Learning to Run: Week 9

We did it! We finished the Runner's World 8-Week Beginning Runner's Training Program!! Copious amounts of applause!!

It didn't go down exactly as I'd planned in the last post. We actually ended up completing the final 30 minute run on Wednesday of last week, a full three days ahead of schedule. Bonus points anyone? Ya for us! Hooray hooray! We'd definitely gotten to the point were the difference between running 28 minutes and running 30 minutes was so minute it seemed silly to stop. Also, Scott (controller of the stop watch) tricked me, but in a "you didn't think you could do it and you totally just did it" kind of way. Which was awesome. I'm pretty sure I did a victory lap.

But then... we stopped. Tsk tsk. In very "the goal has been completed" style we stopped running the rest of the week and all of Memorial Day weekend. I don't think it was a conscious decision, it just happened. The running plan was over and without a strict running schedule the days sans running just kind of slipped by.

Luckily we didn't let it go too long. Last night we hit the trail again, despite the gross misty rain. We even took Max out with us, and by the end of the run his little furry legs were dragging ("You gassed it too soon Max! Beginner's mistake!").

Scott's been talking about signing up for a 5k and getting us on a 5k training plan. I think that so soon in my running journey I really need concrete running plans and goals. No slacking allowed! I'll keep you updated.

Side note: the picture accompanying this post is of Scott and me at his folks' camp in the woods. We hit the open road and amused the cows.

I think my cereal likes me...

Is it just me, or...



...does that freeze-dried strawberry look like a heart? Aww, I <3 you too Kelloggs Red Berries.

Learning to Run: Week 8!!!

Whoah, how did it get to be week 8 of the 8 week running plan? We're in the home stretch!

I'm excited, but also kinda sad. Like when you're reading a long novel and you near the end. You're ready to see the conclusion, but a bit down that your go-to won't be there anymore. Now of course my running journey is far from over. I still consider myself a beginner/faker right now. It's going to take a long time (and probably a race or two) before I really feel like I can call myself a runner.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday (check!): Run 27 minutes, walk 1, run 2
Our run on Monday was fantastic. We were both feeling strong in good shape. Also, I got some new running shorts from Target and I love them. I've joked about going back and buying six more pairs. Actually, I'm not joking, I'm going to go back and buy six more pairs. I have yet to try the running skirt (maybe tonight).

Tuesday (check!): Run 20 minutes, walk 1, run 9
No rest for the weary! Scott has been a good sport about the run/walk set up, but I think he was a little disappointed that we were taking a step back from the previous day's 27 minute run. He finds the mid-run stopping a little disruptive. But I can understand why Runner's World set the work out up like this. They want to keep up your momentum, but not burn out you the second day of week 8. To be fair, we didn't actually do this whole thing. We ran about 20 minutes and then ended up walking and chatting the rest. But I'm counting it anyway. It was a run/rest hybrid day, and I think it's good to stay flexible.

Wednesday (tonight!): Run 28 minutes, walk 1, run 1
We finally have another kickball game tonight, but I think instead of hitting the bar after we're going to hit the trail. I want to go out with a bang this week, no slacking off! I'm looking forward to tonight's run. I think that last minute of running is going to be really fun.

Thursday: Rest day! Whew.

Friday: Run 29 minutes, walk 1
Is that last "walk 1 minute" even necessary? It seems kinda silly. If they didn't put that would people stop at 29 minutes and then just collapse on the ground?

Saturday (the finish line): Run 30 minutes
The final day of the plan. So bittersweet. I know running for 30 minutes seems like nothing to a lot of people, but it's huge for me. Me! The non-runner! Running for 30 minutes straight! I'm looking forward to this. I might have to do a victory lap after.

I've definitely seen changes over this 8 weeks of training. I have more endurance, speed, and for the most part my body hurts less when I run (except for some lingering pain in my left foot). I haven't lost a significant amount of weight, but that's not a big deal for me. I want to get in shape and get strong, the pounds aren't as huge of a concern. Nontheless, I have dropped a few, and my clothes are definitely fitting differently (I think I may have actually dropped a dress size).

