She's like the wind or running against the wind

Today, I had planned a "short" run, meaning a 5k. I was talking to a few people and read an article from Runner's World and decided I should try running intervals on my short runs. I know that intervals are probably better on the treadmill, but it was nice enough outside so I figured I would make up my own intervals. I ran fast from one light pole to the next then ran at a slower pace for two light poles and then another faster run for one light pole. Wow! It felt great and I know I was working harder than normal. The intervals worked good until I reached the part of the run heading south. Whew, it was SO windy I could barely run, let alone run fast. I did the best I could but I the wind was very strong. Finally, I decided to make a left and finish up the run heading East and then I could walk back to my car in the south direction against the wind.
Despite the windy day, I finished just under 40 minutes, which was great for my and Lance came on again to congratulate me on my best time for a mile. I will definitely do intervals on my shorter runs for now one. We are heading out of town this weekend and I am hoping to get my husband to run with me on Saturday, I'll let you know howPublish Post that goes.

Eventful week

Let's see, since my last post I became a Dr.(defended my dissertation last Wednesday), took my first limo ride and had an amazing dinner at the American restaurant and traveled to surprise my college roommate for her birthday. Needless to say, my focus was not really on running this past week, but I did squeeze in a 4 mile run on  Friday. I found it pretty easy to run the four miles without any walking, whoo-hoo! I had actually planned run on Thursday, but it was pouring rain and I did not feel like going to the gym. I much rather run outside in drizzle then  run around a track inside for multiple laps, I mean if I am running 4 miles that means I would have to run around in a circle 40 times! That would get old, but I need to get over it because what do I do once winter comes???

I thought I might run with my college roommate on Sunday but the combo of her running an 8K on Saturday and too much wine the night before did not motivate us much. So today it was time for a run. I had talked to A about whether I should continue to work on distance or work on speed. She suggested speed, but I did anything but work on speed today. While I did run a hilly 5 mile course today, it was VERY slow. I think the weekend took a toll on my body and the hills were a little much for me. The important thing is that I did run the entire  5 miles and did not quit early. I am beginning to feel it in my knees tonight. I think I need to take an advil.

During my visit, I found out about some important "running" things and one non running thing. I won't go into detail, but I learned about glide, bathroom situations while running, and the now infamous taiwan basket.
I had decided that it is a good idea to participate in a 5K before my 10K at the beginning of June. There is a mother's day 5 k run that donates their proceeds to American Heart Association, which is one of my charities.   When I told my husband that I wanted to sign up, I mentioned that I would miss out on our traditional breakfast in bed on Mother's day. He instantly replied, can't we just do that on Saturday morning instead? God I love this man!

Lance Armstrong says congratulations

Today I planned to do my "long" run for the week. The training guide says to do shorter runs every other day and then a longer run on the weekend. Since we were out of town over the weekend, I picked today as my long run day while my kids were in school. I figured I should shoot for a 10k(6.2 miles). On the way to my son's school, I mapped out my course that should have been about 6.5 miles. I thought I would try to run most of the way and when I got to the 10k mark, I would walk the rest as a cool down. I also dropped off a vitamin water bottle about 6 miles into the course to replenish.
I took my son to school and began my run from the school parking lot. Even though I went to the bathroom, I felt like I had to go again so I planned to stop at the local rec center which is about the halfway mark and along my planned route. I was able to run there at a good pace, paused my IPOD and restarted after my stop. I continued running and was able to run the ENTIRE 10K! At the end of my 10k, Lance Armstrong's voice came over my IPOD congratulating me on my best mile time of 13 minutes. I know I maintained my pace around 13 minutes each mile, which I had been more around 14-15 minute miles.
Now, either my car is off on its mileage tracker or something because I had about another 1/2 until I got to my water(I was really hoping it was still there and it was!). I ended up running an extra .8 of a mile for an even 7 miles. Wow!
However, I still had about 1.5 miles back to my car at the school. So that was my cool down with a slow jog/walk. So all in all, I did 8.5 miles today. 4.6 more miles and it would have been the 1/2 marathon. I have a ways to go, but I am definitely on my way towards my goal! Thanks to everyone for their cheers and support! Even Lance....

The long and short of it

On Sunday, after a busy weekend with family in town, 2 birthday parties for my daughter I was pretty tired. So in the afternoon I told my husband that I would only go for a 5 mile run/walk and would be back in about an hour. It was also in the high 80's in the late afternoon so I wasn't sure how the run would go, but I knew I needed to do a "long" run to keep up my training schedule. I set my ipod for a 5 mile workout and was on my way. I ran quite a bit and took walk breaks as needed. My ipod told me I was done with my workout, but guess what? I still had over a mile to go before I made it back home! I had to get home, right? And I didn't really want to call my husband to pick me up so I kept plugging away. That excursion ended up being 6.6 miles! I think my next long run should be 7 miles.

Today, I had planned a "short" run of 3 miles. I only had about 45 minutes to run so I could get home, showered and to where I needed to be on time. I am proud to say that I ran the entire 3 mile route-even though my ipod stopped tracking for about .5 miles and didn't record the entire workout. My miles averaged 13 minutes, which is slow but not for me. And I had time to shower and get ready for my class.

