See Mommy Run

NYR Day 4

2009-01-08T19:42:00.001-05:00

Weight: 138.8 =)

2 miles, 24 minutes. Really hard tonight. Probably good that I have tomorrow off.

Fact of the day: one cooked egg white only has 17 calories!! Yum...

NYR Day 3

2009-01-07T19:30:00.002-05:00

Weight: 139.4, even though I peed before I weighed myself. =P

2 miles, 24 minutes. Noticeably easier than Days 1 and 2.

Tomorrow will be the last day at our gym this week. This weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) I will be in Hebron, KY at a business conference. Friday I won't get a chance to work out since we're driving down right after work, but I'm taking my gym bag (still prepacked with outfits for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and I WILL run Saturday and Sunday mornings at the hotel.

Today is also the first day that my calorie balance on www.fitday.com shows that I burned more calories than I ate. I could have 200 calories worth of Pirouline cookies tonight...but I think I will abstain, and have an extra 200 calories of weight loss instead. =)

NYR Day 2

2009-01-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

Weight: 139.0 (yay!)
2 miles, 24 minutes. Tough, but just a hair less tough than Day 1.

To-do list:

1. New running shoes for me
2. New running shoes for Alexander
3. Find 5K's to run with Alexander

A gal at work says there is a Springfield Track Club in the summers that I can get him into. Also, of course, we can run together outside...if I get faster by then!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T19:40:00.002-05:00

Alternate title: REALITY CHECK.

I'm 32, will be 33 in a little under 3 months. Andrew was born almost 2 1/2 years ago. I still haven't lost the pregnancy weight - in fact, I think I've put on weight from the time he was born.

I did not obsess about what I was eating over the holidays, but promised myself that this year I would have a real new year's resolution. My goal weight: 110.

So, I went on a mini-shopping spree at Marshall's after Christmas, got a bunch of new workout clothes for under $50, and packed a bag with my running shoes and a week's worth of gym outfits. My plan is to head straight to the gym after work, so that kids/TV/food doesn't get me off track...5 days a week whenever possible.

Today is Day 1, and I weighed myself after getting changed into my workout clothes (clothed, but no shoes)...

139.4. =P

I ran 2 miles with the treadmill set to 12-minute pace. Running is HARD when you haven't done it for a while!! Especially when running next to a 14-year-old 80-pound cross-country chickie who has her treadmill set to an 8-minute mile (at least) and isn't breaking a sweat. I hate getting older....

Then I came home and ate dinner...a SMALL serving of leftover pasta from Buca (www.bucadibeppo.com) and a small serving of scalloped potatoes.

I have been logging my eating and exercise on www.fitday.com, and based on my calorie balance for the day I am done eating. Knew I should have done that third mile...but I wanted to make sure I still felt able to go BACK to the gym tomorrow.

Lack of motivation/energy/time...

2008-09-24T16:24:00.002-04:00

I am almost to the point now where I feel like a non-runner.

With work full time and then phone banks 4 nights a week for the McCain-Palin campaign (www.johnmccain.com) I am behind on everything not having to do with work.

41 days to go...

We were interviewed by a reporter from Bloomberg News Channel (www.bloomberg.com) but I think from reading the article that most of her notes wound up on the editing room floor. But at least the reporter seemed very impressed...I guess if we can convert a member of the liberal media, it counts for something.

I am running a 5K on October 11 with my mom and my oldest son. Mom has been training really regularly (much more so than me) - I'm really proud of her! Alexander is in flag football right now and they run wind sprints...he and Allison also walk over a mile home from school every day. Everyone is more fit than me...

This weekend I will be at a business conference in Rochester NY but at least there is a pool and a 24-hour fitness center. I am promising myself 3 miles on the treadmill, even if I have to set the treadmill for a 15-minute mile!!

Hopefully I will not have to start ALL over once the campaign is over...I do feel like I am going to be a new runner all over again.

Maybe that means I need to go shopping for new shoes and clothes =)

Training Update

2008-07-24T14:26:00.002-04:00

OK, I'm reeeally behind...

I have been running, just not posting.

Up in Michigan over 4th of July weekend, I did run, but didn't get up as early as I wanted to, and the trail was not as long as advertised, so I only ran 1 1/2 miles. It was pretty though, and dirt/grass so it was soft on my legs. I'll do it again the next time we're up and take more time...maybe even run from the house to the trail, and back.

Week of 7/7 - I think I ran at least once, but I don't remember. I'm getting old. =)

Week of 7/14 - 3.5 miles at the gym Tuesday and Thursday, no long run on Saturday because we went up to Bowling Green to pick up Allison and then Andrew's second birthday party at Splash Zone (www.ntprd.org/splashzone).

This week - 3.5 miles at the gym Tuesday and today. 5 miles scheduled for Saturday, which I WILL do in the morning because we'll be in Toledo all evening for a business seminar. At least the weather has cooled down, so I don't have to get up at dawn to be able to run outside. Bike trail, here I come...

Training Run 7-2-08

2008-07-02T10:06:00.003-04:00

I think 3 miles is my limit for morning runs at the gym, at least until I get faster. 6 am seems to be my earliest possible time for getting up, which puts me at the gym between 6:15 and 6:30, which leaves me about an hour (including the run, stretching, and potty break) before I need to head home and jump in the shower in order to get to work on time. The gym opens at 6, but I'm just not there yet.

So, I got up at 6 and was out the door by 6:15 to do my old familiar 4-mile road route, the hilly one that goes from the house to Bechtle Avenue and back. Going out I was really careful to rein in the speed and make it an EASY run, especially since most of the "out" is downhill and I don't want to get injured. I took short walking breaks at each mile, mostly due to traffic lights. Coming back is uphill almost all the way, so I focused on consistent effort, not necessarily consistent pace, and made sure I was running easy on the few flat and downhill stretches.

I definitely notice an improvement in my fitness and endurance, since this route felt much easier than it did the last time I ran it. Total time was 45:58, just a hair under 11 1/2 minutes per mile.

One more gym run this week, and then I'll take my shoes and my watch and run for time up at Mom & Dad's. 5 miles scheduled, I'll figure on 28 minutes out, 28 back. Haven't decided yet whether I'll just run in their neighborhood (it's REALLY hilly) or drive to a park. I may look up their local running store (www.playmakers.com) and see if they have a Saturday morning group I can hook up with.

Training Run 7-1-08

2008-07-02T09:55:00.004-04:00

OK, so the 7-mile run didn't happen. I think I obsessed too much about where to do it, and got paralyzed in the decision-making. I also think I need to go out and do my weekend run first thing on Saturday morning, before other stuff gets put in the schedule...because otherwise it'll get crowded out. Not that I don't have time at other times in the weekend...but the longer I put it off, the easier it is for some other activity to look more appealing.

3 miles in the morning on the treadmill at the gym. Man, do they need to invest in air conditioning. I wore a running tank and it was soaking wet at the end of my run...might as well have worn a bathing suit. Still, I was able to set the treadmill at 5.5 (slightly under an 11-minute mile) and get through the whole run.

I got asked twice by other gym people if I minded if they changed the TV station. I was OK with both, neither one was the TV I was sort of watching, but I still thought it was funny. I'm still not really familiar with what's on at 6:30 am (though it appears to be mostly infomercials) and so I don't really care what I'm watching...it's just something for my brain to do besides think about being hot and sweaty and running.

I do like starting my day early (though I don't like the getting out of bed at 6 am part, especially when it wakes up Andrew and makes him cry) because I feel so much more organized...whether I am or not...and I'm all the way awake by the time I get to work, instead of trudging in going "where's the coffee"... =)

Training Runs 6-24 and 6-26-06

2008-06-26T11:21:00.003-04:00

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! =)

Training Run 6-21-08

2008-06-23T11:14:00.002-04:00

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. =)

Training Run 6-19-08

2008-06-20T20:17:00.002-04:00

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!!

Training Run 6-18-08

2008-06-19T13:33:00.002-04:00

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. =)

Race Report 6-14-08

2008-06-14T18:31:00.001-04:00

Official times now posted:

32:05:00, 93rd of 166.

Doin' the new PR dance... =)

Race Day 6-14-08

2008-06-14T17:18:00.003-04:00

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Training Run 6-12-08

2008-06-13T11:09:00.002-04:00

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... =)

Training Run 6-11-08

2008-06-11T22:57:00.002-04:00

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.

Training Run 6-7-08

2008-06-11T22:50:00.002-04:00

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. =)

Training Run 6-5-08

2008-06-06T23:22:00.002-04:00

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...

Training Run 5-28-08

2008-05-29T16:36:00.002-04:00

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! =)

Training Run 5-27-08

2008-05-27T19:21:00.002-04:00

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. =)

Training Run 5-25-08

2008-05-26T21:31:00.002-04:00

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.

Training Run 5-23-08

2008-05-25T01:41:00.002-04:00

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.

Training Run 5-21-08

2008-05-22T22:30:00.003-04:00

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.

Training Run 5-20-08

2008-05-21T16:21:00.002-04:00

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!!!

