6 full months!

So, today is December 31st. We started this "mile a day" challenge officially on July 1st, so it has now officially been six full months. I actually ran every, single day for six full months. I really do find that amazing. I can't believe I stuck with it, but I did. Partly out of personal competition, just to see if I could do it.

Earlier this month I decided that I was mentally getting done with the 'mile a day', but really had no reason to stop. Then I figured to go through at least the end of the year, so I could say I did it for six months....for a full 1/2 of a year! I did it!

I told Bill that I wanted to run this last mile of the year with him. Couldn't get going this morning as I had to work. Left work early today, so we ran our mile together in the early evening. Just did the normal mile around the neighborhood.....but it was really nice to do it together to finish off the challenge and the year running together. Love you honey!

Ran 1.02 in 8:58 (8:49/mile pace)

Sunday, no Y

Bill & I had afternoon plans to see a Cirque show in Chicago with Ron, Mauricio, Linda, & Kevin. Therefore there was no time to go to the Y today.

Just did our mile in 9:05 (8:54/mile pace)

Treadmill crazy

Today I just didn't really want to run outside, so I had sort of chosen to go to the YMCA. Then, when I got up late and wouldn't make the run by 7am, it was decided.

When I got there, I thought I'd probably just do my mile, and maybe some elliptical and bike, maybe doing another mile inbetween like I did a few weeks ago so I would get some good cardio. As I ran the first mile, I felt pretty good so I thought I'd do 2 right away. Then I just kept going. I'm definitely a morning runner. When I was coming up on 2.5 miles, I did a little rationalization. I thought that if I did 5 miles on the treadmill, then I'd only have to do about 15 minutes on the bike and that would give me an hour of cardio as well as a good run. So, I went ahead and did 5 miles on the treadmill. Overall it wasn't that bad. Just before 4 miles I started getting a little bored and tired, but a nice gentlemen came on the treadmill next to me and we had a little chat. That got me through about .3-.4 mile and was just enough to push me through to the 5 miles. Did those in just over 45 minutes and walked for 2 miles. I finished with 14 minutes on the bike and then went off to join the group for coffee.

Morning together

I had off today and we had planned to go to Illinois to visit Jeff and his new wife. Unfortunately they are predicting alot of snow later, so we probably won't be going.

Slept in with Bill, but wanted to get the run in. As we were getting ourself going around 8:30am, we noticed it had already started snowing. Got out there to do the mile and it was snowing and quite windy--making running in certain directions a little rough being slapped in the face with very wet snow.

Ran 1.01 mile in 9:04 (8:58/mile pace)

Another morning alone

Bill ran very late last night (11pm) so he wasn't up to get up with me today. Since we are supposed to have dinner plans, I knew I had to run in the morning.

It rained last night, while Bill ran (hehehe), but then it snowed a bit. Therefore the roads were VERY icy this morning and it was a tough run. I stayed on the snowier parts as those had a little more grip and I slid less. I felt I had to run a bit slower just to be safer and surer footed.

Ran 1.03 in 9:26 (9:12/mile pace)

Morning run alone

Bill's off all this week for shutdown, but I had to work. I was supposed to meet with Anna tonight, but wasn't sure if that was going to happen or not due to other possible committments. Therefore I got up and ran my mile before work.

Ran 1.02 mile in 9:06 (8:55/mile pace).

Merry Christmas!

We slept in this morning a bit and had breakfast plans with my Mom and Kris & Sara. When we got home, we know that both Mike and Mary were going to come over at some point in the afternoon, but we didn't know when. Therefore we hung around until they both came...but by then it was into the evening and we had already eaten dinner.

Therefore we only wanted to get the mile in. Ran 1.04 in 9:18 (8:54/mile pace)

Christmas Eve

Bill met with some of the Goofy runners for a morning run of 6-9 this morning. I thought I may go with them, but the winds were still pretty strong (although better than yesterday). Therefore I decided to go to the Y again, as they are open until about 2pm.

