On This Day I Can Run...So I Will!

Three miles this evening on the rail trail.  My watch had trouble finding the satellites so I couldn't monitor my times.  I warmed up for a mile then did some speed work.  I tried to hold an 8:50 pace.  My legs felt strong but I'm having difficulty holding that pace for a full mile.  I'm gonna have to keep working on it :)

Spin class :)

Couldn't decide what to do today so I ended up spinning again.  I did manage to solicite a running buddy for tomorrow.  My 27 year old nephew took me up on my plea for a running buddy.  He is 21 years younger than me but I guarantee his old Aunt Terri will give him a run for his money :)

My nephew and I met at 8:45 and he hopped in my car so we would only have to pay for one vehicle to go into the park ($4.00).  Turns out the gatekeeper was taking out the trash when we pulled up and just waived us through, great way to start the day:)   The run around the lake is up and down on a dirt path, about 2 miles.  The 2nd mile is really steep with lots of roots that act as stairs.  The root stairs are great going up but treacherous going down.  

I recommended we run in for 1 mile (1st mile is rootless), then run back out.  My reasoning was because I have a race next weekend and don't need to twist my ankle now.  We ran a slow warm-up mile into the woods and it was great talking with my nephew along the way.  For the second mile out, I wanted to go faster than where I'm comfortable because we all know that you have to "run faster, before you can run faster".  He told me to lead the way, so we ran back at a pace fluctuating between 9:00 - 9:15.   I was surprised at how much easier it was to hold that pace when I had someone pushing it with me.  My nephew was feeling the pace too.  

 The 2nd time around I suggested we do the root run since it is his favorite part of the trail.  I was thinking we did what I wanted for the first 2 miles so we will do what he wants on the next 2.  I told him to take the lead which worked out really well for me because of all the spider webs :)  We didn't have any twisted ankles and took it nice and comfortably slow.  My nephew took a few walking breaks which was fine with me.

It was so much fun running with my nephew.  He wants to get back into running but has 2  little girls and he is a single dad...already.  We plan to meet every saturday that his ex has the kids (she gets them every other weekend).  

Now I'm feeling the need for a banana protein shake!

3 miles early in the hood before the rain.  10:36, 10:01, 9:44.  I was happy with the progression.  Getting excited about my race this weekend.

3 miles in the hood again this morning.  Went out about 6:30 and it was so humid, I started sweating before I started running.  I ran an easy run through the streets and was sweating profusely.  I usually don't take water on 3 mile runs but after mile 2 I started fantasizing about my water bottle sitting on the front porch.  Finished my run and decided to wash my car (since I was already soaked).  It usually takes me about 5 minutes to dry my car after washing it, but today, after 20 minutes, I stopped trying to get it dry...it was just too humid.

I hope its not this humid on Saturday.   

Not sure of my official time or place yet because results not posted yet. 

Beautiful day for a race.  Nice and overcast and not so humid.  I followed the advice of Brent and had a big breakfast yesterday and a light dinner.  I felt ready to run.  My race was about 45 minutes from my home and was a small one.  I would guess there was only about 150 runners.

Little did I know the whole course was nothing but hills.  I overheard someone talking about it at the start.  I started getting worried because I didn't do a whole lot of hill training but decided not worry and be glad I wore the right headband (It says, "Hills?...What Hills?)  If you weren't going up a hill you were going down a hill (wasn't expecting that).  

Did I mention there were hills?  After the 1st hill (they were all big), I was feeling good and confident.  I remembered someone telling me to start off slow then pick people off at the end, so thats what I did (Brent).  I kept it slow and steady going up and rested but picked up the pace going down (thank goodness for good knees...knock on wood somebody!).

My husband, Rick had his cowbell and cheered my on at the top of tough hills (they were all tough).  Turns out hills were my strong point.  After about 7 miles, many runners were walking up the hills but not me.  I would start thinking about my life and how I don't slow down when things get tough, thats when I lean in and keep putting one foot in  front of the other (spiritual moment).  The hills are where I started picking runners off.  Now don't get the idea I was  sprinting up these hill because I was far from sprinting...just constant and steady...thought about my breathing and didn't look at the top of the hill, only just in front of me.  

Before I knew it I was on mile 12...the longest last mile of my life.  It took 2 more hills and the rest of my energy to haul my booty over the finish line...so glad to be done.   Now my mind is set on that McFlurry calling my name..."Teerrriii...Come eat mmeee".

Sore legs...sore legs...sore legs.    Went to pilates this evening.  Legs are still real sore.  Was going to spin tomorrow but decided to hold off until more soreness subsides.

