Sunday, January 29, 2012

6

Distance: 6.5 miles/11:33 avg. pace

Too tired to write much more. Maybe later I'll add to this super exciting post.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Phew

Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 12 minute miles

American Idol got me through four miles. Man, that wasn't easy. Four miles no stopping.

It helped that I had a yummy and filling dinner. Chipotle never fails me. Proper fuel is the way to go!

Side note: Evan's soccer team won their game tonight 21-0!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Biggest Loser

Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 12 minute miles

The first mile and a quarter felt pretty good. Then I started to get pretty tired. I hate that.

I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm not eating quite enough to fuel my runs. I know that running doesn't provide a free for all when it comes to food, but there is a certain amount of food that you need to eat to get through a workout feeling strong.

I just haven't figured out that balance yet.

I've been really careful with my eating this week. I weigh in tomorrow. I am curious to see how I've done this week.

Off to find something to eat.

Oh, and I watched The Biggest Loser while I was on the treadmill. I don't think Bob and Dolvett like each other very much. Those two are awfully competitive. I figured watching people working out on tv might give me a boost while running. I guess it worked for 15 minutes.

Monday, January 23, 2012

No Soccer Practice

Distance: 1.55 miles
Pace: 12 minute mile easy treadmill run

Eric isn't feeling his best, so I offered to sit out at Evan's soccer practice tonight. Oh thank the Lord that it was cancelled due to rain! If I had been out there, I was going to wear my running clothes and just run around to stay warm!

Thankfully, I came home at a decent hour and ran my easy day one mile on the treadmill. Got it all done and out of the way before dinner.

Can't beat that.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

I Impressed My Son

Distance: 1.75 miles
Time: 17:07
Average Pace: 9:48/mile!!!!! (My fastest speed was 5:47, though I am sure I only maintained that for .28 seconds!)

I took Evan with me on his bike and headed out to do The Loop. I wanted to see just how fast I could go. It turns out, I can move this chubby body decently fast!

I took three or four rest breaks to catch my breath, but I kept the pace strong with each run segment.

I told Evan he had to pace me by riding just ahead of me so I could try to catch him. He's a great little running partner as long as he doesn't ask me questions and expect a response!

Now that I know I can move at a faster speed, I need to work at building my endurance at those faster speeds. In time.

In any case, Evan was impressed and even ran in the house to tell Dad just how fast his mom ran! Pretty cool!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Five

Distance: 5 miles/11:22 average pace

I remember when I ran my first five-miler last year in March. I was training for my first half marathon, and my training plan called for five miles on the Saturday that I was in Anaheim for a Catholic School conference.

The fourth grade teacher and the Athletic Director from my school agreed to get me through the five miles. I'll admit...I was scared of the distance.

I was so proud of myself when I successfully finished those five miles. I felt like a wet noodle for the rest of the day, but that did not take away from the success I felt in finishing that great of a distance. I know I finished in less than an hour.

Fast forward about 10 months. I am once again rebuilding my endurance. However, I'm not afraid of five mile runs anymore. I am, though, just as proud of finishing the distance!

I started reminiscing this afternoon and was looking at some of my old times and stats. I need to be better at recording my distance and average paces. I don't post everyday, but it is nice to see a running record of how far and how fast I went. It's my new goal to be better at that.

Another goal I have is to lose 12 pounds by April 1. It will be nice to run with 12 less pounds hanging on me. I have a renewed sense of motivation/determination.

That's about all for now. Today's run was the first long run that I did without my family. Just me and the road.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Week is Almost Over

Distance: 1 mile
Distance yesterday: 3.5 miles

I wanted to get my run done early last night. I figured I'd get home from school, bribe the children with something sweet, jump on the treadmill, and knock out my three miles.

It didn't happen that way. I had to go to the store...with the children. Worst thing ever. And true to form, they were little monsters. I yelled at them in the car. Made the big one cry, but he was crying from guilt. Ugh. I hate grocery shopping with small people. Even if it is a quick in and out. I certainly wasn't doing heavy shopping at 5 p.m. on a Thursday evening.

Anyhow, by the time I got home, I did not get the run done as I had hoped. I sat on my butt and read blogs and watched tv. I ended up waiting until after dinner as soon as the kids went to bed to run.

It turned out okay. I watched Hawaii 5-O while clicking alone at a 5.0 speed. I felt really good when I was done.

I also got up this morning at 5:15 so I could do my one mile (given that it is my rest day). The one mile felt way more painful this morning than three miles did last night. Because it was done at 5:15 in the morning. Yuck.

It's done. I can rest easy for the remainder of the day knowing I don't have to fit in the mile because it's done. The one benefit of running early. I'll be chaperoning a junior high dance tonight. Highlight of my week right there! I'm taking ear plugs. Because I'm old.

