Batteries Anyone?

I ran 4 miles today from the Sac n Fox trail, Otis ST trailhead. When I turned my Foreman on I had one hour battery life left, which means not really. I was hoping that it was truly an hours time left because even I can get 4 miles ran in an hour. But alas, my trusty foreman shut down on me after 2.6 miles. I am very thankful in that it lasted at least the two miles before I turned around so that I know that I got my 4 in, I just don't know my real stats.

Running Stats (recorded)

Running Time: 34:45
Running Distance: 2.60 mi
Average Pace: 13:21/mi

Real Stats Unknown ... but at least 4 mi in ???

I Think I'll Eat Some Worms

I was reminded of that old childhood chant today during my run ...

Nobody loves me
Everybody hates me
I'll think I'll eat some worms

itty bitty skinny ones
big fat juicy ones
I'll think I'll eat some worms

It's all about the rain for me lately. Sunday's run was a torrential downpour 15 minutes in the beginning of my run. Today's run was 1 1/2 hours in a steady light rain. Either way you are sopping wet.

I broke down and went back to the Stoneybrook YMCA. Ironically it wasn't hot today, just wet. When I got back to the Y after my run the lady at the checkout desk was looking at me weird. I didn't have my card with me because I had checked in and dropped my stuff off in a locker before my run. So I tell her I already checked in and she says "O-kay ... but would you like a tow-el ... or two tow-els?" I guess I was standing their dripping water on their floor, oops.

About those worms, I spent the whole 1 1/2 hours jumping over and swerving for worms so that I wasn't squishing them. I had forgotten that worms come out in the rain. Guess it's been awhile since I have been out and about in the rain. Really, it's been awhile since I have been out and about on city sidewalks.

Run Stats

Running Time: 1:25:57
Running Distance: 6.00 mi
Average Pace: 14:19/mi

btw, I know everybody loves me and I really don't want to eat those worms :)

Another Day Another Run

I ran four miles today. It was one of those ho hum got it done type of runs today ... nothing big nothing spectacular.

I had Jason download my newest audio book onto my MP3 player. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich. She is definately one of my favorite authors. She is a hoot ... I laugh so hard with everything I have read of hers. Definately 5 out of 5 stars in my 'not so' humble opinion.

Run Stats

Running Time: 56:23
Running Distance: 4.00 mi
Average Pace: 14:05/mi

Week 8 Schedule

Week 8 of 15. Oh My Goodness!!! I am closer to the marathon now then I am to the first day of training. I have started to psych myself out a bit and I know I must be careful about not doing that. I am training to run 26.2 miles .... ahhhhhhhhhhhh ... j/k

kind of

Mon - Rest
Tues - 4 miles
Wed - 6 miles
Thur - Rest
Fri - 4 miles
Sat - Rest
Sun - 14 miles

Torrential Downpour

I mosey'd on down at 6:45 this morning with every intention of grabbing a quick bite to eat, waiting an hour and then heading out for a leisurely (yeah right!) twelve mile run. Megan on the other hand had different plans. She woke up with me and cuddled on my lap in the rocking chair until Jason got home from his coffee run, wherein we decided to go out for breakfast. Breakfast was yummy though, well worth it!

After breakfast a storm rolled in. A really big storm with lots of rain, wind and thunderclaps. I wasn't too worried about it because Iowa, along with every other state I have ever lived (which is numerous), has this saying 'if you don't like the weather wait five minutes and check again. I dutifully waited the 30 minutes from the last thunderclap and headed upstairs to get my running gear on. There was a slight sprinkle ... like a drop every minute or so ... nothing too bad. I decided to go ahead and head out for my run.

Silly me ... I should have waited five minutes like the saying says. About five minutes into my run a faucet was turned on overhead. I was drenched within seconds. I could feel water streaming down my back, my arms, my legs, sqeazing out of my shoes. The whole time I just kept thanking Christie for giving me the idea to wear a hat if rain was expected. The hat definately saved the day!!! The rain lasted from about 5 minutes into my run until about 20 minutes into my run. There was not a dry place on me ... I was sopping wet. Then the rain went away and I ran the next 2 1/2 hours in damp clothing. That was fun ... not!

The rain was actually pretty neat to run in. I enjoyed it. I would have enjoyed it alot more if it had come at 2 1/2 hours into the run instead of 5 minutes ... but such is life!

Running Stats

Running Time: 2:55:57
Running Distance: 12.00 mi
Average Pace: 14:39/mi

Audio Book Over

Well that's the big news for today ... half way through my 4+ mile run I ran out of audio book. Kind of a bummer.

I was listening to The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kid. It came highly recommended by both my sister and by the readers of audible.com (4.65 out of 5 stars based on 852 votes). I personally thought the book was so-so.

