Running on a sick day.

It is hard sometimes to get yourself to just move. During the summer it didn’t matter what time of day I went because I had no early morning school things. When is it smart to go out and run and when is it smart to stay at home and rest when you aren’t feeling well is still something I am trying to figure out. While writing this blog I feel crummy.  Sometimes this feeling is cured by pushing the boundaries you have set on yourself and showing what you are able to do. I think with time it is something you learn. Either through first hand experience or from something you read. One way of finding out whether or not your body is in the mood for a strenuous work out is by checking your heart rate. I normally only do this on track work out days but by doing it there i have learned how to relate it to my other runs. What I do is after running 800’s I stop and count my heart rate for ten seconds with the first beat being when you start counting. When you have your number, which changes for each person, you want to do a light jog/walk and then count your heart rate again. If your heart rate is not going back to where it should be, which is a little different for each person. I then run a few more 800’s and do it again. If it just doesn’t look like or feel like my body is recovering I cut my work out short and just cool down and go home in the hopes that tomorrow I will feel better. Today, however, I know I should just rest. 

The weather beat me...

I was not ready for that dry heat! I ended up running only a few days in the last week and not nearly as far. I think what really got me was the fact that I was not allowed to run to far away so I had to go back and forth on the same part of the beach or run on the evil thing named a tread mill.. I guess no one here would know my hatred for these things. I don't feel free or relaxed in side on a machine. Running helps you get away from the things that remind yourself of day to day life but on the clunking metal things one cant help but feel constantly reminded.  Before I said I wanted to explore Mexico in my running shoes but I was informed that it was unsafe to go far or at night (my favorite time of day to run normally). Next time I travel and run I think i might check in advance where to run and how safe it is.

Yay for laziness and sunburns. Time for running in the wet darkness or P-town!

Well I am heading to mexico!

I am off to explore what it is like in Mexico. I hope to run a long ways down the beach and and explore mexico in my running shoes! Wish me luck in the 89 degree weather! All you Portlanders and keep your snow because I get the sand!  :D

P.S. I get back in just over a week. That when my next post will be.

Three days of rest

has now turned in to 5. I have done a few short runs but I nothing as hard as the half marathon. I am feeling great! I am still proud of my self. This is something I hope every person gets a chance to experiance in their life. It is fantastic. I have decided I want some more friends of mine to love running like I do so i have started taking my friend out to the track a few days a week to get him in to running shape.

So when meeting with my couch yesterday he asked what I planned on doing next? Did I want to stay where I was out and train to do another half marathon or would I like to do something else? I had one answer I want to run a FULL Marathon before I go off to college. I know this will not really help me in my senior project but I really love what i am doing. Jordia has put something in my mind that just seems to not go away. When my old running coach did two marathons in two weeks it has stuck with me and I want to follow in her foot steps...

I will soon start my training again. My days of easy running will be coming to an end and that somewhat scary thought of running 26.2 miles is on the horizon!

I RAN A HALF MARATHON

OK, so I finally did a hardcore running event! I ran the Columbia Gorge Half Marathon (http://www.columbiagorgemarathon.com) I never thought I would get to this point! I still remember that days when running 3 miles was crazy hard! Now I have done 13.1 miles in an 1 hour and 35 min! That is an average of 7:35 mile time. this is hard. I know I was pushing my self because when I was done I just wanted to fall down and not move for hours! Beware of the runners high! I was a victim almost I would not stop talking and I was ready to keep going and not stopping! Then on the drive home I passed out and slept all the way back. I am glad I did not drive myself to the scenic gorge or I might not be typing this now.
One thing I must think of what is it that I want to do next? When you reach your goal do you stop or do you try and reach a whole new level? This is something I must now consider.

Video of me: I am in the bright yellow jacket.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1564851453375

Tell next time!