I have decided to take a couple days off from running to let my legs recover. Tim and I have a crap load of yard work to do this weekend, so that will keep me really busy anyway.
If I feel good, I will try to run on Sunday. If not, I will hold off until Monday at the earliest. But I definitely want to get back out there next week. Not running these past few days has been hard!
I will blog again after my next run (unless I deem it necessary to blog earlier, LOL!).
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Bummer
So I have been feeling a little under the weather for a couple days now and I didn't work out yesterday at all. But now I also am having some pain in my right hip and right knee. I don't know where this pain came from. I saw my chiropractor yesterday for an adjustment, but the pain is still there. I am definitely not going to run today or tomorrow because of this.
I am seriously bummed, though. Things have been going so well with the training until this week. I hate setbacks of any kind, but understand that it's part of life. I just hope I am feeling up to running this weekend. If not, I'll just have to wait until next week, I guess.
I am seriously bummed, though. Things have been going so well with the training until this week. I hate setbacks of any kind, but understand that it's part of life. I just hope I am feeling up to running this weekend. If not, I'll just have to wait until next week, I guess.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
To run or not to run...
...that is the question.
Today is supposed to be a short run day for me. But I have not been feeling 100 percent and the weather has sucked (rain, wind, cold, etc) so I have yet to do it. I am thinking about taking the day off, actually. Tim has been sick, the kids have been waking me all hours of the night the past few nights and I am just tired! Plus, I did my Stroller Strides workout yesterday, and I am a little sore from the resistance training aspect. It was a great hour-long workout, though, and I have another one scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Anyway, if I do run tonight it will be on the treadmill. So I probably won't run more than two miles. Or maybe I could do my run tomorrow after the Stroller Strides workout. Who knows??
**UPDATE**
So I decided to use the treadmill for 30 minutes and call it a night. I power walked some and only ran one mile. I didn't want to push my legs if they didn't feel up to it. Plus, I really, really hate the treadmill. Really.
Today is supposed to be a short run day for me. But I have not been feeling 100 percent and the weather has sucked (rain, wind, cold, etc) so I have yet to do it. I am thinking about taking the day off, actually. Tim has been sick, the kids have been waking me all hours of the night the past few nights and I am just tired! Plus, I did my Stroller Strides workout yesterday, and I am a little sore from the resistance training aspect. It was a great hour-long workout, though, and I have another one scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Anyway, if I do run tonight it will be on the treadmill. So I probably won't run more than two miles. Or maybe I could do my run tomorrow after the Stroller Strides workout. Who knows??
**UPDATE**
So I decided to use the treadmill for 30 minutes and call it a night. I power walked some and only ran one mile. I didn't want to push my legs if they didn't feel up to it. Plus, I really, really hate the treadmill. Really.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
A slower five miles
Today was my long run. I went earlier in the day than I'm used to because I have plans with the family this afternoon. So I wanted to get the run in before that.
Maybe going earlier in the day threw me off a little. It felt weird. I am used to afternoon or early evening runs now. Leaving just a bit after 11 a.m. was very strange. It almost felt too early to me. Can you tell I am not a morning person??
Anyway, it was cloudy and windy at my house. Thinking it would be cold the whole way, I wore a long-sleeved shirt and my running pants. That was a bad idea. About a mile away from home, the sun found an opening in the clouds and zeroed in on my face. It didn't take long for me to feel hot. Grrrrrr. I rolled up my sleeves and kept going, but I was ticked at myself for not wearing a T-shirt.
This might be a good time to mention my new running doodads. I just got an amphipod water bottle (thanks again, Dad!!), and I tried it out today. It was awesome!!! Before I would fumble around with regular water bottles during my runs. This one is sooooo much better! I love the strap that keeps in on my hand so I don't have to actually grip it. And I also got some Body Glide to try. I have had an issue with my clothing rubbing on me and chafing me. But the Body Glide really seemed to help with that today.
OK, back to the run. So I took most of it really slow, since I have been burning up the times this week. I felt I needed a slower pace to let my legs have a little break. Overall, it was slower than my five-miler last weekend, but still felt good. And it was still faster than the five miles I did in February. So I was overall happy with that.
Today's stats:
Distance: 5.01 miles
Time: 1 hour, 57 seconds
Pace: 12:10 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:02
Mile 2: 12:14
Mile 3: 12:22
Mile 4: 12:20
Mile 5: 11:52 (really picked it up here, despite the fact that 2/3 of it was up an incline)
last .01 mile: 5 seconds
Maybe going earlier in the day threw me off a little. It felt weird. I am used to afternoon or early evening runs now. Leaving just a bit after 11 a.m. was very strange. It almost felt too early to me. Can you tell I am not a morning person??
Anyway, it was cloudy and windy at my house. Thinking it would be cold the whole way, I wore a long-sleeved shirt and my running pants. That was a bad idea. About a mile away from home, the sun found an opening in the clouds and zeroed in on my face. It didn't take long for me to feel hot. Grrrrrr. I rolled up my sleeves and kept going, but I was ticked at myself for not wearing a T-shirt.
This might be a good time to mention my new running doodads. I just got an amphipod water bottle (thanks again, Dad!!), and I tried it out today. It was awesome!!! Before I would fumble around with regular water bottles during my runs. This one is sooooo much better! I love the strap that keeps in on my hand so I don't have to actually grip it. And I also got some Body Glide to try. I have had an issue with my clothing rubbing on me and chafing me. But the Body Glide really seemed to help with that today.
OK, back to the run. So I took most of it really slow, since I have been burning up the times this week. I felt I needed a slower pace to let my legs have a little break. Overall, it was slower than my five-miler last weekend, but still felt good. And it was still faster than the five miles I did in February. So I was overall happy with that.
