Blah!

Yep, that's me! I'm tired and, really, ready for bed. At 7:15. Yikes.

I did run this morning, but nothing spectacular. 3 slow miles. Then I did ab stuff.

Then I did nothing. No hills. No gym.

I really didn't sleep well last night, so I'm hoping for better tonight and a better tomorrow!

Hopefully I'll have a less dreary report for you tomorrow!

Good Morning

It is very, very humid here this morning but I managed to run around the 4 mile block. It really seemed like work today and I think it was directly related to the humidity. But it was nice to be out there.

Good Morning

I should say Good Rainy Morning! Really been dark and dreary and rainy and windy ever since we got up. So I didn't get my last big run in today. Instead I did 4 miles on the TM and that will have to do for today. Hopefully, later in the week I can get an 8 or 10 miler in. I really wanted to do it today but what you gonna do? Mother Nature sure hasn't cooperated with us around here this year. Will try for Thursday morning because then Friday and Saturday I have to be in Eau Claire for our Synod Assembly.

How you feeling after your big run? 20 miles! Wow! Very impressive!

I did it!

Whew! I've got to tell you, I was a little bit nervous after last week. I knew that if I could not do my long run today I was going to have some serious physical and mental problems come the 18th. But I did it! It really highlighted for me the difference between impossible and difficult. Last Saturday, I really just couldn't run anymore. Today, it was tough. But I could totally do it. And the entire time I was out there I knew I could do it.

I felt good but it was a slow run. I really need to modify my pace expectations for the marathon. I feel like those two weeks I had to take off (when I was sick) are still hurting my speed. I'm going to aim to beat last years time. That is a solid goal for where I am now. Next time I'll focus more on pace.

Let me tell you, the most difficult part of the run came after I should have been finished. Because the official distance is something like 4.92 miles. Which means I had about a half a mile to peg on after I was "finished". That was hard! Oh, such insidious thoughts! But I kept on!

I also had a tough time at mile 18. Because my long run last year was 18 miles. So I hit 18 and thought, "You did well wit 18 last year....you could stop now...."

I am a lot better with my recovery this year. I must be hydrating better of something. I'm feeling pretty good tonight, although I'm tired. To be expected, though.

So, I'm going to make it! WHEW!

Nike+ GPS SportWatch gets a firmware update!

Well, this may change my decision to return. I got an email today telling me that I could update my watch with new "software" that should fix the problem. And it really lead me to wonder because yesterday I was told it would be a firmware update. I decided to give it shot and plugged in the watch tonight and, low and behold, there was a firmware update awaiting me!

As you know, yesterday I was told (via email):

"I did, however, check with my Research team and they advised me that our Instant Pace is not working correctly on the SportWatches. They are getting a fix for this as soon as possible and will have a firmware update very soon. This is why your pace is looking very inaccurate. Your average pace should look correct when you plug in your SportWatch and upload it to our website but the instant in run pace is not working correctly at this time. We do not have an ETA...."

It was the "We do not have an ETA" that really concerned me. But miracles do happen! Now I will let you know if it works!

Good Morning

Beautiful morning here so I ran 6 miles outside and all went just great. Felt strong at the end, too, which is always a good sign. Had a great night's sleep which helps immensely. Ran around the block and it was so nice out there. Also love my new prescription sunglasses so I can see when I'm running! I can now read those No Trespassing signs like nobody's business! Supposed to be raining tomorrow morning so really glad I could get outside today.

Have a good day!

I got it!!!!

What is "IT"? Come on! You know! The Nike+GPS! Now, I know what you are asking yourself. You are asking, "How the heck did that happen when it is almost impossible to pry a dollar from the hand of that girl??" Three words: REVISED BIRTHDAY GIFT!

Bart and I have been talking about Vegas and we just have no idea when we are going to be able to get out there. Someday we will be out there again and we will see Barry. But I just don't know when. So Bart thought to do this! He wants me to be the best outfitted runner on the course. SCORE!

