A question for you real runners. Is the first mile and a half miserable no matter what your pace or skill level?
Today was a big milestone for me, I had to attempt a four mile run, with an added challenge for this fair weather runner - we had snow and ice last night. Luckily the roads were pretty clear and only one side street on my route was pretty slushy. I completed the four miles, and a little something, something at the end (no not "that" something, something!) however, did take a one minute walk just after the two mile mark. What I found interesting was that right around the one mile mark, I was hating it. My legs felt like lead, I couldn't breathe and my attitude stunk. Somewhere between the two and three mile marks I started to feel good. Then when I got to my end mark I felt like I actually might have had another half mile to a mile left in me, hence the little bit extra in the end.
I'm now intrigued enough to keep on running and anxious for next Saturdays 4.5 mile attempt. Will run that in Sarasota on what I'm sure will be completely different conditions. Mom, Dylan and I take off for the Sunshine State on Monday. I'm so ready for ten days of warmer temperatures and sunshine
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
NC Bonus Race
I learned an important lesson Sunday, don't run a 5K in your fancy bra and panties. Support for a woman requiring anything larger than an A cup is non-existent and chafing will occur in a "place where the sun doesn't shine."
You are probably asking, "why did Camille ran another 5K in NC?" Sunday is my slow 30 to 4o minute run day and I've been struggling with motivation. Even though this was a very good week with regard to sticking to my workout schedule, I thought maybe running with a group of people would help. It did.
I almost didn't make the race start. I got lost finding the race site, had to quickly change in the car five minutes before race time and realized at that point I'd forgotten to bring my jog bra and panties. Hence the lesson learned.
It was a nice challenging run. A lot of up hills of varying grades which gave me a much harder Sunday run than usual but I took it slow and even walked once. I think my time ended up at 35:00, but waiting for official results.
Training continues tomorrow with a three and a half mile run. I added some weight training, primarily upper body and core, into my schedule last week. Will try to do that three times a week. Not sure if it will help my running but maybe it will firm up my mid section and get rid of some of the belly flab before bikini season rolls around again!
You are probably asking, "why did Camille ran another 5K in NC?" Sunday is my slow 30 to 4o minute run day and I've been struggling with motivation. Even though this was a very good week with regard to sticking to my workout schedule, I thought maybe running with a group of people would help. It did.
I almost didn't make the race start. I got lost finding the race site, had to quickly change in the car five minutes before race time and realized at that point I'd forgotten to bring my jog bra and panties. Hence the lesson learned.
It was a nice challenging run. A lot of up hills of varying grades which gave me a much harder Sunday run than usual but I took it slow and even walked once. I think my time ended up at 35:00, but waiting for official results.
Training continues tomorrow with a three and a half mile run. I added some weight training, primarily upper body and core, into my schedule last week. Will try to do that three times a week. Not sure if it will help my running but maybe it will firm up my mid section and get rid of some of the belly flab before bikini season rolls around again!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Race #13
I had a good feeling about this race before it began, I knew it would be special. My attitude was good and I just thought I'd have fun and be able to run with my heart.
My hunch was true. I ended up with a time of 32:25 which is better than last week and I think a PR. But what made the race neat was that I did the first two miles in less than twenty minutes, which means I was hitting my current goal of a ten minute mile pace. The last mile of the race was pretty much uphill, gradual incline all the way. There were a couple times during that mile when I really wanted to walk, but I kept reminding myself that this was a race! I was hurting at the end but tried to give it a bit of a kick for the last couple blocks.
I don't think the weather was as big of a factor as I was afraid it would be. I did have on three layers of pants and four layers of tops plus a pair of socks I'd gotten at the dollar store the night before on my hands. The only part that suffered were my ears, I didn't bring a hat or headband. I think I'll get out the knitting needles when I get home and start a headband, or maybe I'll start running in one of my titty tams.
I must confess that I really didn't get to see much of Birmingham as I got in after dark and after the race just had time to shower, grab lunch and head to the airport. The snow that was so beautiful on the trees this morning is now all melted.
My next race isn't until January 9, 2010 so I've got a month to run/workout and try and get my pace faster. I know I started this and said I wasn't going to focus on time, but that very narrow streak of competitiveness in me, seems to be getting wider!
The first song on the radio when I got back into the car was John Fogerty's "Centerfield" - "put me in coach, I'm ready to play today!"