Today's stats:
Distance: 5.01 miles
Time: 1 hour, 57 seconds
Pace: 12:10 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:02
Mile 2: 12:14
Mile 3: 12:22
Mile 4: 12:20
Mile 5: 11:52 (really picked it up here, despite the fact that 2/3 of it was up an incline)
last .01 mile: 5 seconds
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Getting faster
I did another three miles tonight. This time, I went to one of the local schools that has an all-weather track to run. I wanted to run on a surface that would be a little kinder to my joints.
There was one other runner and two walkers there when I arrived after 6 p.m. I thought it would be nice to have some company for once. Unfortunately, they all left before I got even 1/2 a mile into my run. Oh well.
It is amazing what a flat track with a good cushion can do for my running!! My right hamstring was a little tight tonight, but overall I am getting much faster on my three-milers. This is the first time (I think) that every mile I did was under 12 minutes. Very encouraging!! I recorded yet another PB for the three-mile distance. I can't wait until I can run it in under 30 minutes. For the first time I am able to envision that happening in my running future. Maybe because I've already cut more than three minutes from my time since late January.
Saturday is my long run. I think I will only do five miles this time and work up a little more slowly than I have been. I have LOTS of time to train for the HM in October, so I don't want to rush anything.
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 33:54 (previous best was 34:23, set on Tuesday)
Pace: 11:17 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:03
Mile 2: 11:33
Mile 3: 11:14 (not a single 12-minute mile in sight!!! Yes!!)
There was one other runner and two walkers there when I arrived after 6 p.m. I thought it would be nice to have some company for once. Unfortunately, they all left before I got even 1/2 a mile into my run. Oh well.
It is amazing what a flat track with a good cushion can do for my running!! My right hamstring was a little tight tonight, but overall I am getting much faster on my three-milers. This is the first time (I think) that every mile I did was under 12 minutes. Very encouraging!! I recorded yet another PB for the three-mile distance. I can't wait until I can run it in under 30 minutes. For the first time I am able to envision that happening in my running future. Maybe because I've already cut more than three minutes from my time since late January.
Saturday is my long run. I think I will only do five miles this time and work up a little more slowly than I have been. I have LOTS of time to train for the HM in October, so I don't want to rush anything.
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 33:54 (previous best was 34:23, set on Tuesday)
Pace: 11:17 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:03
Mile 2: 11:33
Mile 3: 11:14 (not a single 12-minute mile in sight!!! Yes!!)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Something different
Today the kids and I tried something different.
I had read a story in our local paper a couple days ago about a new program starting in Eureka called Stroller Strides. It's basically a workout program for mommies with young children. The hour-long program includes power-walking with the kids in the stroller, resistance training and some abs work.
It sounded really cool in the story. Plus, I don't really have any mommy friends here, so I was anxious to be around other mommies for some grown-up conversation.
The class started at 9 a.m. today, so I had to get up before 8 to get ready. It takes about 20 minutes to get from the house to the mall, where the program was being held. I got there about 10 minutes early, and there were already six or seven other mommies waiting with their kids. I was happy about that because I had visions of me being the only mommy there. That would have sucked.
By the time the class started, about 20 mommies and 25 kids had gathered. I wasn't the only one pushing a double jogging stroller! LOL! We started with some group stretching which was nice, and then the power-walking began.
After a few minutes, we stopped at the first station. There we did some squats and worked our arms with this resistance band thing that had handles on each end. I could seriously feel the burn! It was very nice.
We followed that with more walking, stopping to do more exercises with the band (bicep curls, tricep exercises, etc.), jumping jacks (been FOREVER since I've done those!) and crunches. I felt like I was getting a great workout and was working up a nice sweat. The time went by quickly, and I had fun talking with some of the other mommies as we walked. It was a nice bunch of ladies.
The kids did great, too. Kara got out of the stroller near the end to run alongside me. Matty just sat the whole time, looking around and smiling.
There was a free raffle held at the end for everyone who participated. I actually won a prize! I got a water bottle, sippy cup and a certificate for a free week worth of classes!! Yeah!! I will definitely be using that!! Oh, and Kara was excited to get a free balloon.
The next class is Friday. I am already excited to go again! :)
I had read a story in our local paper a couple days ago about a new program starting in Eureka called Stroller Strides. It's basically a workout program for mommies with young children. The hour-long program includes power-walking with the kids in the stroller, resistance training and some abs work.
It sounded really cool in the story. Plus, I don't really have any mommy friends here, so I was anxious to be around other mommies for some grown-up conversation.
The class started at 9 a.m. today, so I had to get up before 8 to get ready. It takes about 20 minutes to get from the house to the mall, where the program was being held. I got there about 10 minutes early, and there were already six or seven other mommies waiting with their kids. I was happy about that because I had visions of me being the only mommy there. That would have sucked.
By the time the class started, about 20 mommies and 25 kids had gathered. I wasn't the only one pushing a double jogging stroller! LOL! We started with some group stretching which was nice, and then the power-walking began.
After a few minutes, we stopped at the first station. There we did some squats and worked our arms with this resistance band thing that had handles on each end. I could seriously feel the burn! It was very nice.
We followed that with more walking, stopping to do more exercises with the band (bicep curls, tricep exercises, etc.), jumping jacks (been FOREVER since I've done those!) and crunches. I felt like I was getting a great workout and was working up a nice sweat. The time went by quickly, and I had fun talking with some of the other mommies as we walked. It was a nice bunch of ladies.
The kids did great, too. Kara got out of the stroller near the end to run alongside me. Matty just sat the whole time, looking around and smiling.
