Went to the gym early Tuesday morning intending to set the treadmill at a 10-minute mile and do my workout speedy quick...my body had other ideas. So, did 3 miles on the treadmill at varying speeds, including walking. I'm not sure exactly how much time it took so I don't know an average speed...but it was not the workout I was hoping for.
Tuesday evening my stomach hurt, Wednesday morning it still hurt, so I skipped Wednesday. Might have had something to do with having a bologna sandwich for dinner on the way to VBS Tuesday night... =)
This morning I got to the gym and set the treadmill to 5.5, a hair under an 11-minute mile. It felt really hard for the first mile and a quarter, but I told myself to stick with it. I made it through the whole 3 miles at 5.5. I guess it was just another one of those times when having a bad workout is just a prelude to having a really good workout.
Plus speedwise I think I'm on the brink of breaking through a plateau...11-minute miles are now starting to feel "easy", and when I push myself I can now break the 10-minute barrier over shorter distances. I just have to stick to my schedule (I like the 3 weekday runs, it means if I miss one it still means I get in 2 runs during the week...it's definitely made the weekend long runs easier) and watch my times tick down...
Looking forward to my 7-mile run this weekend (running by time, 38.5 minutes out, the same or better coming back, total in the neighborhood of 77 minutes). I think I'll drive down to the south side of town to the Beatty Station staging area and run a different part of the bike trail. Having an "adventure" will help pass the time! =)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Training Run 6-21-08
Since we had to take Alexander into Columbus to the North Market to meet my mom, I couldn't run in the morning. So I dropped Allison off at her friend Tiffany's birthday party, and drove over to the soccer fields to run my 6 miles on the bike path. I still think going north from the soccer fields is boring because it just goes through cornfields, whereas south goes past the new high school and through town (and there's more shade) but I wasn't sure I'd get in enough mileage going south.
I had planned to run 36 minutes and then turn around, but partly due to the heat and partly due to the fact that I realized I was running faster than a 12-minute mile, I turned around (actually stopped for a stretch break) at just under 33 minutes. Then started my watch up again and headed back. I found out that Saturday afternoons on the bike path are more crowded than I'd like with recreational (stop and smell the flowers every 5 yards, taking up the whole path in the process) rather than fitness users. Next time I'll do my run in the morning.
Still, it was good to get the practice fighting the heat (and a headwind...arrgh), and I made pretty good time. 6 miles in 1:04 and change (I'm writing this at work and my digital watch is at home), just over a 10 1/2 minute mile, with walking breaks. I've got to stop going out so fast...
I think I got some sun, too. =)
I had planned to run 36 minutes and then turn around, but partly due to the heat and partly due to the fact that I realized I was running faster than a 12-minute mile, I turned around (actually stopped for a stretch break) at just under 33 minutes. Then started my watch up again and headed back. I found out that Saturday afternoons on the bike path are more crowded than I'd like with recreational (stop and smell the flowers every 5 yards, taking up the whole path in the process) rather than fitness users. Next time I'll do my run in the morning.
Still, it was good to get the practice fighting the heat (and a headwind...arrgh), and I made pretty good time. 6 miles in 1:04 and change (I'm writing this at work and my digital watch is at home), just over a 10 1/2 minute mile, with walking breaks. I've got to stop going out so fast...
I think I got some sun, too. =)
Friday, June 20, 2008
Training Run 6-19-08
Ended up with lots to do in the evening, so delayed my run until after the gym was closed. I'm going to try starting to go to the gym in the mornings, but that will mean that to increase my mileage I'll also have to increase my pace. Alex kind of challenged me to get to the point where I'm averaging a sub-10 minute mile.
So, I went out and ran 1 1/2 times my old familiar 2-mile loop. I decided to run "comfortably hard" and see what I turned in. Hit mile 1 at 9:58. Mile 2 was uphill most of the way, but I still got there at 20 and change. Completed my 3 miles in 29:55!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Training Run 6-18-08
3 miles on the treadmill at the gym, at 12-minute pace. I wish I could say the treadmill is getting easier for me, but it's not. And there's still a long hot summer ahead of me...
I did get some new running clothes at Meijer's, black shorts and a couple of sleeveless tops. Hopefully I can survive the temperature in the gym (and on the roads) that way.