Did my mile on the treadmill, then 20 minutes on the elliptical (hill workout) with 2 minutes in the middle going backward on the machine. I should probably do more, but it's a holiday and that gave me 30 minutes of exercise so that's good for today.

Sunday Y routine

It was really crappy weather today with very, very high winds. Bill really wanted to run outside, but the winds were prohibitive. Waited it out a bit and was a little lazy in the morning, but finally headed to the gym later in the afternoon.

I ran my mile on the treadmill, then did about 25 minutes on the bike. Bill still had some running to finish, so I ended the workout with about 10 minutes on the elliptical.

Back with the group

So, I took last week off of the group, but the weather's not too bad today so I decided to meet up and do the group run. We were doing the church run, which I haven't done in months, so it may be a nice change of pace. Should be about 5 miles or so.

As we started off, Mike D. was running with Ken and I. I was glad for this as he runs a bit slower, so it kept us at a nice pace.

When we got done, I forgot to stop the watch, so my time is really quite screwed up.

Ran the first 3.1 miles in 27:31 (8:52/mile pace).
Finished the 5 miles in around 45 minutes or so.

Friday night

We knew we didn't have anything after work, so we both procrastinated getting out of bed this morning.

Ran after work, just the mile, as we know we'll be doing this again in about 12 hours with the Saturday running group.

Ran a little slower tonight--1.03 in 9:23 (9:05/mile pace). Not too much slower, but a bit.

Gotta be the morning

With plans for after work, dinner and Christmas shopping, we knew we had to do the run in the morning.

Was really lagging a bit as I just wasn't quite awake. Ran 1.01 mile in 9:04 (8:58/mile pace)

Gym night

Asked Bill last night which night he wanted to go to the gym, Wed or Thursday, as we had to do Christmas shopping the other night.

He picked Wednesday, so tonight the plan was for the Y. He then decided he didn't want to go and wanted to run outside for 3-4 miles. I told him he should do 5-6, though, as he needed the mileage. He complained and said he'd only do 3-4. [When I got home, he admitted to doing 6.19---hehehehehe, just a little pushing worked!]

Went to the Y and did my mile in about 9 minutes, then did about 20 minutes on the bike, and finished with some weights.

GOP meeting tonight

Since we are supposed to have a GOP meeting tonight (cancelled from last week), Bill and I knew we had to run in the a.m.

Ran 1.03 in 9:13 (8:56/mile pace).

Later run

Had a hair appointment tonight so I had to figure out when to run. Thought I may run at the All Saints gym before the appointment, but was still working and time was cutting too close.

Stopped back at All Saints after my appointment and just did the mile on the treadmill (about 9 min pace), plus about 5 minutes of walking.

Lazy Sunday

Should have gotten up and gone to the Y this morning, but it had snowed all last night and this morning so had to shovel. Did 1/2 of the driveway so I could leave if I wanted to, but then got doing other things (like baking cookies). By noon I decided just to wait as Bill was due home this afternoon and he'd have to run.

He got him mid afternoon and we went for the mile loop around the neighborhood at about 4pm. Did 1.0 mile in 8:57.

No Saturday group run for me

For the first time in about 5 months (except when we were in Park City) I didn't run with the Saturday morning running group. The walkways around the city are still pretty icy, plus it's blustery out. I just wasn't in the mood to do a long run, much less do it with unsure footing and cold, windy weather.

Slept in a bit, then got up to go to the gym. As I was leaving the house, it was snowing....don't know how long it's been snowing as it really wasn't sticking. Another reason I was happy to not have gone running outside.

Once at the gym I still wanted to make sure I got a long, aerobic workout in to make up for not doing a long run. Therefore I did:

one mile on the treadmill in about 8:45;
15 minutes on the elliptical, with the 2 middle minutes being backwards;
one mile on the treadmill in about 8:45;
30 minutes on the bike in a double-hill workout, level 6 plus 5 cooldown minutes;
one mile on the treadmill in 9:05 minutes

That workout was tough, especially trying to run after the elliptical and especially the bike. The legs were wobbly and definitely different muscles got used. Good cross-training type of workout and still got 3 miles of running in.

