Yes, that tiny wee digit at the outside edge of your foot, commonly refered to as the baby toe. Baby toe... baby.
Right. Not anymore.
That baby toe has put an end to my running for a few days because of a baby toe blister. One that I arrogantly ignored because, well you know, it's just my baby toe, and a bandaid should work.
Running in the rain did not help - and my baby toe is now a BIG presence in my life.
Nothing is working to take the pain away. Blister bandages, taping all the other toe digits together, padding between the toe. Nope, nothing. And I have a half marathon race on Friday.
I now have a new respect for this little - ahem, important toe and will give it lots of respect and loving care so that it will heal in time for friday.
This is the first training session that I am missing in preparation for my marathon in January, and while I'm sure everything will be fine, it just leaves me a little frustrated. Sounds silly to a non-runner, but I'm sure you all understand.
Just call me Hop-a-Long.
Best,
Jenny
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Rain!!
WooHoo! It rained! Yesterday it finally rained!
Living here in the Middle East definately has its pluses. No snow, no snow, and of course, no snow. Now to a born and bred ex-pat Canadian, that adds up. When I left Toronto at the sage old age of 40, I new that I'd lived my fill of cold, slushy, bone chilling cold. (Oh, and don't forget that the sun goes bye bye from November to April!). Israel's promise, amoungst many, is that there will be lots of sun, heat and only the occassional, flukey, rare, brief snow fall that will last minutes. What Israel also promises often, is little rain.
Here winter lasts from December to mid-March. Where I live the average daytime temps drop to about 23c - 24c (75f) and in the evenings 10c (50f). No bad - and believe me it can feel pretty cold after you lived here for a while. However, the thing we miss, and need, and pray for, literally during the winter season, is rain.
Yesterday I had an easy run of 16km and since I wanted to run it easy, I went with two friends who are just getting back into running. One is super competitive the other pretty laid back. One of them I love to run with, ach, the other I could leave behind. You figure it out. We all commented on how the weather looked pretty stormy, but since there was no forcast of rain for at least another week, we were pretty sure it wouldn't rain.
Never say never. Suddenly the skies turned black, the winds picked up and a deluge was dropped. WooHoo! It was so amazing! Three crazy women running on the side of a desert highway in the pouring rain. Oy, is my Garmin waterproof? was my only worried thought. We seemed to be running into the rain clouds which prolonged the rain shower. My competitive friend said, "If it continues to rain I'm stopping and turning around." I said, "If it continues to rain, I'm just going to continue!" Now that's the right attitude, and to run in the rain over here, a blessing!
While I don't hope to run in rain too often, I do hope that the rainy winter season is finally here, and we receive the rain that we need to sustain us for the remaining 9 months of the year.
Anyone else have great rain stories?
Best,
Jenny
Living here in the Middle East definately has its pluses. No snow, no snow, and of course, no snow. Now to a born and bred ex-pat Canadian, that adds up. When I left Toronto at the sage old age of 40, I new that I'd lived my fill of cold, slushy, bone chilling cold. (Oh, and don't forget that the sun goes bye bye from November to April!). Israel's promise, amoungst many, is that there will be lots of sun, heat and only the occassional, flukey, rare, brief snow fall that will last minutes. What Israel also promises often, is little rain.
Here winter lasts from December to mid-March. Where I live the average daytime temps drop to about 23c - 24c (75f) and in the evenings 10c (50f). No bad - and believe me it can feel pretty cold after you lived here for a while. However, the thing we miss, and need, and pray for, literally during the winter season, is rain.
Yesterday I had an easy run of 16km and since I wanted to run it easy, I went with two friends who are just getting back into running. One is super competitive the other pretty laid back. One of them I love to run with, ach, the other I could leave behind. You figure it out. We all commented on how the weather looked pretty stormy, but since there was no forcast of rain for at least another week, we were pretty sure it wouldn't rain.
Never say never. Suddenly the skies turned black, the winds picked up and a deluge was dropped. WooHoo! It was so amazing! Three crazy women running on the side of a desert highway in the pouring rain. Oy, is my Garmin waterproof? was my only worried thought. We seemed to be running into the rain clouds which prolonged the rain shower. My competitive friend said, "If it continues to rain I'm stopping and turning around." I said, "If it continues to rain, I'm just going to continue!" Now that's the right attitude, and to run in the rain over here, a blessing!
While I don't hope to run in rain too often, I do hope that the rainy winter season is finally here, and we receive the rain that we need to sustain us for the remaining 9 months of the year.
Anyone else have great rain stories?
Best,
Jenny
Friday, December 3, 2010
Happy Hannukah
WooHoo! I did it again!
Today was my third 32km long run, and I rocked it out with by best time yet of 3:21:13. 5 minutes off the last run, and a full 12 minutes of my first 32 km run! I have one more to go in two weeks, but I don't plan to run too much faster than this. It's so obvious that training really works, especially all those mid-long runs where we learn to build mileage.