***slight spoiler (or helper) here***

I think that during a conversation that I had with Dawn, or maybe it was from the books description, but I was under the impression that she dies. So I spent the whole time dreading that part of the book that was coming up instead of enjoying it as I was listening to it. She doesn't die ... not going to say anything else ... but she doesn't die.

Running Stats

Running Time: 57:59
Running Distance: 4.11 mi
Average Pace: 14:06/mi

SW Side is HOT!

I have only ran in temperatures greater then 90 degrees twice since I started training for the marathon. Both times have been from the Stoney Point YMCA. I really don't know if I will be going back there. It was a hot run, definately not one of the funnest and it's hard to map out a long route from there. Yet, it's close and convenient to Megan's preschool so it's easy to drop her off, run, shower and make it back in time to pick her up. Oh ... such confusion!!!

Running Stats

Running Time: 1:22:08
Running Distance: 6.00 mi
Average Pace: 13:41/mi

I'm Tired of Recuperating

I had conflicting advice from the dentists. I had one tell me that I would be a-ok on Wednesday and another tell me that I would be fine on Monday as long as my pain threshold was doing well. So I decided to meet them half way and start up on Tuesday. My schedule has me running 4 miles week 7 day 1 but I thought I better ease back into it so I only ran 3.41. Feels like I cheated or something. I didn't have any severe pain or anything, more like a reminding throb in the jaw area. Oh man, I can't wait until I'm healed from this!

Running Stats

Running Time: 43:32
Running Distance: 3.41 mi
Average Pace: 12:46/mi

Wishin I would have ran that extra 1/2 mile ...

Week 7 Schedule

Week 7 of 15. Where has the time gone? I'm almost half way there and I'm not ready yet!!! And it's another modified week as I'm still recovering from surgery ...

Mon - Recuperating
Tue -Recuperating
Wed - 6 miles
Thur - Rest
Fri -4 miles
Sat - Rest
Sun - 12 miles

57 Miles In My New Shoes

I was just sitting here re-reading my blog as there is not much else to do while recovering from these stupid wisdom teeth.

Anyhow, I just realized that I have not had a case of bad shin splints since I bought my new shoes. The guy from Running Wild says that you will usually have an indicator that your shoes are going downhill and that it's time for a new pair. I think in my case when my shins start hurting it's time for a new pair.

I cannot believe that I have run 57 miles in 2 1/2 weeks. That is wicked sick (I think that's a good thing) as boom baby would say!

Not Quite as Long as I Hoped

I put in my long run of the week today because I'm fixin to get my wisdom teeth removed which will put me out of commission for almost a week. I was really hoping to get in 11 miles in as per my training manual, but Megan wasn't feeling all that well so it took us alot longer then I thought it would to get us out of the house and her dropped off at daycare this morning so I could go out for a run. Have you noticed a pattern here? I'm always late ... always have been and I imagine I always will be. I'm planning on getting to the marathon extra early for this very reason.

I ran the home stretch loop (yep, again with the hills) three times today. The loop itself is about 2.5 mile if you don't head over the few blocks to get back to my house. It was kinda neat, the first time I ran it going up this steep steep hill there was a lady outside working on her yard. I said hi, she said hi, I ran on. The second time I ran it she was still outside picking up nuts. I said hi, she said hi, I ran on. The third time I ran it she was still outside sweeping this time. At this point I wasn't noticing much about my surroundings, but she noticed me and gave me the "wow, you are doing great keep it up" speach. That was nice!

After the third loop I had gone about 7.5ish miles but I really wanted to do at least 8 so I kept right on running past my house and did another mini loop around the neighborhood. If I had had more time I easily could have done my 11 today. Bummer!!!

Running Stats

Running Time: 1:51:28
Running Distance: 8.22 mi
Average Pace: 13:34/mi

Now I'm late as usual ... and I'm scared silly as well ... I hate the idea of getting my wisdom teeth removed!!! I have been putting this off for years and years ... sigh

Runner's World Stealing My Ideas

I've noticed a pattern here and I can't tell if it's a good or a bad thing. Way back in June when I started working out again and before I actually started training for the marathon, I thought what a great idea it would be to get a book on cd ... or better yet a book on mp3 player. So imagine my surprise when Jason picks up a copy of Runner's World and one of the top stories is listening to books on mp3 players. They copied my idea! No big deal though right, it's a good idea that will benefit alot of people.

But then I start this nice new blog to keep track of my running stats. What a novel idea. Next thing you know I'm getting my newest copy of Runner's World, and lo and behold one of the top stories is blogging your miles.

Gees ... I wonder what I'll come up with next?!?

