Half-assed

Half yoga class is all I had in me today

In Summary

It's been a rough couple of weeks, as far as running goes. Last week Dad was here, and my mileage was just awful. I ended up doing 3 on the treadmill, 2.5 outside and four on the elliptical and that's it. I can't remember the last time I only went three times during the week! And then this week happened! I was in Yellowstone most of the week. However, I will be absolutely forgiving myself for not running, since we hiked like a million damn miles, climbed hundreds of stairs and went horseback riding (which I am totally counting as exercise, there is no way that something that made me that sore could NOT be exercise). I did run yesterday, 2.5 miles, but did not time it since my Garmin was dead from sitting in the cabin at Yellowstone but not being used (I optimistically brought all my running gear). Honestly though, it was a really, really active vacation. There was not one day that we had when I felt like I had any spare energy for running. We were worn out at the end of every single day we were there. I actually lost a pound despite eating copious amounts of ice cream (which, incidentally, was the only good food we managed to find at Yellowstone..... a gourmet area, it is not).

So, then today I had this Women for Women 5K. I did it. It was not the best 5K I have ever run, but I suppose it wasn't the worst. It was at this really nice park and had really nice people and was not too crowded, so overall it was a good run. My time was 38:44, 12:24/mile. It was really hot and the race started too late in my opinion, but otherwise all was well.

I have decided that there is a definite problem with my neighborhood runs and the down-hills. I have had this theory since the Denver half, that doing so much running downhill, even if I do an equal amount of running uphill, skews my time to be faster than I can actually go for many miles on a level surface. I am just convinced of it. So, I think I need to make some field trips to some of the city parks for my long runs, since I think that will be better training for me and will give me a more accurate picture of what I will be able to do if I do another half.

I was thinking about doing a 10K on August 21st, but now I don't think I can be ready in time. I'll have to look for some other ones, I guess. Oh well, at least I didn't register for it.

If you want my future, forget my past

That's some Spice Girls yo. I just returned to the sweltering valley heat from the cool pines in Pinetop. I got two runs in, on Wed and Fri, of about 3 miles. I won't lie, there was lots o walking, but it got done.

A slow and grumpy 2

Is all I had in me today

Crosstraining

Today I decided to swim and I got through 5 laps before I called it quits. Cause I was tired and I felt I was being antisocial to bf and his little one.

I learned that from you

(Sara Evans)

Today I went to the gym with the intent to run fast and quick. Because that's what I do now, and because I took yesterday off. However, I wasn't as strong as I was a couple days ago, I suspect due to Krispy Kreme incident at work this morning. Some thoughtless turd brought a box into work. I had woken up hungry, and before I knew it two of those damn things were in my stomach. So, not exactly the best fuel for running fast and quick, that's all I'm sayin.

Some days when I'm at the gym at lunch I see this petite aging Asian woman walking around the indoor track. She's walking with a lot of assistance from a younger asian woman, probably a caretaker/daughter. Each day, they complete a few slow laps while I run on the treadmill, and we leave about the same time. My guess is she's a stroke victim and this is part of her rehab. She never looks unhappy, this woman. She never seems frustrated. She just walks. Its what she can do to strengthen and honor her body.

So today, as I was pushing myself and watching this pair, I found myself profoundly grateful. That I have the gift of being able to push my body to its limits. That I experience the privelege of pain from a strong workout. That I can be gentle and forgiving of myself when I'm not as strong as I want to be.

3 miles

Yoga

BF and I went to see the yoga bitch last night, as we've taken to calling it.  I swear, its so physically difficult and a real workout for 75 minutes.  But I always feel exhausted and happy after.  It seems like its gotten more difficult though, not sure why that is. 

A weary 2

I sure didn't want to go today but I did. Real slow. I did my inclines and 11-12 min mile pace and I walked some. I played around with 2.5 incline for awhile. Then I did 100 crunches, which I'm trying to do more of since this is the only time in my life I have a shot at actual abs. I'm beat!

Best Run Ever!!!!

I didn't actually go running yesterday because my body was so fatigued and sore after my speed run/yoga extravaganza.  I slept like a rock and still couldn't get off the couch until after noon!!  Anyway, today I did 3 at the gym with  my usual 2,1,0 inclines and I did it in . . . wait for it . . . 32:10!!!  That's right people, 10:43 min miles.  It doesn't sound so great put that way, but I was really pushing it.  I did the first mile at an 11 min pace after 1/4 mile warmup, then did the 2nd mile at 10.5 and 10.  I was pushing for an awesome 2 mile time but I can't even remember what that split was.  Then I did the last mile at 10 and faster, with a quick walk break at 2.5.  Now we'll see where/if I'm sore. 

Worst Run Ever!

4.5 for the long, y'all. It was ugly. Naturally I sat around chatting with Dad and Patty drinking coffee, and naturally I had stayed out late last night at the Indigo Girls concert, dancing and shouting amidst a sea of people getting nice and dehydrated, no matter how much effort I put into drinking water. So, with six hours of sleep, I set out at 8:00 AM, by which time it was already 86 degrees (f) out. Which doesn't seem that bad from an Arizona perspective, but up here at this altitude the heat feels different, the sun feels more intense or something. Or maybe I am just spoiled already from living here two years. That is the more likely scenario.

Anyways, the effing thing got done! Time was 56:36, 12:35/mile. My interval timer was set to 2.5R/1W, but if I am being honest, quite a bit more walking got done, especially on the second half of the run.

Stats for the Week:

Treadmill Running: 5.5 miles

Outside Running: 11.1

Total Miles: 16.6

Something new

Today I wanted to see how fast I could run just one mile. I got to the gym with only 30 minutes before yoga started so I needed quick cardio. And, I did it in 9:33. Pretty damn awesome! It is so much easier on the tready with no incline. I actually did 2 miles total, 1/4 jogging warm up and then I jogged/walked 3/4 mi after. Yoga proved particularly difficult after that excercise, I must say. Now I rest on the couch of righteousness.