Morning outside

Didn't know if I would go to the HR holiday party after work tonight or not, so I thought I better get up and run outside. It was cold, but not too bad actually. Wind was a little brisk from two directions, but not terribly bad.

Ran just the 1.0 mile in 8:53.

Chilllllllly

It's still just too cold to run outside, so I planned to go to either the Y or All Saints gym tonight. Was leaving work early to help mom and do some shopping.

Done with shopping around 7pm, so headed to the Y to workout. Did my mile on the treadmill (about 9 minutes), then did 35 minutes on the bike in a new hill workout, level 6. Don't want to do any weights as I'm a little sore from last night. That's all for today.

Anna tonight

Made sure I rushed up to Oak Creek tonight so I could get my mile in before the workout, as I know that running after is just too hard. Did my mile in about 9 minutes and cooled down a bit and changed before working out with Anna.

We did a good varied workout with quads (I'll be feeling those), calves, sides of legs, core, calves, dead lift, squats. Good all-around weight/strength workout.

Snow Day---literally

Today was a day of sleeting rain on and off all day, with snow to the north. Because of the weather they closed schools today. On the drive to work it was mostly just slushy, not really slippery, but they are predicting more sleet later in the day.

The GOP ended up getting cancelled again tonight due to weather. Figured I'd take advantage of the time and work late. Left work about 6:45 and just drove up the hill to the All Saints gym.

Did the mile on the treadmill in about 9:00 minute pace. That's about all for tonight.

202020 again

I really enjoyed the 20-20-20 class last week, so I thought I'd try it again. A whole different type of class, but still really good. I still have a ways to go on my coordination during the aerobic times.... :)

After class, I couldn't decide if I should stop back at work to run on the treadmill or run outside. As I was driving around, I noticed the roads were pretty de-iced, just very icy on the edges. Temp was chilly, but not too bad tonight (very light winds) so I thought I should run outside. Got home and put warmer close on before venturing right out for the neighborhood mile.

Ran 1.04 mile in 8:35 (8:17/mile pace)

Sunday Y

Bill was going to run about 18 today so I headed to the YMCA. Did my mile plus a bit on the treadmill, then did about 15 minutes + on the elliptical (with 2 minutes mid cycle going backwards), finished with a bit on the bike.

Was going to do some weights, but wasn't really in the mood. Therefore I just did 3 machines and ended for the morning.

Jingle Bell Run 2007

Today's the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run 5K. I find out just before the race that it's a new route, which is probably good because of the every-other-day snows we've been getting. They shoveled pretty good, but there is still icy patches and snow/ice chunks all over the route.

Ken paired up with me and we took off........literally. At the one mile point, they announced 7:55! What! That's the fastest mile I've EVER run, by alot. At mile two I was starting to struggle, but they announced 16 minutes flat. Slowed a bit, but still quite fast. Ken stayed ahead of me just a bit for this two miles and was my rabbit. Unfortunately right after that point was a big hill that I tried to run up (not walk a bit). I did it, but struggled, and therefore got a bad side stitch coming down the hill. I kept going, but had to slow quite a bit to get my breathing under control. Ken kept going and even Bill passed me (he had been just about 10 seconds behind us the whole time). Finally at about 2.55 miles I started feeling better and picked the pace back up. At about 2.7 we were turning toward the school and I wondered how we were going to get another .4 in. Well, it turns out the course was short and my watch said about 2.82 at the finish line.

After gathering with the group, we decided we needed to finish the 5k, so we ran around the neighborhood a bit to finish the distance.

According to my Garmin, I ran 3.16 miles in 26:45.
For the 5k, I ran it in 26:09! I beat the 27 minute mark, even with slowing down quite a bit that last .75 mile. That's a 8:26/mile pace.

Now to keep working on it so I can maybe do the 8:30-8:45 pace for the full 10k.

TGIF!