Just a little sore when I started out.  Stretched after 1/2 mile then fell into a rythm.  Felt really Great to loosen up and enjoy a run.  Getting siked about training for my next 1/2 in October.  My goal is to be my time (which shouldn't be too difficult, since my next race is pretty flat).  I'm adding core work and regular speed work to my work out to try and improve my AP.

Legs feel alot better now.  Spinning class this morning, 18.5 miles, 45 min.  Felt my right knee a little bit which made me worry about over doing it too soon.  After a few minutes my knee subsided and all felt good.  I still took it a little easier than normal (just a little).  Trying a class called "Chisel" this evening to work on core and upper body strength.

Did "Chisel" class last night and it had way more leg work than I expected or wanted.  I wimped out on the weights but since it was my 1st time in the class, I didn't know what to expect and didn't want to hurt myself.  Next time I need to add another 5 lbs to my weight bar.  The core work was grueling (thats what I wanted) so I have a lot of room for improvement.  Sorry to say, I could not complete one real push-up :(    In future reports you will see a change in that number.  

Ran this morning and did one mile of speed work.  Used the telephone poles for distance since my Garmin watch is not charging now (hubby has now dissected it and we are on the search for a replacement battery).  I would run fast for 3 telephone pole distance then recover for 1 telephone pole distance.  That speed mile went by real fast :) 

Not doing a long run tomorrow because Hubby and I are going to tour Gettysburg tomorrow.  Should be a beautiful day for it.   

4 easy miles on the rail trail.  Nice overcast morning, even had a little drizzle.  

Did Pilates this evening at the gym.  Not use to coming home from the gym without a good sweat.   My husband was like, "what happened, did you go the class?".  I'm not used to workouts that don't require cardio.  I feel like I got an O.K. work out.  

I'm keeping a food log right now because I need to drop about 10 lbs.  I'm reading the book,  "Runners World Essential Guides:  Weight Loss".  Seems to make a lot of sense so far.   I'm open for any tips you might have.

20 mile spin this morning.  Did good with my food log until this evening.  Double dose of pasta, 2 glasses of wine, and icecream for dessert  (sometimes I feel so weak).  This is why I'm fighting off these extra pounds.  Hopefully this meal will act as good fuel for my speed work tomorrow morning.  I'll either feel great or like I'm hauling a 10 lb sack on my waist.

Got my pasta butt out of bed and went out for some speed work.  I drove to "Rosewick Rd", which has a nice big hill.  I warmed up for a mile on the flat part then hit the hill for speed work.  My book suggested speed work going up hills because it reduces stress on the knees and you use a lot of strength getting yourself up the hill.  I like the fact that it is done in 10 second bursts (you can do anything for 10 seconds).  I would sprint for 10 seconds then recover for 10-20 seconds.  I continued until I got to the top of the hill.  Distanced to go down and up the hill, was 1.5 miles.  I did it twice then headed home.  

Need to get my Garmin fixed or get a new one.  Will eat better for the rest of the week!   

spin class this morning.  Felt really tired and had a low energy level.  Going to "Chisel" class this evening.  Hopefully I can get at least 1 push-up done :)

Chisel class last night was a good work out for my arms and chest.  Got 1/2 of a push-up done.  Resting today, long run tomorrow.

easy flat miles with my niece.   Rained on and off which kept us cool.  Good run :)

4 miles on the rail trail.  Beautiful sunny morning after a weekend of rain.  Did some tempo work,  mile warm-up then picked up the pace and recovered as needed.  Kept thinking..."gotta run faster to run faster":)

Went to "chisel" class at the gym after running.  Worked on push-ups:)  Haven't done a real one yet.  I like using the weights for my upper body and the core work.   I felt stronger on my run this morning after only 4 of the classes. 

Spin class this morning.  Good class.  My right knee ached a little but eased up when I changed my angle of pressure.  

Went to "Muscle Up" class this evening.  It was a half hour of weights, crunches, push-ups, etc.   Then went home and cut the grass.  

Progressive run this morning.  My Garmin is still DOA so used a stopwatch between mile markers.  Pace:  10:30, 9:30, 9:04.  I can't wait to get my Garmin fixed because I think that mile between the markers must be more than a mile...sure felt like it :)

Started Grad school this evening...getter' done! 

Spin class this morning.  Sometimes my instructor drives me crazy.  Especially when you finally push through a hard song then he hits repeat and you have to do it all over again...NNOOOOO!