the Zone, Treadmill, & humidity

For the first time in awhile I that I really remember I felt in the zone during part of Thursday's (16th) run. I ran 5 miles on the back trails. I ran this in 55 minutes (11 min/mile). My average heart rate was 165. There have been a lot of dogs out walking on the trails. Sure makes me miss having one. Besides feeling good, I ran face first though a spider web, Yuck!

Friday I spent the morning with Matt and then headed out to Fredonia to work with Matt's mom. Apparently Mother Nature decided my car needed a good washing, as it poured most of the way. I got in just in time to drop my car off & hope in theirs to head to dinner. Delicious fish from The Mustard Seed. Saturday when I got up it was cold and rainy so I decided to get my run in on the treadmill. I ran 3 miles in 30 minutes. Sunday I also hopped on the treadmil for my run, going only 4 miles (42 minutes). Most of the days in NY were filled with painting. (Mostly the walls, but decided my clothes needed an update and dumped paint all down my side). Wednesday I headed back home and got here with enough time to unload the car, say hi to Matt, grab some food, and head off to class. Sure was a long day.

Thursday morning, though exhausted, I got up and did a 5k run. I did this in 37 minutes. It was very humid (especially compared with NY) and as a result I walked several times. Friday (Today) was supposed to be a day of rest, but since I had missed a few previous runs I did a short hill workout. I ran a total of 2 miles (21 minutes) and was actually able to make it up all the hills. Even thought it was short I still had to walk once. (Grrrr). Tomorrow is a 4 mile run which will take place in Roanoke Virginia (Matt & neighbors are doing an adventure race) and Sunday is a 14 miler. I need to make sure I drink enough water and eat better.

Showing my week: painting & shopping

Monday & Wednesday

Monday was supposed to be my rest day, but I knew Tuesday would be too busy to run so I switched it around. I ran my 4 miles in just over 40 minutes. The weather was a lot cooler than Sunday, and my legs felt great. This was one of my best runs in a while on the back trails.

Tuesday I had class from 9am-4pm and then I babysat til about 8.

Wednesday was another crazy day as I had class 9am til 3pm and then another class 5pm to9pm. I decided I should get my run in when I could, so I went for a run mid day. It sure was HOT!!!! The run was a little rough due to a) heat, b) lack of shade, c) need to pee, d) more hills than expected. It is funny, I never thought this area was really that hilly until I started running. Today's run took me along the Custis Trail. I apparently did not pay close enough attention to where I got on and I run past it on the way back, so that added on some distance. I ended up running (and walking and stopping to pee & fill my water bottle) 7 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes. It wasn't my fastest, but I feel okay with it since I am not used to the heat.

One phone call and then bed. I get to sleep in tomorrow for a bit, go for a 5 mile run, babysit and then head to class. Goodnight world!

6 of 32 done

Starting my week off on the right foot...got my run in. I was surprised at how hot it was this morning when I got outside. As a result I changed my route because where I was planning on running doesn't have much shade.

I didn't have much power in my legs today. I ran slow. It took me 1 hour 12 minutes to go 6 miles. This equals a 12:00 min/mile. My average heart rate was 166 and I burned 955 calories. I had many walk breaks today, especially up the hills.

My run took me by one of the neighborhood pools and boy did it look refreshing! I was wishing I could have jumped right in!

I looked up some races today just because I was curious. There is a Leesburg 10k or 20k on Sunday August 9th. This is the only free weekend I have until school stuff starts back up!

Well time to continue on my productive streak and get some Grad work done while I wait for Matt to come home!

Running is like mouthwash; if you can feel the burn, it's working. ~Brian Tackett

Crazy Week

Pictures are finally up from our Twilight 4 Miler race. Apparently I ran so fast the camera shutters could not catch me except for once:


My Photo:
Matt's Photos: (few more pics of him)

I have missed a few of my runs this week due to being extra busy. 2 new Grad classes started this week, one of which only last 5 days and is extra intense. Wednesday I didn't feel good and decided I would do my run Thursday morning. Well that was before my nice cohort informed me that we had class starting at 9am Thursday morning. So Thursday was out due to being in class 9am - 9pm. Friday I was gonna run when I got home from class (around 5pm) and then decided I would meet up with a friend for dinner and ended up spending the night. Sure has been a long time since I've had a Girls Night Sleep Over. It was fun: dinner at the Sunflower, talking, watching a girly movie, laughing, killing fast moving big black spiders.

Finally had a chance to run today. Still didn't feel the best, but decided I'd go for my 4 miles anyways. This means I have run 22 miles this week (and in only 3 days!) I got a huge cobweb in my face today as the sun was streaming through the trees, yuck.

Today's Run
4 miles
45 minutes
11:17 pace
161 avg hr
562 calories

It has been a productive day but have a long way to go before I feel less stressed over my work. At least most of it has to be done by Wednesday! Time to go read & hope I don't fall asleep too early.

Until tomorrow...

