My husband and I went with my parents, my sister, and her fiance to California to visit my brother and his family for Thanksgiving. It was a torturous 15+ hour drive there but we had a great time hanging out with his girlfriend and her family and especially my super cute nephews.
We ate. We drank. We played Jeopardy! on the Wii. We ate some more. We drank even more. I was smart enough to take my running gear with me on the trip and had intended to go for a run on Thanksgiving morning, but I woke up with some crud in my chest and just didn't feel up for a run, so I didn't go. I drank a crap ton of water (and beer and wine...) and enjoyed the day. The good news is on Friday I did get up and despite my slight hangover headache, I got my gear together and went for a run. My plan was to go about 4 to 5 miles and do everything possible to not get lost and I very nearly succeeded. Thankfully, I didn't have any issues with getting lost. There was some road construction which made me reroute my run and shaved off about 1/2 mile, so I finished at 3.75 miles for the morning. I realized, however, that Californians are goofy people when it comes to being chilly outside. I was absolutely roasting in my t-shirt and capri-length tights - it was 50 degrees outside (perfect weather for a run!) and while I was out I saw two women walking outside in winter coats with gloves and hats and then I saw a road biker with full-length tights, a long-sleeve jersey, and a beanie. I can't imagine working out in that amount of gear when it was only 50 degrees outside...
Back to my run - I managed pretty well for not running for about 2 weeks. I felt good and I kept a decent pace (avg 11:00/mile) but also realized whyI need to make sure I work out a minimum of 3 days per week....I didn't feel THAT good. In the end, I'm glad I got out of the house and enjoyed the cool (but not cold!) weather for about 41 minutes. I ended Friday by eating everything in sight and drinking beer with the family.
The drive back started on Saturday and proved pretty crappy, even though we split it into two days. The drive from Sacramento to Reno was just plain chaotic (and I didn't even get to go to H&M along the way). People from California are crazy drivers anyway (personal opinion, obviously, but seriously...) but they were super ridiculous during the snow storm over Donner's Pass. Anyway, we rolled into Reno around 9pm and partied the night away playing blackjack and poker and stayed up until 5am - that's later than I've ever stayed up in Vegas! I'm not sure I've ever been so glad just be a passenger in a car - I slept almost the entire drive home. Unfortunately, this also means I'm not sure how well I'll be able to sleep tonight....wish me luck!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Home and back at it
I got home late Monday night and was ready to be there. I was greeted at the door by my favorite dog and made my way upstairs to find my dear husband laying in a freshly-made bed and watching poker. Ahhh, my bed felt amazing, as did the husband's embrace! My alarm clock seemed like it went off way too early, but I managed to get out of bed only to remember I had used the last of the coffee before I left for Chicago, and that was a sad realization...
Anyway, my legs ached, though not horribly, when I made my way down the stairs until Wednesday, when the pains ceased. I made the decision later that night to be sure I went for a run on Thursday, which I happened to have off from work for Veterans Day.
There's a part of me that wants to say I didn't really want to go for a run, but that's really not the truth. I was ready and excited and maybe a little bit nervous for my first post-half-marathon run. I guess I wasn't really nervous to actually run, but more nervous because I really want to work on my my pace and keeping it at about 11:00/mile rather that 12+. I kept the music and HR monitor off, and I didn't bother to check my pace; I just wanted to run however I ran rather than running for speed or distance or heart rate. So I set our for a 3 miler and when I got home, I had run 3.2 miles at an average of 10:56!
Also, I've always used the temp outside as an excuse to not run during the winter. Last Saturday's below freezing temperature was proof that I really can't use that as an excuse anymore.
Nothing too exciting going on in our household this week except that I went grocery shopping today wearing my new Indy Monumental 1/2-Marathon hat. No, I didn't take my medal with me :)
Anyway, my legs ached, though not horribly, when I made my way down the stairs until Wednesday, when the pains ceased. I made the decision later that night to be sure I went for a run on Thursday, which I happened to have off from work for Veterans Day.
There's a part of me that wants to say I didn't really want to go for a run, but that's really not the truth. I was ready and excited and maybe a little bit nervous for my first post-half-marathon run. I guess I wasn't really nervous to actually run, but more nervous because I really want to work on my my pace and keeping it at about 11:00/mile rather that 12+. I kept the music and HR monitor off, and I didn't bother to check my pace; I just wanted to run however I ran rather than running for speed or distance or heart rate. So I set our for a 3 miler and when I got home, I had run 3.2 miles at an average of 10:56!
Also, I've always used the temp outside as an excuse to not run during the winter. Last Saturday's below freezing temperature was proof that I really can't use that as an excuse anymore.
Nothing too exciting going on in our household this week except that I went grocery shopping today wearing my new Indy Monumental 1/2-Marathon hat. No, I didn't take my medal with me :)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Half Marathon - The Real Deal!
I've been trying to figure out how to write this blog entry or even where to start with it because there are so many parts. I really haven't been nervous about a whole aside from the random "holy crap, am I really going to do this?" thoughts. This morning I woke with a whole lotta nerves going on. Let's rewide for second to my dreams from last night:
1) At some point during the night I dreamed I ran the entire 1/2 marathon in 2 hours and 15 minutes. My goal was 2:40, so 2:15 would be pretty huge! Waking up from that dream was awesome, unlike dream #2
2) Dreamed Jamie and I left our hotel room and kept forgetting a bunch of crap. Every time we went back to the room, it became increasingly difficult to find our room, and then increasingly difficult to find what we were looking for in the room due to it being trashed. Eventually, I couldn't find my bib, which meant I wouldn't be able to run.
Combine both of those dreams with waking in a panic several times during the night thinking I was oversleeping, it wasn't the greatest night of sleep I've ever had.
Ok, anyway, I woke up this morning feeling really anxious and nervous. I've trained and been really good about it, so I knew there wasn't a lot to be nervous about, but I was. I was nervous about losing my way on the course and being cold and being the slowest runner, etc.
That being said, I was totally fine! I did great, in fact! I decided in the end to keep my music playing, which was totally a good call. I paused it when there was some entertainment, but in the end, I was really glad to have the tunes. I also ran with my app going on my iPhone to make sure I was running at a decent pace. I took off the notices about my distance and elapsed time and just kept my pace and average pace on the announcements so I could just focus on my pace and not how much further we had to go.
I had a few key moments in the race today that absolutely made me smile. The main thing I really enjoyed was people cheering and holding up signs telling us how awesome we were (and that there was beer at the finish line - a total lie, by the way). There were a few times where they said just the right thing to make me go faster or just keep pushing through. For the life of me, I can't remember what they were, but it was awesome.
My favorite music moment was at about mile 11. I was starting to get tired and could feel my hips really starting to ache...and then Eye of the Tiger came on my iPod! I instantly felt 75% better and get myself into get for the next two miles. I had to retrain myself from yelling out to people around me that this song was playing on my iPod...
Next favorite moment came around mile 12 when I realized there was only a mile left. I was stoked. I could feel my body ready to push harder and I kicked it into high gear. I felt like I was flying, and it was awesome.
Finally, I crossed the finish line. Now, that itself is pretty kick-ass as far as I'm concerned, but I just happened to cross the finish line at the exact same time as the first female full-marathon finisher and the crowd was going crazy screaming, clapping, and hollering and I'm not going to lie - that was pretty kick ass. My favorite thing about this though was the announcer on the loud speaker nearly screaming "you've done it! you have done it! Way to go, you have done it!" I secretly said to myself, "yeah, I did!!!"
I finished in 2:39:44. I was hoping for 2:40, so that's pretty damn good in my books!
Jamie and I enjoyed long, hot showers before getting lunch and beer and then shopping (ok, and then another beer) and have been talking about how beautiful the course was for the Monumental. We have also been talking a lot about how much our hips, knees, and legs in general ache like crazy and how difficult it is to get up out of chairs. But the best thing we talk about is the fact that this morning we ran a 1/2 marathon - all of it!
1) At some point during the night I dreamed I ran the entire 1/2 marathon in 2 hours and 15 minutes. My goal was 2:40, so 2:15 would be pretty huge! Waking up from that dream was awesome, unlike dream #2
2) Dreamed Jamie and I left our hotel room and kept forgetting a bunch of crap. Every time we went back to the room, it became increasingly difficult to find our room, and then increasingly difficult to find what we were looking for in the room due to it being trashed. Eventually, I couldn't find my bib, which meant I wouldn't be able to run.
Combine both of those dreams with waking in a panic several times during the night thinking I was oversleeping, it wasn't the greatest night of sleep I've ever had.
Ok, anyway, I woke up this morning feeling really anxious and nervous. I've trained and been really good about it, so I knew there wasn't a lot to be nervous about, but I was. I was nervous about losing my way on the course and being cold and being the slowest runner, etc.
That being said, I was totally fine! I did great, in fact! I decided in the end to keep my music playing, which was totally a good call. I paused it when there was some entertainment, but in the end, I was really glad to have the tunes. I also ran with my app going on my iPhone to make sure I was running at a decent pace. I took off the notices about my distance and elapsed time and just kept my pace and average pace on the announcements so I could just focus on my pace and not how much further we had to go.