I'm also seeing myself tone up, especially in my legs. I have a ways to go before I hit my ideal body image (if it's even attainable), but that is good motivation to keep on going. I know this isn't going to be a temporary thing. If I'm serious about running it will be come a part of my lifestyle. I've definitely found this experience to be more than just getting fit. It's also been about being outside, spending quality time with Scott, and challenging myself with something I thought I could never do.

Anyway, thanks for taking this journey with me. One of the best parts of this series of posts is having friends read it and then say "I'm going to do that plan too" or "I've been meaning to start running again, I think I will." I'd like to be a positive influence on those around me, so I'm excited about helping to motivate.

Wonderific Weekend

I had a super busy schedule this past weekend. We hit Palace of Wonders, Sticky Rice, The Continental, and finally went to Baltimore to see The Ting Tings. It was all go-go-go, and it was kind of great. Though I have to admit, I'm now way looking forward to the long weekend coming up for Memorial Day. All I have planned so far is a BBQ Sunday night (at my house, so I might show up in my pjs), beyond that I plan to sleep a lot, maybe soak up some sun, and catch up on Let the Right One In for the book club.

So we hit Palace of Wonders Friday night (see my past NFT post on the place), and it's always a good time. This show was kind of a variety show, with a magician, fire eater, strong man, a woman who walked on glass, and a burlesque dancer at the end. It wasn't as awesome as the last show we saw there, but it was still worth the $10 cover charge. I snapped a few shots, and wanted to share:

Hypnosis - Don't try this at home
Scott got "hypnotized" and then coerced into making a human coffee table. The Swami/MC also helped him out by "holding" Scott's glasses... in his nose.





Fire Eater!
This woman was way impressive. I watched from the balcony and had to shy back a few times when the heat got too intense.





Strong Man
Though this guy was probably about 5 foot 4, and 125 pounds, he fancied himself a strong man, and proved it by having a bowling ball dropped on a glass plate on his stomach while he lay on a bed of nails. Not too shabby.





Sticky Rice and the Continental (which now has skee ball!) were also excellent times, but those pictures really can't follow a fire eater and a strong man.

The Ting Tings also put on a great show (and it was over by 10pm! Made this old lady happy), but I was so enthralled I didn't take any pictures.

Overall, weekend accomplished.

The Circle of (Shoe) Life

This past Wednesday I did a very hard thing: I threw out my most very favorite shoes. They were in such terrible condition that I actually hadn't worn them in a while, and I'll admit that part of the reason I threw them out was I was afraid I might actually put them on my feet again. These shoes and I had a lot of good times. They stomped around with me to work, to hang out with friends, probably even out of state. I took a few pictures before I threw them in the trash, to document how well I'd loved them to death:







I last time I wrote about my favorite shoes and how I was destroying them was in a post in 2007! It has taken me that long to get rid of them! What changed? Well, first off they got worse, and secondly wear and tear was now clearly showing in the toes of the shoes rather than just on the heels. So when I wore them the flaws would be right there looking up at me when I looked down.

However, it's not all sad. My grief was slightly assuaged by the arrival of new shoes! They're not a replacement per se, because they're a) sneakers, b) more casual, and c) not the same color scheme, but they're fun and eco friendly! They're Simple Shoes and so are made out of sustainable and recycled materials (including silk and former car tires). I've never bought any shoes from Simple Shoes before so it was a bit of a risk. Luckily it turned out well: the shoes fit, they have fantastic cushioning and arch support, and they're just as polka-dotty as I'd hoped they'd be. Maybe they will become my new favorite shoes, and one day be destroyed as well.

Learning to Run: Week Seven

That's right, we've hit week seven of our eight week beginning runner's training program. Things ramp up this week with Tuesday being a running rather than a rest day. Here's the schedule for week 7:

Monday (check!) - Ran 20 minutes, walked 1 minute, ran 12 minutes.
We were actually supposed to run 9 minutes at the end after the 1 minute walk, but we were feeling ambitious and tacked on 3 more minutes. It just seemed silly to stop halfway up that final hill. Take that hill!

Tuesday (check!) - Ran 20 minutes, walked 1 minute, ran 9 minutes.
This run felt awesome yesterday. Scott and I were in lock step the whole time, and the run felt challenging but in a good way (not an is-it-time-to-walk-yet way).

