Gandy Dancer Day

I ran 6 miles on the Gandy Dancer this morning from Al's Diner in Centuria to the Info Center in St. Croix Falls.  Not another soul on the trail anywhere today.  Beautiful run.  Leaves starting to turn but only the sumac is really colorful yet.  About 60 degrees and pretty windy in the open spaces but there aren't many of those along the trail as you know.  Mostly in the trees.  I love that trail!  Didn't break any records this morning but did it in 1.02 so I was happy with that.  I ran too soon after eating breakfast though.  I know I need 90 minutes at least so was burping up some oatmeal at 4 miles which wasn't too pleasant.  Other than that, a very nice run. Wish you had been here to enjoy it with me!

Dry! / 3 miles

Wow, it's dry today.  I thought we would have hot winds, too, but looks like maybe we're just getting the Santa Ana dryness.  Looks like we're at our high (so they say!) of 84 with 15% humidity.

I did a quick 3 mile run today and called it good!

Say, I cannot recall if I sent you this article before:  http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2013/08/quick-study-neuroscience

Interesting!

Windy Morning

It's supposed to start raining sometime this morning and it's been very windy ever since we got up so it just might blow something in.  Temp was 60 when I was ready to go but I opted to run on the TM because of the wind.  Two weeks from today I'll have to run out there no matter what the weather (Whistlestop) but today I had a choice and I chose to stay inside.  Good strong run and then did my exercises.

Pilates Fun

I finally got to a pilates class this week!  And it was really really fun again!  I'm glad I could go at lunch because one of my coworkers was sharing her crank and negativity so I got out and had a great time.  And it got me back on track.

I suspect I will be very sore tomorrow!  But that's ok.  Lots of upper body stuff and that is what I really need to work on.  I'm in good shape but my upper body is week, comparatively. 

I had a really weird night of sleep last night!  I woke up at 3:33.  I thought my alarm when off.  But I opened my phone to turn it off and saw that it wasn't my alarm and that it was a disgusting time to get up anyway!  So my sleepy brain then thought someone must have called me and that is why my phone was making noise.  But no.  Nobody called.  And, let's face it, my phone didn't make any noise.  I must have dreamed it!

But I was awake.  And I almost got up.  But I made myself stay in bed and I did fall back asleep. 

Good Morning

And it is a good morning, too.  Slept well, feeling good, don't have the flu!  61 here at 7am.  Ran the 3 miles outside and went well.  Did my exercises when I got home.  Now off to work.

Tired! / 3 miles

Woo boy, I'm tired today.  Busy week.  But I did run today, even though I wasn't really feeling it.  Just kind of worn and blah.  Got it done, though.

Weights were lifted, too!

Unique Excuse = Flu Shot

Yeah, you saw that right.  I had a flu shot yesterday afternoon and by last evening I was so stiff and "achy" I thought I was getting the flu!  Neck, shoulders, back....all just very achy.  I couldn't go to sleep and was up until after 1:00 am.  So you know what happened when the alarm went off at 6:00 am!  I moved it to 7:00 and rolled over.  Feel fine this morning so it was just the shot doing its thing I guess.  Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Good Run

48 and no wind at all at 7:00 am so I ran outside.  Very nice.  Went well.  I tried running like Megan showed me but I couldn't get it.  Will have to have another lesson and keep trying.  Not natural for me that's for sure.

See my other note about the Garmin.

Quick Run / 3 miles

I didn't think if have time to run today because I knew if be so busy. But I did and I'm glad because my teacher had to cancel piano tonight. Her friend was in the hospital. So I did have more than enough time!

Hot though. And it is going to warm up here again. We will see 90 this weekend I guess!

A Fresh Start

Ok, so I got up at 6:00 and got back into my normal morning routine.  Devotions, run, exercises, breakfast, computer....and pretty soon work.   Wonder how that will change in a month.  Won't be getting up at 6 that's for sure!

Did my 3 on the TM this morning. 47 outside and not too windy but still dark and I don't like running in the dark.  Afraid someone will run me over!  Good run on the TM though and exercises went well so I'm back on track.