I had a few key moments in the race today that absolutely made me smile. The main thing I really enjoyed was people cheering and holding up signs telling us how awesome we were (and that there was beer at the finish line - a total lie, by the way). There were a few times where they said just the right thing to make me go faster or just keep pushing through. For the life of me, I can't remember what they were, but it was awesome.
My favorite music moment was at about mile 11. I was starting to get tired and could feel my hips really starting to ache...and then Eye of the Tiger came on my iPod! I instantly felt 75% better and get myself into get for the next two miles. I had to retrain myself from yelling out to people around me that this song was playing on my iPod...
Next favorite moment came around mile 12 when I realized there was only a mile left. I was stoked. I could feel my body ready to push harder and I kicked it into high gear. I felt like I was flying, and it was awesome.
Finally, I crossed the finish line. Now, that itself is pretty kick-ass as far as I'm concerned, but I just happened to cross the finish line at the exact same time as the first female full-marathon finisher and the crowd was going crazy screaming, clapping, and hollering and I'm not going to lie - that was pretty kick ass. My favorite thing about this though was the announcer on the loud speaker nearly screaming "you've done it! you have done it! Way to go, you have done it!" I secretly said to myself, "yeah, I did!!!"
I finished in 2:39:44. I was hoping for 2:40, so that's pretty damn good in my books!
Jamie and I enjoyed long, hot showers before getting lunch and beer and then shopping (ok, and then another beer) and have been talking about how beautiful the course was for the Monumental. We have also been talking a lot about how much our hips, knees, and legs in general ache like crazy and how difficult it is to get up out of chairs. But the best thing we talk about is the fact that this morning we ran a 1/2 marathon - all of it!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - cross-training via lefse (?) and 7.1 miles
Wow, less than a week before the Monumental 1/2 Marathon!
After my amazingly fast run on Wednesday I couldn't bring myself to get out for a run (until Sunday)...work has been absolutely insane and I've been working far more than 40 hours/week in order to make up for being gone later this week. Yesterday was the annual lefse-making day at church and I had to do some work at Public Safety Day for work. I probably could have made my way out for a late-afternoon run, but after being on my feet all day, I just couldn't do it. Plus, lefse-making is cross-training, right? A nice core and arm workout, no? If you don't know what lefse is, you're missing out...
That being said, I laid around in bed this morning until about 10 and then decided I better get out for my last long run. I got my shoes on and mapped a route on google maps and opened the door...to rain. Lots of rain. I shut the door and turned to Josh. "It's raining," I said. "It's just a little water," he replied. Crap. I knew he was right and I knew I needed to run and I absolutely knew that I didn't want to run 7 miles on the treadmill. Ugh. I opened and closed and opened the door again and finally stepped outside and took off....and without music. I really wanted to see how it would be to run 7 miles without music, and also to resist the temptation to hear at what pace I was running at every mile. I didn't even look at my iPhone. I will say that probably about 2-3 miles in I honestly didn't feel like continuing. I felt like just turning around and going home and telling myself that I'd be fine next weekend because I've logged a lot of miles...buuuuut, I didn't. I kept going. And in the end, I ended up with these stats (and I'm really stoked about the results!):
7.1 miles in 1:18:58
Avg pace - 11:07
HR high - 170
HR avg - 160
Back to that music thing - I've been toying with the idea of running the Monumental without music. I read a few things about people not running to music during big runs like that because it takes away from the cheers and music and other things that happen. My last two runs I've done without music and I've had a great pace for both of them. So now I don't know I'm going to do. Maybe start out without music and be sure to bring headphones in my hydration pack? Hmm....
After my amazingly fast run on Wednesday I couldn't bring myself to get out for a run (until Sunday)...work has been absolutely insane and I've been working far more than 40 hours/week in order to make up for being gone later this week. Yesterday was the annual lefse-making day at church and I had to do some work at Public Safety Day for work. I probably could have made my way out for a late-afternoon run, but after being on my feet all day, I just couldn't do it. Plus, lefse-making is cross-training, right? A nice core and arm workout, no? If you don't know what lefse is, you're missing out...
That being said, I laid around in bed this morning until about 10 and then decided I better get out for my last long run. I got my shoes on and mapped a route on google maps and opened the door...to rain. Lots of rain. I shut the door and turned to Josh. "It's raining," I said. "It's just a little water," he replied. Crap. I knew he was right and I knew I needed to run and I absolutely knew that I didn't want to run 7 miles on the treadmill. Ugh. I opened and closed and opened the door again and finally stepped outside and took off....and without music. I really wanted to see how it would be to run 7 miles without music, and also to resist the temptation to hear at what pace I was running at every mile. I didn't even look at my iPhone. I will say that probably about 2-3 miles in I honestly didn't feel like continuing. I felt like just turning around and going home and telling myself that I'd be fine next weekend because I've logged a lot of miles...buuuuut, I didn't. I kept going. And in the end, I ended up with these stats (and I'm really stoked about the results!):
7.1 miles in 1:18:58
Avg pace - 11:07
HR high - 170
HR avg - 160
Back to that music thing - I've been toying with the idea of running the Monumental without music. I read a few things about people not running to music during big runs like that because it takes away from the cheers and music and other things that happen. My last two runs I've done without music and I've had a great pace for both of them. So now I don't know I'm going to do. Maybe start out without music and be sure to bring headphones in my hydration pack? Hmm....
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 4.39 miles
Well, my headphones wouldn't work at all tonight and I didn't feel like borrowing Brooke's, so I decided to go without the music. Then I started running and my HRM was all whacked out and saying my heart rate was at 208, so I turned it off and ran without either of those two things. I still had my app running on my phone, but I only took it out once to look at my pace at mile on...I felt like I was flying....and I kind of was. Anyway, I felt really good the entire run and once again, I probably shouldn't have since I had some deliciously spicy Thai for lunch and a crap load of Junior Mints from the not-so-secret candy drawer our secretary keeps at the front desk. My favorite thing about today's run is that there is a one mile stretch right around the corner from my house that I run pretty often and I ran it in at right about 10 minutes twice tonight....ahhh!!!
That being said, here are my minimal stats!
4.39 miles in 46:26
Avg pace - 10:35/mile
Woah.
That being said, here are my minimal stats!
4.39 miles in 46:26
Avg pace - 10:35/mile
Woah.
Monday, October 25, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - Dodgeball tournament and 8 miles
Saturday morning was our end of the year dodgeball tournament. We had a pretty decent season and ended up 3rd before the tournament, but had the crappiest 2 games I think we had played all season and lost both of our games in the double-elimination tournament. I suppose that was OK for me since I really needed to run that afternoon...
The tapering business is kind of scary and it makes me nervous. I'm sure I will be fine, but it's still scary. Saturday was a decent 8-miler. Pretty good pace and the random rain drops were actually kind of nice! My only complaint is that my headphones freaked out on me and I couldn't pause (to hear my pace and distance) or skip to another song unless I took my iPhone out of my pack. I didn't really feel like doing that, so I didn't. I will say that it was somewhat nice to just run instead of tracking my pace the entire time. I'm looking forward to doing that after the 1/2 is over...just running to run and not necessarily worrying about how far I'm running or if I'm keeping a steady pace.
8.05 miles in 1:36:28
Avg pace 11:59
HR high - 178
HR avg - 164
Calories burned - 1195
The tapering business is kind of scary and it makes me nervous. I'm sure I will be fine, but it's still scary. Saturday was a decent 8-miler. Pretty good pace and the random rain drops were actually kind of nice! My only complaint is that my headphones freaked out on me and I couldn't pause (to hear my pace and distance) or skip to another song unless I took my iPhone out of my pack. I didn't really feel like doing that, so I didn't. I will say that it was somewhat nice to just run instead of tracking my pace the entire time. I'm looking forward to doing that after the 1/2 is over...just running to run and not necessarily worrying about how far I'm running or if I'm keeping a steady pace.
8.05 miles in 1:36:28
Avg pace 11:59
HR high - 178
HR avg - 164
Calories burned - 1195
Thursday, October 21, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 3.2 miles + dodgeball
Let me start by saying that I really didn't feel like running today, especially after the spicy mandarin chicken and fried rice I had for lunch (yum, by the way) and then the redbull I had later this afternoon. I knew I had to though, and I begrudgingly threw on my shoes and took the dog with me out the door. I was cramping up pretty bad in my sides within my first mile, which doesn't surprise me at all considering the crappy food I ate. I ran through it and seriously thought I was running really slowly. I got to my regular turn point at my 1-mile marker to go around the block and decided to just turn around and run the mile back home. I figured 2 miles was all I had in me today and was completely fine with not accomplishing my goal for the first time since I started this journey. Well, I got a little past mile 2 and realized I had a little more energy left in me so I ran a little further. I got home and ended up running 3.2 - just a little over my goal for the night. Even better, I went inside to find dinner on the table and had just enough time to eat before heading to dodgeball, where we won 7 - 3! Hooray!
The next best thing about my run today is my pace:
3.2 miles in 34:32
Avg pace - 10:48
HR high - 188 (I'm not sure I believe this)
HR avg - 154
Calories burned - 435
And since I mentioned how slow I thought I was running and how I was all cramped up for the first mile, here are my splits:
Mile 1.0 - avg pace 10:46
Mile 2.0 - avg pace 11:24
Mile 3.0 - avg pace 10:15
Mile 3.2 - avg pace 10:41
Ha!
