Usually....

Usually I like to run in the morning on Fridays so I get a full 24 hours of rest before a Saturday run. With the weather getting colder and still being so windy, I just am having a hard time getting up in the morning to run.

Decided to run right after work. Ran just the neighborhood mile. Ran 1.03 in 9:22 (9:05/mile pace)

Later run

Had a haircut at 7:15pm tonight, so I waited to run until I got home to take a nice easy run. Bill and I went out there, and again thought we'd take it easy (but didn't).

Ran 1.03 miles in 9:05 (8:47/mile pace).

Run before Anna

The last few times I've met with Anna, I waited to do my mile until after working out with her (either there on the treadmill or outside at home). All those times were really hard as the workout strained me so the run was unusually tough. I decided that I didn't want to do that today, and I had an easier afternoon at work and thought I could get out right on time so I could run before.

Actually left work a few minutes before 5pm and went straight up there. Ran my mile on their treadmill and then could even cool down a bit before Anna was ready for me. Weighed and measured again--I gained 2 lbs, but my measurements were still pretty good. Lost a bit here and there, gained a bit here and there, but overall still not too bad.

She did a well-rounded workout tonight starting with shoulders and upper arms, going to leg presses focusing on inner thighs, did some other tricep and shoulder workouts, pushups, and calf workouts. Nearly everything tonight was super-setted, so I'll feel it tomorrow.

Y again

Bill and I talked about going to the Y tonight. He wasn't too excited about that, but it was windy and blustery again, so I told him at least I was going (he did go too).

To take it easy on my sore leg, just did a very easy mile on the treadmill. Then did about 20+ minutes, hill workout, on the bike. Some nice pressure on the thighs, but less impact. No weights either as I really want to rest the leg a bit and I'm meeting with Anna tomorrow. Gave it a good stretching too.

Monday morning

Got up with Bill to do just our one mile around the neighborhood. While running, I realized that my knee and hamstring were really straining. Glad we were just doing the one mile.

Ran 1.03 miles in 9:06 (8:52/mile pace). Thought we were taking it a bit easier, guess not.

TodaY

Back to the YMCA today. Since I had longer runs both Thursday and Saturday, I was starting to feel my legs were a little drained. Also having some knee pain and hamstring strain, so wanted to take it easy. Did my mile on the treadmill, then did about 35 minutes on the bike (hill workout), then ended with about 20 minutes on the elliptical. While on the elliptical, I did three "intervals" going backward for 2 minutes--with the 2nd minute of each rep sitting back more and doing more work with the thighs. Oooooh, that worked those thighs alot.

Therefore I did about 60 minutes of cardio. Was going to do some weights, but didn't feel like it after doing all this, so left it at that.

Northside route

I kind of like it when we do the northside route, it's less than 5 minutes from the house so I can get up a bit later and leave later. Unfortunately Bill got up early to run a bit before I just stayed up today and didn't go back to sleep.

Ran the first 2.5 with Bill and Susan, but only really wanted to do 5 miles or so. Turned around at 2.5 and ran just a few hundred feet and another group was coming. John said he was about to turn around so he asked me to wait for him. Did that and ran back the last 2.5 or so with him. He runs a bit slower than me (that just sounds weird to say as I used to run way behind him), so I just hung out with him and ran at this slightly easier pace. Good thing at times, though, as it's still pretty windy and there were spots along the path where the wind really hit us strong.

Ran 5.12 in 48:48 (9:31/mile pace overall).

The other day Bill programmed my Garmin to do 3.1 mile splits, so now I can see how I do first part of a run vs the last. For today I ran the first 3.1 in 28:44 (9:16/mile pace) and the last 2.02 in 20:03 (9:55/mile pace). Legs are a little tired, particularly the knees, from two long runs in three days, but actually I feel really good overall.

I really didn't struggle at all during today's run and feel good after............what's going on!?!?!?!

Black Friday

Today's the Friday after Thanksgiving and I'm staying away from the stores. Luckily I have to work today. Didn't really want to get up to run, but don't expect to work late so I figured I'd run later. Bill has off today, so we'll just run when I get home.

Got home before 5pm and headed right out. Ran 1.02 in 9:01 (8:51/mile pace).