Tried running like Megan showed me last night....more pushing off with the front of my foot...hard to do but it does change your gait.  The Army says that's the way to do it.  She's running 7 minute miles!  But I don't know what she can do over a longer distance.

I heard from Garmin support and they will repair the watch for $89 plus tax and shipping.  So, a hundred bucks?  Think I'd rather buy a new one.  The cheapest model is $129 but doesn't work with a foot pod.  Well, I don't really need that when I'm inside on the TM anyway.  Thinking about it.  Maybe I should look at Craigslist!

Good Run / 3 Miles

Well, I finally got back out there today.  As you already know, I was pretty committed to it based on the fact that I knew I was having a cheeseburger for lunch.  And I did.  And it was delicious!

So, 3 miles.  Pretty good pace.  Better than it has been, anyway. 

Beautiful day here. 

Say, I seem to be getting some arm muscles.  Yay pushups!  And, yep, did pushups today.

Slow Run

Can't really explain it.  Weather was nearly perfect.  48 when I left the house, very light breeze out of the west, not raining.  Had a good night's sleep.  Nothing hurt anywhere.  But I went around the 6 mile block and felt like I walked as much as I ran.  6.07 miles in 1 hour 5 minutes so about 6 minutes off my best pace on the Gandy Dancer.  Of course, no uphills on the Gandy Dancer!  So, not the best effort but I got it done.

The lap/reset (save) button on my Garmin is just plain done I guess.  The thing will save the run when I connect it to the computer.  Apparently the software is set to do that so for now that's what I'll have to do. Connect it after every run and let the software do its thing.  Not really a problem as long as I've got the desktop or laptop with me.

Outside

It was 56 at 7 am, cloudy, and calm winds so I ran the 3 outside this morning.  Felt good to be back out there.  Went fine.  Did all my exercises when I got home.

Having trouble with my Garmin.  Have had some trouble with the buttons not working over the last couple of months but this morning the "save this run" button will not work at all.  Have reset it according to instructions to no avail.  Will play with it some more tonight.

Pilates

I decided to go to a pilates class today.  It's more of a resistance training class and didn't require any cardio type stuff, so my ankle was not "worked".  But the rest of me was and I'm exhausted.  I actually cannot believe how wearing these classes are.  I suppose it's just so different my body is confused!

I really want to keep working on my upper body strength.  Pushups will help!

My ankle feels good today but I have been resting it and will continue to do so.

Indoors Again

58 degrees when I got up and thought I would run outside in spite of intense fog and some wind.  Really, really foggy.  But then it started to rain and because I'm trying desperately to protect my health here in these last few weeks I decided not to run out there and get wet and chilled.  While I was on the TM Mom said it poured for about 15 minutes so glad I was inside.  Anyway, did the 3 miles plus the pushups and situps.

And ouch! / 3 miles

I almost titled this "brrrr" but I already didn't tell you I hurt myself when I talked to you (cause I didn't want to even think about it!) and I think I was going to avoid it again.  So I decided to name it ouch and tell you I've hurt myself.  I know how, though.  And I won't do that anymore!

Runner's World has this article online: http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/the-body-shop-arch-enemy?cm_mmc=NL-TrainingExtra-_-1423152-_-09102013-_-Cure-Chronic-Plantar-Fasciitis

Exercise 3 is my culprit, I am pretty sure.  Anyway, I have a very very tender ankle.  And I ran on it even though it hurt!  It stopped hurting after warmup.  But I'm sure having trouble here tonight just walking around.

So I might take tomorrow off running.  Just to let it rest.  And I'll stick to the other exercises they show!

Cool Morning

44 so above ny minimum threshold but quite windy so it was cold out there.  I opted for the TM and did my 3 miles there.  Went fine.  Also did the pushups and situps and they went better today.  Not sure why. Couple days off from them I suppose.  Now to work....

Texas x2

Went over to Texas again and did two runs up that hill.  We had a couple of cool days and now it's all hot again!  So I did 2 and thought that was good enough!