The next best thing about my run today is my pace:
3.2 miles in 34:32
Avg pace - 10:48
HR high - 188 (I'm not sure I believe this)
HR avg - 154
Calories burned - 435
And since I mentioned how slow I thought I was running and how I was all cramped up for the first mile, here are my splits:
Mile 1.0 - avg pace 10:46
Mile 2.0 - avg pace 11:24
Mile 3.0 - avg pace 10:15
Mile 3.2 - avg pace 10:41
Ha!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 3.14 miles
I was still pretty sore last night after my 12-miler on Sunday and had a hard time finding the energy or strength to do any sort of cross-training. So, I didn't. I ate ice cream and drank hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, and it was delicous.
Fast forward to lunch today - I took my gear to work and was determined to 1) actually take a lunch break today and 2) go for a short run during said lunch break. Goals: accomplished, with really good time, I might add!
Stats:
3.14 miles in 33:21
Avg pace - 10:38
HR high - 173
HR avg - 158
Calories burned - 419
Fast forward to lunch today - I took my gear to work and was determined to 1) actually take a lunch break today and 2) go for a short run during said lunch break. Goals: accomplished, with really good time, I might add!
Stats:
3.14 miles in 33:21
Avg pace - 10:38
HR high - 173
HR avg - 158
Calories burned - 419
Sunday, October 17, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 12.13 miles
Today was my last long run before the half marathon on 11/6. I thought I had perfectly mapped out my 12 miles from church to home, but I got to a specific corner and found I had only gone about 8 miles instead of 10 and realized I hadn't gone the exact route I planned last night. Serves me right for not looking at the map before we left for church. I felt really good at that point too and initially thought I only had 3 miles left and was super stoked! I ended up rerouting myself to run the full 12 and at about mile 10.5 really started feeling the hurt. But I pushed through it, making sure I had only the best of the best tunes playing through my headphones. Tell you what saved me today were these two songs:
1) Someday soon - KT Tunstall - there are a few lyrics in this song that get me moving -
"Gonna stretch out both my arms, I'm gonna test the temperature...Follow the taste of it, Jump in, Swallow it whole, Jump in..." I literally find myself stretching my arms and moving faster when this comes on...
2) Soldier - Ingrid Michaelson - "I don't believe in anything but myself, I don't believe in anything but myself..." For real, is there any better mantra than this? I'm really not sure. I love the next part of the song too...the drums kick in..."but then you open up the door, you open up the door and I start to believe in something else." Sigh. In love. Thanks, Jamie, for opening this door for me...I probably wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you! :)
I probably could have listened to those two songs today and been just fine...well, maybe.
Anyway, I was stiff and sore when I got home, but I made it...and I made even though I ate a crap load of pizza last night. I'm less than 3 weeks out from running 13.1 miles in Indianapolis. It's so close I can taste it! Seriously, I just can't wait...
Stats:
12.13 miles in 2:28:27
Avg pace - 12:15
HR High - 175
HR Avg - 162
Calories burned - 1862
Time for a bloody mary...
1) Someday soon - KT Tunstall - there are a few lyrics in this song that get me moving -
"Gonna stretch out both my arms, I'm gonna test the temperature...Follow the taste of it, Jump in, Swallow it whole, Jump in..." I literally find myself stretching my arms and moving faster when this comes on...
2) Soldier - Ingrid Michaelson - "I don't believe in anything but myself, I don't believe in anything but myself..." For real, is there any better mantra than this? I'm really not sure. I love the next part of the song too...the drums kick in..."but then you open up the door, you open up the door and I start to believe in something else." Sigh. In love. Thanks, Jamie, for opening this door for me...I probably wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you! :)
I probably could have listened to those two songs today and been just fine...well, maybe.
Anyway, I was stiff and sore when I got home, but I made it...and I made even though I ate a crap load of pizza last night. I'm less than 3 weeks out from running 13.1 miles in Indianapolis. It's so close I can taste it! Seriously, I just can't wait...
Stats:
12.13 miles in 2:28:27
Avg pace - 12:15
HR High - 175
HR Avg - 162
Calories burned - 1862
Time for a bloody mary...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - dodgeball, elliptical, 4 miles
I wanted to run Thursday...really, I did. But Thursday was a hard, long day, and I laid upstairs on my bed for a few hours before finally deciding at 7:45 to get on the elliptical before heading to dodgeball for our 8:45 game. It was a nice little warm up before our game, but I've come to realize that I really kind of suck at dodgeball. Ha!
Yesterday I was able to leave work around 3:40 because I had worked too much for the week, so I decided to get in a 4 mile run before taking Brooke and her cousin to Wild West Night at her school. The run felt difficult today and I'm not sure why. I felt like I was really pushing myself and not getting much in return. I had a healthy breakfast (smoothie, like everyday), and a simple lunch (sandwich), and a lot of water all day. But still, it just felt hard....my lungs felt strained and my legs felt weak and in the end I felt disappointed that I didn't run as fast as Wednesday and at the end of 4 miles all I wanted was to be done. Maybe it's because Wednesday's run was SO SO good, which is weird to me because despite my healthy breakfast, I had a fairly unhealthy lunch (mmm pork salad from Cafe Rio!). Perhaps I need to eat Cafe Rio more often? Oh, ok! For real, I am in love with that place. Anyway, onto the stats:
4 miles in 45:52
Avg - 11:25/mile
HR high - 171
HR avg - 166
Calories burned - 599
I got up this morning to make coffee and start on this blog and realized I was being ridiculous about how disappointed I was in myself about yesterday's run. These are some things I need to remember:
1) I ran 4 miles and just a few weeks ago I was ecstatic that I had worked up to this distance.
2) I still averaged under 12 min/mile which is great!
3) My heart rate was just fine - I wasn't putting too much strain on my body at all, especially for a late afternoon run.
4) I need to relax and and not worry about how fast I'm going. Really, my goal is to finish the 1/2 marathon and not worry about how fast I'm going to finish it.
As for today, I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to run this morning or if I'm going to wait until tomorrow. I don't typically like to run 2 days in a row and I have been really careful not to run my long run the day after I've run at all...I'll let you know how that works out! Oh yeah, I need to go get some more Clif shots, so I'll have to wait until at least later this afternoon....
21 days until the Indy Monumental!
Yesterday I was able to leave work around 3:40 because I had worked too much for the week, so I decided to get in a 4 mile run before taking Brooke and her cousin to Wild West Night at her school. The run felt difficult today and I'm not sure why. I felt like I was really pushing myself and not getting much in return. I had a healthy breakfast (smoothie, like everyday), and a simple lunch (sandwich), and a lot of water all day. But still, it just felt hard....my lungs felt strained and my legs felt weak and in the end I felt disappointed that I didn't run as fast as Wednesday and at the end of 4 miles all I wanted was to be done. Maybe it's because Wednesday's run was SO SO good, which is weird to me because despite my healthy breakfast, I had a fairly unhealthy lunch (mmm pork salad from Cafe Rio!). Perhaps I need to eat Cafe Rio more often? Oh, ok! For real, I am in love with that place. Anyway, onto the stats:
4 miles in 45:52
Avg - 11:25/mile
HR high - 171
HR avg - 166
Calories burned - 599
I got up this morning to make coffee and start on this blog and realized I was being ridiculous about how disappointed I was in myself about yesterday's run. These are some things I need to remember:
1) I ran 4 miles and just a few weeks ago I was ecstatic that I had worked up to this distance.
2) I still averaged under 12 min/mile which is great!
3) My heart rate was just fine - I wasn't putting too much strain on my body at all, especially for a late afternoon run.
4) I need to relax and and not worry about how fast I'm going. Really, my goal is to finish the 1/2 marathon and not worry about how fast I'm going to finish it.
As for today, I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to run this morning or if I'm going to wait until tomorrow. I don't typically like to run 2 days in a row and I have been really careful not to run my long run the day after I've run at all...I'll let you know how that works out! Oh yeah, I need to go get some more Clif shots, so I'll have to wait until at least later this afternoon....
21 days until the Indy Monumental!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 4.22 miles
After my amazing 10 mile run on Saturday, I couldn't bring myself to do much of anything on Sunday. And then Sunday we celebrated my sister's engagement and Monday I was ridiculously hungover and sat on the couch all day until about 4pm when Brooke got home and I started to feel not only a tad bit better, but also a lot bit lazy for not doing anything all day. I had planned on running a quick 3 miles to keep up on things, but didn't. And then I didn't run Tuesday either. Today's lunch was less than healthy and I had a feeling my post-work run was going to be rough. Guess what? It wasn't! Woot!
Stats:
4.22 miles in 46:06
Avg pace - 10:56 (double woot!!)
HR high - 176
HR avg - 167
Calories burned: 625
Side note: the first time I ran 4 miles during this journey, it took me 49:50. Triple woot!!!
Stats:
4.22 miles in 46:06
Avg pace - 10:56 (double woot!!)