Wednesday (tonight!) - Run 22 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 7 minutes.
Yeah, forget running 21 minutes, we're skipping right to 22 minutes, cause I'm almost a not-beginner now, and not-beginners push it!

Thursday - Oh yay, there is one rest day.

Friday (back to work!) - Run 24 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 5 minutes.
There we go skipping minutes again. Not-beginners only believe in even numbers... ignore that 5 I guess.

Saturday (then on to week 8!) - Run 26 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 3 minutes.

In week six and now in week seven I've definitely noticed a change in enthusiasm in myself for running. While before I was giddy about the next run, I now just generally look forward to them. I think the novelty has worn off a bit, and now the more sustainable "Yes, I'd like to run, it makes me feel good" feeling has set in. I had the same experience when I first started working out at the gym. In the beginning few weeks I would get excited about the elliptical. I'd be at work and think, "Man, I wish I was on the elliptical right now." And you know what? That's not exactly healthy. But eventually that wore off, and going to the gym was less like ice cream and more like broccoli; good for me, made me feel good, but not something to indulge in.

Week seven has also brought about a slightly troubling bit of foot pain. The top of my foot has started bothering me, and through my friend Sian and Google's help I'm tentatively self diagnosing the problem as extensor tendonitis. I'm hoping that it was just caused by me tying my laces too tight. In my mind tight means secure, stable, strong (like having tight ski boots or skates) but in running tight is bad (guess who's still a beginner?!). The more my foot has hurt the tighter I've tied my shoes, probably exacerbating the problem.

Now that I know that my shoes need to be looser hopefully my foot will stop hurting. That's how I fix health problems: try to stop making it worse, then ignore it till it goes away. Luckily, Scott knows a little bit more about what he's doing and has prescribed we stick to fewer hills and that I ice my foot after we run. "If you don't take care of this and be careful you could be out for weeks," him and his voice of reason said. I plan to take his advice.

In final running news, I've bought more running clothes (I do admit, the outfits are a fun bonus in this experience). More specifically, I've bought a trendy new running skirt (see picture above). It's a skort, but made in running material. I'll admit I don't exactly get it. Yes, it's kind of a cuter look, but won't it look ridiculous to run in a skirt? Hard to say. I bought one anyway. If they start pointing and laughing at me on the trails I may have to rethink this decision. I'll keep you updated.

Who's on First? The Nursing Home Show

My mom and I went to visit my grandma on Sunday, for a regular visit with a Mother's Day flair. We arrived at dinner time since we've found her to be the most awake and communicative at that time. She was already seated at her table with her two compatriots Ms. M and Ms. S.

We came in, said hi to her, gave her a kiss on the cheek and pulled up some chairs. She looked really good this Sunday. Her hair was nicely done, she was very alert, and responded well to us being there. Through my mom's research of dementia and Alzheimer's she's come across a lot of ways to understand this memory loss and deterioration and how it fluctuates. Some people talk of it being like Swiss cheese: some days they're all there, some days they're in the hole. Others use the popular rollercoaster analogy, which seems so appropriate for Grandma right now. Two weeks ago she was at a low valley on the rollercoaster, but on Sunday she seemed back at the top.

The ladies were all chatting (sort of) when we got there, and we were soon pulled into a conversation that I can only describe as "Nursing Home Improv." They bounced off each other, but in other ways everyone was conducting their own conversation. I will try to recreate some of it below.

Mom and I sit down at the table.

Ms. S: Oh, I can move for you.

Me: No, no, there's plenty of room, don't you worry.

Ms. S: No, it's okay, I was just leaving anyway. I wonder where they put my car.

Me: No no, stay, they're about to serve dinner. [I turn to Grandma] Are you hungry?

Ms. S: I need to find my car, I don't know where they put it. Is the man coming back?

Grandma: [Leans forward] Hmmm?

Me: Are you hungry?

Grandma: [Smiles and nods]

My mom: Happy Mother's Day, mom. [Turns to ladies] I'm her daughter and this is her granddaughter.

