Sunday, August 28, 2011

Busy Weekend

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:10:30/11:45 avg pace

Did six miles yesterday. It was okay. I haven't run a long distance since the half marathon. Heck, I haven't even run outside since the half marathon. Amazing how quickly I can lose endurance when I take two weeks off from all activity!

I'd like to think I'm back in my healthy routines. I got up at 4:30 last Monday through Thursday. Friday is my rest day. I lost five pounds at our Weight Watcher weigh in. I did my long run yesterday. I'm tracking my food and trying to make good choices.

Yesterday Eric and I rearranged our bedroom/office. It meant taking apart the bed and moving all the heavy office furniture around. Quite the endeavor.

Right now I am waking up so we can go on a long bike ride. Still a bit tired. I need caffeine.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tempo Run

Distance: 3.083 miles
Time: 40 minutes

This morning called for a tempo run. I've never done a tempo run before...at least not on purpose!

I'm still on the fence about whether or not I'm actually training for a half in November or if I'm just running to stay sane without worrying about a schedule. Truth be told, I'll probably stick with the schedule, but I haven't signed up for the half as of yet.

Anyhow, I interpreted a tempo run to mean run faster than normal for a certain amount of time. I did 10 minutes at 5.0. Then I increased by .1 miles every three minutes. My last minute was done at 6.0. I didn't fall off the treadmill, so that was good.

As much as I hate waking up at 4:30 to exercise, I love getting the workout finished early. It feels so good not having it hanging over my head at 9 p.m.

Tomorrow is my last workout for the week. Then rest day on Friday. Yay!

Monday, August 22, 2011

First Day of School

Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 46 minutes

Eric and I both woke up at 4:30 so we could be exercising by 5. I ran three miles. He got on the elliptical.

Now it's 9 at night, and I'm exhausted!

My first day of school was great.



Would love to write more, but I'm just too tired.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Running to stay sane

Distance: 2.7 miles
Time: 36 min.

It's that time of year. I am getting ready to start back to school on Monday. I've been officially back to work since Monday. I've been at school all summer.

Summer was pretty low key with summer school and various summer activities. Going to back to school is a whole different ball of wax.

Even though this is my 12th year teaching, it is always new, fun, exciting, and crazy. Throw in my responsibilities as vice principal, my youngest starting preschool for the first time, my oldest starting 2nd grade, and my general anxiousness about the world, and it makes for one crazy Heather.

I'll be signing up for the Two Cities Half Marathon in November, but really...my running during the fall season is more about sanity than training.

I haven't even posted about my Salinas Half Marathon. It was wonderful. It was blessedly cool. I despise running in the heat. Hate. Can't stand or tolerate. Running in Salinas was like skipping through tulips and sliding down rainbows with cool refreshing weather.

I need to do a 1/2 marathon post. Hopefully I'll get to that soon. No matter how hard I try to avoid it, this time of year makes me a crazy mess. I want to be able to accomplish everything, and I never can do it all. Then I feel like I failed.

Didn't mean for this to be a rambling post, but I'm already starting to feel the pressure of work, home, kids, and running. Yes, running is also a stress for me. As much good as it does me, it also can make me feel bad when I feel like I'm not improving.

For now, I need to be happy that I got on the treadmill (after taking nearly two weeks off and gaining over 6 pounds). Am I on plan for 1/2 training? Um, no. But I ran. And running for 26 minutes makes me feel better than it did 26 minutes ago.