Turkey Day, Turkey Trot

So, today's the Kenosha Turkey Trot. Over the last two months I've been building up speed and trying to re-gain my distance in attempt to do well in this race. I really want to beat 58 minutes, maybe even push to beat 55 minutes.

Got up this morning to hear the wind blowing and seeing it snow. Not alot of accumulation, but big flakes....or "packets" of flakes as Bill called them. It was in the 20s, with a wind chill in the teens. The wind was from the northwest, therefore the first 3+ miles would be into the wind....yippee, my favorite.

Got going running with Bill and had a pretty good pace. There were a few places I struggled a bit, but was able to maintain a pretty good rate. At 5 miles I realized I was doing really good and I could have a good time. Then we turned west for the last .75 mile into the wind, and I got a side stitch. I was really disappointed and wanted to just keep going. Luckily it didn't get too bad and I was able to push through it.

Finished in an official time of 56:47! Woo hoo! I'm really excited as that is great for me, especially in the cold and windy conditions. Ran the first half of the race just slighly slower than the 2nd, by less than a minute, but still it's a negative split.

I'm really proud of myself and feel really good about this!

Now to meet up with the other Racine runners and head to the bar for the 2nd part of the race....bloody marys!

Still icky

Woke up this morning to hearing crappy weather and wind outside. Nope, not running this morning. I'll take stuff to work and run at the gym tonight.

Since the Turkey Trot is tomorrow, really need to take it easy. I walked for about 2 minutes on the treadmill, then ran my mile in about 9:15 or so, then walked to cool down a bit. Felt good and could have done some biking or weights, but didn't want to strain myself.

Just me.....

This morning was just me as someone was sound asleep and didn't even move when I got up or got dressed. When I was laying in bed, I heard the weather report say the wind was going to pick up and it was going to start precipitating later in the day. Although it was cold and slightly windy in the morning, the thought of running later in stronger wind and sleet/rain/snow was not an appealing thought.

Ran 1.01 in 9:10 (9:06/mile pace)

Bill had to run at night, and sure enough it was windy and sleety. Heard the sleet hitting the windows. Poor Bill..........he should have woken up and I would've warned him. ;)

Monday morning

Ok, so it's Thanksgiving week, meaning the Turkey Trot is Thursday. Just want to do only the mile for a few days so I'm ready for Thursday.

Ran 1.02 mile in 9:13 (9:02/mile pace)

Back to the Y

It's been a bit since I've been to the Y, so I figured I'd go this morning. Bill met the Goofy challenge runners early to start the weekends of running two long runs in a weekend.

Went to the Y and did my mile on the treadmill in about 9:20 or so. Started off too fast, so had to slow down quite a bit and work it back up. Then I did about 32 minutes on the bike doing a level 5 hill workout. Thought about doing some weights or elliptical, but I think I'm done for now.

Windy weather

I'm figuring out that as we go into the winter, I'm really going to struggle to keep up this running. We met at the Towers today and it was chilly, but not really that bad. Thought it would be a great morning run. Then we got going and realized the wind was from the east and fairly strong. We had been shielded by the Towers and I got a false sense of comfort.

As usual, I struggled running with the wind. Running north along the beach and up to Michigan Blvd, much of the east is wide open so the wind was somewhat blustery and pushing on me pretty hard. Unfortunately even when we turned around, the wind was still there....just blowing across me the other way. I kept going, but when we approached the beach again, I decided to stay on Michigan and run along the street. Shortened the route, but a little more pleasurable.

Ran 5.5 miles in 51:24 (a 9:21/mile pace). That really surprises me as I walked 4-5 times (just for 30-60 seconds) to catch my breath. Therefore, even with these walks, I must have really been running at a good clip to make up for it.

Just gotta get it done

Had the day off today and thought I may go to the gym sometime. After getting pics taken and doing some errands, I went home but didn't feel like working out. When Bill got home, we decided just to do the quick mile and get it done.

Ran 1.01 mile in 9:20 (9:13/mile pace)

Busy day for both of us

Still windy and blustery this morning. Bill had meetings after work tonight, so I figured I'd go to the All Saints gym or the Y after work and run. I thought about going to yoga also, but ended up going back to work after an afternoon job fair and worked late.

Got the the All Saints gym around 7pm and lights were off and noone was home. Kind of nice to be able to be by myself. Turned on the TV, figured out how to get captioning, and found Survivor. Got on the treadmill with the goal of doing my mile. When I was at about .7 mile, I was cruising right along and enjoying the distraction of the show. Therefore I went for 2 miles.