Dear Bike Riders of Castle Rock,

I know you are all good people. Or at least, most of you are. But I find it necessary to remind all of you that you are, in fact, riding a moving vehicle. The fact that this moving vehicle is powered by your own legs does not make it immune from what we in the civilized world of suburbia like to call "traffic laws". One of these quaint little laws is that you must YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS. Now, I realize that I am jogging, not walking (okay, sometimes I am walking). And I am sure that in my own mind I am a Kenyan, running six minute miles, as fast as the very breeze! But I can assure you that in reality I am definitely slow enough to qualify as a pedestrian. So please, stop acting like my morning jogs should play out like some kind of mad pinball game wherein I am dodging around trying not to be run down by you in your stupid diaper shorts.

Thanks a million,

M

A good one

Did 3 on tready in 33:55 or 11:18 min mile, which is really awesome given my 2, 1, 0 incline. I tried to do 12, 11 and 10 min mile respectively, so faster as incline reduces.

This is why we do it

I'm sitting on the couch eating popcorn with chunks of chocolate in it. I did 2 mi at lunch today on treadmill. It was kinda tough, probably cause I just went last night, but I did my inclines. Got 'er done!

Best Run Ever!

I really didn't want to go, so I shortened my intervals to 2r/1w and set out. It was raining this really light misty rain the entire time, it was like running through one of those misters that restaurants use on patios, you know? It was sixty degrees and the streets were quiet, because it was still pretty early. I barely even noticed running up my nemesis hill, because I was too busy pondering how pretty the hills in front of me looked all shrouded in mist like that. The dog seemed to enjoy himself as well, although that may have just been because he is lazy and was happy with the shortened intervals.

Anyways, so I actually ended up going further than I planned to, and how often does that happen? Went 3.3 miles, time was 39:26, 11:58/mile.

You give me so much pleasure

You cause me so much pain. - Alycia Keys, Fallin. Incredibly awesome song. Dedicated to my feelings about running. I keep fallin in and out of love with it. Tonight I loved it. I did 3 miles on tready at gym. So totally didn't want to go but its been over a week!! And the rest time did me good. I took no walk breaks, did usual inclines and finished in 34:40, or 11:14 min miles. My love, its good to be back home.

4.25

For the long. It was an okay week. I ran through rain one time. Did some hiking. Running was mostly miserable (curiously, the run in the rain was the best one this week). Today's long was good in results, time was 51:20, 12:05/mile, but I sure did feel miserable. I think it must be the weather around here. It has been raining every day, so it's pretty humid and just hot. I did do what I said I would and I got out at 6:30 and carried some hydration, although I still felt pretty overheated.

Let's see, what else..... I need to get back to the PT and make him fix my stupid hip again, it is bugging the shit out of me. I think I ate a bug on one of my runs this week. My weight was at a new low this morning. Probably because I have been too hot and miserable to eat much.

Conversation this morning with Chris:

Me: I think it was carrying my hydration that caused me to be so miserable this morning. So, here is what I think we should do - you follow me in the car with my water bottle and jump out and hand it to me whenever I want it.

Chris: Only if I can have a bullhorn too.

Stats for the week:

Hiking Miles: 4.72

Miles Running Outside: 12.25

Total Miles Moved: 16.97

Bugs Eaten: at least one

Runs in the rain: 1

Bitching and Moaning: Lots

It's Okay

I've been doing okay this week so far. My last two runs, Friday and today, were kind of awful. Both times I set out to do three miles and cut it short at 2.5. Both runs were about 12:10/mile, which isn't terrible time (I am doing 3R/1W intervals) but I just felt really miserable for both runs. I think I keep waiting too long in the morning to set out and then it is too damn hot. My long is tomorrow and I need to plan! Set up my coffee to brew at 5:00 AM, so that I know it is waiting for me, which compels me to get up and get my running clothes on. That way I have an hour to fuck around and can still get out before it gets too unbearable. The other thing is that I think I am going to have to start carrying hydration. I hadn't been doing that, but now that it is so warm and I am just sweating so much, I think that might also be contributing to the misery.

Tomorrow I am supposed to do my long, which this week is 4.25 miles. I will get up earlier. I will not take the dog. I will buy some G2 at the store today so I can carry some hydration with me.

I'm counting it

I'm on vacation with the kidlets this week in Bend, Oregon. Its beautiful here, an outdoor wonderland. I brought my running gear with the best intentions of getting out at least once or twice, but alas it was not to be. I did go whitewater rafting though, and was in the front of the boat paddling furiously for 3 hours straight, so I think that counts. Also we walked over 3 miles of trails both above and underground yesterday, some of that running and or walking real fast on uneven ground. So that counts. Will be home later today and may well go this weekend.

4 Miles

For the long. Time was 48:04, 12:01/mile, which I was extremely happy with. I did 2.5R/1W intervals. I walked on Friday and did the elliptical yesterday, it was nice not to feel like I had to blog every day!

Stats for the week:

Treadmill Running: 4 Miles

Outside Running: 11.5

Walking Only: 2.5 Miles

Elliptical: 4 Miles

Total Miles Moved: 22

3

On tready. Listened to new Beyonce CD which was disappointingly unremarkable. Maybe it will grow on me.

Julyathon

Starts today!! Haha j/k LOL! I had a pretty good run on the hamster wheel today (cause it is damn freakin hot here!!! So much for mild June, enter hellish July). I did 3 miles at incline and it was hard but I pushed myself. Best workout I've had in a couple weeks probably.