Running again tonight, and then 6 miles this weekend. I think I may swap the long run and my cross-training and do the run on Sunday, since I'll be going to meet Mom at the North Market in Columbus on Saturday and will be walking around for an hour or two. Shopping = cross-training...I like it. =)
I did get some new running clothes at Meijer's, black shorts and a couple of sleeveless tops. Hopefully I can survive the temperature in the gym (and on the roads) that way.
Running again tonight, and then 6 miles this weekend. I think I may swap the long run and my cross-training and do the run on Sunday, since I'll be going to meet Mom at the North Market in Columbus on Saturday and will be walking around for an hour or two. Shopping = cross-training...I like it. =)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Race Day 6-14-08
Was running a little later than I wanted to this morning for the race...ended up having to park about 1/4 mile down the road from the starting area. Oh well...good for a small warm-up jog.
I learned my lesson in the half-marathon about fiber for breakfast on race morning, so I had a couple pieces of bread and butter (wheat, but not mega-whole-grain) and a banana. I went to the bathroom right before leaving the house, and hoped that I'd have an uneventful run.
Lots of familiar faces - Kyle and Sheriff Gene Kelly from church, a couple guys from Konecranes, and State Rep Ross McGregor (running his first 5K, go Ross!). I made sure to line up BEHIND Kyle...that guy can fly! Of course, the fact that his legs are about twice the length of mine doesn't hurt. =)
It was already pretty warm, at least 70, and even with all the weather fronts that have gone through it's still humid. Welcome to summer in the Midwest. =P
Started out too fast, as usual...there wasn't an official mile marker for mile 1, just a couple of race volunteers trying to work a stopwatch. Ah, small community charity runs... I wasn't sure what they called out, but the people right in front of me said, "I think they said 8:15" to which I responded, "Then there are going to be some pigs flying up ahead!" Judging by my watch, I think they'd actually said 10:15, which is still a bit too fast for me to maintain over 3.1 miles at this point.
I tried to slow my pace, but I felt so good it was hard to...also in the heat and humidity I wanted to just get it over with. Also without good mile markers it was hard for me to judge my pace. I kept up a pretty good pace through the water station which was at about 1.75 miles, drank about a third of the water and tried to pour the rest on my head, but missed. =)
When I hit the mile 2 marker, the race volunteers (same ones who were struggling with the stopwatch before - apparently they'd given up) saw me look at my watch, and called out incredulously, "Are you tracking your time?!" I said I was, and they asked what I was showing for my time. At that point I was showing 20:15...still way too fast.
Shortly afterward, despite trying to tell myself that I only had a mile to go and I could do it, I kind of ran out of steam. I had to take a couple of walking breaks which was frustrating. I kept trying to tell myself that this was just a training run, I wasn't running it for time, or to beat anyone in particular, I was just doing it as a tune-up (and an early one at that) for the marathon in October. But as one of the guys from Konecranes put it, "When there's a number on your shirt, and a clock at the end, it's a race."
I was behind this older lady with horrible form (arms and legs flailing all over the place, I kept waiting for her to either hit herself in the face or trip over her feet) at the beginning of the race, passed her at about 1.25 miles, was ahead of her until the last half-mile or so, when she passed me again and I couldn't catch her. She beat me by a place. I'd like to see how fast she could run if she fixed the form...
Kyle got first in his age group for men...we passed and hi-5'd somewhere in the middle. He has a great stride...he lopes, almost...just does it really really fast. The Konecranes guys were several places ahead of me, but I made it in a few places before Gene and several before Ross, but he made it and says he wants to do it again.
I'm still waiting for my official time from http://www.keysports.net/, but I powered through the last 50 yards or so and as I passed the clock I think it was just ticking past 32 minutes. My 5K PR before today was 34:45.
NEW PERSONAL RECORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I learned my lesson in the half-marathon about fiber for breakfast on race morning, so I had a couple pieces of bread and butter (wheat, but not mega-whole-grain) and a banana. I went to the bathroom right before leaving the house, and hoped that I'd have an uneventful run.
