Today was the Aon Step-up for the Kids climb. It took place in the Aon Building (or the Standard Oil Building, for all of you that are old school like that). It's actually the second tallest climb in the United States in terms of stairs with a total of 1,643 in 80 floors.
I was pretty pumped about it...until my inhailer ran out of medicine around floor 40. That definatley sucked, but I just slowed down and finished. Probably slower than I would have liked, but I did finish.
My time was 27:57, which is much faster than I did the Hancock last year. If I had my inhailer I probably could have done better. I'm clearly feeling competitive with myself and am going to be wanting to shave off a couple of minutes for the Hancock! :) I was 588 for women 1534/2061 overall, and 207/287 for my age group. Not totally embarssing, but not my best perfomance either. So, what did I learn from this event? Check your inhailer BEFORE you go!
While I was waiting in line, I started talking with two other climbers, Ken and Sandy. (Because climbers are friendly people--and let me tell you, the guy behind Ken and Sandy was HOT!!--Seriously--Awesome shoulders, amazing eyes, when he passed me nice butt--I love the scenery on stair climbs!!) Anywho, Sandy and Ken asked about my inhailer and prior climbing participation and such...ya know, small talk. I realized that a year ago today, I hadn't even completed my first climb. I'd never run a race. Hell, I'd never run a distance over 2 miles. My first race ever, was last April, and now exactly one year and one week later, I'll run my first marathon. I never fathomed I could do that. If something was 26.2 miles away, I'd drive...and even then I'd crab about how far away it was!! I can't believe how much I've changed in the last year. It all started to prove to myself that I could do it and to get Jack to quit smoking. Now, I breath easier, I run farther and I'm much stronger. The Hancock really did change my life...and I did it one step at a time.
Sunday
Saturday
January 26, 2008
There's nothing like running in 3 inches of snow to slow you down. I know it's ok to be slow, but the SNOW was what was killing me. At one point it was so bad we were running at a 15 minute pace. On the way back we hit the streets, but my nose was killing me so it was back to running slow. Thank goodness Becky was running with me or it would have been a cold and lonley day running on the path!
10 miles on the Lakefront path---about 2:20 ish?
10 miles on the Lakefront path---about 2:20 ish?
Friday
January 25, 2008
I went to the gym today. In spite of my broken nose and feelings of pain that I can only describe as something a kin to the worst sinus pressure headache ever, I got on the elliptical.
3 miles on the elliptical in 34 minutes.
3 miles on the elliptical in 34 minutes.
Thursday
January 23, 2008
The Facts:
--I hear that swimming is good for runners. Where running shortens the muscles, swimming lengthens the muscles.
--I want to try a triathlon.
--I had a shitty day along with a broken nose and didn't want to run.
Soooo...I try to go for a swim. Yeah, it was 45 minutes with a lot of kicking and thrashing about. I probably looked like I was involved in a shark attack. And myself coaching wasn't working. Ok, so my self coaching was me telling my self things like "You are a fish.", "Become one with the water." and "Nemo, Nemo, Nemo, Nemo..."
I totally need someone to teach me to swim.
--I hear that swimming is good for runners. Where running shortens the muscles, swimming lengthens the muscles.
--I want to try a triathlon.
--I had a shitty day along with a broken nose and didn't want to run.
Soooo...I try to go for a swim. Yeah, it was 45 minutes with a lot of kicking and thrashing about. I probably looked like I was involved in a shark attack. And myself coaching wasn't working. Ok, so my self coaching was me telling my self things like "You are a fish.", "Become one with the water." and "Nemo, Nemo, Nemo, Nemo..."
I totally need someone to teach me to swim.
Monday
January 21, 2008
Still not 100% but definitely better than last week!
I did 5 miles on the elliptical and and worked out with Hector. Hector and I tried out the new machines at the gym. Neither of us like them. They're supposed to be the cutting edge of machines, but I didn't feel they were very ergonomic. I don't think we'll be using them again.
Last weekends long run was cancelled due to the dangerous cold. I'm kinda glad, because I didn't want to go out and I wasn't feeling well. I missed two training runs last week. All well, life happens.
On another not swimming lessons start tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but hopefully I won't drown. I had to get goggles for this class. Seriously? Goggles? I don't know how to swim now, what makes them think that goggles are going to help, aside from make me look ridiculous. The things I do to face my fears.
I did 5 miles on the elliptical and and worked out with Hector. Hector and I tried out the new machines at the gym. Neither of us like them. They're supposed to be the cutting edge of machines, but I didn't feel they were very ergonomic. I don't think we'll be using them again.
Last weekends long run was cancelled due to the dangerous cold. I'm kinda glad, because I didn't want to go out and I wasn't feeling well. I missed two training runs last week. All well, life happens.
On another not swimming lessons start tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but hopefully I won't drown. I had to get goggles for this class. Seriously? Goggles? I don't know how to swim now, what makes them think that goggles are going to help, aside from make me look ridiculous. The things I do to face my fears.
Wednesday
Tuesday
January 14, 2008
Sooo sore!
Today I went to the gym, but only because I knew that I would see Hector.
I tried to run on the treadmill, but I got as far as a quarter mile and had to stop. Seriously, my legs were solid lead and not happy with me. I switched to the elliptical and was able to finish the mile. Hector didn't even work me today. He gave me a much needed 45 minute stretch. It was nice to catch up on the weekend's events and see how surgery went (wisdom teeth). After the awesome stretch, I did two more miles on the elliptical. The soreness seemed to dissipate a little, but I'm not happy with how much my legs hurt!!
Today I went to the gym, but only because I knew that I would see Hector.
I tried to run on the treadmill, but I got as far as a quarter mile and had to stop. Seriously, my legs were solid lead and not happy with me. I switched to the elliptical and was able to finish the mile. Hector didn't even work me today. He gave me a much needed 45 minute stretch. It was nice to catch up on the weekend's events and see how surgery went (wisdom teeth). After the awesome stretch, I did two more miles on the elliptical. The soreness seemed to dissipate a little, but I'm not happy with how much my legs hurt!!
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