Didn't get up to exercise, but should have. After work it was really nice out so I convinced Bill to go for a walk with me. We did a good little 22 minute walk around the neighborhood.

Got up and went running with Bill and Kristin this morning. Early!!!!

Ran probably about 4.25 or so...don't know for sure as I stopped my watch at one point when we stopped somewhere and must not have started it again so I lost some time.

We were supposed to run this morning, but it was rainy, windy, and gusts of up to 20-30mph. Uh-uh-nope! Bill went, not me.

After work I went to the gym and ran 2 miles on the treadmill at sub-9-minute miles. I then walked to finish out 21 minutes. I finished with 10 minutes on the bike with a bit of resistence. A good 30 minute workout.

Anna tonight! The last workout before Bill's marathon. Also the last workout for a month as Bill will be gone and we/I have stuff nearly eveyr Monday and Wednesday in May.

Not too hard of a workout as far as high weight, but still a good overall workout of squats, lungest, tricep pulldowns, lat pulldowns, hammer curls, some hill running, plank w/ T-stand (and even lifting one leg), plus situps.

After a beautiful morning yesterday, the rain rolled in. By 7pm, it had been raining much of the day and it was 30 degrees colder.

All day today, Sunday, it's still raining and cold. Lots of water everywhere. Therefore have to do a DVD. Since it was a lazy day, with a big Apple Holler breakfast, I knew I should do a longer one. Did the TJ Cardio Party 43 minute one, but had to cheat a bit. My legs are pretty tired from yesterday (although I didn't realize it until I started all the squats and kicks), so I had to fast-forward through the section with lots of kicks. I basically skipped about 4 minutes of the routine, so I still got about 36 minutes of cardio plus the 3 minute cooldown.

Woke up to try to go running a bit early today...maybe try to get 2-2.5 in before 7am. That way I can run with Kristin and Melissa as they run early and usually only need 4-5 at 7am. For once I had gotten my clothes ready the night before, but had to alter as it was 68 DEGREES at 6:10am!!! Woo hoo. Shorts and t-shirt weather. Got going a bit later than hoped, but still managed to get running early. We were doing a new route--the trail from Panera 2, then you could go around Sunnyslope or Stuart for more. Headed out the trail towards our old apartment to Sunnyslope. Exactly 1 mile in, the girls were coming back so I joined up with Melissa for the last mile of the pre-run. Got 2 in before the group. Then Kristin and I headed out and did the loop, took a quick water break, then another loop. That put me at about 6.2 miles. As were were standing around, I saw Bill and Jodie coming down the trail so I ran up to meet with them and ran back...getting in 6.8....might as well finish it up so I ran the extra .2 to get a total of 7 miles in. I felt really good!!!! It was warm today, the wind was strong from the SW giving us a little challenge at times, and we got a little rain sprinkle at one point, but it was a great run. I did have some water breaks at 2, 4.2, 6.2...so those probably refreshed me a bit, but I felt really good after 7 miles.

Then I looked at my splits:
First 3.1 = 8:46 average pace (and the first 2 miles were in about 8:40 pace as I just was running too fast)
Second 3.1 = 8:58 average pace
Final = 9:12 average pace (and that was running 0.4 with Bill and Jodie who were doing a 10 minute pace)

Overall pace was 8:54....wow! That's good. Now hopefully I can work to keep up that pace without the little refresh breaks.

Happy Birthday Bill

Today was the first day since the beginning of the year that I didn't quite make getting in the full workout. I didn't get up in the morning, but knew it was supposed to be a really nice day so I took tennis shoes to work and figured I'd walk a bit when I went down for my appointment at the WI Avenue campus. Got there early, put on the shoes, and headed down by the lake. About 5 minutes into the walk, my phone rang so I stopped for a few minutes to talk. Then headed back out again. Did a good brisk walk in the nice weather--about 60 degrees or so with a nice breeze, had to take my coat off at one point cuz I was warm. Was gone 20 minutes total, but with the break for the phone, I probably only walked 15-17 minutes total.

