Oh boy oh boy oh boy. I have really been slacking this fall. I haven't even been recording my miles! I think I did 13 miles in October and I did a 4 mile run a few days ago with Bill. We have been walking a LOT this year. Loss of a job will do that I guess. I deeply miss running, feeling good and healthy, and just simply being "alive" and less stressed.
Running makes me reflect on my life, my goals, and the direction I am going. I always feel like I need to change what I'm doing. I have developed a deeper faith as a result of the past year. This has been good for me. Here's to getting back into running - I hope.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
oh ah eh ah oh
Yep school has definitely started again. It a good excuse to take a little break. I think all the workouts and really pushing myself last week caught up to me. My shins were killing me on this run! I felt every single step of those 4 miles.
Rachael got up early to go run. She really wanted to do 8 miles. I thought I had it in me, pushing the limits, but I thought I could do it. Wait a minute, she got ME up? to go run?! This is all backwards. Bill went with us too. I was a little surprised as his knees were still hurting and he hasn't been doing his exercises. Both of them were really pulling me along today. We had a 10:30+min pace and it felt like a 9:00 pace. It was all I could do to keep moving forward. We completed 4 in town miles however.
Temperature: 68 degrees
Weather: clear, 6mph north winds; 83% humidity
Motivation level: 1
Energy level: 2
Today's Quote: "Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
Rachael got up early to go run. She really wanted to do 8 miles. I thought I had it in me, pushing the limits, but I thought I could do it. Wait a minute, she got ME up? to go run?! This is all backwards. Bill went with us too. I was a little surprised as his knees were still hurting and he hasn't been doing his exercises. Both of them were really pulling me along today. We had a 10:30+min pace and it felt like a 9:00 pace. It was all I could do to keep moving forward. We completed 4 in town miles however.
Temperature: 68 degrees
Weather: clear, 6mph north winds; 83% humidity
Motivation level: 1
Energy level: 2
Today's Quote: "Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
today's mileage: 6 miles running; 16 miles walking; 4 miles biking
weekly mileage: 6 miles running; 16 miles walking; 4 miles biking
monthly mileage: 43 miles running; 33 miles walking; 37 miles biking; 1 mile swimming
annual mileage: 210 miles running; 293 miles walking; 95 miles riding; 3.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 561 miles
Monday, August 12, 2013
SH Sprint Triathlon
My second ever sprint tri was today. I was looking for a PR. I guess I would have had one no matter what since I really haven't done these exact distances in a formal race and it was a much easier course than the first one, but for a sprint tri, it was a PR. I had so much fun! I was beat, but was still able to run with others to help them to the finish line when I was done. There were no timing chips, no time kept, no "score", we were just out there having fun! Here's the replay:
Swim
OK, this was perhaps the worst swim I've ever had. My adrenaline was pumping like no other today. I was totally beat after pulling the ropes out of the water to prepare it for the event. Really? This is going to be a hard day. I ended up walking the shallow end and swimming the deep end. My mind was racing so fast. I think I did every stroke known to man in this one. I even tried to push myself off the ladder on the side of the pool to get some propulsion and ended up slipping and banging my foot on the ladder. Good golly! @Vardotrichic, you would not have been impressed with this swim today. Somehow I was the second one out of the water, by only one second, though!
Total time = unknown, but around 15 min, maybe a little less with transition
Bike
I got my bike and of course the Garmin had to research for the satellites. I was ready to go by the time I got out of transition however. Clicked start and I was off. My goal pace was 15mph. I ended up with 16.4 so I was happy with that. I'm not sure what happened, but my mind in its delirium was all messed up. I knew I was going out 7.5 miles to the turn around point and back again, but somewhere around mile 3 I just thought 5.5 miles was the turn around. I got to 5 miles and couldn't figure out why I wasn't seeing anyone coming back yet. At miles 5.5 I realized I still had 2 miles to go! Darn it! I upshifted and starting pushing it more knowing I wouldn't have to slow down to turn around for a couple more miles. At the turn around point, I tried to look if a car was coming. Good thing, I think I heard one! Yep there was one. He had already moved over to the other lane to give me space. There was no way I was going to turn around by the time he reached me. That would have been a fatality! I was just thankful I had my helmet on, knowing how awful that would have been had I just crossed 2 lanes of traffic. OK, back around and toward home. I felt strong, but realized there wasn't a head wind going out. There wasn't exactly a tailwind coming back, but I tried to push it a little more. There was no one in sight in front or behind me, but I knew I was in at least 4th place at this time. I tried to cheer on the others as we passed on the highway. Wow, I was putting in some amazing times on the clock. I got up to 59.1 mph. WHAT?! Yeah, I think my watch was delirious now. I'll just count a top speed of 24.4 on this ride. Time to turn north back into town. Holy headwind Batman! My speed dropped 2.5 mph in that mile. Will I see the runners crossing the road at the edge of town? Will I have anything left in me to make the run? I was really feeling great at this point and wanted to get going on the run. The bike ended on an uphill.