I am really happy that I am training for the 1/2 marathon in August but have the shorter term goal of the 10k in June. I think if I just started running for the sake of running, I would be much more laid back about the training. But I know I want to finish both of the races I have signed up for and reach my goals.
Plus, it feels great!

3 mile day

Today, the plan was to run 3 miles outside our gym so I could take advantage of the babysitting services since my son is still on break. I "clocked" the mileage of the perimeter of the campus and it was 3 miles-perfect. I got my son settled, got my water bottle filled and was set to go. I set my Iphone for a 5k program and *thought* I was ready to go. However, there was a snafu. My iphone could not locate the sensor in my shoe, which meant that it could not track my mileage or give me the friendly updates (see previous post). Well, I figured since I knew the mileage of the route I would just go ahead without using that tool.

The run was ok, I took mini walk breaks to drink some water but for the most part I ran and it took me 40 minutes. I tricked myself into running more by saying "just until that tree" or "keep running until the street" which I actually ran past those points. This is why I like running outside vs the treadmill. On the treadmill, I can't use those as motivators-just time.

Proud that I am keeping on the training schedule and yesterday, on my off day, I was thinking about my next run. I think I am hooked!

1st "long" run and the Nike Ipod sensor

The training guides say to do one long run a week, usually on Sundays. I decided to try the long run today. I suggested to my husband that I run to a neighboring park and he meet me with the kids and their bikes. I mapquested the park and found it was over 4 miles but thought that I could extend it to 5 miles since I would be taking the trails instead of the street directions.

When I got my training gear, I discovered this cool gadget called the Nike Ipod sensor. I wanted a pedometer to track my mileage and the guy at Dick's suggested I try this Ipod sensor. Certain Nike shoes have this hole carved out inside the shoe where you can put the sensor and it synches with my Iphone to track miles, calories burned and time. It is SO cool! My favorite part is that while I am listening to my tunes, it will interrupt each mile to let me know my time and distance. It is very motivating! I can also download my results and it will make a chart of my progress. I will post one of those another day, once I figure it out.

Anyways, back to the run. I decided I would just run as much as I could and walk when I needed to but my goal was to the park. I set my Iphone for 5 miles and was on my way. I started off listening to a podcast of 2 gomers that Jamee suggested but I decided I needed music to get me going. So I was jacking around trying to get my music and accidentially turned off the nike sensor app at .66 miles. I was walking while I reset for the 5 miles and started running again to the music. I was running slowly, but running. I did not feel like I needed to stop to walk very often, one time because I was passing a dog and owner and didn't want to startle the dog. The next time, 2 "kids" in their 20's passed me and I felt a little silly. The third time was to text my husband that I was at the entrance of the park! I then followed the trail into the park and was almost at the 5 mile mark. I couldn't believe it! I kept going until the family arrived and I was at 5.5 miles. That added to the previous .66 miles added up to almost 6.2 miles-which is a 10k. Wow!

My legs are pretty soar, but the good news is I didn't feel like I was going to pass out when I was done with the run. I even walked around the "loop" with the kids while they rode their bikes-which is about .5 miles. I am pleased with my progress, now I just have to double this for the 1/2 marathon. But I am more confident about the 10k in June. Tomorrow is a rest day.

Hospital Hill 10k in June

Last night I signed up for a popular race in town which takes place June 5th. I don't feel that I would be ready for the 1/2 by then but I do think I can attempt the 10k (only 6.2 miles). This will be a perfect half way point to my training since it is 2 months away and 2 months from the big run in August.

You can get a hotel room right at the starting point so I think the family will spend the night and then I can wake up and basically go to the starting line. That will be great!

My legs are definitely feeling tight from the run yesterday. I love the feeling because I know I was working hard.

On the run

So my two college roommates have been running for a while now. They each asked me to run with them in a 1/2 marathon to raise money for our friend's foundation(I will talk more about that in another post). My immediate reaction was "NO, I do not run". However, Andrea did suggest that I could always walk if I couldn't run the whole 13.1 miles. Hmmmm....

I am just finishing up my Ed.D program and will have some "free" time and I have been wanting to get back in shape...ok, now I am into the idea of joining the gang to honor our wonderful friend Jill. I have 4 months to train and I *think* I can do it! I picked up a training book by Galloway, checked out some online resources, and went to the sports store to get new running shoes(with the nike ipod chip in it), a heart monitor, Iphone armband and a water bottle belt.

So today, I started my first official training run. I had planned on run/walking 4 miles this morning. I started off pretty well and was comfortable with my running and walking breaks. It was misting a little but I thought it felt good and refreshing. As I came up the hill upon my 3rd mile, it started raining, no hailing and leaves were flying in my face so hard I could not keep my eyes open. A kind woman pulled over and asked me if I wanted a ride. I declined but decided it was time to call my husband to pick me up. I took cover under a tree and called him. I started running again towards home and as he approached, we both noticed many broken tree limbs in the road. I was sopping wet!

The news tonight reported that there was a microburst in the exact area I was. I guess next run, I better check the weather first before I head out. Sunday, I plan to try for 4 miles again.