Workout: 11.25 miles
Time: 1:51:35
Pace: 9:54
Weight: 125.4
Two Years Ago
I ran at Old Plank Trail in Frankfort this morning. What a huge difference a flat route makes - wow! It was also nice and cool and no humidity, which also makes a big difference.
The trail is paved, wide, flat and beautiful. And I did really, really well. I took a break at 3 miles, 6 miles and 8 1/2 miles and walked a short bit. By the 8 1/2 mile point, I was ready to be done - my body was over it, but I made short goals for myself and allowed a little more walking in the last 2 1/2 mile stretch and because of that, I finished the last mile very strong. I can't believe the difference between this week and last week. I actually feel like I could run this race and be okay.
I did not blog about it, but I also ran 6.5 miles on Thursday morning at the same pace (9:54). It was a tough run after having done intervals the day before, but it was good. The change in weather makes it so much more enjoyable. AND there was an amazing sunrise that stretched across the sky from Orland all the way to Will-Cook Rd and I really focused on looking at it and appreciating it, which took my mind off of the actually physical activity that I was doing :)
I've also been focusing on telling myself how well I'm doing and how good I'm feeling, instead of how miserable I feel. That seems to make a big difference, too!
I'm definitely looking forward to my taper weeks and to running less mileage after the race. I think I'm going to cut down to 3 miles a couple of times a week and maybe 5 on Saturday. That sounds like a BREEZE to me right now - I can't wait!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday August 23 & Tuesday August 24, 2010
Mon Workout: 6.43 miles
Time: 1:02:46
Pace: 9:45?
Weight: 128.0
Ran outside and felt really good. I made a very conscious effort to tell myself that I felt good rather than miserable and I think it helped. The lower humidity also helped - I have to believe that the high humidity really affects me on those long runs. I ran the whole thing with only one short walking break that I had given myself permission to take early on (as a goal... I actually had given myself permission to walk up one of the worst hills, but then ended up running up that hill and walking to recover afterward). This was a major accomplishment for me, since my running has been so sub-par lately and filled with a lot of walking breaks. The run today - which was supposed to be 6 miles - was a big confidence booster... so much so that I added some to it while I was running, just because I felt good.
I also made myself a protein smoothie afterward as a recovery drink. I think that helps and I'm going to do that after every run from now on.
Tue Workout: 25:00 cross training + upper body
Weight: 126.0
I cut 5 minutes off of the cross training and cut out a couple of muscles in the strength training due to time (should have been 30:00 cross). I really need to get to the gym earlier than I did if I want to have any quiet time afterward / before the girls get up for school.
The workout was so-so. I did the pre-cor machine next to carissa, so I didn't hit it hard, but my heart rate was in the 120's, which is acceptable. Strength training was good, even if I omitted biceps and chest. The exercises I did, I did well and I added 50 reps of the ab machine.
Weight: Now that school has begun I am officially watching what I eat and trying to lose the 3-5 pounds that I've gained. I have been dutifully drinking water throughout the day and have cut out my devotion/coffee treat, which always starts out with good intentions, but ends up going overboard. That is the biggest thing I miss when I watch what I eat - that treat with my devotions and coffee, but it gets out of hand and I need to cut it. I haven't made any rules for myself, just focus on eating less and eating better and making sure I have that recovery drink after my runs.
Time: 1:02:46
Pace: 9:45?
Weight: 128.0
Ran outside and felt really good. I made a very conscious effort to tell myself that I felt good rather than miserable and I think it helped. The lower humidity also helped - I have to believe that the high humidity really affects me on those long runs. I ran the whole thing with only one short walking break that I had given myself permission to take early on (as a goal... I actually had given myself permission to walk up one of the worst hills, but then ended up running up that hill and walking to recover afterward). This was a major accomplishment for me, since my running has been so sub-par lately and filled with a lot of walking breaks. The run today - which was supposed to be 6 miles - was a big confidence booster... so much so that I added some to it while I was running, just because I felt good.
I also made myself a protein smoothie afterward as a recovery drink. I think that helps and I'm going to do that after every run from now on.
Tue Workout: 25:00 cross training + upper body
Weight: 126.0
I cut 5 minutes off of the cross training and cut out a couple of muscles in the strength training due to time (should have been 30:00 cross). I really need to get to the gym earlier than I did if I want to have any quiet time afterward / before the girls get up for school.
