6mph

A few weeks ago I decided no more timing devices or logging splits for awhile. I have to break this rule to mention that on today's treadmill run I set the speed at 6mph (10 mm pace) and ran that for TWO miles, no stopping! A FIRST for me!

My recent "Segway training" has really helped me hold pace. It's a little tough to be "full stride" on the treadmill but I did focus on the "stride-kick" mantra and that seemed to help give me the energy to see 2 miles to the end.

a quarter marathon!*

Today was the best run day ever!! I have really tapped into something running with the love of my life as he is gliding alongside me on his Segway. As a team we worked well together, the distance was over 6 miles so we were careful not to go out too fast. Mile 1 was a consistent 5.5mph pace. After mile 1 it was a combination of recovery walk, running @ 5.5mph pace, and 6mph pace. The focus was on stride and staying on pace and endurance. It was challenging to run the entire time so there were several recovery walks, but in time that should change.

Speaking of change....at one point Rhett said "this has been a quarter marathon!" then said, "that should be a blog title"! LOL, at the time I was like "whatever", but when I was browsing images and saw the South Carolina quarter was issued in 2000 (the year I moved here) I thought, OK, that's appropriate, I'll go with it :D



* blog title by Rhett

breakthrough!

This was a low mileage week, however I had an amazing breakthrough during my 2 mile run this morning!!

Since it was rather cool this morning (high 70's) I asked my husband if he'd be willing to go over to campus with me and "pace" me using his Segway. I really just wanted his company and a way to keep a good pace so I can burn some calories.
(Already thinking about Thursday's weekly weigh-in)

My dear husband (Rhett) has often said to me over my years of running that I should use my stride. (I'm 6'2" - 36" inseam), and I've heard him, but never truly listened, (I can be dense). I think he never pushed the issue because he assumed I knew what I was doing since I was the "runner" and read running books. So this morning I asked, "what do you mean exactly"? and he said you need to use your height...your stride. (And I was reminded of those dance shows when they tell the tall people to use their height and extend their limbs, etc.) I realize I haven't been doing that.

Rhett suggested that we try it out, and we did what most runners do, selected a landmark and said when we get there let's slowly start increasing the stride and by the next landmark extend to full stride....bring the right foot far out in front, hit the asphalt and pull it back. As Rhett said, go BEYOND what your perceived capacity is. Being on the Segway he was able to readout the mph, I'd hear him say 5.5... 7... 8...10 mph!. When I was in "full stride" mode (which I won't know until I get out there another day if that was even my full capacity, it could be more!) it initially felt a little embarrassing... with my big butt and long legs, it felt like I was an ostrich on the run. But once I got past that feeling it felt effortless and natural for my long legs. It felt a bit euphoric and where I needed to be, like "Ok this is a good space, I could be comfortable here" and "oh my god how can THIS be comfortable when it's 10mph!!??!!!"

I didn't quite hold the pace for a long period of time because 1. we were just testing and allowing for that, and 2. I became winded. So, we then started discussing the deepness of breath and how I should give some focus to that next go around. I understand about breathing from yoga I just tend to forget to put it into practice while running.

Once I caught my breath we did another test similar to the first but this time during the increased stride Rhett would remind me to breathe deep... we chose a landmark a little further out so I ran longer at "full stride". We were both elated to experience an incredible breakthrough!

My husband isn't a runner but he has such great intelligence and logic that I should have tapped into his advice long ago. And, him having the Segway to be able to keep up with me and advise, and coach me is just ideal. I'm looking forward to visiting my new stride space again. I've already gotten Rhett to soft promise that he'll go back out with me on Tuesday :)

453.59237 grams

The official weekly weigh-in was this morning.
I lost an additional 1 pound !!
This is GREAT considering I caved earlier this week when I consumed a 1060 calorie Hardees Six Dollar burger for lunch.... mmmmmmmm

500 sheet ream of 20-pound bond paper

Have you ever held a ream of paper? perhaps carried it around the store or office? It's not real heavy, but unloading it likely feels better.... Well it turns out a "500 sheet ream of 20-pound bond paper weighs 5 lbs." This is the amount of weight I've lost since 5/31 in my quest to lose 12. No, it's not a lot, come on whats a ream of paper?, but it does make a difference and I notice it. Now unloading TWO reams of paper, + 2lbs...that would be something...

Neese Winehouse

Create your own FACEinHOLE

pass the dip!

Recently I was reminded of the following exercise when I noticed a co-workers arms. They are looking very defined and I asked if she'd been lifting weights, she said no she's been doing a lot of these exercises and showed me using the office chair. I was amazed that these alone could make such a difference!

Before my 4 mile treadmill run this morning I did 3 sets of 12. I'm going to try and remember to do at least that every day, it's a matter of setting aside a little time, finding a chair, and start dippin'!