I saw this image of Stanford University's Weeping Angle and it is the best image to represent my feelings last week . This statue really spoke to me.
As an update, I do feel much better this week
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Stanford University's Weeping Angle
I saw this image of Stanford University's Weeping Angle and it is the best image to represent my feelings last week . This statue really spoke to me.
As an update, I do feel much better this week
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Still waiting
I tend to hate this point..."To
get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"
When God takes something from your grasp. He's not punishing you, but
merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on
this sentence. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of
God will not protect you." Just
27 Words, 'God our Father , walk through my house and take away all my
worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family in your
name, Amen.' This prayer is so powerful
It's been a year, and I still don't understand why God would need to take my cat to make me 'open my hands to something better'. I'm still waiting
It's been a year, and I still don't understand why God would need to take my cat to make me 'open my hands to something better'. I'm still waiting
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
WWWW
Trying to keep my focus and remember What Would Wally Want!! I know he would understand I'm hurting as I come up on the anniversary and that I may fall to bad habits to comfort me. Remembering that he would want the best for me will help me make the right choices.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Running Challenge
I regularly use the Nick GPS+ app on my iphone to track my running. Love the app. It was something like $1.99 or $2.99 and well worth the price.
It has a feature called Challenge Me. I tried it for the first time yesterday and had so-so results. Part of the issue is me/my security (as forced by my company since the phone has my corporate emails on it) and part was the app. The challenge I accepted was to run 30 seconds faster mile pace than my previous run. Thegood great news is that I accomplished that! I ran 32 seconds faster per mile! This really is great news because I tend not to push myself enough - and really with some valid justification because at this point I still need to develop the base of miles and increase my distance before I get too concerned with speeds plus I'm still having that Planter Faciitis issue with my right foot. Going fast the first part but then being forced to walk the rest of the distance would be a failure to me. So while I'm thrilled I accomplished this challenge, I can't afford to focus on this and make speed my goal... at least not yet, speed is a goal of the running season but I have to get to the point where its appropriate to focus on it.
The downside is the app responded as if I did not reach the goal. The history clearly shows the distance, pace, total time, and calories burned for each run and you can see I am 32 seconds faster pace between Saturday's and Monday's run. The app gives statuses as you run along, and a couple of the status messages indicated I had "doing great and only 4 more miles to go!". 4 more miles? where did that come from? I was challenging myself against the pace of a 1 1/2 run and planning to do the same distance - something was off in that challenge.
And then I have the extra hassle that my phone has a 9 character password with both letters and numbers and it kicks into requiring it again for these runs. Honestly trying to run and type in the password so you can access the app and finish really, really cuts into your speed and affects your overall pace. So it's very possible that I not only met the goal but smashed it - but probably not because I had that same password issue with the previous run so Saturday's pace was already affected by that same delay. The other impact was I had a really hard time getting started on Monday morning and the morning dog walk took extra long so I had to delay the run to later in the day. I had then adjusted and planned for a noontime run but it was raining then. So I finally made it out early evening. You do what you have to do, but I know I run better in the morning! Even though I do, I need to get used to the evening runs since all the BLS fun runs are at 6:30 pm.
I have 3 weeks remaining to get myself set for that first fun run. I want to primarily focus on being able to cover the distance comfortably. I often skip the first hill on that fun run so the distance is a little shorter for my route, and I don't have to be up to speed for the full distance for another five weeks -- plenty of time as long I stay dedicated to my training.
It has a feature called Challenge Me. I tried it for the first time yesterday and had so-so results. Part of the issue is me/my security (as forced by my company since the phone has my corporate emails on it) and part was the app. The challenge I accepted was to run 30 seconds faster mile pace than my previous run. The
The downside is the app responded as if I did not reach the goal. The history clearly shows the distance, pace, total time, and calories burned for each run and you can see I am 32 seconds faster pace between Saturday's and Monday's run. The app gives statuses as you run along, and a couple of the status messages indicated I had "doing great and only 4 more miles to go!". 4 more miles? where did that come from? I was challenging myself against the pace of a 1 1/2 run and planning to do the same distance - something was off in that challenge.