**And a note to my slightly older, beautiful, talented and awesome cousin who is going to run the half marathon with me...I thank you for agreeing to do this with me! It's going to be so much fun! I can't wait. It makes the training somewhat bearable knowing we get to spend a few hours sweating on the course together. At least I hope you get sweaty, because it will really suck if I'm the only one dripping wet while you look like you took a stroll through a meadow of flowers! Talk to you soon!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Pleased

Distance: 3.5 miles

Today was my first "pace" day. It called for me to run three miles at the pace I want to run the half marathon. I'd like to finish in under 2 1/2 hours, so I need to run approximately 11:30 minute miles. That amounts to somewhere between a 5.2 or 5.3 on the treadmill.

Isn't my math great?! And to think...I teach algebra!

I'm going to double check my numbers another time...just not right now.

Anyhow, I ran the first mile at a 5.2 speed. Then I kicked it up a notch to 5.3 for the second mile. I figured I'd drop back down to 5.2 for mile three, but I surprised myself by hanging to the end at 5.3! That made me happy.

I never struggled to the point of feeling like I was going to flip off the back of the treadmill from being wiped out.

I love it when a run feels good.

The kids were even good while I ran. It may have been the baggies of chocolate chips I bribed them with! Parenting at its best!

Half way through Training Week 2.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

No Regret

Distance: 1.0 mile

I soooo badly wanted to skip my run tonight. It's been sitting on my mind ALL day.

I set my alarm for 5:15 this morning, thinking it would be good to get the one mile out of the way early. I stayed in bed.

I figured I'd leave work around four and fit the mile in before taking kids to soccer practice. I didn't leave work until 4:30. We barely had time to change into soccer clothes and eat PBJ's much less run a mile.

I figured I'd run the darn thing once I brought Hudson home at 6:30ish. I ended up being the one to stay for Evan's practice. His ONE HOUR practice turned into a 2 hour ordeal that lasted until 9:15. We didn't get home until 9:30.

I was FREEZING. The last thing I wanted to do was put on running clothes. All I wanted to do was take a hot bath and crawl into bed.

However, the thought of breaking my streak simply because I was feeling sorry for myself was more than I could bear. It takes me 12 minutes to run a mile. I could suck it up for 12 minutes. And so I did.

I can't even say it was hard, because I feel like I am getting pretty good at kicking out one mile at a 5.0 speed.

And now I am very happy that I did not break my streak for silly reasons: too tired, too cold, too pathetic. It's one thing to skip a run when I am hurt, sick, or circumstances completely make it impossible to run. Skipping for a negative attitude would only have made me wallow even more.

I ran. I feel better.

Now I need to do my 10 minutes of ab work so I continue to not regret my decisions tonight!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Good and the Bad

Distance: 4.0 miles/11:38 avg pace
(yesterday I ran 1)

The Good: I completed 4 miles.

The Bad: New ear buds that I'm not used to, I wore long sleeves and pants, and it was too hot, I wasn't properly fueled.

I woke up at 7ish and had a granola bar and some blueberries. I didn't run until 11 something. Any energy I gained from the granola bar was LONG gone by the time I started running. I could tell right away that I was weak and sluggish.

I also knew the minute I stepped outside that I was going to be too hot, but like an idiot, I didn't feel like walking 10 feet back inside to at least change into a t-shirt. Dumb. I started getting hot almost immediately.

Finally, my ear buds. My new phone won't allow me to use my normal ear buds that I'm used to using. The new ones are awkward. I usually run with the cord wrapped in my hand. This one makes it hard to do because the line for the right ear is long, but the line for the left ear is super short because there is a microphone attached for phone talking.

After running, I took a quick shower so we could get to soccer. The coach said that Hudson could be on the team! He looks so stinking cute in his soccer uniform. The boys won their game 8-2. If we can just get Hudson kicking the ball the right direction, we'll be okay!

Now we are watching the Saints/49'ers game. I also watched the Olympic Marathon Trials. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to run a five minute mile, let alone do it for 26 miles! Sure is neat to watch, though.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Success

Distance: 3.5 miles

I did it. I finally ran three miles without stopping.

I had a decently stressful day that I did not see coming. Sometimes I think worry and stress tend to propel me when I'm running. It's almost like I need that "push" to keep me going.

I was determined to not stop until I hit that 3.0 mark. Finally, I did it.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tough

Distance: 3 miles

Three slow, painful, broken up miles. Done. Glad they are done. Feeling like I can't run more than 18 minutes at a time.