Lots of familiar faces - Kyle and Sheriff Gene Kelly from church, a couple guys from Konecranes, and State Rep Ross McGregor (running his first 5K, go Ross!). I made sure to line up BEHIND Kyle...that guy can fly! Of course, the fact that his legs are about twice the length of mine doesn't hurt. =)
It was already pretty warm, at least 70, and even with all the weather fronts that have gone through it's still humid. Welcome to summer in the Midwest. =P
Started out too fast, as usual...there wasn't an official mile marker for mile 1, just a couple of race volunteers trying to work a stopwatch. Ah, small community charity runs... I wasn't sure what they called out, but the people right in front of me said, "I think they said 8:15" to which I responded, "Then there are going to be some pigs flying up ahead!" Judging by my watch, I think they'd actually said 10:15, which is still a bit too fast for me to maintain over 3.1 miles at this point.
I tried to slow my pace, but I felt so good it was hard to...also in the heat and humidity I wanted to just get it over with. Also without good mile markers it was hard for me to judge my pace. I kept up a pretty good pace through the water station which was at about 1.75 miles, drank about a third of the water and tried to pour the rest on my head, but missed. =)
When I hit the mile 2 marker, the race volunteers (same ones who were struggling with the stopwatch before - apparently they'd given up) saw me look at my watch, and called out incredulously, "Are you tracking your time?!" I said I was, and they asked what I was showing for my time. At that point I was showing 20:15...still way too fast.
Shortly afterward, despite trying to tell myself that I only had a mile to go and I could do it, I kind of ran out of steam. I had to take a couple of walking breaks which was frustrating. I kept trying to tell myself that this was just a training run, I wasn't running it for time, or to beat anyone in particular, I was just doing it as a tune-up (and an early one at that) for the marathon in October. But as one of the guys from Konecranes put it, "When there's a number on your shirt, and a clock at the end, it's a race."
I was behind this older lady with horrible form (arms and legs flailing all over the place, I kept waiting for her to either hit herself in the face or trip over her feet) at the beginning of the race, passed her at about 1.25 miles, was ahead of her until the last half-mile or so, when she passed me again and I couldn't catch her. She beat me by a place. I'd like to see how fast she could run if she fixed the form...
Kyle got first in his age group for men...we passed and hi-5'd somewhere in the middle. He has a great stride...he lopes, almost...just does it really really fast. The Konecranes guys were several places ahead of me, but I made it in a few places before Gene and several before Ross, but he made it and says he wants to do it again.
I'm still waiting for my official time from http://www.keysports.net/, but I powered through the last 50 yards or so and as I passed the clock I think it was just ticking past 32 minutes. My 5K PR before today was 34:45.
NEW PERSONAL RECORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Training Run 6-12-08
Ended up going to the gym again...it has been so hot that even at 7:30 it is still too warm for a run outside to sound good. Got to watch a few innings of the Reds game while I did my 3 miles. Was able to keep the treadmill set at a 12-minute mile and it was fine. I guess some days are just better than others...I just feel like I've hit a plateau and I'm not getting any stronger or faster.
Oh well...Saturday will be the test, I'm running in a charity 5K for the Clark County Literacy Coalition. I don't have any time goals, since I haven't run a 5K since last summer, but I'm hoping that I'm at least as fast if not faster than I was then. If I take my half-marathon pace of around an 11-minute mile, then I should come in at just over 33 minutes, which would be a PR. And if I go faster (my hard-effort 2-mile runs have been around 10:30 per mile) then maybe I can even break 33 minutes.
OK, maybe I have a time goal after all... =)
Oh well...Saturday will be the test, I'm running in a charity 5K for the Clark County Literacy Coalition. I don't have any time goals, since I haven't run a 5K since last summer, but I'm hoping that I'm at least as fast if not faster than I was then. If I take my half-marathon pace of around an 11-minute mile, then I should come in at just over 33 minutes, which would be a PR. And if I go faster (my hard-effort 2-mile runs have been around 10:30 per mile) then maybe I can even break 33 minutes.
OK, maybe I have a time goal after all... =)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Training Run 6-11-08
3 miles at the gym tonight. For some reason they were really hard miles. Then got home and went for a walk with Alex and the kids. Now if I could just get him to the gym... =)
I think tomorrow since I have a meeting at church I will try to do my run on the roads, or maybe the bike trail. I need to be outside.