Ms. M: [Turns to Grandma] Did you know that?

Grandma: [Leans forward] Hmmm?

Ms. M: Did you know this was your granddaughter?

Grandma: [Smiles and nods.]

Ms. M: Well you need to tell us, we have to prepare for these things.

Ms. S: [Now has her dinner] I'm just going to have a bite, I'm not that hungry. I have to leave very soon. [Turns to Grandma] Do you have to leave?

Grandma: [Leans forward] Hmm?

Ms. S: Do you have to go?

Grandma: [Shakes her head no, looks contented]

Ms. M: That's just the thing they don't tell you about. There's all that stuff happening that's not good.

Ms. S: Here you can have this [Tries to push her plate to me]

Me: Oh, no, I'm fine, I've already eaten.

Ms. M: [Reaches for Ms. S's plate] We'll have them take this away. She'll bring another one.

Grandma: [To me] Well that's what's just so confusing.

Me: Yeah?

Grandma: [Unintelligible]

Me: [Smiles]

Grandma: [Smiles too, laughs a little]

Ms. M: Those people, you know those people.

Ms. S: I need to be going now. [Tries to get up from her wheelchair].

Ms. M: What time is your party?

Me: You haven't touched your food, I hear the chicken is very good. Oh, it's coconut chicken.

Ms. S: I'm not very hungry, you can have it.

Me: It's okay, I've already eaten.

Ms. M: No carryouts allowed here.

Me: [Rubbing Grandma's back] I hear you're getting ice cream soon.

Ms. S: [Seeing me rub Grandma's back] Can you get me right here? [Points to her left shoulder].

Me: [Laughing] Oh, sure. [Rub her shoulder].

Ms. S: A little lower, you can press harder.

Grandma: [Unintelligible]

Me: [Smiles]

The conversation pretty much went in loops the whole time. Grandma didn't say much, and when she did it was hard to understand. Ms. M seemed pretty with it, very aware of what was going on around her and what people were saying. Even if they said something off topic she'd respond to it appropriately. Whenever Ms. S would push away her food Ms. M would try and help her clear it away.

Ms. S kept trying to leave the whole time we were there and wouldn't eat much. She also kept putting her hand on my arm and despite the balmy temperature of the dining room they felt like ice. Every time she touched my arm I'd gasp, say, "You have the coldest hands!" and try to warm them up between my hands. She seemed to like this and find it funny, and I started to wonder if she was repeating it on purpose.

It's hard to adequately portray what hanging out at dinner in the Nursing home is like. It's controlled chaos (people getting up from their chairs, people yelling at the nurses, people falling asleep). And while sometimes is sad and sometimes its scary, a lot of times its just funny. The loops of conversations are funny. The way the ladies bug each other and then forget that they were bugged is funny. And its always funny when a resident recognizes that another resident (or even nurse) is acting odd. For instance, the other day one of the orderlies was trying to lighten things up so she started dancing around the room and singing. Ms. S looked up at her and said "I don't think you should drive." Hilarious.

I really enjoy going down there and visiting (even on the holes in the Swiss cheese days) and I'm going to try and make it a point to go regularly. I'm also considering spending some time at a nursing home nearer to me. I have a little time to give, and I enjoy the older crowd. They have stories to tell, enjoy the company, and often crack me up.

Basement Exploration: Unearthing Trash and Treasure

My parents' neighborhood is having a community yard sale tomorrow and so my mom asked me to help her clean out the basement yesterday to see what we could sell and get rid of. It ended up being way fun and seriously daunting. The memories! In everything! "Awww look at this lone doll shoe, I remember this. It's totally useless but can we really just toss it?" Actually, I wasn't too bad, and there were only a few things I couldn't bear (he he see below), to get rid of.

We probably would have gotten more done, but I had to stop every three items and take a picture. I couldn't help it, it was just such a bloggable activity.

So now, in a post I'm sure I will regret, please join me in an picture-ific journey through my parents basement and my past.

First up! The Berenstain Bears:



I remember us having the son and daughter bears too, but didn't see them when we were going through the basement. The minute I saw these two, I was like, "Oh man, we can't get rid of them!" My mom found a Berenstain Bear book too and promised to save it all.