HR high - 176
HR avg - 167
Calories burned: 625
Side note: the first time I ran 4 miles during this journey, it took me 49:50. Triple woot!!!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 10 miles
I really, really had a hard time getting out of bed this morning and really, really didn't know if today's planned 9+ miles was going to work. After dinking around on the computer for an eternity and mapping out 2 different routes, I finally rolled out of bed around 11:00 and slowly got into my running clothes. When I left I decided I would take the 9.5 mile route, but I got to mile 2 or 3 and felt REALLY good, so I changed my mind and continued south, which forced me to do the 10 miler. I can't even begin to tell you how good I felt through the entire run today. Last weekend's 8 mile run was pretty rough and there were a few times where I thought I was going to have to walk, but today was completely different. Not a second went by where I thought I wasn't going to make it. When I got to mile 8 I had some Clif shot gel and started to get really pumped that I felt so good and that I only had 2 miles left!
Stats:
10 miles in 2:02:14
Avg pace - 12:06
HR High - 172
HR Avg - 159 (although I forgot to turn it off when I got home and stretched, so my avg was probably more like 163 or so...)
Calories burned - 1581
Stats:
10 miles in 2:02:14
Avg pace - 12:06
HR High - 172
HR Avg - 159 (although I forgot to turn it off when I got home and stretched, so my avg was probably more like 163 or so...)
Calories burned - 1581
Thursday, October 7, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 3.32 miles and 5 miles
Wednesday:
--After work run with the dawg. He likes to stop and smell things and it's kind of annoying, but it's my dawg and I love getting him out for some exercise!
Stats:
3.32 miles in 38:06
Avg Pace 11:29
HR High - 179
HR Avg - 166
Calories burned - 482
--Post-run dodgeball game! We were down a player and only had 5 so we had zero subs and the only rest we got was the time we were out of the game or during the 4 minute resting/half-time period. We were down 4-1 at the half and came back to tie 5-5 by the end of the game!
--Dinner and drinks with my sister and her fiance (yep, fiance!) and my parents at Old Chicago!
Thursday:
--Mid-day run during my long lunch hour. It was warmer than I thought it would be and I struggled more than I thought I would. Ate a Clif Bar right before the run, which probably aided in my crappy run. Time/pace wasn't so bad...in fact, it was pretty normal, but I just didn't feel great. Oh well.
Stats:
5.06 miles in 58:57
Avg pace - 11:39
HR High - 175
HR Avg - 169
Calories burned - 786
I've been contemplating how far I will run on Saturday. I'm thinking 9 or 10 miles...probably 10 if I can figure out a good route. I've also been thinking about how far my longest run will be. I had initially planned on 12 miles, but the more I read, the more I think maybe 10 or 11 is enough. As of this very moment, I'm thinking 11. That way I can taper back down to 8 or 9 and 6 miles the next 2 weeks. Oct. 30 I'll be running a 10k with my sister, which will be a really good way to wind things down the week before the half-marathon and get in that last long run before the big day!
I'm getting super pumped for this! I can't wait to see my old friends and selfishly show off my size 10 frame (hehe) to those who haven't seen me in 5+ years. Woah, that's really not very humble at all....but I've had 2 glasses of wine tonight and I'm about to pour another one....
--After work run with the dawg. He likes to stop and smell things and it's kind of annoying, but it's my dawg and I love getting him out for some exercise!
Stats:
3.32 miles in 38:06
Avg Pace 11:29
HR High - 179
HR Avg - 166
Calories burned - 482
--Post-run dodgeball game! We were down a player and only had 5 so we had zero subs and the only rest we got was the time we were out of the game or during the 4 minute resting/half-time period. We were down 4-1 at the half and came back to tie 5-5 by the end of the game!
--Dinner and drinks with my sister and her fiance (yep, fiance!) and my parents at Old Chicago!
Thursday:
--Mid-day run during my long lunch hour. It was warmer than I thought it would be and I struggled more than I thought I would. Ate a Clif Bar right before the run, which probably aided in my crappy run. Time/pace wasn't so bad...in fact, it was pretty normal, but I just didn't feel great. Oh well.
Stats:
5.06 miles in 58:57
Avg pace - 11:39
HR High - 175
HR Avg - 169
Calories burned - 786
I've been contemplating how far I will run on Saturday. I'm thinking 9 or 10 miles...probably 10 if I can figure out a good route. I've also been thinking about how far my longest run will be. I had initially planned on 12 miles, but the more I read, the more I think maybe 10 or 11 is enough. As of this very moment, I'm thinking 11. That way I can taper back down to 8 or 9 and 6 miles the next 2 weeks. Oct. 30 I'll be running a 10k with my sister, which will be a really good way to wind things down the week before the half-marathon and get in that last long run before the big day!
I'm getting super pumped for this! I can't wait to see my old friends and selfishly show off my size 10 frame (hehe) to those who haven't seen me in 5+ years. Woah, that's really not very humble at all....but I've had 2 glasses of wine tonight and I'm about to pour another one....
Sunday, October 3, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 8 miles
Whew, yesterday was a busy day! I had to play guitar at our church for the Blessing of the Pets and had plans to take off running from there and end up at my parents' house, which all worked out. I had planned a route that would end up being about 7.25 miles, my longest run yet. I still wasn't sure I was ready for that long of a run, but I also knew I needed to give it a shot. What I hadn't planned on or thought about was the number of hills on the route I had worked out...oops. At about mile 5 (1 hour mark) I choked down a Cliff gel-shot that I bought at REI to see if it would help me or if it was just plain gross. Pretty gross and slimy, but I think it helped me get through the next 3 miles.
When I hit the 7 mile mark I realized I could go to 8 miles without killing myself, so I did just that. My body ached and I felt like I needed a long nap all day long, but I survived. We even went to the big sale at RC Willey and bought a new bed and new TV - yeah! Can't wait for the bed to arrive! Last night we went to some friends' house for the annual "Chicken Off" and judged the chicken concoctions and just a few libations :) Needless to say, I am exhausted. Thankfully, my muscles don't ache nearly as much as they did yesterday. Must be all that Disoronno, vodka, whiskey, fruit juice, beer...you get the point. Ha!
Here are the stats from yesterday's run:
8.07 miles in 1:39:34
Fastest pace - 10:19
Avg pace - 12:20
HR High - 179
HR Avg - 169
Calories burned - 1330
When I hit the 7 mile mark I realized I could go to 8 miles without killing myself, so I did just that. My body ached and I felt like I needed a long nap all day long, but I survived. We even went to the big sale at RC Willey and bought a new bed and new TV - yeah! Can't wait for the bed to arrive! Last night we went to some friends' house for the annual "Chicken Off" and judged the chicken concoctions and just a few libations :) Needless to say, I am exhausted. Thankfully, my muscles don't ache nearly as much as they did yesterday. Must be all that Disoronno, vodka, whiskey, fruit juice, beer...you get the point. Ha!
Here are the stats from yesterday's run:
8.07 miles in 1:39:34
Fastest pace - 10:19
Avg pace - 12:20
HR High - 179
HR Avg - 169
Calories burned - 1330
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 5 miles (or close enough)
Alright, well today was technically supposed to be a cross-training day, but I couldn't figure out the best way to work it in since I don't have a bike light right now. I decided early this morning that I would go out for a lunch time run and try for somewhere between 5 and 6 miles, partly because I didn't want to run in the late afternoon and partly because it should have been a little cooler during lunch than at 5pm. The crappy thing is that I was what we call "Duty Officer" today and had to stay at the Court building until Court was in recess for lunch. Unfortunately, Court never recessed for lunch, so I got stuck without a run and with only getting about a 15 minute lunch today, and even that was against the rules because Court was still rolling. Oh well. That brings me to my post-work run. Since I was in a different office than my typical work day, I wanted to take advantage of a new running route. I did just that. 4.98 miles after work was a little rough considering the ridiculous lunch I had (mmmm...Baguette Deli!). Oh well. It was 86 degrees outside and I was pleased as punch to have my hydration pack with me...
Stats as follows:
4.98 miles in 56:51
Avg pace - 11:26
HR High - 177
HR Avg - 171
Calories burned - 817
Good Night!
Stats as follows:
4.98 miles in 56:51
Avg pace - 11:26
HR High - 177
HR Avg - 171
Calories burned - 817
Good Night!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
1/2 marathon training - crosstraining and 3.4 mile run
In true form, I didn't run or cross-train on Sunday like I meant to. Brunch and drinks ruined that one by 1:00 PM. Oops. Monday was a super hectic day at work and I didn't get out of the office at lunch to anything productive (except get my registration up to date on one of the cars). We got KILLED in dodgeball last night but I still had enough umph in me to go home and hop on the elliptical for 20 minutes before devouring a sandwich for dinner.
Since I worked so long yesterday, I was able to come into work late this morning. I took the dog out for a 3-miler this morning before making coffee and getting ready for the day. It was probably the only time I've forgotten to take a baggie with me to pick up Seymour's poop, and wouldn't you know it, also probably the only time he's pooped on a walk/run in the last 3 months. Argh. I felt terrible just leaving it there, but I had no choice.
I forgot my HRM watch at home with my HR info on it, but I think I remember my average HR being somewhere around 165 and my high being 171. Overall, it was a pretty good run this morning. Oh, and I used a hydration pack for the first time...probably not needed for such a short run, but I wanted to give it a try anyway to see how it would be before I take it on a long run.
Stats:
3.39 miles in 37:17
Avg pace 11:01/mile
Calories burned - 495
Since I worked so long yesterday, I was able to come into work late this morning. I took the dog out for a 3-miler this morning before making coffee and getting ready for the day. It was probably the only time I've forgotten to take a baggie with me to pick up Seymour's poop, and wouldn't you know it, also probably the only time he's pooped on a walk/run in the last 3 months. Argh. I felt terrible just leaving it there, but I had no choice.