And then I have the extra hassle that my phone has a 9 character password with both letters and numbers and it kicks into requiring it again for these runs. Honestly trying to run and type in the password so you can access the app and finish really, really cuts into your speed and affects your overall pace. So it's very possible that I not only met the goal but smashed it - but probably not because I had that same password issue with the previous run so Saturday's pace was already affected by that same delay. The other impact was I had a really hard time getting started on Monday morning and the morning dog walk took extra long so I had to delay the run to later in the day. I had then adjusted and planned for a noontime run but it was raining then. So I finally made it out early evening. You do what you have to do, but I know I run better in the morning! Even though I do, I need to get used to the evening runs since all the BLS fun runs are at 6:30 pm.
I have 3 weeks remaining to get myself set for that first fun run. I want to primarily focus on being able to cover the distance comfortably. I often skip the first hill on that fun run so the distance is a little shorter for my route, and I don't have to be up to speed for the full distance for another five weeks -- plenty of time as long I stay dedicated to my training.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
2012 Summer Running Season Goals
Had another successful run this morning. Still short and many would not see the success I see, but like beauty, success is in the eye of the beholder. I had three runs this week; just like I planned. None of the runs were more than 1 1/2 miles and all of the outings were less than 30 minutes. A lot would claim that was 'nothing' but to me each outing was longer and farther, and consistent pace even with basically doubling the mileage each run. This is the first week back at it since about last Spring - yes there were a few running efforts last summer but they were few and far between.
I'm not upset about this slow start because it has shown great progress and it is very similar to how I started out running. Back when I lived on Lake Harriett in Minneapolis I started by running from my apartment to the Band Shell, then a few outings later made it a loop - running to the band shell and back. This continued for weeks as I increased the distance to my turn around point: the band shell, end of band shell's parking lot, first dock, second dock, rose garden, and finally the canoe rental storage By the time my turn around point was the canoe rental storage it was more than half way so the combined there and back was more than all the way around the lake - but it took me weeks before I was ready to run that full lake circumference! And the first time I ran all the way around the lake I felt like Rocky when he runs up the Philadelphia steps.
I'm pleased with my restart and its time to make some goals for the season.
First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs.....what does ready mean? it means being able to run feeling comfortable and confident for the 3 miles. Okay...so what does comfortable and confident mean? it means feeling good with running/jogging the full distance without need any walking breaks (with exception for a couple of the hills), it also means being able to finish the distance in under 35 minutes The BLS like to claim that there is more than enough to go around, but in reality there is not enough bottles of water or the special food (ie, ham roll run, etc) for all the slower runners. The faster people take more than one so there is often not enough left to go around. My goal is to be fast enough to make those BLS fun runs be my dinner. My starting pace is slow enough to affect getting things at the fun runs, so my immediate goal is to shave 2 minutes off my starting pace in time for the April fun runs. Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course. I'm open to counting this as any run of at least a 10K. There are a couple 10 miler races in Chicago that look interesting, and there is always the BLS Cudahy Classic 10 miler. Or another half marathon could be a good fit in September or October. I'd even consider a full marathon if the time limit was long enough to have me walk parts of it. Ultimate running goals include a full marathon but I'm not sure this is the year for it because once again I'm starting my spring running over almost from scratch. The full marathon may have to wait for a year that I'm RAW (Running All Winter).
Third running goal is to run with Zeus. This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint. He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!
Right now these are my personal plans for the running season. Simple and doable, but still challenging. I promise to give an update at the end of each month through October. Let's see how I do. Good luck to all your running goals for the season!
I'm not upset about this slow start because it has shown great progress and it is very similar to how I started out running. Back when I lived on Lake Harriett in Minneapolis I started by running from my apartment to the Band Shell, then a few outings later made it a loop - running to the band shell and back. This continued for weeks as I increased the distance to my turn around point: the band shell, end of band shell's parking lot, first dock, second dock, rose garden, and finally the canoe rental storage By the time my turn around point was the canoe rental storage it was more than half way so the combined there and back was more than all the way around the lake - but it took me weeks before I was ready to run that full lake circumference! And the first time I ran all the way around the lake I felt like Rocky when he runs up the Philadelphia steps.
I'm pleased with my restart and its time to make some goals for the season.