Did 2 miles in about 18 minutes, plus 2 minutes of walking.

Back to training

Today's another training day with Anna. Figured I could always run after training, so didn't get up this morning. Heard the wind picking up, so that really sealed the deal to not get up and run.

Anna really put me through the push-up paces tonight. Lots of exercises requiring me to hold the core tight and keep myself up with my arms and shoulders. I'm definitely going to feel that. Lost another 2lbs since last time meeting with her, so that's good. Have to keep it up.

Since is still is chilly and windy, decided to do my mile on the treadmill at the club. I really have to stop doing this as I don't like their treadmills and it's really hard to do the run after doing about 45 minutes of weight training. Had to really keep it slow and did the mile in just under 10 minutes.

Bill's back, and pushing me ahead

We were slow to get up this morning, but still got out there to run. As we approached the 1/2 mile mark, Bill said he was going to do 2 miles. I didn't really want to, but since I was back to eating more with him home, and didn't go to the gym on Sunday, I really needed to do the full 2 miles.

Ran 2.06 miles in 18:09 (8:48/mile pace). Not too bad.

Morning run again

In the past few weeks, many days have been just too windy to run. Also, with Bill gone, I always knew I could run in the evening, so I found myself not running much in the morning.

Bill and I got out there this morning and just did the mile. 1.01 mile in 8:36 (8:30/mile pace). Pretty swift.

So it's Sunday...

....and Bill got to really sleep to catch up. We both spent about 11 hours in bed, just being lazy. Although I woke up hours earlier, just didn't want to get up.

I talked about going to the Y, but Bill was catching up on DVRd shows and I found myself just watching with him. Then I said I'd go later, and later never came. Had to go to the showing for Jodie's sister at 4pm, so I never quite made it to the gym.

There were tons of people at the showing, so it took 2 hours to get through. Bill and I decided to do dinner while we were out, and run later. Therefore we didn't get out until after 8pm and just did the mile. There really was no excuse for me not doing more exercise today, just lazyness. I'll have to be careful to not let this happen too much.

Ran 1.00 mile in 9:21.

Parkside pain

This was the firsts time in a very long time that the Saturday run was at Parkside's cross-country course. The times during the summer we ran down there, I ran the streets.

Small group today and off we went up that awful first hill. Tried to keep you with Bill and Ken, but didn't even stay with them for .75 mile and had to drop back a bit. Did most of the course, and when it came back out near the beginning and you were supposed to run back up the hill again, I decided I wasn't up to that. Had run about 3.75 at this point and jogged out of the course and decided to run the streets. Didn't know how far I would go, maybe just 5 or so. Walked a bit at the turnaround, but kept going Then as I as running, I figured I would try to do the full 6.2, finishing all on the roads. As I got back near the car, I had done about 5.6, so I just kept going and ran around in circles (kind of literally) trying to finish up. Got a little kick in my step around 5.9 to finish hard so I'd make the finish in under an hour.

Barely made it, but did it. Ran 6.22 miles in 59:29 (9:34/mile pace). This is the longest I've run distance-wise in months and months....maybe since last Turkey Trot. Although I've run longer time-wise, I didn't cover the distance. Getting stronger!

Running with Bill!

So I woke up this morning thinking I should run. Bill's supposed to be home tonight (hopefully) around 4:30pm. I haven't received a call of problems, so I'm assuming he's coming this time. Check the United.com website and find the flight is en route. These are all good signs. I really didn't feel like running, so I went back to bed for a bit and figured I would run later with Bill.

We got home just before 7pm and Bill unpacked and I started dinner. Went for our mile while dinner was cooking. It was nice to run with him again. Made the same-ole mile go a little faster.

Ran 1.04 mile in 8:56 (8:36/mile pace)

Run of frustration

Ok, so Bill's due home tonight. Yippeeee! I decided to get up early and do my mile, then I could run late with him later. As I'm getting dressed, the phone rings (at 6:30am)???? Oh no, Bill's still in Sydney. There were plane troubles and they couldn't take off. Therefore they put them up in a hotel and maybe they'll get to take off tomorrow. Boy this disappointment me and I had a little emotional breakdown.

