vonknitta » running

No running for a bit.

beccalou — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:16:54 +0000

This weekend we had a long run on Sunday. I was really looking forward to it. And about 2/ 2 1/2 miles into our 10 mile run, I had some serious knee pain. I tried to walk it out and massage it out. But nothing worked. So today I went to the doctor. It turns out that I’ve got what’s known as patellofemoral syndrome. Which means that I need to do some rehab on it. I’ve got a few exercises to do to strengthen the muscles around the knee. But this means that I can’t do the race. I was real upset yesterday. Not because I was going to have to pull out of the race, but because I was actually enjoying running. It was like therapy but without having to pay at the end of the hour. Running helps me clear my head. It also helps me sleep. I’ve never slept better. So now I’ll be switching back to more swimming and less running for the next 6 weeks.

At the end of the 6 weeks, I think I’ll definitely be signing up for a barefoot running clinic. I know it’s not the shoes that screwed up my knee, but it would be nice to start fresh and incorporate a little barefoot running into my training. I guess I’ll have to pick another half marathon sometime in the future. Maybe I can find one that’s super cheap and has absolutely no hills

I guess that this leaves more time for NaNoWriMo. So far I’m at 14k words. It’s going pretty well. I’m hoping that I don’t burn out. I’ve been writing about 1900 words a night.

Excuse me I just fartlek'ed

beccalou — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:56:43 +0000

Tonight at training we did a little fartlek training. Fartlek, while fun to say (and allows for several unbelievably bad jokes and puns) is a type of training where you vary the pace significantly during your workout. So for us it was, we’d sprint or run hard for half a lap and then take it easy on the second half of the lap. We did this around 10 to 15 laps. I lost count so it could have been less. I’ve been taking it easy because my knee has been feeling a bit stiff. And we did all this in nasty weather. It was super windy and raining so bad it hurt. When we were getting ready to finish up, we saw this huge blueish green light that we all assumed that it was lightning. It wasn’t. After the flash, we looked around and the entire area around us was dark. It was a transformer that blew. And it didn’t just blow once it flashed 3 times. We were at the Seattle Pacific University track. So that meant that all those colleges kids that were diligently writing term papers, probably lost it all. At that point I was happy I wasn’t them…

Tonight I’m taking a break from NaNoWriMo. In four days I’ve written 7871 words so far.

And as for Where in the World is Winnie, I’m going to have to say she headed to Mexico City first and then from there she headed to Antofagasta, Chile and after that she took off to somewhere in Brazil… But I don’t know where yet…

Excuse me I just fartlek’ed

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:47 +0000

Tonight I’m taking a break from NaNoWriMo. In four days I’ve written 7871 words so far.

11 miles… check

beccalou — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:38:20 +0000

Today was our long run day. We started with a quick 15 minute fitness assessment. We had to run around the track at our normal run pace. At the end of 15 minutes we recorded the number of laps we had. I had gone 5 laps ( 1 1/4 miles). Then it was off for our 9 3/4 mile run. I started strong and felt great. By the time I got to around the 5 or 6 mile mark, I was starting to ache. So I ended up doing a fair amount of run/walking for the last 3 miles or so. But I finished it. I did it in about 2 hours. So not bad for someone who doesn’t like to run.

I’m a little worried about my knee. It’s a bit stiff and achy. I took some advil and I hope that will calm it down at bit. After all that pain, I really want to try some barefoot running and see if that helps. I would definitely use it in my training. I don’t know if I’ll ever run a full race barefoot, but I think you need to try everything out to see what works for you. It can’t be all that bad if the NY Times is writing about it…

11 miles… check

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:39:19 +0000

Wow!

beccalou — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:35:33 +0000

I went to see Caballo Blanco speak at the Seattle Running Company. He was going to do a run with the group but he couldn’t as he was running a few weeks before and cut his foot open. It didn’t start off well.

