Sheryl sent me this really neat article on Sarah Palin. Now, before you go — “ZOMG! I thought Sharool hated that woman, why is she reading about her!” — the article was posted on Runner’s World (August 2009, issue) and it covers SP’s running exploits.
There’s one quote that I liked the best, though and I thought it sums up running events (and sports in general):
Oh, thank God, [running is] nonpartisan. It doesn’t matter your background, your demographics, your race, your political affiliation—it’s such a uniting, healthy, fun, awesome activity. It cracks me up going to some running event and seeing some dude who campaigned so hard against me, or a lady who’s been blogging some mean comments about me. But we’re all there together and we’re smiling and we’re having a good time because we’re going to do something healthy and active. We need more of that. That’s what sports are able to do. It’s a wonderful kind of diversion from the divisiveness that is politics or that is life.
I guess one of the reasons why I’ve stuck to running — despite feeling bored when I first started running, I found the value in the peace one gets whilst running (i.e., you’re alone with your thoughts). Of course, it’s a welcome change when you’re running whilst chatting up a storm with someone, but ultimately, when else can you go out for 30 minutes without uttering a word and becoming fully aware with yourself leaving some of the stress of daily life behind. When I used to do my training runs at and around Palos Verdes soaring above the Pacific Ocean to my right, I’d like just marvel at the beauty of nature… and that’s just in PV.
Oh, and I wish my mum was more active. She’s a smoker and doesn’t do any real exercise unless she’s walking around a mall… shopping! LOL.
Notes:
Ok, I was supposed to do 5 miles today but due to some time constraints, I could only do 3. Still, I made the most out of the workout by figuring out my maximum heart rate! LOL. I did the test incorrectly… I forget that you’re supposed to go with the easy first few miles and then the last few minutes is when you sprint. I actually did the sprint but went way too fast in the beginning that I ended up having unscheduled walk breaks!
Even then I still was able to figure out my max HR — the largest number that showed up on my Garmin was 185 bpm, add 5 beats to that and my max HR is 190 bpm! Not too bad. This means, though, that if I want to workout in the “zone” where I want to increase lung capacity and the number and size of my blood vessesl AND improve my respiratory rate, I’d have to keep my heart rate between 133 – 152 bpm.
Looking back, the average heart rate (based on my last 9 workouts) is 161 bpm. ACK. This means I’ve been working out in the “Threshold” and “Red-Line” zones! Oh, if you haven’t a clue what I’m talking about, check this site out (Kudos to Sheryl for finding that article!)
Anyway, the run tonight wasn’t too bad — aside from going to fast, I felt relatively good. It was rather crowded at the park, though, so I’ll deffo try to go run around 4 or 5PM.
I was reading the newest email newsletter Runner’s World sent and followed a link for one of their featured articles “Gear: Cool Shades”. Well, at the right side that piece were other (article) links and this one caught my eye: Stink Be-Gone – Get the Funk out of Tech Fabrics. Now, before you go, “eewwwwww!” my running clothes smell nice and fresh, thank you very much. ^_^ It’s my hat that seems to have that weird smell of like, not being washed correctly… Maybe I need to handwash instead of machine wash? o_O
Anyway, one of the “solutions” quoted in that piece was this Silver-infused detergent! As everyone knows, silver has great anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. I’ve been looking to get those detergents for “tech” clothing and then saw this silver-detergent and thought that was it until I saw the price ($30USD for a small bottle)! >_< Then I saw like, another brand of silver-infused detergent; this product is actually what some hunters use to remove their scent. It’s waaaay cheaper ($15USD) than the Canadian one but I’m not sure if it’s safe on technical outfits.
Then… I thought of like, buying silver nano particles and mixing it in my wash! LOL. So then I did some quick research and found Samsung’s failed Silver Nano Washing Machine and several companies that seem to manufacture and sell silver-infused homeopathic water/pills/etc!