My hunch was true. I ended up with a time of 32:25 which is better than last week and I think a PR. But what made the race neat was that I did the first two miles in less than twenty minutes, which means I was hitting my current goal of a ten minute mile pace. The last mile of the race was pretty much uphill, gradual incline all the way. There were a couple times during that mile when I really wanted to walk, but I kept reminding myself that this was a race! I was hurting at the end but tried to give it a bit of a kick for the last couple blocks.
I don't think the weather was as big of a factor as I was afraid it would be. I did have on three layers of pants and four layers of tops plus a pair of socks I'd gotten at the dollar store the night before on my hands. The only part that suffered were my ears, I didn't bring a hat or headband. I think I'll get out the knitting needles when I get home and start a headband, or maybe I'll start running in one of my titty tams.
I must confess that I really didn't get to see much of Birmingham as I got in after dark and after the race just had time to shower, grab lunch and head to the airport. The snow that was so beautiful on the trees this morning is now all melted.
My next race isn't until January 9, 2010 so I've got a month to run/workout and try and get my pace faster. I know I started this and said I wasn't going to focus on time, but that very narrow streak of competitiveness in me, seems to be getting wider!
The first song on the radio when I got back into the car was John Fogerty's "Centerfield" - "put me in coach, I'm ready to play today!"
Race morning
OMGosh! I woke up early this morning and first looked out the window without my glasses on and saw puddles in the parking lot. A little bit later I looked out again, with my glasses on, and saw SNOW on the ground and trees! I was not prepared for this. I was expecting temperatures in the low 40's and totally didn't see the forecast for snow. There is still another two hours before the actual race starts so it could warm up by them. Either way, this is going to be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to a great run.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Race #12
Here I am, on the eve of race number 13, and I’ve yet to post the details of number 12. One would think my life was busy!
State number 11 is in the books and once again I posted a decent time (32:52) for me, I was seventh out of thirteen in my division. This was a last minute addition to the schedule largely because I could fly into Atlanta early, drive to the race site, run, drive back to the airport and fly home, all within one day.
Once again, before the race started my shirt caused a few comments and even a photo or two. I also struck up a conversation with a 68 year old lady, Jane B. who had started running just this year. She told me a story of running a race with her grandson put on by his college. He asked her not to finish before him as his buddies would never stop ribbing him if she did. She had to slow down at the end to let him pass! Go grandma!
The race started with a nice little downhill and then we went on a trail around a pond. I came out feeling good and tried to push it as we were on the trail but the path was pretty uneven and muddy in a few spots. After that it was all road and pretty hilly, though mostly gradual hills. I spent a good part of the race running with two middle aged guys. It worked out well for me as I kept pushing myself to get in front of them and then try and stay in front. They would walk up the hills and I’d run so I’d get ahead, but their long legs gave them an advantage on the downside. But I took them in the end!
I didn’t have my lucky yellow headband or eat a meal of pasta the night before. In fact, for lunch the day of the race I ate at the Yesterday Café in Greensboro, Georgia. Good southern food – chopped steak with onions and gravy, fried okra and collards – yum!
Going through the Atlanta airport on my way to my rental car I felt tug on my arm. I turned and a small elderly lady, who spoke no English, mimed that she needed help finding her gate. Through hand signals and digging through her purse I was able to locate her ticket and find the gate number. I first pointed her in the direction of the escalator thinking that was all she needed. Clearly that wasn’t enough. So I told her I’d take her to the gate, grabbed her hand and suitcase and headed for the escalator. I got on with her suitcase and thought she would get on behind me, but she was too scared. As the crowd backed up behind her I rode to the top with her suitcase. Finally a man stepped through the crowd and pretty much put her on the escalator as I stood at the top. Recognizing the situation, two other men, going up on an adjoining escalator came over and helped her get off. We headed to the gate hand in hand only to find out that the gate had been changed. The change was going to require another trip downstairs to the tram. The gate agent agreed to find a wheelchair for my new friend as I didn’t think she would survive another episode with an escalator. I waited for the chair to come then convinced her to get on it and let the wheelchair pusher take her to the correct gate. As she was being wheeled away she smiled really big at me and said “thank you,” probably the full extent of her English vocabulary. This being the Thanksgiving weekend, everyone in a rush, it was great to see so many people come together in their own little ways to help this very scared lady get on her flight to Los Angles.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Personally, I know that I am blessed with a “whole lot of abundance!!” I have a wonderful supportive family, good friends all over the country and pretty much all the material things a girl could want.