Training Run 5-6-08

2008-05-06T19:44:00.002-04:00

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. =)

Training Run 5-2-08

2008-05-02T22:23:00.003-04:00

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. =)

Training Run 4-30-08

2008-04-30T21:14:00.003-04:00

I have got to stop tripping over my feet...it's not like they're that big... =)

Ran 3 miles tonight. First mile was good, hit the turn at 10:35. Then at about 1.1 miles I tripped over nothing (air? imaginary rodents? who knows...) and fell. However, at least I'm getting better at falling...I tucked and rolled, and only slightly scraped a knee. I got up almost immediately and kept going, and managed to finish the run without stopping for a break.

Final time, including tail over teakettle - 32:57.

It was a nice run, still light out but not too bright, and every few yards a different flowering tree to see - and smell. I love spring. =)

Training Run 4-29-08

2008-04-29T21:24:00.002-04:00

Ran 2 miles at the new gym (www.springfieldathletic.com) - we got a bargain price on a year's membership through the Dayton Public TV auction. They have a big cardio room with 5 TV's all playing different things, and they sell headphones that plug into the machines so you can hear the TV. I might buy one later, for my long runs...if I can manage to not trip over the cord.

The gym also has weights, aerobics, and racquetball, as well as a massage therapist and a nail studio. I talked to the nail girl for a few minutes, she seems very nice and the prices are OK. It's almost pedicure season. =)

Anyway, 2 miles in 24:10 and some good healthy sweat. Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a stretching and toning class in the aerobics room, so maybe I can get organized enough to do my run before the class starts at 7:15 and then get in some good flexibility work. There's Pilates on Monday nights and Zumba on Saturday mornings, too. Allison wants to take Zumba with me. =)

Training Run 4-26-08

2008-04-29T17:49:00.002-04:00

3 miles, my 2 mile course and then 2 x the old half-mile loop. Hard to believe that less than a year ago I could barely run 1/2 mile without stopping.

Time 34:28, or around an 11 1/2 minute mile. OK.

Thinking about running a 4 mile race as my long run next Saturday...it's in the evening and there are margaritas involved. Check out www.cincodemayofour.com for info. Maybe I can convince Holly to make it a girls' night out...

Training Runs 4/22-4/24/08

2008-04-24T23:02:00.002-04:00

So far so good on the marathon training.

Tuesday I ran 2 miles at a 10-minute mile pace.

Wednesday I was scheduled to run 3 miles, but after the first mile started to have stomach issues. I ran, then walked, between light poles and still finished the 3 miles in 38:23. Not bad considering there was about a mile of walking in there...just frustrating.

Today I ran 2 miles in 21:58.

This is the first time I have run 3 days in a row =)

It felt good but I need to remember to stay hydrated on the days I know I am running...especially as it gets warmer and more humid outside.

Rest tomorrow, and 3 miles on Saturday.

Race Report 4-12-08

2008-04-20T14:52:00.002-04:00

OK, OK, I'm a week late. It's been a long week.

Race day went well. The kids ran in the Mascot Chase (.3 mile, grouped by age) and both got medals. They had fun, and they even beat some of the mascots across the finish line.

I lined up with the 11 minute milers. I thought I might be able to line up with the 10 minute group, but figured it would be better to catch them later than wind up running out of steam and getting passed by everyone. They played the national anthem (and some people sang)...and I remember thinking "Wow, we're a real sporting event!"

Then we heard the starting gun and John Bingham saying "They're off"...and nothing moved. After a few seconds we trudged forward, and then stopped. It was almost surreal. Finally after about a minute we started walking steadily, and over two minutes after the first runners started, we finally crossed the starting mat. And I remembered to start my watch. =)

Miles 1-5 flew by, especially the first one, where I found myself passing one guy just as he was saying to the person next to him "yeah, I'm going to try to keep to a 9 or 10 minute pace"...and thought WHOA, I need to slow down. I pulled up, and rejoined most of the people I'd lined up with originally. =)

At about mile 6 (I think) I began to realize that a multigrain bagel may not have been the best choice for a pre-race breakfast.Fortunately this race had port-a-potties, so at mile 7 (I think) I stopped in the port-a-potty to take care of business and clean up. (I HATE runners' diarrhea....)

Once I wasn't distracted by that situation, I discovered I'd hit the meat of my race, the part that all the training was for. Miles 8-10 were the toughest of the whole race...the ones where the only reason I was running was because the people around me were and so it seemed like the thing to do, but if I'd been alone I'm sure I would have stopped, or at least walked for a while.

Then I reached mile 10, and realized that although I was tired it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and there were only 3 miles to go. All around me I saw people taking more and more frequent walking breaks, and yet I still felt able to run continuously. All the training on hills paid off as we came back into the heart of downtown Columbus, and while lots of people had to slow down or stop going uphill (especially since we were running into the wind at that point) I could just lower my head and keep going.

As we neared the finish line, other racers who had already finished and were walking back to parking garages were calling out "You're almost there" and we started to be able to hear the noise from the grandstand. When I passed the 13 mile marker and turned for home I dug down and found just a little bit of a finishing kick...saw Alex and raised my arms so he could get a picture of me...and then headed for the line as I could see the clock hit 2:30.

Could still walk as I hit the finishing corrals with Gatorade, bagels, fruit and Donato's Pizza (!). Wasn't in the mood for food, but drank a Gatorade because I knew I needed it and took a bagel and a banana for later.

Clock time: 2:31:48
Chip time: 2:29:21 (yes!!! under 2 1/2 hours!!!)
Place: nowhere near last (there were still people on the course as WE were walking back to the parking garage!)

Official results at www.columbusdistanceclassic.com
Race photos at www.runphotos.com (I'm bib number 3162)

It was FUN (even with the port-a-potty stop). Not easy, but easier than I expected it to be. I want to do it again. =)

My next goal: start training Tuesday 4/22 for the Columbus Marathon on 10/19/08. Found another trusty Hal Higdon training program...I've been very satisfied with my race preparation so far with his programs, and they're simple enough that even I can figure them out. They're also forgiving if I miss a day or two.

Goal time: 5 hours would be nice, under 5 would be phenomenal. I figure my good feelings from the half mean that there's enough endurance in the tank to push a little bit harder speed-wise. I figure I've been training at or near race pace (11-12 minute pace) so if I train just a little bit faster, over the course of the next 6 months I should be able to build up enough strength and get used to the faster pace enough to improve it in a race.

Especially since I stuck to my training program (except for taking a week off for a cold) and blew my race goal time out of the water (even with the port-a-potty). I was figuring on about 2:40, but 2:30 would have been fine.

I'll let you read it one more time...2:29:21...WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Training Run 4-10-08

2008-04-10T23:02:00.002-04:00

Last training run before the race.

Only 2 miles, and I felt good tonight. My knees were a little sore when I started running, but I read an article today on Runners' World (www.runnersworld.com) that said that the "bonk" phenomenon is definitely mental as well as physical, so I didn't worry about it too much. I just tried to keep a steady pace, keep my posture and form good, and keep going.

2 miles, 21:28. =)

We're going to the pre-race expo tomorrow night to pick up my race packet (with bib number and timing chip). I will have lots of questions about the timing chip...I've never used one before.

The weather is still unknown...but when I looked today it said that the rain is supposed to hold off until Saturday afternoon. Hopefully I will be able to run fast enough to keep warm. Also, there will be an area where I can check some belongings, so I'll be able to bring a change of clothes and stash my sweatshirt.

34 hours till race time...I can do it!! =)

Training Run 4-8-08

2008-04-08T19:55:00.002-04:00

Today's 4 miles were a mixed bag.

Pros: new shoes, running in daylight, spring weather.
Cons: not enough water, forgot my vitamins, spring weather.

Overall, the cons slightly outweighed the pros, as the spring weather was almost too warm (over 70) and extremely humid. I had a breeze in my face both out and back, but it was just enough to make me feel like I was swimming upstream yet not enough to cool me down.

I ended up taking more walking breaks than I have in a long time...partly due to lack of mental focus, I think. Result was the slowest 4-mile time I've run in a while...48:44. However, I guess that a 12:11 mile is still only slightly off my hoped-for "race pace" of 11:00, and I do remember that I get a significant adrenaline boost during the actual race experience.

I guess it's still good that I was actually able to get out and run 4 miles two days after running 10 miles...probably means there was still more in the tank last Sunday, so I can have confidence I WILL finish on Saturday.

Still, I'm starting to feel jittery...what if Saturday is like today, only 3 times? Could be a long morning.

And yet, when I multiply 48.75 by 3, and then add another 12, that only gets me to about a 2:40 time for the race. Not horrible.

I also know part of the reason I died in the second half of my run today was that I went out way too fast in the first mile...excited to be running in new shoes, I guess, and excited for race week and a relatively light workout...and as a result got to the 1-mile mark at about 10:40...waaaay faster than I wanted to go, and definitely too fast to maintain.

Oh well...I guess I just need to remind myself that I am a Penguin...

"I'm slow...I know...get over it." =)

Run with Holly 4-6-08

2008-04-06T19:57:00.002-04:00

Spring is officially here...and you know this when a T-shirt and capri sweats is too warm. Holly wore a tank top, I should have too. And I couldn't find my shorts. =(

Still, drove out to Holly's for our final long run of the training program. I can't believe we've made it all the way through...I only had to take one week off for being sick, and I've run at least twice a week otherwise through the whole program.

10 HOT miles through hilly South Vienna, and we finished up and walked at 1:55:00. So, a little over an 11-minute mile. The whole time I was really glad I have new shoes coming tomorrow...my ankles and knees were bothering me almost the whole time. It made for a long run. Got back to Holly's and inhaled a bottle of water, then stopped at Steak N' Shake on the way home for a strawberry fruit and frozen yogurt shake (refuel AND reward).

