last of week four

Last Saturday I ran the last day of week four. It was a quick run, tucked in between trips to the skating rink and an evening out with classmates (party hosted by a professor, more about that in a moment).

I was motivated to get out for the run, but once out found that it was hard going (as usual?). Did manage to run all of the intervals though. Breathing is getting easier now, and easier to focus on as well. Releasing tension in my upper body is getting easier too, and I don't have to think about it as often.

Some interesting results have come about with week four. I can feel changes in my legs, much more firm. The muscles get really tight in my calves when I'm out for the run, which doesn't feel good, but stretching out is nice. When I'm not out running, I can really feel the difference in my thighs. Both of the girls say I've lost weight. I can't see it or feel it, but they do. Mary Grace said she could see it in my face even.

Another benefit is that I'm drinking lots more water, which is good. It was one of my new year's resolutions, and I'm nailing that one! And another benefit which is SO appreciated this time of the semester is sleeping. I'm falling asleep faster and sleeping much better. Typically at the peak of semester stress it takes so long to fall asleep and then dreams wake me up and then I can't get back to sleep.

I think my anxiety is down too - which is another thing that's high at this time of the semester. I'm not snapping at the kids like I would, and the little things aren't freaking me out. Very nice.

Saturday night the girls and I went to a professor's house for a class party - which normally would have been just *one* thing too much and I'd have been all cranky before arriving. Instead we went and had a blast. Stayed too late, but had a great time.

This prof is VERY good at ping pong, and insisted we all play. I didn't want to, but found myself playing a loose (no keeping score) game of pairs. Later, the prof convinced us all to play "Run Around the Table Table Tennis" which is hysterical and hard!

All players run around the table, each hitting the ball as it comes to you when you're at the ends. Now, I can't keep score to save my soul, so I was really lost. They played "Pig" in which each time you lose a point, you get a letter. First person to get "P" gets a pass (no letter) and the first person to get "G" also gets a pass. Finally, I gave up and the prof's wife just told me when to sit down - which was the first time, every time! I laughed so hard - and yes, we told goofy theologian jokes during the game too.

The girls mostly played Rock Band with the prof's sons, and ate yummy desserts. All in all, a great evening. I haven't been out past midnight in I don't know how long!

New shoes

My new shoes (I still can't believe I spent this much on shoes!)

http://www.asicsamerica.com/products/product.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=240008513&TITLE_CATEGORY_ID=250001549

I must admit, I really like them.

Week Four with girls

Have been finishing up my thesis (first draft) so haven't had much time for blogging. But I did get in the runs, will try to catch up about them now.

The new shoes are working out well. Don't even know they are there, and the ankle pain thing is once a week, not once a run now.

Last Thursday the girls came with me for a run. It was a pretty spring day and was good to all be out together. Mary Grace is a sprinter! She's got a nice long stride. We went to the track at the football field as I didn't think I could handle hills with the five minute runs.

Mary Grace got a side stitch and walked most of the track part, raising her arms to help with that pain. Celia did this crazy running back and forth between us thing. She's got the stamina for really long runs.

Upside to running on the track - it's flat, and you don't have to worry about sticks in your path, cars pulling out, or crossing streets. Downside - you don't get to see bulb flowers pushing up out of the dirt, new leaves coming out on the trees, the pretty pond. But the worst downside? Goose poop.

Yep. You read that right. There are TONS of Canada geese around here, and they LOVE the football field and practice field - so there is goose poop all over. Ick! LOL

I managed to run all of the intervals which felt great. Will try to get a picture of the new shoes up later.

sentimental shoes

Let's try adding a photo...

No way of knowing how big or small this is, just a trial run here... lol

blue jays and bubbles

Today I took my new shoes out for the first run of week four. It was hard but had some good moments and one crazy moment.

Week four has two three minute intervals and two five minute intervals. F-I-V-E minutes. Running five whole minutes together. Twice. I wasn’t mentally up for it, but it’s a warm day (upper 50s) and it wasn’t raining, so out I went.

The first three minute interval was good, and I was proud of that. But the first five minute interval ended up mostly uphill. At the halfway mark I had to switch to walking for a bit, but did manage to finish most of that interval running.

I have been reading about distance running training, so I was thinking about my stride which helped keep me going. Thanks to Celia’s tips about breathing and form, I was not as quick to wear out this run.

In the middle of the last five minute run, there was a moment of panic. Aaaaggghhh!! New shoes!!! Is that poop? EWWWW! Avoid the poop!! Don’t step in the poop! These are Really Expensive Shoes! No poop!!

LOL Okay, a crazy thing but seriously, it did freak me out. A little mud, okay. A puddle, okay. But poop? On my pretty new shoes? No way.

And then, up in a tree by the pond, there was a blue jay. The first one I’ve seen this spring. One of my favorite birds, a bright blue and grey, singing in the spring weather. James loves blue jays too, so it felt like a sign that he was with me in spirit, encouraging me like he always does.

With that bit of encouragement, I was able to make it all the way through. Yes, I ran the whole five minute interval! I haven’t run five minutes in a row since about fifth grade. That’s like 1976 or so. Amazing!

On the cool down walk I thought I heard voices coming from a back yard, sounded a bit like a grandfather and little girl. And then over the fence came lots and lots of bubbles, swirling around on the breeze, along with laughter. What a gift of joy!

Pushing past the negative thoughts at the start of this run, I found laughter and joy at the end. Well worth it.