Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Reality Check

I don't know why, but when I miss a run it's easier to write off the next run.  The longer I wait to get back out there, the more I fear it.  It will hurt.  I will not be able to meet my goal.  I will second guess myself.

The weather has been so nasty lately and I have had so much mental baggage that I can't get myself going.  Last night I told myself that if we have a snowday I will run on the dreadmill.  I really wanted to at least get a long run in.  I got on, started running, and I was pooped.  Ok, reality: I haven't been taking care of myself either.  I started drinking, thinking that would help.  nope.  I ended up doing the run-walk method.  I ran a mile, walked 1/10.  I realized when we redid the basement, we put up a mirror.  Reality: I'm not getting into shape like I want. WOW, I'm. not. getting. into. shape.  ick.



Temperature: 19 degrees
Weather: blizzard, -14 windchill, winds 34mph gusts NNE
Motivation level: 8
Energy level: 2
Today's Quote: We find our answers on the roads, trails, and in races as we are given mental space to reflect, learn, and grow. In pursuing our passion with a purposeful mind, we uncover secrets others spend a lifetime searching for.


today's mileage: 5 mile running
weekly mileage: 5 miles running
monthly mileage: 38 miles running; 30/31
annual mileage: 38 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 68 miles

Saturday, January 19, 2013

The Postman

"Not rain, nor sleet, nor driving winds will keep these runners from finishing their run."  That's my postal quote for today.  Yes, we ran in 38mph gusting winds today.  Looking at the forecast and comparing it to our crazy schedule this weekend we chose the forging winds.  This was a great test of endurance, determination, and dedication today.  

The first few miles were nasty!  I had such problems starting with my watch.  I had a feeling there would be issues when it couldn't "find satellites".  The bar would almost get to the end and then back up about 1/2 way and start again.  I tried to restart the watch, but it was going to clear all history.  It finally took off and starting counting mileage.  Yeah, the watch was about 1/2 mile behind us, but kept time and mileage all the way through the run.

Once we got the watch going about 1/2 mile into it, we were about out of town headed around the Ethanol Loop.  The winds really started blowing, almost stopping us in our tracks.  We put our head down and forged onward.  At the turn I thought Bill was going to stop and turn back to town.  I stopped to walk a bit, catch my breath, and encourage him to keep going.  "We're still moving forward!"  Rachael was having an awesome run.  Her shoe came untied about 1/4 mile later and Bill #winkwink graciously encouraged her to stop and tie it.  

Well, we made it to the end of the 8 mile run today and about 3-4 miles into it I really starting to feel good.  While I don't think a full marathon would have worked today, I think I could have done a half easily.  This will be one we will reference for awhile into the future.  Remember that day with the 38mph winds...?


Temperature: 48 degrees
Weather: 24mph NW winds, gusting to 38mph
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: Not rain, nor sleet, nor driving winds will keep these runners from finishing their run.


today's mileage: 8 mile running
weekly mileage: 20 miles running
monthly mileage: 33 miles running; 19/31
annual mileage: 33 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 51 miles

Friday, January 18, 2013

My Christmas Brooks

Santa was going to deliver new running shoes to Rachael and Mommy this Christmas, but apparently the workshop was working overtime and that didn't happen.  He left a note in our stockings that when they got done with them, he'd deliver them.  Well, the FedEx man delivered today!

While I love a new pair of shoes, it does take a few runs to break them in right.  These are weird shoes. It's the same shoe I wore for my first marathon so I am quite partial to them.  This specific pair is just not the same.  The tongue has a weird fold in them that bunches up when the laces are tied.  It puts pressure on the top of my foot on the toe bones.  It hurts to run.  I think I need to get a chiropractor appointment before I can accurately blame the shoes.

The quote today is quite fitting.  In the past couple months I have gained nearly 10 pounds and can't seem to shake them.  I've had a few too many pity parties for myself and stress at work continues to pile.  I know I can cut the 10 pounds easily, but for some reason they just aren't melting away.  I have finished the chocolate covered peanuts in my drawer at school so I am ready to cut back now.  Yeah, I'll blame the chocolates.  :)


Temperature: 46 degrees
Weather: overcast, cooler than expected
Motivation level: 3
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: I plan on losing 15 pounds and I expect to see results in the morning.


today's mileage: 5 mile running
weekly mileage: 12 miles running
monthly mileage: 25 miles running; 18/31
annual mileage: 25 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 43 miles

Monday, January 14, 2013

Norwegian clogging

The bitter cold prohibited running this past weekend.  The temps were in single digits and the wind chills were below zero!  That's my limit.  Therefore, we did our long run tonight.

