Back in the game…
April 26, 2008 by Kristina
I know that I promised both running and knitting in this post, but you will have to wait a day or so for the knitting portion. The running was just waaaay too good to smoosh into a combo-post.
I am going to go on record right here as saying that my iPod was the best thing that I ever didn’t pay for. It has done more for my running than I ever imagined. I think I am just someone that needs constant feedback (like every ten seconds or so, when I am really feeling like the running is killing me!). I truly do love it.
When I got the iPod and Nike+ attachment a few weeks ago, I could barely run outside. Seriously, it was killing me. Even with using my inhaler, I would cough for 45 minutes after running a mile. And just running a mile was agony.
I was feeling pretty low about my running. I had come so far last year, and then it was just gone.
Or so I thought.
I worked, and worked, worked.
Then, today:
Look!!! I ran 6 miles today! And I truly ran them… no walking. It may have been a slow pace at times, but I did it. In 56:26!!
I have also logged some personal bests this past week:
- I ran my longest distance outside (6 miles). I had never even run more than 3 miles outside before today. :)
- I ran my fastest outside 1 mile in 8:28 (my fastest treadmill time is 7:32)
- I ran 5K outside in 29:01
If you are interested in viewing my running data, you can see it on the Nike website here.
It was really important to me to be able to run 6 miles this weekend, because a friend has asked me to run a 10K with her next Sunday. Now, I actually believe that I can pull it off.
ps: does anyone have a suggestion for a power song (I can push a button to have my power song play when I feel I need a burst of energy). If you look at my chart, you can see that my speed increased each time I played my power song. I am currently using a free song that I got someplace, but I could really use something that revs me up a bit more.
pps: note that not all my runs are on the nike+ site. I deleted some from when I was trying out the nike+ features, and my calibration runs are not listed.
WOW! Congratulations!!!! You are doing great. For what it is worth - 6 miles under and hour is nothing to sneeze at, in my humble opinion. Glad your nano is working out so nicely for you.
Congrats! I have to use your success to motivate me to start running:)
Wow! I’ve never run 6 whole miles. Walked yes, run never. Congratulations on finding your stride!
I’m trying to think of a good power song and mostly what I listen to music-wise now comes from Radio Disney. I’m trying to think of one that would work but am not sure…you could always check out their website. They have a link for iTunes as well.
They used to do Saturday move it party with upbeat dance songs that might help you.
Many, many, many congratulations on your run! YAY! Have fun at the 10K - I”ll be waiting to hear how it goes!
This is really inspiring - maybe it will motivate me to step up from walking to running, finally!
On the music front, I’m afraid most of my recommendations will probably be songs you’ve never heard of. ‘12 Reasons Why’ by My Life Story is a really good uptempto track with driving strings and a perfect running tempo (as tested by treadmill). ‘Jerk It Out’ by The Caesars is another good uptempo track (including the lyrics ‘I’ll be running circles around you sooner than you know’). ‘Heartbreaker’ by Pat Benetar and ‘If Looks Could Kill’ by Heart are good fast-paced rock tunes (with a side of ’80s cheese). If you’re looking for more ‘dance’ music, then something like ‘Do Your Thing’ by Basement Jaxx, ‘Weapon of Choice’ by Fatboy Slim, ‘Sky Fits Heaven’ from Madonna’s Ray of Light album or ‘Truly’ by Delerium might fit the bill. Oh, and ‘Smiley Faces’ by Gnarls Barkley is a fantastic jive-tinged number that is really upbeat and happy - I defy anyone to sit still while listening to it.
Hope these help - I look forward to watching your running progress! :)