I thought I might try to do 10 minutes of stuff again at night, but forgot completely.

Therefore this is a slight cheat on the consistency....luckily it's Saturday tomorrow and supposed to be really nice, so I'll make sure I get a good long run in.

Couldn't get up to work out this morning, but finally did as I knew I had stuff at night. None of the DVDs sounded interesting, so I did a combo of the first 10 minutes of the TJ Abs one, then did the Biggest Loser Cardio #3 one for the last 10 minutes.

We were up for running with the girls today. Kristin and I headed together. At about 2.6 miles, she really picked up the pace. When I mentioned it, she said to keep it up until we reached Independence Drive....which was still a ways a way. I tried as hard as I could, although I fell a bit behind her. We did about 7:45-8:10 mile pace for that .4 miles...a little fartlek workout there. We then walked a bit for recovery before getting running again.

Did 4.75 miles in 45:05.

No running today (since they did yesterday), so just had to do a DVD. It's still kind of rainy so didn't want to go outside today. Just did the 20 minute TJ.

The girls were running at 4:45am today and I woke up to go but heard the wind and sleet!!! Nope, not for me. Bill went, and confirmed that is was an icky run.

Had Anna tonight for our last hard workout before Bill's marathon. She worked our butt, quads, hamstrings, and obliques again, with a little bit of shoulders thrown in there.

It was a little drizzly and gloomy today. I had afternoon plans with mom so I knew we should do something early. Because Bill had political stuff yesterday at noon, we didn't go to the diner for lunch. So I suggested we go today, and Bill had the idea of walking there and back.

It was a little windy, but a good 20 minute walk there, had lunch, then a cool, wet 20 minute walk back (it had started to rain a little bit). Since it was windy and chilly, it was a quick walk...so got in 40 minutes of walking today.

Culver's run this week....we haven't done this one (this direction) in well over a year. Got up early to pick up Tucker and take her down to run with us. Headed out with Kristin and Melissa (and Tucker, of course). As we got going, I was so glad I wore shorts....first time this year! It got pretty toasty. I had a long sleeve shirt and my black jacket and that was a mistake as it was sunny and the black made me pretty warm. We got down to Hwy 11 and had to run east a bit to get to 3 miles. We were pretty thirsty and thank goodness Kristin had money so we got water at the store on Durand and Drexel. On our way back we saw Kristin's sister-in-law and niece walking so we stopped to chat for a bit. And of course Tucker stopped a few times, therefore we got lots of little breaks in the run.

I'm getting better at keeping up with them for most of the time, but that last mile of rolling hills was hard and I fell back a bit....but only about 50 feet total, not very far at all. I basically just ran about 10-15 seconds slower in the finish.

Ran 6 miles today!

Again, tried to get up to work out this morning, but the bed was just soooooo comfy. Also, now that it's a little nicer, I just mentally couldn't get into a DVD. Planned to cook again tonight so came home and got porkchops into the oven. Then I asked Bill to go for a walk....love the sun and fresh air. We did a 25 minute walk around the neighborhood before dinner.

The weather is supposed to be really nice today and continue to get nicer thru Saturday. Got up a little earlier this morning and Bill and I went to get Tucker (we've been dog-sitting all week) so she could run with us this morning. Met Kristin and off we went for a 4.85 mile run (Bill did a bit less as he fell behind us).

Got up this morning to do the 40 minutes TJ DVD. Decided to sleep a bit longer, and just did the 20 minute one. Oh well, but it was something.

Woke up at 4am to run with the girls, but I didn't sleep well at all. I just didn't want to get up. Then I heard it was raining and sleety and that decided it. Bill left, but I actually fell back to sleep (definitely was tired, rarely I can fall asleep again). Went to the gym after work. Tried to run, but just couldn't get into it. Therefore I just walked at a 4% incline for 10 minutes. Hopped on the bike then for another 20 minutes.

Had Anna tonight. She did a good mix of hamstrings and quads, with some cardio bursts on the elliptical and treadmill mixed in. Had a little biceps and shoulder presses also. Good workout, might be a little sore tomorrow.