Total time = 54:48; average: 16.4mph
Run
Yep, as usual I went out fast off the bike. I sat in transition for a bit to change my watch from biking to running mode, hoping this would help my legs calm down for the run. Nope. Friends were yelling, "[she's] on the straight-away yet; you can catch her! Go get her!!" I finally got going again, repeating over and over again, "slow down, slow down, slow down..." I looked at my watch at about 1/4 mile: 8:05 yikes! I'll never make it to the finish line! "slow down, slow down, slow down..." About 1/2 mile: 8:15 Holy moly, I really thought I had slowed. I have to get this to about 9 min pace or I'll hit the wall. Mile 1: 8:55 Not bad. I can see I am closing in on the person in front of me. My competitive mind wants to go faster to catch her, but I know I have to go slower. I knew I had the edge on her and could overtake her at some point before the finish line. Mile 2: 9:21 That's better. One mile to go, I've got this! Water stop at the corner - no thanks I've got a big bottle with me. I really wanted to run the whole thing. I just passed the person. Dang, my legs are giving way to my brain telling me I can't. I slowed way down. Dang again, they stopped! I walked about the length of one house and took off again. That's what I needed. OK, to the track, around, and back to the pool. I will sprint as much as I can from the entrance to the parking lot to the pool. That went great and I was able to keep my competitor behind me. Coming out of the track I saw Bill and Rachael! I didn't realize they were running together. We exchanged high 5s, which gave me the energy I needed to finish.
Total time = 26:50; pace: 9:14
LOVEDLOVEDLOVED this tri! At the end, I ran back to Rachael and Bill to run the last 1/4 mile with them. We crossed the finish line as a family, like we always do! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Temperature: 68 degrees
Weather: clear, 6mph north winds; 83% humidity
Motivation level: 10
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: "If at first you don't succeed, tri tri again."
Swim
OK, this was perhaps the worst swim I've ever had. My adrenaline was pumping like no other today. I was totally beat after pulling the ropes out of the water to prepare it for the event. Really? This is going to be a hard day. I ended up walking the shallow end and swimming the deep end. My mind was racing so fast. I think I did every stroke known to man in this one. I even tried to push myself off the ladder on the side of the pool to get some propulsion and ended up slipping and banging my foot on the ladder. Good golly! @Vardotrichic, you would not have been impressed with this swim today. Somehow I was the second one out of the water, by only one second, though!
Total time = unknown, but around 15 min, maybe a little less with transition
Bike
I got my bike and of course the Garmin had to research for the satellites. I was ready to go by the time I got out of transition however. Clicked start and I was off. My goal pace was 15mph. I ended up with 16.4 so I was happy with that. I'm not sure what happened, but my mind in its delirium was all messed up. I knew I was going out 7.5 miles to the turn around point and back again, but somewhere around mile 3 I just thought 5.5 miles was the turn around. I got to 5 miles and couldn't figure out why I wasn't seeing anyone coming back yet. At miles 5.5 I realized I still had 2 miles to go! Darn it! I upshifted and starting pushing it more knowing I wouldn't have to slow down to turn around for a couple more miles. At the turn around point, I tried to look if a car was coming. Good thing, I think I heard one! Yep there was one. He had already moved over to the other lane to give me space. There was no way I was going to turn around by the time he reached me. That would have been a fatality! I was just thankful I had my helmet on, knowing how awful that would have been had I just crossed 2 lanes of traffic. OK, back around and toward home. I felt strong, but realized there wasn't a head wind going out. There wasn't exactly a tailwind coming back, but I tried to push it a little more. There was no one in sight in front or behind me, but I knew I was in at least 4th place at this time. I tried to cheer on the others as we passed on the highway. Wow, I was putting in some amazing times on the clock. I got up to 59.1 mph. WHAT?! Yeah, I think my watch was delirious now. I'll just count a top speed of 24.4 on this ride. Time to turn north back into town. Holy headwind Batman! My speed dropped 2.5 mph in that mile. Will I see the runners crossing the road at the edge of town? Will I have anything left in me to make the run? I was really feeling great at this point and wanted to get going on the run. The bike ended on an uphill.