Did pushups and situps, too!

Good Morning

About 50 when I went outside at 8:00 am for 3 miles.  Wore long sleeves and long pants and was glad I did.  Breeze from the south was cold! Had some soreness in the muscles in the front of my legs today and think it was from being on the TM yesterday.  You wouldn't think there should be such a difference between the TM and the pavement but there sure is. I feel it every time I move from one to the other.  Anyway, got it done in ok time.  Not a record but 10.04 so that was fine.  Did the pushups and situps when I got home.

Woo Hoo Pilates!

I went to a new studio today and had the best pilates class ever.  EVER.  How is this possible, you ask?  Well, the place was so nice and bright.  They had these covers over their ceiling lights so it was all sunset and butterflies when you looked up.  The teacher was so inclusive.  Sometimes I feel like classes are very clicky.  Everybody knows their pals and they don't talk to others at all.  And this class was not like that at all.  There were a few really big ladies there, so it wasn't all skinny sticks getting skinnier.  The instructor was hilarious.  It was challenging but she was very clear on how to modify the exercises to make them easier, if needed.  She knew everyone's name.  Even mine. 

Totally loved it.

TM Morning

Only 42 here at 7 am when I was redy to go out so I decided to see if the TM still works.  And it does.  Did my 3 there and then the pushups and situps.  I know I need to get out thre and get use to the cooler temps but just didn't feel like that today.

Hills / 2x

Today I went over to Texas St and ran hills.  Just two.  My heart just wasn't into it!  I'm really tired, not sleeping great.  Sounds like we both need to work that sleeping problem out!

Yay cooler weather! / 3 miles

So great.  I had such a busy day today and didn't even have a chance to contemplate running until 4:30.  A week ago that would have been an impossibility due to the heat.  Today?  Awesome.  Beautiful.  Delightful.

I ran 3 miles.  My book is getting very exciting - near the end.  Cannot wait to find out what happens!

Did some weights and situps when I got back.  Now I'm making dinner.

My weight is doing pretty good.  I'm up from that mystical 127 but I'm still under 133.  Even if that's just by a pound or two.  And that's fine by me!  I am, though, worried about when the weather gets colder.  It is not so easy to eat a snack of a red pepper.  You know?  For whatever reason, I think the body might crave the heavier food in the cold months.  That's what I'm thinking.  But I'm actually planning for success, despite what it may sound like!

Nicer Day

Only 58 degrees when I left the house.  Weather Channel said it was still 90% humidity but it didn't feel like it because it was so nice and cool.  Very pleasant for a run this morning.  And the scale went the other way today!  I will never understand the mystery of weight.  Up, down, all around.  Makes no sense to me.

Hurrah!! And Finally! / 3 miles

What a beautiful beautiful day!  76 for the high.  Just absolutely delightful.  It has been miserably hot for a couple of weeks now so this was quite the treat.

And it made my run very enjoyable.  No faster, but I will just say I allowed myself to enjoy it longer!

Did some pushpus and abs.

Good day!

More Sauna Running

70 degrees and 91% humidity at 7:00 am.  This is supposed to be the last day of it though.  Hope they are right about that.  I did the 3 miles and my exercises and was soaking wet when done.  Felt good though.  Saw my neighbor Fitnatic on the road, too, so that was fun!

You'll be glad to know that our scale is not broken after all.  And it wasn't set on its maximum!  It will go 6/10's higher!  I didn't need to see that but there it was.  Too much corn on the cob, butter, and salt.  Had the last of it last night though.  We've had very good corn this year!  And lots of it.

No Run Today

I had planned a 6 miler for this morning but it's raining!  Really raining.  So, I slept until 7:30 and just forgot about it.  Then it's supposed to be 97 degrees here this afternoon.  Uff da.

More Pilates!

I slept till 8 this morning, which is pretty major for me!  Around 9:30 I thought I would run but realized it was pretty hot already.  Checked the weather and saw it was already 85.  So that's too hot to run!  I went to a class instead.

