Mrs. Potato Head Lips

I could easily get back in shape if I never had to work! This week is my Spring Break and I have done well about being active.

Sunday, March 28th:
I ran 3 miles in 37 minutes. This equals a 12:20 min/mile. I was able to keep an average heart rate of 174. The first 1.5 miles felt great. After that I struggled and ended up walking quite a bit. My legs felt very heavy. At least, my blood blister/callous isn't getting any worse.

Monday, March 29th:
I ran for another 2 miles, in just over 22 minutes. Averaging a 11:25 min/mile. I did great with my heart rate and was able to keep the average to 141. (Seems kind of suspicious...). On this run I passed a friendly lady with Mrs. Potato Head Lips!!

After my run, I did a cool down walk with Blue, where we walked another 0.8 miles. We would have kept going, but it started to get cold and rain was blowing sideways so we decided to turn around.

Tuesday, March 30th:
I decided Blue earned a long walk, so we headed out for a walk (with many stops to sniff at each of the trees and fire hydrants). We walked 2.2 miles and he was definitely tired by the end.

Wednesday, March 31st:
I had great intentions today to go for a bike ride. I even: got dressed, filled up the camelbak, got my bike helmet on, went out to the bikes and realized, not gonna happen. My bike (which I knew) has a punctured tire so I was planning on riding Matt's, until I realized his has clip pedals and I've never ridden with my feet attached to the bike. (I decided it would be better to try this when people were around if I needed help). So, back inside I went and then took Blue out for a walk. All in all, great intentions, but no highlight for today.

The rest of the week:
I will go for a run tomorrow. And then, we are going to the Bahamas!! We might be bringing our tennis rackets, we are gonna do a intro scuba lesson, maybe some running on the beach, swimming, and most importantly...RELAXING!!!

3 runs, 2 walks

I'm not doing well about exercising. At least some of the days I have been motivated by my neighbor.

I ran:

• 3 miles in 36 minutes (~12 min/mile) on March 5th.
• 2 miles in 23 minutes (~11:30 min/mile) on March 8th
  
• 2 miles in 22 minutes (~11 min/mile) on March 22nd.
  

I have walked with Victoria & Blue

• 1.8 miles in 35 minutes on March 23rd.
• 2.1 miles in 47 minutes on March 26th.

My heart rate monitor has not been working. I think it will soon be time for a new watch, not quite sure which one would be the best.

Last week, the weather got chilly near the end. It had been gorgeous (mid/high 70's) and then later in the week only up to the low 50's. It is kind of gloomy now, but I think I am going to run. I am on my spring break so I hope to get in some good runs this week. The biggest excitement is, on Friday we are headed to the Bahamas for 4 days!

2 Runs, about 1 Month apart

On Monday January (Yes, I said January) I had the opportunity to go for a run. I went for 2 miles in 23 minutes. This means I averaged 11:30 min/mile. My average heart rate was 164. Truthfully, it was so long ago I don't remember it.

Mother Nature has made it difficult to run outside this year. We have had a historic snowfall. I thought I moved south to get away from all of the snow. We did manage to have some fun between all of the shoveling. Great neighbors made shoveling 30+ inches at least a little tolerable.






Today my schedule & mother nature have finally worked together and I got out for a run. (First run in 34 days). I ran 2 miles in 22:45. This works out to an 11:22 min/mile. My average HR was 171. My knees were a little sore at the start, but then were fine.

Here's to getting back on track...need to look great in 75 days!!!

Great Motivation

Matt & I drove to the bank today and then I ran home. I ran along the road and within the first mile I was struggling. But it was the knowledge that if I stopped to walk, it would be then that Matt would pass me and yell, "What are you doing, you haven't even gone a mile yet?!"

So I could not bring myself to walk and I finally got into a rhythm and managed to run for 2.6 miles. This is the longest consistent run in awhile. Last run I barely made it 1 mile, time before I ran this distance with Matt and had to walk and thought I was going to die. Today however, I managed to do in 29 minutes (1 minute 15 seconds faster than before). I burned 430 calories and averaged 11:09 min/mile.

