Running On...My Quest for C2FM

Thank goodness - let's move on to a new month, shall we? J

It's Bell Let's Talk Day - a day dedicated to bringing mental illness out of the shadows and facing it head on instead of hiding it away in shame. A day for all to realize mental illness is not 'all in your head' and to treat it the same as if someone had cancer or MS. It may not be real to those looking in, but to those living with... It was not a good day for me (apropos for a day dedicated to mental illness). January has not been a good month. I refer to my 'depression' (and I use quotes because I've never been diagnosed) as 'The Dark Clouds'. I believe it was Winston Churchill that compared his mental health to a black dog (although a quick Google search suggests he was quoting someone else and he was not depressed - only 'down' once in a while). And there in lies the issue. 'Down' once in a while - not depressed. What is the difference? The author also suggest that Churchill only mentioned the black dog once. Again, is that n...

Had a little problem with my watch yesterday - my carefully crafted workout (and the witty notes I left for myself) did not load and I was left scrambling. Or should I say doing #runnersmath! I wanted to do a 2 mile non-stop with speed sections (30s at the end of every mile). Falling back on a previous workout I had on the watch, I was able to keep tabs on the time/mileage in order to do those 30s speedy intervals. But I wasn't happy. That got me thinking that I rely on my watch too much. A couple of years ago I ditched the watch. I've run this neck of the woods so often, I know my mile markers by heart. So, I just ran. No watch keeping tabs on miles. No watch to let me know how fast (or slow, as the case may be) I was. No watch! And it was liberating. I loved it. Yet here I am - years later and a brand new watch to boot. Greedily soaking up all the data that little piece of technology can offer after my runs (hell, I've even done it with some of my walks with Zoe). I l...

This is so true as of late: Running is nothing more than a series of arguments between the part of your brai n that wants to stop and the part that wants to keep going.  — Unknown Planned Run = 2/1 x 10 - Actual Run = 2M non-stop with 30s speed section at the end of every mile - Leg Routine Push-up/Plank Challenge - Day 8 (10/45)

THIS - A gift from my nephew and his fab family - I sorted through my bibs to find one with my name to go on the top so it looks like Terry Fox is talking directly to me. I hung it in my bedroom, in the exercise corner, so I can see it while running on my treadmill: Pretty awesome! As for today's run: the planned 2/1s got the boot as I decided to do an nice and easy non-stop outside (as the weather was lovely). The plan was 2 miles at least and then walk/run the rest of the way if necessary. Ended up doing a 3 mile non-stop. Working at effortless and there were some moments where it did feel effortless. Yay! J Planned run = 15 x 2/1s; Actual run = 3M non-stop (walked home for 3.8M total) Push-up/Plank Challenge - 7/40 (feeling it in my pecs)

Beautiful day out there, so planned an outside run. 2/1s x 10 - in my head: I've go this! Well, I kind of miscounted (yes, the Garmin was working, but I was counting in my head, too) and ended up finishing an interval only to look down at my watch and realize I had another interval to go. What? Grrr! Two choices: Oh, well - so I only do 9, no big deal. Come on, Janet - find the #grit and get that last one done. I am proud to report that I broke into a run at that vibration on my wrist and got that last interval done!!! Ended up being a pretty good run. J Planned run  = 10 x 2/1 - Actual run = 10 x 2/1; leg routine done Push-up/Plank Challenge - Day 5 = 7/40!

It's no secret that muscles burn calories...it's also no secret that muscles help you run better. Most training programs for runners deal with the runs - with a mention or two of cross-training, but nothing specific. It's all about the run! For years I have been working on and off with weights knowing that having more muscle mass burns more calories at rest (allowing for the all important wine consumption ;) And every time I've taken on a training program, I try to incorporate strength training into the mix. This is not an easy task as one tries to figure out the rest days, run days, cross-training days, arm days, leg days...I probably overthink it! This go around, I've decided to keep it simple. I figure I'm getting a good leg workout on run days (but I do add in squats, calf raises and bridges when I get home, before stretching). To get a good arm workout, I look at my off days...and again, keep it simple. There's a great article that touts that upper ...

It's been mentioned (and is no secret) that I am a stats/number person (should have been an accountant...or a bookie). So when I was looking at possibly running a marathon as my ultimate goal, I started looking at numbers. OK, before we go any further - yes, I know I shouldn't be looking at time for a first marathon! Where were we? Ultimately (again), the marathon goal would be between 5:30:00 and 6:00:00. This is doable as all of my half marathons were around the 2:40:00 mark and they all started off with good intentions (training-wise), but the final push was, shall we say, lackluster (yes, we shall say lackluster - better than saying the final push was shite). Now, with that time frame in mind I can use some awesome Internet resources to show that I only have to keep my run/walk combined time at 13:00m/mile pace. Seeing as how I am not a fast runner and I don't want to overwhelm myself, I feel that a combined 13:00m/M pace is doable - and that is what I am striving...

