Spur of the moment sign up

…was something I did before I went to Malaysia last week. I don’t know what got into me, because for the last 4-5 months, my running practicing has been going everything but great. But then I thought, “what the heck?! Who says that you need to have practiced for 6 months before a race? I have a few races under my belt, and I am sure this one won’t kill me either.” And with those words playing in my head I signed up for Hangzhou Half Marathon that will take place on November 8.

In between now and then I am going to Sweden for a wedding, so my training time is more or less limited. And the furthest I’ve run in the last 3 months is 8 km! But it doesn’t matter. I am not doing this to prove anything, more to just challenge myself and do something fun. Last year in Hangzhou I chickened out and only did the 14km race, claiming I wasn’t fit enough for the half marathon. This year, I’m probably NOT fit enough, but still, I’m going for the real thing (or OK, not the real, real thing, that would be the full marathon. But almost!). I know it is going to be a struggle and I know I am going to hate myself when I am standing there at the starting line, feeling everything but fit for fight. But, there’s a charm in that too, right? (if nothing else, at least once I hit the finish line). Also, I’m quite, ehum, or, OK, very stubborn. I believe I can do 60% of the race on fitness and the other 40% on pure will.

Hangzhou half marathon, here I come!

Anyone else running?!

Post about running: sugar-rush-run

Yesterday when I came home after work I felt everything but flash. It was a rainy, gray Monday afternoon and I knew I had to get out there and go for a run (I didn’t run last week due to a sore throat). But I really didn’t want to. I curled up on the couch with a hot chocolate, an apple and a book, thinking I’ll just ‘wait a little while’ but I couldn’t really relax… I felt I just needed to get done with it. However, I felt tired and headache-ish (probably just a mental thing) so I made myself a large cup of coffee and had some chocolate… Not only did that help making me feel energized, but eating chocolate always makes me feel like exercising it off immediately, so, once I was done I decided to head outside. It had stopped raining but I wasn’t in the mood for some muddy hills so I just chose an easier, road train instead. And I ran. And lord, how I ran!

I almost felt as if I was on a high. My heart was pounding, and the legs just wanted to go faster and faster. It took me more than 10 minutes to break some sweat and I kept a speed that I don’t ever believe I have ever kept before (I’m normally a slow jogger, but yesterday I was running, not jogging) What’s going on?!?!? It wasn’t necessarily a nice feeling, rather, it felt a bit uncontrolled? Is this what it is like, running on a sugar/coffee high? After around 30 minutes I started feeling a bit uncomfortable in my throat, much due to no running in the last week. But except for that I was OK. Legs felt neither strong nor weak, they just kept going.. faster and faster. In the end I did a huge spurt, and not even that killed me. Gosh, scary! Almost like taking a painkiller and going for a run.

I’ve never been into energy bars/gels/sodas/drinks so I’ve never really experiences this sugar-rush-running before. But I have to say I didn’t really like it. Tonight I have to do the same thing but without the coffee/chocolate. Because really, I feel like the sugar is fooling the body? What to you guys reckon?

Anyways, all in all I did a 40 min speedy run. When I came home I stretched and then I jumped into the sauna... ahhhhh!!! Now that's relaxing! 30 min later I felt like a new person. Mondays should always be like this! Better enjoy it while it lasts.... 

Post about running: fitness needs to improve, NOW!

So much nature out there just waiting for my feet to explore it... (this photo's from Sweden). I need the fitness to be able to do it!

Last night I decided to give the hills in the forest another try. However, since the lap out there is so short (but tough!) I did an additional 15 minutes on flat ‘city’ ground before I entered the forest. Since running on flat ground doesn’t feel hard I am trying to convince myself that I’m simply ‘hill’ unfit, and not totally ‘unfit in general’… although who knows? Seeing how I was breathing when I got home I am still not convinced…

Anyways, I tried the whole ‘hip out chin in’ style when running down a hill and although I looked like a complete maniac it felt a little bit more stable. So cheers for the advice!

Now I just have to get used to the uphills. Yesterday a fellow male runner passed me in an uphill. He looked completely unfit but kept an immaculate speed, impressing me by taking on the hills with his whole foot (I climb the hills on my toes, otherwise I’d never get up there. This guy put all of his foot down, heels first). I felt extremely jealous and frustrated. To first of all, be passed by another runner (hate it, hate it, hate it! And it never happens in China!) and second of all, to NOT be able to keep up with this little speed ball (I’m very competitive when it comes to sports, did I mention that?!). Anyways, I have to get used to the hills and maybe then I can start working on things like speed and technique. But for now running that one, hilly lap without feeling as if I’m about to die is my goal.

