Standing at the Trailhead of Winter

I'm back at it. Yeah, I know. I'm fickle. The thinking about running again started last Saturday, as Hubby and I were out cycling. I was mulling over how I fulfilled all my goals for the summer--giving the sprint tri another go (I actually did three, my best of the three showing I shaved off 20 minutes from last year's attempt) along with completing at least 3 century rides--and I was wondering what my next step was going to be. The first thing that came to mind was running. I'm seriously insane to even entertain the idea, but yesterday I went out and walked/jogged 4.65 miles. Today I went out for a 5.53 mile walk/jog. Now, my legs are mad at me, actually screaming at me when I go up and down the stairs, but I like the soreness. Makes me think about the day after my last century ride when my legs were sore and I thought of the soreness as a badge of honor for the effort I had put in during the ride. I feel that same way today after walking/jogging. I like that. Part...

Timothy Noakes' Law 12 in The Lore of Running suggests, "It may be that success in running is ultimately determined not so much by training the body as by training the mind." Speaking for myself, I truly believe this to be true. For nearly two years, I've been experiencing improvement in my overall fitness level. I started out barely making it through 10 minutes of a 45 minute workout DVD. At the end of my first 90 day period, that same DVD was cake. Then I started running. I worked my way to three miles and completed my first 5k. I wasn't in love with running, but I liked the health improvements I was experiencing because of it. After the 5k, I turned to training for a sprint tri. While training, I realized I absolutely love cycling and began cycling as many days a week as I could, racking up the miles. It didn't take long for me to dream of finishing a century ride. For some reason, though, I still want to be a runner, and running continues to torment me ...

I ran three miles this evening, followed by two miles of walking at a 3% incline on the treadmill in the garage. The temp was a chilly 38 degrees. I've learned how to dress for the garage, so I usually am completely warmed up after the first half mile, and by the end of my hour workouts, I'm sweating pretty good. Tonight, though, might be my last garage workout for awhile because tomorrow the new fitness facility at work opens for faculty use. I'm all set. I've already pulled out my gym bag, packed it with shorts, shirt, shoes and other assorted workout paraphernalia and am ready to test all the new equipment. It'll be heaven to wear a simple t-shirt with shorts rather than three layers of clothes that end up feeling heavy by the time I'm finished. The last time I set foot in a gym was three years ago. Hubby and I joined a gym here and went regularly throughout the entire year. We enjoyed the swimming and the use of the cardio machines, but we hated having to ...

Well, I didn't lose it exactly. For some reason, the widget wasn't updating, and no matter how many times I tried to replace it with the correct information, it just kept giving my training recorded a day during early last week. I decided to just delete it for now. Maybe whatever is ailing the widget will get fixed over the next few days and I can replace it. I kind of liked having it as I could see each day the increasing mileage for the year. Last year, I ended with 748 miles of combined running and cycling. Most of the mileage came from cycling, so this year, one of my goals is to up the running miles, try to end the year with more than the 37 I logged for 2010. I actually did have more than 37. I just didn't start logging my workouts until August. I may have had around 40 given my lack of enthusiasm towards running. I'm actually doing pretty good with the running. During the lovely three-week break from school, I found myself looking forward to working out, and I ...

And maybe that's why every little thing is irritating the living bejeezus out of me. I've just not been getting the necessary amount of exercise, be it running or biking or swimming or whatever. I haven't done a darn thing for the better part of two weeks. On top of not working out and releasing those lovely endorphins that make me feel all is right with the world, I've felt like those around me (save my children) are always asking for something but are unwilling to give anything in return. I will qualify this right now: Hubby has been great with cleaning the house and doing all the heavy-duty stuff to get ready for our charity dinner. His help has allowed me not to have to worry about the dinner all that much. Part of me isn't into having the dinner this year, our third charity dinner, and after getting several "not going to be able to make it" responses from those I consider friends, I'm thinking more than ever I should have just not put the charity ...

My youngest is participating in a kids' tri training program. I was a little surprised that he agreed to do this since he's mostly a computer/video games kind of kid. He rarely comes out of the boy cave, mostly just to refuel in order to return to the cave for more gaming. But he did agree, and last evening was the first evening of training. He actually ran a full mile. While I'm ecstatic that he can do this, I'm also grinding my teeth with envy. He made it look so easy. Why can't it be that easy for me? How is it that someone who doesn't go out every single day to run can just up and dash through a mile like he's simply going to the mailbox? That whole "youth is wasted on the young" is definitely true. I want youth and I want it now. It's enough to cause a full-blown case of mid-life crisis. I really am glad he's doing the kids' tri. It gives us something we have in common and can talk about. And we've decided we'll train toget...

This week I'm away from home again. I'm realizing I don't like being away from home anymore. I want to be where my family is, and that is definitely not where I am right now. Though there are times I really need a break from all the activities we're a part of, I've come to the conclusion that just closing the door to my bedroom for an hour or two is all the break I need. But for the next five days, I'm in a strange city for a conference. The upside is the conference is all about sports literature, and if today is any indication about what's to come, it'll be good. Lots of fun people. One individual came from Paris and is quite interesting to talk with. Another came from Australia though he is originally from Scotland, and the Scottish brogue is delightful to listen to. He's one energetic guy, too. Though I wasn't able to run today, I did learn of a route that should be good to take. It goes along the river and into the city proper, so the landsca...

I've been lurking at triathlon sites, reading about what it takes to complete a competition, when lo and behold, a friend asked me today if I'd be interested in training for a mini. I haven't wanted to spend the money to go to a gym for use of a pool, so I've not taken the necessary step to really train for something like this. But my friend has access to a pool and can invite a friend. How coinky-dink is this? I jumped on the offer, and by the time I left work today, we agreed to begin training for a mini-triathlon that is scheduled for April 2010. We both registered for the event to confirm our commitment, so there's no turning back. I'm stoked. I've been running regularly on the treadmill, having decided to run a 10K and having decided to work on improving my time, so the running part is coming along. Last night I ran my first ever 10-minute mile. It felt so good. I've had the treadmill set at a 1% incline ever since the 5K, so I do feel like I'm ...