And goodbye July!

Another filing month down. Yay! I only did half of my menu today and that was the 5 mile run this morning. I was going to do hills at lunch but I had a stomach ache. Yes! Me! Crazy. So I took it easy. I did do some ab stuff after my run this am, though. Plank things.

"Day Off"

Yep, in quotes. Why? Because I did not sleep at all last night! Tossed and turned like mad. And I was up at 5:30 today! So I figured I could go to work super early (oh, no way!) or go to the gym. So I went to the gym. I only did 10 minutes of cardio. 5 walking on the treadmill at 15% and 5 on TSWTH. Then I did weights. Then I went home. I did run hills today. Nice day! We've had a couple hot days, but nothing too terrible. My running menu for tomorrow tells me I'll be having 5 miles with a side of hills. Delicious!

And it begins

It's time for training to start in earnest. I was looking at the Grandma's plan the other day and realized that I should already be completing week 6! Yikes! So I am working on a schedule and I ran today based on the week 6 long run. Today I ran 9 miles. Which was....hard. Because all month I've only been running 3 miles! So that was a pretty major increase in miles. And it was slow, but I did it. And I questioned my ability, not gonna lie! I also slept in today. I've not been sleeping well - maybe 5 to 6 hours a night. And this has been all month (yep, it's a filing month). But last night I slept a full 8 hours. OK, well at least 7.5! But I woke up just before 9. And then I had The Coffee Incident. I totally forgot to put my pot under the drip last night. And....well, mess. Anyway, it was 11 before I hit the road and pretty warm. But I had some honey and some kefir before I left and I brought my beverage pak so I felt as prepared as I could be! And, like I said, success. I am really going to try and follow a training program for once. I'm going to use the Grandma's novice program. So week 7 starts tomorrow! With a sweet day off. Ha!

Good Morning

Great morning!  I slept and I slept well and I slept late - 7:30!  and it all felt great.  And it's a gorgeous morning here.  Just perfect!  So, I decided to go for broke and run 2 miles.  Yes, run.  And I did.  But, oh my, am I ever out of shape!!!  I had all I could do to keep myself going but I did.  Left Achilles tendon is a little sore now but so be it.  Now, we're going to the Polk County Fair for a couple hours so more walking.  Then home to mow the lawn so more work.  I have to get myself back in shape.  And I will.

Great run (!) and more visiting!

Well, I had a great run this morning. My time was 9:53! I was soooo thrilled! I've been clocking in a lot of 11 minute miles and, more recently, 10:30~ minute miles. My last "good" pace was the Fitnatics 5K which I think was 9:40ish. And that was an aberration to a degree because I guess I just don't really push myself when I'm alone. So what's the difference? I honestly think it's Runner's World. I really haven't been keeping up on my reading and I have been going through my old, unread issues and I've found myself feeling so less "blah" about it and getting excited. So I think it's mental. I think. Who knows! But that reminds me, did you read the excerpt from 14 Minutes in the May issue? I'd like to read that book. Sounds like it is really good. So I did 3 miles this am. And I did hills at lunch. AGAIN! Two days in a row! And I had two people talk to me today. There's a new homeless guy I've seen a couple of times on the Kensington/Normal Heights bridge. And the other AM I was just thinking of what a hard life that has to be. Even out here where it really never gets too cold. Anyway, this morning I saw him on my way out and then he was still there on my way back in. And when I passed him he waved and I said, "Morning!" and then he clapped a little bit and then gave me thumbs up and said, "Morning! You're doing such a good job!" And that really made my day. More than a faster pace. And it makes me think about all the curves and turns in life that bring us to where we are. Who knows. He could have been a runner in high school. He could have received a track scholarship or had Olympic dreams. Or he could have just been a normal kid who figured he'd have a house and family and never dreamed he be a homeless guy in San Diego cheering on some girl running across a bridge. The second was when I was running hills. There is this older Asian lady I see often. She always walks with this little umbrella! And today when I ran by her we said hi and she said, "I haven't seen you in soooo long!" Read with a heavy accent! And I said, "I know!" Much typing. My fingers are nubs now!

It's back!