I’d almost forgotten how horrible it is to go running when you’re not running-fit. How long does it take until it gets easier?! Yesterday I did a total of 47 minutes and yeah, like I said, I could barely breathe afterwards. This (non-existent) fitness of mine better improve fast. I hate that my feet/legs feel like concrete rather than feathers… Well, actually, I just hate not being able to enjoy running as much as I normally do. But.. better not give up. I’m giving the hills another go tonight!

Post about running: how to tackle a hilly course?

Yesterday I did one of those things that I like the best about being here in Finland: I went for a run in the forest. The flat we’re living in over here is kind of great: 10 minutes from a big, beautiful lake, and 5 minutes to the forest (and 30 min on a bus to the city) For a nature bug like me it’s perfect. Running in the forest is just the best… I love every little bit about it: the nature, the soft ground (so good for your knees!), the air and the shadow. Perfect during warm, 30 degrees days like yesterday. However, this forest lap is kind of… tough. Forget about 11km/hours (with a 05-1,0 incline) on the treadmill… Even though I thought I was fit I realized after 20 minutes in the forest that I’m not… at all. The course is extremely hilly. When I say extremely I really mean it: up, down, up, down.. Constantly. There are maybe 3 small flat sections? Otherwise it’s mostly uphill…

One lap is something like 5-6 km. Peanuts! Yeah, or so I thought until I realized how those hills actually kill you! Fine for the first, 20 minutes… but the end section is just like one long hill… with little flat sections/downhill for recovery… oh man, I ALMOST gave up last night. But in the end I pushed myself and made it all the way back to the door. But I remember thinking when I was running: “uh… this is not really fun?! This is torture!” Although like always, afterwards it felt great.

However, I’d like to ask any fellow runner out there if you have any tips for how to tackle hills. The thing with me is, that I’m almost worse at running downhill than uphill. These hills are steep, and I’m scared of ‘letting go’ as I fear that the pressure on the knee (when you put your leg down in a steep downhill) is going to be too big. So I always hold back… meaning I don’t make the most of those downhills. Numerous friends that I’ve been running with have commented on it over the years, saying that I ‘lose’ a lot when I’m running downhill as I automatically slow down (meanwhile they are letting go and are flying forward). What’s the best way to do it? And, it is pathetic or pathetic to not be able to run a second, 5 km lap after that first one?! I have this long-term running goal for the summer: before I go back to China I’m going to do 3 laps in that forest. Although when I thought about that yesterday it sort of felt impossible. Anyways, any running tips are appreciated. Running in pancake-flat-Suzhou/Shanghai has spoilt me for the last 3 years… never thought hills could be such a challenge! Funny how easy you forget?!

Walking and running in the forests are two completely different things...

Upcoming challenge: Yangzhou half marathon

About time for another challenge. This pic is from Shanghai's half marathon back in 2006.

I have a hate/love relationship with running. Some days I almost feel like crying when I am putting on my sneakers and heading out for a run, while other days I cannot wait to get out there. It's kind of strange. I have been running for some years now (except for a 9 month break due to a broken and slowly healed left foot, A black spot on my otherwise quite clean record). There was a time when I wanted to push myself and be a really fast runner. Yeah, for a while I was even considering going on a diet to get lighter and run faster... (gosh!) But the thought of restricting what I eat (read: what I love! I am a total food junkie, especially here in China) was just so appalling that I gave up those thoughts about 1 hour after I starting thinking about it. Nah, screw being lighter! Screw being faster. I run because I enjoy it, and especially if I can keep a relatively comfortable pace (at least so comfortable that I am not out of breath when I am done), somewhere around 10/10.5/11km/hour. Obviously, the longer the run, the slower the pace.

Yesterday was one of those I-love-running-days and I did a good 9 mile on the treadmill (the sky was too sad looking for me to run outside. Big downside with running in China: running outside is not that fun; I hate running when the air is bad, and all that traffic that you have to run next do doesn't make matters any better) and it felt really good. So when I came home I started thinking that maybe it's about time I sign up for a half marathon this year (and no pathetic mini marathon like last year). Not to break any speed record or anything (my fastest half marathon is 1:50, my slowest is... 2:05), but more just to.. do it! I'd like to run something else than the most obvious races this year (Beijing marathon, Shanghai marathon) so I was thinking... maybe Yangzhou half marathon could be something? According to this Suzhou blogger it's on April 26 (although how hot will it be by then? I have a goldfish memory so I don't really remember how hot it was at the end of April last year. I cannot stand running when it is all humid and stuff), and the location seems to be quite good.. not too hard to get to from Suzhou (I have to look up what train I could catch there).

