Fundraising Page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/pfchangs09/ayates
First of all, I have decided to put my fundraising page at the beginning of each post, since my mom wasn't able to successfully copy and paste from the little description at the top left of this blog. Hopefully this will be easier for anyone who is trying to move between this page and that one!
Well, 6:45 definitely came around early this morning, and Reston is a longish drive from here. I'm so happy that Erin is my neighbor! We all met in front of Reston's Potomac River Running store, and seeing the fun goodies through the window was a primary motivator for getting me through my run. The trail wasn't far from the store, and after stretching and taking off it became apparent that Andrea and I run at pretty much the same pace. This was great because it allowed me to keep my speed up, and it made the run go by faster. I'm pretty sure that's the fastest I've ever done three miles, and I wish I had a watch with me to prove it. Andrea said running with me had the same effect on her, so hopefully we can make it a regular occurance!
As promised, we all got to file into the running store after we finished our end-of-run stretching. I was finally able to get my Virginia is for Runners Shirt! I'm glad I waited, because this store had one in a pretty baby blue, and the other franchise only had them in white and gray. Maybe at some point I'll get back to purchase the kelly green one that they have (their $25 each, so fortunately for Dave I'm going to try to limit myself to just two.).
I also purchased the water belt I had been dreading. Wearing it makes me feel like a dork, but it will come in handy during those long runs later on. Plus how dorky can it be if everyone around me is wearing one too? I rounded out my purchases with some high-energy gummies and jelly beans, a moisture-wicking visor, and two more pairs of balega socks (one of which was free with my coupon!). I spent a small fortune, but fortunately our 10% Team in Training discount made it hurt a little less. I'm so excited to try out my new goodies tomorrow!
When I got home, I discovered that my fundraising total climbed a bit higher, and I reached the minimum that was needed by September 2nd in order to qualify for a free TNT totebag. Yay! I love free stuff!
Tuesday the kids come back, so hopefully I'll be able to keep up the positive attitude regarding my new workout regime.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
work + training = craziness
OK, so running all summer hasn't been that big of a deal, considering that during the parts of the day that I wasn't running, I was doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This week I went back to work so that I could attend meetings, plan my lessons, and set up my classroom. After I was done, I went running on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I am exhausted. On the plus side, I have been falling asleep early and sleeping very soundly (although this meant missing parts of the DNC that I tried to stay awake to watch). I'm wondering what it's going to be like once the kiddies come back. I may have to start running at home at least once a week after work, at least until it starts getting dark earlier. Then on the other two days I could either run on the Hill or with a buddy run group. There is a group meeting up in Bethesda on Wednesdays, so I'm going to try that next week, I think. It's just frustrating to have to go so far in the opposite direction just to run with other people. Ugh, I think I'll feel less uneasy once I have established a working routine.
Tomorrow we run in Reston, and Erin is picking me up at 6:45 (eek!). Afterwards, we're going to Potomac River Running, so I can finally get some fun new toys. More updates on what I buy later. :-)
Tomorrow we run in Reston, and Erin is picking me up at 6:45 (eek!). Afterwards, we're going to Potomac River Running, so I can finally get some fun new toys. More updates on what I buy later. :-)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
And they're off!
Today was our first group run. I thought I might have a hard time getting up at 6:40 so that I could meet Erin in front of her place at 7:00, but I woke up before the alarm. I guess I was excited, in that kid-on-the-first-day-of-school way. Poor Erin was definitely more exhausted than me - she has friends visiting this weekend, and they didn't arrive until 4:30 this morning!
We got to the track at the local high school decently early, and after listening to the coaches and captains chat for a bit (I'm going to have to get used to hearing them talk about how much we're helping cancer patients without crying every time), they sent us off for a one-lap warm-up before stretching. I had no idea that you are actually supposed to break a sweat, stretch, and then begin your workout. I suppose that's the benefit of training with people who know what they're doing!
After stretches, the coaches sent us back to the track, where they told us to run at a comfortable pace and count our laps for the next 30 minutes. I ran for a while next to one of the other team captains, and we chatted about work and politics. At about the same time, we both realized that I was going slower than I could, and she encouraged me to not worry about her and pick up my own pace. I did 10 laps (2 1/2 miles) in the 30 minutes. I probably could have done more had I sped up sooner, but I'm fine with that for now.