Man, my right hamstring is tight again today. It's been so great so that makes it extra irritating! I could feel it last night. I didn't take any ibuprofen today, so I'll do that now. And I did do some stretching. I was feeling a little blah today (I think I've said before, July is catching up!!) so I went to the gym but took it pretty easy. I did the treadmill for.....15 minutes? At the full 15% incline. But I just walked. And then I lifted weights. I also ran hills at lunch! Yes, you heard me! I did! It was beautiful out! So yet another person talked to me today, this time at the gym. That's three people in three days! Anyway, he was this giant meat-head guy. So tall (over 6 feet, I'm sure) with just gigantic muscles. And I was thinking to myself, "He has to be using roids. Must." He was there with a workout partner. So I go over to this leg press machine. This kind: Sorry, that image is giant. Anyway, giant man came over to a squat machine by me and then about 10 minutes later his workout pal came over. And they were talking and this guy had a crazy deep voice. He then turns to me and kneels down and says, "Hey, want me to stand on that? I'll add some weight for you!" And I said, "NO THANKS!" And then we both laughed. And he said, "Well, it's supposed to be hard!" Anyway, funny, weird, and odd!

Another Visit!

I had someone else talk to me today! Weird, two days in a row! I was just leaving my place and a guy with a tiny dog waved to me - so excitedly! And then he said, "You're that girl I see every day!" And then we visited a bit about running and my route and he said, "I see you leave and then I see you come back and I think - I've only walked two blocks!" And I said, "Maybe someday you'll decided to come out and run with me!" And then he chuckled, so I chuckled, and we parted ways. I'm sooo sore today! I think it's from the lunges yesterday. But it could also be that I'm picking up my pace a bit. Anyway, today I only ran. No pushups or abs or lunges. But I am doing ibuprofen. That's something! I weighed myself today for the first time in a long time and things are good on that front. I've been afraid - I blame the heat and inevitable ice cream!

Happy Monday!

And it is a happy Monday, because I know that you are feeling better! Or were. Are you still on the upswing? I had a good run this morning. 3 miles. I felt like I was going super fast! But, alas, it turns out I was only going a little less slow. But I had a good time and that's what counts. I also did lunges, ab stuff, and situps. Today when I did lunges outside a lady stopped to talk to me about them. She said she would try to remember to do them!

Speed Work

As you know, my slowness is making me nuts. Well, as you probably know. Or can tell. Or have come to understand. Geesh. Get on with it, Julie! Anyway, today I did 3 miles but did bursts of speed throughout the run. Probably 10 times for 30 to 60 seconds. Just as fast as I could. It was good but challenging. I really am feeling out of shape. I did some pushups and ab work upon my return. Now I'm having oatmeal featuring white peaches and soon I'll be having more coffee. Then? Video games! I honestly haven't played for months. I won't play long, maybe an hour. I am meeting a friend for coffee and I have a million unfinished home projects. You should see my bedroom! You'd think a 16 year old lives in there, not a 39 year old!

Slow Run

July is catching up with me. I was worn out from before I rolled out of bed! I did run, even though I wasn't feeling it! But I'm glad I did it. It was a beautiful day. So good to be out and about, that's for sure. I had a delicious massage tonight and I bet I'll sleep like...well, I don't know. The saying is 'like a baby' but I never understand that as they pee all over themselves and that's not something to which I particularly aspire. But I bet I'll sleep well.

No Report

Well, I'm making a report about the fact that I have nothing to report! Except for the fact That I have the best boyfriend ever! I didn't run this am due to work. So I left the office early with the intention of running and then working from home the rest of the day. But that was not to be because I got a flat tire on my way home! On the 15!!! Yes, that totally busy road. Very scary! I called Bart to tell him that I was on the 15 and calling the mechanic to (hopefully) come fetch me and he said, "No! I will come and put on your spare!" And he totally did! HERO! Anyway, now I have new tires. Yes, plural. Cause I needed them - and I have known I needed them. So I'm feeling pretty irresponsible here tonight, to tell you the truth.

Runnin

It's me! Again! I really had some slack days here, so I'm happy to be able to present two posts in a row! Today I just ran again. 3 miles. All was fine. I tell you, my hamstring is still better. Such a relief because it really was causing me troubles. But way better and my foot is better. Which makes me happy but doesn't surprise me because I didn't think it was plantars as much as an issue tied to the hamstring. Because whenever that muscle was tight, my foot ached more. Anyway, good news on that front. So happy to report it! The festival of smoothies continues! Today I had chard, spinach, raw red beet (peeled, of course. I'm not an animal!), and frozen strawberries. It was delicious. And I really mean that! Did 5 pushups today. OUCH. I really need to get back on those. I have serious upper body weakness.