And....hard!  This one was a hybrid class.  Half spinning (bikes - I don't know if you've done that before) and half strength on the reformer. 

Here's a description of the classes:

http://www.core40.com/NorthPark/About.html

The one I took today was the CoreCombo. 

I'm glad I'm doing something other than running.  I needed to branch out!

Hot and Humid

I didn't leave the house until 8 am and it was already 72 degrees and about 75% humidity.  Very warm run. I just did the 3 miles today plus the full set of pushups and situps when I got home.  I have to start upping my mileage to get ready for the Whistlestop 5 weeks from today!!

Our scale is broken.  Or else it has a maximum setting it's set to 180.2 lbs.  That is what I have weighed now for 8 days in a row.  I've heard of leveling off and if I could level off 10 lbs lighter I wouldn't complain.  This is ridiculous!

I hope Amy did well in the 5K she was running this morning.

Hills / Texas x 3

I did it!  Texas, 3 times!  I went early(ish) but it was still hot.  Well, getting hot.  I'm glad I got it done.  If I do it in the AM it's cooler but insanely humid.  If I wait for the afternoon, the humidity is substantially less but it's too hot!

Same Old Story

60 degrees, gorgeous morning, 3 miles plus exercises.  Need to spice it up here somehow.  Going well though and feeling good.

Something new.  I have weighed exactly the same thing for 6 days in a row!  2 days sometimes, 3 days once in a great while, but never 6 days in a row.  I asked Mom what she weighed this morning to see if the scale was stuck but I guess not.

Good Morning

59 degrees, cloudy, no wind.  Perfect for a nice 3 miles.  This is exactly how it's gong to be for the Whitstlestop on October 12th.  (I hope.)  No records this morning but a nice run plus all the pushups and situps when I got home.

Raw Meat! / 3 miles

I don't know for sure what raw meat feels like but I think I kinda feel like it!  I ran today. 3 miles. Then did some weights. Then I decided to a Pilates class. And, wow, am I broken. 

I bought a groupon to this place ages ago but never used all my sessions because of work. So I went today. And they've changed their studio so its not Pilates but it uses the reformer for a full body workout. 

Anyway, will I run tomorrow?  Doubtful!  I'm a meat sack full of ouch!

Hills / 2x

Seems a little bit cooler today.  I'm not sure because I'm getting differing information from my various weather services. For example, it is humid.  But I have a very hard time believing it's actually 95% humidity.  Another services says it is 70%.  One says it will be a high of 84 today.  The other?  High of 91.  Sooooo....who knows!

But it does seem a bit cooler.  Cool enough, in fact, that I went over to Texas St.  I told myself that I only needed to do it once.  Because I wasn't going to force it if it was just plain too hot.  But I did it twice.  Top of the second I just thought I'd get too overheated if I did it again, so I didn't!

I did pushups when I came back.

I'm pretty darn sore in my core today!  I'm glad I went to pilates yesterday.  I've really missed it and my soreness today gives me evidence that it also missed me!  Taking classes can be pretty expensive, though.  So I think I'll just keep my eye on Groupon and buy through them.  I won't be able to go to just one studio with this method, but that's OK by me!

Record Tiime!

You heard that right!  I ran 6.01 miles on the Gandy Dancer this morning in 59.46!!  Under an hour!!  Never done that before.  1.03 was my previous best for 6 miiles when I ran it with you that time.  Pace of 9.57. Wow.  And I felt pretty good.  It was cold this morning though.  55 when I left the house, cloudy, wind out of the north so when I was in the open it was cool.  Of course, I warmed up but it was cold again when I stopped running.  But, wow, I was very pleased with myself!

Pilates!

How long has it been since I've talked about pilates?  A long time!  But I woke up this morning and was hot from the minute I got out of bed and I just didn't feel like running.  And so I looked around for a pilates class and found one that was at noon.  It was good and I bet I'll be darn sore tomorrow.

I've missed pilates and have been getting a little running bored so I am going to spice my schedule up with some pilates again.