6 days to race day...

Training Run 4-2-08

2008-04-03T21:52:00.002-04:00

Here goes again...

Raining tonight, so I went to the gym. Ran 2 miles on the treadmill and my ankles were really hurting. I need new shoes. I realized I've been running for 9 months in the same shoes, probably reached around 400 miles. No wonder there's no cushioning left.

So, I got off the treadmill and did 1/2 hour on the bike...pushed the intensity up a couple times, especially at the end to simulate powering through the end of a run. Ended up doing 6.7 miles in 30 minutes.

Not too bad for a workout, but frustrating with a race coming up. Still, I feel good overall, and I'm going online to go shoe shopping now. With express shipping they'll get here Monday. =)

Training Run 4-2-08

2008-04-03T19:52:00.002-04:00

The training run that wasn't...

I was going to run home from a church meeting, but discovered about 1/2 mile into it that I was losing sidewalks downtown...no problem, I thought, and adjusted my route...

But what sidewalks there were have a lot of gravel and loose material on them (read: they're falling apart)...and I slipped and fell at about 3/4 mile. Hit hard enough on my left knee to nearly rip off my scab from my fall with Holly. Lots of blood.

Fortunately I had my cell phone with me, called Alex and had him come pick me up. Mopped myself up at home and had a little bit of a food binge...disappointment at not running. The steamed Chinese dumplings and chocolate cookie tasted good though. =)

Run with Holly, 3-31-08

2008-04-03T19:47:00.002-04:00

New route, down Limestone to Cliff Park, through the park then up Plum Street to Mike & Rosy's Deli (www.mikeandrosysdeli.com - best cream of mushroom soup in the world!), then around and up the hill through Wittenberg (www.wittenberg.edu) and the historic homes on Fountain Blvd, then finally home. It was long but fun, and the weather was great.

I've claimed Alex's old Ocean Pacific T-shirt as a running shirt...he was about 11 when he wore it, and it fits me. =)

9 miles in 1:35:38...less than an 11-minute mile!!

Training Run 3-26-08

2008-03-26T22:16:00.002-04:00

Spring is threatening to be here. =)

I ran 5 miles tonight, the 4-mile hilly route from the house to Bechtle, then the mile down to the Valero station. I'm fighting a cough again, so when at the intersection at the 1-mile point I had to stop and wait for the traffic light to change, I decided to just give myself permission to take short (under 1 minute) walking/stretching/breathing breaks after each mile. I also kind of wanted to see what it would do to my time, since it's highly possible I'll have to use this method (for a more formal walk/run method, see Jeff Galloway's training programs at www.jeffgalloway.com) during the half-marathon.

The breaks were nice, especially the one at the 4-mile mark...it let me gather myself for the final mile and gear up for having to run past the house and not go in. =)

It was a good night...5 miles in 58:33. Approximately an 11:45 mile. Not too bad to be able to maintain it for 5 miles...will be even better to be able to maintain it (or something close to it) for 13.1.

I'm 32 on Friday. =)

Run with Holly 3-21-08

2008-03-22T20:47:00.003-04:00

Due to Easter weekend, Holly and I decided to do our long run Friday night instead of trying to fit it into the weekend. She'd mapped out an 8-mile route, and then driven over to my house. Things were going really well until about the 4-mile mark, when I tripped over an uneven square in the sidewalk and fell. I scraped my knee (and made a hole in my pants) and one palm, but I felt OK after walking for a little while. I also knew that although Holly would have been totally OK with stopping if I felt like I needed to, it would bug both of us not to finish the long run.

So, we finished the 8 miles...and even including the falling and walking...

1:27:44!!

We rewarded ourselves with a stop at a convenience store for a big bottle of water.

Some things are worth the pain...even if it means wearing opaque pantyhose for Easter Sunday. =)

Training Run 3-19-08

2008-03-20T12:15:00.002-04:00

No, the date is not a typo...I just had one of those weeks.

However, I got to the gym last night (spring rains...bleh) and ran 5 miles at a 12-minute pace. Forgot my iPod, but they had the sound turned up on the Pistons game, so I had something to distract me. The first 2 miles were really tough, but I got through it. The fact that I took the two older kids to the movies and had popcorn and Sno Caps might have had something to do with that...

Hoping to run Friday during the day...maybe even outside...since I have the day off work. In between loads of laundry, of course. =)

Then if all goes well, Holly and I can get together on Saturday...we need to do 8 miles...the race is just 3 weeks from Saturday!! Will we be ready??? I'm starting to get nervous...

Long Run 3-9-08

2008-03-11T16:47:00.002-04:00

After our huge snow over the weekend, I didn't think the roads would be too safe...also Holly has a cold and was snowed in.

So, 6 miles at the gym with the treadmill set to a 12-minute mile, and then I ran the mile home. Not shooting for any particular time on the last mile, just trying to keep moving to get to my 7-mile target. However, I covered the mile outside in about 10 minutes...it must have been the shock of the temperature change from the overheated gym to running through snowdrifts. =)

So, 7 miles in 1:22 or so...according to Runner's World's online pace calculator that's 11:42 for a mile. Not too bad.

Still, I'm very glad that warm weather is approaching...long runs on the treadmill are really a challenge. It seems like for the first half of the run I'm struggling physically, and the second half I'm in a groove physically but I just get so bored! Running with Holly is much better...we talk almost the whole time (though still keeping up a challenging pace) and the run is over before I know it.

Hopefully this weekend...

Training Run 3-6-08

2008-03-06T20:20:00.002-05:00

Clearly I should let Holly kick my butt more often. =)

I added a little bit to my familiar 2-mile neighborhood course and did it twice, to make the 4.5 for tonight. I didn't feel like adding 0.5 to the hilly route...I don't like that route when it's windy or when it's dark, because there's no sidewalk for most of it.

It seemed a little chilly to go out in just capri sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt, so I wore my fleece jacket. Too much. I ended up ditching the jacket at 2.25 miles as I passed the front porch. Admittedly, this made the last 1.25 miles pretty cold, but it was motivating...I tried to turn it on a little (to get home faster).

At some point Andrew fiddled with my sports watch and set it to beep on the hour. I knew I went out at about 7:30, and somewhere in the third mile the hour beep went off. I thought, "no way...I can't have gotten this far in 1/2 hour..." Then in the last mile when I was cold and wanted to go home, I tried to concentrate on increasing my foot turnover and keeping my form efficient. I thought of the metal shape shifter guy in the Terminator movies and how he runs...like a machine. I tried to run like that.

4.5 miles. 42:57. Per mile pace of 9:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTHING is impossible. =)

Run with Holly 3-2-08

2008-03-06T18:01:00.003-05:00

I've got to start posting these sooner...

Went over to Holly's to do our weekend long run for a change of pace. We're up to 6 miles, and we did them over country roads that were fairly hilly compared to my neighborhood. All sorts of interesting farm smells too =)

Once again, Holly challenges me to run a lot faster than I would if I were on my own. We did the 6 miles (talking all the way) in 1:05:34, and I know I had to take a couple of walking breaks, so we were well under 11 minutes per mile for the whole run.

Now to run 4.5 miles tonight after Alexander's violin lesson. I'll post again later...maybe even tonight. =)

Training Run 2-29-08

2008-02-29T22:17:00.002-05:00

Happy Leap Year!

The true test of whether one is over a cold...and whether one is dedicated to training...running on a chilly Friday night, outside, on a hilly route.

I did the hilly 4-mile route that Holly and I did on our first run together. I tried not to go too fast knowing that most of the uphills are on the way back in, but at the same time it was cold, and I also wanted to see just how well I could do. On the way out the wind was in my face, which was a challenge, but I kept telling myself that on the way in it would be at my back. Didn't happen...the wind died entirely during mile #3, and then came back as a crosswind in mile #4.

However, my pushing myself on the treadmill on Wednesday really paid off...I was much stronger today. In spite of dark, wind, snowy/slushy sidewalks, and two stops for traffic lights...

4 miles, 46:47!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex pointed out that this was almost exactly my time for my very first 5K (46:42)...amazing how far I've come in only about 6 months. =)

6 miles on Sunday with Holly...I might even feel ready...almost...

Training Run 2-27-08

2008-02-27T22:45:00.002-05:00

Thank goodness for treadmills...

I think I've mostly kicked the cold, still have a cough in the evenings but it's not nearly as bad. I've been going to bed early when I feel like it, making sure I get enough to eat, and trying to keep up on my water intake...though I was a little short on the water today.

So I went to the gym an hour before they closed, which put some pressure on me to set the treadmill fast. =)

4 miles with the treadmill set to a 12-minute mile, woohoo...

So hopefully I'm back on track on the training schedule...I plan to run 4 miles again on Friday. Then it's supposed to be close to 40 degrees on Sunday for Holly and I to do our long run. Finally...

Training Run 2-24-08

2008-02-24T18:23:00.002-05:00

I hate winter colds....

I've had a cough for about a week and a half that won't go away. I don't feel that congested, but once I start coughing I feel like I'm having an asthma attack - my throat closes up and I just cough and cough but can't clear whatever-it-is. So for the last week and a half I decided that running was a little too risky, especially since the cough is worse in the evening. Last weekend visiting my parents in Michigan I was so sick my mom let me sleep in till 10 am.