It Gets Better

Whoooohoooo ... I so was not expecting this today! I ran the home stretch ... yes again with the hills for five miles today. Imagine my surprise when I checked my time at the one mile mark and I had just ran with very little perceived effort a 10:26 mile. Actually I had ran 1.05 miles in 10:26. I was giddy! Needless to say it was a very good run today!!!

Running Stats

Running Time: 1:02:47
Running Distance: 5.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:33/mi

I just checked, the last time I ran with an average pace of 12:33/mi was when I ran the 10k back in August, which was actually my first long run.

It was a very good run today!!!

Wow ... did I do that?

I ran a new trail today. I don't know if it was the trail or me or what ... but it felt good. I ran 4 miles and my last mile, you know the one that is traditionally the slowest (at least for me), was my fastest ever ... 11:54/mi.

Running Stats

Running Time: 50:55
Running Distance: 4.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:44/mi

I was running with "The Secret Life of Bees" again today. I ran out of disk space about 3ish miles. I wonder if that's how I was able to increase my time? But it's so fun to run with a book though.

Week 6 Schedule

Heading into week 6 of 15. Unfortunately, I found out last week that I will be needing to have surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed at the end of this week, which will mess with my training schedule a bit.

Mon - Rest
Tues - 4 mi
Wed - 5 mi
Thu - Rest
Fri - 11 mi in the morning and surgery in the early afternoon
Sat - drug induced sleep
Sun - drug induced sleep

They say I will be able to pick back up the Wednesday following surgery. Scary!

And I Thought The Last 3 Were Bad

So the last time I ran was 3 miles after 2 hours worth of yardwork, and that was a slow run. Or at least I thought it was until I started my 10 today. I knew it was going to be bad when my first mile I averaged 14:04/mi. I just could not get my legs to move faster if I tried. And as much as I would like to be able to say things got better, they definately didn't. It wasn't like I was overly tired or sore. I just plain could not move any faster if I had tried.

I was hoping to make it back in time for church but of course I got a late start, and that coupled with a slow run made it impossible. I started at 7:48 am. About 3 1/2 miles and about an hour later I gave Jason a call and told him he may want to go ahead and head to church without me, there was no way I was going to make it back in time.

But ... the good news is that I did it. I ran 10 miles non-stop today. It felt good to be done with it, that's for sure!

Running Stats

Running Time: 2:30:42
Running Distance: 10.01 mi
Average Pace: 15:04/mi

Killer Three

Did I mention that we are moving? To New York? At the end of the month? Yep Yep Yep!

So the house is on the market. I've done a really good job of keeping the house clean. But no matter how clean you keep the house there is always at least two hours worth of cleaning possible when a realtor calls and says can I show your house at 2 pm. Which is exactly what happened today. The house was all 'picked' up. But there was still the floors to sweep and mop, the rugs to vacuum, the leak in the basement that is just a constant drip and is staining the floor. You know ... all the little things. I dropped Megan off at pre-school and headed home to clean and paint the basement floor.

I walked out the door just as the realtor and the prospective buyer were pulling up. Unfortunately they saw me load the dogs into the car. I always feel that leaves a bad impression. I circled the block and parked down the road to keep an eye on things ... ok ok, I was spying. As I was sitting in my car spying on my own house, I kept thinking of all the other little things that needed to be done to make the house show better ... like pick up dog poo, remove the grass growing in the sidewalk cracks, sweep up the sandbox sand caked an inch thick from the patio etc.

Once the intruders left (they were intruders, they didn't make an offer) I headed back to the house with the intention of getting ready for my run. Jason was picking Megan up from pre-school so I had a brief bit of free time. But my little list that I made kept calling to me. So I thought what the hey, might as well get at least one thing crossed off my list. So I headed outside to sweep the sandbox sand up. Two hours later with lots of help from both Jason and Megan we finally crossed off the last item on my list. I was sweating just as hard as I had during my 8 mile run.

But I still had 3 miles to run ... and I did it!!! It tooke me a long time ... and it really was a killer three miles. But it felt good to do it regardless of being dog tired.

Run Time: 44:01
Run Distance: 3.00 mi
Avg Pace: 14:40/mi

and then I came home and had really good cheesy greasy pizza ...

Next stop 10 miles.

Hodge Podge For Five

Today was a five miler ...

Run Time: 01:08:37
Run Distance: 5.oo mi
Avg Pace: 13:43/mi

I dropped Megan off at pre-school and drove over to the YMCA that is near her school, which is in a part of town that I'm not all that familiar with. I put my stuff in a locker and stopped by the desk to ask which way I should run. I'm at the gym mind you, where people go to work out. The lady there was so funny, she just thought I was crazy for wanting to run 5 miles. Two months ago, I soooo would have agreed with her. Anyhow, she tells me I can run up 1st avenue ... or run to this park a few blocks over that actually has a running trail ... or even run in the subdivision right next to the gym. It turns out that to log 5 miles in I had to run all of the above. Thankfully there is not as many hills on this side of town.

