I keep telling everyone that I completed a 10K. We make fun of people who do that all the time, "Did I tell you I did a 10K?" or "Oh, yeah, and after I did my 10K." or "Yep that was the week before my 10K." It's like the kid with a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or the first time I could use the word husband - I just couldn't stop slipping it into every conversation. Well, it's official...I just completed my first 10K this past weekend, and I don't mind telling the world. :)
The weather was beautiful. Warm, but for July, it was great. We had an even cloud cover all morning, and that was a true gift, because the sun would have been horrible. I started off with Dina and Brandie (and lil D), but after about .5 miles felt warmed up enough to break off. They were doing a 5K, and I have about 5.5 more miles to go, so I knew I needed to go. I so enjoyed walking with them, and talking though. But off I went. Reportedly, D kept asking, where's Miss Jenn. I saw a pack of walkers in our same area, and I figured they were with the 5K. So I had resolved myself to finishing last.
Mile 2 is always the worst mile for me. Tuesdays are the hardest days. And the second time around is always my most difficult mental hurdle. Mile 1 or Mondays, it's like "I can do this, yes, alright, here we go." Mile 2 or Tuesdays, the end is no where in sight, we are too far past the start to turn back around or still feel energized about just starting, and what's in front of us seems insurmountable. I felt like I barely made it through mile 2. And I forgot to set my watch as we started, so I had no idea about my pace. Which I actually learned and am going to probably continue waiting until mile 2 to start my watch, ended up being a benefit rather than a detriment.
My mile 1 and 2 paces probably would have discouraged me and then even slowed me down more, so I started my watch at the mile 2 marker. I have figured out how to push the button to mark the laps on my watch, but for the life of me can't figure out how to read that information after my race is done. But one of my favorite mental games to pass the time during walks is for me to do the math in my head. So I kept tracking my pace in my head.
Mile 3 I could see the end of the 5K and was feeling pretty good, so I started to feel good about it all. I think the turnaround was somewhere in mile 4, so that lifted me through that part. And then there was this lady running around mile 5. She looked like she was dying. She had on long cotton legging stretch pant looking things, a poofy blouse, and looked like it was her first time to run ever. She kept running and then walking, and I eventually caught up with her. I am amazed how at every race I end up passing those runners at the end, which for me is just confirmation that I am doing exactly what I need to be doing...walking.
I talked to her a little as we met the same pace at the end of mile 6 nearing the end, and encouraging her really helped me feel so encouraged. It was her first race ever and she signed up for the 10K. That's crazy, but I was glad to encourage her.
My time for my 10K beat my pace time for the 5K which surprised me. I figured with a longer distance, I'd see a slower time, but glad for it. And I beat that pack of walkers. I was glad to see other walkers involved in the longer distance.
Lesson for the day: Mile 2 just sucks, that's all, it just does, and acknowledging that will make it easier. I finished my first 10K!!!! Thank you God for the clouds. Walking for me is much faster than run/walking. JUST SHOW UP!!!!
Temp: 78 degrees, covered skies
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 1:37:00.0
Pace: 15:37/m
MPH: 3.84
10K estimate: n/a
Half estimate: 3h 25.2m
Place: 21 out of 25 (16% percent)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Negative Splits
Negative Split-The term "negative splitting" refers to running the second half of a race faster than the first. So, for instance, if you're running a marathon and you run the first 13.1 miles in 2:01:46, and then run the second 13.1 miles in 1:59:30, then you ran a negative split.
The other day, I read on one of the Heels and Hills Heroes (as I like to call them...the two ladies who are co-directors of H&H and quite the inspirations) facebook update that she had a negative split. I asked her what it meant and she explained it to me. I had heard about this method a lot, but didn't know it had a term. Oh, I am learning so much every day. But at the H&H 5K in June when I got my PR (Personal Record...another new term for me) of 48:43.1 for a pace of 15:43/m I forced myself to walk slower than I was wanting to, because I clearly remember doing a 5K last July in McKinney where I was super fast in the beginning and barely finished walking at all. So, I know from experience that walking slower in the beginning produces better results in the end. I told myself at the H&H 5K in June that I wasn't going to push it until after the half way point.