Has anyone run this race? How's the course? Flat/hilly? Is it a popular race? What about scenery -anything nice to look at while running? The Yangzhou Half Marathon homepage is kind of confusing (and their online sign up link doesn't seem to work), at least the English version, so I am going to give the Chinese version a throughout look later on today. But yeah, I have to say that the thought of getting another half marathon under my belt is kind of appealing. (Also, running races in China is kind of interesting. Fellow runners turn up wearing everything from plastic bags on their heads to jeans, skirts and sandals. It's kind of wacky! And then there are all the 'senior runners' that have their last smoke on the starting line...) Not to mention what a great excuse a race is for going on a little wknd trip and seeing something new!

Substitute puppy

I've been nagging about a dog for god-knows-how-long-now. I come from a family that has always had dogs. All kinds: the small barky little, sit-on-your-knee-kind, the large, friendly, hairy Golden Retriever and the constantly hungry Labrador. On top of the dogs we've also had cats (the max being 2 cats and 2 dogs at the same time). And then a total of 4 children. (making me think that our neighbors must have considered our house to be a minor street ZOO when we were all growing up). My boyfriend also comes from a dog-loving family (they are currently hosting three large Samoyeds) so the reason why he won't let me get a dog isn't because he doesn't like dogs, but because we are in China. And sure, I know that he's right. It's not fair to get a dog here because once you decide to move home, the dog has to go through a long and painful plane ride, and if you thought you were the one a with limited amount of leg room then think about the dog. Besides, we are not allowed to have a pet in the complex where we live. And so on...

Sometime before Christmas I was so bitter about not getting a dog that I blamed my lack of long-distance running training on not having a fun running companion (although my boyfriend offered to run with me I declined and claimed he was too slow for me... gosh, what a load of bulls***?!). So, when we met up in China after Christmas he opened his suitcase and said: "Hey Jonna, I've got a little something for you...!" (making me first jump with joy before I got annoyed: we had decided NOT to exchange Christmas gifts this year?! We were supposed to be all frugal and stuff because of the credit crunch).

Since he'd already bought me something I obviously couldn't NOT take it though. So I reached out my hands, closed my eyes, and when I opened them I saw it: a Polar FT 80 watch. A fancy schmantzy high tech heart rate monitor for the serious runner. Ask for it to measure something and it does: distance: check. Calories burnt: check. Time: check. Km/hour: Check. Average speed/heart rate: Check.

The thing has a GPS as well as a system that saves every training result, adding them all up and sends you little messages at the end of each week, telling you about how you're going and what you should improve/concentrate on during the following week (so far it's been very friendly to me, telling me that my 'maximal training is improving' and that I am doing way more running than I should be). Even though I initially was a bit suspicious to the thing, I have to admit that it makes running a whole lot of more fun. It's almost as if the fact that you can see your results makes you instantly want to try harder, run for longer and go faster? Silly, I know, but that's the effect this HR monitor has on me.

Being such a fancy little gift, I quickly sensed that my boyfriend hadn't only bought it to boost my weekly mileage, but also to use it himself. IF we don't go running together that is. Because if we do, the GPS sits on my arm. Last time we went for a jog together I noticed that he was constantly looking at me, making me kind of nervous. What was wrong? Did I have a large spot on my top? Was I wearing my pants inside out? Was snot coming out of my nose?

-What's wrong? I eventually asked.
-Oh, I am just concerned to see how everything is going...
-Ah that's so sweet... I am fine thanks, no stitch or anything.
-Well I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about the HR monitor! Has the GPS found its satellites? Is the green light blinking? Did you press the right buttons?
-Oh...

So... we might not get a dog this year, but our new Polar FT 80 apparently does a good job as a substitute, making running more fun (for me) and turning us into more caring people (well, at least one of us). As long as my boyfriend doesn't let it sleep in the bed with us....

Huangzhou half marathon VS Shanghai half marathon

Lake race

It's not been SIX days since I last hit the gym. SIX BLOODY DAYS??! My whole body is itching. I feel as if I have lost my shape/fitness entirely and that it's going to be h*** to get back into my daily training routine... obviously this isn't true at all, but rather a lot of exaggeration from me, as it shouldn't be that hard to get going again, but it just FEELS like that a.t.m. It's still another week until I can remove the stitches but obviously I cannot wait that long so I've decided to hit the gym tonight already. I mean, I did the HHH-run, and I survived? It can't be that bad for the stitches with a bit of sweat, the main thing is that u don't stretch that area, right?

