Writingontherun's Blog

I biked today.

Schadenfroh — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:13:01 +0000

I have been inconsistent with my working out. Actually, that’s not true. . . I have been very consistent. I have consistently NOT exercised since I started this blog. However, there has been some life/logistical shifting, and hopefully so will my habits. First of all, I got on medicine yesterday and I feel a difference already. I think that will help with motivation to get out of bed. Second, I changed my schedule so that I am no longer hiking. That means I don’t have to be at work until 12:15pm! I am much more likely to ride my bike at 11:30am after fully waking up and when I don’t have to bundle up to ride. Third, I was forced to ride today (car issues) and I will have to ride tomorrow (Stephen has a dr appointment). I think being forced to ride two days in a row will help me to make the transition back into riding.

So, high hopes. Big motivations.

Filed under: Cycling, Log

Running home

Schadenfroh — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:43:06 +0000

I ran home from work today. It’s less than 3 miles, but is a pretty serious incline for the first mile and a half. It was such a strange feeling. My body was completely miserable (I hate running) but my mind was so happy. It was absolutely beautiful outside and I got the opportunity to see via foot a route I normally ride on my bike. The world looks so different on foot than it does on a bike or in a car. I remember when I first started riding, how much more present I felt on the route compared to driving. After a week or two I felt like I really knew the route in ways I had never learned by driving. I knew where the pot holes are, the dips in the road, the deep cracks and where there is likely to be fallen rock. I know every turn and when to expect it. But running, you learn other things, like the fact that your neighbor keeps goats.

It was nice. I’m planning to incorporate it into my routine once my work schedule is changed. I’d like to run to work on Sundays and have Stephen pick me up in the evening and run both to and from work on Fridays.

Filed under: Cycling, Running

I like cake.

Schadenfroh — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 07:06:03 +0000

I will never surrender my funfetti cake. So, I better get serious about my running and cycling goals. In the four days since I began working towards my goals, I have cycled once and run once. “Not too bad,” you may be thinking. Unfortunately the only cycling and running I did were on the same day; the first day I started. So now it’s been 3 days and I haven’t done anything to follow it up.

My first response to this behavior is complete disappointment in myself. Next comes the justification (well, I did have 6am appointments on two of those days. . . what was I supposed to do, ride to work in the dark?). Then comes the all or nothing thinking (I screwed up this week, so I guess I’ll just change all of my dates on my goal page and start over next week). Finally, the drop in self-esteem (I feel like such a failure).

I am not going to let myself fall prey to such faulty thought patterns. I can still get two runs in before next Tuesday. I’m going to run on Saturday and Monday.

Filed under: Cycling, Exercise, Food, Log, Running

Run 1

Schadenfroh — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:16:35 +0000

Today was the first run. Stephen actually ran with me, which surprised and thrilled me beyond reason. We live on a little side road with no traffic (aside from a neighbor) in the middle of the Santa Monica Mountains so we just walked out our door and ran down the road and back. It was about a mile. We have a trail (the “other side” of backbone, for those of you from the area) that connects to our property, so I am hoping to add it to my run as I improve my endurance.

I also posted the races I am working towards on facebook and asked if anyone was interested in joining me. So far Grace has said she will do them with me and Sofia and Brittany (a past guest at the resort) has said they’ll do the Agoura 5K with me. It helps to have other people commit too, since it holds me accountable. Accountability and motivation will be key in completing these goals.

Aside from the run, I overslept and had to drive to work today. I was pretty disappointed in myself for missing my bike ride. Tomorrow I have a 6am appointment, but I’m going to try to ride anyway. I really want to get back to cycling to work each day, as that is something I really enjoy (once I am used to waking up early enough), keeps me in great shape, and saves money on gas! It’s a threefer!

Filed under: Event, Running

Here it goes again.

Schadenfroh — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:03:19 +0000

I don’t know how many times I have tried running. I do know that I have given running what any normal person (IE not my father or coworkers) would consider a decent shot. As a child, my father would bring me along on his runs and encourage me to give it a go before quickly finding something more entertaining to do. I always gave it a go. Just not a very long go. In my teen years I ran every other day with my father after realizing that he loved it. I remember heat, humidity, and a lack of oxygen. I did not love it. Then came the attempts at weight loss. After my undergraduate years, a kind man (my now fiance) introduced me to the wide array of processed and fast food items. And as my palate grew, so did my body. So I did what any efficiency driven young woman would do. I ran. It was the most efficient way to take off the pounds. I learned two things: 1. You don’t lose weight hitting snooze. 2. I will do just about anything to avoid running. I still took off most of the weight, and became an advocate of the “don’t do stuff you hate” mentality.

So, why am I attempting to run if I hate it so much?
For one thing, I’m not sure I’ve ever given it a proper chance. According to reliable sources, runners (IE my father and my coworkers), you have to give running about a year before you can make a judgment on it. I have never given running a year. I’m not committing to doing so now. But I’ll give it six months. Compromise.
Second, I’ve only ever run on the treadmill or roads. I am much more of the nature type, so this time I’m giving it a go on trails. I prefer mountain biking over road cycling hands down. Perhaps part of my distaste is my environment?
Third, I’m trying to lose that last bit of weight and my body is pretty used to cycling and hiking at this point.
Finally, my dad loves to run. It’s more a part of his identity than most anything else I can think of. I think he would really appreciate my giving it another chance.

So, tomorrow I begin. I will run Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday for the next six months. I will run alone if no one can join me. I will run rain or shine, exhausted or full of energy. I will run. Wish me luck!

Filed under: Running