If you've been reading along, you know I am low on motivation right now (seem to be turning around, though - feeling optimistic ;) Over the past couple of weeks, I've been searching for motivation on line ('cause, really, where else am I going to find it?). There were bits here and there - nothing that jumped out at me or gave me that 'aha' moment. Basically, they weren't motivational! But last week when I went to the library to drop off some books (don't you love the library - really, I could spend my entire day there), I decided to check the running section. Yes, I have the Dewey Decimal code for running books memorized - or at least the exact location in our library - don't judge me. Now, I really didn't expect to find anything as I have read almost all the books our library has on running (nothing found yet that would do the actual running for me) and am in the process of bringing stuff in via inter-library loans. Imagine my surprise when there...

Growth is a spiral process, doubling back on itself, reassessing and regrouping. ~ Julia Margaret Cameron (Planned run = 10x2/1@5.0...Actual run (speed segments) = 4x2/1@5.0, 2x1/1@6, 4x2/1@5) (Push-up/Plank Challenge - 5/30)

I'm thinking of changing my 2019 Word of the Year*...I mean, it's only 20 days in, not too late. Right? Not to worry - #grit is still written in blue on my whiteboard. #grit is still my Word of the Year - just off to a slow start is all. But seriously, 'get your shit together' has become the catch phrase around here for the past couple of weeks (#gyst). Let's recap: Dec. 18 - kinked my neck badly, couldn't move = no running (this would be the ultimate fall off the wagon...not to worry, I've fallen off the wagon so many times it's ridiculous) Dec. 22 - bad news from work (such that I wasn't sure I'd have work come Dec. 24 OR if that work would take me into January...let's not forget the worry that I wasn't going to get paid) = instant stress Dec. 23 - Jan 01 - the neck issues lasted a week, the stress even longer, the promise of a new year and 'why the hell would I start something anew when a new year was right around the corne...

It was not a good day for me mentally. As I prepared to walk Zoe, I had a moment when I just could do nothing be drop to my knees, cover my face with my hands and scream as loud as I could. I may have scared Zoe. It felt good, though. Once I was done screaming, I was up and about my business. Maybe I need to do that every now and then - clear the cobwebs, release the tension. I know many people use running to ease their mental angst. I haven't got to that point yet - maybe one day I will be able to lace up the runners and clear my head while pounding that pavement. Today was not that day. Today was about screaming. How do you release the tension? J

One of the reasons I used 'quest' in the name of my blog is to remind myself that this is a journey - one that will have lots of ups and downs - one that will require me to step back, regroup, if necessary. The actual blog URL is 'doggedlypersistent'. So, with that in mind... Regrouping. And here's a quote to help me on my quest of dogged persistence: Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.   - Rick Warren J

...or demands may be a better word. Brenda has 'demanded' I commit to at least a short run tomorrow - to 'get back on track'. It needs to be done. I need to stop obsessing about things out of my control and get back to dealing with those things I can carry out. Thanks, Brenda :) On a positive note, I am moving. Today was a total of 4.7 miles with Zoe...morning walk around the 'hood, afternoon walk braving the wild wind on Crescent beach (it was really, really cold - no wonder we were the only ones on the beach). J

Must.Get.It.Together. K - another day of nothingness. I did walk Zoe twice, so am getting some exercise and fresh air. And because 'they' say a rest is a must if your resting heart rate changes drastically, I'm going with that excuse. My watch indicates my resting heart rate is 5 points over where it normally is (who knew a watch would suggest no running?). I am taking that as a sign that I need to take a break. Did I mention that I really must get it together? What's the saying? This too shall pass? And it will. J

...but a nap. Remember last week when I manned up because of stress ? Nope, today required a lunch of fried peroghies (in butter) with bacon and onion and then a full on hour nap. I.will.not.apologize. J

I could have used Running on - Dislike, but I thought that was rather strong.  Some days, though... You know those runners? All about the LOVE. Loving every run. Excited beyond belief at getting out the door (no matter the weather or time) to run 5, 8, 10+ miles. And good for them, but... They really make it hard for a beginner (or even a 'been running on and off for years') runner because there has never been a moment I have felt that kind of love for running! I would never get up before my alarm because I was excited about the scheduled run (and would most likely hit the snooze button the requisite number of times as per usual...3, if anyone wants to know). I have never looked out the window and fist-pumped at the sight of snow and ice because I get to wear my winter running tights and brand new running toque. Now, don't get me wrong. I have had some good runs. I am even guilty of using #awesome on Twitter after a run. But before the actual run? This is what it usua...