Since we are on the training topic -I am thinking about running Huangzhou half marathon rather than the Shanghai race. Huangzhou h/m is on Nov 9 and it goes around a huge lake that is said to be 'very beautiful' (I wouldn't know, since I haven't been yet) and that actually sounds more appealing than running next to the cars in Shanghai. Also, the Huangzhou race starts at 8.30am rather than 7.30am. Since I am not a morning runner this might help a little bit (at least I won't have to get up at 3am just to have breakfast. With a 8.30am start maybe it is enough if I get up at... 4.30am? I have to eat some hours in advance to avoid getting a stitch while running). I guess the only downside is that the Huangzhou race is quite soon, Nov 9, meanwhile the Shanghai race isn't until Nov 30... So I miss out on some training.. but well, I don't know how much that matters in the end. Right now it looks like I am going to run in Huangzhou at least, let's see what I've decided in a week.

Anyone else interested in running the h/m or the full marathon in Huangzhou? Here's a link to the race: http://www.hangzhou-marathon.com/

Time to get serious

Photo from the 'bridge race' (a half marathon) between Danish capital Copenhagen and Swedish city Malmö. I ran this race in 2005 and scored my best running time so far.

Registration is now officially open meaning there's no turning back anymore: Shanghai (half -for me) marathon is getting closer and closer. Since I didn't train as much as expected during my holiday in Scandinavia (do people EVER do something that they have planned to do during their holidays except for drinking a lot and spending time in the sun?!) I am a bit behind with my schedule and I think my ridiculous goal of running the half marathon in 1.5 hours has to go... Well, no, 'think' is an understatement. This stupid idea is now just a stupid idea from the past. I am, however, planning on running this race faster than my personal best 1 hour and 50 minutes (this sounds a tiiiiiny weeeeeny bit more do-able...) so I still have to continue to train hard (although I didn't train as much as expected during the summer I still trained... so it is definitely still possible to do some fine tuning). One annoying bit about this, however, is that I have a birthmark I have to remove (I have postponed it for too long now) and that means I won't be able to train for what -1 or 2 weeks?! Annoying! But better to be safe than sorry I suppose.

At the gym, some of the trainers have found out about my running goal and they are now trying to help me to prepare in the possible best way for the race that takes place on November 30.

Meanwhile one of them is giving me diet advices (he wants me to eat a lot of rice, quite a lot of veggies and no meat -hm... sounds tasteless?!) the other one is trying to get me to attend classes like 'bodyjam', 'bodypump' and 'bodystep' as he believes this will help my running (? -I suppose he is thinking about cross-training although I think it's a little bit late for that now). Since he was nagging so much last week I decided to try out the bodypump... That was, ehum, interesting. The most interesting part of the whole class was that my trainer friend, the soft-spoken and friendly trainer, turned into a crazy, loud (we are talking a lot of screaming here?), energy-ball on stage when he was leading the class. It was... well, quite different?! And very interesting! Straight after class I went up to talk to him and then he instantly turned back to being the slightly shy trainer again?! Talk about mixed personalities?!

Anyways, a good thing about preparing for this race is the fact that it has cooled down a fair bit outside and that I soon can take my runs to the streets where everybody will look at me as if I am a mad person (running or sweating is not really hip over here. Forget about those respectful glances u r used to getting from non-runners you bump into while you're on your sixth lap in the park...) but well.. that's just how it is.

Anyone else thinking about running Shanghai marathon (or the half one?) in November?

Procrastination (somthing I am good at)

I wonder why I keep doing this to myself. It is 6am and I am 'ready' for my morning run. Well, ready or ready? I did get up up, and then I had about 1 liter of water (I should really pea!) and now I am procrastinating leaving my flat. I don't like these morning runs! It doesn't matter how healthy or good they are, I still despise them! Mornings are for sleeping, days are for running?! Stupid Shanghai Marathon that has to be at 7am in the morning. And even MORE STUPID me who decided to run that thing. Now I've waited for 15 minutes and if I don't go soon I know I will be very disappointed with myself later today. But damn... who said getting used to running during the mornings were easy? Remind me, if I ever start talking about race challenges or things like that again that remind me of the fact that it's not for me.

OK, here we go. 45 minutes of torture is about to begin. And I don't even have any peanut butter. Not that I like peanut butter but still. Damn.

Getting used to morning runs (so far -painful!)

I don't want to look like this on the race day...

In order to prepare as well as possible for the Shanghai half marathon in the end of November, I've realised that I have to start moving my daily, afternoon/evening runs to early mornings. All races that I know of in China takes place early in the morning, and Shanghai marathon is no exception. If I don't remember things wrong I think the Shanghai marathon started at 7am or 7.30am in 2006 (when I last ran). That year I hadn't prepared to well, and even though I got up at 4am on the race day to give myself time to have, and digest, my breakfast, I still got a stitch five minutes after I started running. Awful! I hate running with a stitch! (who doesn't?!)

