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...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Long Run 3-9-08
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...
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...
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Training Run 3-6-08
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. =)
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
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. =)
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. =)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Training Run 2-29-08
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...
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...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Training Run 2-27-08
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...
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...
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Training Run 2-24-08
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...
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