This will not be the only post about nutrition as I move forward with this endeavor - a topic that intrigues me at the same time it scares me (so much information out there - who to trust, who to believe). I'll try to tackle all my questions and discoveries as they arise, but today is about the big change in my diet. I have been tired for a very long time (that age when sleep quality is not the best), but not enough that I can't function day to day. I exercise, I never nap, and I don't fall asleep on the couch at night. In my head, I was fine. Just fine. Well, about a month ago I noticed that my fingernails were paler (paler than usual) and incredibly brittle. And my skin was paler (paler than usual). Now, to be clear - I am not a doctor, but I play one on the Internet... My research suggested possibly an iron deficiency. Maybe even calcium. Then I started really looking at what I was eating and drinking. Hmmm...seems my iron intake is rather low (I had stopped eating c...

Back at the four week mark of this crazy adventure, I wrote about a benchmark run I had planned on doing every 4 weeks to check on improvements. I liken it to the parkruns that take place all over Britain every Saturday (and are starting to catch on here - https://www.parkrun.ca/events/) - a simple 5K run to get out there and enjoy the fresh air. A lot of people use the parkruns as benchmarks, and you can sign up and your chip time is recorded so you can see how you're doing. I love the idea, but there are no parkruns around here. But...I plan on having my own little parkrun. It was to be every 4 weeks. Sadly, the Saturday of Week #8 saw me laid up with a very bad kink in my neck and running was on hold. Life will throw you curve balls - it's how you handle them that counts. I simply moved my parkrun/benchmark to today. Week #10. And I took 40s off the previous 5K time. This is with a 3 minute walk thrown in after I managed 33 minutes non-stop (I just had to walk - I had a...

"That's all you have to do." As I stated yesterday, I got on the spin bike with the promise to do 10 minutes and then, if I felt like it, I could quit and have that nap. Usually, all I have to do is get started and the workout gets done. If I don't start, well... Today, after walking Zoe, I had a weight training session scheduled. I didn't want to do it - after a seriously bad night of maybe a couple of hours sleep, I.did.not.want.to.do.it. I got home, fed the dog, changed out of my outdoor shoes and reminded myself that all I had to do was a set of 11 on a few arm exercises. When I looked at it from an 'all I have to do' stand point, that overwhelming feeling diminished and I got to it. "That's all you have to do." is a great mantra to keep the workout in perspective. I'm not running a marathon (yet). I'm not needing to carve out 4 hours in my day. Everything I have scheduled is doable (and as challenging as I wish to make it a...

I usually sleep when stressed. I know, weird, but that's how I roll. Times have been a little stressful here since Dec. 22nd...and the 'little' has morphed into more. Today, after one of many phone calls over the past 2 weeks, I could feel that a choice was going to have to be made. Either go for a nap or do the workout I had planned. You have no idea how much I wanted to go for that nap! But I let the stress of the day...of the last two weeks...fuel my workout. A Brick was scheduled and, with the promise that I could stop after the bike if I wanted to, a Brick was done! It wasn't long (24:30 to be exact) and it wasn't fast, but it took my mind off the issues and gave me some much needed energy to tackle the rest of the day. Seems GRIT will be relevant in more than just one area of my life. J

It's like a new schedule/plan - all shiny with possibilities. That was what today was for me. I was worried about my neck, so I went with the treadmill option as the roads were still icy. But neck or not, I was getting my run done! Opted to scale it back - intervals of 1:30/1:30 @ 5.5mph...and then felt so good at the end, threw in 2 1/1 @ 6mph. It's no secret that I like the treadmill. It feels easier...which is probably because 'they' say it is easier, with the belt doing some of the work for you. It also allows me to workout in the comfort of my own home (aka - warm and cozy versus windchill and cold). I really am a wuss - something I will have to work out if I plan on doing any of the challenge events in Oct. But that's what GRIT is for! Today's 'grit' was to get back on the program, work up a sweat and enjoy the happy endorphins that followed. Check, check and check! J

Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint. - Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth Here we are - and here I am! Radio silence for a bit as I worked through my kinked neck and then some black clouds that descended upon me. I've finally chased them off - and my neck is better (not 100%, but better) - and it's a brand new year! I love the shiny New Year. The empty slate. The vast potential. The endless possibilities. The opportunity to reflect, acknowledge and then move on in the hopes that the lessons learned previously will not have to be repeated (but accepting of the fact that they just might). And I love choosing a new word in the hopes of steering (nudging, suggesting) myself towards being a better person. This year...