There was a free raffle held at the end for everyone who participated. I actually won a prize! I got a water bottle, sippy cup and a certificate for a free week worth of classes!! Yeah!! I will definitely be using that!! Oh, and Kara was excited to get a free balloon.
The next class is Friday. I am already excited to go again! :)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Rock 'n' roll!! My first sub-eleven-minute mile!
I really wasn't planning on running fast tonight. But I got out on the road around 5:45 p.m. (kids stayed home with Tim), and it was threatening rain. The wind was blowing and it was chilly. I decided to take a slightly different route than I usually do for my early week run. I started slowly but felt really good. The first mile was over before I knew it. Great! The second mile, which is where I usually slow down, was faster than the first! Awesome! I was feeling so great that I knew I could break my personal best for three miles.
I sped up and it felt like I was flying. My Garmin beeped when I finished mile three. I looked and couldn't believe how fast I ran the last mile. Ten minutes, fifty-seven seconds. Holy cow! I jogged another 1/4 mile or so afterward, but I felt like I could have started running again. But I decided to head for home because it had started raining and dinner was waiting.
Hooray for the fast mile AND recording a new personal best for a three-mile run!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 34:23 (former PB was 35:21 set on March 8)
Pace: 11:26 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:06
Mile 2: 11:15
Mile 3: 10:57 (boo yah!)
I sped up and it felt like I was flying. My Garmin beeped when I finished mile three. I looked and couldn't believe how fast I ran the last mile. Ten minutes, fifty-seven seconds. Holy cow! I jogged another 1/4 mile or so afterward, but I felt like I could have started running again. But I decided to head for home because it had started raining and dinner was waiting.
Hooray for the fast mile AND recording a new personal best for a three-mile run!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 34:23 (former PB was 35:21 set on March 8)
Pace: 11:26 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:06
Mile 2: 11:15
Mile 3: 10:57 (boo yah!)
I blame "Dancing with the Stars"
That show is the reason I didn't work out at all last night.
I was going to ride the stationary bike last night, but Kara and I got caught up watching "Dancing with the Stars" instead. And about halfway through the show she ended up playing old Nintendo games with Tim until bedtime. We did get a cute picture out of it:
So I have a run planned for this afternoon. I am seriously thinking about waiting until Tim gets home because I once again don't feel like taking the stroller. We'll see.
I'll probably take the kids to the park in the meantime. There's a break in the clouds so we should take advantage of that.
Be back later to post running stats. I swear I am going to run today! :)
I was going to ride the stationary bike last night, but Kara and I got caught up watching "Dancing with the Stars" instead. And about halfway through the show she ended up playing old Nintendo games with Tim until bedtime. We did get a cute picture out of it:
So I have a run planned for this afternoon. I am seriously thinking about waiting until Tim gets home because I once again don't feel like taking the stroller. We'll see.
I'll probably take the kids to the park in the meantime. There's a break in the clouds so we should take advantage of that.
Be back later to post running stats. I swear I am going to run today! :)
Monday, March 19, 2007
Change of plans
I think I am going to switch my running days from Monday and Wednesday to Tuesday and Thursday. I did it last week, and it seemed to work well for me. I realized today that my body did not feel like running so soon after my long Saturday run. So I am going to give myself two days after a long run to make sure my legs feel fresh.
So that means I scrapped tonight's run and will do it tomorrow. I will ride the bike for 30 minutes instead.
Be back later to post biking stats.
So that means I scrapped tonight's run and will do it tomorrow. I will ride the bike for 30 minutes instead.
Be back later to post biking stats.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Number crunching
It's late, but I can't seem to wind down and go to sleep. So I thought I'd crunch some numbers on how I've been doing with my running this month.
To date, I have run 24.95 miles this month. I usually run Monday, Wednesday and save my long run for Saturday. If I continue with that pattern, I have six more running days this month. My short runs are now 3.5 miles and the long one is 5.25 miles. If I do that for two more weeks, I will end the month having covered 49.45 miles.
In February, I ran 28.32 miles. I will surpass that after my next run on Monday.
From mid-January, when I started this blog, until the end of January, I covered 18.83 miles.
My mileage is definitely increasing!!! If I do my planned runs for the remainder of this month, that will put me at 96.6 miles covered since mid-January. Wow!!! It is amazing how fast those miles have gone.
OK, off to bed. All this number-crunching has made me groggy.
To date, I have run 24.95 miles this month. I usually run Monday, Wednesday and save my long run for Saturday. If I continue with that pattern, I have six more running days this month. My short runs are now 3.5 miles and the long one is 5.25 miles. If I do that for two more weeks, I will end the month having covered 49.45 miles.
In February, I ran 28.32 miles. I will surpass that after my next run on Monday.
From mid-January, when I started this blog, until the end of January, I covered 18.83 miles.
My mileage is definitely increasing!!! If I do my planned runs for the remainder of this month, that will put me at 96.6 miles covered since mid-January. Wow!!! It is amazing how fast those miles have gone.
OK, off to bed. All this number-crunching has made me groggy.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Dead raccoon
There was one on the side of the road where I ran today. Ick.
Today was a much better run than the other two this week. It was a long run day, and I wasn't really looking forward to it all that much. I waited until 4:30 to even start the darn thing.
But right now I am very glad I did it. It felt really good and this run actually did lift my spirits a bit.
There is this loop I like to run. It is approximately 2.65 miles. I figured today I would run it twice and that would be good. I started out nice and slow. It took about 2 1/2 miles for me to start feeling really good. The pep finally came back into my step the second half of the run. Everything just seemed to flow and I felt better and better the farther I ran.
In all, I ran 5.25 miles. That is the farthest I have run yet! Not much farther to go for the 10K distance!