When everyone had cleared the track and reported our lap count to our respective captains - so they could split us into pace groups for the next run - we headed over to the library for an athlete's clinic. The first speaker was a chiropractor and physical therapist who advised us on how to prevent certain injuries and what to do if we got them. His company offers free consultations to Team in Training runners, which is good to know in the event I hurt myself (knock wood, fingers crossed).
Next up was a guy from Potomac River Running, although not the one that I went to. He explained the gate analysis process that I went through, and also showed a variety of products. This included clothing that wicks moisture; high protein gels, jelly beans and cubes; body glide to prevent chafing; and other little gadgets and tools. It turns out that next week we will all go to the store in Reston before or after our run. Since he gave us each a coupon for a free pair of running socks with our purchase, I think I'm going to get another pair of my balega socks as well as the "Virginia is for Runners" shirt that I liked so much!
Afterwards, the coaches pulled tickets for another raffle (this one was free), and the prizes were a t-shirt, running socks, a $25 gift certificate to PRR, and $50 towards our fundraising page. Keri, who was sitting right next to me and had just one number off from me, won the gift certificate. Lucky! The raffle concluded the meeting, so we walked back to our cars, chatting about the Nike Women's Marathon/Half Marathon in San Francisco, during which a firefighter in a tuxedo presents you with a Tiffany's necklace on a silver platter upon completing the race!
Overall, it was a good workout and an informative meeting. Everyone is so cheerful and passionate about what they're doing, and it's really nice to meet and spend time with new people. I think this is going to be a really good season.
In related news, I got a complete physical on Thursday, and the doctor says that I'm in perfect shape to do an event like this. She even said that I already have the unusually low heart rate of a person who runs on a regular basis. I'm starting to feel more and more like a runner!
We got to the track at the local high school decently early, and after listening to the coaches and captains chat for a bit (I'm going to have to get used to hearing them talk about how much we're helping cancer patients without crying every time), they sent us off for a one-lap warm-up before stretching. I had no idea that you are actually supposed to break a sweat, stretch, and then begin your workout. I suppose that's the benefit of training with people who know what they're doing!
After stretches, the coaches sent us back to the track, where they told us to run at a comfortable pace and count our laps for the next 30 minutes. I ran for a while next to one of the other team captains, and we chatted about work and politics. At about the same time, we both realized that I was going slower than I could, and she encouraged me to not worry about her and pick up my own pace. I did 10 laps (2 1/2 miles) in the 30 minutes. I probably could have done more had I sped up sooner, but I'm fine with that for now.
When everyone had cleared the track and reported our lap count to our respective captains - so they could split us into pace groups for the next run - we headed over to the library for an athlete's clinic. The first speaker was a chiropractor and physical therapist who advised us on how to prevent certain injuries and what to do if we got them. His company offers free consultations to Team in Training runners, which is good to know in the event I hurt myself (knock wood, fingers crossed).
Next up was a guy from Potomac River Running, although not the one that I went to. He explained the gate analysis process that I went through, and also showed a variety of products. This included clothing that wicks moisture; high protein gels, jelly beans and cubes; body glide to prevent chafing; and other little gadgets and tools. It turns out that next week we will all go to the store in Reston before or after our run. Since he gave us each a coupon for a free pair of running socks with our purchase, I think I'm going to get another pair of my balega socks as well as the "Virginia is for Runners" shirt that I liked so much!
Afterwards, the coaches pulled tickets for another raffle (this one was free), and the prizes were a t-shirt, running socks, a $25 gift certificate to PRR, and $50 towards our fundraising page. Keri, who was sitting right next to me and had just one number off from me, won the gift certificate. Lucky! The raffle concluded the meeting, so we walked back to our cars, chatting about the Nike Women's Marathon/Half Marathon in San Francisco, during which a firefighter in a tuxedo presents you with a Tiffany's necklace on a silver platter upon completing the race!
Overall, it was a good workout and an informative meeting. Everyone is so cheerful and passionate about what they're doing, and it's really nice to meet and spend time with new people. I think this is going to be a really good season.
