The Dreaded EARLY Morning Run...

It wasn't so bad but it wasn't so great either.  Our run was for 7:00 and it was just going to be a short distance.  I got up at 6:00 and had a slice of whole wheat toast and jelly.  It was perfect because I had a little bit of fuel but wasn't weighed down by a full stomach.    The water is another issue. I ended up drinking a whole water bottle which I thought would be okay.  But I ended up with s a sloshing belly the entire run.  Not so good because if it would have been a long run, I would have needed a bathroom.  So I really need to stop drinking an hour before I run not a half an hour like I thought.  Overall, I learned what will work for me best on race day which is what I was most concerned about.  Now I'm not driving myself crazy with "What to eat?... When to eat?...  How much to eat?... When should I wake up?... How much to drink?"  All that's left for race day is the running :o)  

Miles - 2.5 

Pace - 9:30

I may run another short run tonight to do some speed work. I just don't feel like 2.5 miles was a "real" run.  

January 25 - WOW!

This week I've started getting up early to prepare for the 7:30 race time and by the afternoon, I'm exhausted.  Last night was no exception.  I was tired and not in a very good mood. For the first time since I started running, I really didn't want to go.  I knew we we're going to make it a short run - 3 miles - so I went.  Seriously, how could I chump out on such an easy run?  

Well, here's where the story gets interesting...

We decided on our route - around the neighborhood loop twice.  Easy enough.  Until we missed our turn. Talk about creatures of habit - we started on our usual 5 mile route!  Then Shannon suggested we just do the long run.  So in a matter of minutes we went from 3 miles to committing to 8!  So now I'm scrambling to come up with an 8 mile route and I figured the usual 5, plus another 1.6 through Champions Club and then loop the neighborhood should put us at 8.  

  We kept our pace easy between 9:40 and 10:00.   On our way back through CC, my knees started to ache.  Mentally, I had not prepared myself for a long run - my longest run ever.   Surprisingly though, that wasn't much of a factor.  Which made me realize I am becoming a better runner.  I no longer have to talk myself into it.

 By the time we reached Shannon's house we were at 6.8 miles and the last leg of our run was the neighborhood loop.  I'll be honest - I was dreading it.   Me knees were aching,  I had blisters and I was so thirsty the sprinkler water was looking good.  That being said, I never wanted to quit and I never wanted to walk.  I just wanted to finish and be done.  

Three fourths around the loop I checked the Garmin and we were already at 8.3 miles!  Once we got to Shannon's house we were at 8.7 so we ran to the end of her street and back twice to finish 9 MILES!    It was incredible!  

Miles - 9.00

Pace - 9:52

Time - 1 hour 29 minutes (we caught the crosswalk BOTH ways, stopped briefly twice to tie shoes and make clothing adjustments)

My knees were really aching last night so I iced them.  I ended up having a packet of cream of wheat made with fat-free milk for protein.  I think that is working out to be the best after run food for me.  My knees are a little sore, 3 on a scale of 10.  My legs feel great just a little fatigued.  Sunday we're running at 7:00 am which will be our earliest run yet.  I'm planning on getting up around 6 and having a light snack, maybe whole wheat toast with some jelly. I do not run well on an empty stomache.   This early run is more about the morning transition than the actual run. I want to know how I'll feel and what changes I may need to make.  

My goals for next week are to increase the speed on my short runs and reach a new distance - 9.3 at the least, 10 being best case scenario.

January 22

We ran our usual route of 5 miles.  I was very energized and excited to run. I really wanted to pick up our speed in order to prepare ourselves a little better for the race but the group has some injuries to nurse.  I don't want anyone getting hurt and having to miss the race we are working so hard for.  Even though running is personal, this race is a group effort.  I will be so excited and proud of all of us when we cross the finish (and aching too, I'm sure).  Hopefully, on some of our upcoming shorter runs we can do some speed work. It is a big benefit to longer mileage runs.  Overall, it was a great run - I wore shorts for the first time in a while.  It had rained briefly before our run but the sky remained dry for us.  The lightning started to creep up on us at the end which got a little tense.  Talk about being vulnerable - running in the dark, a couple miles away from home, no phone, no car and lightning is flashing everywhere!  I was glad to get home :o)

Miles - 5

Pace - 9:40

Time - 49:16

Our next run is Thursday - not sure if we are going to make it the long run of the week or save that for Sunday morning.   We'll see how everyone feels.

New milestone...

 Today was incredible, start to finish!  I managed to actually wake up early (which is a feat in itself!) to get my body ready for our run and to make breakfast for everyone.  I was a little nervous about my performance because I was having some abdominal pain but thankfully, it got better once I headed over to Shannon's house.   I never quite figured out what caused the pain but all that matters is it's gone :o)  The weather was perfect,  CHILLY but dry and I was so relieved it didn't rain.  

Our group ended up being just Barb and I.   Barb is a much more advanced runner and to be honest, I was freaking out.  I checked our pace a few minutes into mile 1 and we were at 8:30!   My usual pace is a full minute slower so I knew this was going to be tough.  Surprisingly, though we hit the halfway point and I was feeling great.  Other than the crosswalk at Trinity Blvd., our pace never slowed.  In fact, the last mile our pace was 7:50!  I'm not going to lie, I felt like a slobbering, snotty mess! LOL  I was embarrassed at how heavy I was breathing but I would have been even more embarrassed (and disappointed) to quit.  Plus, I think I kept running so fast just to get it over with sooner :o)   I forgot we needed to run past our starting point to hit the 5 mile mark but I blame that on the lack of oxygen to my brain - hehe. Oh well :o) That was definitely the hardest I've pushed myself in a long time and I'm so glad I did.  