I think tomorrow since I have a meeting at church I will try to do my run on the roads, or maybe the bike trail. I need to be outside.
Training Run 6-7-08
Did the 5 miles on the bike trail. It was fun but boring...not much scenery, the way we went it just goes through cornfields. I think I like the part that goes past the high school and downtown better.
57:14 for 5 miles, with walking breaks. My legs felt good but it was humid...it felt like every lungful of air was half air and half water vapor...hard to breathe hard enough.
The Y had a table at the health expo afterward, and they say they have a running group on Saturday mornings. I might check it out sometime...though truthfully I like running alone. Between work and the kids, the only other time I get to be alone is when I'm in the shower or asleep. =)
57:14 for 5 miles, with walking breaks. My legs felt good but it was humid...it felt like every lungful of air was half air and half water vapor...hard to breathe hard enough.
The Y had a table at the health expo afterward, and they say they have a running group on Saturday mornings. I might check it out sometime...though truthfully I like running alone. Between work and the kids, the only other time I get to be alone is when I'm in the shower or asleep. =)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Training Run 6-5-08
I've been slacking off...I think after a week or so "on" a program, I just start to rebel against the lack of spontaneity and get burned out...it wasn't that I didn't want to run, just that it's been busy and I'm torn in the evenings between housework, spending time with family, and running. Also wreaks havoc with the dinner schedule when I am running in the early evening after work.
So, since I'd been up Wednesday morning early for a 7 am breakfast meeting and that went well, I got up early and went to the gym before work...2.5 miles at 12-minute pace. Went well, hardly anyone there and no one else in the locker room when I was taking my shower and getting dressed. This will only work while my weekday runs are under an hour...the gym opens at 6 am and I have to be at work at 8...but if I'm in the shower by 7:15 or so I'll make it. Still it was nice to not have to worry about my run for the rest of the day, especially since I came home and made a special birthday dinner for Alex - steak with bearnaise sauce, four cheese and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and red velvet cake. (Before you think I am the next Food Network chef, the sauce, potatoes, and cake were all from mixes. Ta-da!)
Tomorrow I hope to run on the bike trail again...I'm scheduled for 5.5 miles but it may end up being 6. There is a Family Fun Fest out at the soccer complex on Eagle City Road (part of our local Parks & Rec department, www.ntprd.org) and there is a 3-mile walk scheduled. I'm going to try to do an easy run at the front of the walking group, and just do it twice to get my mileage in. Should be fun. I really liked the bike trail last time, and this will be a new section...I will be too busy exploring to notice the running. Also, the walk/run starts at 9 am, and with the weather predicted in the low 90's I need to run early. Since the gym isn't all that well air conditioned, I'd rather not do 6 miles on the treadmill either.
Time for sleep...
So, since I'd been up Wednesday morning early for a 7 am breakfast meeting and that went well, I got up early and went to the gym before work...2.5 miles at 12-minute pace. Went well, hardly anyone there and no one else in the locker room when I was taking my shower and getting dressed. This will only work while my weekday runs are under an hour...the gym opens at 6 am and I have to be at work at 8...but if I'm in the shower by 7:15 or so I'll make it. Still it was nice to not have to worry about my run for the rest of the day, especially since I came home and made a special birthday dinner for Alex - steak with bearnaise sauce, four cheese and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and red velvet cake. (Before you think I am the next Food Network chef, the sauce, potatoes, and cake were all from mixes. Ta-da!)
Tomorrow I hope to run on the bike trail again...I'm scheduled for 5.5 miles but it may end up being 6. There is a Family Fun Fest out at the soccer complex on Eagle City Road (part of our local Parks & Rec department, www.ntprd.org) and there is a 3-mile walk scheduled. I'm going to try to do an easy run at the front of the walking group, and just do it twice to get my mileage in. Should be fun. I really liked the bike trail last time, and this will be a new section...I will be too busy exploring to notice the running. Also, the walk/run starts at 9 am, and with the weather predicted in the low 90's I need to run early. Since the gym isn't all that well air conditioned, I'd rather not do 6 miles on the treadmill either.
Time for sleep...
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