Long(est) Run(since Grandma's)

I did a 6 mile run today! Why? Just felt like it! And it was really fun. Maybe it makes a difference that I did it because I wanted to verses doing it because I HAVE to.

My pace was a little over 10 minutes miles, but that's OK.

I had to work super late tonight, so I am going to take tomorrow off.

Thanks again for telling me about your t-shirt experience! I'm so excited about that!

Netflix!

Today was a Netflix day! I did the one full video. It is an ab based video but it is cardio and floor work. About 40 minutes. And then I did the 10 minute pilate video I've been doing. And I was so tired I didn't even do the last exercise! It was hard!

I did hills at lunch today too.

I'm so frustrated with my weight. Especially with this cruise coming up.

XO

Boo work!

Yes, I did have another irritating incident today. This time an employee pitched an absolute amazing tantrum. Here is the thing - I do like this guy. So I'm mainly concerned about him and his stress level. That said, everything I can do to reduce his stress will have an edge of punitiveness to it. Oh well!

I did a 3 mile run this am. Foot felt (mostly) fine. I was very slow today and I just really wasn't interested in running, truthfully. But I always figure, "I'm up. Might as well do it!" So I did. No abs today - I needed a break!

I ran hills at lunch - and I really needed to get out of the office today, let me tell you!

And then we went to the gym tonight. I just did 5 minutes of cardio as a warm-up and then I lifted weights. The weird thing is that my foot felt find all day until I did a hip abductor exercise. This one:

http://www.fitlink.com/exercise?type=machine&exercise=hip+abduction

So I really think this problem is related to my right hamstring and how tight it is. I've been stretching it, but maybe need to do more.

Weird eating day today! Lots of snacks but no formal meals. On the plus side, they were all healthy snacks. Like a handful of nuts. And a lot of fruit. Tonight my dinner will be:

Asparagus (currently eating)
Cereal and yogurt (homemade!)
Figs (I cannot even believe I found those at this time of year!)
Grapes or cherries

Today I had the most amazing stone fruit. It was a kind of pluot (apricot/plum mix). It actually tasted like a sweet tart!

Have a great night!

Good Morning

Another gorgeous morning here and not nearly so humid as yesterday. Temporary reprieve they are saying. Heat and humidity coming in tomorrow and into the 90's by the weekend.

I ran 2 miles north again and back. Time was good and pace was 10.16 so I was happy with that. Also did my sit ups and push ups. Took Abba with me today. Forgot to say I took Barry with me yesterday.

I registered for that Wannigan Days 5K in SCF on the 16th. Did I tell you that already? Anyway, I did. So, that will be my next event. Then I am thinking about a half marathon in Red Wing on July 30th. Could be very warm and if it's hot and humid I probably wouldn't do it even if I was registered. Thinking about it though.

Running!

I had a really good run today. I'm working on my pace, too. And it is getting better. Well, if I'm going as far as I think I am!! Also, I went 3.08 miles Saturday and 3.01 today. Exact same route, of course!

No dogs for me today, but it sure was humid here, too! Now, nothing in comparison to yours. And I know that for a fact. But we're weaker people out here so we have to complain about something like our little bit of humidity!

Today I did a new to me ab video. New one but the kind that is cut into 10 minute segments. So I did the abs and the exercises were fine but, I tell you, the host lady is sooo irritating. I don't know if I'll do it again! Just unnatural and I felt like I was in kindergarten. "Oh, you're doing sooo great running with those rounded scissors!" And it was very practiced - sounded like a very memorized script. So I don't think I'll do that again (well, maybe!) because I have others I really like.

Good Morning

Well, I almost didn't do it this morning. My right leg kind of bothered me all day yesterday. I'm sure when I turned to confront those dogs on Saturday I pulled something down there. But this morning it felt fine so I decided I would give it a try and see how it was. And it was great! Didn't bother me at all. I went 2 miles north on 180th and back and had my best pace in weeks...10.18! I was very pleased and surprised! I think that will be my route this week and I'm going to see if I can get down to 10.0 per mile. Very glad I went. Then I did my sit ups and push ups when I got home. Gorgeous morning here but a little on the humid side. I was happy to turn south and into the wind this morning!

Ouch say the abs!

Woooo boy are my abs smarting tonight! It wasn't too bad this morning, but I did that entire video today (not just the floor part). And the first part isn't so much "just cardio" like I thought. It is cardio, but ab focused cardio. Anyway, it actually was fun. And it must work since my abs are letting me know they are irritated with me!

