This handy little map and overlay is a bit off. It says I can walk to the Ballard Station Public House in just over 10 minutes. I tracked it the other day, the overlay is about a mile off.
Hot Hot Heat
Two things happened yesterday, which may or may not be related.
1) I discovered that at some point I purchased a Hot Hot Heat ep from my iPhone. It says right there in the iTunes cloud that it was purchased from MY phone. Hmmmm.
2) I tried to run 9.5 miles in Seattle’s hot hot heat. It was probably high 70s, maybe low 80s. It was fine in the shade, then I turned onto Greenwood headed towards Phinney and the sun bounced off the concrete and the asphalt and I almost died. I don’t do well in heat or under the sun. It’s why we sit on the shady side of the stadium in the club level to watch the Sounders.I did struggle through almost 9 miles–the slowest miles ever. I did some intervals in the middle so I don’t feel like a total waste. My favorite interval training 30 second of running counting my left foot strikes, then 30 seconds of walking. Repeat four times or so making sure to add 3 or 4 left foot strikes each time. It’s quick, it gets your heart going, and it’s harder than you think when you’re already exhausted and nauseous from the hot hot heat.
Lords of Acid
Music
It really is all about the music. I started this season with a new training program that focused on run/walk intervals. My arm still gets a little tender being bent for long periods, so I’m keeping the run intervals short so I can stay out longer. The new program came with its own music. It’s generic techno music, more towards the progressive house flair of years long ago. I’ve been running and walking okay to that, but I never felt great, never really got motivated.
How’s that training going?
You’ve all heard me say it a million times–I hate running. Has that changed this season? Nope, not really. But am doing it? Yup, I am.
Last December, I ran 13.1 miles. Did that change my mind at all? I loved running with my teammates. I loved the lights of the strip. I loved my mom waiting for me at the finish line (with a margarita in hand). Did I love running? Nope. But I did it anyway.
Training is that way too. I have found the things I kind of like. I like running to a place, not in loops. I like to do 30 seconds of really fast running while counting my left foot steps and then 30 seconds of walking, but you can’t do that for 9 miles. I like running on trails. I like running barefoot. I like running at night. I don’t love any of it.
So where am I in my training? I ran/walk/ran four miles on Saturday with Team Challenge starting at Mt. Baker Row Club. Today, I am running as fast as I can the Turkey Trot 5k route. It’s mostly downhill and then I’ll climb the Golden Garden Stairs to get home. I’ll post my record breaking time later today. Next weekend, I’ll do interval training with Team Challenge and run 9.5 miles towards my distance training. So, I’m doing it. I’m just not loving it.
Why am I doing this? Because my mom has Ulcerative Colitis, which really does suck. What a horrible, terrible disease. She shouldn’t be in pain. I can be in a bit of pain and discomfort running all the time if perhaps someday they’ll be a better treatment for her.
I’ll check back in later today with my September Turkey Trot time. If you’re on runkeeper, add me on your street team. I need the motivation, and you’ll feel great beating my average times every week!