So I've read a few interesting books, but no running. Today was supposed to be 6 miles, though, so I knew I had to go out and do something, just to remind my body what it was supposed to be doing. I ran 2 miles in 22:20 and figured that was pretty good...if not for being sick and avoiding snowbanks where people haven't shoveled their sidewalks, I would have broken 11 minutes.

C'mon, spring...

Training Run 2-12-08

2008-02-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

Went to the gym again tonight...roads are slushy and sidewalks haven't been salted. 3.5 miles in 45:31. Started the treadmill too fast....so .75 mile at 12:00 pace, 2.25 miles at 13:20 pace, and the last .5 mile at 13:02 pace. Found out there are definitely too many slow songs on my iPod. =)

Going to the store to get all 3 kids oodles of valentines for school...

Long Run 2-10-08

2008-02-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

Paid the drop-in fee at the gym again, due to 19-degree weather and horizontal winds. Wore capri pants and nearly froze my shins from the car to the door.

I took my iPod, this is my first time running with it, but I knew without Holly I'd need some distraction to finish the run. It was nice running with the iPod, I have some nice positive music on it, but some of it is slow, which was weird...I didn't know whether to ignore the beat and just run, or try to double up on the beat.

Set the treadmill to 13:20 (setting 4.5) and ran 5 miles. Total time 1:06:40. Not blazing speed, but I didn't need to stop for a break. =)

Training Run 2-8-08

2008-02-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

Had to haul myself off the couch tonight...brought home pizza and was starving when I got home, plus a very fussy baby...wanted to put down roots, but I knew I had to go out and run if I was going to run 5 on Sunday.

Decided to run my old 1/2-mile neighborhood loop, then try for the hilly run that Holly and I did 2 weeks ago. It went pretty well, although I spent a lot of time hugging the curb (running against traffic, of course) because people were going a little fast through the neighborhood.

Running is so mental...the first 1/2-mile to mile is always so difficult for me...I have to practically tell myself out loud that I can do this, that I've run this distance before...and even then my body doesn't really believe it until about 1 1/2-2 miles. I wonder how far I could run if I just kept believing I could keep running...?

Anyway, tonight's 3 1/2 miles was 42:42, with a really tough hill at the end. I just imagined I was running up Heartbreak Hill in Boston =)

Someday...

Training Run 2-5-08

2008-02-07T12:24:00.001-05:00

I really need to start posting these quicker...

3.5 miles in 41:48. It was actually warm enough that I left my jacket in the driveway after the first half mile and ran the rest of the way in just a T-shirt and running pants. Good Groundhog Day weather =)

I am having a slight pain - like a side stitch but it doesn't go away when I am not running - in my left side just under my ribs. My cousin the physical therapist says that it's probably just a muscle strain and will take care of itself. She says I don't need to change my activity level, especially since it actually doesn't hurt when I run - just in between.

Alex thinks it's because I spend so much time carrying around a 30-pound (?) toddler. He says I was like this with the other two kids too. How come he can remember things I said and did 5-8 years ago but can't remember the honey-do list I gave him last weekend? =)

I'll see Holly at a meeting tonight, and then probably run afterward. She's going to be out of town for a professional conference, so we are going to do our long run on our own and then check in. Maybe I'll try the hilly 4-mile loop...but slower this time.

Run with Holly 2-3-08

2008-02-03T15:12:00.000-05:00

We went adventuring today, since we both thought that last week's run was just a little more hilly than we're ready for. We ended up going over our target mileage a little bit, the run was more like 4 1/2 miles than 4. Too bad. =)

55:37 for 4 1/2 miles, also known as just under 12.5 minutes per mile. Wahooooooo!!

Training Run 2-1-08

2008-02-01T21:01:00.000-05:00

It's February!!!!!

Alex was a great coach tonight...I had a long week at work and really didn't feel like running, a winter storm is coming through, the kids were off of school today, and I need to bake Allison's birthday cake tonight. But, as usual, once I was out, it was nice to have the time alone to re-focus my brain. Also, after last Sunday I know I need the conditioning.

It was cold but not as cold as I thought...still enough that I pushed my pace to finish sooner (and get back inside!!). I wasn't sure I could do the last mile of my planned three, but I knew it would bug me if I didn't. My challenging myself paid off...

3 miles, 36:36!!!!!!!!!!

So now I am inside tinting white pudding cake batter yellow, pink, and purple. Alex is at the store getting Gummi Savers to put on the finished cake as polka dots. Andrew is screaming and saying that it is time for him to cuddle with mommy and go to bed. =)

Training Run 1-30-08

2008-02-01T19:02:00.001-05:00

Almost typed 1-30-01 in the title field...can't believe it's been 7 years since Allison was born.

I ran 3 miles in the cold, wishing I'd run the night before when it was warmer, but I didn't manage to beat the windstorms. Felt good - especially since I followed a tip I found on Runners' World website (www.runnersworld.com) that said to lace your shoes looser to keep your feet warm in cold weather, so you don't cut off the circulation to your feet. 37:29 for 3 miles, about a 12 1/2 minute mile.

Definitely need to run twice this week so I'm ready for Holly on Sunday afternoon.

Run with Holly 1-27-08

2008-01-27T19:29:00.000-05:00

Ran this afternoon with Holly after church...had chicken noodle soup for lunch, healthy but not too filling. We ran 4 miles, which turned out to be hillier than they appeared when I drove them, but as Holly said it was great cross-training and will make our shorter runs feel much easier now (neither of us think they'll ever feel truly EASY).

Holly is definitely faster than I am, but that was good for me too...forced me to push myself harder than I would have if I'd been alone. We talked for most of the route, about kids, politics, church, lots of things. It's good to have a friend who wants to spend time together regularly, who I have so much in common with.

52:59 for 4 miles...average around a 13.25 minute mile. A really good hard pace for a long run for me. Hopefully these will get easier too... =)

Training Run 1-23-08

2008-01-24T00:56:00.000-05:00

Didn't want to run...but missed last night, and told myself I had to go out and run if I was going to have pizza for dinner and bake cookies later. I went out for the run while Alex and the kids went to pick up the pizza. 3 miles in 37:24, slightly under a 12.5 minute mile pace. I'm going to try to run 2 miles tomorrow and another 3 on Friday. Long run for the weekend is scheduled to be 4 miles...I need to call Holly and find out if she wants to get together this week.

Run with Holly 1/19/08

2008-01-23T16:35:00.000-05:00

Paid the drop-in rate of $7 to run at the local gym. Started out too fast as usual - set the treadmill for a 12-minute mile and was struggling by halfway through the second mile. I ended up turning it down to about a 14.5-minute mile until the last mile, which I bumped up again because I was ready to be done.

Both Holly and I agreed that we would never have made it through the whole 4 miles by ourselves...we probably would have stopped at 2.5 or 3 miles and thought "well, that's further than the last time I ran...good enough." But we both finished, and it felt really good to have done it.

4 miles, 57 minutes. =)

I was supposed to run last night but was a couch potato instead...but I'll definitely run tonight. Don't want to fall too far behind the training schedule.

Training Runs 1-15-08 & 1-17-08

2008-01-17T22:37:00.001-05:00

Tuesday's run was cold, and it had snowed, so I ran in the road instead of on the sidewalk. That was weird. 24:05 for 2 miles, no walking break. Not great, but OK...and it tells me how much too fast Saturday's run was.

Tonight I went to a baby shower at TGI Friday's, got home shortly after 8 pm, and spent time with the kids. Didn't really feel like running, but also didn't want to approach the prospect of running 4 miles on Saturday without running again tonight. So I went out...it was close to 40 degrees, so the sidewalks were safe to run on. This time I did the 2 miles in 23:32. =)

I've been trying to watch what I eat...not in any really strict kind of way, just in terms of choosing good fuel for my body instead of empty calories. Tonight at Friday's I had a side salad, mahi mahi with corn salsa and rice, and a small dessert (2 shot glasses of 2 different kinds of mousse...chocolate mint and peanut butter cup...yummy!). I thought about salmon pasta but decided I didn't need the cream sauce. I also have been getting back to drinking lots of water at work, have cut my coffee consumption down to one cup in the morning, and am packing healthy lunches (frozen Lean Cuisine grilled chicken and veggies as opposed to frozen Stouffer's fried chicken strips, or even better something I made myself).

Maybe I'll get faster if I'm not carrying extra weight. =)

Back in the saddle again...

2008-01-12T18:37:00.000-05:00

...also known as..."I can't find my sports bra" and "My running pants are too long" are not good enough excuses to avoid running. =)

After talking with Holly last week, we both re-committed to training for the Columbus 1/2 marathon in April (www.columbusdistanceclassic.com). I'm especially excited because it's a John Bingham race and I will get an official Penguin medal.

Seriously, Holly and I have committed to running our long Saturday runs together - which we figure will keep us honest and committed to the shorter weekday runs so that we don't embarrass ourselves on Saturdays. For me personally, I'll definitely have to get the weekday runs in because the last time I ran with her (see the PRISMS 5K in August 2007) she was a lot faster than me. I've improved since then, but I'll still need to bring my A game.

