3.1

Distance--3.1 mi
Time--29:28
Pace--9:29/mi

My schedule has been altered this week due to the decision to run the 10k on Saturday. I ran a short run today and will rest tomorrow...and hopefully finish the 10 k in under an hour!

The weather is looking very rainy for Saturday. I hope it will be nice...especially for my 4 and 6 year olds who are so excited about running in a *real* race!

Getting Ready for the 10K---my FIRST race!

It was raining really hard this morning and I didn't think I would be able to run today...but the rain stopped and I ran after lunch. Abigail, my second oldest, ran with me for 3.1 miles of my run. She did really well. She is going to run in a 5k this Saturday while I run the 10k. My younger 2 are going to run in 200m races. We are really excited!

Distance--6.2 mi...some rolling hills
Time--58:11
Pace--9:23/mi

I was very pleased with keeping it under an hour this time. Hopefully on race day, I can push it a little more and do better.

My Run Today

I started out with the plan of running a 10k today(6.2 miles)...but one mile into it I had the potty issue happen again. I won't go into details, but I was able to run 3.67 miles(painfully) and then had to stop and walk the rest of the way home. I never stop and walk. It was very frustrating. I feel kinda defeated and although I think I can run a half marathon, it won't happen if these kind of issues arise!!! This is my biggest hindrance to running. I've got to figure out what to do about it!!! Help! Maybe imodium AD...I have read some runners use that before races. Sorry if this was too much information...

Even with my problem, I'm thinking about running in a 10k this Saturday. Abigail may run the 5k. There are also races for my younger 2. Their ages can run in 200m races called the Tadpole Trot Races. So cute! We mapped out the length in our yard and timed them last night. They loved it! I am planning on taking them to a college track this week and have them *train* for their race! They are so excited!!! This would be my first race and I am really nervous about it.

Distance--3.67 painful miles
Time--34:14
Pace--9:19/mi

My goal for the 10k is to keep it under an hour...maybe 9 minute miles. (Wishful thinking, I know)

Felt Good After Today's Run

This is probably the best I have felt after a long run. I'm not achy, toes aren't bruised, feet don't hurt, and I feel somewhat energetic. Maybe I'm getting used to it! Or maybe it is because my pace was steady and slow. It seemed so much easier this time. I did stop half way for water and a potty break(I have issues with this! Must be the 4 babies I gave birth to!). The second 5 miles were easier than the first five...The first five felt kinda like torture, but I worked out of it somehow. The sun was warm and there was a nice breeze.

I have made my own drink for after my runs. I'm going to try this for a while and see how it works.

16 oz of water
1/4 cup of R.W. Knudsen's cranberry pomegranate juice
1/4 tsp of iodized salt

Mix and serve over ice.


Distance--10.05 mi
Time--1:40:41
Pace--10:01/mi

So Cute!

I saw 2 baby red foxes sitting right by a driveway this morning on my run. They were so cute and just stared at me as I ran by. I guess they are too young to be afraid yet. As cute as they were, I knew that momma fox must have been close by...probably watching every move I made.

It has been getting up into the 70s here in the afternoons, but the mornings are still very cool. I layered a couple of shirts and wore my Asics headband to cover my ears. A nice run today.

Distance--4.43 mi
Time--43:13
Pace--9:44/mi

If you read my Lifesong blog, you know that healthy eating is a big priority for me. I have had to adjust my eating a little as I have increased my running. I will write about that soon. One of the things I have been avoiding is high fructose corn syrup...but since I have been running a few longer runs, I thought I would try some gatorade. The idea of it makes me say yuck! But, I have to say since I have been drinking some before and after my runs, I am like a new person. It really works...and I have been feeling hydrated and much more energetic, especially after running.

UPDATE: I think the gatorade gave me a bad headache...so I am looking into some other options.

Relaxing Run

I love having my Garmin 305! It is so helpful! I have never known my exact distance and pace when running! Mike was so sweet to get it for me earlier this year! The Garmin makes it so fun! But, it can also take some of the joy out of it. Especially when you are like me and wanting to know my pace all the time. It makes me work harder and makes running not as fun.

So today, I decided I would only look at my pace 2 times while running. I would just simply run at a comfortable pace and not think about it, especially since I was so tired yesterday. I didn't want to push myself. Mike asked me to sleep in this morning and get lots of rest, so I did. I woke up at 8am, which is late for me. I think I needed it. I usually run early in the mornings, but I ran in the bright sunshine this afternoon. It was nice, but a little windy. I tried to just run and enjoy.

My Distance--6.82
Time--1:06:47
Pace--9:47/mi

Today's Run

Distance--4.26
Time--45:05
Pace--9:45/mi

I woke up so tired today. I don't know why...I am wondering if I am still trying to recover from the 12 mile run from last Thursday...could that still be affecting me?