As we started, I really felt like I was clogging along as if I was wearing wooden shoes.  It was a tough run for my partners, but overall we finished and encouraged each other to keep going.  Rachael even said at one point, "We're still moving!"  I love that girl!  :)

Bill has been going quite fast lately.  Today at the end of the run we had about 1/2 mile left.  He was wanting to be done so he sped up.  A lot.  We finished with a 6:28 pace!

Today's quote: Find a beautiful place and run it.  Yes, it was a beautiful run tonight.  The temps were perfect, the company was better, the scenery great.

Temperature: 28 degrees
Weather: overcast, wind chill 20 degrees
Motivation level: 7
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: Find a beautiful place and run it.


today's mileage: 7 mile running
weekly mileage: 7 miles running
monthly mileage: 20 miles running; 14/31
annual mileage: 20 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 34 miles

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Inspiration

Running tonight was weird.  We started off with a 18:00 min pace.  Wait!  What?! How crazy is that?  There is no way we were going that slow.  I was getting winded.  When the watch clicked a mile, I looked again and we were doing more of a 9:00 min pace.  By the time we hit 2 miles we were doing sub 9:00 min pace.  By the end of 3 miles we were doing sub 8:00 min pace!  Yeah, that's crazy.  I was dog tired and realized that I must be an endurance athlete.  At the increasingly fast pace I couldn't help but feel I couldn't hold this up forever.  I had to stop.  No wait, I'm almost done.

As we were passing the grocery store I saw my friend who completed her first marathon.  She often talked about the inspiration I gave her.  Yes, you never know who you are inspiring.  I needed this quote today.


Temperature: 36 degrees
Weather: clear, nice
Motivation level: 8
Energy level: 5
Today's Quote: Be strong; you never know who you are inspiring.


today's mileage: 3 mile running
weekly mileage: 3 miles running
monthly mileage: 13 miles running; 9/31
annual mileage: 13 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 20 miles

Monday, January 7, 2013

Happy birthday!

It's my birthday and I'll run if I want to...  Yeah, that's right.  What a beautiful day to run.  I saw the quote today that I really needed to see.  I was excited to run, but that quote really summed up what I have been trying to do.  OK, not really as I can't stay away from birthday cake, homemade cookies from a stay-at-home husband, and yummy suppers he prepares.  What can I say? I LOVE to eat!  This is one reason I started to run....because I love to eat.

Yeah, the run was great.  I noticed that if I stretch ahead of time, that the run goes much better.  We had an awesome go of it, well I had a great run anyway.  Bill has been struggling with a cold and lack of sleep.  The 4 miles went by very quickly and were relatively easy today.  We started with a 9:34 pace and ended with a 9:02 average pace.  Yeah, I like that.  Happy birthday to me!


Temperature: 36 degrees
Weather: overcast
Motivation level: 9
Energy level: 7
Today's Quote: Summer bodies are earned in the winter


today's mileage: 4 mile running
weekly mileage: 4 miles running
monthly mileage: 10 miles running; 7/31
annual mileage: 10 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 17 miles

Saturday, January 5, 2013

31 in 31 with Stella

Stella: my newest
running partner
While browsing various sites on the internet, I came across a 31 in 31 challenge.  This is just what I needed: get out daily for at least one mile in each of the 31 days in January.   While November and December are depressing months for me when I gain weight and do little exercise, January is the month to have a fresh start.  The "spare tire" is a little more inflated than usual and this challenge is just what I need!  One thing that I miss when it's nice outside is going out for a walk with Bill after supper.  It's great for my mental and physical wellness.

This week we got a new puppy this week: Stella.  This was her given name from the vet and it stuck with the kids so we kept the name.  She is definitely all puppy and known to need lots of exercise.  Given this, I want to train her to be my running partner.  I've always wanted a canine beside me on the road.  I solicited training advice from @Vardotrichic and we are trying some new things.  So far we have learned to walk on a leash and even got outside to do an actual walk!  Twice yesterday we ran her a block.  She got pretty tired and all of a sudden sat down when she needed a break.  A block at a time, right?  She is such a sweet puppy that loves to be around people.  Right now she is limited to the basement.  The kids love to watch movies snuggling with her on the couch.  When we eat supper, she will come up the stairs at sit at the back door staring at us.  If we don't watch her, she will run through the house.  I think this is a good match for all of us.



Temperature: 19 degrees
Weather: light breeze, partly cloudy
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: God has given me the ability. The rest is up to me.

today's mileage: 3 mile running
weekly mileage: 6 miles running
monthly mileage: 6 miles running; 5/31
annual mileage: 6 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 11 miles