I forgot my HRM watch at home with my HR info on it, but I think I remember my average HR being somewhere around 165 and my high being 171. Overall, it was a pretty good run this morning. Oh, and I used a hydration pack for the first time...probably not needed for such a short run, but I wanted to give it a try anyway to see how it would be before I take it on a long run.
Stats:
3.39 miles in 37:17
Avg pace 11:01/mile
Calories burned - 495
Saturday, September 25, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 3.9 miles
I'm detoxing from my river trip...I probably mentioned that in my last post. Anyway, I didn't touch a drop of alcohol last night but stayed up until almost 1:00 AM. WTF? I thought for sure my run would improve based on my lack of alcohol consumption or that, at a minimum, I'd feel better on the run. 1/2 true? Maybe. It was pretty tough getting out of bed this morning and even harder to get gear on and run, which I didn't do until almost 11:45. Oh well. To top off my semi-crappy run, my GPS was screwed up on my iPhone (I should probably keep it on the surface of my clothes instead of under 2 layers) and it kept telling me I was running at a pace of 4:00/mile. Ha! In my wildest dreams!
Anyway, here are the stats for today's run:
3.9 miles in 46:33
Avg pace - 11:56/mile
HR High - 181
HR Avg - 171
Calories burned - 612
Wondering if I'll keep up my detox today; there's a BSU game on tonight and that's going to make it a little harder to maintain, mostly because I don't actually watch/care for football. Maybe I should go to a movie?
Anyway, here are the stats for today's run:
3.9 miles in 46:33
Avg pace - 11:56/mile
HR High - 181
HR Avg - 171
Calories burned - 612
Wondering if I'll keep up my detox today; there's a BSU game on tonight and that's going to make it a little harder to maintain, mostly because I don't actually watch/care for football. Maybe I should go to a movie?
Thursday, September 23, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 3 miles + dodgeball
Whew. We got back to town last night from our 7 day river trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, where I mostly fished, drank beer, read, and sat on a boat. I rowed a little, but not much. We had a layover day and I went on a 2 mile hike, but it wasn't strenuous whatsoever. I haven't run since 9/11/10. Oops. I really meant to get my shoes on and take some short runs right before vacation, but packing and prepping for vacation really bogged me down. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous about running tonight after my 11-day hiatus.
That being said, I decided to just run 3 miles tonight after work, and it just so happens our dodge ball location is exactly 3 miles from my house! I strapped on my shoes and headed out the door to run to the game. It was still about 85 degrees outside when I left, which didn't help the sweat factor, but whatever. The run itself didn't feel great, but it didn't feel like hell either. Afterward, of course, I felt amazing. Also, dodge ball is a great way to stretch...especially when you cream the other team...and also when the other team is the reigning co-ed dodge ball team 2 years in a row. Mwah ah ah ah ah!
Anyway, when I got into the gym, I checked my splits on my iPhone app (kick ass, by the way) and my overall average, and then realized why I thought it was a little rough; I was running faster than I have been running 3 miles since I started this journey. Uh, yeah. Go me...or something like that. Also my heart rate monitor says my HR peaked at a wicked high level and I refuse to believe it. My HR was higher than the past few runs, but again, I ran at 6:30 tonight and that's never been my best time of day to do so.
Stats:
3 miles in 34:40 (50 seconds stopped time)
Avg pace - 11:26/mile
Mile 1 - 10:45/mile
Mile 2 - 11:49/mile
Mile 3 - 11:44/mile
HR High 196 (again, I don't believe it)
HR Avg 177
468 calories burned
That being said, I decided to just run 3 miles tonight after work, and it just so happens our dodge ball location is exactly 3 miles from my house! I strapped on my shoes and headed out the door to run to the game. It was still about 85 degrees outside when I left, which didn't help the sweat factor, but whatever. The run itself didn't feel great, but it didn't feel like hell either. Afterward, of course, I felt amazing. Also, dodge ball is a great way to stretch...especially when you cream the other team...and also when the other team is the reigning co-ed dodge ball team 2 years in a row. Mwah ah ah ah ah!
Anyway, when I got into the gym, I checked my splits on my iPhone app (kick ass, by the way) and my overall average, and then realized why I thought it was a little rough; I was running faster than I have been running 3 miles since I started this journey. Uh, yeah. Go me...or something like that. Also my heart rate monitor says my HR peaked at a wicked high level and I refuse to believe it. My HR was higher than the past few runs, but again, I ran at 6:30 tonight and that's never been my best time of day to do so.
Stats:
3 miles in 34:40 (50 seconds stopped time)
Avg pace - 11:26/mile
Mile 1 - 10:45/mile
Mile 2 - 11:49/mile
Mile 3 - 11:44/mile
HR High 196 (again, I don't believe it)
HR Avg 177
468 calories burned
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
I didn't run yesterday...
...and I'm probably not going to today. I did, however, play dodge ball last night (we tied).
I woke up early this morning (6am?) with a terribly queasy stomach. I'm supposed to be attending a conference today, but can't seem to pull myself out of bed for more than 15 minutes. I slept until 10:30. I could probably make it through the conference since it's just a lot of sitting, but I'm afraid I would fall asleep. So I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day. I NEED to run (and feel better) tomorrow though, because we head out for our 7 day Middle Fork of the Salmon trip on Thursday at 5:30 am (eek!). Maybe I'll get some cookies made this afternoon or some veggies chopped up for our trip....
I woke up early this morning (6am?) with a terribly queasy stomach. I'm supposed to be attending a conference today, but can't seem to pull myself out of bed for more than 15 minutes. I slept until 10:30. I could probably make it through the conference since it's just a lot of sitting, but I'm afraid I would fall asleep. So I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day. I NEED to run (and feel better) tomorrow though, because we head out for our 7 day Middle Fork of the Salmon trip on Thursday at 5:30 am (eek!). Maybe I'll get some cookies made this afternoon or some veggies chopped up for our trip....
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Playlist
Ahhh, a rest day! Truly much needed rest after yesterday!
While I'm running (and after) I try to remember the songs that seem to push me or make me smile or make me just want to keep moving my feet when I run, rather than give up on the spot. I'm trying to make sure my playlist for the Monumental is stellar and has the best of the above motivational factors. Here are some of the best ones I've come up with so far:
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise - Avett Brothers
Incomplete and Insecure - Avett Brothers
Airplanes - B.o.B
Closer to You - Brandi Carlile
Mushaboom - Feist
All the Way - Indigo Girls
Maybe - Ingrid Michaelson
Lucky - Jason Mraz & Colbie Callait
Saving my Face - KT Tunstall
Firefly - Maia Sharp
Float On - Modest Mouse
Going Back to Georgia - Nancy Griffith
No Bad News - Patty Griffin
You are the Best Thing - Ray Lamontagne
King of Anything - Sara Bareilles
All for Love - Serena Ryder
Sweeping the Ashes - Serena Ryder
I Was Made for Sunny Days - The Weepies
Jolene - The Weepies
Sea Legs - Brittany Kusserow
The Fear - Lily Allen
I have several other songs on my playlist right now, but they aren't great and will probably be removed. Any suggestions for additions?
While I'm running (and after) I try to remember the songs that seem to push me or make me smile or make me just want to keep moving my feet when I run, rather than give up on the spot. I'm trying to make sure my playlist for the Monumental is stellar and has the best of the above motivational factors. Here are some of the best ones I've come up with so far:
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise - Avett Brothers
Incomplete and Insecure - Avett Brothers
Airplanes - B.o.B
Closer to You - Brandi Carlile
Mushaboom - Feist
All the Way - Indigo Girls
Maybe - Ingrid Michaelson
Lucky - Jason Mraz & Colbie Callait
Saving my Face - KT Tunstall
Firefly - Maia Sharp
Float On - Modest Mouse
Going Back to Georgia - Nancy Griffith
No Bad News - Patty Griffin
You are the Best Thing - Ray Lamontagne
King of Anything - Sara Bareilles
All for Love - Serena Ryder
Sweeping the Ashes - Serena Ryder
I Was Made for Sunny Days - The Weepies
Jolene - The Weepies
Sea Legs - Brittany Kusserow
The Fear - Lily Allen
I have several other songs on my playlist right now, but they aren't great and will probably be removed. Any suggestions for additions?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 6 miles!
I probably could have run 7, and I'm hoping that's how all of my long runs feel from here on out. I am continually amazed at the distance my body can go and the length of time I am able to exercise without stopping. What surprises me most about today's run is that I took some extra time to look at the "splits" on my app on my iPhone and realized that my fastest miles were miles 2, 5, and 6 with my slowest mile being 3.
Rewind: I knew I had to run fairly early (early on a Saturday is before 10am) but still wanted to make sure I had enough calories in me to burn and I really wanted some coffee. I got up around 8:00 and made coffee. I had one cup of coffee and ate 2 "breakfast cookies" (which are completely delicious) and sat in bed reading my book while I did so. I finally got out of bed around 9:00 and get my rafting gear ready, then threw on my running gear and headed out the door, with the plan that Josh would pick me up at my end point and then we'd head up to the river. It all worked out, thank God!