It's Friday and neither of us got up to run. During the day I chatted with Bill and he said the roads were clearing up a bit so we decided to run outside tonight.

Ran 1.03 in 9:14 (8:55/mile pace)

Hard to move

It's still so hard to move into running in the morning when it's cold and the roads are still snowy and icy. Luckily I don't have much after work, so I'll just go to the All Saints gym.

Did my mile while watching Jeopardy (I was the only one in the gym tonight) and the time flew by pretty quickly. Finished it in about 9:15 or so, then did anothe two minutes walking backwards on the treadmill again. Was going to do some weights as I hadn't last night, but didn't really feel like it so did another 17 minutes or so on the bike in another hill workout.

Snowy day

Woke up this morning and realized it had continued to snow even after we shoveled last night. Plows hadn't been through so there was a good couple of inches in the neighborhood. As much as Bill hates to run on a treadmill, he agreed that it would be difficult to run this morning and we'd go to the Y tonight.

Ran my mile on the treadmill in about 9:30 or so, then did about 2 minutes walking backwards on the treadmill in an attempt to stretch the hamstrings. Then did about 17-18 minutes on the bike in a level 6 hill workout. Did just some tricep dips and stretched as Bill was ready to go.

Winter running

It was cold this morning, so I really didn't want to get up. Told Bill we could just run tonight at the gym.....then he remembered we had a meeting tonight! Phooey! So we dragged our butts out of bed and did our run at a nice easy pace.

Ran 1.03 mile in 9:39 (9:27/mile pace).

It started snowing midday and our meeting ended up being cancelled due to that. Oh well.

20/20/20

Still really windy this morning, so no running for me. I planned to try the new 20/20/20 class at Synchronicity. It's 20 minutes of low-impact cardio, 20 minutes of strength, and 20 minutes of flexibility. It's a pretty good class. The cardio was just enough to get the heartrate up and start to sweat. Lots of coordination, though, much like regular aerobics. Glad I've gotten a little more coordinated in my age. Then for the strength part she told us to use light weights, 2-3 lbs, as we were going to do things on the floor. Figuring I've built up some strength from training, I went with the 3 lbs. Wow, some of the exercises were hard as there were lots of reps. Good workout!

Stopped at the All Saints gym after as I still needed to do my mile. Did a quick mile on the treadmill in about 9:30.

Sunday later day

Was a little lazy this morning as there was a lot of snow on the ground and it was still sleaty and windy. Headed out midday to do some Christmas shopping and figured I'd go to the Y after.

Did my mile on the treadmill at the Y, then did just over 20 minutes of a hill workout, level 6, on the bike. Finished with 3 sets of 12 reps on 5 of the machines--the two lat presses and three quad/add/abductor machines. Y closes at 4pm, so that's all for today.

Southside Saturday

We're running the southside bike path today. Since Ken lives nearby, I wondered if he'd be back as he wasn't with the group last week. Well, I was right and he ran to the meeting point and we took off at the head of the pack together.

It was really cold this morning, about 17 degrees (9 degree windchill), but I dressed in layers and hoped I'd be ok. From beginning to end, I was actually pretty comfortable so I guess I did good with the clothing choices.

As usual, started out cruising right along. About 2 miles into it, Ken asked how fast we were going. About 8:30 pace! He then said he thought we were going a little fast......then why are we? I was keeping up with him!

Turned around at 2.75 as I knew this pace was a little harder and thought I'd start to tire out soon. Ken said goodbye at Chicory and I kept going to the end. Slowed a bit that last mile, but still tried to keep it at least a 9:30 pace.

Ran 5.50 miles exactly in 48:32 (8:49/mile pace overall).
Ran the first 3.1 miles in 26:36 (8:35/mile pace). Wow, that is fast!
Ran the last 2.4 miles in 21:55 (9:07/mile pace). Slower, but still pretty good.

Next week is the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run 5K. Since I ran 26:36 for a 5K this week, I'll have to think about what goal I make for next week. The crowd will hamper the start a bit, but I may be able to break 27 minutes.