So today I ran with my new pal. And my miles have been off based on this - but off by about what we thought. I ran 6.26 miles today and yesterday I did the same course and it registered on my old Nike+ as 6.62. Not terrible, but I know you understand why that's so frustrating.

Now, the one problem I have with this is that the pace is wildly inaccurate. Like ranging from 6:44 minutes per mile (Boston, watch out!!) to 16:04 minutes per mile. Both totally impossible. Like I can't even conceive at a time where either could have happened. So, I need to figure out if there is a way to rectify that because knowing my pace at any given time is, as you know, an incredibly valuable piece of information. I'm going to research that now.

Anyway, fun! I'll let you try it!

Speed Test

Today I decided to do a short run (6 miles) and "run as fast as I can." Turns out....that's not super fast. Maybe I didn't really run as fast as I can. I'm going to turn on my Nike coach again. Have them tell me things. Because I want to pick up the pace. Run was good otherwise.

I also ran hills and went to the gym (session 1 of the week - 2 more to go!), so a full day. I'm tired!

I signed up for the 9:55/mile pace team, but that might be a bit ambitious. But the 10:18 is the next team and I hope to do a bit faster than that. Although, after today I guess that is where I should be!!

Much better report!

Saturday sure made me a bit sad. But I'm glad I didn't let it get me down too much because I had a really good run today, and I feel confident it will all turn out OK.

I did ten miles today and I wore the stability shoes. I didn't have that tiredness I did Saturday, although I didn't run as far, either, so it's not really a true test. But I did feel really good and felt like I could keep going. Honestly, though, I started feeling a little tired (in general, not leg tired) around mile 9. So I clearly still have some work to do.

I forgot to tell you two interesting things about Lake Miramar on Saturday! First, I saw a guy who must be on the Olympic race walking team. He was walking sooo fast and one time when he passed me I saw that he had the Olympic symbol tattooed on his left shoulder blade! So he probably is on the team or really wants to be!

Then I saw these ElliptiGO machines:

http://store.elliptigo.com/

You can see it in action here:

http://www.elliptigo.com/

Finally, an interesting article on eggs:

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/whatsgoodforyou/theshow/693988/are-eggs-bad-for-your-heart

I ate two today!

Don't Know How To Title This

I'm kind of discouraged here. I did run 12.1 miles but at mile 9 my left knee really started bothering me. I mean I thought it was going to buckle on me. Walked about 50 feet and then ran again. And that's the way the last 3 miles went. I estimate I walked about a half mile of the last 3. And I'm in pain here now. Have an ice pack on it and will take another Aleve soon.

So, I don't know. My time was 2 hours and 14 minutes for a pace of 11.03 for the 12.1 miles which included some walking so I don't think that's too bad. My goal for the half marathon has been 2.30 so I'm thinking that even if I have to walk some I might be close to that. But, I really wanted to run the whole way.

Needless to say, I will be taking tomorrow off!

Weekend Wrap-up

Whoa, blogging slacker!! Well, I have good news and bad news about this weekend. The best news, I guess, is that I'm not disheartened by the bad news.

First the good news. I went to the gym yesterday which means I met my goal of going to the gym three times in a week! I was very happy. Am very happy! And I did a new arm thing and I can really feel it. I think having this 30 minute turnaround will make it so much easier for me to go to they gym. Aiming for 3 again this week! Muscles? Finally? Maybe!

The bad news is that I had to abort my long run on Saturday. I ran about 13 miles and just could not do any more. And I walked. Me! So.....I really thing it was the shoe switch. I have not been running in those frees for a couple of weeks and it was just so hard. So hard. Like running in sand. I was totally exhausted and just had absolutely nothing left. I was pretty sad about that. But I will do my long run next Saturday, which is when I did it last year. So I'll be on schedule. And I can feel my knee tweaked again, which is why I switched out the frees anyway! Totally forgot. But I'm not disheartened because I think I know why it happened and it doesn't make me worried for the marathon. I can do it!

Good luck today!! I'm thinking of you!

