The Value of Pace

[arguchik]

I'm sitting at the Fremont Coffee Company right now, ostensibly grading the last few papers I need to finish before tomorrow. I'm sitting next to a lovely photograph of rain droplets on spruce branches.

Today I started week 6 of the Runner's World First Steps program that I posted about a few days ago (I was in week 5 of the C-2-5k plan, so I just switched to week 5 of the RW-FS plan). This is a milestone for me because when I have tried to run the C-2-5k plan several different times in the past, I always seem to lose interest or get injured (because I try to run too fast, too early in the program) at around week 4 or 5. My running peters out, I take an unplanned month off, and then I have to start right back at square 1 when I get up the gumption to start again. It's fairly discouraging. This time...I'm making it through, and more importantly I know I will make it through, to the end of the plan and beyond. I can't explain how or why I know it, I just do. It feels good and right and true. I'm enjoying it so much; the gentle re-introduction plan seems to have enabled me to bypass the worst of the aches and pains that usually make the start of any exercise regimen so...well, achy and painful. I haven't felt anything that I would describe as "pain," only the good, mild ache of well-earned fatigue. A nice thing: I am slipping happily and naturally into a 4 day/week regimen, which I feel will be easy to transform over the summer into my ultimate goal of a 5 day/week regimen. Another nice thing: how my legs feel. I can feel them changing, getting stronger and more resilient, with each passing week. Actually, that's true of my whole body. It is soaking this up and asking for more. Oh, and...my clothes (especially my pants) are just barely starting to fit a little better, too. This is good because they were really getting too tight, and I can't afford to replace them.

That's about it for now. Back to work.

Comments

if this were facebook

[rojonoir.livejournal.com]

... I'd click the "like this" thing. :)

[rokeya.livejournal.com]

I loved reading this and re-reading today. There's something really nice about logging milestones instead of miles, based on your own process and how your body is feeling.

This is a different topic, but do you run outside when it rains? Do you have any favorite gear for running in a light drizzle?

[arguchik.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Yes, I run outside when it rains, unless it's pouring. I don't generally wear anything special for it; I dress more for the air temperature, though I might wear a windbreaker if it's raining more than a light drizzle. Over the years I have collected a fair amount of technical clothing--made of synthetic fabrics designed to stay comfortable and to still insulate when they get damp or even wet, so I don't need actual rain gear (and I don't really like running if it's raining hard enough for that anyway). I have pieces that layer (or not) to cover almost any temperature, from mid-summer to dead-of-a-Vermont-winter. Oh, but in the rain I will sometimes also wear a cap with a baseball-style brim, to keep the rain out of my eyes.

How about you?

[rokeya.livejournal.com]

I always run with a baseball cap for sweat/falling leaf/white fly control. It helps keep things from getting into my eyes and irritating my contact lenses. (I never run with glasses because I hate not having clear peripheral vision.) I have one zip-up jacket-type thing I bought for cold weather running. It's not waterproof, so it's just for the cold. Other than than and my special running socks and shoes, I have so little gear. I'm always looking for suggestions for things people have found to work well. Like you, I won't go out in a downpour, and the hat seems to be good for rain, but I've had trouble finding an appropriate waterproof, light running jacket.

[arguchik.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unfortunately waterproof = greenhouse effect. The newer versions of Gore-Tex and the like are really breathable as far as waterproof materials go, but they still keep too much heat in, IMO, at least for running.

As far as running pants go, my favorites are still the old school Munich Pant, made by Hind. I have a pair that I bought in...1999, and they still work great.

[(Anonymous)]

That's great! Are you going to run a 5K soon? Did you take a long break from running? I'll have to check out this plan you mention. Bellingham has many running trails.

[arguchik.livejournal.com]

I did take a long, unplanned break from running, unfortunately. Starting from when I was working in California, and exacerbated by my appendectomy. I did run in fits and starts during the ensuing couple of years, but kept getting tendinitis. So far so good, this time. :::knocks wood:::