My long run this week was the scariest run I've ever done. It was a route that I had never done before, recommended to me from one of the cross country runners at the school where I work. In warmer weather, I can imagine that it would be a very nice and much more safe run. Unfortunately for me, there's still a foot of snow on the ground.
Most of the sidewalks were still completely covered in snow. So, I was running on the side of the road for the majority of my run. On one particularly busy road, I was actually running on the road in one of the lanes. Most of the cars moved over to pass me safely, but several did not. It was terrifying. I was by myself, running an unfamiliar route, being passed by cars with only inches to spare between me and the car. At one point, I was so freaked out that I stopped and cried a little bit. Then, I got a hold of myself and kept going.
If the sidewalks had been cleared, they were covered in a thick layer of ice. I slipped, tripped, and busted my butt several times. Maneuvering across snow and ice is tricky. It's important to go slow, watch your step, and hope you don't fall. At one point, I got a little cocky and tried to jump over a snow bank, slipped, fell, and found myself bleeding. Luckily, it was just a scratch.
One road on my route, you couldn't even tell whether there was a sidewalk or not, and running on the side of the road was WAY TOO DANGEROUS. I changed my route and took a road that was safer. It's more important to be safe than to stick to the route you had planned.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
crazy winter weather
It's snowing and it's totally crazy right now. The snow is coming down like nobody's business. The wind is blowing. It seriously looks like a blizzard outside. My roommate, Steph, and I went to the airport this afternoon to pick our other roommate, Megan, up from the airport. The roads weren't too bad when we left, but they were HORRIBLE on the way back. We saw people getting stuck and pushing their cars. We saw two buses that were stuck, taking up the whole road, almost blocking all of traffic. It was a mad house.
When we got back to the house, I decided I'd clean off my car a little bit and stick my windshield wipers up. My car was completely covered in snow to where I had to clear the door off to find the handle to get my scraper! Oh, I forgot to mention that it was also thundering and lightning while it was snowing!
We seriously have about a foot of snow right now, and the snow is still coming down. Steph and I decided to have a little bit of fun in it! We built a snowman, made snow angels, rolled down a hill, had a snowball fight, and even went out in our bathing suits!! It was so much fun!!
What kind of fun do you have in the snow?
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| the bus in the middle of the road |
When we got back to the house, I decided I'd clean off my car a little bit and stick my windshield wipers up. My car was completely covered in snow to where I had to clear the door off to find the handle to get my scraper! Oh, I forgot to mention that it was also thundering and lightning while it was snowing!
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| my car completely covered |
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| steph with the snowman we made |
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| steph doing a cartwheel on our deck |
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| rockin' the bathing suit |
What kind of fun do you have in the snow?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Bleeding Love
So last week was pretty normal. I went to work, ran, went grocery shopping...you know all the normal stuff. There were a few highlights of the week though that make it a little more than just normal...
I normally work from 10am - 7pm every day. Most days I stay after work to run on the treadmill, since I don't have my own, I don't have a gym membership anywhere, and I don't like running in the cold. Well, one day last week, after I was done running on the treadmill, I got on the floor to do some ab stuff. While I was on the floor, I spotted a DEAD MOUSE!!! I was so grossed out.
On Saturday night, my roommate and I went to see the movie "No Strings Attached" with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. First, the movie theater was ridiculous. The movie is rated R, and 3 different people checked my ID. I got carded for a rated R movie and I'm 22 yrs old!! Anyway, the movie was absolutely HILARIOUS! I was laughing throughout the entire movie. Warning: if you do not like blunt, crude humor, you probably won't like this movie. You have to go see the movie for yourself, but I will tell you that I will never look at the song "Bleeding Love" the same way ever again. lol.
On Sunday, I bundled up and faced the cold for my long run this week. I did 9.5 miles at an overall 7:32/mile pace. (I always count my week of running from Monday - Sunday just fyi). I always check the temperature before leaving for my run so that I know how bundled up I need to get. Even though the temperature was 26 degrees, it felt like 15! I always dress for the "feels like" temperature, otherewise that wind will get ya. I have never been one to run outside when it's cold, and I've never ran in temperatures as low as these. It's tough finding the motivation to get out in the cold by myself, so getting out there really makes me feel pretty accomplished.
I normally work from 10am - 7pm every day. Most days I stay after work to run on the treadmill, since I don't have my own, I don't have a gym membership anywhere, and I don't like running in the cold. Well, one day last week, after I was done running on the treadmill, I got on the floor to do some ab stuff. While I was on the floor, I spotted a DEAD MOUSE!!! I was so grossed out.
