Today's is June 30th, the last day of the 1-year challenge of Bill's to run 1 mile every single day. Although we also ran on 6/30 last year, and it's a leap year this year, he really started the challenge on 7/1 and wanted to run through 6/30 to be able to say he did the full year. I wanted to do this mile with him as I started with him and did the first 6 months of this challenge.

Did our mile around the neighborhood: 1.01 in 9:21 (9:16/mile pace).

Now Bill can take a break from the "every single day" routine which I know he is welcoming. But I am proud of him for sticking with this and running EVERY SINGLE DAY. He kept going and finished this challenge. Sometimes finishing things is a problem for him, and this was a long sustaining challenge and he did it. I'm very proud of him!

While Bill got ready to run, I decided to just do some stuff at home. We bought a Bosu, so I wanted to do a bit with that, plus some other aerobic stuff. Tried to find some routines on ExerciseTV....did the first 2 minutes of 3 different routines before settling on one I already did before with Jillian from The Biggest Loser. Did most of that one, then some of my own exercises on the Bosu.

Therefore ended up with about 20-25 of aerobic and weight stuff.

This was the first time I was to run since last weekend's Lighthouse Run. Tried taking the week off to heel my butt muscle.

Got going and could tell I vacationed this week and didn't run. Then as I went along I could feel a twinge in the cheek. Therefore I thought I'd just run about 2 miles or so, then walk back.

Ran 2.27 miles in 21:17 (9:23/mile pace), then walked back for 2.75 miles in 41:23 (a 15:01/mile pace). Got the full 5 miles in and it felt good to just be out and doing something.

So we flew in and landed in the early morning hours, getting home about 3am or so, so we slept in and got ready slowly today. Just bummed around all day. Unfortunately I'm logging this several days later and I don't remember if I actually exercised or not all day. I know I didn't run, but I can't remember doing anything else either. Therefore I'm going to say it was a 'nothing' day.

Last day of vacation so we wanted to get the workout in early as we will be travelling for over 12 hours later. Went to the gym and did about 12 minutes on the recumbant bike. Did my stretches and called it a day. This was great to have this gym here as it allowed me to do at least a little exercise (without dealing with the extreme humidity here in Punta Cana).

I was set up for a 50-minute massage today at 9am, so I decided to get up early and get to the gym early. Why workout and work the muscles all up after the massage, so get it down before.

Rode the recumbant bike for 20 minutes, then did some weights again--free weights and some abs.

Today we had done an excursion--a zipline tour in the mountains. 11 short ziplines zig-zagging back and forth. It was so much fun!!! We were the only two on this excursion so we got the instructors and course all to ourselves (there was a large group that must have had a time about 2 hours before us as they were leaving when we arrived--it was a large group therefore I'm sure they didn't get the personal attention we got). Unfortunately on the way back to the resort, the bus broke down. Luckily they called the zipline people and the leader came down in the excursion's truck and gave us a personal ride back (another great thing that it was only the 2 of us so we fit easily into a truck). Got back a little later than planned, but it was OK and a great experience overall. The leader, Ezekiel, was awesome, spoke english beautifully, and made the whole experience, even the downed bus, a great memory.

Bill still needs to do his mile-a-day, but I just wasn't in the mood to exercise after all of that. I decided to take a day off.

On vacation for the next few days (today's our anniversary!!!), and still not wanting to run, decided to try one of the new machines at the resort gym. There's this machine that looks like an elliptical, but when I got on and moving on it, it simulated cross-country skiing-type moves. It was really intersting. Did that for 10 minutes, then walked on the treadmill for another 3 or so minutes. That's it for today.

Flew out to Punta Cana for vacation early this morning!!!! Excited to be away on vaca!

Got to the resort and walked around checking it all out. They have a fabulous gym here, lots of machines and weights, exercise balls, and mats, plus great music. It's a great, great gym.