With that in mind, and a sunny 40-degree day, I headed out this afternoon. My goal was 2 miles, and to see how things went. I went out too fast, as I usually do when I haven't been running for a while, so I hit the 1-mile mark at 10:45...nice to know I could do it, but too fast for me for an easy training run. I walked for about 100 yards and then ran the rest. I ended up finishing the distance at 23:35 including the walking break...a good time but the run was NOT easy, and tells me exactly how out of shape I am.

My goal for this week is to run at least 2 miles every other day (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) so that I'm ready to start my official training program next week (week starting Sunday 1/20). Hopefully then by the time Holly and I do the first long run together I'll have some endurance built back up so that I can hold my own.

Happy New Year!

10K Race 11-11-07

2007-11-13T16:51:00.000-05:00

Wow...I've been really bad about posting. Of course, I've been pretty bad about sticking to a training schedule, too.

I drove to Columbus in 40-degree rainy weather, which turned to sleet at a couple points during the drive. I have to say one of the reasons I decided to still go do the race was just because I'd already paid the $25 entry fee.

I got to the race, waited around chatting with some other people - 3 guys and a girl. Why do people lie to perfect strangers about their projected pace?? Do I look like someone they need to fake out?? This girl was saying she was worried because she runs about a 13-minute mile...I was thinking "I run faster than a 13-minute mile...she's got to be kidding." Then at the start, she lined up with the 3 guys, who had all been talking about 8-9 minute miles. I wondered how soon it would be till I saw her drop back, or if she would try to stay with them. I wondered if she would run with me if she dropped back.

I never saw her. To the point that she had already left the race location by the time I finished. Some 13-minute mile.

Anyway, I lined up in the back of the 10K runners but in front of the 3K runners, where I belong. A few of the 3K runners were saying they were going to run the 10K but now had changed their minds due to the weather. I figured 3K was not worth $25, and if I was going to get cold and wet running I might as well set a new PR for distance. So I stuck with the 10K.

My goal time going in was 1 hour 15 minutes. I knew I could run faster than that, but I'd never run the distance before, so I figured that time would allow for if I ran out of gas and had to walk at the end. I hit the first mile marker at about 11:30, faster than I had expected, but I decided to just see how long I could maintain a faster pace...as I said to one of the Dublin police officers keeping traffic off the course, "It's too cold to run slow!"

The course would have been really pretty if the weather wasn't so bad. We ran through downtown Dublin with all the shops and past some of the big estate homes, and through the Midwestern Auto Group luxury car dealerships. However, the race promoters lie - they said this was a fast course, which I took to mean "flat". That course was NOT flat. I am so glad for all my hill training...I needed all of it.

However, it still was a pretty fast course...I came in 113 of 116, but that still means my 3-race streak of not coming in last continues...

New PR for 10K: 1:08:03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did the math and I think I actually broke the 11-minute barrier by a millisecond or two!

Results are posted at www.columbusrunning.com/t3results07.htm. There are pictures there too, but there are none of me - the photographers had left the finish line by the time I got there. Too bad...I would have liked a picture of me running, because I wore a T-shirt from Steve & Barry's that has a penguin in a straitjacket and the caption "cute but psycho".

John Bingham would be proud. =)

Training Run 10-28-07

2007-10-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

I seem to be training lately by skipping short runs and just doing the long weekend run...I don't recommend this. =)

It's possible that walking around with the kids on Saturday night for trick-or-treat might count as cross-training however...

Anyway, another good long run, 5 miles in 1:00:38, or just over a 12 minute pace. I'm going to try to do some short runs this week, fitting them around my new grad school schedule (www.keller.edu).

My legs feel fine, just tired, but my shoulders are sore. And I definitely need more sleep. That's the only thing about a long run right before a working Monday...

Training Run 10-22-07

2007-10-23T00:20:00.000-04:00

Really needed to get my run in tonight, as it was scheduled to be one of the long ones...but the weather map showed a big green blob. So I put on a hat to keep the rain out of my eyes, and went anyway.

It was kind of fun, splashing through puddles...and I didn't get hot, or winded...and all the walkers with curious dogs were inside. =)

4.5 miles, 54:52. A good pace, just over 12 minutes, and a new distance PR...which felt really good, as if I could have kept going.

Now I need to do a load of wash. =)

Training Run 10-20-07

2007-10-22T15:45:00.000-04:00

Out of town visiting my parents, and I still haven't calibrated my pedometer...so I ran for 25 minutes and figured that it would be approximately 2 miles given my current training pace.

I forgot how hilly their neighborhood is... =)

Still it felt good to keep to my schedule even though I was out of town. The hills worked my mental endurance as well as physical...it was one of those runs where I wanted to stop but kept telling myself "you CAN run this far, no problem".

Also, no soreness or stiffness in legs and feet after running, despite the hills and the unfamiliar course, which was REALLY good.

3 weeks to race day...I need to do my long run tonight as I decided to watch football and the kids instead of running yesterday. =)

Training Run 10-18-07

2007-10-18T22:56:00.000-04:00

The right foot has been sore the last few days, plus I had meetings at church on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I took a couple days off. I knew I should have iced it after my run Monday, but I was tired and ate and went to bed instead. Gotta listen to that voice in my head...sometimes...

I decided to run two easy miles and extend it out to three if I felt up to it. I am pleased with my increased fitness...an "easy" pace for me now is 12-13 minute mile...it used to be more like 15-16 minute mile. I did make it through the 3 miles, but they were definitely slow...40:21. I iced my foot for about 10 minutes when I got back, which helped a lot.

I figure I'll do a short out-and-back on Saturday when I'm out of town (I'll run for about 25 minutes and figure that it will be approximately 2 miles), then do my scheduled Sunday long run as usual. Hopefully that will get me back on track for Nov. 11.

Training Run 10-15-07

2007-10-15T21:33:00.000-04:00

This was supposed to be yesterday's run, but I overslept yesterday morning and then felt sort of queasy the rest of the day...so I decided not to push it.

I felt really guilty today though, and I know I need to get these long runs in to prepare for the 10K. So when I got home from work, I changed directly into my running clothes as a mental push to get myself out the door. Had dinner and helped the kids with homework a little, then sneaked out once the baby was into something and didn't notice.

Tripped on the sidewalk again...one of these days that's really going to hurt. My right knee and right foot bothered me most of the run, but it wasn't reaching the level of pain, so I decided to keep going. At the end of mile 1 I was at 12:25, and I ended up covering the 4 miles in 51:09 so I was basically able to maintain the pace. My right foot is definitely knotted up now, but I have a good couple hours to rest and ice it before going to bed.

4 weeks to go...

Training Run 10-11-07

2007-10-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

2 miles tonight. The shorter run of the week, which seems to be becoming my speed run...or at least the run that I push a little harder.

It's officially fall...it was chilly enough during my run that I didn't get sweaty until the last half mile. I wore a shirt with 3/4 sleeves and capri-length sweats...they have my husband's high school logo on them and are the first pair of sweats I've ever worn with words on the butt! The cold definitely encourages me to get moving and keep moving, though...the faster I run the sooner I can go back inside. =)

My right foot is a little sore, but I also tripped rather spectacularly over the edge of a driveway and didn't fall...not the cause of the soreness. I did have an adrenaline rush afterward thinking of how much it would have hurt if I had fallen.

22:26 for 2 miles. =)

Training Run 10-9-07

2007-10-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

3 miles tonight, wasn't sure how to do it but ended up running my new 2 mile loop followed by 2 loops of my old 1/2 mile loop. Held a pretty quick pace and finished in 34:45. It was a nice cool evening, but my mouth got really dry...I've been used to breathing in more humid air.

Short post tonight, it's been a busy week already and my legs and my brain are tired.

Training Run 10-7-07

2007-10-08T00:15:00.000-04:00

My first long run in preparation for the 10K...I was nervous about being able to complete it because even though I started running at 9 pm tonight, it was still pretty hot.

I've been feeling burned out on my usual 1/2 mile loop, so even though it's a little hillier, I decided on a different route that is most of the way to the kids' school...1 mile out, 1 mile back. Tonight's run was 4 miles, so it would be 2 loops...I figured that way it would be longer so it wouldn't be so mind-numbing, but short enough that I could see the end of the loop in sight.

I loved it...even though it was hot, I was able to maintain just over a 12 1/2 minute pace comfortably, even through the hills. My total time for the 4 miles was 50:37, and I finished up feeling REALLY good, like I could have run another couple miles. I feel much more confident about training for the 10K now.

Training Run 10-4-07

2007-10-04T19:42:00.001-04:00

Going shopping for a bike tonight (and for oil for the stationary bike in the house), so I decided to get my run in before dinner. I'm definitely not used to it still being so warm when I run...but I guess it's a good challenge.

I decided to run tonight's 2 miles fairly fast for a training run, and make it a little bit of a speed workout. I walked for 60 seconds at the 1-mile point, but still finished the 2 miles in 25:05. It felt good when I was done, but during the actual running it was definitely a mind-over-matter thing. I kept telling myself "this difficulty is all in your head, you can run this distance at this pace"...but it was sheer will for the last 1/2 mile. It was probably a good thing I passed some people talking in a parked car...I made myself keep running till I knew they couldn't see me, and then I only had about 200 yards left to go.

The games we play with ourselves...