I ran some hills today. I ran up Victory Hill once.(Thanks for the name Terri!) It didn't feel too much like a Victory Hill today...I was tired and had to make myself do it. Then I ran up and down the long steady incline hill 2 times that I run often and then one more medium steep hill. It was one of those days that it took everything I had to do it.

Since then I have stayed pretty fatigued all day today. I finally made myself gulp a 20 oz water bottle right after lunch and that seemed to help. I hope I feel much better tomorrow. Maybe I can get to bed early tonight.

This morning I had some time to keep up with the minute by minute blogging on runnersworld of the Boston Marathon. I was really hoping that Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher would win. It sounds like they ran a great race...the winners just out ran them at the end. It is amazing that people can run like that! Congrats to Ryan and Kara on a great race!

Running Makes Quality of Life Better....

Have you seen this news report? More motivation to keep it going!

What Would You Do?

I was running along on my last mile today and I hear a truck coming up behind me...he passes slowly and goes ahead then pulls in a driveway, turns around and comes back towards me. He passes again and then goes ahead again, pulls into a driveway, and stops. He gets out and goes up to the house. He is obviously looking for a certain address, but he is making me nervous. He gets back in his little truck and pulls out of the driveway coming towards me again...this time slowing down. I knew he was going to stop to ask directions.

I am so very cautious when I run. I almost quit running a while back because I was very afraid of people and dogs, but instead, my husband bought me some pepper spray. I carry it ALWAYS! It makes me feel so much more secure. I do run in safe areas, but you just never know.

I never know the right way to respond to strange men in trucks like this(or anyone stopping like that). I want to think the best of people and be kind...even stop to help someone out....I really do. But, it is just not always safe. So, this time I just waved and yelled out *I'm sorry, I can't help you* and kept running...a little faster with my pepper spray ready. Well, I guess I made him mad because he sped off and very quickly pulled into another driveway, got out and slammed the door...very angrily. I picked up my pace and ran. I knew I was only about 3/4 mile from my house. I honestly felt bad that I didn't help him, but then I think about other women/girls who were being nice and got lured into danger. This is the one thing I hate about running...having to be afraid at times.

How do you all handle these kinds of things? Mike seemed to think what I did was best...he said the guy can figure it out without asking you. Still, I feel like I was rude.

I think this made my pace quicker, although I would rather it not have happened!

Distance--5.62
Time--52:54
Pace--9:24/mi

A Beautiful Sunny Day

It is supposed to rain this weekend, so I decided since it was such a gorgeous day, I would run my long run today. I finished school for the day, made everyone lunch and headed out the door. I felt really good today. I think the sunshine motivated me to push it up a notch and go for 12. I stopped for water and a good stretch twice and on the second water break I was at 9.75 miles. I didn't have to go to the bathroom or anything like that, so I continued on to finish out 12.

It was hard...those last 2 miles were very long. I am achy and a tad bit nauseated, which I know is normal.

It was good to see what a half might feel like...but I think for now, I am going to keep my long run around 8-10 miles.

I have a ritual after my long runs...I always eat an orange as well as guzzle water. The orange seems to replenish my body and it taste so yummy, too!

Distance--12.03 mi
Time--1:57:51
Pace--9:47/mi

3.1 and Some News!!!!

I know this is a running blog...but, I have to share some news! As soon as I got home from my run, Gracie came running telling me she made a 30 on the ACT this time!!! She checked her scores on the computer from her April 4th test date. We are so excited for her! Her goal is a 32, so she will keep taking it! We are praying for a scholarship!!!

My run is not that exciting compared to her accomplishment, but I did go faster!


Distance--3.11
Time--26:27
Pace--8:30/mi

7.1 Miles

I was tired this morning. I also had a muscle pain in my right calf...just tightness, nothing bad. Some days are like this, I guess. The first mile was the hardest. I made myself keep going and ended up doing pretty well. I started feeling good around mile 4.

Distance--7.13 miles
Time--1:08:30
Pace--9:36/mi

I am thinking about running in a half marathon next fall. I have never run in a race before...never wanted to. But, I think it might be fun. I am looking into the Tulsa Route 66. Tulsa is such a fun place to visit, too!

4.65 with Hills....

And not just any hills...the BIG one! I have one hill that I refer to as the BIG one for a reason. It is one of those hills that when driving up to it, it looks as if it goes straight up. And it pretty much does. I have run up it before when on an easy run...but I have never attempted repeats with this one. There is a reason...I know how I feel when I run up it just once, any more than that would be crazy! My legs feel like rubberbands when I am done and my breathing gets pretty difficult by the time I get to the top. Once is very hard for me.