We are now celebrating Hannukah. Hannukah is probably one of the best know Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and assimilated Jews) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the customs of elaborate gift giving and decoration. It is ironic because Hannukah has it's roots in a revolution against assimilation and the oppression of the Jewish religion, and yet it has become the most assimilated and secular holiday in the Jewish calendar.
In our home, we take a less than fancy stance on custom, and celebrate the holiday on a much simpiler level. We light candles, have one small Hannukah party, and give small gifts to our grandchildren. The joy is in being free to celebrate our religion we way we choose, and of course, to be doing it in Israel.
Happy Hannukah - and watch out for those donuts!
Best,
Jenny
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Recovery
Today I ran a 19km Recovery Run.
What does that mean, recovery? You mean from the 26 km long run on friday? If so, since when is 19 km a recovery from 26 km? Come on, maybe 9 or 10 or even 13 is a recovery from 26 km...? No?
As I was plodding along I wasn't really sure whether I was supposed to run faster or slower than friday's long run. I would assume so, considering I was supposed to be recovering. But I just felt so motivated and able. I still held myself back (6:10 pace) but it was not a lot slower than the 6:17 pace I ran on friday. Maybe someone could enlighten me.
This week promises to be a very heavy week of running (85 km) with the next two weeks pretty much the same. I have a half marathon next week and my final long run 32 km the friday after. Then - we start to taper for the marathon on January 6th.
It is all very exciting.
Best,
Jenny
What does that mean, recovery? You mean from the 26 km long run on friday? If so, since when is 19 km a recovery from 26 km? Come on, maybe 9 or 10 or even 13 is a recovery from 26 km...? No?
As I was plodding along I wasn't really sure whether I was supposed to run faster or slower than friday's long run. I would assume so, considering I was supposed to be recovering. But I just felt so motivated and able. I still held myself back (6:10 pace) but it was not a lot slower than the 6:17 pace I ran on friday. Maybe someone could enlighten me.
This week promises to be a very heavy week of running (85 km) with the next two weeks pretty much the same. I have a half marathon next week and my final long run 32 km the friday after. Then - we start to taper for the marathon on January 6th.
It is all very exciting.
Best,
Jenny
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Speedy Gonzales
Today's run was intervals. 18 km with 4 x 1600 meters and 800 meter recovery jogs. Yikes.
I usually do my speed work inside on my treadmill, but my program has ramped up the milage for the next few weeks, and suddenly a 12 km speed workout has turned into a 18 km speed workout. After trying 16 km last week, I knew I couldn't keep it up on the treadmill... so, outdoors I went.
I was supposed to run the 1600 meter intervals in 9:09 - but of course, since I have been running much faster than the pace suggested to me in the program - combined with being in the beautiful outdoors, I ran much faster.
1st - 8:38
2nd - 8:31
3rd - 8:42
4th - 9:07
I know one should strive for negative splits, but the speed and length of the interval got the better of me. (In addition to those darn headwinds that come through the valley I was running in.)
I was working overtime trying to convince myself to knock off at mile 15, then 16, then 17. Bully for me that I hung on and completed the entire 18km. Amazing what a feeling of achievement one gets after such a run!
Tomorrow is supposed to be an 18km mid long run, but I think I'm going to scale back to 15km. I am running with a friend who is trying to get back into it, and it's going to be a much slooower pace because of that. So, I'll reap a little of that and relax.
I've got to learn how to stick to a more managable pace on the intervals.... any suggestions?
Best,
Jenny
I usually do my speed work inside on my treadmill, but my program has ramped up the milage for the next few weeks, and suddenly a 12 km speed workout has turned into a 18 km speed workout. After trying 16 km last week, I knew I couldn't keep it up on the treadmill... so, outdoors I went.
I was supposed to run the 1600 meter intervals in 9:09 - but of course, since I have been running much faster than the pace suggested to me in the program - combined with being in the beautiful outdoors, I ran much faster.
1st - 8:38
2nd - 8:31
3rd - 8:42
4th - 9:07
I know one should strive for negative splits, but the speed and length of the interval got the better of me. (In addition to those darn headwinds that come through the valley I was running in.)
I was working overtime trying to convince myself to knock off at mile 15, then 16, then 17. Bully for me that I hung on and completed the entire 18km. Amazing what a feeling of achievement one gets after such a run!
Tomorrow is supposed to be an 18km mid long run, but I think I'm going to scale back to 15km. I am running with a friend who is trying to get back into it, and it's going to be a much slooower pace because of that. So, I'll reap a little of that and relax.
I've got to learn how to stick to a more managable pace on the intervals.... any suggestions?
Best,
Jenny
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mind over Matter
Today I ran a 32 km long run - only the second time I have gone this distance. (3:26:02)
The last time I ran this distance it was so difficult, and I remember crying at the end because of that difficulty and the fear, I guess that I wouldn't be able to run a marathon.