Well, today, I was at about 10:00 in my first half mile (ikes that is like a 20:00/m pace), but I have been waiting to stretch until I get to the end of my street which is like about .3 of a mile from my house. And really taking the first part slowly. Then at the half way point, which was 1.99 miles, I was at 35:00. So my goal was to finish the entire 3.98 miles in under 1h10m (or under 70 minutes) hence making it a "negative split." And I did finish up right at 67:38...just about 2.5 minutes faster on the second half.
Lesson for the day: Take it slow at the first part hence producing a negative split, waking up before the sun comes up makes for beautiful scenery, Shi-Tzu's are just as scary as big dogs and my neighbor down the street needs to keep him on a leash, And...Just Show Up!!!
Temp: 72 degrees, clear skies
Distance: 3.98 miles
Time: 67:38
Split: 35:03 (1st half way) - 52%
Pace: 16:59.4
MPH: 3.53
Place: 71 out of 77 (8%)
10K estimate: 2h 6m 36s
Half estimate: 3h 43m
The other day, I read on one of the Heels and Hills Heroes (as I like to call them...the two ladies who are co-directors of H&H and quite the inspirations) facebook update that she had a negative split. I asked her what it meant and she explained it to me. I had heard about this method a lot, but didn't know it had a term. Oh, I am learning so much every day. But at the H&H 5K in June when I got my PR (Personal Record...another new term for me) of 48:43.1 for a pace of 15:43/m I forced myself to walk slower than I was wanting to, because I clearly remember doing a 5K last July in McKinney where I was super fast in the beginning and barely finished walking at all. So, I know from experience that walking slower in the beginning produces better results in the end. I told myself at the H&H 5K in June that I wasn't going to push it until after the half way point.
Well, today, I was at about 10:00 in my first half mile (ikes that is like a 20:00/m pace), but I have been waiting to stretch until I get to the end of my street which is like about .3 of a mile from my house. And really taking the first part slowly. Then at the half way point, which was 1.99 miles, I was at 35:00. So my goal was to finish the entire 3.98 miles in under 1h10m (or under 70 minutes) hence making it a "negative split." And I did finish up right at 67:38...just about 2.5 minutes faster on the second half.
Lesson for the day: Take it slow at the first part hence producing a negative split, waking up before the sun comes up makes for beautiful scenery, Shi-Tzu's are just as scary as big dogs and my neighbor down the street needs to keep him on a leash, And...Just Show Up!!!
Temp: 72 degrees, clear skies
Distance: 3.98 miles
Time: 67:38
Split: 35:03 (1st half way) - 52%
Pace: 16:59.4
MPH: 3.53
Place: 71 out of 77 (8%)
10K estimate: 2h 6m 36s
Half estimate: 3h 43m
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
100 Miles of Walking
I keep wanting to complain about the weather, but for the most part, we have had wonderful weather this summer. I say that right now as I finished my walk in what started out at 68 degrees. It was absolutely gorgeous, and as I approach Fall if I am able to get out in this heat, I know I am going to really seem some time improvement in the Fall.
My blog name, "Just Showed Up" is so perfect for me. This morning at 6:30a as I wanted to stay in bed, the mantra "Just Show Up" kept going through my mind. Just get out of bed, Jennifer, put your shoes on and at least walk a mile. Well, finished at 3.52 miles with 59:10. Pretty decent for me. It broke under 17 minutes for a pace of 16:48.5 minutes per mile. My usual pace seems to sit around 18 minutes on a decent day and as slow as 20 on a super slow day. I was happy to see that time. I have been working through some mental hurdles and this walk really was just what I needed.
I started out on my regular 4 mile stretch, but the sprinklers started, I was getting irritated at the City of McKinney for having no sidewalk at the corner of Wilmeth and Hardin, and was already getting a little bored with just trekking (sp?) back from my turn around point. So, I took a bit of a detour to make sure I could have sidewalks the rest of the walk, but ended up only getting in 3.52 rather than the planned 4. But I did kick my speed up a little.
And how about that weather this morning...it was gorgeous. I thought gosh, I am so glad I "Just Showed Up" this morning.
Well, Issy's getting braces this morning, and I need to get in the shower to not stink in their office. Never thought I would love being sweaty, but when I finish my walks, it just seems to be part of the "I did it" ritual. I don't think the orthodontist will quite enjoy the smell of accomplishment oozing from my poars as I do.