I'm back!

Whew, I've had some downtime, huh? Well, I've been pretty busy and I did a lot of walking and work this weekend. So I won't feel too terrible about it. I did run today. I actually had a work from home day. And that's all I did - work! I was hoping to sneak in a pedicure, but no luck. But I did get a good run in. 3 miles. So that's that. More tomorrow! Sure am anxious for your appointment tomorrow. I know you won't get an answer tomorrow, but at least it's movement.

Better time

Well, a much better showing today. So I don't know why yesterday was so darn slow. But today was a good run! And I'm kind of surprised because I worked till 3 am! But I slept till 7 am. More tomorrow........I think!

Speedwork WHAT?

After my speedwork yesterday, I figured I'd be flying this morning! Like qualifying for Boston! But, alas, no! I actually was slower than I've been for a long time! Well, a couple weeks anyway. I need to get a plan together for October. I can't believe how quickly that is approaching. I'm getting emails about the SD half. I'm going to sign up again. My leg feels a lot better today. I've had so much chronic pain I've been ignoring. But yesterday I decided to put some shoe inserts into my running shoes. And today my leg doesn't hurt. So....we'll see if that continues.

Catching up

I knew what a fartlec was!!  You should have asked me.  I googled that a long time ago because I had no clue when I first saw the word used.  I didn't ask you because I didn't want to appear uninformed!

You are doing so well!  Keep up the good work and you'll be ready for that marathon in the fall for sure.

I have been running 2 miles every other morning or so.  Neither the heel or the groin is 100% and I can feel both of them but I've just kept going.  Not too bad while I'm running but I do get very stiff and sore after I sit around for a while.  I ran on Monday and Tuesday mornings even though it was too hot to do so by 8:30 am when I was out there.  So I don't know what to do.  I'm not running now on the trip home and probably won't again until Monday.  I don't suppose I'll run on Saturday because i will need to get to the office and see what's been going on and to get ready for Sunday.  So a few more days rest.  I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get my old form back.  When I'm running I'm doing about 10.5 minute miles so that's good.  And Mom says it doesn't look like I'm limping or favoring one side or the other so that's good, too.  But at the moment I can't imagine getting around the 4 mile block at home. 


I got the emails about the San Diego half next March.  I would love to do that again but will have to see how things go.  Two years ago I was off all summer because of that plantar faciitis and now this summer is going to be lost, too.  Maybe I'm just an every other year kind of guy!

I'm thinking now that I will take a couple of PT sessions on that left heel and see how it feels and what I can learn.  Haven't decided about getting new orthotics yet although....I did run 2 times on the farm without them in and while that seemed to go ok I felt better when I put them back in the shoes.

Enough for tonight.

Did it!

So, yesterday I did not do speed work. I just did a straight 3 mile run. But today I did and it was really hard! I only ended up going a little over 1 mile and I was really worn out! I just went to the end of the block and started slow running up and down the block twice. Then I ran up as fast as I could and, on the return, I ran slow for recovery. And I did that until I just didn't have gas anymore to go fast! And then I did some ab stuff. Then I ate ice cream at work.

Well, thank you RW!

How many times have I wondered what, exactly, is a fartlec? Many times! Now, I've not wondered quite hard enough to actually look it up, but I have wondered. And now I know! It is just run hard, recover, run hard, recover. I thought it was much more mysterious. Mostly because it would be mentioned but never explained! So, thank you RW for finally explaining! I'm going to do them tomorrow. I've been slacking a bit. I think I've just been stressed and discombobulated. But I did run today and I did 3 miles. My pace is improving, which is such a relief. It was pretty darn hot by the time I got out there. I did lunges today, too. Fartlec day is tomorrow!

Doing stuff and catching up!

Hi! I'm here! I guess I've been a slacker with posting. Geesh! Well, I'm not sure what I have to report. I did not run Friday because I figured my mechanic would call the second I left. And so I did not leave thereby guaranteeing he never called at all! And I did run on Saturday, as well. I've been doing three mile runs and my pace is improving. Once I'm back to 10 minute miles, I'll start adding distance. Today I ran 3 miles and I did lunges for a bit. I can really feel those! I also did some abs work (plank things). And I ran hills today! We were busy and I didn't think I would get out but I made it a priority and it happened. Yay! PS - my smoothies continue to be awesome. Yesterday I washed and chopped chard, kale, and spinach so I could easily use them during this week. I hope they last!