We got ready to go down to the gym to get our workout in. I started to run and realized my right butt really was sore after the Lighthouse yesterday. Stopped right away and decided to just take it easy. Walked for 10 minutes, then decided to do a little strengthening. Did some free weight work, crunches on the ball, and hamstring curls on the ball (trying to loosen up that muscle a bit). Nice little workout after a day of travel.

Today’s the day of my first 10 mile Lighthouse Run. I’ve walked 2 (I think) and ran the 4 mile two years ago, but never even thought I could do the 10. Now here I am, and I did a ½ marathon just last month.

I've been nursing the pain in my right lower cheek, but overall it doesn’t hurt too bad when I’m running. Jeff, Tina, Justin, & Madelaine came up for the weekend and Tina and Justin are going to attempt the 10 mile, while Jeff and Madelaine are going to do the fun walk with Mom and Jeanne and Larry Rickman.

Got down to the starting line and there a lot of our running group doing the race. As we lined up, I was with Ken and Megan, but it became clear that Ken was going to run his race, a much faster pace than I can do. Then I saw Jim, a new member of our running group, that I ran with a few weeks ago for about 6 miles on a Panera run. He’s a nice guy and mentioned coaching high school athletics. He’s good to run with as he doesn’t talk a lot, but enough---talks just once in a while and provides good distractions. I waved him over and we started the race with him. That turned out to be the best move for me as he was very encouraging and kept me moving.

We’re off and running. I had to walk around miles 3.5 or so for a short bit to get water. Then I gradually ran a little faster than pace to catch back up with Megan and Jim (Ken had left us right from the start). As we came around by Shoop, the clouds opened and it started to rain. That actually felt pretty good, but then a strong wind came west to east. I really didn’t need that, especially as we were about to turn west on 3 Mile. As we approached the corner of 3 Mile and Main, it was about 7 miles in, and I needed to walk a bit again while I drank some water. Unfortunately I had to walk for about 1/8 of a mile and got behind Megan and Jim. I got running again, but was definitely getting tired. I knew it would be hard to catch back up with them. I just had to focus on running, even if it was a 10 min mile pace. I had to walk a bit around 8 and 9 miles, but tried to keep the walks short and keep moving. After mile 9, I didn’t allow myself to walk again, even up the bridge and then up the hill at 3rd/4th street. That’s a killer little hill at 9.7 miles! As I approached the finish, I looked at my GPS and saw I was going to be really close to 1:30, my stretch goal. I just kept going and pushed as much as I could. As I crossed the finish, I hit my stop button and it read 1:29:56! I know that’s not the official time, but it made me feel really good. I had run as good of a race as I could, taking breaks when I needed to but making sure not every time I wanted to (which would have been a lot more often!). Running with Jim and Megan was great as it really kept me moving and Jim was very encouraging, watching out for me when I fell a bit behind and offer words of encouragement often throughout the race. Since I’m still not really running a lot of distance, this was as good of a race as I could’ve done. I’m really proud of myself! Now I can go on vacation with a good sense of accomplishment and can relax and enjoy it.

The official time for the race was 1:30:32.9—a 9:03/mile pace. Although not quite my 1:30, it’s a 1:30 as far as Boston Marathon-type time keeping!

Jeff, Tina, and the kids came in tonight for the Lighthouse Run tomorrow so we did dinner with them. Although Bill ran his mile later after we got home, I really didn't want to. I've been nursing this sore muscle in my right gluteal area all week (don't have any idea when/how I strained it) and with the Lighthouse in the morning, I just wasn't in the mood to run on a full stomach less than 12 hours before that long run.

Had my first tennis get-together tonight with Mary Jo and her two playing partners. We played about 1.5 hours of doubles tennis. Nothing too strenuous for me overall, but it was fun to hit the ball around and work on coordination and control with ball. It was fun getting back into playing tennis again.

We had Anna tonight at 7pm. Since it was a later appointment, I convinced Bill to do our mile right when we got home so he didn't have to worry about it after Anna and dinner.

Did 1.01 in 8:54 (8:47/mile pace).