The workout was so-so. I did the pre-cor machine next to carissa, so I didn't hit it hard, but my heart rate was in the 120's, which is acceptable. Strength training was good, even if I omitted biceps and chest. The exercises I did, I did well and I added 50 reps of the ab machine.
Weight: Now that school has begun I am officially watching what I eat and trying to lose the 3-5 pounds that I've gained. I have been dutifully drinking water throughout the day and have cut out my devotion/coffee treat, which always starts out with good intentions, but ends up going overboard. That is the biggest thing I miss when I watch what I eat - that treat with my devotions and coffee, but it gets out of hand and I need to cut it. I haven't made any rules for myself, just focus on eating less and eating better and making sure I have that recovery drink after my runs.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday August 21, 2010
Workout: 10 miles
Time: 1:44:03
Pace: 10:24
Weight: 127.2
Two Years Ago
Ran Waterfall Glen with Michelle this morning. I still suck. It was humid again and my clothes could be wrung out at the end. I felt bad with all of the times that I made Michelle stop to walk, but she didn't seem to care too much. I don't know what it is with me... I get so disappointed in myself when I stop so much, but my body stops without my mind intending to do so.
Oh well, another run to mark off... I really need to start focusing on being healthy again - drinking my water, eating right, running better, doing my cross training and strength training. Its time to put it all together and be more consistent and intentional about it all.
Time: 1:44:03
Pace: 10:24
Weight: 127.2
Two Years Ago
Ran Waterfall Glen with Michelle this morning. I still suck. It was humid again and my clothes could be wrung out at the end. I felt bad with all of the times that I made Michelle stop to walk, but she didn't seem to care too much. I don't know what it is with me... I get so disappointed in myself when I stop so much, but my body stops without my mind intending to do so.
Oh well, another run to mark off... I really need to start focusing on being healthy again - drinking my water, eating right, running better, doing my cross training and strength training. Its time to put it all together and be more consistent and intentional about it all.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday August 18, 2010
Workout: 6.3 miles
Time: 60:00
Pace: 9:31
Weight: 125.4
Two Years Ago
Got up to run outside this morning and saw that it was wet and the sky had dark clouds. That was pretty much all I needed to go back to bed. Any excuse is a good one right now.
As I lay there and realized that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep, I decided that I needed to run anyway, but in the meantime, Cornbread had decided to go to the gym - so the treadmill it was.
Ran at a 2% incline at 6.3mph. It was tough. I think that usually when I run with an incline I do so at a slower pace. This was really hard. My body hurt for the first 1 1/2 miles.
My tapeworm is also back. After saturday's 10 miles I was fine. But today and Monday, I feel like I can't get full. I hate that feeling and am not sure what to do to fix it right now.
My body is so tired. Monday and today I have been entirely exhausted... not in a good way. I've gotten enough sleep, but my body is exhausted and I'm dragging. Yesterday, I slept in and skipped working out and I was fine. This is nearly debilitating - I feel like all I want to do is sit on the couch and read or watch tv. Something needs to change about this... I'm not sure if its because I'm getting up early in the morning to run or if my body is just this physically tired out, but hopefully after school begins next week, I'll be able to get a better handle on it. My feet and ankles are incredibly sore, too, and I've run in my newest shoes this week, so it can't be worn out shoes.
Also desperately need to drink more water. Maybe that will help some of these issues, not sure. I can't keep this up very well - I feel completely useless on the days that I run and that is not helpful at all. Doesn't help that we are this close to the end of summer and I NEED some time to myself - lack of motivation in all areas of life right now.
Perhaps, ultimately, the thing I need to do is rethink running this race in September - maybe I just CAN'T do it. Maybe I'm pushing too hard and my body is pushing back.
Time: 60:00
Pace: 9:31
Weight: 125.4
Two Years Ago
Got up to run outside this morning and saw that it was wet and the sky had dark clouds. That was pretty much all I needed to go back to bed. Any excuse is a good one right now.
As I lay there and realized that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep, I decided that I needed to run anyway, but in the meantime, Cornbread had decided to go to the gym - so the treadmill it was.
Ran at a 2% incline at 6.3mph. It was tough. I think that usually when I run with an incline I do so at a slower pace. This was really hard. My body hurt for the first 1 1/2 miles.
My tapeworm is also back. After saturday's 10 miles I was fine. But today and Monday, I feel like I can't get full. I hate that feeling and am not sure what to do to fix it right now.