Whine: Running is hard.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Quick Post

Distance: 3.75 miles

Busy day. Had to run tonight after 8:30. Ugh. I don't feel like I am able to run for three miles straight as of yet. But I have to wonder if it is mind over matter.

I have two more days of three miles this week to try to kick that out.

Oh, and today was day 1 of training for my half marathon on April 1. I haven't signed up yet, but I will be by this weekend.

And I also found out that our biggest school fundraiser is on the same weekend as the California Classic Weekend. Um, yeah, the same weekend where I will be riding 60 miles on Saturday and running a half marathon on Sunday. Nothing like a Casino Night to go to in between the ride and the run. Ugh.

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Loop

Distance: 1.75 miles

Came home from school, laced up, shoved the kids on their bike, and went out for a run that I am now naming "The Loop." It is a 1.75 mile distance that I may be using quite often.

I take off from my driveway, follow the neighborhood roads out to the back entrance to our subdivision, and proceed to follow the block around to the front of our neighborhood. The sidewalks are wide, there is little traffic, and we don't have to cross many streets.

The only bad thing about taking off at 4:40 p.m. is that there were a lot of people arriving home for the day. The seven-year-old rides first and makes sure roads are clear for his little brother to cross. However, I still stay very aware and shout instructions and bark orders!

I made it back home with an 11:34 avg pace. I took my Garmin, but tried to wear it on my wrist in a way that I wouldn't be able to glance down at it. I ran without music again. Not a good idea when there are two little people on bikes with me.

I am REALLY liking running in the late afternoon. Somewhere between 4 and 5 seems to be an ideal time for me. All the better if I can do it outside. This isn't possible everyday due to schedules and lack of sun, but I'm going to especially try to do The Loop on my off days.

A couple of notes:
-I plan to sign up for the Ventura Harbor 1/2 on April 1. My cousin said she'll run it with me!
-My goal this week is to do 10 minutes of strength training each day for six days. I better get to it.
-Don't feel like proof reading. Sorry for any mistakes.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Much Needed Boost

Distance: 3 miles

I had so much to do today, and I didn't get much accomplished. Yesterday was quite busy, so I guess I just wanted to veg out today.

Little by little I got Christmas packed away. Eric put all the outside lights away. Christmas is officially over. Putting Christmas away sucks. I didn't want to put it all away this year. I guess I was enjoying the pretty lights and decorations.


Now the house looks kind of "blah," and I can't for the life of me remember what we used to have up on the side ledge of the fireplace. I wish I had a regular fireplace mantle. I think a plant may have been up there. We finally killed all the plants, so I'll need to find something else to go there.

At 4:30 this afternoon, I finally got my running clothes on to go for a run. The family went with me on their bikes. I went to put my Garmin on, and it said low battery! What? It was on its charger all night. I guess it didn't connect the right way. Grrrrr.

I am a bit OCD about knowing how far I've gone and what my pace is. I was going to do the 1.75 loop around our neighborhood that I figured out a few weeks ago, but I really wanted to get three miles done. We ended up using Eric's Garmin on his bike. He told me when we got to the half way point to turn around.

I also got a new cell phone yesterday. When I went to plug in my normal ear buds, the phone said "Doesn't support this accessory." Um, okay. I was too lazy to go get the ear buds that came with the phone.

I did something I haven't done in any time I can ever remember. I ran without the Garmin AND without music! At first it was bothersome listening to my breathing. However, it wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. It was actually a bit freeing.

If I felt tired, I slowed down. If I felt okay, I let my legs turn over. Listening to my breathing became an awareness. I was never really at a point where I was huffing for air. That was nice.

It turned out to be a great boost for the late afternoon. I need to figure out a way to wear my Garmin, but not be able to look at it. I get obsessed and weird when I see the numbers, but at the end of a run, I WANT to know how far I've gone. Make sense? Maybe a little self control would work. I could just NOT look at the darn thing. Or, maybe I could hide it in my shorts!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Break the Barriers

The Break the Barriers run was this morning. I had a really good time.

Distance: 2 miles/11:04 avg pace/22:10 time.

I was pleased with my time. (Of course I wish I had broken the 22 minute mark!) I was looking at my time for last year with this race, and it was 24:25. I improved by over two minutes this year!

The kids ran their races before me. Evan was first with the 1/2 mile. This is the first year he is in the top age bracket. He always smoked the kids in the 5 and 6 year old bracket, so I wondered how we was going to do today. He came in 2nd overall!

Hudson ran with the 4-year-olds. He was 3rd place overall! Clearly, the kids get their speed from me!


I should call them Speedy and Lightning!

My goal was to run the entire two miles. I didn't hit that goal. I walked a bit. I am still pleased with my effort. I didn't place like I did last year.