Thanks, God. Today's run was so much better. Besides the fact that I improved on pace from 6:39 down to 6:26, I actually felt like I could have gone further - and this time instead of crying when my husband picked me up, I was actually boogeying down to a great tune. Not only did I have a big smile on my face, but so did my husband, who is in this thing for the long haul, and always worries that I'm pushing too hard.
This past week was a bit of a challenge on almost every run. While not challenging physically, the mental game that we runners play was tough to get through. My mind kept telling me to just quit, you've run enough, you don't need to prove anything... and on, and on. I almost had to step out of myself, so to speak, in order to see this other person that was trying to sabatogue my running goals. I talked to myself a lot - out loud - in a effort, a winning effort, to quiet that negative voice that was trying to make me quit, and ultimately, see myself as a quitter. Not going to happen.
This is one of the things that I so love about running. It's a place where I can square off with my negative inner voice, and triumph. I must admit that I tend to be a glass is half empty kind of person. But running, helps me to switch points of view, and be that half full type of person. I guess being successful at running helps me make that switch. As such, running is the time that I like to have all my life's conversations with myself. It's a time and place that I feel strong.
So it was a good running week - mentally and physically.
Best,
Jenny
The last time I ran this distance it was so difficult, and I remember crying at the end because of that difficulty and the fear, I guess that I wouldn't be able to run a marathon.
Thanks, God. Today's run was so much better. Besides the fact that I improved on pace from 6:39 down to 6:26, I actually felt like I could have gone further - and this time instead of crying when my husband picked me up, I was actually boogeying down to a great tune. Not only did I have a big smile on my face, but so did my husband, who is in this thing for the long haul, and always worries that I'm pushing too hard.
This past week was a bit of a challenge on almost every run. While not challenging physically, the mental game that we runners play was tough to get through. My mind kept telling me to just quit, you've run enough, you don't need to prove anything... and on, and on. I almost had to step out of myself, so to speak, in order to see this other person that was trying to sabatogue my running goals. I talked to myself a lot - out loud - in a effort, a winning effort, to quiet that negative voice that was trying to make me quit, and ultimately, see myself as a quitter. Not going to happen.
This is one of the things that I so love about running. It's a place where I can square off with my negative inner voice, and triumph. I must admit that I tend to be a glass is half empty kind of person. But running, helps me to switch points of view, and be that half full type of person. I guess being successful at running helps me make that switch. As such, running is the time that I like to have all my life's conversations with myself. It's a time and place that I feel strong.
So it was a good running week - mentally and physically.
Best,
Jenny
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Al Derech Burma 5K Race
WooHoo! This past Friday I ran my first official 5k Race. It was a trail race, and I placed 2nd in my age division (40+ although I'm 49) with a time of 29:34.
It was a very hot day, 30c and the race was run at high noon - talk about hot! The course was advertised as relatively flat, but believe me, there were more hills in the course than there should have been in such a short race. The first half I ran in 13:13 and really should have had a better finishing time, but the heat and hills just got to me. (I guess I was also a bit tired from the 14 k I ran in the morning as part of my marathon training.)
Because is was a family run, there were many, many children and they were like ants scampering in front of all the runners. They haven't learned the finer rules of racing, and as such, they kept crossing in front of everyone, at odd intervals which made it hard to figure out where to step next.
My husband also ran his first 5k and he placed 17th in the same age division. I am very proud of him, as you know, he's really not that fond of running. My family came to the run to watch Bubby & Zaidy run, and it was great fun having them there to cheer us on.
This is my son & family
All in all it was a great day and a fun race!
This weeks Marathon training has me scheduled for:
16km (13km tempo)
14 km easy
32 km long
14km recovery
I need to psyche myself up for the long run. It is starting to get a bit challenging mentally.
Best to all,
Jenny
It was a very hot day, 30c and the race was run at high noon - talk about hot! The course was advertised as relatively flat, but believe me, there were more hills in the course than there should have been in such a short race. The first half I ran in 13:13 and really should have had a better finishing time, but the heat and hills just got to me. (I guess I was also a bit tired from the 14 k I ran in the morning as part of my marathon training.)
Because is was a family run, there were many, many children and they were like ants scampering in front of all the runners. They haven't learned the finer rules of racing, and as such, they kept crossing in front of everyone, at odd intervals which made it hard to figure out where to step next.
My husband also ran his first 5k and he placed 17th in the same age division. I am very proud of him, as you know, he's really not that fond of running. My family came to the run to watch Bubby & Zaidy run, and it was great fun having them there to cheer us on.
This is my son & family
Hubby and I post race.
All in all it was a great day and a fun race!
This weeks Marathon training has me scheduled for:
16km (13km tempo)
14 km easy
32 km long
14km recovery
I need to psyche myself up for the long run. It is starting to get a bit challenging mentally.
Best to all,
Jenny
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