Then went to our appointment with Anna. Did measurements first, then worked out. Since the Lighthouse Run is Saturday, we did only a little with legs, and focused more on arms (lots of free weight exercises) and shoulders, core, and back.

Did alot of GOP computer work tonight, from the time I got home til when Bill was coming home from trap. When he got home, we went out together to get our mile in.

Ran 1.03 in 8:38 (8:23/mile pace)

Wanted to do something a little different today, so went to the All Saints gym. Did 10 minutes on the elliptical, then 20 minutes on the bike so that I got the 30 minutes of cardio in. Then did a few strength exercises.

Wanted to do a little longer run today, but just couldn't get motivated. Did the neighborhood mile.

Ran 1.01 in 9:30 (9:23/mile pace)

With the Lighthouse Run next weekend, I didn't want to do alot this week. Thought I'd do the normal 5-6 or so, so I didn't go early and just wanted to meet the group at 7am. It's the Relay for Life, so we met at Panera and ran to Case HS for the relay. Did 4 laps there for 1 mile. I thought I'd then run another route to get extra miles in. As we left Case, I heard that everyone was just running back to Panera as they had all run before 7am and had miles in already. I ran with Kristin, so we kept a good pace, but I ended with only about 4 miles. Not great, should have done more, but at least it was something.

Ran 4.01 in 35:59 (8:58/mile pace).

Mary Jo asked me if I wanted to play tennis with her doubles friends this summer. Sounds like fun, but I haven't played except for a few times with Bill in the last 5 years. Therefore she agreed to go out and hit with me tonight just to see how I did, especially compared to her and her friends. We hit around for about an hour or a little more, nothing too strenuous. Hit lots of forehands, backhands, came to the net a few times, and served a good number of serves. Didn't break much of a sweat, but it was a different type of exercise than I've done in a while.

Tonight's another workout for both of us with Anna. Since it was supposed to also rain tonight, I woke Bill up and we went for a mile run in the morning so it was out of the way. Ran 1.01 in 8:47 (8:43/mile pace)

With Anna, we started with a few minutes of jumping jacks, then did hamstrings, quads, pushups, lunges with the big bar on our neck, standing rows, and some core. Bill's still struggling with a few things, but this workout wasn't too bad for me. I may have to increase my weights or reps on a few things so I feel it more.

Today was Bill's last day going to Chicago early and once he got going I was awake. Since I didn't really do anything yesterday, and it was beautiful this morning, I thought I should get out for a run and maybe even do 2 miles.

I ended up doing the 2 mile loop. Did 2.05 in 18:04 (8:47/mile pace). Pretty good pace!

Got home from work and knew Bill wouldn't be home for a bit from his Chicago workshop. With all the rain this past weekend, the grass grew alot, but it was sunny enough today to dry a bit. Got out and cut the lawn and string-trimmed it all before Bill got home. He had brought running clothes with him to the trainstation so he could run there (new scenery), so he had already run. We went to dinner, then drove around Racine looking at all the river flooding. By the time we got home, I didn't really want to do any more. Guess the lawnmowing will have to be all the physical activity I'll get today.

Haven't been to the Y in a long time, so I decided to go after work today. Did 25 minutes of a hill workout on the elliptical, then 12 minutes of a hill workout on the recumbant bike. Should have done some weights, but I was done with this. It was pretty busy and pretty hot there, so that's enough for today.

Bill had found this Beer Run up in the Riverwest neighborhood in Milwaukee to do today. It was a 1.8 mile run with 4 mandatory beer stops. He really wanted to do it, I wasn't too excited but I thought I'd go with anyway. It stormed much of yesterday afternoon and all night, but cleared a bit this morning. Unfortunately more storms were on their way and it started raining right when we got up to Milwaukee. Bill still really wanted to do it, even thought there were thunderstorm warnings and we saw lightning. I didn't really want to do this anyway and Bill felt bad so he almost didn't do it. I told him I was fine waiting in the car and so then he went and did it. About 5 minutes before the race it just downpoured and I was so glad I was in the car rather than standing on the street. He ran it and came back saying it was alot of fun. Everyone was just playing in the rain and he said it was something he'll do again.

