Sorry I haven't posted yet about our long run on Saturday.. KT and I left town on Saturday not long after our group run. We've been here way too much lately. We needed to pack it up and enjoy some family time in VA.
So, Saturday was fun. I was very nervous in the beginning about running 6 miles since I haven't done 6 in YEARS, years as in BW (Before Will). Coach Liz had it all worked out that we would run Greenway and Trails ... we ended up doing 2.5 on trails and the other 3.5 on the greenways.
The trails were great except the stopping and starting that you sometimes had to do to get around mud or go down a steep hill. And it's definitely a bit nerve-wracking thinking you are going to bust your butt at any minute on a root or rock. I loved getting muddy though and I LOVED how cool it was inside the woods.
At mile 4, Liz had GU set up for us since there were several ladies who'd never done it before, we just all stopped and did it together. Yum! It really does put a little pep in your step for those last miles.
After getting off the trails, it was hard running on the pavement. Naturally, your legs are a little wobbly because the ground is so much different. But I made it, didn't die, and have felt good ever since. No soreness or abnormal tiredness at all!
I finally finished my 6 miles in 1:13. Not too bad, I guess.
KT and I just signed up for the Freedom Run on June 27. I'm doing the 10k and he's doing the 2-miler. Now, I just need to find a babysitter... hm...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
another 6am 4-miler
Holy crap, I'm tired. I think the excitement of "let's get up and RUN at 6a.m." has worn off. Oh well. I'm glad it's done and I can spend time with my boys tonight and not worry about that.
Did you know I have tremendous mommy-guilt? Yeah, I do. I worry about every minute I could be spending with Will that I'm not. I'm okay with some short things on the weekends without him but during the week, it's HARD. So, when I was running in the evenings, I would leave work early so that I could be home in time to cook dinner or greet them when they walked in the door at 5:30. Leaving early is okay, but not ideal, for obvious reasons.
I did feel bad this morning though because when I walked in, KT went straight to the shower. Evidently, Will was up right at 6:30 and so KT didn't have a chance to do anything this morning. He could have done more, but this is my running blog, not a place to complain, so I won't. Let's just say, we all need to work on time management with this new schedule.
So, I started out the run with another Jane and at the end of GA (about 1.2 into the run) my right shin was killing me and my legs were heavy and I just felt tired. But then, we got to NMP and I made the executive decision with myself that I was going to stop focusing on the pain and focus on the great convo my running partner and I were having. So I did.
And viola! I did it!
We did 4.04 miles and realized that only after visiting her blog and seeing that she has exact mileage. We finished in 45 minutes which isn't too bad.
After the run, we stretched a bit and waited for the other three girls, chatted a bit, encouraged one another and went on our way.
Coming up Saturday - a fun 6 miler! Yikes!
Total: 4.04 Miles
Did you know I have tremendous mommy-guilt? Yeah, I do. I worry about every minute I could be spending with Will that I'm not. I'm okay with some short things on the weekends without him but during the week, it's HARD. So, when I was running in the evenings, I would leave work early so that I could be home in time to cook dinner or greet them when they walked in the door at 5:30. Leaving early is okay, but not ideal, for obvious reasons.
I did feel bad this morning though because when I walked in, KT went straight to the shower. Evidently, Will was up right at 6:30 and so KT didn't have a chance to do anything this morning. He could have done more, but this is my running blog, not a place to complain, so I won't. Let's just say, we all need to work on time management with this new schedule.
So, I started out the run with another Jane and at the end of GA (about 1.2 into the run) my right shin was killing me and my legs were heavy and I just felt tired. But then, we got to NMP and I made the executive decision with myself that I was going to stop focusing on the pain and focus on the great convo my running partner and I were having. So I did.
And viola! I did it!
We did 4.04 miles and realized that only after visiting her blog and seeing that she has exact mileage. We finished in 45 minutes which isn't too bad.
After the run, we stretched a bit and waited for the other three girls, chatted a bit, encouraged one another and went on our way.
Coming up Saturday - a fun 6 miler! Yikes!
Total: 4.04 Miles
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
4-miler at 6am
Woot! That's all I have to say about the run with 5 other ladies this morning. Ok, maybe not ALL I have to say.
