Busy-ness And Bad Runs

Who's a bad blogger? I am!

Sorry for the delay. Turns out I actually had things to do for once. Shocker!

Let's see, since my last post, I've:

• Tried and failed to complete Day 3 of Week 8 of Couch to 5K (non-stop 28-minute run)
• Shopped for Thanksgiving groceries
• Prepared cornbread stuffing and pumpkin spice whoopie pies for Thanksgiving
• Celebrated Thanksgiving
• Shopped for a Christmas tree, lights, and ornaments on Black Friday
• Assembled and decorated my new Christmas tree
• Hung lights on my balcony
• Hung the first picture on my walls
• Cleaned my apartment
• Ran with Caitlin Friday afternoon (Week 8, Day 3 repeat, but didn't run nonstop)
  
• Visited with old friends on Friday night
• Went to my 10-year high school reunion
• Ate breakfast at midnight-ish
• Ran by myself on Sunday afternoon (started Week 9, but didn't run nonstop)
• Cooked "homemade" (with a spice pack) Cincinnati chili
• Had dinner with my mom
• Went through the Holiday In Lights using my free pass from the 5K
  
• Returned to work after a 4-day weekend
• Watched Scrooged
• Started a new book (The Help)
  
• Started Season 1, Disc 3 of Big Bang Theory

Whew! So, as you can see, while my schedule prevented me from blogging, I still ran. They weren't great runs, but they were runs. In fact, I'd call one run a bad run, one a blah run, and the other an okay run. Haven't exactly had a victory in a while, now that I think of it. Though, this seems to be a common theme among my running friends--at least those who are relatively on pace with me. My guess is that the dark and cold is affecting me more than I want to admit. What about you guys? Do any of you seasoned veterans have any tips on staying in the game through the winter, even if it's something simple?

I need a success, though. I really do. I mean, I'm far from throwing in the towel for the season, but I'd like to finish with a feeling of accomplishment. It's been too long. I plan on getting out tomorrow after work and knocking out my first 30-minute nonstop run. Ugh, unless there's ice. I don't know how to deal with that yet. Again, suggestions?

Thanks for hanging with me through the boring posts. I'll get something exciting up here soon.

Oh, would anyone like to write something? Anything? The floor is yours! (As soon as I figure out how to set it all up, that is.)

Email me! moretoloverunning@gmail.com

Your Permission, Please

I was just on the brink of making a decision to stray off the C25K plan this week, but I stopped. I'd like to put the issue out there and get your feedback first.

I'd like to step away from Couch to 5K Week 8 this week to prepare for my race this coming weekend. I just registered for the Holiday in Lights 5K and I'd like to run it in intervals instead of trying to run the whole thing.

Issue 1: It's a 5K. I've only run "straight" for 28 minutes, roughly 2 miles. I'm fully confident that I wouldn't make it 3.1 miles without stopping, but would end up walking the last mile and feeling negative about the whole experience

Issue 2: It's a challenging, hilly course, as described on the website. Hills = my enemy.

So, what are your thoughts? May I practice intervals for my two runs this week instead of proceeding with Week 8 workouts? I'm thinking run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute intervals might be good. That's what Jeff Galloway recommends.

Please pipe up. My last ventures off "the plan" haven't gone so well for me, so I feel like I need permission from rational, detached thinkers.

New Week, New Computer

The day is finally here, my friends! I got a new computer! No more excusing myself from keeping this here blog updated because of a wonky machine.

Plus, it has a friggin' webcam. I mean, really? I have a webcam? You mean I can do crap like this?

Scary Beckey bubbles.

Sad-eyed, fat-lipped Beckey.

Really easily distracted Beckey.

Shrunken head Beckey (my favorite).

New evil character for Super Mario Brothers Beckey.

I'm-wearing-a-watermelon-hat Beckey.

Confused Beckey.

I'm-sweaty-because-I-just-finished-Day-1-Week-8 Beckey.

Excellent segue, Beckey!

So yes, I just did my first Day of Week 8--a 28-minute run (up from 25 minutes last week). This one was difficult, folks! I'm not entirely sure why it felt so much harder than what I've been doing this week while running through my neighborhood, but it did. My theory is that the quick twists and turns of the neighborhood help keep these longer runs from getting boring. Otto Armleder did not have that feature this afternoon. Also, I ran the second half of my workout against a pretty stiff wind . I could actually tell that my body was working harder to move forward. Not fun.

So, that means I only have 5 Days left in the Couch to 5K program! I can't decide if I'll linger on the 25- or 28-minute runs for a little longer than is required. I have a feeling I won't, simply because I'm anxious to cross the C25K finish line.

Let me interject here and say, if you had asked me back in February/March if I thought I'd finish this program, I would have laughed in your face. Today, I'm just going to try on my graduation cap and rehearse my proud/happy/tears-of-joy face.


Later gators!