It had stopped raining by the afternoon so I just went out and did my mile. Ran 1.0 in 8:45. Then came in and did a 5-minute ExerciseTV bikini-butt routine. That was a tough one and really worked that glute area! Then later in the evening, Bill and I went for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, probably about 1.5 miles or so.

Really wanted to get in one more long run this Saturday as the Lighthouse is in two weeks. Went at 6am to meet some of the early runners. It's in the 60s and really humid today, so it's going to be a new experience to run in these conditions afte rmonths of running in winter/spring conditions. Got started with Kim, Yemi, and a new guy Jim. Ran the first 3 miles with all three, but then hit the Hwy 38 hill was a struggle. Jim and I dropped back from the other two a bit, but kept a pretty good pace, not losing much more ground on the other two for the whole rest of the 5.8 miles or so. We kept a really good pace, sub 9-minute miles.

Met the group and got some water and G2--needed that as that heat and humidity were draining me. Took off with the group and decided I wanted to run to get myself to at least 8 miles, then I could walk a bit if I wanted to. I ran to just past 8, then walked a bit and noticed Bill walking not too far behind me. Turned around and met up with him. Hit the lap button on my watch so I could see the pace for this last few miles. We walked/ran the last 2+ miles back to the cars.

The first 6.2 miles were 56:15 (the first 5.8 were with Jim, then the brief break at the car), so that was a great sub-9 pace. The next 1.84 was in 17:04 (a 9:16/mile pace). Therefore the first 8 miles were in 1:13:19. If I could do this, plus 10 minute miles for the final 2 miles on Lighthouse day, I'd be at just over 1:33 which I'd be happy with. For the final 2.2 with Bill today we walked quite a bit and ran probably half or less than half of it, therefore it took 27:45 (12:35/mile pace). Today ended up being 10.24 miles in 1:40:05 total. Good to get one more long run in as I'll probably just do 6-8 in next week to ease up a bit before the race.

Bill and I got home from work and decided to get in our run right away, then get dinner, so we headed right out.

Did 1.03 in 9:30 (9:15/mile pace).

Haven't run since Monday so I thought it would be good to go out. Bill was out tonight at Pints & Politics so I waited for him to get home then we did the quick mile.

Ran 1.05 in 8:52 (8:36/mile pace). Turned out to definitely be quick. :)

Tonight's our second night with partner training with Anna. We didn't want to do measurements so we hopped right on the ellipticals and did about 8 minutes or so to warm up. Then did a good 55 minutes or so with Anna--pullups, lots of variations of pushups (some with feet on the Bosue), some tossing/core things with the medicine ball, hamstrings, and biceps with squats. A good workout and it's still a bit fun to see Bill struggle so much with some of them that I'm OK with. I like seeing him work to get stronger and it's nice to have him see how strong I have gotten too.

Really didn't feel like running tonight, so I decided to workout at home. Searched the ExerciseTV channel for something to do. Wanted some cardio. Found a cardio workout with Bob from Biggest Loser and did that. It was a tough 20 minute workout, really getting the heartrate up and doing some toning and weights as well. Really broke a sweat, worse than I do on some runs.

Got up and decided to get a run in this morning as I had such a big dinner and dessert yesterday at the fundraiser. Did the neighborhood mile--1.02 in 8:49 (8:38/mile pace).

Then also went to do a 20/20/20 class tonight. Since my leftover sessions expired on 5/31/08, I was stretching it a bit and hoped they would let me workout tonight and not say anything. I changed at work and didn't get there till right at 6pm so I could workout as this will probably be my last.

We have Evan's school's golf fundraiser later today, with dinner after, so we knew we had to get our run in early. Got up and did our neighborhood mile right away this morning.

Legs were a bit stiff, but it felt good to get out. Ran 1.01 in 9:15 (9:11/mile pace)--pretty good for being a bit sore.