Whew!

I had a really good - and really full! - day of exercise. I ended up leaving work late again and so I almost slacked out of the gym. But I really want to go three times a week so I just talked myself into it and did it!

I had a great run this morning - 10 miles. And my pace was a lot better then it has been in some time, so I am really happy about that. No rain today, too! That's happy, for sure!

I had a drama filled day at work, so I was really happy to run hills at lunch. I really got out of the habit but I can feel myself getting stronger already. And, honestly, I think that is what is having such a positive impact on my pace. Hills are speed work in disguise, they say. And I think, for once, "they" are right!

And then the gym. I was in and out in under 30 minutes. But I did a full body workout. I'm not sure how much good I am doing in 30 minutes but I figure it is better than zero minutes!

Hope your Friday is awesome!

Oh, I finally could upload to Nike+ when I tired again tonight.

Good GORGEOUS Morning!

It's another beautiful San Diego type morning here. Perfect. I ran 4 miles outside. Sunny, no wind at all, 60 degrees. Doesn't get any better than that. And my knees felt fine this morning. No problem at all. So I'm glad for that, too. Nothing but good news from here! Hope you have a good day, too.

10% Chance of rain.......

Should have said 100%! I saw the forecast and figured I'd beat the 10% - real rain was not supposed to come until 11 am. At 6:30 I got out there and started getting wet. Yep, right from the beginning! Not really "raining". Just more of an irritant. Drizzle, I guess. But, naturally, I had my handy dandy rain gear!

I did 8 miles this morning. Yes, in the rain. I'm silly. But I was at 6.60 when I got home and I figured 8 was not much more than that! So I kept on.

Now, I will admit that I'm not feeling great. But I think I am tired because I did not sleep well last night. Not sick. I'm going to get a solid night tonight, for sure. I command it!

Calm Day

Morning to you! I hope you are feeling great this am and not too stiff and sore. You'll like your day off though!

I had my post-long run day off today. And, actually, I really felt good. I didn't even take any ibuprofen today. Although I might tonight. Soreness can make me toss and turn, which I did a bit of last night.

Anyway, I slept in today - till 7! And then I ran hills at lunch. I thought it was cold when I went outside but then realized it was just right once I started moving.

And I actually went to the gym after work! That is three times now since last week. I have a new strategy - to not torture myself. I'm going, doing 5 minutes of warm up, and then doing arms and legs. And I'm in and out in about 35 minutes. I think I can keep that up, as long as I keep the time commitment down.

Have a great day off!

Good GORGEOUS Morning!

What a beautiful morning here! Perfect running weather. Sunny, slight breeze, about 50 degrees. So I went 10 miles!!! Yes, I did! 10.02 miles in 1.41.39 so a pace of 10.08 per mile!!! I ran from home to the church. Had to add a one mile jog behind the Pepsi plant to get it to 10 miles so I did. I can hardly believe it! I am tired now and a little stiff but feeling good! And I ran the whole way. Was hoping the light would be red when I got to highway 8 at Menards so I could stop for a minute or two but it was green so I had to keep going. Had some doubts along the way but just kept moving. I feel very good about this!

Long Run

Today was my long run day and I'm wondering now if 6:30 is too early to go to bed. I'm worn out!

I did have a good run though. I went up to Miramar and did 15. Three times around. That last trip was the hardest - well, at the beginning. I really had to talk myself out of just going to my car! I kept going, but it was a close thing for a bit.

It was pretty cold (cool) out there today. In fact, I got rained on! Good thing I had my trusty rain gear! I needed it today. And it is a good thing that happened on the far side of the lake on my last round!

It was still busy there today, for all that it was cloudy and cool. And there must have been a lot of people getting to ready run the Rock and Roll marathon at the beginning of June because there were a lot of super fast people out there!

I wish I could have been lazy the rest of the day but I had a lot of stuff to do - grocery shopping, some cooking. So much laundry, I just can't even tell you! But it is all done now.

Good luck with your long run tomorrow! I bet it will be great! I sure wish I was the one picking you up!