I do have to do better about drinking more water, stretching, and eating consistent meals. This means....off to the grocery store!


So far: 100%

And That's My Story...

My Running Plan for this Semester (Last Semester of Graduate School!!!!)

• Monday
• Thursday
• Saturday
  

So far, I am on track because....I ran yesterday (Monday)!!! How was the run you might ask. Well, truthfully it was horrible, but (as I try to do), on the positive side, it won't ever get better if I don't get out there and get running again. So, even though I definitely had a rough time, the nice weather and the day off provided enough motivation to get me going.

It was the perfect day for a run. It was around 54 degrees and sunny. I ran 2 miles while trying to keep my heart rate low'ish. I tried to not max above 190. I managed to average out to 171 bpm. This meant I went an average of 12:15 min/mile. I definitely had a rough time breathing and had to walk a bit. Hopefully on my next several runs it will get better.

Once again I have posted a calendar with all 12 months on one sheet on my wall and I am highlighting the days that I exercise. This I have found to be very motivating. However, I just need Mother Nature to go along with my plan and bring in the nasty weather on my "non-run" days.


...And I'm Sticking To It.

Run without Breathing

So today Matt and I met up at home for a "run" together. Now for him it was probably more like a extra slow meandering jog while I was there trailing behind him huffing and puffing away. It was somewhere during the 2.6 mile run that I came to the realization that my legs did not hurt and I could run oh so much better if I only didn't have to breath! (However, this is where Matt kindly informed me that breathing is an integral part of running. There goes my great idea). Even though, or maybe because of the pain, I had a great run with Matt and hope to do it more often now that the sun is staying up a little longer.

We have started our January Mild Heat Wave. Today was one of the first days that when I walked out of school I was not automatically bitter cold. By the time that we got running it was 5pm and around 37 degrees. Even so, my butt was freezing!

Matt and I ran around the golf course for 2.6 miles, which took 30 minutes 15 seconds. The average pace was 11:38 min/mile. My average heart rate was 178 and I maxed at 195. I burned 443 calories.

I am still working on being able to go for a 5-7 mile run with Matt at a 9:00 min/mile.

Not as bad as it seems

Things are not as bad as it seems, on many levels.

First, it looks like I haven't ran since November 21st, however, this is wrong. Apparently I have just been too busy to update. Second, today's run was not as miserable (due to cold and wind) as expected.

Since the race I ran 2 other times in November. On the 24th I went for a 2 mile run at a 10:01 min mile with an average heart rate of 168 and burned 201 calories. Than on the 26th I went for a slower 3 mile run, at 11:02 min mile with an average heart rate of 172 and burned 345 calories. Truthfully these were so long ago I don't really remember how they went. But it seems like my heart rate has gotten lower!

December 9th (Happy Birthday Dad & Rose) I went for a slow 2.2 mile run at 11:42 minute mile. This lead to an average heart rate of 169 which burned 262 calories. The rest of December has been unusually cold and snowy for Virginia. First snow fall was about 5-6 inches. Our next snow fall lead to a steady falling of 24 inches of snow. This lead to a State of Emergency for the Northern VA/DC area. After the snow we have been inundated with strong winds and bitter cold. These definitely hinder the motivation to run outside.

This morning I had the first of my 5 tests I need to take to Graduate and get my VA Teaching License. Afterwards I decided to try my legs out again and go for a run. At least the wind had died down (or maybe I am just less of a wimp than Ben VanEvery). Today I managed to go for a 2 mile run in 23 minutes. It was 35 degrees outside and sunny. Even with the sun it made my throat cold an my nose run. My knees were a little sore and my heart rate skyrocketed. For the entire run my average heart rate was 180 (and maxed at 195). At least we have a washer and dryer that works and now can wash my snotty gloves...

Here hoping to some more nice weather and getting back into some sort of routine...