I actually finished the first five miles faster than the five miles I did last month. Today I covered five miles in 1 hour, 45 seconds. The last time I did it on Feb. 24, it took me 1 hour, two minutes and 59 seconds. So I shaved off more than two minutes this time around. Yeah!
Today's stats:
Distance: 5.25 miles
Time: 1:03:39
Pace: 12:07 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:06
Mile 2: 12:36
Mile 3: 12:14
Mile 4: 11:50
Mile 5: 11:57
.25 mile: 2:54 (11:42 pace)
Today was a much better run than the other two this week. It was a long run day, and I wasn't really looking forward to it all that much. I waited until 4:30 to even start the darn thing.
But right now I am very glad I did it. It felt really good and this run actually did lift my spirits a bit.
There is this loop I like to run. It is approximately 2.65 miles. I figured today I would run it twice and that would be good. I started out nice and slow. It took about 2 1/2 miles for me to start feeling really good. The pep finally came back into my step the second half of the run. Everything just seemed to flow and I felt better and better the farther I ran.
In all, I ran 5.25 miles. That is the farthest I have run yet! Not much farther to go for the 10K distance!
I actually finished the first five miles faster than the five miles I did last month. Today I covered five miles in 1 hour, 45 seconds. The last time I did it on Feb. 24, it took me 1 hour, two minutes and 59 seconds. So I shaved off more than two minutes this time around. Yeah!
Today's stats:
Distance: 5.25 miles
Time: 1:03:39
Pace: 12:07 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 12:06
Mile 2: 12:36
Mile 3: 12:14
Mile 4: 11:50
Mile 5: 11:57
.25 mile: 2:54 (11:42 pace)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Mind over matter?
Why is it when I am feeling a little blue that everything just seems to suck?
That's how I felt today. I am dealing with some wicked PMS (oh, how I hate it!) and have been feeling a little down since yesterday. The kids have been wearing on my last good nerve, Tim has been sick and I just really need a break!
I thought going for a run today would help clear my head and make me feel better. Not so much. The whole time I was thinking about how crabby I am, how much I want to ship the kids to Mars, how it felt too warm outside, how I want to take a long nap, etc., etc. It made it really hard to relax and enjoy the run, which was a bummer.
I hope I am not the only person out there who feels this way from time to time. I guess I am just a tad overwhelmed and desperately need a vacation. :(
Here's to a better run on Saturday!
Today's stats:
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 43.44
Pace: 12:27 minute/mile
That's how I felt today. I am dealing with some wicked PMS (oh, how I hate it!) and have been feeling a little down since yesterday. The kids have been wearing on my last good nerve, Tim has been sick and I just really need a break!
I thought going for a run today would help clear my head and make me feel better. Not so much. The whole time I was thinking about how crabby I am, how much I want to ship the kids to Mars, how it felt too warm outside, how I want to take a long nap, etc., etc. It made it really hard to relax and enjoy the run, which was a bummer.
I hope I am not the only person out there who feels this way from time to time. I guess I am just a tad overwhelmed and desperately need a vacation. :(
Here's to a better run on Saturday!
Today's stats:
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 43.44
Pace: 12:27 minute/mile
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The importance of recovery runs
I think I now have a greater appreciation for the importance of recovery runs.
I did a short, slow recovery jog tonight, and boy was my body not happy with me!
Luckily I was able to wait until Tim got home from work so at least I didn't have to push the kids in the stroller.
The first mile or so my legs felt like lead weights. I couldn't believe how tight and unwilling to run they felt. The rest of me felt pretty good, so it was shocking that my legs didn't want to cooperate.
Maybe I should have waited one more day to run again, but tomorrow is going to be crazy-busy and I didn't know if I'd have time to run.
Anyway, I'm glad I did it, even though it didn't feel great.
Today's stats:
Distance: two miles
Time: 25:26
Pace: 12:43 minute/mile
I did a short, slow recovery jog tonight, and boy was my body not happy with me!
Luckily I was able to wait until Tim got home from work so at least I didn't have to push the kids in the stroller.
The first mile or so my legs felt like lead weights. I couldn't believe how tight and unwilling to run they felt. The rest of me felt pretty good, so it was shocking that my legs didn't want to cooperate.
Maybe I should have waited one more day to run again, but tomorrow is going to be crazy-busy and I didn't know if I'd have time to run.
Anyway, I'm glad I did it, even though it didn't feel great.
Today's stats:
Distance: two miles
Time: 25:26
Pace: 12:43 minute/mile
Monday, March 12, 2007
So I've found another race...
...that I want to do this year.
It's called Atalanta's Victory Run in Arcata and it's a women only event. It has a five-mile and two-mile course. Since it is less than a month after my 10K, I think I will opt for the shorter course and concentrate on picking up the pace a little.
It sounds like its a lot of fun! I will be adding it to my slate of races.
No run for today. I'm a touch sore from yesterday. Tim and I are heading out soon to a
basketball game. Humboldt State is in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship finals game tonight. Fingers crossed for a victory!
It's called Atalanta's Victory Run in Arcata and it's a women only event. It has a five-mile and two-mile course. Since it is less than a month after my 10K, I think I will opt for the shorter course and concentrate on picking up the pace a little.
It sounds like its a lot of fun! I will be adding it to my slate of races.