Another nice thing? Oh, my HR was spectacular through the entire run! And yes, I did go rafting this afternoon...which I think gives me every right to go to bed by 8:30 on a Saturday night...
6.02 miles - 1:14:05
Avg Pace - 12:19
HR High - 170
HR Avg - 162
Note to self: Running in the morning totally kicks ass.
Rewind: I knew I had to run fairly early (early on a Saturday is before 10am) but still wanted to make sure I had enough calories in me to burn and I really wanted some coffee. I got up around 8:00 and made coffee. I had one cup of coffee and ate 2 "breakfast cookies" (which are completely delicious) and sat in bed reading my book while I did so. I finally got out of bed around 9:00 and get my rafting gear ready, then threw on my running gear and headed out the door, with the plan that Josh would pick me up at my end point and then we'd head up to the river. It all worked out, thank God!
Another nice thing? Oh, my HR was spectacular through the entire run! And yes, I did go rafting this afternoon...which I think gives me every right to go to bed by 8:30 on a Saturday night...
6.02 miles - 1:14:05
Avg Pace - 12:19
HR High - 170
HR Avg - 162
Note to self: Running in the morning totally kicks ass.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Dodgeball league and Probation vs. Detention Softball
Ahh, the joins of competitive sports! Last night's dodgeball game was a HOOT, for sure! Plus, we actually won, so that was really nice. Tonight we had our annual Probation vs. Detention softball game. We lost, but it was a good time anyway...and I had a helluva fly ball catch while playing 3rd base and a few hits. Those were pretty much fantastic!
I have a 5 mile run planned for tomorrow but I keep thinking about making it 6 and just can't decide if that's a good idea. It's exactly 6 miles from our house to my office, and I need to go to the office anyway in the morning to grab a few things. I'm not gonna lie, it scares the crap out of me to attempt a 6 miles run. If I do end up with this plan, Josh will pick me up at the office and we'll head straight for the river for a day on the Payette. Talk about a loaded day...I just hope I can make it. Guess I'll let you know the outcome tomorrow!
I have a 5 mile run planned for tomorrow but I keep thinking about making it 6 and just can't decide if that's a good idea. It's exactly 6 miles from our house to my office, and I need to go to the office anyway in the morning to grab a few things. I'm not gonna lie, it scares the crap out of me to attempt a 6 miles run. If I do end up with this plan, Josh will pick me up at the office and we'll head straight for the river for a day on the Payette. Talk about a loaded day...I just hope I can make it. Guess I'll let you know the outcome tomorrow!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 3.33 miles
3.33 miles in about 40 minutes
Avg pace - 12:12
HR High 169
HR Avg - 162
I decided to take the dog with my this afternoon on my short run...and nearly tripped over him a million times. Probably not the best idea I've ever had, but he's been SO restless and has been driving me crazy lately. Nothing new and exciting to report, other than today felt pretty good given that it was a post-work run which I've already complained about them not being as great as the other runs. Definitely happy with the pace...
Time for dodgeball!
Avg pace - 12:12
HR High 169
HR Avg - 162
I decided to take the dog with my this afternoon on my short run...and nearly tripped over him a million times. Probably not the best idea I've ever had, but he's been SO restless and has been driving me crazy lately. Nothing new and exciting to report, other than today felt pretty good given that it was a post-work run which I've already complained about them not being as great as the other runs. Definitely happy with the pace...
Time for dodgeball!
1/2 Marathon Training - Crosstraining (finally)
I got my gym clothes on at the end of the work day yesterday and hopped in my car to go to the gym. When I got to the stop light just before the turn into the parking lot, I decided I just didn't feel like going in and working out in front of a bunch (well, handful) of people. I passed the turn in and went home.
I still didn't feel like working out when I got home and half-assed it for a few minutes by doing some crunches and working my arms a little bit with some 5-lb weights that have been collecting dust. After dragging my feet for some time, I hopped on the elliptical and watched Jeopardy! for 20 minutes. I didn't push myself too hard, which is probably what my body needed, but at least I did something.
It's supposed to rain all day (boo) which means it will be more difficult to run outside (double boo). The bonus is that I have a dodgeball game tonight (I'm on a city league!), which should be entertaining!
I still didn't feel like working out when I got home and half-assed it for a few minutes by doing some crunches and working my arms a little bit with some 5-lb weights that have been collecting dust. After dragging my feet for some time, I hopped on the elliptical and watched Jeopardy! for 20 minutes. I didn't push myself too hard, which is probably what my body needed, but at least I did something.
It's supposed to rain all day (boo) which means it will be more difficult to run outside (double boo). The bonus is that I have a dodgeball game tonight (I'm on a city league!), which should be entertaining!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 3.1 miles
Wow, tonight was rough. It was over 80 degrees outside, so I decided to do my short run at the gym on the treadmill. I kept the incline at 1.0 and the pace at 5.0 for the first 2 miles, then dropped both for the last 1.1 miles down to .5 incline and 4.8 pace. It was rough, which I attribute it all the beer I drank last night, the enchiladas for lunch, and the candy (mmm...mini Almond Joys) I ate this afternon. Lame.
Anyway, here are the stats:
3.1 miles in 37:21
HR High 171
HR Avg 161
(I say the HR stats are pretty good considering how crappy I felt!)
I got home and ate even more leftover enchiladas and then went for a short bike ride with Brooke and her friend and friend's dad to the school, since they've decided they want to ride their bikes to school now. It was a nice way to use different muscles after that crappy run after work.
Here's hoping Thursday's run is better and that I can actually run outside...
Anyway, here are the stats:
3.1 miles in 37:21
HR High 171
HR Avg 161
(I say the HR stats are pretty good considering how crappy I felt!)
I got home and ate even more leftover enchiladas and then went for a short bike ride with Brooke and her friend and friend's dad to the school, since they've decided they want to ride their bikes to school now. It was a nice way to use different muscles after that crappy run after work.
Here's hoping Thursday's run is better and that I can actually run outside...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 5.3 miles
Does shopping count as cross-training? If so, I did a great job of that last night and this morning...new jeans last night (and some new tennis shoes and socks for Brooke!) and some new running gear this morning (super cheap 1/3s at Sierra Trading Post!). I'm most excited about my new running tank with a big pocket in the back to hold my iPhone so I don't have to hold it while I run. I tried it out this afternoon, and it's nice to just throw it in the pocket with the earphones running up the back of the tank. It also helps focus on a comfortable pace rather than how fast I'm running because I'm not constantly looking at the running app that indicates my pace, time, and distance.
I probably should have eaten more this morning, but by the time I thought about it, I was ready to head out the door, so I didn't. It's funny because for the past 2+ years I've been buying breakfast items with minimal calories for weight loss purposes. Last night I was at the grocery store looking for granola bars, etc. with the most calories so that when I want to run in the morning I actually have some calories in my system and have some extra energy. I ate a "breakfast cookie" this morning around 9 with my coffee but didn't run until after 1pm. Oops.
I'm getting to the point where I think I need to start carrying water with me when I run. I was parched by mile 3. The good news about today is that I ran 3/10 mile farther than Wednesday in only about 30 seconds more time.
5.3 miles in 1:08 (Avg pace - 12:51)
HR Max 178
HR Avg 169
I'm getting a little nervous about mid-September and the lack of training I'll be able to do from 9/16 to 9/22 when we're on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. I'm super excited about my (likely) final rafting trip of the year, but that's a lot of time to take off from running when I've been working out so regularly. Hopefully I'll be rowing a lot and will have some time for hiking, etc.
I probably should have eaten more this morning, but by the time I thought about it, I was ready to head out the door, so I didn't. It's funny because for the past 2+ years I've been buying breakfast items with minimal calories for weight loss purposes. Last night I was at the grocery store looking for granola bars, etc. with the most calories so that when I want to run in the morning I actually have some calories in my system and have some extra energy. I ate a "breakfast cookie" this morning around 9 with my coffee but didn't run until after 1pm. Oops.
I'm getting to the point where I think I need to start carrying water with me when I run. I was parched by mile 3. The good news about today is that I ran 3/10 mile farther than Wednesday in only about 30 seconds more time.
5.3 miles in 1:08 (Avg pace - 12:51)
HR Max 178
HR Avg 169
I'm getting a little nervous about mid-September and the lack of training I'll be able to do from 9/16 to 9/22 when we're on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. I'm super excited about my (likely) final rafting trip of the year, but that's a lot of time to take off from running when I've been working out so regularly. Hopefully I'll be rowing a lot and will have some time for hiking, etc.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 5 miles
5 miles. Cinq. V. FIVE. Five-freaking-miles. That's what I did today after work. A slooooooow, turtle-speed 5 miles, but it was five miles. I didn't mean to, actually. I meant to run about 3, but my first 2 were pretty crappy and I felt like I had to make up for it somehow, so I just kept going. Like I said, it was slow moving, but I did it. I think I've finally figured out that I'm at my best pace and feel the best during mid-day runs, but sometimes that's just not possible. I hope this is the case anyway. I haven't taken the time to run in the morning yet, but mostly because I'm lazy. I suppose I should give that a shot sometime soon since the Monumental is a morning run. Maybe Saturday or Monday since I won't have to work those days.
