One of my students said I was a secret gansta. I'm okay with that.
I don't really see myself as a "serious" runner. I see myself as a "play" runner, even though I do run about four times a week. What's the difference, you may ask?
Let's go to the Make-It-Up-On-The-Spot dictionary, courtesy of Lois Lane II.
Serious runner (seer-ee-uhs ruhn-er)-- a runner who actually runs the full eight miles needed to this week breezily and who (obviously) does not ridiculously sweat in the skin-tight workout pants
Play runner (pley ruhn-er) -- a runner who'd rather talk than run and who enjoys running for a six-minute time, walk one minute, run five minutes, walk one minute, and then goes back and forth for three to four minutes of running to one to two minutes walking because she's exhausted and has sweat dripping down her face (if it's not unbearably cold)
As a side note, what do you do when you want to run outside and it is FREEZING? (Okay, okay, for those of you who live in one of the 40 states north of me, I understand that 30 degrees is not cold to you -- but it's cold to me!!!) The church's exercise room is not open on weekends (or Friday nights), so our long runs on Saturdays HAVE to be outside. Any suggestions on how to warm my body up before it goes out in the miserable cold to cry?
Here's my more pressing question, though: Is it better to run slower and longer or the way I was before (faster but with more breaks)? I tried the slower-run-thing Tuesday and found that after 2.25 miles, I was not huffing or puffing or breathing heavily at all -- but my time was not good AT ALL (it was about 3 mins slower than usual). So....any suggestions? Thoughts? Comments?
Oh, and to the increased happiness of my parents and hubby, I finally went to go see my allergist. I have asthma and, while running obviously HELPS your breathing (so states Dr. L. Lane II), they were anxious that I would not have the breathing capability to make it a half-marathon.
I have not taken medicine for my asthma in over four years, but, unfortunately, I did discover that my lung capacity has dropped to 91%. Which IS NOT THAT BAD. But I did get put on two different mediciations -- one which I'm supposed to take before I run and which makes me SUPER RUNNER. That's when I ran 2.25 miles EASY. I'm not sure if it was because of the slower pace or the meds, but it was one of the most fun runs I've had -- and that was after exercising on the elliptical. =D
And three miles is set for tonight! I can't wait!
8 comments:
You're not racing, are you? You're running marathons, right? Aren't marathons slow and steady? (Like I would know anything, since I only run around the block while eating M&M's.) I have a friend who runs marathons and she runs outside in Maine in the winter. Personally, I think she's CRAZY! She loves it though. There are times when the snow mounds are so high that she needs use the treadmill inside, a bummer for her.
Anyway, I don't know why I'm blabbing. Have a great run tonight!!! Hope your breathing gets better and the meds help. I went to the pulmonologist today myself. I hate being on medicine, but I guess if I want to breath it's my only option.
Wow, I am SO NOT trying to take over your blog. I'm shutting up...promise.
-FringeGirl
i would say for 30 degrees a long sleeved (wicking is a must!) tee and a light jacket along with your running tights should be fine. maybe gloves and an ear band.
i never warm up before going outside, you warm up quickly enough when you get moving.
i proved i can do distance, now i'm working on speed. i think its up to your goals. is your goal to run a half with no walking? then go slow. if your goal is to get your best time? then run/walk intervals are going to build you up to running more quickly.
its a work in progress for me.
signed
your faithful reader,
who also isn't a serious runner
wow that is awesome! I run inside on a treadmill so I have no warm up tips. although i think it is sometimes even cold inside! ha ha! So I start with a sweatshirt and lose it part way thru! HA!
I guess that I am a play runner, too. I understand your frustrations and elations. Because of panting and sweating, I prefer to keep my "running" in my house. I am eternally grateful for my treadmill. It also helps with the cold. I am never cold, unless I want to be.
Apparently, speed drills (intervals) will help get your speed up. That is kind of like walking and running, but intense. Good luck with all of it!
I'm not a runner at all. The last time I ran was last week when I was chasing a patient who was trying to escape! :)
That being said, as a nurse, an asthma patient and the mom of someone with asthma, I'm really wondering what meds they put you on. Would you mind telling me?
hmmmmmm....how do you run in the cold weather?....straight to your sofa and soft blanket!!! Oh, that would be ME.
ya, I don't run anymore...or ever. :)
Uh ... seeing as I have not been running lately, I am not the one to ask. I ran once this week - 2 miles. But, before that, it was about a month ago. I've been way too busy gorging myself on food to think about that.
Needless to say, I will not be running in the marathon no matter how much I wish to. Maybe next year.
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
-John Bingham
Post a Comment