I also think I'm getting close to needing a new pair of running shoes...I read somewhere that if the outer midsole starts to look worn, it probably means that the inner structure of the shoe has also started to break down. I'm not feeling a lot of cushioning...though I'm currently running in Asics Duomax, so they're lightweight to begin with. They're starting to feel like there's not a lot between me and the sidewalk, however. I think I may choose a slightly sturdier shoe next time, since I'm now keeping up a fairly consistent running schedule and am going to be steadily increasing distance.

Training Run 10-2-07

2007-10-02T22:56:00.000-04:00

First day running after race day, so I didn't push the pace. I'm starting my training for the November 11 10K using a training plan by Hal Higdon (10K novice plan at www.halhigdon.com). Only, since I have 6 weeks, and it's an 8 week plan, I'm starting on week 3. Someday I'll actually start a training plan at week 1...

2.5 miles tonight, 34:06, a little over a 13 1/2 minute pace. Easily sustainable, a good training pace for me for my "long runs" to gradually start adding distance. I find that adding distance also increases my fitness, and then my pace seems to improve on its own.

Anyone in the central Ohio area have a women's bike for sale? I'm looking to cross-train...

RACE DAY 9-30-07

2007-09-30T22:27:00.000-04:00

I ended up taking a rest day yesterday...to watch football. =)

However, I'd felt good about my training all week, so I figured I'd be okay...though I was a little concerned because I didn't get much sleep last night. I took my own coffee travel mug to church to get a little extra dose of caffeine during choir practice, and fueled up for the race with two cheese danishes in the parlor after the service.

I drove down to the race site (the Wegerzyn Garden Center, part of the Dayton park system - www.metroparks.org/_wegerzynGardens/wegerzynGardens.aspx) with plenty of time to spare - race check-in started at 2 pm, and the race didn't start until 3:30 pm or so. I had a nice "warm-up" walk through the gardens - they have a great children's educational garden and a really pretty formal rose garden. We'll have to come back sometime with the kids (and a camera).

It worked out well that I was there so early, because by the time the race was actually about to start, I'd worked out all of my pre-race jitters and was bored and ready to run. (I'd also hydrated myself to the point that I stood at the starting line wondering if I should have gone to the bathroom one more time! It was a hot day, though, and I figured I had a long way to go before I overdid the water.)

I lined up in the back of the pack and made sure my watch was on the stopwatch function. I went out at what felt like a fast but comfortable pace and after about 15 yards realized I'd forgotten to start the stopwatch. =)

I started it anyway at that point and mentally added 15-30 seconds, just so I could get an idea of whether or not I was on pace when I hit the first mile marker. There were two water stations, one at just shy of 1 mile (drank water, walked for 15-20 seconds), and one at a little over 2 miles (drank water, poured water down the back of my neck, meant to walk but forgot).

I traded spots back and forth with an older (50's) man and two older (60's) women for awhile, and eventually went past for good sometime in the third mile. The last half-mile felt really long, but I figured from my watch that I had to be getting close to done. I tried to keep pace with the two runners ahead of me, spaced out about 30 yards and 60 yards ahead, and let them pull me across the finish line.

Official times are posted at:

www.keysports.net/taking_steps_against_domestic_2007%20results%20vi.htm

but for my casual readers...

I came in 33rd of 49 (overall...there were no gender or age subcategories) with a new PR time of 34:43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My legs are tired but not that sore...I have a stretching day scheduled for tomorrow, and then I start training for a 10K (Dublin OH, November 11, details to follow).

After beating my previous 5K time by 43 seconds, I need a new challenge. =)

Thoughts on nutrition

2007-09-28T22:44:00.000-04:00

As I said in the previous post, last night I took an obviously needed (even to me) rest day, and I'm sure that contributed to the successful speed session tonight. However, I'm also wondering if my dinner and pre-run snack had anything to do with it...

Chicken, carrots and egg noodles in light gravy (thickened broth...it was a crock-pot thing)
Parmesan cheese-flavored crackers
2 cans diet Pepsi (yes, caffeinated...I never said I was perfect)

I'm wondering if before I wasn't eating enough carbs to fuel my run...hence the heavy legs.

Those of you who read this who are more experienced runners...what do you think? Good balance of carbs and protein? Any favorite pre-training foods?

Training Run 9-28-07

2007-09-28T22:35:00.000-04:00

My legs were still tight last night from Wednesday's run, so I figured rather than shove myself out the door and risk injury by forcing myself to run - especially since the program for Thursday was a speed session - I decided to take today's rest day yesterday, and do yesterday's program today.

Clear as mud? =)

Anyway, so tonight I did 2 repeats of 800 meters (once around my neighborhood loop) at race pace, with the same time amount of easy jogging or walking in between. The training plan said that the idea was to test my ability to hold race pace over a mile, and that if I couldn't complete the workout then my projected race pace was too fast. I decided to just run the first 800 comfortably fast, and see how fast the pace was when I got to the end of the first loop, and go from there.

I arrived at the end of the first loop in 5:32. Just slightly over an 11 minute mile, about a minute faster than I would have said my goal race pace was, but I decided to stick with the program and see if I could achieve the same pace in the second 800. I had to push it at the end of the second loop, but I did it - the whole workout took me 16:38.

I'm still not sure that an 11 minute mile is a realistic pace for me over the whole 5K, but it was nice to have the success in the speed workout, and also to feel like I did the right thing by taking yesterday off. And there's no telling what adrenaline will do on Sunday...after all, my first 5K time of 35:26 averaged less than a 12 minute mile, and I definitely feel stronger and more prepared this time.

Tomorrow's workout is a mixture of endurance and speed, and then I'll really feel ready.

Time for strength training...giving the baby a bath. =)

Training Run 9-26-07

2007-09-28T22:34:00.000-04:00

Tonight was just supposed to be an easy run...and for the first time I did as directed and ran easy...28:52 for 2 miles. My legs are really tight...nothing hurts exactly, just feel like an overstretched rubber band.

(note: I didn't get to write this down till Friday 9-28, hence the date disconnect.)

Training Run 9-25-07

2007-09-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

Rain threatened tonight, so I ran earlier than usual...it was strange to be able to see the twigs on the sidewalk as I avoided tripping on them. =)

Tonight's plan called for a speed session...it was supposed to be 1 mile warm-up followed by a tempo run for the amount of time you expected to run the 5K. For me, the goal was 35 minutes.

I walked the warm-up...it was warm and muggy out and I was definitely warmed up and sweaty by the end of the walk. Then I started to run, went out too fast (as usual!) and ended up having to take a walking break at the 1/2 mile mark. However, I figured that was OK given my two-week injury layoff, so I continued the walking breaks every half mile.

The first mile I ran in 10:24 even with the walking break...did I mention I went out too fast?!?! Gotta figure out this sustainable pace thing...

Overall I completed 3 miles with walking breaks in 37:37...a little slower than I had hoped, but that probably had to do with burnout from the really really fast first mile...ok, maybe the first two miles, as I got to that point in 22:29...obviously I died in the third mile.

Had to cut the planned 1 mile cool-down short because it poured. Felt good though. =)

Time for a grocery store (caffeine) run and a snack.

I'm back!

2007-09-24T22:29:00.000-04:00

I hate being injured. Especially when I'm planning a race.

The foot/ankle injury appears to be healed, but man did it take a while. Ran for the first time tonight, following a training plan on www.runnersworld.com for being ready for a 5K in 7 days. (The Artemis race is this Sunday 9/30.) I guess I'll have to test out Hal Higdon's 5K training plan in full some other time.

Anyway, so I ran 2 easy miles, time turned out to be 28:04. Not bad for 2 weeks off. My legs felt really heavy during the whole run, but it was good to get out there, and I don't feel sore now.

Injury Report, Day 2

2007-09-14T12:59:00.000-04:00

My foot still hurt for most of the day yesterday, but I wasn't walking quite as much like a gimp. Took a hot bath last night, which seems to have helped a lot. I'm still wearing flat shoes today, but walking without pain. There's no stiffness at all in the sole of my foot, and only a little bit of tightness on the outside of my ankle. I'm still planning to put heat on it tonight, though I don't know if I feel like another bath...maybe just a heating pad and some knitting.

Looking forward to my run tomorrow...promise myself I'll go easy.

Injury Report

2007-09-13T00:03:00.000-04:00

My left foot still hurts and is stiff today...wearing flat shoes at least didn't hurt it any worse, but it definitely hasn't gotten any better. I called my cousin the physical therapist (thanks Katie!) who said to ice it again tonight, then switch to heat tomorrow and for as long as it takes for the symptoms to go away. She says a hot bath is a good method...so now I have an official health-related excuse to soak in the tub. =)

I think I must have overtrained a little yesterday...pushed the pace too much. I just want to be faster...so far in my training life, almost without exception, each training run has been a new record of some sort, either a better pace time or longer distance, and I just want so much to continue that upward slope.

I guess I need to learn from this week to be content with a few steps forward interspersed with plateaus and even the occasional step back. I need to remind myself that I'm in this running thing for the long haul, and I don't have to set all my records in one season, or even in one year. I have the rest of my life to continue to grow as an athlete.

Having said that, tomorrow is going to be frustrating. I'll miss my run. Katie says I might be okay to run Saturday with Holly, but definitely to skip tomorrow's run and continue to rest and treat the injury so it doesn't get more serious. Maybe I'll do some upper-body weights and some stretching. I've been trying to rub my foot, which feels good but doesn't seem to loosen the tightness.