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| ew ew ew ew |
On Sunday, I bundled up and faced the cold for my long run this week. I did 9.5 miles at an overall 7:32/mile pace. (I always count my week of running from Monday - Sunday just fyi). I always check the temperature before leaving for my run so that I know how bundled up I need to get. Even though the temperature was 26 degrees, it felt like 15! I always dress for the "feels like" temperature, otherewise that wind will get ya. I have never been one to run outside when it's cold, and I've never ran in temperatures as low as these. It's tough finding the motivation to get out in the cold by myself, so getting out there really makes me feel pretty accomplished.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
on edge
The senior athletic training staff really make me hate my job. I don't know how much longer I can stand it. I'm so on edge at work every day, it's ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I love the athletes I work with and the coaches too and I like what I do...I just can't stand the senior staff.
I go into work knowing that at some point during the day, one of the senior staff is going to tell me how to do my job or tell me that I'm not doing my job right. I don't know how much longer I can take it.
I want you to know how ridiculous the senior staff are where I work, so here is something that has happened recently. In almost every state, to practice athletic training certification and licensure is required. In Maryland, required certification will take effect in the fall of 2011. I'm scheduled to take the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification exam in Feb. As soon as I found out which day I was going to take the exam, I told the senior staff (which was like a month in advance). I received an email saying, "Fortunately there is not much going on that day. I would suggest for the future that you discuss items such as this before registering as it is possible you would have to work and therefore lose the money you paid to take the exam." Because I am practicing athletic training right now and I'm not currently certified, the senior staff should have a priority of me passing.
I seriously don't know how much longer I can take it. The stress of being on edge all the time at work is frustrating, exhausting, and just aweful. The only relief I get is through my running when I get to run it all off.
I go into work knowing that at some point during the day, one of the senior staff is going to tell me how to do my job or tell me that I'm not doing my job right. I don't know how much longer I can take it.
I want you to know how ridiculous the senior staff are where I work, so here is something that has happened recently. In almost every state, to practice athletic training certification and licensure is required. In Maryland, required certification will take effect in the fall of 2011. I'm scheduled to take the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification exam in Feb. As soon as I found out which day I was going to take the exam, I told the senior staff (which was like a month in advance). I received an email saying, "Fortunately there is not much going on that day. I would suggest for the future that you discuss items such as this before registering as it is possible you would have to work and therefore lose the money you paid to take the exam." Because I am practicing athletic training right now and I'm not currently certified, the senior staff should have a priority of me passing.
I seriously don't know how much longer I can take it. The stress of being on edge all the time at work is frustrating, exhausting, and just aweful. The only relief I get is through my running when I get to run it all off.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Visitor
This weekend, my boyfriend came and visited me in Baltimore! He had a 3-day weekend thanks to MLK day, but I still had to work. I had to work on Saturday and Sunday, but had MLK day off. On Saturday, I had to work a swim meet. On Sunday, I had to help work a basketball game. Lucky for me, he got to come with me to work (he helped out too).
Other than work, we ran a long run together on Saturday, went out for sushi on Sunday, and did a track workout on Monday morning. Saturday for our long run, we ran 10 miles. The 10 mile run was really nice. It was above 30 degrees, sunny, and not very windy. On the other hand, the track workout was not so nice. It was about 23 degrees, gloomy, the wind chill made it feel like 15 degrees, and the track we ran on was still partly covered in snow and ice.
It was probably a little dangerous to be running on the track, but we did alright. Our times were a little slower, but we didn't fall. The track is at a high school about 2 miles from where I live, so we ran there as a warm-up and ran back to the house as a cool-down. For the workout, we did 3x1600m (1 mile) repeats with an 800m (.5 mile) jog between them, so the workout was a total of 4 miles. Total, we did 8 miles.
Other than work, we ran a long run together on Saturday, went out for sushi on Sunday, and did a track workout on Monday morning. Saturday for our long run, we ran 10 miles. The 10 mile run was really nice. It was above 30 degrees, sunny, and not very windy. On the other hand, the track workout was not so nice. It was about 23 degrees, gloomy, the wind chill made it feel like 15 degrees, and the track we ran on was still partly covered in snow and ice.
It was probably a little dangerous to be running on the track, but we did alright. Our times were a little slower, but we didn't fall. The track is at a high school about 2 miles from where I live, so we ran there as a warm-up and ran back to the house as a cool-down. For the workout, we did 3x1600m (1 mile) repeats with an 800m (.5 mile) jog between them, so the workout was a total of 4 miles. Total, we did 8 miles.
It was so wonderful having my boyfriend here to run with this weekend. Track workouts and long runs are the worst to do by yourself (especially when it's cold), but lucky for me I got to do both with him. He's definitely my favorite training buddy.
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| running together in Feb 2010 |
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
just do it
A year and 2 days ago, I ran my first marathon. Before I registered for the marathon, I never really thought that I would ever run one and I never really thought I could actually do it. 26.2 miles is a REALLY long distance to run. I had always thought that people who wanted to run a marathon were crazy, that there was something wrong with them. Well, now I'm one of those crazy people. I've done a marathon, and I plan to do more marathons. I'm already training for Boston and I want to do NYC too.