Almost totally forgot to add...I reached 100 miles (101.5 to be exact) since starting this thing on May 24th. Uh, that is probably 99 more miles than I walked for the past 5 years to exercise and also tracked 1911 minutes (that is like 30-something hours). That is crazy...and even crazier is that I have done this for 8+ weeks. I never stick with ANYTHING like this...I am so grateful I have stuck with this. One Mile at a Time. :)
Lesson for the day: When you see a guy working on the sprinklers cut across to the other side of the street (got a little sprayed). Oh, and map out a few 4 mile routes in case I change my mind ahead of time. And...Just Show Up!!!
Temp: 68 degrees, clear skies
Distance: 3.52 miles
Time: 59:10
Pace: 16:48.5
MPH: 3.57
10K estimate: 2h 5m 24s
Half estimate: 3h 38m
My blog name, "Just Showed Up" is so perfect for me. This morning at 6:30a as I wanted to stay in bed, the mantra "Just Show Up" kept going through my mind. Just get out of bed, Jennifer, put your shoes on and at least walk a mile. Well, finished at 3.52 miles with 59:10. Pretty decent for me. It broke under 17 minutes for a pace of 16:48.5 minutes per mile. My usual pace seems to sit around 18 minutes on a decent day and as slow as 20 on a super slow day. I was happy to see that time. I have been working through some mental hurdles and this walk really was just what I needed.
I started out on my regular 4 mile stretch, but the sprinklers started, I was getting irritated at the City of McKinney for having no sidewalk at the corner of Wilmeth and Hardin, and was already getting a little bored with just trekking (sp?) back from my turn around point. So, I took a bit of a detour to make sure I could have sidewalks the rest of the walk, but ended up only getting in 3.52 rather than the planned 4. But I did kick my speed up a little.
And how about that weather this morning...it was gorgeous. I thought gosh, I am so glad I "Just Showed Up" this morning.
Well, Issy's getting braces this morning, and I need to get in the shower to not stink in their office. Never thought I would love being sweaty, but when I finish my walks, it just seems to be part of the "I did it" ritual. I don't think the orthodontist will quite enjoy the smell of accomplishment oozing from my poars as I do.
Almost totally forgot to add...I reached 100 miles (101.5 to be exact) since starting this thing on May 24th. Uh, that is probably 99 more miles than I walked for the past 5 years to exercise and also tracked 1911 minutes (that is like 30-something hours). That is crazy...and even crazier is that I have done this for 8+ weeks. I never stick with ANYTHING like this...I am so grateful I have stuck with this. One Mile at a Time. :)
Lesson for the day: When you see a guy working on the sprinklers cut across to the other side of the street (got a little sprayed). Oh, and map out a few 4 mile routes in case I change my mind ahead of time. And...Just Show Up!!!
Temp: 68 degrees, clear skies
Distance: 3.52 miles
Time: 59:10
Pace: 16:48.5
MPH: 3.57
10K estimate: 2h 5m 24s
Half estimate: 3h 38m
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A Hero's Welcome
Well, last night we had plans (I've learned what a scary word that can be) to walk the northern section of the Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor round trip cutting it a bit short. On the mapmyrun.com map, it showed up as 4.1 miles from the 428 or 468 or whatever parking lot off of Sherman Road in Aubrey to the north end right near the Ray Roberts Dam. It was exactly 4.1 to the bridge over the creek, and 4.5 to the road. My training plan (I'll share more about that later) included 8 miles for today (originally just 7, but I was going to do 8 because I am doing the Hills & Heels Dollar a K, 10K...my first 10K ever next weekend which is only 6.2 miles and have planned on 7 miles for next weekend, so figured do some extra this weekend and the 6.2 will work out even). Since it was 4.1 to the creek and 4.1 back would make 8.2, I thought this is perfect.
We have had a rough week at our house, and as a family, we really make memories and bond a lot when we hike or get outdoors together. I asked Mark if he wanted to ride his bike, and Issy was going to ride her bike. We have had much cooler temperatures the past few days, and the forecast called for temps under 85 degrees in Aubrey up through 11a. So, I figured if we started around oh, say, 7a on the trail, that would give us easily 1.5 hours there (which is slower than my usual pace) and 1.5 hours back and it would definitely be nice and cool and refreshing for all of us.