Anyways, so today, I got up quite early and headed out on an empty stomach. Now, a thing about me and mornings and breakfasts: I LOVE BREAKFAST! It's my fave meal of the day, and from the moment I wake up I am always more or less starving, and always hurry into the kitchen to prepare my favorite feast of the day. So, waking up, and putting on running shoes and shorts rather than the coffee maker, was kind of strange itself. Going out for a run on an empty, rumbling stomach, was even more strange! All I could think about was food! And try hitting a hill with weak legs? Not enjoyable.

Still, I will continue doing this morning run until my body gets used to it (I figured it will take 1-2 painful and hungry weeks?) because I don't want to be slowed down at race time because of a stitch. At the moment I am doing quite short distances (I just want the legs to get used to things slowly) so I don't see any point eating anything beforehand, but I suppose eventually I will have to start feasting on those pre-run snacks that runners of the 'Runner's World' forum recommend, including spoon fulls of peanut butter, almond butter or half a banana. Hm... none of these snacks sounds tempting at the moment (those butters actually sounds sickening sweet and as for the banana -I've never been a fan. I find the texture a bit strange?!) but hopefully I'll adjust to them eventually. Main thing is to learn how to run on an half empty stomach (I simply won't be able to eat too much on the morning of the race day -it just results in a stitch for me) and, to get used to running with the early birds.

I can't say I am excited. But at the same time. Not everything in life can be exciting. Gosh. That sounds a bit sad though!

Today's mission: long run (not even that long, but still!)

I (think I) passed the exam! I wrote about an upcoming marathon I am planning to run (date has not been set yet, but it is due to happen before I turn 50… so I have about 25 years!) Sure, it is not my most memorable day yet, but I am planning for the day to be, so… It wasn’t a complete lie!

After another raining-non-stop week (yesterday was terrible!!!) the sky has today shifted into a white/greish colour, but no rain is falling and the air is cool. U know what that means don’t you? Perfect weather for a long run! I am just starting to get a bit freaked out about it. What if I get dehydrated? I haven’t run 15km for I don’t know how long (on Tue I did 11 km but that was on the treadmill so definitely not as hard as running outside). I have tried running around the lake once before. Last year in the beginning of September. It was about 30 degrees and extremely humid. Although I was doing OK my boyfriend gave up after 10 km and we took a taxi back. (I suppode the fact that some people that passed us on bikes and shouted ‘are you mad?!’ also convinced us that the timing for our run could have been better)

Today is a much better day for running, although it is a bit windy out there. I guess I just have to run veeeeeeeery slow and think about the post-workout massage I am planning to have afterwards.

UPDATE: I ended up getting a bit lost during my run (nothing out of the ordinary -I have a terrible sense of directions) and ended up being out running for almost 2 hours!!! Came home, sweaty (sorry, I mean, GLOWING) and thirsty, but except for that it felt great! The legs are a lil' bit stiff but actually much better than excpected. I have no idea what distance I ran but man, it feels good to know that my legs are still up for running for 1.5-2 hours. Yey!!! Now, reward time: Pancakes!!!

Training for my challenge week 1

Training for my half marathon challenge is going great! At least so far. I’ve talked to some runners and decided to take their advice: I’ll first focus on building my weekly mileage and then, maybe 1.5-2 months later, when the legs are used to the distance, I will start adding speed training.

I don’t want to injure myself, or shock my legs, so I am starting things quite easily. This week I am aiming to do 20-25 miles (so far I've done 13, but it is only Thursday), with my first long run this Saturday! Quite excited! But I guess I have to get up around 5am or something in order to beat the heat.

I told some trainers at the gym about what I am training for, so now they are all involved in finding me running exercises. Lunges and that kind of stuff. I also told them that I don’t have to start doing everything at once, but that is obviously hard to understand. Yesterday when I walked in to the gym two of them came running towards me:

-you la, you la (yes, one was the Hunan boy!) we have some new exercises for you!

Well, let’s see how long this lasts? I give it one week then I bet they have all forgotten about me.

One funny thing one trainer told me though:

-You want to burn your fat?
-Yes.
-And you like chocolate?
-Yes.
-Stop liking it!
-Eh… stop liking.. chocolate?!
-Yes!
-Just like that!
-Yes.
-But I am a girl?!
-What?
-Eh… nevermind.

Stop liking chocolate?! Daaaah! If it was just THAT easy?!