State number 11 is in the books and once again I posted a decent time (32:52) for me, I was seventh out of thirteen in my division. This was a last minute addition to the schedule largely because I could fly into Atlanta early, drive to the race site, run, drive back to the airport and fly home, all within one day.
Once again, before the race started my shirt caused a few comments and even a photo or two. I also struck up a conversation with a 68 year old lady, Jane B. who had started running just this year. She told me a story of running a race with her grandson put on by his college. He asked her not to finish before him as his buddies would never stop ribbing him if she did. She had to slow down at the end to let him pass! Go grandma!
The race started with a nice little downhill and then we went on a trail around a pond. I came out feeling good and tried to push it as we were on the trail but the path was pretty uneven and muddy in a few spots. After that it was all road and pretty hilly, though mostly gradual hills. I spent a good part of the race running with two middle aged guys. It worked out well for me as I kept pushing myself to get in front of them and then try and stay in front. They would walk up the hills and I’d run so I’d get ahead, but their long legs gave them an advantage on the downside. But I took them in the end!
I didn’t have my lucky yellow headband or eat a meal of pasta the night before. In fact, for lunch the day of the race I ate at the Yesterday Café in Greensboro, Georgia. Good southern food – chopped steak with onions and gravy, fried okra and collards – yum!
Going through the Atlanta airport on my way to my rental car I felt tug on my arm. I turned and a small elderly lady, who spoke no English, mimed that she needed help finding her gate. Through hand signals and digging through her purse I was able to locate her ticket and find the gate number. I first pointed her in the direction of the escalator thinking that was all she needed. Clearly that wasn’t enough. So I told her I’d take her to the gate, grabbed her hand and suitcase and headed for the escalator. I got on with her suitcase and thought she would get on behind me, but she was too scared. As the crowd backed up behind her I rode to the top with her suitcase. Finally a man stepped through the crowd and pretty much put her on the escalator as I stood at the top. Recognizing the situation, two other men, going up on an adjoining escalator came over and helped her get off. We headed to the gate hand in hand only to find out that the gate had been changed. The change was going to require another trip downstairs to the tram. The gate agent agreed to find a wheelchair for my new friend as I didn’t think she would survive another episode with an escalator. I waited for the chair to come then convinced her to get on it and let the wheelchair pusher take her to the correct gate. As she was being wheeled away she smiled really big at me and said “thank you,” probably the full extent of her English vocabulary. This being the Thanksgiving weekend, everyone in a rush, it was great to see so many people come together in their own little ways to help this very scared lady get on her flight to Los Angles.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Personally, I know that I am blessed with a “whole lot of abundance!!” I have a wonderful supportive family, good friends all over the country and pretty much all the material things a girl could want.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Race #11
Camille Blommer second place finisher in the women's 45-49 division in Magee Mississippi HealthTrust Scrub Run. Bet you never expected to read that?!
So now I am faced with an ethical dilemma. Do I merely bask in the glow of my second place finish and the accolades that go along with it or do I come clean with all the race statistics? Hmmmmmm?
The race was held at the sports complex on the south side of town. The course wound through the back country roads of Simpson County. I will say it was the "hilliest" course I've run so far, not my usual flat and fast. I'm convinced we ran up every hill in the county! The start was a long gradual incline, quickly followed by three short and steep uphills. I kept waiting for it to level off but it never really did. In spite of all the hills I actually felt good during the run and was okay with my time of 33:18 considering I haven't been running much as of late due to a bad sinus infection. Once again, I got into a groove during the last half of mile two, so mile three actually felt good. I think I need to have a better warm up routine.
So now I am faced with an ethical dilemma. Do I merely bask in the glow of my second place finish and the accolades that go along with it or do I come clean with all the race statistics? Hmmmmmm?
The race was held at the sports complex on the south side of town. The course wound through the back country roads of Simpson County. I will say it was the "hilliest" course I've run so far, not my usual flat and fast. I'm convinced we ran up every hill in the county! The start was a long gradual incline, quickly followed by three short and steep uphills. I kept waiting for it to level off but it never really did. In spite of all the hills I actually felt good during the run and was okay with my time of 33:18 considering I haven't been running much as of late due to a bad sinus infection. Once again, I got into a groove during the last half of mile two, so mile three actually felt good. I think I need to have a better warm up routine.
