Good Week

This week's run were nothing special, but I am just thankful that I have been able to be out there with no problems. All of my runs were early morning runs to avoid being out in the heat. This morning I picked up my pace a tad and it felt good. Very happy about that.

Monday--3.5 miles
Tuesday--3.2 miles
Wednesday--4.6 miles
Thursday--rest
Friday--3.1 miles
Saturday--3.9 miles at about a (9:25 pace)

The official half marathon training begins Monday. I am using Hal Higdon's novice plan and it looks pretty easy. The mileage stays low for a while until the longer runs start building. That is where I will need to be careful. The half I am wanting to run is in October, so I am praying my body will allow me to do this. I'm not out to win anything, just run the whole thing with a decent pace and finish injury free...my goals! : )

Fun news: I am buying a road bike and although I know very little about cycling, I am starting to get into it...the bike should be ready for a fitting this Wednesday and I am pretty excited! I just don't want to crash or hurt myself on it. haha I am hoping to ride a couple of times a week for now while I am training for the half and then maybe more later in the year. I don't think it will ever take the place of running, but it will be a fun crosstraining activity...plus low impact may be good for my legs for a while! The cycling gear is crazy...so much more than running! Of course you can spend a lot or a little, depending on what you need or want...I'm trying to spend the minimum amount and still get some things that are necessary to get started riding. So...I have some padded shorts...they actually don't look as bad as I thought they would. I bought a couple of light weight biking jerseys from aerotech designs(good prices on basics). I have my shoes and helmet at the bike store that I will get when my bike comes in. They will attach a bottle holder to the bike for me and I have to buy a couple of the camelbak water bottles. I am probably going to get some good padded gloves at some point...a friend recommended those. Crazy, huh?

Mike and I have a weekend away planned in August before Gracie goes to college and we are going to ride a wonderful and beautiful river trail while we are away. We are both look forward to getting out their with our noticeably new bikes/gear and being the stand out newbies who have no idea what they are doing. I guess you have to start some where, right? It will be so much fun, though...and I can't wait!

You can go here if you'd like to see my bike.

Hope you all had a wonderful week!

I decided on these shoes:


I have run in them twice this week and they are great. I'm not surprised since these have always been my favorite....why do I veer off from a good thing? My injury occurred when I switched from these shoes...I have always wondered if that had a lot to do with it.

My runs this week:

Monday--4.5 miles
Tuesday--3.5
Wednesday-3
Thursday--rest day...worked on upper body and core
Friday--3.5
Saturday--6

I ran 6 this morning one hour later than my usual run time and the heat was incredible. I had to stop in the shade for a few minutes to let my heart rate go down a little. Overall, the run felt good in my new shoes and I did not feel any phantom pains, which was very encouraging.

Mike and I have recently bought our younger 2 children new bikes...so while looking in the bike store we started looking and researching road bikes. I have always wanted to ride a road bike...I'm a little intimidated with speed, but I just think it looks like so much fun! So...Mike and I have decided to buy new bikes for us, too. I have tried a couple, and they are getting a few new ones in this week that the bike man seemed to think would be a good fit for me. I'm super excited about it! I bought a new helmet and actually ordered some of those dreaded padded shorts that I said I would never wear, but I realize that is a must if you ride any kind of distance. I guess biking can be my way of getting to 26.2 miles.

I'm still waiting to see how my body does with adding more mileage before signing up for a half that is coming up in October. The actual training period on the website says to begin training the first week of August. I really want to give it a try, so we will see how it goes in these next couple of months.

Have a fun week running and please stay cool!

Decisions

I have both of these shoes at home right and I am trying to decide which one to keep. I love the Asics gel nimbus and have worn multiple pairs of this shoe over the years. I have been wanting a new pair so bad. They feel amazing, which is what I expect...super cushiony and thick feeling, but with some stability, too. I have never worn a Brooks shoe, but this one has great reviews, feels light on my feet, and is a better price. Love both of them!



Brooks Ghost 3


Asics Gel Nimbus 12

Hot Week of Running

Monday--3.5 miles
Tuesday--1 mile fun run while kids rode their bikes
Wednesday--6 miles
Thursday--1 mile fun run again while the kids rode along
Friday--3 mile walk (rest day)
Saturday--6.2 miles in the hot sun and it felt wonderful!

I have noticed that as I have increased my distance just one day a week(longer run on Saturday) that irritating lower abdomen dull pain comes back. Thankfully it is staying isolated to just that area and I am fine running...it just scares me. I ran 6.2 miles this morning and felt it all the way, but it never got worse or anything. I am running very slow for me, but that's okay. After running, I iced the area and took one aspirin.

Still considering running a half in October.

This Week's Runs

Sunday PM--2 mile walk, 2 mile run
Monday--4 miles
Tuesday--4.5 miles
Wednesday--3 miles
Thursday--4.5 miles
Friday--rest
Saturday--8.2 miles!!!! My first time to run a longer run since my injury! I am thinking a half may be in my future!

Running on 30 A

I am home from the beach and although it rained quite a bit, we had a wonderful trip! All of my relatives from my mom's side of the family were there...which makes for a pretty large crowd! My mom is one of 8...so all of my aunts and uncles, cousins, and second cousins were there(well a few couldn't make it, but most of them were there). We stayed in houses on 30-A, which is the scenic road that runs along Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove beach, and Rosemary Beach. I've always known it as the road that leads to beautiful Seaside. I LOVED this area! Our family liked it so much that when we go back, we are going to rent a condo on 30 A. It is still close enough to Destin, but a little ways out so it feels quieter and more laid back. Can't wait for September!


One of the things I loved about this area was the running/bike path along the road, with beautiful glimpses of the ocean. I ran 4 times while we were there and could have continued on for miles and miles because it was so beautiful! Nothing like a fantastic view to rev up my running! All 4 runs were 4-5 miles long and my pace seemed faster than usual. I did not even bring my Garmin...just wanted to run for complete enjoyment and I did!