No run for today. I'm a touch sore from yesterday. Tim and I are heading out soon to a
basketball game. Humboldt State is in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship finals game tonight. Fingers crossed for a victory!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
A few race pics
Just sharing a few pics of today's race (you can click on the pics to make them bigger):
Me with my race bib:
Humboldt State University's Marching Lumberjack band pumped up the crowd before the races started:
The start of the two-mile race:
The two-milers heading down Main Street:
Start of the 4.1 and 10K races (it was supposed to be 10 miles, but they changed it at the last minute). You can see my head over the short lady in the white:
Me nearing the finish line. It's hard to see, but I am doing the "Hook 'Em Horns" sign (for my sister-in-law Becky, who goes to University of Texas):
Me and the kiddos, once again displaying our affection for UT:
And a couple close-ups of the kids.
Matty:
Kara:
Me with my race bib:
Humboldt State University's Marching Lumberjack band pumped up the crowd before the races started:
The start of the two-mile race:
The two-milers heading down Main Street:
Start of the 4.1 and 10K races (it was supposed to be 10 miles, but they changed it at the last minute). You can see my head over the short lady in the white:
Me nearing the finish line. It's hard to see, but I am doing the "Hook 'Em Horns" sign (for my sister-in-law Becky, who goes to University of Texas):
Me and the kiddos, once again displaying our affection for UT:
And a couple close-ups of the kids.
Matty:
Kara:
Race report!
I am back from my race and it was awesome!!
Tim, the kids and I left the house around noon to get to Ferndale early so we could secure a parking spot. The race itself didn't start until 2, but hundreds of people do this race every year and parking fills up quickly.
The weather was gorgeous. The skies were bright blue, the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. We strolled up and down Main Street, looking in the windows of the shops. A lot of other runners showed up early, too. Many of them were wearing the race T-shirt, so I didn't feel like a dork waltzing around in it.
After standing in the sun for a few minutes, I realized it was really warm!!! I mean, Ferndale is not far from the ocean and doesn't get really warm, but today it bordered on hot (for our neck of the woods, anyway). I was sweating just standing still. I was glad it wasn't raining, but I was a little scared of the heat since I am used to running when it's only 50 degrees out. It had to be at least 65 today (I know, most of you guys are laughing at me right now because we consider 65 degrees "hot").
At 1:30 p.m. the two-mile race started. There were lots of kids and families in that one. Three women dressed as cows went past us. Some of those younger kids were fast!!! We waited around and only 11:30 or so into the race the first runners crossed the finish line. Um, that's how long it takes me to do one mile. I couldn't imagine running two miles that fast!
As runners and walkers continued to flood in, I left Tim and the kids to find a place in the corral to get ready for my race. It was supposed to start at 2, but there were so many people still coming in from the two-mile that they made us wait until 2:15. The lady who was giving directions over the loud speaker didn't realize the loud speaker wasn't working properly so none of us could hear her. Another runner asked me what she said, and I had no idea. The next thing we knew, people started running and cheering. The race had begun and we didn't even know it!! But I followed the crush of the crowd, pushed the start button on my Garmin and was on my way.
Some people brought dogs with them, even though they technically weren't allowed in the race. About 30 steps into the run, this speed demon tried to cut in front of me and stepped on a small dog that I was attempting to run around. The poor thing yelped so loud and fell on its side. I gasped, and had to move quickly to the right to avoid running over it myself. I think it was OK. It sure startled the hell out of me, though.
The course starts out in downtown Ferndale, goes around the fairgrounds, around a bunch of huge fields and back the way you came, finishing where we started. The first mile I ran way too fast. I was following some people, the pace felt good, and I was checking my buddy Garmin, but I know now I should have slowed down. About midway through the second mile, I got a horrible cramp in my side. I had to slow down a bit then until it let up. The third mile seemed to go on forever, since most of the roads were long, flat and straight. They were never ending, it seemed!! The last mile was a bit better, especially since we were headed back into downtown where people were there to cheer us on. I was scanning the crowd to find Tim and the kids. I finally spotted them and Tim took my picture. A few seconds later I was crossing the finish line and I was so happy!! I forgot to stop the Garmin for a few seconds, which made me mad at myself.
I don't know what my official time is yet, but Garmin said 48:41. I was very happy with that!! I kept my overall pace under 12 minutes a mile, which is more than I could have hoped for.
I will post the official time and place after it's put on the Internet. And Tim took some pictures, so I will post those too. Overall, it was a great day!
Race stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Time: 48:41 (per Garmin)
Pace: 11:51 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:01 (way too fast!)
Mile 2: 11:46
Mile 3: 12:18 (yeah, I got a little tired here)
Mile 4: 12:17
1/10 mile: 1:17 (12:09 pace)
****OFFICIAL STATS****
The official race results are up. I must have started my Garmin a little too late because my official finish was a couple seconds slower than the Garmin said. But that's still OK. I am happy with how I did:
Time: 48:44
Pace: 11:53 minute/mile
Finished 119 out of 209 in the 4.1 mile race. Finished 11th out of 20 in my age division.
On a side note, almost 700 people did the 2-mile race. Wow!!!
Tim, the kids and I left the house around noon to get to Ferndale early so we could secure a parking spot. The race itself didn't start until 2, but hundreds of people do this race every year and parking fills up quickly.
The weather was gorgeous. The skies were bright blue, the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. We strolled up and down Main Street, looking in the windows of the shops. A lot of other runners showed up early, too. Many of them were wearing the race T-shirt, so I didn't feel like a dork waltzing around in it.
After standing in the sun for a few minutes, I realized it was really warm!!! I mean, Ferndale is not far from the ocean and doesn't get really warm, but today it bordered on hot (for our neck of the woods, anyway). I was sweating just standing still. I was glad it wasn't raining, but I was a little scared of the heat since I am used to running when it's only 50 degrees out. It had to be at least 65 today (I know, most of you guys are laughing at me right now because we consider 65 degrees "hot").