First, the guy who lead the run, just said, “Ok let’s go.” and he was off. I know I’m not the fastest runner around and I would have happily done the run at my own pace if I knew the route. As far as I could tell, he never told us what the route was. He just took off. And by took off, he was not stopping for red lights and dodging in and out of traffic, with a group of 20 or more people following him. How is that ok? If something was to happen to one of the runners, Seattle Running Company would have been at fault. By about 7 blocks of this, I was left behind. I felt angry and disappointed. Apparently these runs are a part of their Seattle Running Club and you need to have a pace of between an 8 -10 minute mile. This would have been great information to have posted with the information about the run with Caballo Blanco. Had I known that information, I would have done my own run before and then gone to the presentation. It was also not a very inviting group. I felt like an ass for even trying to join in on their run. I have issues with the attitude that Capitol Hill has. It’s that “I’m hipper than you, and you should be thanking me for even faking not paying attention to you. Why are you here anyways?” attitude. I apologize hipster. I’m sorry I’m not as cool as you. My credit card isn’t maxed out with skinny jeans and several pairs of oversized sunglasses. So, you’re right, I’m not as cool as you. I don’t have to wear a name tag at my job. I won’t be shopping at Seattle Running Club.

So when I got back to Seattle Running Company I was fuming. I ended up running around Capitol Hill on my own. Which, by the way, I had way better company than I would have if I actually went on the run with them. I sat down and as soon as Caballo Blanco started to talk, it was really hard to continue to be angry. He talked about the race, he talked about the book, he talked about how he has been keeping the race going and all the things that he has been trying to do for the tarahumara. Barefoot Ted was also there. He hung out towards the back. I get the feeling he was there to support his friend not take some of the spotlight. I will definitely take a lesson or two from Ted.

Caballo Blanco then answered questions from the group. One guy asked how he gets his caloric intake for his runs. Another guy asked about pinole. Someone else asked about what he runs in and what shoes he prefers. One guy was curious about the race. I believe he was asking because he was thinking about running it. I would love to just go there to be apart of the race. I don’t want to run it. At least I don’t think I want to run it…

Wow!

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:35:01 +0000

7.5 miles – check

beccalou — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:13:21 +0000

I never thought I would be able to get past the 5k mark. But I did. I’m up to 7.5 mile! I did it in roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes. So that’s a 13:30 a mile. I’d like to get that down to an 11 or 10 minute mile once I get into the groove. But for now, I’m thrilled with that time. Here’s a link to the map and elevation of our run.

And I also found out that Barefoot Ted, who was featured in Born to Run, is local and gives instruction for barefoot running! I may have to take his intro course at some point. Perhaps at the beginning of November. After the 5 mile I could feel my knees start to ache. I feel like it was because I had been doing 2 miles of a downhill run. So I’m hoping he has some ideas on how to help that.

7.5 miles – check

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:12:59 +0000

Oh running, I never thought I'd like you

beccalou — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:52:02 +0000

I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually starting to like running. Today I did a 3 mile run,came home and took a shower and then headed out to run some errands On the way back I thought about taking another run. But I decided against it since we have a 7.5 mile run tomorrow morning.

I now want to really get my hands on those Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I think the gym would frown on my kicking off my sneakers and running on the treadmill. By the by – why is is that a big athletic, health conscience city like Seattle can only get these shoes at one place – REI. And my parents, who live in upstate NY can choose from a few places. For instance Fleet Feet over on Wolf Rd? Or perhaps you’re heading to camp to see the leaves change colors, you could check out Lake George Kayak in Bolton or Sacandaga Outdoor Center in Hadley. WTF? All I’ve got is REI and a long drive to Bellingham!

Along with the new found “like” of running, I decided to try a new recipe. Actually it was one that I kinda made up on the spot. Fueled by the need for more protein in my diet, I made some homemade guacamole (avocados, fresh cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, jalapeno pepper, tomato) and cooked up some – mom this is the part that will make you gag – pinto beans. Then I mixed it together and threw it all on a tortilla. It was pretty darn good and rather filling.

I suppose I should get ready for bed. I’ve got a long run tomorrow. Not to mention, it’s suppose to rain. Odd… it never rains in Seattle