It's time to do a bit of running again, so just went out to do the quick neighborhood mile tonight.

Ran 1.01 in 8:59 (8:54/mile pace). Nothing exciting, but just wanted to stretch the legs back out again.

Again, still not quite ready to run yet, don't want to strain myself before the 10k this weekend.

Decided to do some of my new TurboJam stuff. Walked up and down the stairs for a few minutes to warm up, then did the 20 minute TurboJam workout, then the other 16 minute Burn workout. Finished with some pushups and plank for 60 seconds.

After the long run yesterday and the pressure on my knee, I didn't want to do a run today. Decided it would be a good day to just do the 20/20/20. We did a good cardio and sweated a bit again.

So I didn't get to run long yesterday and was really bummed as I wanted/needed to get a long run in this weekend. Therefore I thought I should try to do one today. Thought about running the Lighthouse Run route and set off about 8am to do so. Thought this might be a little difficult--to try to run a 10 mile run, for the first time, by myself. Got a little nervous and scared, but thought I'd try.

Got to the parking garage by the towers (after hiding a water bottle on Michigan Blvd), got my MP3 ready and set off. Ran the first 2 miles or so, got some water, then kept going. At about 4 miles I was stuggling a bit and thought this was going to be a problem. Somehow I got distracted for a bit, thinking about work things I think, and the next thing I knew I had run another half mile and was feeling pretty good again. Ran around the lighthouse loop and Bill came and found me at about 6.2. He was just checking up on me, brought G2 and water to make sure I was OK. It was nice to have a 30 second break, and I had been secretly hoping he would come find me somewhere along the way (just to give me something to look forward to). Continued on.....

As I got back towards the Main Street bridge, I hit the 10 mile mark. I was getting tired, but still felt pretty OK. Thought I'd try for a little farther. Thought about heading towards the reverse Colonial route, but changed and just ran east along the backside of M&I and the condos, rounded by Chancery and came back towards Main. Continued south on Main and kept going. As I got to about 10.7, I was starting to get tired and my knee was starting to yell at me. Decided to turn around at GTC and head back on Lake. As I approached the parking garage, I was only at about 11.7 or so, and I thought I better try for a nice even 12. Had to run past the garage to State and back again, but got the full 12 miles in.

This was a big jump from 9.1, my longest run yet. But overall I felt pretty good. I know I slowed quite a bit the last few miles, but overall it wasn't too bad.

Ran 12 miles flat in 1:55:51 (with 2 really short water stops and a G2 stop with Bill, plus a tying shoe stop) equating to an overall pace of 9:39/mile. My 3.1 mile splits were: 28:56 (9:20), 29:26 (9:29), 30:12 (9:44), and the last 2.7 was 27:15 (10:06). Not too bad for my first time and for being alone--so nobody to push me.

Oooooh boy is it windy today. 20-30 mph winds and it's only about 40 degrees or so. Not really feeling like running in this. It's a little frustrating as I needed to get a long run in this weekend. I decided to at least do a little, so I went to All Saints.

Ran 2 miles on the treadmill, did a bit of walking, then 2 minutes walking backwards and a bit more walking. Not a lot, but at least something.

It's Bill's birthday today--he's old--turning 35! We'll be going out for dinner after work, so I thought it best to get up and run this morning. As I was getting ready, I told Bill my rationale and he reluctantly joined me.

Ran 1.03 around the neighborhood in 9:09 (8:52/mile pace).

Had a conference today that meant I head to leave at about 7am so I knew I wouldn't run this morning.

Unfortunately after the conference it started raining and was expected to rain pretty much all night. Therefore I decided to to do the PowerJam DVD again. Started wtih 4-5 minutes of jogging up and down the stairs to warm up, then did the 16 minutes "burn" DVD. Ended that and did some more floor exercises--triceps with the medicine ball, 10 pushups, situps, and then stretched. No running, but an OK workout.

Had an appointment with Anna tonight, and had an appointment with Tom in Glendale this afternoon before. Got done with that early, so had lots of time to kill before working out with Anna.

Got to the club and was going to run on the treadmill, but it was over 70 degrees and beautiful, so I decided to run outside. I ran about a mile in about 9 minutes. Then went inside and did about 5 minutes on the bike and then about 7 minutes on the elliptical.

Ended with my hour with Anna with some core workout, just a few legs, and some biceps/triceps.

So, got these new Power Jam DVDs and thought I'd try them out tonight. Did the "learn" one to learn the moves---it's a standing ab workout with some Tae-Bo like moves. Then did the 16 minute "burn" portion of the first DVD to work them out. After that section, they had some outtakes and intros to people involved so I kept doing some of the moves while watching that just to get a little longer workout. Some of these moves really work the obliques!

Thought this may be all I do, but as I was finishing Bill called (he was at trap) and was on his way home already. He still needed to do his mile, so I went with him. Did the mile around the neighborhood--1.03 miles in 8:23 (8:06/mile pace).

Some good workouts tonight.

Since it's been so nice, I thought I'd get out early this morning to do my run in nicer weather.

