she hired did A LOT, but there still needs a bit more work. So once they finish, I can clean and move in. Woohoo...soo real, soo scary. I'm mostly freaked out about money. But it's time. 

I am so excited to decorate. I am already thinking about color schemes in the kitchen and living room. My room will be off white, lime green and black. I'm thinking my living room will be burnt pink, brown, and red. Not sure about the kitchen? Suggestions? I may use this blog as a place to test out decorating ideas.

On to other stuff-

I have only worked out 4 times this week. I'm still a bit disappointed in myself for allowing myself to take off on Wednesday. I know it's silly. So I am trying not to dwell. Tomorrow I have a speed workout scheduled with some ladies.

This is a funny pic of this guy I watch in the TM at my gym. He comes every morning, put the TM at a super high speed, and basically glides over the belt. He never actually makes contact. He also stops it's every few minutes. It's so weird!

I hope everyone had a nice Saturday! Mine has been chill and cool :)

Staying accountable Thursday

I have been struggling with my no diet rule for this year. I almost rejoined a WL challenge that I was apart of last year. I feel like I have no anchor. I need an anchor! I didn't want to make my blog about food only, but I think I may start photo journalling my food on the blog, just so I feel accountable somewhere. I was journalling my food on MFP, but it's getting old to me and I want a change. So you guys may just start seeing nasty food pics. I hate food picture. I probably will just write what I've eaten at the end of the day.

Last night I didn't run. I gave in to the, "I want to go home, I'm so hungry, it's late" vibes.

This morning, I woke up and did intervals on the TM.

It felt really good. I was dreading the run, I've been dreading a lot of runs lately. But when I started jogging, I felt my passion for running come back. It felt so good! I only did 3.2 this morning. My aim is 5 miles for the day. I will get out there this evening for the remaining 2 miles.

Now it's off to work time!

I feel like this:

Princesses shouldn't have to work!!!

Failure...what's to fear?

"It is hard to fail, but worse never to have tried to succeed" ~Theodore Roosevelt

The other day I was messaging with a friend who is just starting her running career. She asked some logistical questions, but then she also said, "I am so afraid of failing. Things normally come easy for me, but this isn't easy." I responded back with something like, "Life is full of failures, it's how you deal with them." She is a determined chick, so I know she will be fine.

I have been thinking about the notion of failure since that conversation. The fear of failure is not only expressed with fitness and dieting, it's also expressed for school, work, relationships, etc. I often wonder what causes fear to be so high in some, and low in others. Sometimes I see people go into hard things and conquer it with very little self doubt. Then there are times I see others (like myself) question the heck out of everything.

Whenever I start something new, my immediate thought is, 'what if I don't keep this up.' Behind that thought, is a tiny bit of fear of failure. I always remind myself that it's 'ok' to start something and stop. It does't mean that I've failed. It just means that I need to re-evaluate my goals. Are they set too high? Are they realistic to MY personal situation? Where is my level of committment? Did I set this goal to compete with another person? Usually when I go through these questions, I either persist with my original goal or change things to make the goal attainable.

I think our biggest issue is that we measure ourselves against another person, not our own person. Thus, when we don't meet another person's level of activity, fitness, weight, whatever, we automatically tell ourselves we have failed. 

So with that, the point is,

1. It's ok to "fail." Dusting yourself off and starting over is the key to success.

and

2. You can't fail if you don't start. SO start. Make an uncomfortable change and see what happens!

I like to live by this, I failed my way to success. (T. Edison)

And Success is so sweet, isn't it?

Today after work, I must get to the gym to either do an interval run or a tempo run. I need to see what my plan calls for. I've not been doing all of my scheduled runs. I have been feeling really run down lately. I've been doing what I want with regards to exercise. Today I feel like running, so I will run.

Tomorrow I'd like to try Zumba Toning. I probably will also do a short run in the morning.

Also, I am moving! I am so excited. When I moved back to Houston, I temporarily moved back in with my parents. Well, temporary lasted 2 yrs. It was a good two years. But it's time to move on...so, I am moving on! I am renting out one of my parent's rental properties. It's been vacant for a year, so lots of cleaning and painting needs to be done to it. I will start that process this weekend. yay! The house needs some TLC. I am looking forward to making it my own.

I also am looking forward to getting a dog, and moving in :)

Have a good Wednesday!!