Total time = 54:48; average: 16.4mph
Run
Yep, as usual I went out fast off the bike. I sat in transition for a bit to change my watch from biking to running mode, hoping this would help my legs calm down for the run. Nope. Friends were yelling, "[she's] on the straight-away yet; you can catch her! Go get her!!" I finally got going again, repeating over and over again, "slow down, slow down, slow down..." I looked at my watch at about 1/4 mile: 8:05 yikes! I'll never make it to the finish line! "slow down, slow down, slow down..." About 1/2 mile: 8:15 Holy moly, I really thought I had slowed. I have to get this to about 9 min pace or I'll hit the wall. Mile 1: 8:55 Not bad. I can see I am closing in on the person in front of me. My competitive mind wants to go faster to catch her, but I know I have to go slower. I knew I had the edge on her and could overtake her at some point before the finish line. Mile 2: 9:21 That's better. One mile to go, I've got this! Water stop at the corner - no thanks I've got a big bottle with me. I really wanted to run the whole thing. I just passed the person. Dang, my legs are giving way to my brain telling me I can't. I slowed way down. Dang again, they stopped! I walked about the length of one house and took off again. That's what I needed. OK, to the track, around, and back to the pool. I will sprint as much as I can from the entrance to the parking lot to the pool. That went great and I was able to keep my competitor behind me. Coming out of the track I saw Bill and Rachael! I didn't realize they were running together. We exchanged high 5s, which gave me the energy I needed to finish.
Total time = 26:50; pace: 9:14
LOVEDLOVEDLOVED this tri! At the end, I ran back to Rachael and Bill to run the last 1/4 mile with them. We crossed the finish line as a family, like we always do! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Temperature: 68 degrees
Weather: clear, 6mph north winds; 83% humidity
Motivation level: 10
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: "If at first you don't succeed, tri tri again."
today's mileage: 5 miles running; 3 miles walking; 18 miles biking; 1 mile swimming
weekly mileage: 5 miles running; 3 miles walking; 18 miles biking; 1 mile swimming
monthly mileage: 37 miles running; 17 miles walking; 33 miles biking; 1 mile swimming
annual mileage: 204 miles running; 277 miles walking; 91 miles riding; 3.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 535 miles
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Return to Vardos
Having not really run for quite awhile, getting 24 miles in this week was a great accomplishment. I loved how my legs felt. I loved the fast endings to the runs. I loved my running partners, but do really miss running with Bill. I loved running with the Vardos.
This morning I got up early and ran with the Vardos at 6:00. Rachael went with me. We ran some ladies a little older than me at a little slower pace. I needed that as I was contemplating doing the 6-mile loop twice for a total of 12 today. Anticipating the school sprint tri on Monday and reflecting on the big week, I opted for just the single 6-miler. This turned out to be a good thing.
My shins have started to hurt, but worse, my left hip was all out of whack. I finally had enough, feeling like my left hip was about 3" higher than my right and trying to walk was a chore. I called the chiropractor who got me in right away. I had a nagging glitch in my neck that wouldn't go away either. Tonight my hips seemed to have gone back to uncomfortable. We went for a slow walk to try to work out the kink, but no luck.
Tonight I ran with my trainee. Fortunately it was not a speed run, but a really slow run so I hobbled along. I think that really helped. I felt better afterwards. We'll see how tomorrow looks. Boy, those Vardos are hard on me.
Temperature: 54 degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 98% humidity
Motivation level: 6
Energy level: 7
Today's Quote: "Running is not for whimps."
This morning I got up early and ran with the Vardos at 6:00. Rachael went with me. We ran some ladies a little older than me at a little slower pace. I needed that as I was contemplating doing the 6-mile loop twice for a total of 12 today. Anticipating the school sprint tri on Monday and reflecting on the big week, I opted for just the single 6-miler. This turned out to be a good thing.
My shins have started to hurt, but worse, my left hip was all out of whack. I finally had enough, feeling like my left hip was about 3" higher than my right and trying to walk was a chore. I called the chiropractor who got me in right away. I had a nagging glitch in my neck that wouldn't go away either. Tonight my hips seemed to have gone back to uncomfortable. We went for a slow walk to try to work out the kink, but no luck.