We're going up to Deb's later for Easter dinner, so I had to exercise in the AM. I didn't really want to do much, so I convinced Bill to go for a walk. It was a sunny day, cool, and a brisk wind, but it was nice to get out in the sun. We drove down to the zoo and walked the beach trail and back on Main Street. Nice, brisk 45 minute walk.

We're running northside backpath this morning, so I could actually dawdle a bit and not leave til the last minute. A brisk NE wind made the first few miles a little more work. Ran by myself a little in the beginning then I caught up with Kristin, Melissa, Dan Barry, and a new guy to the group Tony. Ran with them up to 2.5 and then K & M turned around. Kept going to 3 miles and turned around with Dan and Tony. Ran the last 3 miles with them. I'm really getting to like running with people, as it keeps me not thinking about the actual running too much and the time goes by fairly fast.

Ran 6.03 miles in 56:37, therefore averaging 9:23 pace. I had a little bloop in there when my shoe came untied, though. And has been the case recently, I go much slower the first 2 miles or so (and have to walk, tie my shoe, or something) and then do well the rest of the run. My last few miles are usually at about a 9:15 pace or so.

Should have gotten up and exercised, but just couldn't. Therefore I knew I'd have to do it later. I got out of work early and Bill and I went to an early dinner. Finally about 8pm I said I had to do something. I only wanted to do a 20 minute workout and I tried to find something on ExerciseTV, but nothing appealed to me. Therefore I fell back to the old standby of the TJ 20 minute workout. As I got going with it, I felt really good. I could have easily done more, but I have the long run tomorrow morning in less than 12 hours so I figured that was enough.

Another early running day, but I have my 12 hour day driving to-from LaCrosse for a job fair. Therefore getting up and running at 4:45am just didn't sound like a good idea. Bill got up and went, and I dozed for another hour or so. I got up and got ready to go for a run right as he was getting back at 6am. Was going to run the 2 mile loop, but as I got south it just seemed like a far way (I know....all mental). Therefore I decided to still do 2 miles, but zig-zag all in the neighborhood. For some reason that doesn't seem as long as I'm always close to the house and there are lots of turns. As I was coming back home and just reaching 2 miles, Untouched by The Veronica's came on my music and I got all pumped again. Therefore I decided to run a little farther, and faster, as I love that song. As I looked down at my watch, I realized I had done the 2 miles in 18 minutes, so I figured I'd run the extra 2 minutes to get the 20 minutes of exercise in. As I approached 20 minutes, it was perfect that it was 2.25 miles.

Had Anna tonight. She didn't work us quite as hard as last week, but still kept a focus on legs. Also did some arms and core, though, this week. Plus she had us do 2 minute bursts on the treadmill a few times. I won't be nearly as sore as last week, but my hips will be a bit from the sideways situp (with ball between the legs) we did!

Another day of getting up at 4am to run with the girls. Jodie didn't show, but we did meet Melissa. We had a good pace going and although I was struggling a bit, we did a good long run. Ended up with 5 miles in 48:23.

Had the GOP meeting tonight so my plan was to get up and do a 40 minute workout. Just didn't happen. Only did the 20 minutes TJ...and not the most enthusiasticly as I should have.

OK, today was a lazy day for both of us. In the late afternoon I told Bill that we both should work out and do legs, hamstrings, butt work again. It's been 6 days since Anna, and we don't see her til Wednesday again, so we should get another good workout in. Bill reluctantly changed and I 'trained' him for an hour. I picked out a bunch of exercises from my sheets to do and we got going. Did 2 minutes of jumping jacks, running, and jumprope to start, then did a workout for 55 minutes. Did superman stretches, sideways walking in a squat position with a latex band, side leg lifts for the butt, hamstring curls, one legged bridges, lunges with bicep curls and shoulder presses, back-to-back oblique medicine ball handoffs, plank with going to a T-stand, and squats holding a weight like we did with Anna (some only going 1/2 way down). It was a good workout that we both did together.