Oh well...more time to knit. =)

Training Run 9-11-07

2007-09-11T23:32:00.000-04:00

19 days till race day, and I'm starting to get a little apprehensive. But I had a good run tonight...2.75 miles, the longest distance I've ever run without a walking break. I tried to set an easy, comfortable pace, but it was so nice and cool outside that I found myself speeding up because it felt so good to be outside. I was actually kind of chilly and I think I turned on the jets just to warm up!

So...PR distance 2.75 miles, and a time of 34:49, for a per-mile pace PR of just under 12:45!!!!!

Had to ice my left foot afterward, feels tight and a little sore but I don't think it's injured. I'll see how it feels tomorrow, and be sure to wear flat shoes to work so I don't stress it more.

I'm planning to run with Holly at the reservoir on Saturday morning, and admittedly that was part of why I was pushing the pace tonight...I know she's faster than me, and I don't want to be so slow that she doesn't want to run with me again. =)

I probably shouldn't worry as I know I've improved a lot since the PRISMS race...I'm just still getting used to feeling like I have the right to call myself an athlete.

Bagel chips, hummus, and bed.

Training Run 9-8-07

2007-09-08T22:46:00.001-04:00

Tonight was just one of those nights when nothing about the run felt good. I don't mean that I was injured or that I shouldn't have run, although I did have a down day yesterday with the cold...at least it was a rest day anyway. Felt better overall today, but I think the fact that I wasn't up to eating yesterday meant that I ate too much today, at least too much for a training day.

When I went out to run it was nice and cool, after quite a thunderstorm earlier this evening...we should probably go out and pick up sticks tomorrow. I kept a moderate pace, but the whole run just felt hard...like 80-90 percent effort when that pace should have been 60-70 percent effort. Still, I guess it paid off...I ran 2 1/2 miles in 34:13. A little over a 13 1/2 minute mile pace...slower than Thursday's run but probably more sustainable for me at this point.

Had a chocolate meal replacement shake when I got in, put the baby back to bed...now it's spicy ramen noodles for me. =)

Training Run 9-6-07

2007-09-06T22:50:00.001-04:00

Challenges tonight getting out the door - I'm fighting allergies and possibly a cold, and the baby was still up at 9:50 pm. Finally I just asked his daddy to watch him and headed out the door.

Tonight's 2 miles felt a little tough, mostly because of trouble breathing due to the allergies and the cold. I was also a little worried because my right knee was a little twinge-y when I first started to run, but I just promised myself I'd listen to it while I was running and stop if it got worse.

Once again I was able to complete the whole distance without stopping for a walking break, and I held a pretty steady pace which I could tell was faster than Tuesday's run. I even managed to dig down and finish a little stronger in the last 1/4 mile or so.

It paid off: total time for 2 miles was 25:56. Just under a 13 minute mile, held consistently over 2 miles! I'm hoping now to continue to develop the endurance to hold that pace over longer distances and make it feel more comfortable.

Sports drink, snack and sleep for me now. Need to nip this cold in the bud.

Training Run 9-4-07

2007-09-05T09:26:00.001-04:00

Couldn't get to the computer last night to post...YouTube had taken over. =)

Forgot to put my digital watch on before I went out and decided that was okay. I didn't feel like going inside to get it, and also just had a lot on my mind and decided it would be a good night for a sort of Zen-like training run...just to get out of my own head for a while.

Prescribed run for the day was 2.5 miles, or 5 loops of my neighborhood route. I decided to see if I could maintain a slow but steady pace and not have to take walking breaks. I did it!! And I still felt good after the 2.5 miles and felt like I could have gone longer, but decided I shouldn't overtrain with a race coming up in 3 1/2 weeks.

Still, it was a very satisfying feeling to run the last .5 a little faster than the others, and still feel like there was something in the tank.

Saturday's run is scheduled to be 2.5 miles also, so I plan to remember the watch and do the same thing, and see what kind of time I run when I feel that good.

Amazing that about six weeks ago I could only run for about 8 minutes at a time without stopping for a break, and that in 8 minutes I would cover only about 1/3 of a mile...

Training Walk 9-3-07

2007-09-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

I probably shouldn't have tried to fit in my running workouts while out of town for Labor Day weekend, as they didn't happen. =)

However, had a nice relaxing weekend, didn't eat or drink too much, caught up a little on sleep.

Now back to officially preparing for the Artemis 5K (see previous post). I'm doing the second half of Hal Higdon's 8-week 5K training program (Novice level, at www.halhigdon.com). So tonight was a rest/walk day, so I walked the full length of our street at an easy pace. It's hilly so I worked on keeping a steady pace uphill.

It was nice just to have some time by myself after a people filled weekend. I'll be back to running tomorrow.

First Post-Race Training Run 8-30-07

2007-08-30T19:23:00.000-04:00

I think I over-recovered...it took a real effort of will to get myself back out there on the pavement tonight, and when I started running I couldn't seem to get into a rhythm. It almost felt like I was starting to run again for the very first time.

Our super-hot weather is over for now, so it's just a normal level of August heat...which meant that when I stepped out of the door at 7 p.m. tonight, there was actually a little bit of a chill in the air. It felt weird - I started running seriously during the last week of July, when a cooler day was 89. I'll have to get used to not starting to sweat till the end of my first 1/2 mile (since I tend to see the sweat as proof of adequate effort, meaning if I'm not sweating I think I'm not working hard enough).

Despite the strangeness, though, the training run went fairly well. I'm still a little frustrated by my need to take walking breaks, though I know that both John Bingham and Jeff Galloway (www.jeffgalloway.com) espouse them as a way to train and even race. I guess I still want to be the Bionic Woman (and then maybe I could figure out how not to need sleep, and maybe my house would be clean and my laundry would be done, too). Even with walking breaks, though, I ran my planned 1.5 miles in 19:02. Not quite my adrenaline-rush race pace, but close enough for me to feel that the number on the clock last Saturday wasn't a mistake, and also a good pace to push myself far enough to build both speed and endurance. Certainly it's a lot faster than my old training pace of 14-15 minute miles. My left shin and right knee are a little sore...the right knee was noticeably tight when I first started, but hopefully that's just a result of not moving (I didn't even get out and walk!) for 4 days.

I'm fairly sure now of when my next race will be, and it was the thought of that race (in 4 1/2 weeks...one of these days I'll give myself adequate 8-12 week preparation time) that helped get me out the door tonight. It's the Taking Steps Against Domestic Violence 5K Run/3K Awareness Walk (www.artemiscenter.org/news.htm) in downtown Dayton. I think I need to pretty much keep setting continuous goals for myself running-wise, in other words I always need to know when the next race I'm entering is...otherwise I'll sneak in too much pizza, or too little sleep, or too many days off, and undo all the progress I've made.

In other words...I think I'm becoming a run-a-holic. =)

First Race Day!!!

2007-08-25T20:33:00.000-04:00

What a great day...

Was running late getting out of the house (story of my life), but got to the race in time, since things didn't start right at 8 am sharp. Had a pleasant surprise to see Holly from the Clark County Republican Women and Kyle from church, as I hadn't expected to know anyone.

Holly helped me pin on my race number and lined up in the back of the pack with me. About 50 yards into the race she realized I couldn't keep up with her pace and dropped back to tell me not to worry about her, just to run my own race and not let her mess me up. I didn't, but I did try to keep her at least in sight as long as I could.

I've been running about a 13-15 minute mile in training, and my record distance covered running without stopping for a walking break was 1 mile. So I wasn't really expecting anything at all this race, except to finish. I was planning to just run my usual pace and just finish wherever I finished...even if I was last. But I forgot to turn my stopwatch on when I started running (was still too busy people-watching) and so I had no idea how fast I was running. I was keeping pace with the group ahead of me for about the first half of the race, and I realize now they were probably running much faster than I'm used to.

However, for the first mile or so there was no one behind me except the support vehicle...a full-metal cammo-painted Hummer! Headlines flashed through my head..."Novice Runner Flattened By Hummer...Race Organizers Shocked". It was kind of nice company though, and I had to laugh thinking about how funny it must look...little tiny five foot nothing me, and this huge army green splotchy thing over my right shoulder. I did pass 2 people though (although one of them passed me back...a white-haired lady who walked at least 50% of the race and STILL beat me by one place) so eventually I stopped running in the shadow of the Hummer.

I did manage to set a new personal distance record...I ran about the first mile and three-quarters without stopping...past the turn around. The first mile felt great (if fast, but I chalked that up to adrenaline and it being an early-morning race so it wasn't as hot), the second mile was a little harder but felt like what I'm used to as far as pushing myself through the second half of my training runs. The last mile kicked my butt...I stopped for about half a dozen walking breaks, but they were brief...only a minute or two, to catch my breath and drink some water.

FINALLY after the longest mile of my running career, I could hear the music playing at the start/finish area, and I tried to speed up a little. By that time I just wanted to be done. Holly met me again about 25 yards from the finish line and took my empty water bottle from me and encouraged me to finish strong. I found a little more for a little tiny finishing kick and ran through the finish.

I was NOT last (he was a brand new runner, ran about the first 3/4 mile and walked the rest of the race, the other person I passed at the beginning) and my time TOTALLY blew me away. Remember I said I'd been running 13-15 minute miles in training? And in training that pretty much felt like my maximum sustainable pace? I figure I must have gone out WAY fast at the beginning, and I'm sure not stopping for a walk break until after the halfway mark improved my time too, but I never expected the time I got...