In related news, I got a complete physical on Thursday, and the doctor says that I'm in perfect shape to do an event like this. She even said that I already have the unusually low heart rate of a person who runs on a regular basis. I'm starting to feel more and more like a runner!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Running Machine
Today I wanted to try out my new gear on my run. I know you're technically not supposed to run for too long in new sneakers, but it wasn't too hot yet and I was enjoying myself. Before I knew it, my new pedometer informed me that I had run five miles! I realized that I wasn't breathing heavy at all, until it was time to make it up that darn hill, which I did without stopping. My legs felt a little jello-like on the hill, but I wasn't in any sort of pain, and overall I've felt really good all day (although tomorrow may be a different story). Five miles, woohoo! I'm so proud of myself! :-)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Potomac River Running
Since today is a "rest" day in terms of exercise, I decided it would be a good time to do some sneaker shopping. Team in Training has partnerships with some specialty shops, and Erin recommended a store called Potomac River Running. They have a few locations, and I set out for the one in Arlington this morning.
The store is absolutely amazing! It's connected to a Bike store that is also a TNT-suggested shop. When I walked in, I explained to the sales associate that I was going to be training for a half marathon in January. He immediately had me get on a treadmill in the store, which had a video camera on the floor behind it. As I started to jog, my heels - which were being recorded by the video camera - showed up on the TV screen in front of me! It was a little bizarre watching the backs of my own feet as I ran, but this gave the associate a chance to see what kind of foot placement I had. He said it allows him to determine if my feet lean in or out when I run. Fortunately my feet don't do either, which most likely explains why I haven't suffered from shin-splints. Since I didn't need any corrective shoes, he had me get off the treadmill and take off the sneakers so he could inspect my arch. He then went off to collect a bunch of low-arch, non-corrective sneakers for me to try on.
He stayed with me for over a half hour while I tried on different pairs of running shoes, having me trying them out both on the treadmill and while running around the store (apparently this is a pretty common practice, so nobody even looked in my direction as I was weaving around the bicycles). He also showed me a different way to tie laces that reduces heel slippage without affecting circulation. I finally settled on a Pair of Nike Air Pegasus sneakers in a 7 1/2, which felt super comfortable and seem to have the support that my old running shoes have lost over the past year. My heel stayed in perfectly, so I didn't even need to use the alternative shoe-tying method. Since I'm trying to make these sneakers last throughout the training period, he suggested that I only wear them when running, and stick to my old sneakers for doing errands and just walking around.
After picking out my shoes, I wandered around the store a bit more, checking out the other merchandise. I resisted the urge to by a Virginia is for Runners t-shirt or any half-marathon paraphernalia, and stuck to a pair of running socks, a new sportsbra, and an inexpensive pedometer. Fortunately, being a Team in Training participant meant that I got a 10% discount on everything, which made me very happy. They even plugged my history into the computer so that it would be easier to help me pick out sneakers in the future. Overall, the store and the service were awesome, and I would recommend this place to anyone. I'm excited to try out my new gear tomorrow!
The store is absolutely amazing! It's connected to a Bike store that is also a TNT-suggested shop. When I walked in, I explained to the sales associate that I was going to be training for a half marathon in January. He immediately had me get on a treadmill in the store, which had a video camera on the floor behind it. As I started to jog, my heels - which were being recorded by the video camera - showed up on the TV screen in front of me! It was a little bizarre watching the backs of my own feet as I ran, but this gave the associate a chance to see what kind of foot placement I had. He said it allows him to determine if my feet lean in or out when I run. Fortunately my feet don't do either, which most likely explains why I haven't suffered from shin-splints. Since I didn't need any corrective shoes, he had me get off the treadmill and take off the sneakers so he could inspect my arch. He then went off to collect a bunch of low-arch, non-corrective sneakers for me to try on.
He stayed with me for over a half hour while I tried on different pairs of running shoes, having me trying them out both on the treadmill and while running around the store (apparently this is a pretty common practice, so nobody even looked in my direction as I was weaving around the bicycles). He also showed me a different way to tie laces that reduces heel slippage without affecting circulation. I finally settled on a Pair of Nike Air Pegasus sneakers in a 7 1/2, which felt super comfortable and seem to have the support that my old running shoes have lost over the past year. My heel stayed in perfectly, so I didn't even need to use the alternative shoe-tying method. Since I'm trying to make these sneakers last throughout the training period, he suggested that I only wear them when running, and stick to my old sneakers for doing errands and just walking around.