I also ran today, for better or worse. I did 3 miles - the Kensington route. It was hot! And lots of traffic. My problem tonight is that my foot hurts. Did they take an MRI of your foot? I think I'll ask for an xray and MRI (if that's what you had).

Enjoy your day off!

Love you!

Good Morning

I stayed in bed until 7:15 this morning even though I first woke up at 5:30 and just dozed off and on after that. I laid there thinking about last Saturday morning! Glad I was in bed this week.

But I did get up and run the 4 mile route around the block. First real run since the race and it was fine. Wanted to work on my pace and did. 10.26 per mile. But those damn dogs came out at me again today so I might have to just be satisfied going north and south on 180th Street. Too bad because I like saying that "I ran around the block." Then I started doing the 60 sit ups and 60 push ups again, too. That was work after about 10 days off! So I hope I am back on track. I took the cast of Glee with me this morning and thank you again for that!

I don't think I'll register for that half in Minneapolis on the 4th. They are predicting temps in the high 80's and low 90's by the end of this week and over the holiday weekend. I can't run in that weather even though it starts at 6:30 am. I am going to run the Wannigan Days 5K in SCF on July 16th though.

Have a good day!

Stuff and Things

I did a bunch of stuff and things today! And I had a healthy food day again. So, two days in a row. That is good.

Today I found a new workout video. It is 45-ish minutes long, and I only did the ab part at the end, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. It was HARD! But my abs don't feel super sore tonight, which is odd.

I did run hills at lunch. I had a super stressful day today and needed to get the heck out of the office. I'll email you separately on that topic.

And I did the gym tonight, even though I didn't want to go. I really wanted to go home but I figured I should work out my angst. And muscles don't build themselves!

Like I said, a healthy food day. I ate a lot of fruit and veggies.

We are still having serious June Gloom here! I'm ready for some sun!

Extreme Icing!

I really did serious icing today and....I hate it! Brrrrr! But I'll do what I need to do. I feel like I should hold off running till things seem "normal".

As I typed that I realized, duh!, that I'm going to be reporting that I ran hills at lunch! I did 5 and it was so much fun to be out there and do them. I missed it!

I did that ab video this am, again. Geesh, it is hard! It is cut into 10 minutes segments so it was just 10 minutes of abs. Totally doable.

And then I did the elliptical at the gym for 20 minutes.

Home and had a healthy dinner. Just tallied up my calories and I ended up the day at 1370. Pretty good - maybe I can have a snack!

Dang, it is hard how those calories add up!

Did you know that an entire cup of asparagus only has 27 calories??? Yay asparagus I love you!

Day off and gym and....cruise!

So, it hit me today. I have a cruise coming up in a few SHORT weeks. I have some serious work to do. Yep, time to pull out the food journal and food scales!

I did go to the gym today. I did the elliptical for 20 minutes - running style. And then I did some serious weight lifting.

I made a grocery store trip and have a house full of healthy food. I really need to buckle down.

Tonight my right ankle is really sore and the bottom of that foot hurts. That is the one that looked bruised post run. I am going to engage in some serious icing. If this persists beyond this weekend, I'm going straight to the doctor. I don't want to mess around with this.

I'll do something tomorrow! Wish I was doing something with YOU!

Good RAINY Morning

Yes, more rain, thunder and lightning here this morning. Rained off and on all day yesterday and will do so again today they say.

So I did 2 miles on the TM this morning just to see how it would go. It went fine but I could sure feel it in the backs of my legs. Knees were fine so no problem there and those muscles back there are just sore I'm sure. So, back at it!

I still have the 2 lbs I put on last week though in all my nervous eating before the big run. I'm going to lose it though. Oh, yes, I am!

Feeling Good

No run this morning but just reporting that I feel pretty good. Knees and legs seem fine. I'm kind of surprised actually. I expected more pain! Maybe I'll have to do this again!

The only bad news is that in spite of the run on Saturday I gained 2 lbs over the weekend!! How did that happen? Must have been those biscuits and gravy for breakfast yesterday morning!

Yes We Did!

We did it!!

Yes we did! Congratulations to all 3 of us!! What an exhilarating experience to actually do this! Thanks for the motivation and encouragement!

Just for the record my time for the half was 2 hours, 23 minutes, 55 seconds.

Good Luck!!!

Today is the day - no matter what our ticker says!!

An old coworker of mine is a runner and she used to work at RRS. And she said she doesn't know of any family that runs together like we do. She knows of families with one runner and the family supports that runner, but not with so many members being involved with the running aspect. Pretty cool!

