Screw Tempo Runs & Chafing

Today was attempt numero dos at an outside Tempo Run. No bueno! (For those that don't speak Spanish, that translates into I suck!)

I was supposed to do a Tempo Run with a 1 mile warm-up & cool-down and 4 miles at 11:30. (For those that are faster than me...don't hate...I'll beat you one day!) However, once again, Tempo = Fartlek for me. I ran my warm-up, which sucked...how can a warm-up suck? I should have just stopped there. But, I'm too dang stubborn to do that and if my calendar says 6 miles, 6 miles is what will be done, one way or another. Unfortunately for me, the latter was true. Mile 2 was great at 11:31, then it was 11:50, 12:30 & 12:17. With some walking at the beginning of miles 3, 4 & 5. The cool-down however was much enjoyed!

So, for me, I say SCREW THE TEMPO RUN! I can't seem to get it. My body is perfectly happy doing this on a treadmill. I guess when you're on a machine and your options are either keep up or fall off the back, you tend to keep up. Besides, the fact that the treadmill kind of pulls you along helps too. Maybe, I can hire someone to attach a rope around my waist and pull me the whole 13.1 miles of my next race! I might keep up then. Or have an attack dog with big fangs follow me...I'd probably keep up then too. Or...I may decide around mile 8 that rabies is more appealing than the chills that come after me getting really hot, along with my vision getting blurry around the edges and the dizziness that I experienced today. (If I remember correctly from nursing school, these were the signs of heat exhaustion, or stroke or something like that...Oops.)

One the run was over and I jumped in the shower to get rid of the running stink, the water burned me. Yay for chafing. It always occurs under my boobs, where the sports bra elastic is. I'm starting to wonder if the reasoning for this is the fact that my bra is about 8 - 10 years old. I recall reading something that says that you should replace sports bras every 6 months. Do you know how much money that would cost? More than I'm willing to pay. I'm also now putting together that my bra may be restricting my breathing...maybe that's the latest excuse for me not being able to complete a Tempo Run.

Either way...Screw Tempo Runs and Screw Chafing. Or, I could just suck it up an call myself a runner...these seem to go with the territory.

Hot Blooded vs Cold Blooded

You know those people that are just naturally cold all the time?

Well...that's me...just ask the Coastie. My feet have the ability to suck all the warmth from his whole body with the touch of one toe in the middle of the night.

My patients would tend to agree as well. Apparently hands like ice can be felt through latex gloves....who knew? However, I have on my side the fact that my hospital keeps the ER at about 60 overnight. (Do they not want our patients to stay too long? Or is it their conniving way to make us stay awake? The world may never know...)

So, with all my reinforcement towards such, I believed myself to be somewhat Cold Blooded. Not in the killer way so much, but in the I need sun and a hot rock to be comfortable way.

(Randomness: the Coastie just made a berry smoothie as thick as a sorbet and gave me a small cup with some whip cream on top! AMAZING!)

Much to my amazement, this self proclaiming Cold Blooded Non-Killer may not really be so Cold Blooded. How did I come to this conclusion, you ask? Tonight's run. It's about 70 degrees out. Not humid. What most would consider perfect running weather. So why on an easy 2 mile run can I get so freaking hot? And not sexy hot either. Red faced, look like I'm going to pass out, call the ambulance now, hot. Lovely...

I leave you with this question, then: Can I be both a Cold Blooded Non-Killer & Not Sexy Hot Blooded at the same time?

A Day with the Dogs

Disclaimer: No, I am not in the dog house. Well, not yet anyway...the night is still young.

I worked last night.

This means I took my standard 4 hour (-ish) nap to convert back to normal-people time to spend a Sunday with the Coastie. The day started after a great lunch made by said Coastie and a Red Bull for me.

If there is ever one thing you need to know about me it is that I have a love affair with caffeine. Caffeine = HEAVEN. I cannot start a day without it (nor make my way through a night shift). Coffee, Diet Coke, energy drinks....it doesn't matter. As long as it has caffeine in it, I must consume it and I must consume a lot of it. If you want to be my friend, bring me anything from Starbucks or anything caffeinated.

Anywho, back to the story. The Coastie and I took our doggy Mac to the dog park for the first time. Mac has never been to a dog park because the old South Texas town we were in is NOT dog friendly (I'm convinced).

She did very well. She didn't snap at too many dogs, but she is a girl, so there were some....but all in all she did great. We stayed there for a couple hours...

Then, we went home, had a shrimp salad for dinner and are now watching a movie...well, watched a movie...with wine...which means I should probably not be writing right now...

Until tomorrow....

Hawks...are they really dangerous?

I attempted my first Speed Workout today.

I should just end it there rather than put my embarrasment of the actual result of such an attempt. However, that would not leave you anything to read. Nor to laugh at. So, here is my account of my first Speed Workout.