Ultimately, I ended up reading this study on Silver Nanotechnologies and the Environment which addressed some of the environmental, health and safety risks… How “Widespread use of nanoscale silver will challenge regulatory agencies to balance important potential benefits against the possibility of significant environmental risk, highlighting the need to identify research priorities concerning this emerging technology, according to a new report released today by the Project.” and kinda got discouraged…
*sigh* And all I wanted to do was get the funk outta my running hat. >_<
p.s.,
I found another article about silver nano particles and how it’s too early to say if it’s harmful to humans + environmental impact, despite its obvious benefits. OK, I’m holding off on the silver for now. +_+
Notes:
I can’t believe my Nike+iPod died on me during run… again! I don’t think I’m going to set anymore distance/run goals on that thing. I’ll just use it for music and if it does keep my data, fine, I’ll upload it. But from now on, Garmin’s going to be my primary technology training tool. It really sucks as I really liked the Nike Running website — in the end, it’s all just eye-candy. And I’m not about to hack the records so that I can still post my run data; there’s a way to do this via XML but what’s the point in that?! Iono, I guess if I’m just into the whole reporting thing, I would but I still think it’s stupid and time-consuming… >_<
Anyway, the run wasn’t too bad! I focused on going slower so that my heartrate was kept between 150-160 bpm. The first few miles were relatively tough! LOL. I didn’t realise, until going through my training runs, that this was my *first* long run training since the San Diego Marathon! Ahhhh! So I practically missed 3 weeks of long-run training. Eek. So yeah, I felt a bit winded in the beginning but it was not so bad that I just wanted to stop and just walk.
I stuck to the 6:1 interval as played on my iPod and let my sis set the pace. (I ran with my big sis Annelle, who’s training for the SF 1/2 marathon like me and base-building at the same time — lol! The lucky gal will be running the Marathon to Athens marathon!! Yesh, the original marathon; the reason why we call it, the marathon.) But yeah, she set the pace for the first 6-miles; it was fairly consistent, but for some parts we sped up because she felt that going too slow was wreaking havoc on her knees.
I had to leave her after the 6th mile (as she only needed to do 8 that day) and continued my run. The Nike+iPod freezing on me (at 4.89 miles!!) kinda messed up the workout again but I guess I should be used to it.
Stats, as usual: Garmin Connect, Nike+iPod stats (post-crash):
Notes:
Ok, today was supposed to be a tempo day, but I decided against it; well, I also sought Sheryl’s advice and she thought it was a good idea, too. ^_^ We both began reading (independently) more and more information about optimum training whilst using your HR monitor.
I found out that my max HR is roughly at around 185 bpm. That means, if I want to burn “more” fat and less of my glycogen stores, I’d have to operate at 50-60% to get the best results. Working out at around 60-70% is actually the optimum zone as I’ll be burning fat and glycogen (50/50) however, I’d rather get rid of the fat first. lol.
So today, I focused on keeping my heart rate between 111 bpm and 130 bpm (that’s the 60-70% zone). Well, it was easier envisioned than performed! I started off with a light jog and my heart rate jumped from 90 to 150 bpm! That was just a freakin’ easy jog! I kept slowing down until I finally entered a brisk walk. My HR varied between 130 – 135 bpm and thereabouts
I got terribly bored, though and wanted to just forget all about it and break into a run but I stuck to it and eventually finished 40-minutes worth of semi-brisk walking. You’ll see via my Garmin Connect report below that my average HR for this workout was 134 bpm. Not too bad but I’m not sure if I can keep it up. Or maybe I should keep it up because I might’ve been workout out incorrectly this entire time? Or perhaps I don’t have my real max HR? ugh.
Notes:
I was amazed at how I felt during this run. Sure, it was a bit labourious as usual but the soles of my feet were ok considering that I’m still breaking in the insoles. I was also able to run the entire 4.5 miles without stopping! I slowed down here and there, but at least attempted to keep the pace close to 11:00 min/mile. That’s with the mini hills at the park where I run! Anyway, I think instead of swimming this evening, I’ll actually do my prescribed 40-minute tempo run. I have to figure out again, though, what a tempo run is! LOL.
Notes:
Not too bad of a run; scary thing though — I thought my ankle was giving way, but I kept my pace and eventually it warmed up. My insoles are still in their break-in phase. At the end of my 3-miler, the soles of my feet were sore! Then, whilst stretching, I kinda felt my butt muscle twinge! EEK. I must’ve stretched wrong but shook it off and applied Kool ‘N Fit when I got home. I feel better now but man, I’m afraid my insoles will give me a hard time during my 9-miler this weekend.
I don’t think I’m going to set anymore distance/run goals on that thing. I’ll just use it for music and if it does keep my data, fine, I’ll upload it. But from now on, Garmin’s going to be my primary technology training tool. It really sucks as I really liked the Nike Running website — in the end, it’s all just eye-candy. And I’m not about to hack the records so that I can still post my run data; there’s a way to do this via XML but what’s the point in that?! Iono, I guess if I’m just into the whole reporting thing, I would but I still think it’s stupid and time-consuming… >_<