My body is so tired. Monday and today I have been entirely exhausted... not in a good way. I've gotten enough sleep, but my body is exhausted and I'm dragging. Yesterday, I slept in and skipped working out and I was fine. This is nearly debilitating - I feel like all I want to do is sit on the couch and read or watch tv. Something needs to change about this... I'm not sure if its because I'm getting up early in the morning to run or if my body is just this physically tired out, but hopefully after school begins next week, I'll be able to get a better handle on it. My feet and ankles are incredibly sore, too, and I've run in my newest shoes this week, so it can't be worn out shoes.
Also desperately need to drink more water. Maybe that will help some of these issues, not sure. I can't keep this up very well - I feel completely useless on the days that I run and that is not helpful at all. Doesn't help that we are this close to the end of summer and I NEED some time to myself - lack of motivation in all areas of life right now.
Perhaps, ultimately, the thing I need to do is rethink running this race in September - maybe I just CAN'T do it. Maybe I'm pushing too hard and my body is pushing back.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday August 16, 2010
Workout: 5.5 miles
Time: 52:39
Pace: 9:34
Weight: 125.4
The humidity is finally gone. It was actually somewhat chilly when I went out this morning, which is a drastic change from the whole rest of the summer. We have had the air on everyday since the middle of June and it has been really unbearable. Running in that weather is horrible... as evidenced by my shorts falling down on Saturday's run.
The run this morning was good, although I hated almost every second of it:) I made it to the drinking fountain (3 miles) without any walking breaks, which has not happened in several weeks. I struggled a bit on some of the hills on the way home, but for the last mile I was determined to make it up all of the hills and I did.
I figured out that I really need the right music to settle in and just run. I've put a bunch of new music on my ipod and I think that has had a bad affect on my performance. I settle in really well when I have a strong beat. I'm going to have to change up my playlist and pare it down to my perfect songs again.
Time: 52:39
Pace: 9:34
Weight: 125.4
The humidity is finally gone. It was actually somewhat chilly when I went out this morning, which is a drastic change from the whole rest of the summer. We have had the air on everyday since the middle of June and it has been really unbearable. Running in that weather is horrible... as evidenced by my shorts falling down on Saturday's run.
The run this morning was good, although I hated almost every second of it:) I made it to the drinking fountain (3 miles) without any walking breaks, which has not happened in several weeks. I struggled a bit on some of the hills on the way home, but for the last mile I was determined to make it up all of the hills and I did.
I figured out that I really need the right music to settle in and just run. I've put a bunch of new music on my ipod and I think that has had a bad affect on my performance. I settle in really well when I have a strong beat. I'm going to have to change up my playlist and pare it down to my perfect songs again.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday August 24, 2010
Workout: Scheduled - 10 miles; Actual - 9 1/2 - 10
Weight: ?
Two Years Ago
Cornbread and I met Mark at the Waterfall Glen forest preserve in Darien (Argonne National Laboratories) at 6:30am to do a 9-10 mile trail run. Cornbread hasn't run since before we went to Yosemite because he hurt his heel when he jumped off of a rock. He's been working out, but hasn't been running. He thought he could probably do it by now. In addition, my sister and family were at our house for the weekend, so we had babysitters in the morning. AND, since my confidence is so low right now, I really wanted to run with someone for the long run.
The trail map said the trail was 9 miles and the stuff I saw on the web said 9 miles, but after we hit the 9 mile marker we ran another 1/2 - 1 mile to get back to our car. So I'm not sure what the exact mileage was, but it was certainly over 9.
Mark has not done much running this year, so he wasn't quite as up to it as I think he anticipated. I was miserable for the first 2 miles and really wanted to stop to walk, but wouldn't give in and make them stop. He stopped right at that point and we took a break to walk. The next 2 miles were again kind of miserable, but I was just starting to settle in and get into a groove and then he stopped again, around 4 miles. It was kind of this way for the first 6 miles... by that point I was definitely settled in. We stopped at a bathroom at 7 miles and Mark never really got it back after that. I was okay for the next 2 miles, but mile 8-10 were rough for me and I stopped more often to walk, but for shorter breaks.
The weather was not hot, but it was incredibly humid and by mile 7 my shorts were falling off. The mosquitos were also bad - we had sprayed before we started, but had to stop around mile 6 to reapply because we had sweat it off and they were biting me everywhere.