Have to brag...

...just a little anyway! We ran the Green Bay 5K this morning and everyone did a great job! I was very pleased with my effort. Ran it in 29.17 with a pace of 9.26. I placed 9th in my age group (men 60-64) and 556 overall out of 2680 runners! So I am very pleased with that!! Tomorrow (Sunday) is a day of rest and then on Monday I go for my first 10 miler!

Different shoes

I'm not happy with the way my feet have been feeling so I pulled out an old new pair of shoes. What the heck does that mean?? Well, I got them a year ago at a running store (not RRS) but they are the same kind that RRS recommended. Anyway, I did a couple of 6 mile runs in them and then went back to my Nike Frees. And I could not return them, of course, because I ran in them! That's why I really like the policy at Road Runner. Anyway, I decided to give them another try. And the results were interesting. My right leg was very tired about 1/3 of the way through. My only thought is that I may have been favoring it in general and this morning it was able to do more of its share of the work. Because that is the foot I have the biggest problem with. But I'm also noticing a knee twinge in that same leg over the last couple of weeks, which is really why I'm trying this different shoe. I'll let you know how it goes!

Did 6 miles today and it went well. OK time. Still over 10 minute miles, but getting closer.

I did abs and pushups. Shocking, I know! And then I did hills at lunch!

Went to the last every AA Farmer's Market tonight. Sad!

Big Run

Hi! I went to bed darn early last night. I was worn out by the time I got home. But I awoke feeling good this morning - all day, actually. Being rested is one of the most important things to my mental and physical health, I think.

I had a good run today - ten miles. Last year I ran 14.19 miles on the 9th, took the 10th off and ran 5.61 on the 11. I'll probably run 6 tomorrow and 10 Friday. Gym day on Saturday, 15 on Sunday. We'll see. I really need to start doing the long runs, though. I think I'm a week behind from when I started the 15 mile weekly runs last year.

I did 2.5 hills at lunch. I went out and just had no desire to do more! So I didn't. Too big of a run today to make myself.

And, boo, I didn't go to the gym. I planned on doing it but....plans fall apart! I ate lunch so late (probably 4:30), that I was just all out of whack.

And I won't go tomorrow because I will be at the Adams Avenue Farmer's Market. The last one ever! Yep! Attendance is so low (and there are so few vendors now) that the are calling it good and closing up shop. Pretty sad, especially considering that it is summer and much more likely that people would go.

XO!

Good Morning

Bike riding morning for me so I rode 5 miles...in the wind! Very windy. Going to be hot and humid later today they are saying but this morning it was cool (52) and windy.

Home!

I was really wondering about you this morning because I checked your weather and it looked like serious rain! Good for you - and congratulations! You did it!!!

I got home around 12:30 this am and was in bed by 1, sleeping by 1:30. And then my alarm went off at 5! Dang it! But I slept till 7. So, obviously, I didn't run. But I did run hills at lunch. And that was good. I'm so out of that habit. Time to get back to it for sure.

And I made a good dinner choice tonight, so I was kind of proud of myself. I urgently need to go to the grocery store but I ended up working late and I just couldn't do it. So I was going to get slices but I saw this place called Flavors of East Africa had opened and I decided to give it a try. And I got something super good and healthy. It came with a side that is almost like grits - it is a white corn thing. But the entree was collards and cabbage. Sauteed with a sore of vinegary sauce. Very tasty! So I got healthy vegetables. Way better for me than pizza!

I sure had fun but I am worn out, let me tell you. I'm ready for bed now. Nite!

Just call me...

...the 8 mile man!!! And on the TM, too! Even I'm amazed. Angie and I planned to run to the church together this morning until a huge thunder and lightning storm woke us up at 6 am! Rained for the next 3 hours so ... down the stairs I went. Decided to only do 4 miles and get the 8 miler in later in the week but when 4 miles were done I thought I'd do 5. Then 6. Then 7. And the rest is history!! 8.05. And at a consistent pace of 10.35 and an incline of 1.5%. Lance was so proud!