At 1:30 p.m. the two-mile race started. There were lots of kids and families in that one. Three women dressed as cows went past us. Some of those younger kids were fast!!! We waited around and only 11:30 or so into the race the first runners crossed the finish line. Um, that's how long it takes me to do one mile. I couldn't imagine running two miles that fast!
As runners and walkers continued to flood in, I left Tim and the kids to find a place in the corral to get ready for my race. It was supposed to start at 2, but there were so many people still coming in from the two-mile that they made us wait until 2:15. The lady who was giving directions over the loud speaker didn't realize the loud speaker wasn't working properly so none of us could hear her. Another runner asked me what she said, and I had no idea. The next thing we knew, people started running and cheering. The race had begun and we didn't even know it!! But I followed the crush of the crowd, pushed the start button on my Garmin and was on my way.
Some people brought dogs with them, even though they technically weren't allowed in the race. About 30 steps into the run, this speed demon tried to cut in front of me and stepped on a small dog that I was attempting to run around. The poor thing yelped so loud and fell on its side. I gasped, and had to move quickly to the right to avoid running over it myself. I think it was OK. It sure startled the hell out of me, though.
The course starts out in downtown Ferndale, goes around the fairgrounds, around a bunch of huge fields and back the way you came, finishing where we started. The first mile I ran way too fast. I was following some people, the pace felt good, and I was checking my buddy Garmin, but I know now I should have slowed down. About midway through the second mile, I got a horrible cramp in my side. I had to slow down a bit then until it let up. The third mile seemed to go on forever, since most of the roads were long, flat and straight. They were never ending, it seemed!! The last mile was a bit better, especially since we were headed back into downtown where people were there to cheer us on. I was scanning the crowd to find Tim and the kids. I finally spotted them and Tim took my picture. A few seconds later I was crossing the finish line and I was so happy!! I forgot to stop the Garmin for a few seconds, which made me mad at myself.
I don't know what my official time is yet, but Garmin said 48:41. I was very happy with that!! I kept my overall pace under 12 minutes a mile, which is more than I could have hoped for.
I will post the official time and place after it's put on the Internet. And Tim took some pictures, so I will post those too. Overall, it was a great day!
Race stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Time: 48:41 (per Garmin)
Pace: 11:51 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:01 (way too fast!)
Mile 2: 11:46
Mile 3: 12:18 (yeah, I got a little tired here)
Mile 4: 12:17
1/10 mile: 1:17 (12:09 pace)
****OFFICIAL STATS****
The official race results are up. I must have started my Garmin a little too late because my official finish was a couple seconds slower than the Garmin said. But that's still OK. I am happy with how I did:
Time: 48:44
Pace: 11:53 minute/mile
Finished 119 out of 209 in the 4.1 mile race. Finished 11th out of 20 in my age division.
On a side note, almost 700 people did the 2-mile race. Wow!!!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Tomorrow's the big day!
Yes, my second race this year is tomorrow!!!
I got my race bib today for the Foggy Bottom Milk Run. I am number 1204. I think it might be good luck, because 4 is one of my favorite numbers. Let's hope it holds true tomorrow!!!
I was visualizing in the shower how I wanted to run this race. I am feeling confident about my ability to run it the way I want. And the weather should be good, too. No rain predicted and partly cloudy skies.
Tim's boss Lisa said she'd like to watch the race. Even though she's Tim's boss, we're friends with her. It will be fun to hang out with her in Ferndale.
We're getting ready to leave for Humboldt State's second game in the championship tonight, so I won't be back until tomorrow evening. I will post my race report and pictures then!
I got my race bib today for the Foggy Bottom Milk Run. I am number 1204. I think it might be good luck, because 4 is one of my favorite numbers. Let's hope it holds true tomorrow!!!
I was visualizing in the shower how I wanted to run this race. I am feeling confident about my ability to run it the way I want. And the weather should be good, too. No rain predicted and partly cloudy skies.
Tim's boss Lisa said she'd like to watch the race. Even though she's Tim's boss, we're friends with her. It will be fun to hang out with her in Ferndale.
We're getting ready to leave for Humboldt State's second game in the championship tonight, so I won't be back until tomorrow evening. I will post my race report and pictures then!
March madness!!
Tim and I just got home a little bit ago from the Humboldt State basketball game. It was a nailbiter, to be sure. We played Alaska/Anchorage in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships. Humboldt is the number 1 seed, but the game was really close. In the end, Humboldt won, 68-61. Tim and I were nearly deaf and hoarse when we got out of the gymnasium. Good times.
Tomorrow we go head-to-head with Grand Canyon University. I'm guessing they're from Arizona. Ha ha! It should be another great game, and Tim and I will be there! If we win tomorrow, we advance to the West Regional championship game on Monday. And if they win the championship game, HSU moves on to the Elite 8 in Massachussetts. Fingers crossed!!!
Tomorrow we go head-to-head with Grand Canyon University. I'm guessing they're from Arizona. Ha ha! It should be another great game, and Tim and I will be there! If we win tomorrow, we advance to the West Regional championship game on Monday. And if they win the championship game, HSU moves on to the Elite 8 in Massachussetts. Fingers crossed!!!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
I *killed* it today on my run!
Oh man, I am loving the fact that running is getting easier!! And I'm getting faster!
I had a great run today. My body has felt great the past few times out and the weather is gorgeous again, so I decided to do three miles. It's my last run before my race, and now I am feeling more prepared than ever!!
I shattered my three-mile PR. And I kept my overall pace below 12 minute miles while pushing the jogging stroller!! Wow, it felt just awesome!! And I felt like I had a lot of gas left in my ol' tank when I was done.