It was awesome, though.
I chatted with a new running friend the entire time and felt good. It was only 70ish degrees but it was warm. The worst part about running in the morning? The cobwebs. We did GA which is pretty wooded and my partner and I were battling the webs the entire way. I hope Jules and the others appreciated all that web taking down we did for them! At one point, there was even a spider on my nose! The things we do...
We finished the 4 miles in 44:48 so we did right at an 11 minute mile. That was probably faster than Liz wants us to do, though.
Anyway, I have to say that I'm feeling really good and really positive about this experience. Training smart is key to a successful race. I'm SO excited that I've met and bonded with so many new women in the city and that we will all share this experience together.
Total: 4.02 Miles
It was awesome, though.
I chatted with a new running friend the entire time and felt good. It was only 70ish degrees but it was warm. The worst part about running in the morning? The cobwebs. We did GA which is pretty wooded and my partner and I were battling the webs the entire way. I hope Jules and the others appreciated all that web taking down we did for them! At one point, there was even a spider on my nose! The things we do...
We finished the 4 miles in 44:48 so we did right at an 11 minute mile. That was probably faster than Liz wants us to do, though.
Anyway, I have to say that I'm feeling really good and really positive about this experience. Training smart is key to a successful race. I'm SO excited that I've met and bonded with so many new women in the city and that we will all share this experience together.
Total: 4.02 Miles
Sunday, June 7, 2009
5 miles
Yesterday I met the group for our long run. Can I just say how much I'm loving this group of girls? So fun!
None of us did our homework for the week so Liz was a little mad at us and of course, I forgot this morning to take my resting heartrate. It's just hard when you hear "Mommy! Mooommmmyyy!!!" to remember that you need to do something besides drag out of bed to get the boy. Anyway, maybe tomorrow I'll remember.
After Coach Liz got over being mad at us, we took a group picture, warmed up and set out for our run. I had a 5-miler on my plan along with about 6 other ladies.
She's MAKING us go slow. Like, really slow. So, I did and boy was it hard! After the first mile though, I sort of got in the groove of the 12-minute mile and just went with it. I ended up running with a lady who has "run 1/2 marathon before turning 50" on her bucket list. She's really funny and a total grouch. She curses the entire time and is just funny. Luckily, she has a Garmin so I was able to know how fast we were going and how much farther we had to go.
We finished the 5 miles in 1 hour and 51 seconds and just kept going because we weren't at the end of the parking lot yet. I like running with her because she's anal like that just like me. So we totaled 5.2 miles in 1 hour, 4 minutes. Not too bad.
I admit that we started running harder at the end after getting up a few beast-like hills. But overall, we averaged the 12-minute pace and that's what we were supposed to do. Funny thing is, as much as I hate "going slow", I feel great. My legs haven't been hurting at all and I don't feel like I ran 5 miles yesterday. So maybe this running coach knows what she's talking about afterall? Glad I'm paying her the big bucks!
When I left there, I got a nice overwhelming feeling of happiness that I've met some great women so far and that we are ALL in this journey together. We are there to encourage one another and hold each other accountable. There's no doubt that this class is a great experience so far. I was even thinking.."gosh, I want to do a full marathon!"
I think that was the runner's high talking.
Total: 5 Miles
None of us did our homework for the week so Liz was a little mad at us and of course, I forgot this morning to take my resting heartrate. It's just hard when you hear "Mommy! Mooommmmyyy!!!" to remember that you need to do something besides drag out of bed to get the boy. Anyway, maybe tomorrow I'll remember.
After Coach Liz got over being mad at us, we took a group picture, warmed up and set out for our run. I had a 5-miler on my plan along with about 6 other ladies.
She's MAKING us go slow. Like, really slow. So, I did and boy was it hard! After the first mile though, I sort of got in the groove of the 12-minute mile and just went with it. I ended up running with a lady who has "run 1/2 marathon before turning 50" on her bucket list. She's really funny and a total grouch. She curses the entire time and is just funny. Luckily, she has a Garmin so I was able to know how fast we were going and how much farther we had to go.