Ran 1.03 miles in 8:21 (8:08/mile pace).

Thought I may go to 20/20/20 also tonight, and planned to, but ended up staying at work late so luckily I did do the run this morning.

Back in Racine and had to work a bit earlier. It's about mid-50s temperature-wise and there's a slight wind. Went out for the run together, but Bill said he was only going to do a mile. With all the food and junk I ate this weekend, I thought I'd try for more. It's nice weather, why not?

Got my MP3 ready and took that with, then when Bill turned around at 0.5, I tried to start it up as I ran longer. Unfortunately it was dead--so I ran the rest of the run in silence, with just my own thoughts, and this armband and ear buds that did nothing! ;)

As I was running, shooting for around 4 miles (the Douglas Ave loop), I thought about my total mileage in the last few days. I figured I did 7.0 miles Friday and 1.55 yesterday, so if I ran about 4.6, then I'd get 13.1 in for the weekend--although spread out, it was be a way of upping the mileage to equate to the half-marathon.

Therefore that's what I shot for. As I got back to the neighborhood, I had to do some zig-zags to get the mileage in, but ended up finishing with the 4.6 miles. Ran that in 41:18 (8:59/mile pace). Good pace with winds in my face for about half of it!

After running longer yesterday, I thought maybe we'd still run about 4 or so today. As we drove back towards the park that we ran to yesterday, Bill made a comment about doing only 1 mile. It had rained most of the day before and there were puddles all over, plus it was just chillier than yesterday and still quite humid.

Ran the loop around Fenton Park and it ended up being 1.55 miles. Ran that in 13:59 (9:01/mile pace).

We're down in St. Louis for Madelaine's first communion. Drove down late last night and really have no big plans today, therefore Bill and I decided to do our longer run today. Mapped out a route from the motel towards a park in Fenton. Thought I may try to get close to 10 miles in, but it was drizzly, and it's been a while since I've run long so I didn't think that was going to happen.

Ran about 6 then Bill turned and kept going and I headed back to the hotel. It was nice to run in a new environment with new scenery.

Ran 7.0 miles in 1:07:28 which was an average of 9:38/mile pace. Ran a little slower than normal, maybe it was because of running with Bill, maybe I just wasn't that into it today.

Labelled this today with a Saturday label, although it's really Friday, just because it was the long run of the week.

We're heading off to St. Louis this afternoon, not leaving until 4pm-ish, which will get us in to St. Louis around 11pm or so. Therefore another day where I had to run in the morning.

Bill came with me as we just did the quick mile -- ran 1.06 in 8:40 (8:11/mile pace). A little swift, must really have wanted to get it done. ;)

Have plans to go out with the girls tonight, so I knew I better exercise in the morning.

Got up and just ran the quick mile around the neighborhood. Ran 1.02 in 8:25 (8:14/mile pace)

Had a Rep meeting this morning in Milwaukee, so I really wasn't motivated to get up that early to run. It turned out to be a really nice day today, reaching 60 degrees, but with a pretty strong wind.

Got home and went for the quick mile with Bill around the neighborhood. Ran 1.02 in 8:43 (8:33/mile pace).

Thought I may get up to run this morning, but just couldn't get motivated. Went to the 20/20/20 class tonight and again got a good 20 minutes of cardio. With the sun setting at it's current time, it shines right into the studio and is sunny on me for a good part of the class. That gets the sweat pouring a bit, then we did some good weight work.

No running again, but at least some cardio again.

We had a "date" scheduled today to spend some time together--starting with brunch at Apple Holler, a day at the museum for the Body Worlds exhibit, then a late lunch/early supper in Milwaukee. Knowing all of this, I thought I should get up early to exercise.

It's still pretty windy, so I decided to stay inside and exercise. Bill reminded me of the exercise channel on TV, so I wanted to try some of that.

Did about 20 minutes of a cardio-tone routine (a Jillian Michael's/Biggest Loser) routine, plus 2 minutes of back stretching and strengthening. I thought maybe I'd run later, but this is a good amount for the beginning of the day.

Never got back out to run later, so glad I did the cardio in the morning to at least get something in.

So it was really windy and raining this morning. I wasn't in the mood to feel cold, wet, and miserable while running, so I decided not to go with the group.

Went to the All Saints gym and ran 2 miles on the treadmill, then walked a bit. That's about all for today.

We're going out after work with the HR group tonight, so I knew I wouldn't run later. Therefore up early and got the quick neighborhood mile in.

Ran 1.01 in 8:39 (8:35/mile pace).

It's raining again, or should I stay still. Therefore just went up to the All Saints gym after work to get a bit of a workout in.

Ran a mile on the treadmill and that was a bit tough. Then walked to round out 20 minutes of a workout. Not an overly intense workout, but some good cardio nonetheless.

Woke up early again with all the best intentions of running before work, but again the warm bed and cuddling of the kitties won out.