Afterward, I let Kara out of the stroller and we walked about a mile more together. She ran, but ended up tripping twice and scraping her palms a little. She was OK though, and got up and kept running. Silly girl!!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 35:21 (previous best was 36:20)
Pace: 11:47 minute/mile (dude, I'm stoked about this!)
Splits:
mile 1: 11:41
mile 2: 12:08
mile 3: 11:31 (holy crap!)
I had a great run today. My body has felt great the past few times out and the weather is gorgeous again, so I decided to do three miles. It's my last run before my race, and now I am feeling more prepared than ever!!
I shattered my three-mile PR. And I kept my overall pace below 12 minute miles while pushing the jogging stroller!! Wow, it felt just awesome!! And I felt like I had a lot of gas left in my ol' tank when I was done.
Afterward, I let Kara out of the stroller and we walked about a mile more together. She ran, but ended up tripping twice and scraping her palms a little. She was OK though, and got up and kept running. Silly girl!!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 35:21 (previous best was 36:20)
Pace: 11:47 minute/mile (dude, I'm stoked about this!)
Splits:
mile 1: 11:41
mile 2: 12:08
mile 3: 11:31 (holy crap!)
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Day of rest
Wait, did I just type "day of rest"?
Such a thing really does not exist in my household. With two kids and endless chores, rest is not something I get often anymore.
But that's OK. Why, you ask? Because Tim, who is a living good luck charm, just won two tickets for the NCAA Basketball Division II West Regional Championships! Humboldt State University, our alma mater, is hosting it for the first time ever. Tickets are so hard to come by, but the Alumni Association we belong to just gave away two sets of tickets through an e-mail contest. The tickets are good for every game, which is awesome! The first game is Friday night. We just have to get sitters for the kids. Woo hoo!!!!
Hosting this championship is seriously huge for our school. I feel so fortunate we live close enough that we can watch history unfold in person!! Go Lumberjacks!
Such a thing really does not exist in my household. With two kids and endless chores, rest is not something I get often anymore.
But that's OK. Why, you ask? Because Tim, who is a living good luck charm, just won two tickets for the NCAA Basketball Division II West Regional Championships! Humboldt State University, our alma mater, is hosting it for the first time ever. Tickets are so hard to come by, but the Alumni Association we belong to just gave away two sets of tickets through an e-mail contest. The tickets are good for every game, which is awesome! The first game is Friday night. We just have to get sitters for the kids. Woo hoo!!!!
Hosting this championship is seriously huge for our school. I feel so fortunate we live close enough that we can watch history unfold in person!! Go Lumberjacks!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Tuesday's workout
Just hopped on the bike for a short workout tonight. I couldn't get started until after 9 p.m. because I had to get Kara into bed first. Tim watched Matty so I could ride the bike.
It was just a leisurely ride to get my legs moving and work up a little sweat. And I did five minutes worth of abs and push-ups afterward. Baby steps, you know. :)
Today's stats:
Distance: 7.32 miles
Time: 30 minutes
It was just a leisurely ride to get my legs moving and work up a little sweat. And I did five minutes worth of abs and push-ups afterward. Baby steps, you know. :)
Today's stats:
Distance: 7.32 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Monday, March 5, 2007
Today accidentally turned into a long run
Oops!!!
The weather was soooooooo gorgeous today that I just HAD to run!!
I had a chiropractic appointment, so I decided rather than drive there I would load the kiddos up in the jogging stroller and run there. Of course I had to rush because Kara made me late, but that was OK. After a warm-up walk, I ran 1.07 miles to the doctor's office. I finished the mile in 11:24. I made it with four minutes to spare before my appointment. Whew!!
After I was done, I decided to run a longer way home. I was only planning to do three miles total, but since I hadn't had a true long run in more than a week, I decided to try it today. My body was feeling good. My head cold has cleared up so that helped. The weather made the run seem easy! Sunshine graced my shoulders the whole way. And it was warm!!! There were a lot of other joggers out there today, along with cyclists and walkers. Lawnmowers hummed everywhere. A bumble bee tried to fly under my sunglasses. I think spring is on its way! :)
I figured since my race is a 4.1-miler, that I would do 4.1 miles today. I missed 48 minutes, but then again I was pushing kids and there were hills involved. I think if I stick to my main goal of coming in under 50 minutes then I will not be disappointed. And if I do finish in 48 minutes, it will just be gravy.
Today's stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Time: 50:02 (so close!!!)
Pace: 12:13 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:24 (had to be fast to make that appointment!)
Mile 2: 13:16 (there was a big hill here)
Mile 3: 12:09 (getting faster)
Mile 4: 12:03 (getting faster still!)
1/10 mile: 1:07 (average pace: 11:47)
Best pace: 9:48
The weather was soooooooo gorgeous today that I just HAD to run!!
I had a chiropractic appointment, so I decided rather than drive there I would load the kiddos up in the jogging stroller and run there. Of course I had to rush because Kara made me late, but that was OK. After a warm-up walk, I ran 1.07 miles to the doctor's office. I finished the mile in 11:24. I made it with four minutes to spare before my appointment. Whew!!
After I was done, I decided to run a longer way home. I was only planning to do three miles total, but since I hadn't had a true long run in more than a week, I decided to try it today. My body was feeling good. My head cold has cleared up so that helped. The weather made the run seem easy! Sunshine graced my shoulders the whole way. And it was warm!!! There were a lot of other joggers out there today, along with cyclists and walkers. Lawnmowers hummed everywhere. A bumble bee tried to fly under my sunglasses. I think spring is on its way! :)
I figured since my race is a 4.1-miler, that I would do 4.1 miles today. I missed 48 minutes, but then again I was pushing kids and there were hills involved. I think if I stick to my main goal of coming in under 50 minutes then I will not be disappointed. And if I do finish in 48 minutes, it will just be gravy.