Getting There!

I know I emailed you and Angie earlier and told you that I was worried about my progress last night. But I looked at my schedule last year, and I'm not terribly off. I just need to make sure I start doing a 15 miler once a week and I MUST get back to hills. That will help with my pace, more than anything.

I was too excited to sleep this am, truth be told. I was up by 4:30, in fact! (I'm so excited I could cry. For real.) So I hit the road 30 minutes early and did a 12 miler. Boy, was the end hard! But I did it! And I was surprised that my average pace was around 10:30 per mile. I thought it was slower. So that made me happy. And I did a pretty good job at hydration.

Back at it next week!

Good GORGEOUS Morning!

Wow! Just beautiful out there! 48 when I left the house and I got too warm in my sweatshirt. By the time I was at 2 miles I wished I hadn't worn it. I did 6.6 miles this morning so got half way to a half marathon. I was done though so I don't know. Taking tomorrow and Sunday off (yes, both days!) and then going for 8 miles on Monday if the weather is good.

I went north on 180th St. to 160th Ave., then east on 160th to 170th St. South on 170th to 140th Ave., then west on 140th back to 180th St. and home. I did a little extra on 140th to be sure to get to at least 6.5 miles. I think I like this route better than going east on the 6 mile block. Less hills!

Weather-y

Not REALLY weather-y, just sort of. OK, actually it was just kind of foggy/wet. But still! That's weatherish. My hair was curly today. That's always a bonus!

I had a really good run this morning. I did 7 miles - although slow. I'm OK with that. I feel like I've been off schedule so I'm ok that my pace isn't awesome. I'm more concerned about getting the consistent miles in at this point.

More tomorrow!

XO!

Good RAINY Morning

Yup, that what it is. Rainy. Temp is 40 but raining pretty good so did 4 miles on the TM again today. This morning, however, I watched the TV for a change of pace. Caught up on all the news and then some. Also did my exercises. It's supposed to stop raining by noon and then be gorgeous tomorrow so I'm hoping to get back outside then.

OY!

Today was "A DAY", let me tell you! It kind of started last night, actually. We are updating our internet connection and I stayed at work till 8 so I could be the "tester". Well, 8 rolled around and we were broken as broken can be! The worker guy wanted to finish from home so I ran back to the office around 11 to test. Good news: it works! Also good news: I slept in and went to work late!

But let me tell you, it was HOT when I got out there to run. And I was a little worried about work because it had been busy. So I kept it short - 3 miles. Came home, showered and was eating my oatmeal when work called to tell me that EVERYTHING was awry! Apparently we had not been getting all of our email delivered, so there were 50 old client emails in the queue! So I'm really glad I kept it short!

The good news is that we handled it really well. I'm super pleased with our performance. And I was even able to get out and run hills. It seemed to have cooled down by that point of the day, so that was great!

Now I'm home and resting! I'm excited for bed.

Good GORGEOUS Morning!

Gorgeous! +36 when I was ready to run and absolutely no wind, sun is shining, so I did it outside! Ran around the 4 mile block and it was beautiful out there. Then did the push ups and sit ups when I got home. Day is off to a great start! Hope you have a good one, too. (+55 here now and goint to +68 they say!)

Good Morning

Nice and sunny here this morning and no wind at all.....but it was only 24 when I got up and only 28 when I was ready to run.....so 4 miles on the TM....again. Going into the 60's today and the rest of the week so maybe.....

Behind!

I didn't post about our day yesterday! We just did a short run - three miles. Into Kensington. It was good - but hot! Yep, waited till the hottest part of day, yet again. That's what happens when I'm in charge, I guess.

That's all I've got! Today was off. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Good Morning

And happy birthday to you!

I was supposed to do my first 8 mile run this morning but it's too damn cold out there!! +31 and very windy so I just didn't do it. Instead I ran 4 miles on the TM and hope to get the 8 miler in one day later in the week....if it warms up a little.