Nike Plus

I didn't know I was a gadget girl, but it turns out I am. I've been wanting the Nike+ iPod for awhile, but I didn't necessarily want the Nike running shoes that go with them, so I've just pined over it a bit. Before Christmas I did some googling and discovered there are plenty of options for using the sensor without the shoes ~ bingo! I'll try the shoes on next time I need running shoes, but I love my Mizuno's so not expecting to switch. Anyway...

This thing is so cool. I used double sided fabric tape to adhere it to the tongue of my shoe under the laces and so far that's working well. It works with either the iPod Nano or the iTouch. I'm using the iTouch, so all I do is click on the little icon and select the type of run I'm doing. Today I clicked on a 4 mile run and when we started running I pushed 'start'. I tucked the iTouch into the pocket in my leggings, put one earbud in my ear, and off we went. I chose the no music option since I was with my running partner, so it was just silent most of the time. At the one mile mark a voice told me in my earbud that we had just passed one mile, then two, then three, and in the final half mile it counted me down by 100 meter marks until we finished.

After the run it shows me our distance, total time, pace per mile and calories burned. It also does an automatic calibration of my stride to give a more accurate assessment. When I sync my iTouch it automatically uploads my workout to NikePlus.com, which keeps track of my total distance for the year and other fun things.

So far, I love this thing.

I've done it now

My running partner talked me into signing up to run the Cascade 10k with her on January 11. I'm insane! Ack. She doesn't want to go alone, and I'm intrigued by the challenge, I guess. We made a deal (again) that we don't have to stick together. She has full permission to leave me in the dust. Oh boy, I hope I'm not nuts. We're going to focus our training for the next two weeks and just see what we can do.

This morning we ran 4.5 miles on the treadmill after a hiatus of several weeks due to ice, wind and fudge. We were going to run outside, but it was really nasty out there when I got up so we switched gears. I thought the 4.5 miles would be too much my first day back, but I actually felt pretty good! That's a good sign for tackling this 10k, I guess. Oh gosh, can't believe I signed up.

First 5K Ever

I woke up about 7 this morning, took a shower, put on a little makeup and did my hair. I know that's serious overkill and I put my hair in a ponytail as soon as I got to the race, but I needed all the confidence I could muster and the makeup and hair helped. I drank about half my usual amount of coffee, ate a Kashi bar, and I was off.

I picked up two friends and we were on our way to Corvallis by 8:00 a.m. Registration opened at 9:00, the 5k ran at 10:00. I don't know if I was driving fast or the traffic was light or what, but we drove up to the parking lot at Reser Stadium by 8:30. I'm guessing I will not be one who sets the departure time next race. haha. Since we were so early, we drove to a Dutch Brothers on the other side of campus and sipped on Americanos while we waited.

We checked in on the field at Reser Stadium about 9:40 and it was c.o.l.d. down there. After I picked up my race shirt and number, I changed into the race shirt as it was warmer than what I had shown up in. (Plus, I really wanted to wear it! I did this whole thing for the shirt, you know) We lined up near the middle of the pack at the starting line and off we went.

We weren't really sure what would happen as far as staying together, but the three of us ran together the whole way. T set her watch for 6/1 intervals and we decided to just see how we felt at the end of the first 6 minutes. Turned out we all felt good so we kept on running. We tried to take our pace pretty slow the first mile. None of the people behind us were really passing us much, but we were slowly picking people off in front of us. Mile one wasn't bad, but I didn't really feel like I had a groove. Kept finding my arms practically tucked up under my armpits and had to keep remembering to relax.

By mile two I had found my groove and felt pretty good. We were making our way through campus which, of course, is beautiful even in late fall like this. About the time we hit mile 3, we decided to intentionally pick off a few people. Lady in blue hat: overtaken. Lady with long blonde hair: history. After that, way up ahead of us, Trish spotted someone from her running clinic and we decided to overtake her. She was aways out, but we focused on her and happily waved to her as we passed her by.