The reason I decided to do a marathon was my boyfriend. Well, it was before we started dating. He had always wanted to do one, but the thought of it scared him. I kind of pushed him to register saying that I would register for him if I had to. In the end, it was sort of a compromise, that if he registered, I would register. In the end, the marathon was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
Now, I think that with the proper training (and motivation), anybody could do a marathon. People are just too scared to try because it is a REALLY long distance and it's daunting. But seriously, if the people on "The Biggest Loser" can run a marathon, you can do it too. The best way to do a marathon, especially if you're scared or nervous about it, is to do it with a friend. You can train together, keep each other motivated, keep each other accountable, and share the experience.
After running a marathon, you feel this great sense of accomplishment, the experience of a lifetime. You just completed one of the hardest things you'll ever do. You feel like you can do anything. I still feel like I can do anything. When I'm in a tough situation and I feel like I can't do something, I think to myself, "You've ran a marathon. This isn't as hard as that was."
The reason I decided to do a marathon was my boyfriend. Well, it was before we started dating. He had always wanted to do one, but the thought of it scared him. I kind of pushed him to register saying that I would register for him if I had to. In the end, it was sort of a compromise, that if he registered, I would register. In the end, the marathon was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
Now, I think that with the proper training (and motivation), anybody could do a marathon. People are just too scared to try because it is a REALLY long distance and it's daunting. But seriously, if the people on "The Biggest Loser" can run a marathon, you can do it too. The best way to do a marathon, especially if you're scared or nervous about it, is to do it with a friend. You can train together, keep each other motivated, keep each other accountable, and share the experience.
After running a marathon, you feel this great sense of accomplishment, the experience of a lifetime. You just completed one of the hardest things you'll ever do. You feel like you can do anything. I still feel like I can do anything. When I'm in a tough situation and I feel like I can't do something, I think to myself, "You've ran a marathon. This isn't as hard as that was."
If you've always wanted to run a marathon or a half marathon or even a 5k but you don't think you can...you can. Stop worrying about it and just do it. Don't let your fears keep you from doing it because you could end up missing an experience of a lifetime. Good luck with your upcoming races! Go kick some butt!
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| my boyfriend and I with our awards after finishing our first marathon! |
Saturday, January 8, 2011
what do you think?
Over the years of my running, many people have asked me, "What do you think about when you're running?" The people who ask me and other runners this question, are not runners. They first ask why we run so much, and then ask what we think about when we're running. Truth is, it's different for every runner....what we think about that is.
For me personally, what I think about on my runs depends on several things. But I'm going to make this short and simple. I think about my job....a lot. Mainly because I hatemy job my bosses. They really like to make my life and the lives of my co-workers aweful because they expect TOO MUCH of us. I'm not going to go into any more detail, but just know that it's aweful. I like to make up different scenarios sometimes. For example, I saw a guy climbing off a roof onto a ladder and it looked really unsafe, so I made up a scenario about what I would do if I saw him fall off. I think about the workout I'm doing. If it's a speed workout, I think about changing it and making it easier. Then I have to tell myself that I'm going to stick to the workout I had originally planned. If I see other people running, I'll try to catch up to them and pass them. It's kind of like a mini-race except the other person doesn't know we're racing. Sometimes, I don't think anything, and I just zone out.
I think about safety A LOT especially since I do most of my runs by my lonesome. I don't like running by myself in the dark, and I avoid it as much as I can. If I do run in the dark, I have a reflective vest that I wear. I always try to let people know when I'm going to be running. I never run with music. When I run outside, I like to be able to hear if something is coming toward me whether it be a car, human, or animal. Running in NC, most of my runs are on country roads where there is no sidewalk, so it's important to me to be able to hear when a vehicle is coming.
I always try to wear my Road ID whenever I run because I never carry my cell phone or anything on me when I run. If you don't know what a Road ID is, it's an item that has emergency information in case you get hurt. Mine is a bracelet, but there are other ones like one you have put on your shoe or an anklet. Mine has my name, where I'm from, my birth year, 3 people with phone #s to contact, and a short mantra.
What do you think about when you run?
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| my thinking face... |
For me personally, what I think about on my runs depends on several things. But I'm going to make this short and simple. I think about my job....a lot. Mainly because I hate
I think about safety A LOT especially since I do most of my runs by my lonesome. I don't like running by myself in the dark, and I avoid it as much as I can. If I do run in the dark, I have a reflective vest that I wear. I always try to let people know when I'm going to be running. I never run with music. When I run outside, I like to be able to hear if something is coming toward me whether it be a car, human, or animal. Running in NC, most of my runs are on country roads where there is no sidewalk, so it's important to me to be able to hear when a vehicle is coming.
