Short Early Morning Run

Once again I got up in the am and went for a run before class. This is all good, except I can't get a long enough run in. I had done a decent job of running, however, it just happens to be the long ones I miss....need to fix that. Now I have run a race recently & successfully, it will hopefully keep me motivated.

I have realized how some of the long slow runs have helped me overall. I need to remember this. Walking is okay.

My morning run was 3.5 miles long, which took me 38 minutes (10:54 pace). I ran a route with several hills. I kept my average heart rate down to 157 even though I ran the whole thing.

Longer runs this week. My longest one lately was 7 miles, not good enough. Apparently all I need to do is learn how to run faster & then I can still get the long ones done in the morning. ;)

PR @ Twilight 4 Miler

Last night was the Twilight 4 miler in Ashburn, VA.

My Results:

Net Tim	Gun Tim	Net Pace	2 Mile
38:51	39:32	9:42	20:13

I started off trying to maintain a 10:00 min/mile. I found a few people along the way I could pace myself with. The one I stayed with the longest (until I passed him) was a NYC Triathlon shirt guy. He made running look easy and I think that helped calm me down. At some point near the end I saw Matt on the sideline looking for me. He jumped in and cheered me the last bit of the race. Even though I couldn't talk at the time and tell him thanks, it really helped! He cut back out just before the finish line and I propelled myself forward to make it in under my goal!


Matt had a great race as well:

Net Tim	Gun Tim	Net Pace	2 Mile
26:50	26:58	6:32	13:34

After finishing we walked around a little. Got some food and drinks and stayed to hear the awards. I saw the guy (when I was only 1/2 way) finish the 4 miler in under 20 minutes! We met some old guys who were crazy fast. Everyone was nice and I look forward to more great races!

Another Early Morning

After another late night (really need to work on getting to bed earlier) I got up at 6:30 this morning so I could run before class. It also meant I didn't have to run in the 90 degree temperature when I got home.

Today's run felt good. I grabbed a swig of orange juice and bite of danish on my way out.
I ran 4.7 miles in 51 minutes, making is an average of 10:51 min/mile. Max pace was 9:05 min/mile. My average heart rate was 166 bpm, while my max was 181 bpm. I burned a total of 681 calories. I ran the first 4.2 miles straight.

I am getting excited about Saturday's race. Hopefully race-day-adrenalin will kick in and I'll be able to make it in under 40 minutes. (Today's 4 mile mark was 43:15).

Today's animal count:
20 pedestrians
12 birds
4 dogs
3 cats
2 squirrels
1 spider
1 turtle


I would like to get a big dog to run with.

Betsy

Cindy

Mrs. Bixby (would need a name change)


Hmm...what good timing...I am home or close to home....

Better than none

I've had so much Graduate work this week that today's run was a "better than nothing" run. I was supposed to run on Wednesday, but I knew that was not going to happen, so I ran Tuesday. I was up and running by 8:20am after eating a bit of breakfast with Matt. My heart rate strap was not working. It was the perfect temperature.

I ran 3.6 miles in 38 minutes which equals 10:42 pace.

We are signed up for the Twilight 4 miler this Saturday. I am a little nervous about my time. But hopefully it will be a great run. I really need to figure out a time when I can go and get new running shoes...I can probably do it on my way home tomorrow (Thursday) from class.

Happy note: the tennis instructor said I (and others) could come to the Advanced Beginners class for free! Yay, more tennis lessons!

This week:
Today: h.w., Ian, class til 6-9.
Tomorrow: run?, class 9-5, running shoes?
Friday: run?, class 905, run?
Saturday: 4 mile race!!

To Fast To Early

It felt great so I ran...apparently not quite at the point (at least today) where I could maintain it. But it is getting better.

3 miles in 34 minutes.

Last tennis lesson tonight. Looking forward to playing some tennis with Matt.

16 miles this week

5 miles Friday + Baseball Game Friday night + 7 miles Saturday + Bachelorette party Saturday night + Softball Sunday afternoon + great grilled food with Matt Sunday night = happy tired girl

I am doing well at sticking to my goal (of getting up in the morning with Matt & going for a run). (Mind you, I have had 1 day of my summer vacation so far) ;)

Friday morning I was up and running by around 7:30am. I went for a 5 mile run where I was able to run the entire thing in 56 minutes. This is about a 11:19 min/mile. I kept my average heart rate down to 160 bpm and burned 697 calories! I was even able to maintain a fairly consistent pace!

Saturday (after a fun night at the new National's Ball Park where we cheered on the Blue Jays) we were up and running in the morning. Matt ran (12 miles) with a friend and I left a bit after them. By 7:30am I was on my way for my 7 mile run. I did it in 1 hour 17 minutes. Averaging about a 11:00 min/mile. I did a 6:1 ratio. I averaged 166 bpm and burned 1024 calories. Around the 4.5 mile mark I struggled a little, but then I was able to push through it and continue. I ran the last mile straight in just under 9 1/2 minutes.