Good luck, my Fitnatic BFF! I love you!

Great Run!

It was a great day for the 3rd annual Fitnatics 5K! And we did it!! Yes, we did! Everybody ran and had a great, great time. Good warm up for the marathon weekend which is now just one day away!

Short Run

As in a mile! Yep, short. I just wasn't so into this am, which I'm OK with. It was a really fast outdoor run though, for all it was tiny short!

Pretty excited. And nervous. I wonder how it will all turn out and how my pace will be. We'll know soon enough!

See you tomorrow!

My Last Training Run

It's a gorgeous morning here and I ran 6.2 miles outside. I have to admit that my knees were starting to bother me by the time I was done though so I don't know how it will go on Saturday but I'll just do the best I can do. I plan to take Aleve before leaving the hotel which I didn't do this morning. I also didn't eat anything and didn't have any Stingers or anything to take and that might have given me a boost. The new shirt was great though!

And, except for the Fitnatics 5K, I am just going to rest now.

Only 5 days!

Quick Update

I had another really good run at the gym today. No matter what my nike + uploaded, I did 6 miles in about 54 minutes! This makes me feel pretty good about my potential marathon pace. Obviously I can't maintain today's pace for 26 miles, but I can do better than I was thinking I could do!

I did some abs stuff when I got home.

I tested out my new shorts today. I don't want to do anything new the day of the race, that's for sure! So I will bring pants and shorts and just see what I need the day of.

See you SOON!

Great run!

Geesh, how long has it been since I have said that? I feel like it has been a looong time. But I really did have a great run today and it has made me think of how I'll train for my next marathon.

I was considering going on a longish run today - like 15 miles. But my concern is not at all about my ability to do the distance. It is about my pace. So I decided to sacrifice distance and work on speed. And I've tried that a couple of times recently, with disheartening results. I think I'm going fast, but it isn't really.

So today I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. Enforced pace! No guess work. And I ran over six miles in under an hour. My average pace was 9:22 (if I remember correctly). And it was great because it was really hard but I kept it up over 6 miles. And that is way faster than I want to run on Saturday. But I'm going to do it again tomorrow. Try to get used to going a little faster.

It was great, mentally, too. It was hard but it made me feel excited again. I guess I've been kind of down on my running because of my pace.

I'm going to incorporate treadmill running into my training from now on. When I was running so fast a few months ago, I was running at the gym maybe once a week. And I think that really helped me have a fast pace outside.

Boy, we are sooo close! Can't wait!

Much Better!

Not my pace, but my emotional state! I've been soooo soooo crabby. So crabby. Like punch, scratch (eyes), pull hair crabby. And tonight I went to the farmer's market in North Park and it was just like my world got shoved back into alignment. Bonus: smiling accordion guy was the entertainment there tonight! I love him but I've only seen him at the Saturday market!

Today I waaay slept in. Till like 5:18. Just totally ignored my alarm clock. And then running time rolled around and I really wished I had stayed in bed. So I decided to do a short run. I did 3 miles as fast as I could. Which may have been -10 minutes per mile, or may have been 20 minutes per mile. Who knows!

Then I did the legs and abs pilates video. Man, that is so hard. I'll feel it tomorrow!

I can't even believe it is almost time.

See you Tuesday!!!

Oh, Angie says the shirts are AWESOME!!

Emotional Status: Grrrr!

Pace: UNKNOWN
Distance: UNKNOWN

Man, I'm just about to give up on all tracking. I don't know how far I'm going. I don't know my pace. So frustrating.

I recalibrated at the lake yesterday, but I have zero idea if that's accurate. I just find it so hard to believe that I'm going as slow as my Nike+ is telling me. But maybe I am. Who knows. I don't! I'm just at a point where I don't trust any of it. I have no idea if I'm accurate now.

But I did have a good run. I THINK it was about 6 miles. But what do I know!!

Ouch!

My calves hurt! It is kind of nuts. This has never happened to me before. But they are just really sore and it started after my run yesterday and continues today. And they didn't hurt during my run. Just after. So odd!

I took today semi-off. I ended up going in for a couple of hours. But I did go up to Miramar and I ran 10. I was going to do more, but I waited too late in the day and it was too hot. But not 100 degrees hot! Dang, you're sweltering there!

Hope you're doing ok!

Aching!