After picking out my shoes, I wandered around the store a bit more, checking out the other merchandise. I resisted the urge to by a Virginia is for Runners t-shirt or any half-marathon paraphernalia, and stuck to a pair of running socks, a new sportsbra, and an inexpensive pedometer. Fortunately, being a Team in Training participant meant that I got a 10% discount on everything, which made me very happy. They even plugged my history into the computer so that it would be easier to help me pick out sneakers in the future. Overall, the store and the service were awesome, and I would recommend this place to anyone. I'm excited to try out my new gear tomorrow!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Kick-off
This morning I went to the Team in Training Kick-off at a hotel in Rosslyn. They had breakfast waiting for us in a room with wall-to-wall windows over looking Georgetown and the Potomac- so beautiful!
During breakfast and the speeches, I was able to sit with my teammates. There are four of us in total: Keri, a bubbly accountant who just started running about a year ago; Andrea, a friendly former teacher who has three children under the age of five (yikes); Tara, who looks like she's probably a few years younger than me, and also seems nervous about both running and fund-raising, and a fourth woman who was sitting at another table but joined us briefly at the end (I'm not sure what her name was, but I'm sure I'll find out more about her as we start training together). Our team captain is Erin, who also happens to be my neighbor!
Throughout the breakfast, the room was full of energy as staff members, volunteers, and coaches got up to share information about different components of the program. Colin, who won this year's "Man of the Year" award for raising more than $100,000 for the cause, also got up and told his story. He was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia ten years ago, and shared his experiences with cancer and Team in Training with a light-hearted sense of humor (although he still managed to make me tear up). He recently completed an iron-man competition...whew.
While the speeches were going on, two volunteers were walking around selling raffle tickets for two dollars a piece or 20 bucks for an arm's length (Although it looked like way longer than the typical arm. The volunteer joked that Michael Phelps measured them out for her before leaving for the Olympics). I bought two tickets, and several winners were chosen at the end of the event. The first three winners were given gift certificates to local biking and running stores, and the fourth person won a Team in Training duffle bag with a bunch of cool stuff inside.
The final two winners split the money that was collected in the raffle, which will be posted to their fundraising pages. They each got about $438! I definitely wouldn't have minded that addition to my fundraising total! I can't complain though - thanks to the generosity of family, friends, and several kind-hearted souls that I keep up in touch with via Facebook, I have raised $300 after just three days of fundraising! I still have a ways to go, but I definitely have faith in myself that I am going to reach my goal by the end of the next five months.
Our first group run is this coming Saturday at 7:00am. As far as the ungodly hour goes, at least our runs will be over with early so we can get on with our day. In addition, once it starts getting colder, we'll switch to 8:00am runs. Erin said she'd either call us or email us this week to talk about the first run and possible buddy runs. Thus it begins.
I have one final announcement, regarding my run today: After about 20 minutes of trail running, I came back to Beauregard Street and was able to run up the hill without even thinking about it!!!
During breakfast and the speeches, I was able to sit with my teammates. There are four of us in total: Keri, a bubbly accountant who just started running about a year ago; Andrea, a friendly former teacher who has three children under the age of five (yikes); Tara, who looks like she's probably a few years younger than me, and also seems nervous about both running and fund-raising, and a fourth woman who was sitting at another table but joined us briefly at the end (I'm not sure what her name was, but I'm sure I'll find out more about her as we start training together). Our team captain is Erin, who also happens to be my neighbor!
Throughout the breakfast, the room was full of energy as staff members, volunteers, and coaches got up to share information about different components of the program. Colin, who won this year's "Man of the Year" award for raising more than $100,000 for the cause, also got up and told his story. He was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia ten years ago, and shared his experiences with cancer and Team in Training with a light-hearted sense of humor (although he still managed to make me tear up). He recently completed an iron-man competition...whew.
While the speeches were going on, two volunteers were walking around selling raffle tickets for two dollars a piece or 20 bucks for an arm's length (Although it looked like way longer than the typical arm. The volunteer joked that Michael Phelps measured them out for her before leaving for the Olympics). I bought two tickets, and several winners were chosen at the end of the event. The first three winners were given gift certificates to local biking and running stores, and the fourth person won a Team in Training duffle bag with a bunch of cool stuff inside.
The final two winners split the money that was collected in the raffle, which will be posted to their fundraising pages. They each got about $438! I definitely wouldn't have minded that addition to my fundraising total! I can't complain though - thanks to the generosity of family, friends, and several kind-hearted souls that I keep up in touch with via Facebook, I have raised $300 after just three days of fundraising! I still have a ways to go, but I definitely have faith in myself that I am going to reach my goal by the end of the next five months.