35:26!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOW did that happen???? Roughly an 11 1/2 minute mile???? Me????

It figures I'd set myself a PR in my first 5K that I'll have to train my butt off to beat.

I'm hooked...after the race was over I was kind of disappointed...like, "it's over already??"

Holly and I are hoping to run together on some Saturdays.

I can't wait for the next race!!

Today's Training Walk 8-23-07

2007-08-23T23:05:00.000-04:00

OK, this is the real taper day...I walked 2 miles at a chipper but comfortable pace, and am now resting with a sports drink, cheese and pretzels, and ice on my right knee. Just a little bit of patellar tendinitis I think...probably from 3 straight days of training, even though Tuesday's workout wasn't very long.

Tomorrow is recovery day...I plan to do nothing whatever workout-wise...just sit on the couch, do some knitting, and get to bed early. I have to be at the park for the race at 7:30 AM!

11:11...time for bed.

Great Training Run 8-22-07

2007-08-22T21:51:00.001-04:00

New PR for 1 mile....(drum roll) 13:13!!! Yahoooooo!!!!

I haven't run a mile that fast since I was (inexplicably) on the track team in high school...and that was 17 years ago!

Disclaimer: I would never mess around with painkillers, performance-enhancing drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, or any of that stuff. But I took a dose of Pepto before my run (with my last-thing-out-the-door 8 oz. glass of water) and had NO stomach issues whatsoever despite the weather and pushing myself pretty hard. I may be on to something here...

I have this weird pain in my butt, though. It didn't bother me during the run (because I was concentrating, probably) but it was still there when I was done. Obviously I've been using muscles I didn't know I had.

I waited until 9 pm to go out tonight because the heat index during the day was 110...I mean, even though one of the reasons I run is to lose weight, let's not overdo it. I can only carry so much water. =)

Decided to try to run 14 minutes at a time, but without looking at my watch every few minutes...so I decided to shoot for the 1-mile mark on my usual loop and just take a look and see where I was if/when I got there. Keep in mind that this would be the longest distance I'd run at a time without stopping for a walk break. I got to the mile mark, looked down...and saw 13:26!!

Took a longer walk break than usual, partly to celebrate and look up at the stars. Started running again at my favorite bush at 17:00, tried to keep my pace consistent, even on the slight upslope, and long story short, got back to the bush at 30:13!

13 seconds faster on the second mile than the first...NEGATIVE SPLITS!! Plus, I actually managed to put two 1-mile continuous runs together.

I read something in one of John Bingham's books today which said something to the effect that sometimes during a bad run you have to tell yourself "I'm having this bad run so that I can have a great run some other time". It certainly worked for me today.

Saturday 5K, here I come!!

Sucky Training Run 8-21-07

2007-08-21T19:20:00.000-04:00

The good part - not raining, 7-minute 1/2 mile. The bad part - everything else. Tried to run with a stomachache and headache, was able to get myself through the longest 7 minutes of my running career so far. Then with "the runs" approaching (I MUST be the universe's joke of the week) I tried to at least walk the rest of my planned route. I made it through 1 1/2 miles (including the 7-minute 1/2 mile) before I had to give up and come in. Bathroom, a swig of Pepto-Bismol, and I guess I'll live to run another day.

It sucks. I had such high hopes for today. On my last training day (Friday 8/17) I was running 12 minutes at a time with gas still left in the tank, and I had every intention of getting to 14 minutes tonight. I'm positive I could have done it too...but running seems not to be on my body's schedule for tonight. Once again, I don't think when they talk about tapering before a race that this is what it's supposed to feel like.

I've read, of course, that improvement in running is not linear...sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. I was just kind of hoping it wouldn't happen to me. Now the question is how do I keep it from freaking me out as far as Saturday's race is concerned. I couldn't even WALK 3 miles tonight, let alone run it.

I feel bad giving myself permission to have an off day tonight because of the last couple nights when I didn't run at all...hence the 1 1/2 miles of torturous stomach-churning motion. I know that if I'm not feeling well, then that's just the way it is...but still it irritates me that I can't pull a "mind-over-matter" on my body and just push through. I want to be the bionic woman...or at least just be able to tell my body what to do and have it do it.

I guess I'm human after all. =)

Better luck tomorrow...

Training Frustration

2007-08-20T22:11:00.000-04:00

Last night (Sunday 8/19) I didn't run...I succumbed to a moment of weakness and had wine and cheese spread and crackers. Remember I mentioned that I run because I eat. =)

Tonight I couldn't run even though I wanted to because it has been raining since this afternoon and it's expected to continue past midnight. The weather map online is one big green blob. So I reacted by having wine and cheese spread and crackers.

I think the universe is having a cosmic joke at my expense. I am now a little worried about the 5K on Saturday (5 days away! eep!). At least I talked to Steve and Cathy on Saturday and Cathy says that if I'm running 12 minutes at a time at a 15-minute mile pace that I should be fine for the race. I'll be faster because of the adrenaline, and I'll push myself to reach the finish line instead of walking the final 500 meters. She's run marathons, so I'm sure she knows what she's talking about, and she didn't seem to think I was crazy for taking basically 3 1/2 weeks to train for my first-ever 5K. I trust her...I just don't totally trust my body.

I hate weather. I hate not being able to control things...the kids, my impulses to procrastinate instead of run/clean house/do laundry...I feel like I have enough trouble keeping on top of what I have to do without juggling everyone else. Running and my job are the only things I sort of feel like I have mastery of right now...everything else seems to be testing the speed limits of entropy. =)

Maybe it's just because it's Monday...and I've read you're supposed to taper before a race, anyway. I don't think this is quite what they mean.

I'll be doing a "no-rain dance" hoping that at least a couple times I can get out and run this week...just so my body remembers what its comfortable pace feels like.

I want to move to Arizona where it doesn't snow and never rains. Oh well.

Today's Training Run 8-17-07

2007-08-17T21:59:00.001-04:00

TGIF!!

Today was one of those runs that I didn't really want to do, and it didn't really fit in my schedule, but with the race coming up a week from tomorrow, it just needed to get done. Even though I reached my goal for the day (12 min run x 1 min walk x 3), it just didn't feel that great or exhilarating at any point...not bad, just not great...no runner's high today.

But I think that's why I "get" running some days...like anything, my job, my marriage, my life as a parent, there are a few high days, a few low days, but most of the days are just there...just getting done what needs to get done whether it feels all that rewarding or not. Like those other parts of my life, running is a long-term habit, not just a short-term thrill, and the long-term rewards (increased endurance, fitness, great calf muscles, whatever) are happening each time I live up to my commitment to run, whether I see "Improvement" with a capital "I" that day or not.

Anyway, after the running goal was done I kept walking on my route till I got to the 3-mile mark, just out of curiosity to see how I'd do. Today's time: 3 miles in 46 minutes. No land speed records, but at least they probably won't turn the clock off before I'm done. I feel better about next Saturday...like it's not a totally stupid thing for me to do.

I never thought I was entering to be "competitive" against anyone else...I've really only been training for about a month, as I'm not counting the fits and starts I had before. I'm not fast (15 minute mile) and I've never been in the race atmosphere before, so I'm sure there will be lots of things I don't know and things I find confusing on race day. Here we come to yet another reason I run...I can compete against myself. I am determined to enjoy next Saturday's race...the scenery will be beautiful, the weather and temperature should be great (8 am start!), and it's my first 5K, which is a milestone that I'll never have again. I am determined not to worry about the clock, or where I finish...I just want to finish, and have that "I did it" feeling.

Having said that, I had a little bit left in the tank tonight but chose to walk to the 3-mile point so I wouldn't over-train...but if it had been race day I think I could have made it to 3 miles in under 45 minutes. =)

Today's Training Run 8-15-07

2007-08-15T22:34:00.000-04:00

Right now I'm training for my first 5K. It's a charity run for Smith-Magenis Syndrome (for more information, visit http://www.prisms.org/) at our local Buck Creek State Park here in Springfield, Ohio. My goal is just to finish before they turn the race clock off...I know I'm not going to break any land speed records. I have 10 days to go before race day - Saturday, August 25.

I've been training 3-4 times a week on a 1/2 mile loop of sidewalk in our neighborhood. If there are any experienced runners reading this, I'm scared of running in the road and I trip over my feet when I run in the grass, so even though I know concrete sidewalks are hard on your legs...it's just what I do. =)

Tonight, I set a new personal record...10 minutes running without stopping, with 1 minute walking breaks, times 3! The last repeat was hard but not impossible, and in an actual race where I could see the finish line, I think I might have actually had a "finishing kick".

My post-run snack: a sports drink (sugar-free) and an open faced cheese (crumbly cheddar-ish stuff...I can't remember what it's called) and tomato sandwich with fresh tomatoes that someone in my office brought in and left in the mailroom. Yum...

Welcome to my blog!

2007-08-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

Hi! I've decided to start this blog as sort of an online running journal, with thoughts thrown in about why I run, how I feel about running, and anything else that comes up that seems to fit. Occasional off-topic posts may sneak in. And no matter what, like John "the Penguin" Bingham, (www.johnbingham.com), I'll continue to "waddle on"!!