Today's temperature was 90 degrees when I headed out, 93 degrees when I got back to the car. This is the hottest it's been while I've been running. I didn't like it ...

Another Three Down

Yep ... another 3 miles.

Run Time: 40:23
Run Distance: 3.0 miles
Avg Pace: 13:27/mi

Not to bad for running the home route ... you know ... the one that's one big hill.

I listened to my MP3 player today. I'm listening to the book "A Secret Life of Bees". It came highly recommended to me by my lil sis Dawn. Thanks Dawn Dawn!

Week 5 Schedule

I'm headed into week 5 of a 15 week training schedule. The schedule actually calls for 16 weeks of training, but the Philadelphia marathon is at the end of week 15. Such is life, we must deal with what we are dealt. I can do it!!!

Mon - Rest
Tue - 3 mi
Wed - 5 mi
Thu - Rest
Fri - 3 mi
Sat - Rest
Sun - 10 mi

Be back tomorrow ...

Hills do matter

I ran 8 miles today, what else is there to say?

Besides the fact that it was not unpleasant ... and I would most definately do it again and then some. There is something quite empowering by being able to say, I ran 8 miles today. Not many people can say this on any given day.

I ran the Sac and Fox trail today and oh what a relief that there were no hills. The last several weeks I have been running from home and no matter which way you go there are hills. My running time increased without all those hills in my way. In fact I even ran 12:11 mile ... whoohoo!!!

1 mi: 12:11/mi
2 mi: 12:37/mi
3 mi: 13:18/mi
4 mi: 13:15/mi
5 mi: 13:03/mi
6 mi: 13:29/mi
7 mi: 14:35/mi
8 mi: 13:23/mi


Running Stats ...

Run Time: 01:45:55
Run Distance: 8.00 mi
Avg Pace: 13:14/mi
Best Pace: 09:23/mi

And the foreman even lost at least a 1/2 a mile on me and that's being conservative. The trail is 7.2 miles long and as I was running off of the trail the foreman was showing 6.6 miles. I think it lost it somewhere during the 7th mile ...

Things were not looking good as I started my run at 8:13 thinking it was going to take me a good 2 hours to run these 8 miles and also knowing that church started at 10:30 and I had to have Jason pick me up from the trail head take me home for a shower and then a 10 minute drive to church.

Thankfully I was done in 1 hour and 45 minutes. I called him at the beginning of my 8th mile and he came to pick me up. Unfortunately there was some communication issues and he thought I would be running down the major road towards home, whereas I was just running on the smaller side road that the trail head was on (no hills on the side road, major hills on the major road). It was fine for me because he pulled up about 30 seconds after I finished my 8th mile. A bit frustrating for him as he drove up and down the major road looking for me.

Anyhow, we pulled up to the house at 10:06, I took a shower, got dressed, ran a brush through my wet hair and we were out the door at 10:20 and made it to church at 10:30. Wow, what a morning ... who would have thought getting ready for church would have been a bigger stressor then running 8 miles.

Tomorrow is a rest day. Sad ...

Lessons Learned

In the grand scheme of things it's a who cares ... but it put a dent in my morning none the less. I really need my Garmin Forerunner (Foreman for short) to tell me how many miles I have run ... especially on my long runs. So I wasn't excited when this morning it had low batteries. Especially since I am on a strict time line this morning as this is my first Sunday run and I have to back in time to get ready for church. Thankfully there is a late service.

OK, it's been a 1/2 hour now. I hope that it will give me 2-3 hours of battery life to make it through my run ...

MP3 Player

I ran 3 miles today from home. I didn't notice the hills at all today. This is probably because I finally had Jason load a book on to my new MP3 player that he got me for my birthday. In fact I don't remember much at all about my run. This would definately be the way to go, except for I can't use headphones in the marathon so I really shouldn't be training with them.

Unfortunately, I don't think that listening to a book is really all that great for run time. Something about not being able to focus on running when you are focusing on the book. But hey, for that good ole fashion run where time really doesn't matter I'm all for the books.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not really concerned about my run time. I know that I'm one of the slowest there is, in fact I completely expect the Philadelphia marathon to be over by the time I run through the finish line ... but my goal is completing the marathon ... not completing it in a certain time frame.

Run Stats ...

Run Time: 44:52
Run Distance: 3.01 mi
Avg Pace: 14.55/mi