Tonight I ran with my trainee. Fortunately it was not a speed run, but a really slow run so I hobbled along. I think that really helped. I felt better afterwards. We'll see how tomorrow looks. Boy, those Vardos are hard on me.
Temperature: 54 degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 98% humidity
Motivation level: 6
Energy level: 7
Today's Quote: "Running is not for whimps."
today's mileage: 8 miles running; 4 miles walking
weekly mileage: 26 miles running; 8 miles walking
monthly mileage: 32 miles running; 14 miles walking; 15 miles biking
annual mileage: 199 miles running; 274 miles walking; 73 miles riding; 2.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 508 miles
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Case of the Mondays
I woke up this morning and (thought) I heard rain outside my window. There have been threats of rain and storms all week so this was logical to me. Hmmm, I wonder if Jill will want to run in the rain or if I should just go back to sleep. I finally dragged myself up to look out the window. What?!?!! It hasn't rained at all; everything is dry! Darn it. I really do have to do this run. Ugh, it was like a bad case of the Mondays getting motivated today. It's Thursday!
I finally got up and got ready to go. While sitting on the couch checking the weather, I saw someone run by. Oh crap, I overslept and totally missed her! Oh wait, she wouldn't run with her dog. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
Out the door I went. This is only 4 miles; I can do this! Getting to her house I didn't see her. She is usually standing out waiting for me in the street. DOH, maybe that really was her running past my house this morning. Maybe she will swing by my house again to see if I'm up yet. Well, if she isn't there, I'll see if lights are on and at worst, run on my own. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
I got to her house and saw she was by the garage. Maybe she just got out there? We got going and about a quarter mile into the run I glanced at my watch and the lap pace didn't appear to be working! What? Dang. The GPS was on, I paused and restarted the button, nothing seemed to work. I guess I'll just rely on her and then run the extra little bit to finish the mile. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
She said she was also having problems getting motivated this morning to get out the door. This is why it's great to have a running partner that keeps you motivated. After a couple miles I look at my watch and it appears to be working again. I called out my mileage and she called out hers. We were about .8 miles different - I was "behind" her! How could that be? I was, in reality, about 1/2 mile ahead of her. Maybe all the messing with it earlier got it going again. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
In the end, I really have no idea how far I ran, but I am guessing somewhere between 4.75 and 5 miles. It was a crazy Monday, uh I mean, Thursday run. I did love running again and having a schedule. It was great to run some distance and then push hard at the end to see what I could do. It was great to be accountable to someone to get myself out the door. It is great to wake up the sun again. I think this will be a good year, things are looking up this week! I just might like Mondays from now on. :)
Temperature: 58 degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 91% humidity
Motivation level: 2
Energy level: 7
Today's Quote: "Look in the mirror. That's your competition."
I finally got up and got ready to go. While sitting on the couch checking the weather, I saw someone run by. Oh crap, I overslept and totally missed her! Oh wait, she wouldn't run with her dog. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
Out the door I went. This is only 4 miles; I can do this! Getting to her house I didn't see her. She is usually standing out waiting for me in the street. DOH, maybe that really was her running past my house this morning. Maybe she will swing by my house again to see if I'm up yet. Well, if she isn't there, I'll see if lights are on and at worst, run on my own. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
I got to her house and saw she was by the garage. Maybe she just got out there? We got going and about a quarter mile into the run I glanced at my watch and the lap pace didn't appear to be working! What? Dang. The GPS was on, I paused and restarted the button, nothing seemed to work. I guess I'll just rely on her and then run the extra little bit to finish the mile. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
She said she was also having problems getting motivated this morning to get out the door. This is why it's great to have a running partner that keeps you motivated. After a couple miles I look at my watch and it appears to be working again. I called out my mileage and she called out hers. We were about .8 miles different - I was "behind" her! How could that be? I was, in reality, about 1/2 mile ahead of her. Maybe all the messing with it earlier got it going again. Ugh, another case of the Mondays.