I went to the base to run on their "track". Yes, that would be track in quotation marks. Wonder why? Well, when asked exactly how long the track was (at the last Base, it was 1/2 mile, so I have learned to ask), the lovely lady with the beard & mustache told me that 3 3/4 times around is equal to 1 1/2 miles. Say what? Can you put that into laps per mile for me please?

Thank goodness I brought Garmin, because I was not finishing this without it. I walked out to the "track" after moving my car closer because not only is it not a real track, but it goes around 2 baseball fields where you lose visability of any belongings you plan on placing around it. The car became necessary to reduce petty theft.

Warm-up Mile

This was a great mile, slow enough to just warm me up, took about 2 and 2/3 times around (who know actually, more than 2, less than 3).

Speed Mile

This was supposed to be in 10:31. I finished in 10:35. Now, that looks like I pretty much did it, but it's deceiving. I walked a few steps twice during that time. Yes, I realize this means that I was actually going faster than intended. Oops.

800 rest

Enough said. I walked it!

Speed Mile

Again, supposed to be 10:31. 11:17. Yuck! I had to walk like 3 times. This could be a combination of the heat, the fact that I drank too much water on the rest and the fact that they were cutting the grass on the baseball fields (I'm highly allergic). Or, it could just be that this was my first attempt at Speed and I was tired. I'm gonna go with number 1, that ok with you?

800 rest

Yay, more legitimate walking. No self deprication here! Although, on my last time around I was nearly attacked by a Hawk. He was sitting in the middle of the baseball field when I was making my last round for my rest and right when I was passing by, he flew to the fence right next to me, trapping me between him and the trees. I had no way out! I picked up the pace a tad, prayed, and barely escaped his talons. Phew!

Cool-Down Mile

What? You think I did that with that Hawk out there? You're crazy! I had a plan to duck between the baseball fields, cutting my loop in half to finish up. In fact, I did it once. But, then I looked down at Garmin and realized that I had hit Stop instead of Lap and what's the point of doing a cool-down mile if you can't prove you did it anyway. I was at the car, might as well stop. Besides, I saw that Hawk eyeing me.

As I was leaving, I saw a few other runners coming out. I looked at them longingly and mouthed "Good Luck poor souls". I sure hope they know Hawk self defense!

Excedrin is my friend

On my days off I have this horrible habit of not drinking enough water. Which is usually ironic because we have a water bottle cooler do-hickey in the kitchen specifically for the purpose of giving us more water to drink. Normally, this is great, as I have the Coastie home to refill said water bottle for me to stop the incredibly annoying beeping and blinking light that ensues when it becomes empty. I am in the unfortunate predicament that I am both off work for 6 days and without the Coastie.

This morning I woke up with the worst headache. OK, I'm exagerating. It was not the worst. Just bad. And dehydration enduced. You would think being a nurse, I would have a wonderful way to get rid of headaches. I do. It's called Excedrin. You would also think that I would take this immediately and drink some water. You would be wrong. It took me until 3 PM to take anything. I did take it with water and am now on glass numero tres. My headache is cured, but my lack of motivation to go running is not.

To keep myself honest, I am going to PROMISE to y'all that I will actually run tomorrow.

The Social Network Review & My Run Today

The problem with being both a Military Wife and a Nightshift Nurse is that you rarely see your husband. The Coastie and I managed to finally have a weekend evening off last night. He surprised me with a trip to the movies to see The Social Network.

This movie is Amazing!

From the first scene with the fast talking banter to the last where it finally all comes together, it was fantastic. You must go see this movie. I was not at all planning on ever even renting it. It looked lame. Not so. The main character is hilarious!

My run today was interesting. My first attempt at a tempo run turned into a fartlek run. Mile 1 was a warm up...went well. I was actually not winded at all...I have finally learned what a warm up is supposed to feel like. Miles 2 - 4 were to be tempo miles at 11:08. I almost made mile 2 on time, but at 1.9 miles I had to stop. I think my goal of 2:30 at the half in December is a bit too lofty. At leat to start training for it now. We'll see. I made it, however! All 5 miles.

Hoo-AH

I ran my very first offical 5K. I say official, as I have ran the distance numerous times since I started my running adventure. Since moving, I have not really run that much. This is unfortunate. However, I felt that despite that, I put on a good showing.

35:38 @ the Warrior Run 5K

It was a tad hilly, once again something that lacks in the area of town I live in. But, the scenery more than made up for it. It was one of the ritzy neighborhoods south of the city. The type that have greco-roman pillars holding up oversized balconies that most likely attach to massive master suits. Between mini-mansions you would catch glimpses of the water with docks and expensive boats. Quite breathtaking, I must say.

I was very happy with my performance, and even more happy to show my support for an amazing cause. So, here's to remembering our injured soldiers who fought for Sept. 11 and those who are still fighting.