Miles - 4.82 

Time - 41:55

Pace - 8:40 Holla!

Once I showered and ate, I felt absolutely exhausted.  I didn't have time to be tired though, I had to be ready to handle 13 boys for my son's birthday party.  Eventually, my energy picked up and I felt awesome.  

Update...

 I ended the evening in the jacuzzi and slept like a rock.  The next day my legs felt great  - no aches, stiffness or soreness.  I'm ready to run tonight!  I think we'll do our regular 5 miles but at a little quicker pace and then Thursday we'll try for 8!  

Change of plans...

I'm putting my training plan on hold, well, actually I'm skipping ahead in a sense. Our group has decided to participate in the Gasparilla 15k Race which is 9.3 miles. Our furthest distance has been 7 miles so it's certainly within reach. The ambitious part of all this is we only have 3 WEEKS to train!

So last night was our first run in preparation for the race...

7.5 Miles

9:50 Pace

1 hr 14 min Time

With such a stellar start, I'm confident we will be ready for the 15K. Everyone ran well last night and we managed to maintain a steady pace and finish strong. My only issues were stiff knees around mile 6 and blisters again. My shoes are almost at the 300 mile mark so I think it's time to get fitted for some real running shoes. I hoping I can keep the blisters in check until then with the right pair of socks.

I'm looking forward to some long runs next week.  Our biggest challenge will be adjusting to the 7:30 am race time - eeks!  The mileage it secondary to the fact that none of us run well in the morning.  Sunday morning we scheduled an easy 5 mile run to get our bodies use to the change. I think we'll do well if we maintain a slower pace.

Other than being exhausted from a restless night of sleep, my body feels great.  My legs are a little sore but no aches or pains.  Well, my neck is still bothering me which is why I only slept 3 hours but after some therapy at the chiropractor, it's getting better.

Week 4 - Run 1

4.5 Miles

41:40 Minutes

9:20 Avg. Pace

I am happy to report that I had a great run! My neck did not bother me at all which was a pleasant surprise. We all needed an easy run tonight so my training schedule fit in perfectly. I did more than I was supposed to tonight but I felt awesome. I am amazed how much easier runs are now compared to just a couple months ago. My legs felt so strong at mile 4, I noticed Christie and I pick up the pace to around 9:00 and I wanted to keep going!

The only thing I'm bummed about is my Garmin acting up. For some reason the run date and time are incorrect??? I need to work on that before Thursday. It's a good thing I have my Nike Plus as a back-up.

Training - Week 4

This week is an Easy Run week which is good because I hurt my neck over the weekend and I could use the break.

1st run - 3 miles @ 11:00

2nd run - 3 miles @ 11:00

3rd run - 4 miles @ 11:00

The pace is ridiculously slow so I'll be going at my own easy, comfortable pace. Tonight is my first run and it's going to be CHILLY - which is perfect running weather :o) Even though my neck is still hurting and I can't move my head much, I'm looking forward to a great run.

Intro...

I've been trying to keep a running journal since I first started running but every notebook I have ends up as a doodle pad for my kids.  So after seeing Shannon's blog, I figured this would be the perfect solution.   Blogging is new to me so I must say that I'm not very eloquent and I certainly don't possess elite running skills to discuss but I do LOVE to run, so here goes...

I can say with confidence that "I AM A RUNNER."  I never thought that I would say those words.  I've always wanted to be a runner, I would see people jogging outside and envy them.  But every attempt I made to run was a miserable failure.  After I turned 30 last year, I decided that it was time to find something I could do just for me.  I've always enjoyed working out and I decided that running was worth another try.  I started out on the treadmill at home.  My running time was dictated by my daughters naps but I stuck with it.  I struggled for months with 3 miles as my farthest distance.  Eventually that got easier and I added hills and increased my speed.  Once the kids were in school, I started running outside and that was a big bonus.  Running outside is harder and more stress on the body but worth the break from treadmill monotony.  Plus you can't just push a stop button when you get tired, once you're away from home you've got to get your ass back! LOL Eventually I made a 5 mile run -  5 miles in 48 minutes.  It was tough. After mile 3.5, I fought myself mentally for every step.  After that run, I felt like I was more capable than I gave myself credit for.  Running seems to be 50% mental and that was my biggest hurdle - not quitting when it got tough.  The biggest change came after I joined a running group.  Angel, a fellow karate mom and workout diva invited me along.  At first I was nervous and intimidated.  These girls were runners and I didn't think I could keep up.  I didn't want to be the new girl slowing everyone's pace or *Gasp* having to stop.  We met at Shannon's house and one by one the girl's arrived with their fit little "runner's physiques" and I was sure I was screwed.  BUT it was the easiest 5 mile run ever!  It was over before I knew it and I felt so incredible - I did it and I did it with ease. That was the point that I realized I really could do this.  It was only two runs after that I completed 7 miles.  On the way back from that run I knew I was a runner... finally.  So I decided to challenge myself and keep it interesting.  I've started a half-marathon training program and I'm loving it!  I'm hoping to run the Disney Half Marathon next January.  I'm also looking forward to running some local races in the meantime.   I'm not looking to run a 5 minute mile or win any races, I just want to run.  Running is my therapy - no matter what my day is like, running makes me feel energized and accomplished.  Being with a group of women running through the neighborhood in the dark, when everything is quiet except for the sound of our shoes on the pavement, is a very powerful experience.