Well, first mistake, slept until about 7a, and didn't leave until probably 9a. We got to the park and ventured out about 9a or 10a. It was muggy, and not quite the cool 91 degrees I had remembered from the night before on the patio (which was probably a much lower humidity). Then the bike Mark was using (thanks Mom for lending us yours) was having brake issues. And the what looked like a paved trail from mapmywalk was all small gravel. And before you know it we were about 2 miles into the walk with the sun peaking over the tree line, and I already started to realize that we probably weren't going to make it back. Shortly after spotting and shoo-ing away the copperhead on the trail past the 2 mile mark, I suggest to Mark we should turn around and call it a day. He convinced us to continue, and so we did.
We did get to see the McKinney Road Bridge which was a broken bridge Bonnie and Clyde reportedly escaped Pilot Point on, and Mark did see a ton of places he road many times as a young child. It was a great time and the last mile was shaded. Oh, and Jack especially enjoyed the shade. Did I mention Jack was with us...our cattle herding dog? He did great for a while. Then he kept retreating to the shade. Smart dog. We finished the 4.1 miles with one break where I stopped my watch to explore the bridge area at a time of 1 hour 22 minutes (and seconds didn't seem to matter at this point). Horrible pace, but I am sure that walking on gravel slows my pace down by a good 1-2 minutes per mile, and it definitely worked muscles that don't get worked on concrete.
Long story shortER...we did finish the 4.1 miles to the rest area, at which point I looked at Mark and said I really didn't think we could make it back especially since the trail would no longer have any shade covering. He heroically offered to ride his bike back at a faster rate than he could go with us in tow, and I jumped on the chance. I was a little worried he could overheat or get hurt, but he is a pretty experienced mountain bikers for an amateur. So, at 12:22, he set off for the south parking lot to retrieve the truck and come pick us up. We estimated a good hour before him getting back.
Issy and I then ventured over to the West parking lot which appeared to be only about .25 mile away, but ended up being quite farther. At one point on that walk, Jack just laid down on the hot concrete as though he was opting for sudden death rather than walk another step. He did finally make it back up but walked like a Kindergartner with his arms swagging back and forth in complaint. Lesson learned...Jack is a hindrance and probably prefers for the most part not to be taken on long hikes especially in the summer again. This extra little hike ended up being about .79 more to end our hike at 4.89 miles with an additional 22 minutes added to finish us up at 1 hour 44 minutes. I think that is like a 21:00 minute mile, but at this point I was just surprised we even finished.
So...after sitting under the oh, so appreciated shaded table, our HERO arrived around an hour later. We have both never been so happy to see him!!! And we'll never do that trail again!!!
Lessons for the day...ready to call it quits when we are ready, gravel sucks, bring an air pump for the bikes on trails, Jack is a hindrance on long walks, 6a is much better than 9a in the summer, humidity matters, glad we brought lots of water and snacks.
We have had a rough week at our house, and as a family, we really make memories and bond a lot when we hike or get outdoors together. I asked Mark if he wanted to ride his bike, and Issy was going to ride her bike. We have had much cooler temperatures the past few days, and the forecast called for temps under 85 degrees in Aubrey up through 11a. So, I figured if we started around oh, say, 7a on the trail, that would give us easily 1.5 hours there (which is slower than my usual pace) and 1.5 hours back and it would definitely be nice and cool and refreshing for all of us.
Well, first mistake, slept until about 7a, and didn't leave until probably 9a. We got to the park and ventured out about 9a or 10a. It was muggy, and not quite the cool 91 degrees I had remembered from the night before on the patio (which was probably a much lower humidity). Then the bike Mark was using (thanks Mom for lending us yours) was having brake issues. And the what looked like a paved trail from mapmywalk was all small gravel. And before you know it we were about 2 miles into the walk with the sun peaking over the tree line, and I already started to realize that we probably weren't going to make it back. Shortly after spotting and shoo-ing away the copperhead on the trail past the 2 mile mark, I suggest to Mark we should turn around and call it a day. He convinced us to continue, and so we did.