After the race I couldn't hang around for the award ceremony but I did chat with a gal who lived about an hour and a half south, originally from New Orleans. This was her first 5K and her goal was to just run the entire race, she succeeded in that - yeah for her!! I asked her about Magee to see if I could get a better handle on the town. She really didn't know anything about it except the fact that it had been hit with a bad tornado in March that destroyed a number of homes. I asked her if she knew how the people made a living and her response was: "I've been living in Mississippi for six years and asked myself the same question when I first moved here. And after all this time I still don't know what they do!" I took it that she was probably retired as she said they moved to Mississippi because her husband was a deer hunter - to my knowledge, I don't know of any "professional" deer hunters, but I could be wrong!
Have had a hard time getting back into the groove of running since this race a couple weeks ago. This week I've stayed on track but the workouts haven't been very encouraging. Today I did my weekly 1.5 mile Duke-loop and it is still taking me 17 minutes - I need to be at 15 minutes if I ever expect to break 30 minutes. Ughhhhhhh. The journey continues!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Race #10
I've never had so much fun being so miserable! www.denvergorillarun.com
"Paging Doctor Kildaire, paging Doctor Kildaire!"
Top Banana
yes, we have no bananas!
Are you good witch or a bad witch?
Technology has found its way to the jungle, ugghhhhhh!!!!
Camille finally makes it to the finish line!
I'll get the "time" issue out of the way right away. I posted a 53:05. No that is not a transposition error, it took me just under an hour to go 3.5 miles. Now there are a lot of mitigating circumstances: I was running in a full gorilla suit, the temperatures soared into the 50's so I was overheating, altitude (this is the mile high city), I spent the last few weeks on vacation in Florida and didn't run, while in Florida the Liquor Pigs came for a long weekend for hardcore eating and drinking (of which I did partake). I promise to get back on a workout schedule.
I did have another small world story. Before the race when we were all starting to gather, I commented to this gal that I liked her handbag. This of course led to conversation and she let slip that she was from Tampa, had come in on Friday just like I had! Like me she was running the race just because she could!
I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking for this post - words just don't do it justice.
Dress rehearsal at home - all dressed up and ready to run!
At registration - helping out with a publicity photo for hand and feet warmers
"Paging Doctor Kildaire, paging Doctor Kildaire!" Top Banana yes, we have no bananas! Are you good witch or a bad witch?Speaking of witches, I went to see Wicked Friday night at the Denver Performing Arts Center. Another one of those situations where going solo pays off, there was a single seat in the 11th row, center. The performance was absolutely fabulous! I didn't really know what the story was about except that it had ties to the Wizard of Oz. For those who don't know, it is the story of the childhood of the wicked witch of the west (or east, I'm never quite sure). I recommend it highly.
Continuing on with the benefits of going solo. Wednesday night I had to decide whether to stop at the gym for a final workout before my Denver trip or go by the Durham Performing Arts Center and see if there was a ticket for the Roger Daltry show. Roger won out. Not only was there a ticket in the orchestra section, but they comped me - show, free!! Roger's voice is all but gone, but the show was just too fun. He did a lot more Who songs than I thought he would and of course the crowd just loved it. And in true aging rocker style, he couldn't resist unbuttoning his shirt bit by bit as he went through the set list until it was completely undo for "Teenage Wasted!" Thank goodness he isn't still taking it all the way off, his abs aren't what they used to be!
Continuing on with the benefits of going solo. Wednesday night I had to decide whether to stop at the gym for a final workout before my Denver trip or go by the Durham Performing Arts Center and see if there was a ticket for the Roger Daltry show. Roger won out. Not only was there a ticket in the orchestra section, but they comped me - show, free!! Roger's voice is all but gone, but the show was just too fun. He did a lot more Who songs than I thought he would and of course the crowd just loved it. And in true aging rocker style, he couldn't resist unbuttoning his shirt bit by bit as he went through the set list until it was completely undo for "Teenage Wasted!" Thank goodness he isn't still taking it all the way off, his abs aren't what they used to be!
I digress, back to the race.
The smallest gorilla
Technology has found its way to the jungle, ugghhhhhh!!!! Invading gorillas
Camille finally makes it to the finish line!Later Saturday night. I just finished having dinner at an Italian restaurant on 17th St. called Panzano. If you are ever in Denver go there and have the mushroom crepes! As well as anything else on the menu as the shrimp I had was great and everything I saw them cooking looked wonderful. www.panzano-denver.com
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