Running group this morning and it's supposed to be nice out (for spring.....30 ish degrees, very little wind, and SUNNY). Bill has 20 to do, so he left in the middle of the night.

I got going and basically ran by myself. Kristen, Jodie, and Melissa weren't back at the cars at 7am (they ran early), so I just got going. Had my music and wanted to see if I could run 6 miles...the longest I've run in several weeks. We were doing a new route (for me) starting at Jud's office and doing reverse Colonial. Although I got a little confused at times of where to go, I liked this route as it was new, quiet, and mostly nice trails.

As I was running, I realized that although I thought doing 6 miles would be "do-able" and not be too much of a stretch, not too much of an increase over previous weeks....but with doing 8.5 miles between Wed & Thursday, doing 6 more was a big stretch---14 total!!

The first 2-2.5 miles went well, then I started to get fatigued. Left hamstring started bothering me, and the right butt cheek starting hurting too. I realized I was turning my right leg in a bit and leaning in on the knee cuz I was getting tired. I concentrated on straightening my knee so that it wouldn't pull on the hip/butt.

I thought about turning around at 2.5, but thought I'd try to push it. I went to 3 miles, then stopped the watch and walked a bit just to catch my breath. I restarted the watch and headed back. At one big hill I really wanted to walk, but just kept pushing. Managed to struggle through finishing those last 3 miles without walking. My time was slower those final 3 miles, but still got all 6 done in less than a 9:30 overall pace (9:10ish for the first 3, 9:25ish for the second 3).

Total of 14.5 for the week...woo hoo!

Although I "slept in" til 6am this morning, I really struggled getting up to exercise. I went to bed early as I was tired from the last two days of early rises, so I got about 8.5 hours of sleep and I was just so groggy getting up. I wanted to try to do a 40 minute workout...but just couldn't get going.

Reluctantly finally got up at 6:30am to do a 20 minute workout (couldn't delay to the evening--have dinner out with the running group at King & I tonight, plus the run tomorrow morning so I didn't want to workout too close together). Popped in the 20 minute TJ DVD...my old fallback when I want something I don't have to think about too much, but can get a good sweat on. Did the workout, but really struggled. I was so fatigued, and I'm still sore in the legs/butt from Monday. Kind of pathetic workout, but done, nonetheless.

Up again to run at 4:45am. Typically the girls try to do Tuesday & Thursday, but weather was supposed to be icky Tuesday, so they did Wed & Thurs this week. It's Thursday and I'm running with them again.

Did 4.5 miles today with Kristin again, with only one little spot of walking near Melissa's house as we were waiting to see if she was going to join us.

I really like running with someone. It's motivating to keep going, nice to have some occasional conversation to distract, and the time passes much faster.

Went to work by 7:25am today as I was going so early. Kind of quiet there then! :)

Last week Bill got up one day and went running with the girls at 4:45am. It wounds like that would be a good way to get more running in during the week....have the motivation of having to meet people and then run with faster people...to get me going. Just trying to get myself up in the morning and run by myself never works and even when I do, I stop after only 1-2 miles. Unfortunately...4:45am!?!?!?!?

Well, I decided to do it today. Got up at 4am and Bill and I met at Kristin's. Jodie was there as well. The four of us headed out and I ran with Kristin the whole time. Got 4 miles in, with a bit of walking in there.

Got home before 6am....now what to do. If I shower up now, I'm ready for work before 7am. If I really start doing this, I'm going to have to talk to Mary Jo about adjusting my work schedule a bit to come in and leave earlier on these days.

I wonder how tired I'll be tonight as I didn't sleep well (anxious about having to get up early so I just kept waking up all night long).

Funny thing I thought of after.....I started my "exercise at least 20 min everyday" thing on 1/1/09. Now it's 4/1/09 and I'm starting this running during the week thing early morning (thinking I'm going to try to do this at least once a week, maybe twice--the girls typically try to do it at least twice during the week). One quarter of one challenge accomplished.....now with the start of a new quarter of the year, add on a new challenge.

Let's see how this goes!