It was kind of a miserable situation, however, it was kind of fun and I'm glad we did it. Its a nice run and I would definitely go again. Much nicer to run on a trail like that than through the neighborhoods. Next week: 11 miles. UGH.
Weight: ?
Two Years Ago
Cornbread and I met Mark at the Waterfall Glen forest preserve in Darien (Argonne National Laboratories) at 6:30am to do a 9-10 mile trail run. Cornbread hasn't run since before we went to Yosemite because he hurt his heel when he jumped off of a rock. He's been working out, but hasn't been running. He thought he could probably do it by now. In addition, my sister and family were at our house for the weekend, so we had babysitters in the morning. AND, since my confidence is so low right now, I really wanted to run with someone for the long run.
The trail map said the trail was 9 miles and the stuff I saw on the web said 9 miles, but after we hit the 9 mile marker we ran another 1/2 - 1 mile to get back to our car. So I'm not sure what the exact mileage was, but it was certainly over 9.
Mark has not done much running this year, so he wasn't quite as up to it as I think he anticipated. I was miserable for the first 2 miles and really wanted to stop to walk, but wouldn't give in and make them stop. He stopped right at that point and we took a break to walk. The next 2 miles were again kind of miserable, but I was just starting to settle in and get into a groove and then he stopped again, around 4 miles. It was kind of this way for the first 6 miles... by that point I was definitely settled in. We stopped at a bathroom at 7 miles and Mark never really got it back after that. I was okay for the next 2 miles, but mile 8-10 were rough for me and I stopped more often to walk, but for shorter breaks.
The weather was not hot, but it was incredibly humid and by mile 7 my shorts were falling off. The mosquitos were also bad - we had sprayed before we started, but had to stop around mile 6 to reapply because we had sweat it off and they were biting me everywhere.
It was kind of a miserable situation, however, it was kind of fun and I'm glad we did it. Its a nice run and I would definitely go again. Much nicer to run on a trail like that than through the neighborhoods. Next week: 11 miles. UGH.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday August 10,. 2010
Workout: 5.66 miles
Time: 57:33
Pace: 10:10
Weight: ?
Two Years Ago
Got up and checked on the state of the humidity and decided that it was okay enough to go. Besidse, the sky got me - it was beautiful when I stepped outside.
It wasn't the greatest run I've ever done, but I didn't expect it to be, so I just did what I could. I ended up taking some longer walking breaks because of the humidity and the lack of water. Longer like a whole song - probably close to 1/4 mile twice during the run. So I'm pretty happy with my time. I did think that it would be a longer distance though, but oh well.
It was nice to run on totally flat roads. There were no hills to dread or recover from, so that was a really nice change of pace. But there was also a lack of familiarity with the route so I didn't have a certain goal in mind before I stopped to walk or (like at home stop at a drinking fountain). It is always fun to run in a new place.
At any rate, I feel better about myself and my running again. I am probably 5 pounds too heavy right now and I need to do something about that after school begins, but I'm not concerned about it right now - can't really do anything until then anyway. I do not like the way I feel, though, and that is my motivator for losing it and hopefully 5 more after that. Ugh - I hate dieting. I wish weight wasn't such hard work.
Time: 57:33
Pace: 10:10
Weight: ?
Two Years Ago
Got up and checked on the state of the humidity and decided that it was okay enough to go. Besidse, the sky got me - it was beautiful when I stepped outside.
It wasn't the greatest run I've ever done, but I didn't expect it to be, so I just did what I could. I ended up taking some longer walking breaks because of the humidity and the lack of water. Longer like a whole song - probably close to 1/4 mile twice during the run. So I'm pretty happy with my time. I did think that it would be a longer distance though, but oh well.
It was nice to run on totally flat roads. There were no hills to dread or recover from, so that was a really nice change of pace. But there was also a lack of familiarity with the route so I didn't have a certain goal in mind before I stopped to walk or (like at home stop at a drinking fountain). It is always fun to run in a new place.
At any rate, I feel better about myself and my running again. I am probably 5 pounds too heavy right now and I need to do something about that after school begins, but I'm not concerned about it right now - can't really do anything until then anyway. I do not like the way I feel, though, and that is my motivator for losing it and hopefully 5 more after that. Ugh - I hate dieting. I wish weight wasn't such hard work.
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