Dearies, I'm not going to lie to you. Running is pretty tough. I don't know how marathoner's or 5k-ers do it, I've never really understood the concept of a "runner's high," which is apparently the amazing feeling you get while running but the only amazing feeling I've ever gotten while running is when I stop. I've got this crazed idea to run a 5k (that, and the fact I have to run 2 miles in under 20 minutes to pass my health class in the fall), and while some people can whip out a 5k as a "casual run" (my running friend's term, obviously not mine), this girl does not fall into that category.
Therefore, I've decided I need to start training for my 5k / 2 mi run to pass my health class. Slightly pathetic? Yep, but if I could run just lead out my door and bust out 3.1 miles no problem, then there wouldn't be anything to write about and you wouldn't get to hear about my remarkable first run. And, lets be honest, who doesn't want to miss that?
So... guess what I did 2 days ago and then again yesterday? I'm pretty sure you already know the answer to that. BUT what you didn't know, is that I did a jog/walk routine 2 days ago, with intense incline and a decently quick pace, just to sort of shock my legs into working hard again.
Side note, I should preface this and say that I have been going on "jogs" around my neighborhood. I thought I was jogging around 1 mile, .5 miles to the end of the street and .5 miles back. I was huffing and puffing by the end of it, but I was feeling pretty great and like the whole "run 2 miles in under 20 minutes" thing was going to be easier than I thought. Imagine my surprise when I clocked it, and it's only .5 miles total...
Which brings me to a treadmill 2 days ago. Normally, I can't stand gym's because I think they're boring, but I needed to see how far 2 miles was, and then potentially 3.1 miles if I could still move my legs after the pivotal 2 mile mark. Well, I am proud to say that two days ago, I managed to run / walk for 30 minutes. Then, yesterday, I decided my legs, physical stamina and mental stamina were up to handle the challenge. I ran for... wait for it... 2.37 miles in 35 minutes!
I did it! I ran continuously for over 2 miles! While this is not really that close to my end goal, it's a starting point. Honestly, by the end of those hard 2.37 miles, I was sweating and panting, but I felt like I had just finished first place in a marathon. I even did the whole "throw my arms up like a champion" bit for good measure.
Since I now know that I can actually run 2 miles, the next task is to try and make it to 2.5miles, then to 3 miles, then work up to 3.1. Once we've got the distance covered, we can work on speed. At least that's my plan. We'll see how it goes tomorrow morning when I tackle the treadmill once again.
Happy running!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Here's to Summer!
Darlings! I've got some wonderful news. It's here. It's finally here. The moment I've been waiting for since I set foot on the plane to Winston Salem 8 1/2 long months ago. I am home for the summer!
This summer is all about soul-searching. I re-read some of Emerson's essay's and he says (I'm majorly paraphrasing) to "return to nature" because nature is "where you find yourself." I've never been one for the super outdoorsy stuff, my nature is the beach, and the last time I went camping was when I was probably 12, but Emerson has a point. So, since this last year was filled with trials, tribulations, wonderful moments and terrible moments which will be learned from and then forgotten forever, I'm going to return to nature. This means long walks on the beach, figuring life out, taking a few hikes, re-discovering what I love doing and then make a plan to do it, make a plan in general, and a few other things. What better way to start off summer than with a list?
In case you had forgotten, I'm a big list girl. The amount of lists I have on the "notepad" of my iPhone is over 350. I even make to-do lists with things I know I'll accomplish in the next 10 minutes just so I can feel awesome when I cross them off. That's not weird, right?
Anyway, without further ado, here is my list for Sam's Summer 2013
1. Bake a chocolate soufflé. Chocolate soufflé's are my brother's favorite desserts, and I want to surprise him with it for his birthday. At the risk of pulling an Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, and having my soufflé collapse coming out of the oven, I've looked through various cookbooks, websites and magazines to discover the secret: add an extra egg white, make sure people are quiet while the soufflé is rising, and don't open the oven door while it's rising.
2. Learn French. Or at least be able to relatively converse in French. I've always wanted to learn it, but living in Southern California requires you know Spanish, so I went the Español route during high school and for one semester of college. But, now is the time to learn French! C'est la vie! Or La vie en rose! Or j'nai se quois! Or something like that...
3. Go camping overnight. Yes, you read that right. This girl is going camping. Let me explain: My brother and my dad are going on a 12 day hike through the New Mexican wilderness at the end of August. While there's no way I would even consider doing a 12 day hiking expedition through the rain, lightening storms, mud, mountains, and other obstacles they'll have to face, they're doing these practice hikes and overnight camps to get them ready for it. Apparently, there's a huge sense of camaraderie with the people they're going camping with. And, as Emerson said, the best way to re-align yourself is to connect with nature. Besides pulling a Thoreau on Walden Pond and building a cabin next to a lake and living there for 2 years, I thought an overnight camping excursion would basically achieve the same thing.
For the record, we aren't talking glamping, like in Santa Barbara status. We're talking pitch a tent and sleep on the ground next to a beautiful lake camping. I'm imagining something like Parent Trap, or City Slickers. I'll tell you in a later blog post after I actually go camping if this was the case.
4. Write a book. I wrote most of one last year, and then decided I really didn't like the plot, the characters, or really anything about it, so I've scrapped it and came up with something else. I've got an idea for one, and I'm really excited for it. I'm on page 10, and so far, so good. If I get around to finishing it and editing it, I'll even release a chapter on this blog for you to check out.
5. Paint 2 more paintings. I've already done a "sunset on the beach," and a "cute seaside cottage perched atop a grassy hill," but I want to paint 2 more in 2 completely different styles. Any suggestions?
