Had the best 3-mile treadmill run ever. Part of it was that I decided to run a comfortable 12-minute mile pace and build time on my feet, instead of pushing the pace too hard. The other part was that it was almost a "perfect storm" from a sports watching point of view for me - the Reds were on, the Red Wings were on, the Pistons were on, and the Dodgers (Alex's business partner's favorite team) were on. I hardly noticed the miles go by, I was too busy keeping track of 4 games.
Saw Holly and she confessed she hasn't been running much and hasn't done any long runs at all. We've both been really busy this spring...it definitely showed me how much it is helping me to have a race goal. We're playing golf together on Saturday morning...maybe I can talk her into running the marathon with me in October.
I'm in a research study - www.usatf.org/stretchstudy - to see whether stretching BEFORE running helps runners avoid injury, or not. Lucky for me I was put in the non-stretching group, because I don't stretch before I run, only after. I was really proud to even qualify - running at least 10 miles a week consistently was a requirement.
I'm a runner! =)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Training Run 5-27-08
2 quick miles at the gym, 11-minute mile pace, and I did take the time that the treadmill gave for cool-down. Partially because I got through watching the first half of a Law & Order episode...I guess I'll live without finding out what happens at the end. =)
I need to go shopping this weekend for running tops. Even though it's 67 or so outside, the gym is WARM and not ventilated. As Andrew would say...I stinky. =)
I need to go shopping this weekend for running tops. Even though it's 67 or so outside, the gym is WARM and not ventilated. As Andrew would say...I stinky. =)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Training Run 5-25-08
Something new and different. I've been reading a lot of training books that suggest running by time or distance but not both, to avoid the tendency of "racing" oneself too much, and overtraining.
So I had 5 miles scheduled, and I know that I can run that distance in 60 minutes or less (12-minute mile or less) at a "comfortable" pace. So I drove to the parking lot on the bike trail (paved) on Villa Road, and decided to run 30 minutes, stretch, and run back (and try not to take longer on the way back than I did on the way out).
I made it to two wooden bridges past Mitchell Road, and I have no idea exactly how far that was, but it was challenging but not impossible. I stretched for a minute or so, and then started the run back. I did have to take a couple walking breaks on the way back, but I chalked that up to (1) it had gotten sunnier and the wind had died down, and (2) I was obviously running an appropriately hard pace. However, I still got back to my starting point in only 30 seconds or so over my going-out time, even with the walking breaks.
It was definitely a fun way to do a long run, and the change of route was great. It's lined with bushes and trees, so it's shaded for most of the way. That will be nice later in the summer when it's even hotter and more humid than this weekend. The route smells overwhelmingly of honeysuckle (there are 9-foot mega-bushes along the trail), although there is one underpass that smells strongly of chicken - I looked up thinking "what the heck!" and there is a Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant at the intersection above. I chuckled about that for a good five minutes.
I also got to see the back of the new combined high school that is being built - until they tear down the old high school this summer, it's not visible from the road. Looks neat.
So I had 5 miles scheduled, and I know that I can run that distance in 60 minutes or less (12-minute mile or less) at a "comfortable" pace. So I drove to the parking lot on the bike trail (paved) on Villa Road, and decided to run 30 minutes, stretch, and run back (and try not to take longer on the way back than I did on the way out).
I made it to two wooden bridges past Mitchell Road, and I have no idea exactly how far that was, but it was challenging but not impossible. I stretched for a minute or so, and then started the run back. I did have to take a couple walking breaks on the way back, but I chalked that up to (1) it had gotten sunnier and the wind had died down, and (2) I was obviously running an appropriately hard pace. However, I still got back to my starting point in only 30 seconds or so over my going-out time, even with the walking breaks.
It was definitely a fun way to do a long run, and the change of route was great. It's lined with bushes and trees, so it's shaded for most of the way. That will be nice later in the summer when it's even hotter and more humid than this weekend. The route smells overwhelmingly of honeysuckle (there are 9-foot mega-bushes along the trail), although there is one underpass that smells strongly of chicken - I looked up thinking "what the heck!" and there is a Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant at the intersection above. I chuckled about that for a good five minutes.
I also got to see the back of the new combined high school that is being built - until they tear down the old high school this summer, it's not visible from the road. Looks neat.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Training Run 5-23-08
I am a nerd. There is NO ONE else at the gym on Friday nights. =)
Ran 2 miles at 11-minute pace, challenging but not too much so. I definitely need to get more sleeveless running shirts though...the gym is HOT. Not air conditioned yet, and only a couple fans on the floor.
We walked around downtown Dayton today, they were having a festival which ended with fireworks (Andrew sat on Alex's shoulders saying "boom! boom! boom!).
Scheduled for 5 miles of long, slow distance tomorrow. I may drive over to the bike trail and just run for half an hour in one direction and then turn around. Something new and different.
Ran 2 miles at 11-minute pace, challenging but not too much so. I definitely need to get more sleeveless running shirts though...the gym is HOT. Not air conditioned yet, and only a couple fans on the floor.
We walked around downtown Dayton today, they were having a festival which ended with fireworks (Andrew sat on Alex's shoulders saying "boom! boom! boom!).