5 miles: 1h 7m 27s (you do the math on my pace...terrible, I tell you)
HR high: 178
HR avg: 169
On another note, although my weight has really not gone down throughout this process (yet?), I've found that my pants fit much much better than they have over the past few months. Maybe it's time to take another set of photos...yeah, we'll see about that.
5 miles: 1h 7m 27s (you do the math on my pace...terrible, I tell you)
HR high: 178
HR avg: 169
On another note, although my weight has really not gone down throughout this process (yet?), I've found that my pants fit much much better than they have over the past few months. Maybe it's time to take another set of photos...yeah, we'll see about that.
Monday, August 30, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 4.5 miles (and I didn't think I was going to die)
It was FINALLY cool enough to run outside today without really feeling like I was going to die of heat stroke. I had some extra time today to go home, throw on my running clothes, and take off for a jog. I figured I had about an hour to run, so I planned a route that would allow me to either run 4 miles or about 3 miles depending on how I felt at about mile 1.5. Today was kind of a big deal because I really didn't struggle with my first 2 miles like I have been over the past few weeks, so that was fan-freaking-tastic! I got to the 4-mile mark near our subdivision and decided to keep going to 4.25...and when I got there, I decided to move on to 4.5. At 4.5 I thought, "heh, I bet I could do 5..." and then I realized it was 2:10 pm and I still needed to get back home to stretch, shower, change, and get my arse back to work for my 3pm appointment. I love the fact that my daily milestones are exciting, but what I love even more is the fact that at the end of most of those longer runs I find myself thinking I could have gone longer...
4.5 miles in 55:55
Avg pace: 12:21
HR high: 173
HR avg: 163
Oh, and my new favorite piece of clothing for running is this little skirt with shorts underneath...aside from the wind hiking it up every now and then, it's freaking amazing....
4.5 miles in 55:55
Avg pace: 12:21
HR high: 173
HR avg: 163
Oh, and my new favorite piece of clothing for running is this little skirt with shorts underneath...aside from the wind hiking it up every now and then, it's freaking amazing....
1/2 Marathon Training - 2 and something miles (at 7850 ft)
We went camping this weekend up near Sun Valley with some of Josh's high school buddies. I knew I needed to run on Saturday and convinced myself that a quick 30 minute jog would do the trick, despite my lack of ambition and extreme want to start drinking beer at noon. The boys pointed me in the best direction to run, and I went without much hesitation to the safest route they suggested. I took the dog for some company and got about 1/4 mile up the road when I realized it was a pretty steady incline. It took my 13 minutes to run a mile uphill. I turned around and enjoyed the run back down in significantly less time. On our drive home Josh pointed out the elevation where we were camping - 7850 ft. No wonder my lungs were working so hard!
Friday, August 27, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 4 miles
I'm a little surprised at myself for pushing as hard as I have been lately. I really wanted to run outside yesterday, but the temps were up to 104 degrees and there was a huge storm expected right around the time I planned to run, so that just didn't happen. Off to the gym I went after work. I checked into Anytime Fitness on Foursquare (I've got to keep my mayorship, you know...) and told the world I was going to try for 4 miles...and I did it! Now Mike, don't go discounting my run on the treadmill by saying it doesn't count. It does, damn it. I've been running on an incline, so I say it counts just as much. So there.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this yet, but our house is void of anything edible right now, and it has been almost all summer due mostly to laziness. I had to wait for Josh to get home from the grocery store before I could eat anything substantial and then realized I actually had to wait even longer for the steak and potatoes to cook. We didn't eat until after 9:00 last night, which is not so good after running that much and not eating anything since about 3:00 that afternoon. I was exhausted and nauseous by the time 8:30 hit and could hardly function. Note to self: eat.
71 days and counting to the Monumental. I think I'm gonna make it.
4 miles - 49:50
HR high - 176
HR avg - 169
Calories burned - about 700
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this yet, but our house is void of anything edible right now, and it has been almost all summer due mostly to laziness. I had to wait for Josh to get home from the grocery store before I could eat anything substantial and then realized I actually had to wait even longer for the steak and potatoes to cook. We didn't eat until after 9:00 last night, which is not so good after running that much and not eating anything since about 3:00 that afternoon. I was exhausted and nauseous by the time 8:30 hit and could hardly function. Note to self: eat.
71 days and counting to the Monumental. I think I'm gonna make it.
4 miles - 49:50
HR high - 176
HR avg - 169
Calories burned - about 700
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
1/2 marathon training - 3.75 miles (and effing ELATED!)
I think this is what a runner's high feels like! I registered for the Monumental 1/2 Marathon last night (missed the stupid $5 discount by something like 30 minutes...argh!) and was semi-motivated to get up this morning and run....and then sleeping just felt so good. I was able to take a long lunch though, so I hit the gym. I started out with a quick 2.4 mile bike ride to warm up (on the super-cool interactive bike) and then went to the treadmill. I decided since I've been running about 37-38 minutes at a time I'd push myself a little further and try out 45 minutes just to see if I could do it. My friend, Amanda, suggested I change the incline on the treadmill to better simulate running outside, so I started at a 1.0 incline and 5.0 pace (12 minute mile) and eventually changed the incline to .50 and a 4.8 pace (12:30 minute mile), but I don't remember at which mile that happened. I remember getting to the 25 minute mark and wondering if I could pull it off. When I got to 44 minutes I picked up the pace from 4.8 to 6.0 for a minute. I hit 3.75 miles in 45:40. Admittedly, I'm not the fastest runner, but I felt damn good about hitting that. I'm guessing I could actually manage 4 miles if I don't put a time frame on the treadmill, but we'll see about that. For now, I'm super proud of myself!
HR high 181 (really stayed less than 175 until I pushed myself to the 6.0 pace)
HR avg 169 (true avg - only counted time on the treadmill during the run)
Calories burned: somewhere around 683, but I'm not entirely sure.
HR high 181 (really stayed less than 175 until I pushed myself to the 6.0 pace)
HR avg 169 (true avg - only counted time on the treadmill during the run)
Calories burned: somewhere around 683, but I'm not entirely sure.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 2 miles
Quick update! I decided it was time for a new pair of running shoes so I took an hour out of my morning to go find the perfect pair for my old-lady feet. Turns out I was already wearing the perfect pair so I bought the same style, same size Saucony Progrid Guide kicks and a few pair of socks with hopes they will make it back to my own sock drawer and not Brooke's. We'll see how that works out. I also picked up a copy of Chi Running, as I've heard good things about it helping with pain-free running. We'll see how that works too!
I took a quick 2-mile run around the block after I got home and am about ready to go hop in the shower so I can take the pooch down to Tour de Fat downtown with my friend, Amanda. Should prove to be a great day!
I took a quick 2-mile run around the block after I got home and am about ready to go hop in the shower so I can take the pooch down to Tour de Fat downtown with my friend, Amanda. Should prove to be a great day!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - 3 miles
I can't seem to keep track of which day of training I'm on so I'm changing the way I title each blog. I managed another 3 miles today at the gym, hence the title of this blog. Wow, that's boring.
Anyway, I really wanted/needed to cross-train yesterday but work got a little crazy and I couldn't just jet out for a long lunch and head to the gym. I was also committed to playing guitar at church immediately after work and ended up going to dinner/drinks with my mom and Josh, so there was just no way to squeeze in a bike ride or a trip to the gym, etc.
Anyway, I managed to go to the gym today after work and got in 3 miles of jogging. I had another 1/2 mile of warm-up/cool-down. I've decided I really like watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune while I run :)
HR high - 182
HR avg - 153 (but this also includes my entire cool-down period which was something like 15 minutes)
Time - 37 minutes
Wondering if I can actually manage to lift weights tomorrow...hmm...
Anyway, I really wanted/needed to cross-train yesterday but work got a little crazy and I couldn't just jet out for a long lunch and head to the gym. I was also committed to playing guitar at church immediately after work and ended up going to dinner/drinks with my mom and Josh, so there was just no way to squeeze in a bike ride or a trip to the gym, etc.
Anyway, I managed to go to the gym today after work and got in 3 miles of jogging. I had another 1/2 mile of warm-up/cool-down. I've decided I really like watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune while I run :)
HR high - 182
HR avg - 153 (but this also includes my entire cool-down period which was something like 15 minutes)
Time - 37 minutes
Wondering if I can actually manage to lift weights tomorrow...hmm...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training - Day 7 (ish)
I got a little off schedule after we finished our Main Salmon trip on 8/11/10. We got back really late and I cut my heel pretty deeply on about day 2 of our river trip, and it was still pretty raw and hard to walk, let alone run. So I did a 2.0 mile run around 8/12/10 and called it good. We were rafting again Saturday and I rested (aka made pickles and drank beer with my mom) on Sunday. Yesterday was exhausting and I couldn't bring myself to do much of anything but take the dog for a walk. Fast forward to today where my plan was to run 3.0 miles. Done and done. I was quite proud of myself. My heart rate got pretty high and I really didn't run very fast, but I did it and I did it in under the 15min/mile pace standard for the Monumental...
HR high - 183
HR avg - 155
3.1 miles in 38 minutes
Oh, and we're rafting again today after work...
Until next time....
MM
HR high - 183
HR avg - 155
3.1 miles in 38 minutes
Oh, and we're rafting again today after work...
Until next time....
MM
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
I didn't do anything today...