It was also fun because two of my friends were there running as well. Kim did the two mile, and Elaine did the 5k. Lots of fun this morning.


It was a cold and foggy morning. I'm in the red jacket. I don't know how Elaine stood it with shorts!


The five runners posing in front of the finish line.

I am really glad that I began running. Races like this are always a great thing to do.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Ready to Race

Distance: 1.5 miles

Easy one miler before tomorrow's two mile race. Looking forward, but it's an early wake up call for a Saturday morning!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Good

Distance: 3.75 miles/3.0 running

Finally! A good workout! I finally feel like I ran a good distance that was challenging but did not kill me.

I got on the treadmill at 8:50 p.m. I turned on ABC to watch the end of Wipeout and Grey's Anatomy. Oh my word. Grey's was hard to watch tonight, especially huffing and puffing on the treadmill. It was hard to watch all the dying. It was hard to watch the girl lose her dad. Brings back too many memories of losing my dad. (Oh, and the episode just ended...and now I'm in tears. Gah!)

I pretty much walked the commercials and ran the segments. I just made sure to run three miles total. I didn't care how much I walked, but I was concerned with the amount of running.

TV is finally good again.

Two thoughts are on my mind.

First, my schedule changed at school. I am feeling overwhelmed. It's not as bad as it could have been because I'm running and eating well. I can handle life so much better when I exercise. I MUST continue. I MUST not lose sight of how this effort benefits me in all ways.

Second, a running friend of mine called me today because she had her feelings hurt at a running store when she signed up for a race this weekend. She was debating between running the 5K option or the 2-mile option. The man at the table asked her how long it would take her to finish the 5K. She said about 35 minutes. He said, "It will take you that long?! You need to do the two-mile!"

Oh my gosh! That is so rude! This is always a fear of mine...people commenting or criticizing me for being too slow. In actuality, no one has ever said anything to me about my speed, unless it is to congratulate me for doing a good job. I have always found the running community to be extremely encouraging and positive.

Also, I have never been last in a race, unless you count the race where I was the only person in my age group! No matter how slow I am, there is usually someone who is slower. And it doesn't matter. We are all out there doing it. We are running. That's more than I can say for a huge portion of the population sitting on a couch.

So, to my friend...that man's comment was rude and uncalled for. I'd like to think that he wasn't a runner, but was just someone who was organizing and helping with the behind the scenes part of the race. Otherwise, he's just a rude man.

I'll see my friend at the race on Saturday. I am signed up for the two-mile, and the boys are signed up for the kid races as well. I am excited that race season is finally under way. I really enjoy the atmosphere of a race. Looking forward to Saturday morning!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

18 minutes

Distance: 1.7 miles

I had two different meetings to go to tonight, so I left school and four and ran 1.5 with .2 walking. I was going to do 2, but cut it short to 1.5. At least I can run for 18 minutes without stopping. I hate how fast I lose my endurance.

Still not giving up. Still doing something everyday.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Eh

Distance: 1.25 miles

Not much to say. I waited until the end of the day to do my run. I didn't even do a warm up walk. I just jumped on the treadmill and ran a mile.

I did do a quarter mile cool down walk.

Right now, I'm just eeking by with running a mile. Just trying not to let excuses take over.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Run Sooner

Distance: 1.5 miles

Ugh. Today was my last day of vacation. I was going to get in a good three miles early in the day. That didn't happen.

I sat on the couch for a huge portion of the day. I ate a lot.

Finally, I got on the treadmill and did one mile. As usual, I feel better. I just wish that I had taken advantage of being able to do a longish run outside on my last day of vacation.

Oh well.

At least I ran. This is the 8th day in a row that I have done some running. I plan to continue.

This week's goal is to eat at least three fruits and/or vegetables each day. Now that school starts again tomorrow, that shouldn't be a problem. And with that, I'm going to go eat a clementine. That will be my third for today.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year - New Log

Distance: 2.0 miles

It was weird to clear off all the 2011 numbers on the sidebars of the blog. However, I like starting fresh, starting new, starting over. It's one reason that I usually like Mondays. Fresh start to a week. A chance to do better than the week before.

A few things I am very proud of for the past year:

1. Running my first 1/2 marathon.
2. Running a second 1/2 marathon and shaving off time.
3. Running over twice as many miles this year as compared to last year.
4. Losing weight.
5. Keeping a good running log online.

Things to work on for 2012:

1. Run at least three half marathons.
2. Run at least one event each month.
3. Keep online and journal training log.
4. Include speed work in my training.
5. Get back into healthy eating habits/lose more weight.
6. Run at least 750 miles this year.
7. Keep a streak going as long as I can.

I think that about sums it up.


Plus, I think it would be pretty awesome to earn a few more of these!