Our first group run is this coming Saturday at 7:00am. As far as the ungodly hour goes, at least our runs will be over with early so we can get on with our day. In addition, once it starts getting colder, we'll switch to 8:00am runs. Erin said she'd either call us or email us this week to talk about the first run and possible buddy runs. Thus it begins.
I have one final announcement, regarding my run today: After about 20 minutes of trail running, I came back to Beauregard Street and was able to run up the hill without even thinking about it!!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
The other night my neighbor/captain and I were talking about the hill by our complex and how difficult it was to master. I confessed that I had never been able to run all the way up the hill. I have attempted it before, but it is about a quarter mile of painful steepness. Therefore, I had relegated myself to running down the hill at the beginning of my workout and walking up it as a cool-down after running a couple of miles.
The coach overheard us complaining about it and suggest we tried the repeating technique. In order to make the hill easier to tackle during a longer run, he said we could focus an entire workout just on the hill itself. As simple as that sounds, it never occurred to me before.
This afternoon I tried it, and after running down and turning around, I was really surprised when I was able to make it all the way back up the hill for the first time ever! I was even more proud of myself when I did it two more times! I only ran for about a mile and a half, but it was definitely worth it.
The coach was right, it was a lot easier when I just focused on the hill and nothing else. I think I will try another workout where I do five or six hill laps before I incorporate running up the hill into a longer run. Woohoo!
The coach overheard us complaining about it and suggest we tried the repeating technique. In order to make the hill easier to tackle during a longer run, he said we could focus an entire workout just on the hill itself. As simple as that sounds, it never occurred to me before.
This afternoon I tried it, and after running down and turning around, I was really surprised when I was able to make it all the way back up the hill for the first time ever! I was even more proud of myself when I did it two more times! I only ran for about a mile and a half, but it was definitely worth it.
The coach was right, it was a lot easier when I just focused on the hill and nothing else. I think I will try another workout where I do five or six hill laps before I incorporate running up the hill into a longer run. Woohoo!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
All signed up!
I can't believe I am going to run in a half marathon! I was the kid who always got picked last in gym, and who consitently finished every race far behind my peers. This made me apprehensive about even attending a Team in Training information session, but I decided to go anyway.
The meeting was last night, and I was one of about only five people who was not there to speak or sign people up (they have been having meetings in various locations throughout the past couple of weeks). I got to meet team captains - one of whom lives on my block! - a coach, and a Hodgkin's survivor/athlete who has been in remission for ten years.
The coach talked about how he sometimes gets people who can't run a mile (I can at least do 3 or 4!) and by the time the training period is up they are crossing the half marathon finish line. The cancer survivor talked about her battle with the disease, and how she continues to do Team in Training events to give back. Everyone was so empowering and encouraging that I signed up on the spot!
The thing I am most concerned about is actually the fundraising. We are all required to raise $3,800, and I am worried that I won't be able to make it. Fortunately, I have five months to raise as much as I can before I have to pay the difference, so I am going to give it all I've got!
This weekend is the kick-off session, where we get our training schedules and meet the coaches that we will specifically be working with. I'm really excited, and I'm looking forward to the team runs that start on the 23rd. Hopefully I will be able to find some buddies to run with me during the week (I don't think I will be able to keep up with my neighbor).
Well, this is going to be an adventure, but I am excited to get started! This one's for you, Jeannie!
The meeting was last night, and I was one of about only five people who was not there to speak or sign people up (they have been having meetings in various locations throughout the past couple of weeks). I got to meet team captains - one of whom lives on my block! - a coach, and a Hodgkin's survivor/athlete who has been in remission for ten years.
The coach talked about how he sometimes gets people who can't run a mile (I can at least do 3 or 4!) and by the time the training period is up they are crossing the half marathon finish line. The cancer survivor talked about her battle with the disease, and how she continues to do Team in Training events to give back. Everyone was so empowering and encouraging that I signed up on the spot!
The thing I am most concerned about is actually the fundraising. We are all required to raise $3,800, and I am worried that I won't be able to make it. Fortunately, I have five months to raise as much as I can before I have to pay the difference, so I am going to give it all I've got!
This weekend is the kick-off session, where we get our training schedules and meet the coaches that we will specifically be working with. I'm really excited, and I'm looking forward to the team runs that start on the 23rd. Hopefully I will be able to find some buddies to run with me during the week (I don't think I will be able to keep up with my neighbor).
Well, this is going to be an adventure, but I am excited to get started! This one's for you, Jeannie!
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