We finished the 5 miles in 1 hour and 51 seconds and just kept going because we weren't at the end of the parking lot yet. I like running with her because she's anal like that just like me. So we totaled 5.2 miles in 1 hour, 4 minutes. Not too bad.
I admit that we started running harder at the end after getting up a few beast-like hills. But overall, we averaged the 12-minute pace and that's what we were supposed to do. Funny thing is, as much as I hate "going slow", I feel great. My legs haven't been hurting at all and I don't feel like I ran 5 miles yesterday. So maybe this running coach knows what she's talking about afterall? Glad I'm paying her the big bucks!
When I left there, I got a nice overwhelming feeling of happiness that I've met some great women so far and that we are ALL in this journey together. We are there to encourage one another and hold each other accountable. There's no doubt that this class is a great experience so far. I was even thinking.."gosh, I want to do a full marathon!"
I think that was the runner's high talking.
Total: 5 Miles
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thank GOD for my conscience on Facebook
I posted on facebook that I really did not want to run in the rain and boy did I get the motivation. Jules and another friend, Anna, had no sympathy for me and the things I worry about like falling down or getting struck by lightening. So, I checked the radar on weather.com and saw that I had about an hour window that I could get dressed, get to the park, run and get home before the rain started again and guess what? I did just that.
I decided that I did NOT want to do beast hills x4 so I came up with a new (to me) route that is 3.4 miles ... since I did about 2.5 yesterday, I figured it was okay to skimp my 3.5 run by .1. It was HOT out there and as soon as I stepped out of my car I was drenched with sweat.
Anyway, I went across the street from NMP to the short 1/2 mile semi-circle, went back into the NMP and did GA all the way to the end and back (2.4 miles) and then back to my 1/2 mile semi circle. Very easy run that only has 2 monster hills total. I tell ya. Hills are HARD and really slow me down for a few minutes until I can recover fully.
I get a little weirded out running GA sometimes because of the scarceness of the people out there. And, it's right next to a cemetery so I mean, how icky is that? There's a lot of older men out there and some die-hard runners and one biker that I see every.time.I.run no matter what time of day. He must be out there ALL the time. Today, I ran into a very nice walker who was also trying to figure out if it was RAINING or if the trees were just shaking off the water. She was adorable.
Anyway, it was a great run and I felt good doing it. I finished 3.4 in 37 minutes. A little slow, but whatever. I did it, right?
Coming up: 5 mile run with the group on Saturday morning. In one of my new running tanks from Target that were $7 each! Woot!
Total: 3.4 Miles
I decided that I did NOT want to do beast hills x4 so I came up with a new (to me) route that is 3.4 miles ... since I did about 2.5 yesterday, I figured it was okay to skimp my 3.5 run by .1. It was HOT out there and as soon as I stepped out of my car I was drenched with sweat.
Anyway, I went across the street from NMP to the short 1/2 mile semi-circle, went back into the NMP and did GA all the way to the end and back (2.4 miles) and then back to my 1/2 mile semi circle. Very easy run that only has 2 monster hills total. I tell ya. Hills are HARD and really slow me down for a few minutes until I can recover fully.
I get a little weirded out running GA sometimes because of the scarceness of the people out there. And, it's right next to a cemetery so I mean, how icky is that? There's a lot of older men out there and some die-hard runners and one biker that I see every.time.I.run no matter what time of day. He must be out there ALL the time. Today, I ran into a very nice walker who was also trying to figure out if it was RAINING or if the trees were just shaking off the water. She was adorable.
Anyway, it was a great run and I felt good doing it. I finished 3.4 in 37 minutes. A little slow, but whatever. I did it, right?
Coming up: 5 mile run with the group on Saturday morning. In one of my new running tanks from Target that were $7 each! Woot!
Total: 3.4 Miles
woods run
Yesterday, I ran in the woods at the college. The woods have all kinds of stories about them, so there was no way I was going in alone. I asked a running colleague to go with me and then as we were talking about it, someone overheard and joined us!
For anyone in the area, it's a great 2-mile loop that is shaded and just beautiful. There's a few hills and lots of roots that you have to watch out for.
We did the 2-mile loop in 19 minutes! I was HAULING because we had the most terrific storm coming and I was a bit freaked out by all the thunder. Actually, there were several storms that all hit one another and just sat over top of the city for a few hours that ended up dropping between 8 and 10 inches of rain on us! It was insane.