In the end, I really have no idea how far I ran, but I am guessing somewhere between 4.75 and 5 miles. It was a crazy Monday, uh I mean, Thursday run. I did love running again and having a schedule. It was great to run some distance and then push hard at the end to see what I could do. It was great to be accountable to someone to get myself out the door. It is great to wake up the sun again. I think this will be a good year, things are looking up this week! I just might like Mondays from now on. :)
Temperature: 58 degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 91% humidity
Motivation level: 2
Energy level: 7
Today's Quote: "Look in the mirror. That's your competition."
today's mileage: 4.75ish miles running
weekly mileage: 18 miles running
monthly mileage: 24 miles running; 10 miles walking; 8 miles biking
annual mileage: 191 miles running; 270 miles walking; 66 miles riding; 2.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 489 miles
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Wake up. Breathe. Run.
This morning I woke up in a panic! I thought I overslept and jumped out of bed! I looked at the clock again trying mentally go through my prerun routine and how to condense it into the shortened time I had. I then realized our clock was set ahead and my alarm wasn't ready to go off yet. PHEW!
It was close enough that I just stayed up. I started my routine and within a couple minutes my alarm went off. I was very concerned about the run today so I did a lot of stretching. Oh my. I can barely bend at 90 degrees! I had to get out the foam roller and get loosened up. That helped.
As I started out the run to my friend's house I felt as if I was really stomping on my heels. ugh, this is going to be a long run! Once I met up with her I seemed to calm down a bit and get into a good flow.
I finished w part of mile dangling again. I finished the 8th mile at a 8:34 pace! My ankle and knee starting hurting a bit towards the end of the run, but it was a great finish.
Tomorrow: 4 miles, then some rest!
Monday: sprint tri
It was close enough that I just stayed up. I started my routine and within a couple minutes my alarm went off. I was very concerned about the run today so I did a lot of stretching. Oh my. I can barely bend at 90 degrees! I had to get out the foam roller and get loosened up. That helped.
As I started out the run to my friend's house I felt as if I was really stomping on my heels. ugh, this is going to be a long run! Once I met up with her I seemed to calm down a bit and get into a good flow.
I finished w part of mile dangling again. I finished the 8th mile at a 8:34 pace! My ankle and knee starting hurting a bit towards the end of the run, but it was a great finish.
Tomorrow: 4 miles, then some rest!
Monday: sprint tri
Temperature: 68 degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 91% humidity
Motivation level: 6
Energy level: 5
Today's Quote: "Wake up. Breathe. Run."
Weather: clear, no winds; 91% humidity
Motivation level: 6
Energy level: 5
Today's Quote: "Wake up. Breathe. Run."
today's mileage: 8 miles running
weekly mileage: 13 miles running
monthly mileage: 19 miles running; 10 miles walking; 3 miles biking
annual mileage: 186 miles running; 270 miles walking; 61 miles riding; 2.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 479 miles
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Dangling Mile
I was scheduled to run 4 miles with a friend this morning. She usually comes to my house, but I decided to meet her at her house. She is about .42 miles from me so I figured that would be a good warm up and I could get my fast start out of the way going over there.
What a great run! I love the morning runs, waking up the sun, hearing the night time sounds, seeing a light fog form over the cornfields. It was truly a beautiful morning.
I wasn't sure how it would go as I had had a few fast runs lately, which usually means my shins pay for it for days after. I felt pretty good throughout, tired but good. I'm hoping tomorrow's 7 miler will be equally good.
As we got back to town to the corner where she went left and I went straight, I found myself with a dangling mile. Who stops a run with .63 left on the end? Really? I just had to finish off that mile so I actually complete 5 today rather than just 4.
Temperature: 62degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 100% humidity
Motivation level: 9
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: "The most beautiful makeup for a woman is passion."
What a great run! I love the morning runs, waking up the sun, hearing the night time sounds, seeing a light fog form over the cornfields. It was truly a beautiful morning.
I wasn't sure how it would go as I had had a few fast runs lately, which usually means my shins pay for it for days after. I felt pretty good throughout, tired but good. I'm hoping tomorrow's 7 miler will be equally good.
As we got back to town to the corner where she went left and I went straight, I found myself with a dangling mile. Who stops a run with .63 left on the end? Really? I just had to finish off that mile so I actually complete 5 today rather than just 4.
Temperature: 62degrees
Weather: clear, no winds; 100% humidity
Motivation level: 9
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: "The most beautiful makeup for a woman is passion."
today's mileage: 5 miles running
weekly mileage: 5 miles running
monthly mileage: 11 miles running; 8 miles walking; 3 miles biking
annual mileage: 178 miles running; 268 miles walking; 61 miles riding; 2.19792 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 469 miles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)