We did get to see the McKinney Road Bridge which was a broken bridge Bonnie and Clyde reportedly escaped Pilot Point on, and Mark did see a ton of places he road many times as a young child. It was a great time and the last mile was shaded. Oh, and Jack especially enjoyed the shade. Did I mention Jack was with us...our cattle herding dog? He did great for a while. Then he kept retreating to the shade. Smart dog. We finished the 4.1 miles with one break where I stopped my watch to explore the bridge area at a time of 1 hour 22 minutes (and seconds didn't seem to matter at this point). Horrible pace, but I am sure that walking on gravel slows my pace down by a good 1-2 minutes per mile, and it definitely worked muscles that don't get worked on concrete.
Long story shortER...we did finish the 4.1 miles to the rest area, at which point I looked at Mark and said I really didn't think we could make it back especially since the trail would no longer have any shade covering. He heroically offered to ride his bike back at a faster rate than he could go with us in tow, and I jumped on the chance. I was a little worried he could overheat or get hurt, but he is a pretty experienced mountain bikers for an amateur. So, at 12:22, he set off for the south parking lot to retrieve the truck and come pick us up. We estimated a good hour before him getting back.
Issy and I then ventured over to the West parking lot which appeared to be only about .25 mile away, but ended up being quite farther. At one point on that walk, Jack just laid down on the hot concrete as though he was opting for sudden death rather than walk another step. He did finally make it back up but walked like a Kindergartner with his arms swagging back and forth in complaint. Lesson learned...Jack is a hindrance and probably prefers for the most part not to be taken on long hikes especially in the summer again. This extra little hike ended up being about .79 more to end our hike at 4.89 miles with an additional 22 minutes added to finish us up at 1 hour 44 minutes. I think that is like a 21:00 minute mile, but at this point I was just surprised we even finished.
So...after sitting under the oh, so appreciated shaded table, our HERO arrived around an hour later. We have both never been so happy to see him!!! And we'll never do that trail again!!!
Lessons for the day...ready to call it quits when we are ready, gravel sucks, bring an air pump for the bikes on trails, Jack is a hindrance on long walks, 6a is much better than 9a in the summer, humidity matters, glad we brought lots of water and snacks.
Just Showed Up
I heard this phrase years ago, and I have been contemplating starting a blog about my walking endeavors. Not quite sure why I want to blog, but I have felt the desire lately. Probably because it is THE FIRST TIME EVER I have stuck with an exercise routine and done it for more than 2-3 weeks.
And the title, "Just Showed Up" made me think about how I feel right now as a new walker. I feel like I have known how to walk my whole life and the benefits of walking, but all of a sudden not only do I feel like someone who is running in at the last minute with my oh so hawt pink fanny pack clipping to my waist as the buzzer goes off, hence "just showing up" but I also feel the nagging sense that I have been here all along and mentally I am "just showing up." And as a very new to the sport walker, I also feel like I have "just shown up" on the scene and that I am literally soaking up every tidbit, every bit of information, every ounce of anything I can learn about walking.
So..."just showed up" it is.
Some up to date information I want to eventually put here...a to-do check list of sorts:
~signing up for my first half marathon
~how much I love the Heels and Hills organization and why
~how my doctor recommended this
~my thoughts/experience on being humble, teachable, and right-sized in being where I am instead of trying to be somewhere ahead of where I am
~adding some counters for my miles completed
And the title, "Just Showed Up" made me think about how I feel right now as a new walker. I feel like I have known how to walk my whole life and the benefits of walking, but all of a sudden not only do I feel like someone who is running in at the last minute with my oh so hawt pink fanny pack clipping to my waist as the buzzer goes off, hence "just showing up" but I also feel the nagging sense that I have been here all along and mentally I am "just showing up." And as a very new to the sport walker, I also feel like I have "just shown up" on the scene and that I am literally soaking up every tidbit, every bit of information, every ounce of anything I can learn about walking.
So..."just showed up" it is.
Some up to date information I want to eventually put here...a to-do check list of sorts:
~signing up for my first half marathon
~how much I love the Heels and Hills organization and why
~how my doctor recommended this
~my thoughts/experience on being humble, teachable, and right-sized in being where I am instead of trying to be somewhere ahead of where I am
~adding some counters for my miles completed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)