Ribbons



What will twelve years of competitive swimming get you? An appreciation of team sports, love for the smell of chlorine, and hundreds of ribbons. Third places were my specialty. I threw a few out yesterday, but admittedly tucked a small box of them away to decide on in the future.

Barbies



Ah Barbies. The older I get the creepier they seem. But man did I have a lot of good times with these gals growing up. I would play with them for hours! And yet, I feel no real need to keep them. Into the yard sale bin they went.

Trolls



You know those memories from your childhood you surpress? My troll collecting was one of them. Yep, I'm owning up to it. I collected trolls. And some lucky boy/girl/grandma tomorrow can now be the proud owner of a Christmas troll, Dewey beach troll, and random naked troll.

Whistle collection



Every well-seasoned lifeguard knows that you always need a backup whistle on hand (for when you whip the first one into the pool when the twirling gets out of hand).

Washer/Dryer, Salt/Pepper



I realized yesterday that the washer and dryer in my dollhouse growing up were actually kitshy salt and pepper shakers.

Porcelain Doll



Doesn't every basement need a creepy doll or two? I love how my cell phone captured the especially creepy lighting on the doll's face. I love you grandma, but you definitely owned a number of creepy things.

Glamour Shots



Yep, I totally just shared this on the internet. My mom and I in a Glamour Shot. I showed these to my roommates who responded "Wait, like in Napoleon Dynamite?" and "Oh. My. God. I want a copy of this."

Honeymoon panorama



My Dad took these pictures of my mom and him when they were on their honeymoon (put them together and they make a panorama). They have these prints but have never framed them. I stole them and intend on framing them sometime soon (they took them almost 35 years ago, what's another 6 months?)


Jackpot
The best part of the evening was finding a large plastic treasure chest bin of high school memories. Boxes of notes (that went unintercepted in class), overflowing journals/scrapbooks, and a sweeeet collection of mix tapes. When I opened the lid to this bin, I swear I heard some angels singing. My mom suggested I take this collection with me (to free up another corner in the basement), but I was wary to do that. A) These are way too valuable to leave vulnerable in my house and B) Oh my lord if my roomies got a hold of some of these dairies, it would be all over. Check it out:

Diary 1 (of 15?). Decorated in the Lis style (i.e. Decoupaged in uber girly ads and phrases from magazines). This one covered a few years in high school, so it was about the size and weight of a phone book (I had a lot to say... about not very much):


Mixtape Box (also decorated in the Lis style):


Bjork Mixtape from Sean. I know it's hard to tell here, but he carpeted the case. If you know Sean, this totally makes sense.


A mixtape from Crystal. Seriously, I can't ever get rid of these, even if I no longer have a way to listen to them.


I could go on. I took a handful of other pictures (of trophies, and dolls, and stuffed animals), but I think this is a good enough representation of what I found. We're definitely going to have to do this again in the future. Who knows what else lays unearthed?

Learning to Run: Week 6

We've hit some snags in the running schedule this week. Due to wanting to do some way more fun things (like sleeping in and camping) the normally scheduled Saturday run was pushed back to Monday and the Monday run was pushed to Tuesday (which is usually a non-running day).

The Monday and Tuesday runs were completed and yesterday's run was supposed to have us back on track. But, due to celebrations of a Cinco de Mayo nature, neither of us could be bothered to wake up early enough to run on Wednesday morning. No problem, right? We'll just run after work at a more reasonable, non-6am hour. Oh wait, it won't stop raining. I like DCist's frustration with this fact in the title of their morning roundup post: We Were Promised May Flowers.

So now we're off schedule again. Crap. I'm a big fan of routine and instructions (which can be a good and bad thing), so it bugs me to not be following this plan to a t. But, it is good that this minor derailment is happening now, instead of right when we started. Because the jump to 1 minute of running to 3 minutes of running was way more dramatic than the jump from 15 minutes of running to 17 minutes of running.

I think now our plan is to forget about yesterday (a wash... literally) and today (too busy for me to run tonight) and just start up again this Friday with run 19 min, walk 1 min, run 10 min. And if we hit another snag, I'll probably blame it on the rain.