Had Anna again tonight, even though just went last week. Since Bill's gone, why not get an extra session in. Also wanted to get to the off weeks for my every other so it didn't coincide so directly with my monthly friend. Tonight we talked about what I wanted to do in training for the upcoming races. I said my legs were OK, just good workouts would be fine, but would like to work on upper body and core. Therefore she talked about how we'll work on muscle groups that correspond with the movements my arms make while running (front to back swinging), and really work on some strength that way, vs other arm/shoulder exercises (like flies and out to the side as that won't help the running). Therefore that's what we did--lots of shoulders, biceps, and triceps. Finitely will feel this a bit in a few days.

Had my HRMA Spring Conference today (won a $25 gift certificate so that was cool), then met Mom for dinner. It rained most of the afternoon and was still raining after dinner. Thought of going back to All Saints to workout, but just wasn't interested. It was raining pretty hard in the evening, so I definitely wasn't going to do anything outside.

Therefore today was a nothing day. :(

Woke up early this morning to run before work, but just couldn't get motivated and the bed was so warm and cozy.

Just went to 20/20/20 tonight, and it kicked my butt. We did some kickboxing moves for the 20 minutes of cardio and I really broke a sweat. This is the first time I broke a sweat at one fo these Synchronicity classes. Then we did some good weight work for the next 20 minutes. Left this 60 minute session feeling like I got a good workout.

Bill had to fly out again this afternoon, so we did our quick little mile neighborhood run midday.

Ran just 1.00 in 8:53. Felt like it was a little slower as I was doing it, but I guess it wasn't too bad.

Today's another Saturday and the weather is OK (a little chilly, but not too bad). I got to the Panera parking lot about 6:20am, a few minutes later than I wanted to, so I set up to do about 3 miles before the group was to arrive. Knowing Bill was out there, and thinking he'd finish down Newman, I ran up Emmertsen to Spring first. Right at the corner of Spring and Newman I actually met up with Bill and a new runner, John, with perfect timing. Finished about 3.1 getting back to the parking lot. That was a really hard 3.1 for some reason and my legs are really wobbly. I really thought about just calling that a day.

But as the group started to arrive, I thought I'd set out to do at least a few more. We were running Panera 2 and I set off with Ken and Ben. Told them I would be running as fast as normal as I was stuggling a bit. Ran about 2 or a little more with them, then had to slow up a bit. Got to the back of the trail loop and thought about cutting over on the shortcut, but then thought I should just do the long route and I could just slow down a bit. Then as I continued over the next mile or so, I was getting passed by nearly everyone, but I just kept running.

As I got back to the driveway by Chipotle, I was just passing 8 miles. I was feeling OK, so I thought I'd try to push for a bit more. Some of the girls were just ahead of me and went north on that little road and over towards Emmertsen again. I remember from the first part of my run that from my car to the stop sign behind the grocery story at Emmertsen, it was a 1/2 mile. Therefore I pushed myself to run to that stop sign and back--ending the morning with 9.1 miles--my longest run yet!

Did that 9.1 in 1:22:44, which is a 9:05/mile average pace. The first 3.1 (by myself mostly) was 9:09 average pace, the second 3.1 (some with Ken) was at 8:43 average pace, then the last 2.9 was at 9:23 average pace. Definitely was slower at the end, but not too bad overall.

Bill came home today and I knew he would need to run when he got home. We decided to run relatively right away after getting home and get it done before dinner and relaxing. As we got changed, I really did not want to go. Bill told me I didn't need to as I would be trying to run longer in the morning, but I was already changed and I knew I should go. These 10-15 lbs I want to lose aren't going anywhere if I don't do something about it. Also, a 10 mile or half-marathon isn't going to be easy--just do it!

Ran 1.02 in 9:02 (8:50/mile pace).

Knew I was having dinner with Mom tonight then a hair appointment, I knew I should get up early and run before work. Luckily it's warming up so getting up and running was in 30+ degree weather.

Ran 1.01 in 8:45 (8:41/mile pace). Pretty good for not having done a "1 mile" neighborhood run in the morning in a while.

Had an appointment with Anna today so I knew that would work me. She did an exercise right from the start that really was tough--push up with feet up on the Bosue. Push up, go 45 degrees to the right, push up, back to center, push up, 45 degrees to the left, push up, back to center, repeat. Wow, that one was really, really tough. Having the feet up that 9 inches or so really put a strain on the core and the lower back/side muscles. Then we did lots of other core and arm exercises, with at least one quad/hamstring one too. Although a few were really tough, it wasn't an overall tough workout---good, but not where I'm going to be too terribly sore this week. That's good for me as I really need to run long this Saturday as I haven't done so in 3 weeks.

I had a job fair in LaCrosse today, so I was driving out and back same day making for a very long day. Because I didn't get to shop at the Outlet Mall yesterday, I wanted to stop at Johnson Creek today. It was already after 6:30pm by the time I got there, but I decided to stop and just limit my time. I got home about 8:30pm but was ancy after driving all day and felt like I really should just hurry to get ready and get a mile in to get out some energy.

I guess I really was in a hurry to get done as I did 1.01 in 8:10 (8:03/mile pace). Wow! I think that's the fastest "1 mile" neighborhood run I've ever done.