I decided I might as well run anyway and just go into work a little bit later. Ran 1.01 in 8:58 (8:50/mile pace).

Finally, a little more time

Didn't have anything specific to do after work tonight, so I planned to go to the Y.

Decided to switch things up a bit as it was very busy at the gym. Did 20 minutes of a hill workout (level 4) on the bike first, plus a one minute cooldown......then went to the treadmill. With the legs a little warmed up, and slightly fatigued, figured that would change up the mile a bit.

Did the mile on the treadmill with intervals (8.5 pace). Did three intervals, two 30-second and one 45-second. Therefore the mile was in about 8:35 pace overall.

Did a few machines--two legs, sitting press, lat pull down, and lower back. Could do a little more, but I'm tired and just want a little time to relax tonight.

Long day

Today was my RN ED Hiring event, so I was up and at work by 6:30am and worked until 8pm. That's a very long day, but still have to run........sometime.

It's still cold and windy, so I brought clothes with me to work and figure I could always use the ASH gym right after the event. And so I did.

I was exhausted, so I just did the mmile in about 8:45 on the treadmill. Stretched a bit and that was all for tonight.

Wind Advisory

So I woke up this morning to hear on the weather that for today and tomorrow we are under a wind advisory due to the 20-30 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory was to start at 6am, so I lay there at 5:30am trying to hear if it's already windy or not. Didn't sound like it. Got up and looked out the window to see the trees and bushes really blowing in the wind. Nope, no morning run. I can just run at the gym tonight.

Ran for my mile on the treadmill in about 9 minutes, did 1 minute walking cooldown, then did 20 minutes on the bike with a good resistence so it was tough on & off during the ride.

Last Sunday

This is the last Sunday that Bill's gone and I'm on my own. Got up early (as I went to bed early) and was ready to go. Decided to get to the Y right away and get a good workout in.

Ran 1 mile on the treadmill in 9 minutes, plus one minute cool down
Rode 30 minutes on the bike in a hill workout-level 6, with 5 minute cool down
Did 15 minutes on the elliptical, with 2-2 minute intervals of going backwards.

A nice hour of cardio. For some reason I wasn't really in the mood to do weights today, so I decided to skip those. Another day!

Running a pint low

Literally. Yesterday was the blood drive at work and I haven't donated in a while, so I did this time. They say you should not do strenuous exercise for about 48 hours after donating, so I guess running with Ken about 19 hours after donating is breaking the rules. As I mentioned that I gave blood a few people were surprised that I was out running and running at a good pace. Many, including Ken, say they usually take a day or two off before running again after giving blood. As I was going along, I realized that I was a little weaker than normal. It's always tough running with Ken, and Mike-the other fast guy- was with us, but at about 2 miles I realized I wasn't going to make it the full 6 miles. Even if I pushed it, I thought I probably shouldn't as who knows how I'd feel. I didn't want to embarrass myself by becoming dizzy or something. I decided to turn around at 2.33 and head back. I walked a bit, then ran, then walked a bit more. Ken and Mike caught back up with me and I ran all the way back. I had to slow quite a bit as I was feeling a little weak in the legs---I think park of it was the giving blood, coupled with the strain of the leg workout on Wednesday. I told Ken I needed to slow, and he stuck with me all the way to the end.

Each stretch I walked, I stopped the Garmin. Since I turned around at 2.33, the run should have been about 4.66 or just a bit more. I thought I walked more, but luckily I didn't, as I ended up with:

Ran 4.5 miles in 41:25 (9:12/mile pace). Still not too bad overall.

Frosty Friday

Got up this morning and realized the ground was a bit frosty. Oh boy, winter is coming. I'm a little sore from the workout Wednesday, so definitely only want to do the one mile.

Did 1.04 mile in 9:14 (8:53/mile pace)

November 1st

So it's November 1st, the first day of the fourth month of running at least one mile every, single day. Wow. I certainly never thought I'd be doing this. Now, I can't imagine not. Not necessarily because it's an easy, healthy thing to do. But because I'm stubborn and I don't want to break the streak!

I have a hair appt late tonight, so I knew I should run in the morning. Boy it's getting colder and even wearing a jacket was barely enough when you're running into the wind.

Ran 1.02 in 9:06 (8:55/mile pace). Not a great pace, still fatigued and feeling a bit sore.