Scheduled for 5 miles of long, slow distance tomorrow. I may drive over to the bike trail and just run for half an hour in one direction and then turn around. Something new and different.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Training Run 5-21-08
The gym again, this time for 3 miles. I found out from Diane that I can use my iPod headphones to plug into the audio feed for the TV's at the gym. I got to watch HGTV. =)
I decided to try running negative splits....first mile at a 12-minute pace, second mile at an 11-minute pace, third mile at a 10-minute pace.
The first mile felt almost TOO easy, which was cool considering a 12-minute mile used to be a lot of work. The second mile was pretty tough, but I made it through. The third mile I made it to 2.8 miles and then had to stop running...but I turned the treadmill down to a 15-minute mile pace and walked to the 3-mile point. I still finished the whole session in only 34:50.
Tonight, though, I was scheduled for 2 miles, had plenty of time to either go to the gym or run on the road, and just didn't feel like it. Maybe it was that I had a good concentrated work day and just wanted to rest. But I also feel like I might be overtraining a little bit, pushing the pace a little too hard.
I have to keep reminding myself that I have 5 months to get in shape to run a 10-minute pace in the marathon. I don't have to do it today, or even this week or this month.
Tomorrow I'll go to the gym while Alexander is at baseball practice. I promise not to overdo it...this time I'll just have fun on the treadmill.
I decided to try running negative splits....first mile at a 12-minute pace, second mile at an 11-minute pace, third mile at a 10-minute pace.
The first mile felt almost TOO easy, which was cool considering a 12-minute mile used to be a lot of work. The second mile was pretty tough, but I made it through. The third mile I made it to 2.8 miles and then had to stop running...but I turned the treadmill down to a 15-minute mile pace and walked to the 3-mile point. I still finished the whole session in only 34:50.
Tonight, though, I was scheduled for 2 miles, had plenty of time to either go to the gym or run on the road, and just didn't feel like it. Maybe it was that I had a good concentrated work day and just wanted to rest. But I also feel like I might be overtraining a little bit, pushing the pace a little too hard.
I have to keep reminding myself that I have 5 months to get in shape to run a 10-minute pace in the marathon. I don't have to do it today, or even this week or this month.
Tomorrow I'll go to the gym while Alexander is at baseball practice. I promise not to overdo it...this time I'll just have fun on the treadmill.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Training Run 5-20-08
OK, so it's been a really hectic couple weeks...at least I have a really LONG and GRADUAL training period this time.
Went to the gym last night, ran 2 miles at a 10-minute mile pace. It was great, but I was getting tired at about 1 1/2 miles...just then Diane and Felix from work showed up, and I thought "darn, I can't turn the treadmill down now, they'll see me!" Not that they would have cared, but it got me through the last half mile. Thanks Diane =)
Scheduled for 3 miles tonight...I think I will start out at 12-minute mile pace and turn the treadmill up as I go...negative splits!!!
Went to the gym last night, ran 2 miles at a 10-minute mile pace. It was great, but I was getting tired at about 1 1/2 miles...just then Diane and Felix from work showed up, and I thought "darn, I can't turn the treadmill down now, they'll see me!" Not that they would have cared, but it got me through the last half mile. Thanks Diane =)
Scheduled for 3 miles tonight...I think I will start out at 12-minute mile pace and turn the treadmill up as I go...negative splits!!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Training Run 5-6-08
This weekend's 4.5 mile run didn't happen...busy weekend. Holly ran the Flying Pig half-marathon in Cincinnati (www.flyingpigmarathon.com) in 2:18:47! You go girlfriend!! Next year we'll have to get organized sooner so we can run it together...maybe make it a girls' weekend.
Ran 2 miles tonight, decided to push the pace and see what I could maintain. Also remembered to hydrate today at work. It paid off...20:06! Just over a 10-minute mile, even with a few 5-second walking breaks.
3 miles tomorrow, 2 miles Thursday, and then this weekend Holly and I are running a 5K. My goal is to break 33 minutes for the 5K.
Amazing...I've shaved almost 5 minutes off my mile pace since I started running last summer. =)
Ran 2 miles tonight, decided to push the pace and see what I could maintain. Also remembered to hydrate today at work. It paid off...20:06! Just over a 10-minute mile, even with a few 5-second walking breaks.
3 miles tomorrow, 2 miles Thursday, and then this weekend Holly and I are running a 5K. My goal is to break 33 minutes for the 5K.
Amazing...I've shaved almost 5 minutes off my mile pace since I started running last summer. =)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Training Run 5-2-08
It's May!!!
Was tired yesterday evening, so did my training run tonight - at the gym, because it was threatening to rain and I wasn't in the mood for getting wet.
2 miles in 21:48, but I did do the first mile at 10-minute pace and then turned the treadmill down...then back up in the last 1/2 mile.
My goal for the treadmill is to build up how long I can run with it set at 10-minute pace, since I find the treadmill more difficult than the road...if I can start consistently running 10-minute miles on the treadmill, I'll definitely be able to do them on the road. Then my long runs will not take FOREVER. =)
Was tired yesterday evening, so did my training run tonight - at the gym, because it was threatening to rain and I wasn't in the mood for getting wet.
2 miles in 21:48, but I did do the first mile at 10-minute pace and then turned the treadmill down...then back up in the last 1/2 mile.
My goal for the treadmill is to build up how long I can run with it set at 10-minute pace, since I find the treadmill more difficult than the road...if I can start consistently running 10-minute miles on the treadmill, I'll definitely be able to do them on the road. Then my long runs will not take FOREVER. =)
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