6 more miles under my belt

It is spring time and the babies are coming out! Near the end of my run I saw 4 adult deer and 2 fawns! (Along with 3 chipmunks).

My legs were a little stiff today on my run. I went 6 miles in 1 hour 6 minutes. I ran/walked a 1 mile:0.1 mile ratio. The hills were rough as my left ankle would pop on some of the steps. I was definitely very thirsty on my run as I left without my water.

Time to run to the bank, babysit, and then German food for dinner. (Yum...bratwurst, sauerkraut, wiener schnitzel) ;-)

Sunday's Long Run

I ran 12 miles today!! Now that I am getting into the longer distances I am really having to think about where I am going to run. I decided for today's run I would go and explore on the trails down by Franklin Farm Rd. It took me 3 miles to get to the road. Thankfully (after the late start) it remained overcast as there are no trees for shade along Reston Parkway. Soon after turning onto Franklin Farm Rd there are some nice paved trails. I paid attention at the intersections so I would know how to get back! Interesting, I still did not get back the same way as I never came across the "y" again. They were some very nice trails with friendly people out walking.

I was able to maintain for the majority of the run a 2 mile: 0.1 mile run:walk ratio. Around 7.6 miles I had to walk to eat some Shot Bloks. These are great for mid-run energy boots. I was so thirsty I drained my water bottle but came across a gas station where I filled it up again.

I am learning what my current mental blocks are and more importantly what to do to overcome these. My main method is to run out 1/2 the distance of my run because then I have to run home the other half. (If my run is supposed to be 10 miles I run out 5.1 miles and then turn around and run the other 4.9 back). Today I ended back by the house at 11.2 miles and contemplated stopping. But then I decided I would be annoyed with myself for giving up, especially because I was not (surprising) dying at that point. I definitely feel better for finishing my last mile.

In March I did a 9 mile run that took me an 1hr 46 minutes. Today to go the same distance I was about 10 minutes faster!!! My average heart rate was lower and I did not have to walk nearly as much! (I love that I can upload my info into my computer and see my progress!) I think I need to start using Body Glide on my arms as I have some chafing from my skin rubbing on my shirt/sports bra.

Today's Run:
Distance: 12 miles
Total Time: 2 hours 9 minutes
Average Pace: 10:42
Average Heart Rate: 169
Max Heart Rate: 181
Calories Burned: 1770
Walk Breaks: 6

For lunch we headed to Chipotle and were surprised to learn the Calories were lower than expected. My Steak Fajita Burrito with Guacamole came to 1020 calories! (I was only able to eat 1/2 my burrito as the tiredness started to kick in so this means I still have the other 1/2 to enjoy!) Chipotle Nutrition Calculator: Now we wonder, when they calculate the total calories, do they take into consideration how much you burn just eating this humungous thing?

Time to enjoy my personal concert (as Matt & Matt are jammin') and get some grad work done.

Thrusday, Friday, & Saturday

First, this must be the year of the Fire Fly as there are tons of them! Things have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to update. Here is the run down.

Thursday was supposed to be rest day, but I was short some of my other runs, so I did a short 2 miler. My right foot cramped up a bit. I almost ran into a deer. So nice of the male to let the female go first and see if it was safe to cross....

Friday I ran 5 mile in 57 minutes. It was a bit rough, but thanks to Matt's encouragement I got out there. Definitely feel better after running.

Saturday we got a bit of a late start, but I did my 4 miles in just over 43 minutes. It is surprisingly how much adrenaline you get from being in a race. (Still waiting on race photos, I have even e-mailed them....no reply yet)

7.5 miles + Tennis

Tuesday after class I went out for a 6-8 mile run. I ended up going 7.5 miles. It felt nice. I ran: through the golf course, down Wiehle Ave, W&OD back towards the town center, down Reston Parkway, U.S. Geological, down Pinecrest, turned down Glade Dr, and back to Reston Parkway and home.

The golf course was nice, there were parts that it was very fragrant. This helped make it a relaxing run. Along with the flowers there were a few minutes of rain drops. This was the perfect temperature for a run.

It took me 1 hr 23 minutes to go 7.5 miles. This was around an 11:06 min/mile. My average heart rate was 169 bpm and I burned 1144 calories. I divided my run: 3 miles running, 0.1 mile recovery, 2 miles running, 0.1 mile recovery, 2.3 miles running. It felt good at the time, but I was definitely sore later that night.
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Wednesday Matt & I biked out to play tennis. Of course as we hit the peddles (as we bike to the courts) the rain drops started to fall. We decided to stick it out and see if they would stop, which they eventually did. I have improved thanks to the lessons but I still have a ways to go. I should look for the foam balls and practice at the wall. Also a big basket of balls would come in handy working on my serve. More practice and patience will help...

I burned around 550 calories total while biking (for about 12 minutes) and playing tennis (about 1 hour).

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Time to go out for my morning run before I head off to babysit. :)