I'm having a day of aching! First, my weekend was an absolute bust when it came to running. I ended up working all day on Saturday. And I mean 7:30 to 5 all day. So no running. And then I just was so....exhausted on Sunday. No idea why. And I worked a little bit Sunday, too.

Today I had to force myself out of bed! Nuts! But I did and I made myself run, too. I did 10 miles today. Really really nice day. Perfect, actually.

And that's it! Worked trough lunch - boo me! But I will tell you that I am taking tomorrow off and part of Wednesday! So I'll do a good run tomorrow. Probably up at the lake.

I'm sure glad your knees are hanging in there! I'd like to do that run you did today with you someday. I bet it was beautiful!

Good Morning

Hot and humid here today but I did something I never do on Mondays. I set my alarm for 6 am so I could run before it got too hot. However, it still got too hot! I went up to Centuria and ran on the Gandy Dancer Trail. Very nice. Level. Mostly in the shade going north from Centuria. So I went 3 miles north and then back to the car for a 2nd water bottle. Then 1 mile north again and back. Did 8 miles. Wanted to do 10 but it was just too hot and humid. Was afraid I would have a heat stroke. So that's my last long run before the race. I don't know. I had to walk some of the last 2 miles but that was due to heat. My knees were pretty much ok - an occasional pain but nothing to stop me. However, I was feeling some stress in my plantar fascia in that right foot today! Where did that come from? It's been fine for a year! So I'm going to wear that sock tonight I think. It seems fine now so I don't know. I'm still really wondering if I can actually do 13 miles. My pace was terrible today, too, because of the walking. So we'll soon find out.

Good GORGEOUS Morning!

Oh, what a perfect, beautiful, gorgeous morning here! 68, sunny, just enough breeze. Heaven must be like this! Lay Sunday at PLC today so I am off and playing hokey from church! Shhh....

So, I went for a 4 mile run around the block. No dogs this morning so it was perfect! Left knee started to bother at 3 miles but I kept going. Planning a 10 miler tomorrow for my last big run so we'll see. Sure hope I can do it. If not, I will be in the cheering section I'm afraid. But I'm not giving it up yet. Knee feels fine now so no after effects apparently. Have outside work to do today so will see what the day brings.

Have a good one!

Not 100%.........

.....but 100% better! If that makes any sense. I really do feel like a new person. But a new sick person.

I did an 8 mile run this morning. I wanted to do 10, but I just didn't have it in me. It took me a long time to fall asleep last night, so that might be why I didn't have enough oomph. Oh, yeah, plus I'm sick.

I did pushups and abs when I got back.

Have not been to the gym all week and I sure feel bad about that. Sunday I'll go!

I need to get another long run in, too. I'm planning 15 for Saturday. Gotta do it. I feel like my training is behind, although it is really not. Just performance anxiety, I guess!

Not Such A Good Morning

It was +49 when I was ready to go but, again, very windy and it felt cold out there. I decided I just didn't want to fight it. So, I went down to the TM. And it's a good thing because I quit at 2 miles!

We went to the Osceola Braves games last night to hear Megan sing the National Anthem. She was excellent, of course, but when we left after the first inning I fell in the bleachers and must have pulled a muscle in my left groin area because it was really hurting while running this morning. I finally just quit at 2 miles! I'm sure it's nothing serious or permanent and just needs rest which it will get because I won't run now until Saturday morning in Eau Claire. Last night when I fell I thought the only thing I hurt was my pride. Guess not.

I really, really need a 10 mile run on Monday for my confidence to return. It's been a bad 2 weeks here in the running department.

Another day....

Not much to report today. I got up and felt a lot better this am, so I did a 6 mile run. And I did abs when I got home.

And then I steadily felt worse all day long! This is very sad. Today it is mostly my ears that are aching. I suppose there is just a lot of pressure in there.

Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow.

And I do feel...well, not better today. But different than yesterday. So that's something!

Good Morning

I ran 4 miles out there this morning. 2 miles north and then back. Had a big scare with dogs yesterday going around the block so just avoided them today. Cool and very windy so it was a challenge today, too, but very different from yesterday in the humidity. Went well today in spite of the wind.

I really need to do 6 miles tomorrow so will maybe see those dogs again. Hope not. Yesterday was the first time they've come out on the road and nipped and barked at me. Then taking Friday off to drive to Eau Claire by 9 am for our Synod Assembly. On Saturday in Eau Claire there is a little 5K being run as part of the Assembly to raise money for malaria nets and I think I'll do that. Very informal run. No timing, no registration, no t shirts! Maybe no runners! I'll let you know.