6. Go sailing. I know, it's always on my summer list, but it's one of my favorite things ever. I love sailing. If there are any gentleman reading this, take note!
7. Run a 5k. I have to run 2 miles in under 20 minutes to pass my health class in the fall, so I figure that if I run a 5k, I'll be in good shape! While you're thinking to yourself, '2 miles in 20 minutes? That's a 10 minute mile. That's so easy!" remember that this is me we are talking about. 1 1/2 hour long Pilates class? Alright. Swim 20 laps in a pool in 15 minutes? Did that yesterday. Tackle Disneyland from 9am-11pm? Doing that on Friday. Run 2 miles in 20 minutes? I'm sorry, what... But, not to fear! I've been running every other day, and today I even broke the 2 mile mark! (I ran 2.37 miles, to be exact, not that I'm counting or anything). Granted, it took me about 30 minutes, but it's a step (pun intended) in the right direction! Next week, maybe I'll even pass the 3 mile mark! Only time (and lots of sweat, tears and panting) will tell.
8. Post at least once a week, hopefully more. And I'm serious about this. Like, actually. There will be a new blog post at least once a week, so keep checking back!
I'll keep adding to this, and lovelies, if you have any suggestions for my list or for posts, send them along my way. I'd love to hear from you!
Here's to a summer of soul searching, rediscovering passions and to you! Happy Summer!
This summer is all about soul-searching. I re-read some of Emerson's essay's and he says (I'm majorly paraphrasing) to "return to nature" because nature is "where you find yourself." I've never been one for the super outdoorsy stuff, my nature is the beach, and the last time I went camping was when I was probably 12, but Emerson has a point. So, since this last year was filled with trials, tribulations, wonderful moments and terrible moments which will be learned from and then forgotten forever, I'm going to return to nature. This means long walks on the beach, figuring life out, taking a few hikes, re-discovering what I love doing and then make a plan to do it, make a plan in general, and a few other things. What better way to start off summer than with a list?
In case you had forgotten, I'm a big list girl. The amount of lists I have on the "notepad" of my iPhone is over 350. I even make to-do lists with things I know I'll accomplish in the next 10 minutes just so I can feel awesome when I cross them off. That's not weird, right?
Anyway, without further ado, here is my list for Sam's Summer 2013
1. Bake a chocolate soufflé. Chocolate soufflé's are my brother's favorite desserts, and I want to surprise him with it for his birthday. At the risk of pulling an Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, and having my soufflé collapse coming out of the oven, I've looked through various cookbooks, websites and magazines to discover the secret: add an extra egg white, make sure people are quiet while the soufflé is rising, and don't open the oven door while it's rising.
2. Learn French. Or at least be able to relatively converse in French. I've always wanted to learn it, but living in Southern California requires you know Spanish, so I went the Español route during high school and for one semester of college. But, now is the time to learn French! C'est la vie! Or La vie en rose! Or j'nai se quois! Or something like that...
3. Go camping overnight. Yes, you read that right. This girl is going camping. Let me explain: My brother and my dad are going on a 12 day hike through the New Mexican wilderness at the end of August. While there's no way I would even consider doing a 12 day hiking expedition through the rain, lightening storms, mud, mountains, and other obstacles they'll have to face, they're doing these practice hikes and overnight camps to get them ready for it. Apparently, there's a huge sense of camaraderie with the people they're going camping with. And, as Emerson said, the best way to re-align yourself is to connect with nature. Besides pulling a Thoreau on Walden Pond and building a cabin next to a lake and living there for 2 years, I thought an overnight camping excursion would basically achieve the same thing.
For the record, we aren't talking glamping, like in Santa Barbara status. We're talking pitch a tent and sleep on the ground next to a beautiful lake camping. I'm imagining something like Parent Trap, or City Slickers. I'll tell you in a later blog post after I actually go camping if this was the case.
4. Write a book. I wrote most of one last year, and then decided I really didn't like the plot, the characters, or really anything about it, so I've scrapped it and came up with something else. I've got an idea for one, and I'm really excited for it. I'm on page 10, and so far, so good. If I get around to finishing it and editing it, I'll even release a chapter on this blog for you to check out.
5. Paint 2 more paintings. I've already done a "sunset on the beach," and a "cute seaside cottage perched atop a grassy hill," but I want to paint 2 more in 2 completely different styles. Any suggestions?
6. Go sailing. I know, it's always on my summer list, but it's one of my favorite things ever. I love sailing. If there are any gentleman reading this, take note!
7. Run a 5k. I have to run 2 miles in under 20 minutes to pass my health class in the fall, so I figure that if I run a 5k, I'll be in good shape! While you're thinking to yourself, '2 miles in 20 minutes? That's a 10 minute mile. That's so easy!" remember that this is me we are talking about. 1 1/2 hour long Pilates class? Alright. Swim 20 laps in a pool in 15 minutes? Did that yesterday. Tackle Disneyland from 9am-11pm? Doing that on Friday. Run 2 miles in 20 minutes? I'm sorry, what... But, not to fear! I've been running every other day, and today I even broke the 2 mile mark! (I ran 2.37 miles, to be exact, not that I'm counting or anything). Granted, it took me about 30 minutes, but it's a step (pun intended) in the right direction! Next week, maybe I'll even pass the 3 mile mark! Only time (and lots of sweat, tears and panting) will tell.
8. Post at least once a week, hopefully more. And I'm serious about this. Like, actually. There will be a new blog post at least once a week, so keep checking back!
I'll keep adding to this, and lovelies, if you have any suggestions for my list or for posts, send them along my way. I'd love to hear from you!
Here's to a summer of soul searching, rediscovering passions and to you! Happy Summer!
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