I decided last week that I was going to try out this hill for my hill repeats. Today I did it--2 times consecutively with a short slow run in between. Woo-hoo! If I had on my heart rate monitor, I am sure it would be alerting me--ringing like crazy! The hill is so steep that I had to run down it in a zig zag pattern so it didn't hurt my knees. My goal is 3 times one after the other. I am going to be working on that. The next couple of weeks will probably be 2 times again...then I will let you know when I attempt three times. It will be ridiculously hard, but I am up for the challenge.

I also ran up another good size hill 2 times, with no break in between.

I am super surprised by my pace. I was going pretty slow up and down the hills. I did feel pretty good after the hills, once my breathing got back in control. I guess I kicked it in and finished with a pretty good pace. I was not trying for under 10/mi, though.

Distance--4.65 mi
Time--45.43
Pace--9:49/mi

10

A beautiful clear, cool, sunny morning--perfect for a run. It seemed comfortable and pretty easy today.

Distance--10.02 mi
Time 1:37:36
Pace--9:44/mi

After lunch we are off to 2 soccer games.

Happy Resurrection Day tomorrow!

So Windy Today!

We had a big storm last night...no tornadoes, thankfully...but lots of wind. Our neighbor has a huge Bradford Pear down going across their driveway. They can't get out unless they drive through their beautiful landscaped yard. I don't see that happening.

This morning the storms have passed, but the wind is here and it was tough running this morning! I stuck with it and did my best.

Distance--5.34 mi
Time--51.31 minutes
Pace--9:38/mi

Working on my Speed

I have decided this is my hardest day....speed day. I am naturally a very slow runner. Running faster has pushed me, worn me out, and made me have more mental toughness. I guess these are all good things, but it is hard!!! (And I am still not really going that fast!)

Distance--3.11 mi
Time--27:42
Pace--8:54/mi (I thought this would be faster because I checked my pace through my run and I had it in lower 8/mi pace many times...but, I did include a couple of hills this time, that slowed me down)

I may not ever be a fast runner by everyone else's standards, but hopefully I am gaining physical fitness, determination, discipline, and toughness through this.

All of that to say that I really do love running and pushing myself. It feels good to know that I can do this! *A* for effort, right?

Relaxed Run

I thought it was going to be brutally cold and windy for this morning's run...it was chilly, but sunny, calm, and gorgeous! I enjoyed seeing the sun rise.

Distance--6.13 mi
Time--1:02:21
Pace--10:10/mi
Calories 603

Toes

I went for a toenail polish change today and when she took off my red polish, I noticed that I have 2 purpley/black toenails on my right foot(middle toes)...from Saturday's 10 mile run. And they are very sore and tender to wear shoes. I ran hills this morning and it felt okay...just a little sore. Do you think I need shoes a size bigger? I read on the internet that it could be shoes...or it could just be the way my toes hit my shoe when running. Anyway...I am bummed about it because I don't want running to hurt my toes and eventually lose my toenails! Ewww...any suggestions from more experienced distance runners?

Hills

I worked it out on some hills this morning--6 big ones to be exact. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time!


Distance--4.4 mi
Time--44.20
Pace--10:06/mi
Calories 434

10

My goal for my long runs is 8-10 miles...I ran 8 miles last Saturday and 10 today! I was not concerned about my pace at all. I was just running slow and steady to try and get the distance down. I felt really good on miles 5-7...but after stopping at my mail box for a big gulp of water, my right foot and toes starting hurting. So the last 3 miles, I was a little uncomfortable. I guess this is how people feel on the last stretch of a marathon, because this was like a marathon to me! Do you think that could be from my shoes or because I am not used to running this distance yet?

My biggest complaint is that it took forever! I will have to do long runs on days that Mike is home to be with the kids...I don't have enough time to run it on early mornings before breakfast. So, it will have to be on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons. With soccer season in full gear now, it will be challenging to find time. But, I think it is important to have one day that is longer than the normal runs, so I am going to try and make it work.

Tomorrow is a rest day...and I am glad!

Distance--10.04 mi
Time--1:43:05
Pace--10:15/mi
Calories--992

Good Run

Yesterday was my rest day. I did do some resistance training at home with weights while my younger children were having quiet times in their rooms...but other than that, I am really going to rest on my 2 rest days...no running!

This morning's run went well. Today was my relaxed run and my goal is to run 4-6 miles with a slow and steady pace. I felt good from having the day off yesterday. It was a little chilly, but I soon warmed up. I could run stronger at the end, so overall, I am pretty happy with it.

Distance--6.2 mi (10K)
Time--1:01:38
Pace--9.56/mi
Calories--613

Working on Speed

A quick hard run this morning. I gave it my all.

Distance--3.1 (5k)
Time--27.30 min
Pace--8.45/mi (Big improvement!)
Calories--320