I'm pretty sure Coach Liz would not be happy with this quick 2 miler on an "easy" day but seriously? Training program vs. dying from a lightening strike... sorry Liz. :)
When we got out of the woods, we had about another .6 miles to go before we could get to our cars. We SPRINTED to the closest building because by this time there was lightening and thunder right above us, the wind started to pick up and the heavy rain started.
We ended up having to stay in the student center for a good 45 minutes before we could run again towards our cars and we really shouldn't have been out then either. If you ever want to see me freak out? Put me outside during a storm. Not pretty.
So I would say we did about a 2.6 mile sprint, er run, in I don't even know how long. But it felt good overall!
I am supposed to run 3.5 tonight but it's storming again. I might have to put that off to a morning run tomorrow.
I just know I was wet and totally freaked out by the events of the last 2 hours that I just got into my car without saying much to the girls and drove away. Crazyness.
Total: 2.6 Miles
For anyone in the area, it's a great 2-mile loop that is shaded and just beautiful. There's a few hills and lots of roots that you have to watch out for.
We did the 2-mile loop in 19 minutes! I was HAULING because we had the most terrific storm coming and I was a bit freaked out by all the thunder. Actually, there were several storms that all hit one another and just sat over top of the city for a few hours that ended up dropping between 8 and 10 inches of rain on us! It was insane.
I'm pretty sure Coach Liz would not be happy with this quick 2 miler on an "easy" day but seriously? Training program vs. dying from a lightening strike... sorry Liz. :)
When we got out of the woods, we had about another .6 miles to go before we could get to our cars. We SPRINTED to the closest building because by this time there was lightening and thunder right above us, the wind started to pick up and the heavy rain started.
We ended up having to stay in the student center for a good 45 minutes before we could run again towards our cars and we really shouldn't have been out then either. If you ever want to see me freak out? Put me outside during a storm. Not pretty.
So I would say we did about a 2.6 mile sprint, er run, in I don't even know how long. But it felt good overall!
I am supposed to run 3.5 tonight but it's storming again. I might have to put that off to a morning run tomorrow.
I just know I was wet and totally freaked out by the events of the last 2 hours that I just got into my car without saying much to the girls and drove away. Crazyness.
Total: 2.6 Miles
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
3.7 in 38 at 5:30 (as in a.m.)
Uh huh. You read that title right. I ran at 5:30 this morning!!! For those of you reading that on Facebook AND here and thinking, "SO WHAT?! You are not the only person in the world running at 5:30!" I know that. But, you have to understand. I don't do things at 5:30. Or 6:00. 6:30 is even difficult for me. I love my sleep.
But, a friend from church told me she met a new running partner and did I want to meet them this morning to run? Since it's supposed to be 93 degrees this afternoon, I figured, why not?
I overslept. I woke up at 5:28 and pulled into her driveway at 5:32. I'm SO glad I had my stuff all ready to go next to the back door!
Anyway, we did a quick run. Or, a fast run in my book. Our coach keeps saying to keep it easy but this morning just felt good to go a good pace. We even walked a tiny bit so we must have been booking it.
Now, I'm exhausted but my run for the day is over! WOOT!
P.S. My left knee hurts. I iced it after the run for about 10 minutes (didn't have anymore time because Will woke up) and it's not as bad now, but it hurts to walk. Hm...
Total: 3.7 Miles
But, a friend from church told me she met a new running partner and did I want to meet them this morning to run? Since it's supposed to be 93 degrees this afternoon, I figured, why not?
I overslept. I woke up at 5:28 and pulled into her driveway at 5:32. I'm SO glad I had my stuff all ready to go next to the back door!
Anyway, we did a quick run. Or, a fast run in my book. Our coach keeps saying to keep it easy but this morning just felt good to go a good pace. We even walked a tiny bit so we must have been booking it.
Now, I'm exhausted but my run for the day is over! WOOT!
P.S. My left knee hurts. I iced it after the run for about 10 minutes (didn't have anymore time because Will woke up) and it's not as bad now, but it hurts to walk. Hm...
Total: 3.7 Miles
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