Today's stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Time: 50:02 (so close!!!)
Pace: 12:13 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 11:24 (had to be fast to make that appointment!)
Mile 2: 13:16 (there was a big hill here)
Mile 3: 12:09 (getting faster)
Mile 4: 12:03 (getting faster still!)
1/10 mile: 1:07 (average pace: 11:47)
Best pace: 9:48
Sunday, March 4, 2007
One week!!
Well, there's technically less than one week from this very second until my next race!
I didn't run today. Instead, Tim, Kara and I did a couple hours worth of yard work. Little Matty had to be content with watching us from his Pack'n'Play. Eventually he fell asleep, so I guess we weren't all that interesting.
Anyway, I pulled weeds and mowed the lawn. Tim trimmed a hedge and assisted with the weeds. Kara, bless her heart, "helped" with the weeds, too. Of course, her idea of lending a hand entailed digging holes in the flower bed and harassing every bug she found. Gotta love three-year-olds. At least she enjoyed herself.
So the countdown is on to the Foggy Bottom Milk Run. I feel fairly well-prepared, despite the fact I missed a run or two last week. It's only 4.1 miles. I've done four and five-milers the past couple weeks, so I know I can cover the distance. And the course is flat, which is awesome. I'm sure it will be easier than the Trinidad to Clam Beach run I did in January. That one was a hilly bastard! But I've already made up my mind to tackle it again next year. I'm just crazy, I guess. *wink*
I hope the next week passes quickly because I am itchin' for some competition! I would love to run the whole thing in less than 48 minutes, but if I finish in less than 50 I will be happy. I tend to want to run faster when others are around, but I don't want to go out too fast and fizzle in the finish.
Tim and the kids will be going to cheer me on and take some pictures I can post here. I am excited they will be there! I'll probably tear up a little when I see them as I cross the finish line. My daughter absolutely loves running, so I hope to get her on the race course within the next few years.
I didn't run today. Instead, Tim, Kara and I did a couple hours worth of yard work. Little Matty had to be content with watching us from his Pack'n'Play. Eventually he fell asleep, so I guess we weren't all that interesting.
Anyway, I pulled weeds and mowed the lawn. Tim trimmed a hedge and assisted with the weeds. Kara, bless her heart, "helped" with the weeds, too. Of course, her idea of lending a hand entailed digging holes in the flower bed and harassing every bug she found. Gotta love three-year-olds. At least she enjoyed herself.
So the countdown is on to the Foggy Bottom Milk Run. I feel fairly well-prepared, despite the fact I missed a run or two last week. It's only 4.1 miles. I've done four and five-milers the past couple weeks, so I know I can cover the distance. And the course is flat, which is awesome. I'm sure it will be easier than the Trinidad to Clam Beach run I did in January. That one was a hilly bastard! But I've already made up my mind to tackle it again next year. I'm just crazy, I guess. *wink*
I hope the next week passes quickly because I am itchin' for some competition! I would love to run the whole thing in less than 48 minutes, but if I finish in less than 50 I will be happy. I tend to want to run faster when others are around, but I don't want to go out too fast and fizzle in the finish.
Tim and the kids will be going to cheer me on and take some pictures I can post here. I am excited they will be there! I'll probably tear up a little when I see them as I cross the finish line. My daughter absolutely loves running, so I hope to get her on the race course within the next few years.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Finally off the couch...
...and back on the road!
Today was my first run since Monday, and it felt fairly good. I'm still not 100 percent, but I was feeling quite a bit better and the weather was too nice here to pass up. I decided early to only do three miles, not the four that I would have done had I not been sick all week. But I decided since I was only doing three, to pick up the pace a little. I was surprised by how quickly those three miles seemed to pass.
I am actually thinking of throwing in a run tomorrow if the weather is as nice as it was today. It is rare we get nice days like this before spring, so I really want to take advantage of it. But if I don't I'll probably be out doing yardwork tomorrow. So either way I should be enjoying the sun. I just hope the weather next weekend is as grand as it was today!!!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 36:31
Pace: 12:11 minute/mile
Best pace: 9:50 minute/mile
Today was my first run since Monday, and it felt fairly good. I'm still not 100 percent, but I was feeling quite a bit better and the weather was too nice here to pass up. I decided early to only do three miles, not the four that I would have done had I not been sick all week. But I decided since I was only doing three, to pick up the pace a little. I was surprised by how quickly those three miles seemed to pass.
I am actually thinking of throwing in a run tomorrow if the weather is as nice as it was today. It is rare we get nice days like this before spring, so I really want to take advantage of it. But if I don't I'll probably be out doing yardwork tomorrow. So either way I should be enjoying the sun. I just hope the weather next weekend is as grand as it was today!!!
Today's stats:
Distance: three miles
Time: 36:31
Pace: 12:11 minute/mile
Best pace: 9:50 minute/mile
Friday, March 2, 2007
Still sick
I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired.
That's how the past two days have been. And I'm still sick today. No fun.
So I'm skipping yet another workout. I feel there's no way I could drag my tired, achy body outside to run. Plus, it's raining again.
I am hoping beyond hope that I feel better by tomorrow so I can do my long run. If not. I'll push that back to Sunday.
I really hate having to scrap workouts like this. But darn it, I just feel like crap!
That's how the past two days have been. And I'm still sick today. No fun.
So I'm skipping yet another workout. I feel there's no way I could drag my tired, achy body outside to run. Plus, it's raining again.
I am hoping beyond hope that I feel better by tomorrow so I can do my long run. If not. I'll push that back to Sunday.
I really hate having to scrap workouts like this. But darn it, I just feel like crap!
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