The last half of the last mile was getting tough. I was feeling pretty tired, but no way we were slowing down at that point. We came around the back side of the stadium, rounded the giant football sculpture out front and then headed for the stadium entrance. The finish line was down the stadium entrance, around one of the goal posts, then all the way across the football field about 80 yards, ending under a giant Beaver Believer inflatable arch at the 20 yard line.

As we entered the stadium and then rounded the goal post, I was distracted by the fact that we had made it and was busy mentally congratulating myself when I looked up and noticed T and C were sprinting like mad fools, all out for the finish line. I took off sprinting, trying with all my might to catch them, but they had the jump on me. Watching them try to beat each other was funny since they just met today, but I had to focus on my running as I thought I might just have a heart attack and croak right there at the 50 yard line of Reser Stadium. The thought flashed through my mind that if I had to go, at least the men in my life would be proud that I went on the 50 yard line.

I sprinted all the way to the finish to the cheers of the finishers ahead of me. It was so fantastic! The good news is that I, obviously, survived, and I felt like a million bucks. I made the girls get their picture taken with me and Benny Beaver, we ate snacks, wandered around, cheered on the 1k finishers who ran after we did, and checked our times. My finish time was 34:13, which is my new personal best.

I did it, I loved it, and I can't wait to do it again!

One day and counting

Tomorrow's the big 5k and I'm nervous! It's been a crazy busy week and I've only run twice, one of which was today. I'm not sure running 3 miles the day before my first 5k was smart, but I needed it mentally and if I pay for it tomorrow, oh well.

I actually ran on the treadmill today for the first time in quite awhile. Last spring when I first started running it was all treadmill, but I've been outside with my running partner all fall. Anyway, I ran my 3 miles and I was amazed at how much stronger I feel than before. I used to have to play mental games with myself to get me a little farther and a little farther. Not this time, I felt strong! It's great to see some noticeable progress.

So tomorrow's the big day...

Fastest 3 miles ever

This morning my partner couldn't run, but my fear of the upcoming 5k got me out the door anyway. I dropped my oldest at the high school and then drove out 1.5 miles and parked the car. My intention was to run from the car all the way back to my house (1.5 miles) and then back to the car. That's my little trick to keep myself going when I'm alone... must retrieve car, might as well run. Anyway, there's a pretty long hill leading up to my house. I managed to run all the way to the top, walked probably 100 feet at the top, then turned around and ran back down the hill and to the car. I was working hard, no doubt, but when I climbed into the car I was amazed at how much time I had managed to shave off my previous 3 mile trips. I was confused, but whatever... guess I'm faster than I realized. I spent the day slightly suspicious that something had gone awry, so when I had a chance this afternoon I drove the route again. I don't know if I had a brain lapse or what, but it was only a 2 mile run, not 3! No wonder I was super speedy. Duh. Oh well, 2 miles is better than nothing and I through in the hill for good measure.

First Turkey Run

I ran my first Turkey Trot this year, and it happened to be my first group run as well. Prior to this I'd only ever run alone or with my running partner, so the group dynamic was brand new. I was nervous ~ in fact, I had trouble sleeping the night before. I kept waking up thinking I should cancel, but I knew I had to push through.

My running partner picked me up at 7:50 Thanksgiving morning and we drove to Minto Brown Park where we met the group from her running clinic at Gallagher's. It was an open run, not for clinic members only, and they were planning to run 3.1 miles through the park at an easy pace. I felt a bit awkward at first, but people were warm and welcoming and within minutes I felt right at home.

We set off through the park at a nice, easy pace. They were running 3:1 intervals, which I didn't expect, so after 3 minutes we walked 1. I'd never been to the park before ~ it's very nice, parts of the trail run along the river, parts through fields and part wooded. I wouldn't want to run there alone, but with a partner it would be great.

The run felt longer than 3 miles to me, which I think may be because it was a new location and I was nervous to start, plus didn't sleep well. I didn't have any problem finishing, but I was thinking it felt looong.

Getting through my first group thing was big for me. I'm signed up for my first official 5k next week, so I'm glad I got to break the ice ahead of time.