I need to take the time and go get new running shoes. I have blisters all over my feet. I was told about toe-socks for running which are supposed to help prevent blisters.

Improvement

Today was a success. I was able to run for 4 miles straight! Ibuprofen and IcyHot are my friend! My leg is still a little sore, but was able to get through any discomfort.

Good things: My average heart rate has continued to decrease! It used to be around 180's. Also, my red shorts are comfy again!

The weather was perfect: 75 degrees, 70% humidity, overcast.

Today's run:
4 miles
43 minutes
10:52 pace
607 calories
171 avg heart rate

Time to get to my grad work, then tennis lessons later!

Warning: VERY Pessimistic Rant then Motivation

Who am I fooling? I am not a runner. I haven't had any consistent really good runs since the end of March beginning of April. I seem to have lost my determination. I can't figure out how to run past the pain on my own. Behind my left knee hurts when I run. I am getting fat. I am breaking out. The weeks keep getting closer to my races and I seem to be getting worse.

On the bright side, teaching is almost done so I should be able to run in the mornings before the humidity kicks in and maybe that will help get me back on schedule.

Ok, enough negativity. Today's run is over. There is always tomorrow for better runs.

Today I ran 4.1 miles in a total of 51 minutes. I burned 704 calories and I kept my heart rate at 170 bpm. I was able to run 1.5 miles at a 10:48 pace before having to walk.

Tomorrow is softball in the AM. I will see how my legs feel and how much Grad work I have done. If running is not possible I will go out again on Monday and take it slow.

Motivating Me:

"Never again until the next one - that's what marathons do to you"

In my mind I'm a Kenyan.
In my legs, I'm a slow white girl.

Running is a mental sport. We're all insane.

A really creative idea I saw last year was instead of putting his name on his shirt, a guy put "Nads." So when he ran by, people would yell: Go-Nads! Really cracked me up. :)

Faster Middle

I figured if I didn't run on Thursday before tennis it would storm again and tennis would be canceled.

For lately it was a good run. In the entire spectrum it was kinda bad. But the good thing was, I was able to maintain (well, actually increase) my pace during the middle part of the run. This is where I usually wimp out. So, here it was a SUCCESS.

I stopped my music partway through and just focused on trees in front of me. I "pulled" myself towards them. This seemed to work well. We will have to try it again.

Stats:
4.3 miles
47 minutes
11:02 pace
687 calories

Lap 1: 2 miles, 11:02 pace.
Lap 2: .1 mile, 16:23 pace.
Lap 3: 1.4 miles, 10:34 pace.
Lap 4: .1 mile, 17:49 pace.
Lap 5: .7 miles, 10:56 pace.


We might sign up for a Twilight 4 miler. My goal is to do it under 40 minutes.

Around Arlington

So decided I had to take advantage of the nice weather when I had it, so I went for a run between teaching & class. It was different running in neighborhoods I didn't really know. The thing that made it extra difficult was, it was around 90 degrees & horrible humidity.

I ran a total of 2.1 miles in 25 minutes...

I just need to get out there more. At least teaching is almost over and then I can run in the am.

Discouraging...

Yesterday had a break in the rain so I took advantage of it and went for a run. Well, that didn't turn out so well. Every step my knees hurt, my right shin hurt, all in all, it was bad. So I decided it was time to buy new shoes. So went to local running store where they don't even have the size shoe I need. Plus I learn I have an extremely high arch and should get a cork insert.

How did running go from just grab a pair of shoes & go to buy shoes for $110 + insert??

All in all I am discouraged. And with each day the races keep getting closer & I feel like I am getting worse...ahhhh.

Tennis, Rain, Rain, Raccoons

I have started my tennis lessons. So far (one night) it went great. We have an Aussie for our teacher & there were 3 others in the lesson. I even rode my bike to the courts so it counts as a blue day on the calendar.

Wednesday was my rest day (plus I didn't have time to do anything with: bank, orthodontist, & grad class). Today I was supposed to have another tennis lesson, but, yup, it is raining again. I need to run tomorrow, even if it is still raining (which it is supposed to be).

Then on top of all of that, we have more raccoon's in our house.....here's to hoping our house does not fry...

4.1 constant miles

Almost 2 miles further than the last run, and about at the same pace.

4.1 miles
46 minutes
11:19 pace
169 avg HR
642 calories
0 stops!!

Tomorrow I start tennis lesson. Wednesday I will see how my legs feel & how long my ortho' appointment takes.

Now, trying to figure out what to do about the raccoon in our attic.....

Oh, I saw the finishing of this years Boston Marathon. There was a USA female who finished 3rd out of all of the females. It was amazing watching her run. I want to be able to run like her!!!!!!!