First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs.....what does ready mean? it means being able to run feeling comfortable and confident for the 3 miles. Okay...so what does comfortable and confident mean? it means feeling good with running/jogging the full distance without need any walking breaks (with exception for a couple of the hills), it also means being able to finish the distance in under 35 minutes The BLS like to claim that there is more than enough to go around, but in reality there is not enough bottles of water or the special food (ie, ham roll run, etc) for all the slower runners. The faster people take more than one so there is often not enough left to go around. My goal is to be fast enough to make those BLS fun runs be my dinner. My starting pace is slow enough to affect getting things at the fun runs, so my immediate goal is to shave 2 minutes off my starting pace in time for the April fun runs. Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course. I'm open to counting this as any run of at least a 10K. There are a couple 10 miler races in Chicago that look interesting, and there is always the BLS Cudahy Classic 10 miler. Or another half marathon could be a good fit in September or October. I'd even consider a full marathon if the time limit was long enough to have me walk parts of it. Ultimate running goals include a full marathon but I'm not sure this is the year for it because once again I'm starting my spring running over almost from scratch. The full marathon may have to wait for a year that I'm RAW (Running All Winter).
Third running goal is to run with Zeus. This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint. He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!
Right now these are my personal plans for the running season. Simple and doable, but still challenging. I promise to give an update at the end of each month through October. Let's see how I do. Good luck to all your running goals for the season!
Monday, March 12, 2012
BLS Fun Runs 2012
Listing of the Badgerland Striders
Fun Runs for 2012
All Fun Runs at 6:30 pm
April
11th - Dave's Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8
18th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting - Abe Louis - Ran across America Unsupported (2960 miles)
25th - Italian Food Fun Run (Little
Cesar's Pizza) - GreenfieldPark #3
May
2nd - Just Plain Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8
9th - Ham & Rolls Fun
Run - GreenfieldPark #3
16th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting
23rd - The Dunne Fun Run -
Washington County Holy Hill (Ice Age Trail Run), Chili and food
30th - Burger Build Up - Estabrook Park #3
June
6th The President’s Run –
Hart Park
13th Jacobus Park
Fun Run - Jacobus Park
20th No Fun Run - Club
Meeting
27th No Fun Run –
SuperRun
July
4th No Fun Run – Firecracker Four
11th Hot Dog Fun Run – GreenfieldPark #3
18th Junk Food Run – Veteran’s Park
25th Marcel’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8
August
1st Just Plain Fun Run –
Estabrook Park #3
8th Corn Roast Fun Run –
Minooka Park #4
15th Just Plain Fun Run –
Froemming Park #1
22nd OU812 (Meatballs) –
South Shore ParkPavilion
29th Just Plain Fun Run
- GreenfieldPark #3
September
5th Falls Fun Run – Menomonee Park
12th It’s Gonna Be Chili
– Fox River Park Waukesha
19th No Fun Run - Club
Meeting
26th Dave’s #2 Run – GreenfieldPark #3
October
3rd Ron & Nancy’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8
Locations / Directions
Fox River Park
Waukesha
Froemming Park #1
Hart Park
Jacobus Park
Menomonee Park
Minooka Park #4
South Shore
Park Pavilion
Veteran’s Park
Washington County Holy Hill - Take Hwy 45 to Holy Hill Rd exit (Hwy 167). Follow that
for 7.5 miles. Turn left on Stationway
Rd, 0.2 miles to start. Meet at the Lower level of
the 1st station of the cross
List
of Milwaukee Parks and links to maps
It's Baaaackkkk
Another Spring (OK, not really Spring officially yet but this winter has been so mild it feels like Spring is here), and another case of Plantar Fascitis With Knee Pain. I found this video and wanted to keep it handy. I've been doing the stretches my doctor gave me last time and for whatever reason they are not working quite as well as they did last time. Last May they worked like a charm and the problem went away without ever getting really bad - maybe this time it has already progressed further and that's why they aren't able to help as much? Not sure, but whatever it is I need to get it resolved quickly as I have the BLS Fun Runs starting up in less than a month, the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, and Zeus has reached the year mark so he is old enough to start jogging with me. I need to get my right foot, knee, and leg back in rhythm. Plus I just purchased my annual State Park pass and should get out there and hit the trail!
FYI - my first embedded video!! I'm becoming quite the blogger hahaha
FYI - my first embedded video!! I'm becoming quite the blogger hahaha
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