I always try to wear my Road ID whenever I run because I never carry my cell phone or anything on me when I run. If you don't know what a Road ID is, it's an item that has emergency information in case you get hurt. Mine is a bracelet, but there are other ones like one you have put on your shoe or an anklet. Mine has my name, where I'm from, my birth year, 3 people with phone #s to contact, and a short mantra.
What do you think about when you run?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
dusty running shoes
I'm so lucky to have been able to come home for a full 4 weeks for the holidays! I didn't ask for that much time for the holidays or anything, but I'm so glad I got it. Spending time with friends, family, and other loved ones has been fantastic! Unfortunately for my running, coming home has really taken a toll on it. Before coming home, I was running about 30-40 miles per week. Since being home, I've been doing less than 15 miles per week. My running shoes might as well have been collecting dust.
I'm definitely ready to dust off my running shoes and hit the roads in Maryland again. It's time to start gearing up my training for the BOSTON MARATHON!! There are less than 15 weeks until Boston. If I don't start my training for Boston soon, there will be little hope of meeting my time goal for the marathon.
Fortunately for me, I have not lost much of the fitness I built up this past summer/fall, despite my lack of running this holiday season. By running at least a little bit each week, I've been able to maintain most of my fitness.
Monday is going to be the day that I really start my Boston training. I'll have 14 weeks to get my butt ready to run the 26.2 mile distance and reach my time goal of 3:20:00 (which is 15 min faster than my first marathon). I like to use Runner's World's smartcoach tool to help me plan my marathon training. I always tweak it to make it work for me, but it's a good tool to use. And Runner's World is a good resource in general.
So dust off those running shoes and let's get going. Ready, set, GO!!!
I'm definitely ready to dust off my running shoes and hit the roads in Maryland again. It's time to start gearing up my training for the BOSTON MARATHON!! There are less than 15 weeks until Boston. If I don't start my training for Boston soon, there will be little hope of meeting my time goal for the marathon.
Fortunately for me, I have not lost much of the fitness I built up this past summer/fall, despite my lack of running this holiday season. By running at least a little bit each week, I've been able to maintain most of my fitness.
Monday is going to be the day that I really start my Boston training. I'll have 14 weeks to get my butt ready to run the 26.2 mile distance and reach my time goal of 3:20:00 (which is 15 min faster than my first marathon). I like to use Runner's World's smartcoach tool to help me plan my marathon training. I always tweak it to make it work for me, but it's a good tool to use. And Runner's World is a good resource in general.
So dust off those running shoes and let's get going. Ready, set, GO!!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
It's a new year!
Happy New Year!! 2010 is over and 2011 is here!! It's is going to bring new challenges, lessons, memories, and so much more....just like any other year. The wonderful thing about New Years is that we look back at the year that was, and we look forward to the year that is just starting. We plan things and resolve to do better or do differently, but the New Year is always full of mystery. You never really know what it will bring.
Every year at New Years, I make a list of the things that I want to do during that year, kind of like a bucket list for that year. For my 2010 list, I had 16 things on my list. Out of the 16 things, I accomplished 10 of them (some things on my list I never got the chance to do).
I say that 2010 was a pretty great year. I accomplished a lot, learned a lot, and grew up a bit. I graduated from college, ran a marathon, qualified for the Boston marathon, got a jobby-job, moved to MD, and applied and got accepted to graduate school. I learned that I suck at keeping in touch with people (sorry), that I train/run really well by myself (but I still enjoy the company of others), that athletic training isn't really for me, that "no road is long with good company," and that not all family members will support you in your choices/decisions or what you do (the family members that do support you are the ones who matter).
My list of things to do in 2011
I'm looking forward to what this year will bring, and I wish everyone the best in this new year!
Every year at New Years, I make a list of the things that I want to do during that year, kind of like a bucket list for that year. For my 2010 list, I had 16 things on my list. Out of the 16 things, I accomplished 10 of them (some things on my list I never got the chance to do).
I say that 2010 was a pretty great year. I accomplished a lot, learned a lot, and grew up a bit. I graduated from college, ran a marathon, qualified for the Boston marathon, got a jobby-job, moved to MD, and applied and got accepted to graduate school. I learned that I suck at keeping in touch with people (sorry), that I train/run really well by myself (but I still enjoy the company of others), that athletic training isn't really for me, that "no road is long with good company," and that not all family members will support you in your choices/decisions or what you do (the family members that do support you are the ones who matter).
My list of things to do in 2011
- Pass the Board Of Certification exam
- move back to NC
- run 3:20:00 at the Boston Marathon
- Qualify for the NYC marathon (and hopefully run in it)
- go to the beach
- go to the mountains
- get a better job
- pay off my student loan
- save money
- go to grad school
- keep in touch with people better
I'm looking forward to what this year will bring, and I wish everyone the best in this new year!
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