...other than work, and that's boring....except that I got a promotion a few weeks ago and I really don't know how to do my job very well anymore because they gave me a new caseload. I'll figure it out soon enough, but man it's hard to learn new stuff! Anyway, I meant to go to the gym and lift/cross-train today and it just never happened, so I had an unplanned rest day. I worked late and didn't take a lunch break, which is really frowned upon when you work for the government, but oh well. Anyway, tonight we went out with Josh's sister for her b-day and I ate crappy food - cheeseburger and tots - and now I feel all sorts of gross and lazy. Boo for greasy food on days when you don't work out! You know what is awesome though? I'm going to be on a dodge ball team starting in September! Bad ass!
There are no pictures associated with today except for that of Seymour, our dog, who we decided looks phenomenal in a bandanna....even if it is a crappy picture. He refuses to cooperate with the picture taking right now.
There are no pictures associated with today except for that of Seymour, our dog, who we decided looks phenomenal in a bandanna....even if it is a crappy picture. He refuses to cooperate with the picture taking right now.Monday, August 2, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training Day 6
I was getting a little bummed about not being able to ride my bike to work over the past few weeks due to either obligations at work or after work or with the family or church or...you get the point. I got up this morning in plenty of time to hop on my bike and ride to work, which felt great! It also happens to be my run day, and I had planned on a 2.5 mile run at the gym (it's still so freaking hot here for me to run outside) on my way home from work. Everything was and continues to be fine, but I think it will be a better idea for me to leave the biking to and from work (6 miles each way) for the days when I don't have to run. I figured after 2 miles on the treadmill I was good to call it quits, so I hopped back on my bike and rode home. I can't quite figure out why I'm still awake right now...
And because blogs with pictures are fun, here's my rad bike:
And because blogs with pictures are fun, here's my rad bike:
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Cross-training and much needed rest
I think I mentioned before that I was really bad about cross-training the last time I actually trained for an organized run and I ended up with a lot of knee pain. This time, I'm determined to get in some mode of exercise on my non-run days. Since we are avid whitewater enthusiasts, most of our weekends during the summer are spent on the river, and yesterday was no exception. Josh wanted to run the North Fork of the Payette, a solid class IV & V section of the river, to which I am not privy. So I made my own schedule and called up our friend, Ben, and convinced him that it would be fun to run the South Fork of the Payette (class III & IV) twice and maybe even run the Main Payette (class II & III) afterward, all while Josh ran the NF with his more experienced buddies. My first SF run was a little bumpy. My oars didn't seem to want to stay in place and I got sucker-punched in the neck by one when I entered into Staircase rapid (one of the more difficult rapids on that stretch). I bounced through the rest of the rapid like a pinball and made it through upright, albeit a little stressed out and with a big ol' red mark on my neck making me look like a domestic violence victim. My second run was a helluva lot more smooth...perhaps picture-perfect?! When we got down to the confluence our friends, Roger and Anita, were waiting for us with a boat full of bridesmaids from an earlier bridal shower, so we set off for the Main Payette. I think I got about 3/4 of the way through and decided I was ready to be off the river. So I turned my boat backwards and backstroked like I was in a freaking boat race. My body is mad at me today! I knew that it would be a long day on the river, but didn't expect to get in as much actual exercise and cardio as I did. Woot! I'm so glad I chose today to be a rest day; I need it.
Friday, July 30, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training Day 5
I'm gaining a little more confidence and it's only day 5. My goal this afternoon was to jog 2.25 miles and walk to make a total of 3 miles. I got to 2.25 and thought, "heh, I bet I can do another lap." So I did! I was a little tempted to jog 3 miles, but didn't want to push it too hard...I don't want to injure myself, you know!
Treadmill total:
Jog 2.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
Also, I wear a heart rate monitor to track not only my heart rate but the number of calories I burn during a work out. The past few days I've been burning about 600 calories during my workouts, which means I'm pretty much busting my @$$ during my 45-60 minute sessions. I'm going to try to track this as well on the blog so I can see how my heart rate decreases with the amount of exercise I do everyday. I'm sure the format of these posts will change over the course of the next few months, but this is purely selfish blog. If I get a little bit more confidence, I'll post the pictures I'm taking each week, as I really want to see how my body changes over the course of the next few months as well. When I went through my big weight loss change (50 lbs in 6 months) a few years ago, I never took photos along the way to track my progress. I've pretty much maintained since then (with a few gains and losses along the way), but I'm curious and excited to see what happens from here on out!
Treadmill total:
Jog 2.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
Also, I wear a heart rate monitor to track not only my heart rate but the number of calories I burn during a work out. The past few days I've been burning about 600 calories during my workouts, which means I'm pretty much busting my @$$ during my 45-60 minute sessions. I'm going to try to track this as well on the blog so I can see how my heart rate decreases with the amount of exercise I do everyday. I'm sure the format of these posts will change over the course of the next few months, but this is purely selfish blog. If I get a little bit more confidence, I'll post the pictures I'm taking each week, as I really want to see how my body changes over the course of the next few months as well. When I went through my big weight loss change (50 lbs in 6 months) a few years ago, I never took photos along the way to track my progress. I've pretty much maintained since then (with a few gains and losses along the way), but I'm curious and excited to see what happens from here on out!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training Day 4
Cross-train day:
10 minutes walking - incline: 3, pace: 3.5 - 4
Weights: legs
Interactive race bike: 5.3 miles in 23 minutes
stretch
Wondering if I'll ever know what it feels like (until after Nov. 6, that is) to have muscles that don't have just a little bitty tinge of ache, in a good way that is.
10 minutes walking - incline: 3, pace: 3.5 - 4
Weights: legs
Interactive race bike: 5.3 miles in 23 minutes
stretch
Wondering if I'll ever know what it feels like (until after Nov. 6, that is) to have muscles that don't have just a little bitty tinge of ache, in a good way that is.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training Day 3
Oy, what a crazy day at work. I took my workout clothes to the office with me with hopes I could hit the gym and treadmill during lunch, which just plain didn't happen. After a super crazy day, I finally made it to the gym and managed a 2 mile continuous run and about 1.5 miles of walking. The Monumental run in Indy requires that participates run the first 7 miles at a 15 min. mile pace or less, so I figure if I can do any training at a max of that pace, then I should be good to go, even if I end up walking some of it in the end (which is not the goal, by the way....I want to run the whole damn thing). I tweaked my training plan today based on the fact that I can, in fact, run 2 miles continuously.
Tomorrow's a cross-train day and I'm determined to lift some weights to get my legs a little stronger and avoid some knee injuries during training.
Tomorrow's a cross-train day and I'm determined to lift some weights to get my legs a little stronger and avoid some knee injuries during training.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
1/2 Marathon Training Day 2
I trained for and ran a 5k a few years ago and neglected to do any cross-training and ended up with some knee pain. Since that was only 3 miles, I am determined to make sure I do plenty of cross-training and weight lifting. Man, was it hard to get on the elliptical at home tonight. I was exhausted from work, which has been somewhat stressful and hectic lately. But hey, I did it. A whopping 30 minutes, which is really nothing to brag about, but at least it's something! Tonight I also managed to create a plan for myself for the next 15 weeks and what I need to do each day. I'm wondering how well this will work!
Monday, July 26, 2010
1/2 Marathon Preface + Training Day 1
A few weeks ago my friend, Jamie, posted something on the facebook stating she was thinking about running a 1/2 marathon in Indianapolis in November and wanted to know if anyone else was interested. I foolishly (we'll see?) mentioned that I might be, and the idea was born. A few weeks later, I found myself strategically planning out my vacation time and wondering if I could financially make it work. I continued to tell Jamie I was still working on it. This past Monday night (7/26/10) I was goofing around on my computer while my dear husband was washing cars and cleaning out the garage and unpacking the camping gear from the weekend, and I found a round trip flight to/from Chicago for $240 (including taxes) that I just couldn't pass up. I bought it. I might have freaked out a little in the mean time. I got excited and scared and might have peed a little knowing that I'd be seeing some friends who I hadn't seen in about 5 years. I called an old friend (my first friend I met when I moved to Indiana) and told her she better be damn sure she's going to be in town the first weekend in November.
Anyway, that began my trek on this 1/2 marathon kick. Not gonna lie, I really wasn't sure at that time that I was going to be able to run 13.1 miles by November, as I wasn't sure I could even run a mile on Monday night. So I decided to take my dog, Seymour, for a 3-mile walk (he was thrilled!) that night after purchasing my plane ticket. A little over 1/2 way through the walk I decided to jog a little bit. I figure I probably ended up running about a mile before I got to my house. Satisfied with myself, I went inside. I think I dreamed about Chicago...
Anyway, that began my trek on this 1/2 marathon kick. Not gonna lie, I really wasn't sure at that time that I was going to be able to run 13.1 miles by November, as I wasn't sure I could even run a mile on Monday night. So I decided to take my dog, Seymour, for a 3-mile walk (he was thrilled!) that night after purchasing my plane ticket. A little over 1/2 way through the walk I decided to jog a little bit. I figure I probably ended up running about a mile before I got to my house. Satisfied with myself, I went inside. I think I dreamed about Chicago...
Fresh
I'm honestly starting this in order to blog my way through a 1/2 marathon training program with hopes that I'll continue once that's finished....
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