Belly Breathing

I've had a few runs I haven't posted about. Saturday morning I had to get up at 6 a.m. to get a run in, but I did it. Wasn't really a long run or a good run, moreso just to get the blood flowing and tack on run #3 for last week.

I took Sunday off and got in a really strong run on Monday. Tuesday was a bust b/c I was in the car driving to NJ for a funeral. When you wake up at 4:30, there's really no room to wake up "earlier" for a run.

Yesterday I did an evening run on the trail behind my office - which I haven't run on in forever. Did about three miles - all of which sucked. I mean, mile one felt good, but when does it not?

Got another run planned for tonight, hopefully one in the morning, and then two this holiday weekend.

I'm trying this new breathing technique I read about the other day. It's basically yoga breathing, where you fill up your belly and diaphragm with one long slow breath through your nose, and then exhale everything in your lungs while you run. Breathe, repeat.

It takes about three strides on either end of this breath, and it's a vast change from panting. I honestly feel stronger. It just takes some discipline to do. Because when you're powering up a hill all you want to do is take short, quick breaths. So maintaining the slow breathing at this time takes some effort - but it's worth it.

Plus when I run by people and I don't sound like a dying horse, I feel better about myself. And they look less alarmed.

"It's like talking to a wall."

These are words my dear dad has said to me on numerous occasions because sometimes I can be rather...er...stubborn?

I left all my runs for the end of the week yet again - even after I learned my lesson last week. And the week before that.

After like a 4-day hiatus, I got back to it last night and this morning. Last night's run was in the gym, so I took advantage of the pacing function and varied my speeds while watching Bones. Even warmed up and stretched. It's the little things that count, you know? Finished it up with some heavy incline trudging. Then I came home and baked cookies for a family birthday thing this weekend and didn't eat ANY of them. Not a ONE. Count it!

Ran this morning, it was so humid. Finished with some lunges and I think they are working because I'm not sore at all yet. Ask me tomorrow though.

Getting up early to head to Chesapeake and planning on getting up before to run. We will see how it goes.

And with that, I sign off!

There's No Crying in Baseball

Run: 20 minutes
Mood: Self-deprecating

It's mornings like this where I seriously question my ability to run a marathon. When it's a 20 minute run and I'm struggling to finish.

I did it to myself. Went to the Nat's game last night with Em, my dad and my grandpa. Em and I had hot dogs and then nachos. I drank soda. No water in sight.

Paid for it this morning.

But on the up-side, I did stretch really well, and did lunges, sit-ups and push-ups. I guess that helps?

Gonna hit it hard in the morning with a fast 20.

Two more blog posts this week:

Hash Running: http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/hash-running-a-running-club-with-a-drinking-problem/

Homemade Energy Bars: http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/homemade-energy-recipes-to-get-you-going/

Easy Street

It's an easy training week, all 20 minute runs. I've got two under my belt for the week, one solo and one with Scott.

We discovered that my sprint pace is his "normal" pace.

I'm not built for speed, people! I'm built for distance!

Two more to go for the week. I'm spicing it up with some cross training and lunges. My legs are ascreamin' today.

Dos.

Runs: 35 min and 25 min
Mood: Oy, Oy, Oy

It was Thursday evening. I still had three runs to do this week. I'd eaten an insanely heavy dinner. I had just painted my toes. But I had to get a run done.

So I did.

Thanks to Jen's none-too-gentle encouragement: "Stephanie, you have to run. You're training for a MARATHON! Screw the polish, even if it gets messed up you'll know you had your priorities right!"

Off to the gym I went. It was practically empty, and I did my 35 minutes. It was painful, past my bedtime and I wanted to yack because my food wasn't digested, but I did it.

Then I needed to get a run done today. I headed out for my second run in 12 hours this morning. And it went as expected. My body stuttered to a halt at 25 minutes, half-way up a hill. I walked the ten minutes home.

What did we learn? Don't procrastinate and leave your runs to the end of the week.

One more this weekend and then I'll have completed all four. Check!

Photographia

From the Capital Crescent Trail 5K over Memorial Day weekend. Not too hot, not too shabby. ;)

Moot Morning

Time: 35
Distance: 3+
Mood: Moot

It was an ok run this morning. Did the usual route in the usual time. Felt really sluggish at the end. If it's the last five minutes of a run that separates the women from the girls, then I think I was in the teen/young adult area. Eh.

But putting a green check mark on the training calendar felt really good.

No geese this morning, but there were apparently a few jackasses on the road. (I don't have to bleep that out b/c it's an animal. Look it up.)

I'm not sure what day in school they taught little boys that it was a good idea to honk the horns of their Tonka trucks at little girls as they pass, but it's ineffectual. I'm pretty sure I had perfect attendance throughout my developmental years, so I don't think this was ever in any textbook.

Therefore, I have NO IDEA where it started, but it's annoying. Please stop. While I appreciate the enthusiasm, there will never be a day where I'm going to positively respond to the greasy guy hanging out of his truck honking his horn and yelling. Ever.

And another...

The last blog blew up, but this one's not doing as hot. You rock some, you do ok in some. Sunrise, sunset.

http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/its-a-sports-bra-not-a-purse/

Write This Way

Got a side gig writing for an outdoor blog. Here's my first post. Enjoy!

http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/top-5-extreme-races/

Hill-Eater

Run: 35
Mood: Voracious

I'm not a man-eater, but a hill-eater. I reversed part of my route so that I ran up the long hill I usually run down, and it was fantastic. My pace was a wee bit slower, but I trucked on through. Kept cadence and form. It felt fantastic.

Oh, and I also almost got hit by a car. Thank you for stopping, pick-up truck driver.

P.S. The weather this morning was g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s. I actually stopped for a second in shock. There was even a little breeze. Top o' the mornin' to ya, Momma Nature.

Buenos Dias

Time: 35
Distance: 3.34
Mood: Schweaty

The thing that actually got me out of bed this morning was the thought of having to run in the heat this afternoon. Did a little over 3 miles, and felt pretty good. I woke up a little before 5 and drank a glass of water, then downed another before I headed out at 6. Hydration? Check.

Got attacked by a stink bug. And by "attacked" I mean "it landed on me and I freaked out." Actually ran by the geese this morning without stopping. I think we're gaining a mutual respect for one another. Or I just got lucky. Either way, score one for me.

Ran the whole time, and kicked out the last two minutes of the run pretty quickly.

Looks like I'm now a morning runner. I actually don't mind.

May be running the Susan G. Komen 5K this Saturday if my co-worker finds out she can't. Free bib. I'll take it!