I have a 16 miler scheduled for tomorrow and a 5 miler today. I'm not sure I will get the 5 miler in because we were at football all morning and now we have stuff to do around the house. I haven't missed any runs so far, so we will see if I squeeze it in or not.
The 16 miler is going to be tough. I still don't have my route down yet, so I need to figure that out. I hope to get up early and run it before church tomorrow. It is hard to believe we under 10 weeks until the marathon. 10 weeks sounds like a long time, but when I realize I have runs of 16, 18, 20, 20 and 22 coming up it seems like time is flying by.
Well, I need to go charge up the iPod... I don't want to run 2.5 hours without music!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
The fear sets in....
This week I top out with a 16 miler and I am already nervous about that distance. I died on an 18 miler on my last marathon training attempt in January. I hope I don't suffer the same fate as I start to extend my runs this time.
The heat and humidity are much worse now than they were the last time, so that gives me extra concern. I am going to carry plenty of fluids with me and carry some cash to buy a refill along the way.
Another issue I have is that I want to go early before it heats up too much, but I hate running at 5:00 in the morning, especially when I am likely to go on a path that takes me a long way from home. I may have to suck it up and just double up on my normal loops and add in some miles on the track at our local elementary school. I can put some gatorade out on the path if I am staying close to home too.
This week is pretty light leading up to the run, so I hope to be fully energized on Sunday. We'll see!
The heat and humidity are much worse now than they were the last time, so that gives me extra concern. I am going to carry plenty of fluids with me and carry some cash to buy a refill along the way.
Another issue I have is that I want to go early before it heats up too much, but I hate running at 5:00 in the morning, especially when I am likely to go on a path that takes me a long way from home. I may have to suck it up and just double up on my normal loops and add in some miles on the track at our local elementary school. I can put some gatorade out on the path if I am staying close to home too.
This week is pretty light leading up to the run, so I hope to be fully energized on Sunday. We'll see!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Moving forward... for the most part.
Running has been going well. I got my 13 miler in on Sunday, but was chaffed badly by my compression shirt and iPod strap. I wasn't expecting that since I have never had a chaffing issue with a compression shirt before.
I see a trip to the store for some Body Glide in my near future. This week brings several moderate runs to the table. I did bail out on my eight miler yesterday after only 4.5 miles. I was pressed for time and just didn't feel very comfortable. I hope to make the mileage up over the weekend.
It figures that today would be my day off and it was 69 degrees at 8:30.... Oh well, I think we have an overall cooling trend coming our way. I am not wishing away summer, but I will take a break for the heat while I run every day!
I see a trip to the store for some Body Glide in my near future. This week brings several moderate runs to the table. I did bail out on my eight miler yesterday after only 4.5 miles. I was pressed for time and just didn't feel very comfortable. I hope to make the mileage up over the weekend.
It figures that today would be my day off and it was 69 degrees at 8:30.... Oh well, I think we have an overall cooling trend coming our way. I am not wishing away summer, but I will take a break for the heat while I run every day!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Robert the Dog Rescuer?
I was out for my 'easy' four miler today at lunch, kicking myself in the tail for not rolling out of bed and running before daylight, when I come across a pitiful looking old poodle in the middle of the road dragging her leash. She could hardly walk and her tongue was hanging out as she panted. The runner in me said 'Keep going, her owner is around.' The rest of me said 'This could be bad, there may be an old person keeled over somewhere.'
The rest of me won out and I ran over to the dog and picked her up. I read her tag, but didn't recognize the name and I didn't have my cell phone with me to call the number. I did know someone that lived near there and stopped by to find out if they knew the owner. Sure enough they did and I carried my new friend back to her home. It turns out her owner is legally blind and had not noticed the dog wandered off as they were sitting in the carport. I left the dog and went on my way.
It was only later that I realized how funny I probably looked in my running clothes bounding around with an old poodle in my arms, pink leash in tow. I'm sure people driving by thought I was the one that was lost!
The rest of me won out and I ran over to the dog and picked her up. I read her tag, but didn't recognize the name and I didn't have my cell phone with me to call the number. I did know someone that lived near there and stopped by to find out if they knew the owner. Sure enough they did and I carried my new friend back to her home. It turns out her owner is legally blind and had not noticed the dog wandered off as they were sitting in the carport. I left the dog and went on my way.
It was only later that I realized how funny I probably looked in my running clothes bounding around with an old poodle in my arms, pink leash in tow. I'm sure people driving by thought I was the one that was lost!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Hmmm....
Ok, now I find out there was a break in going on in the neighborhood I was running through on Sunday morning about the same time I saw I guy running in jeans... Could be a coincidence, but I doubt it.
I got a nice, cool seven miles in today. Well, I was wishing it was cool. I got home and looked up the temp to put it in my log and the heat index was 102... No wonder I ran slow and sweated like a hog on the 4th of July! I've got to force myself to hydrate some on these day runs. I'm glad I have a fuel belt.
It is time for me to start thinking about fueling on long runs as I stretch out to 13 miles this week. I need to research what they provide on the course in the marathon. I also might just carry some fig newtons or jelly beans with me along with my fluids. I still need to find a nice 4 mile route. I haven't really been happy with any I have used as they all tend to really be 5 mile routes, so I end up walking a mile or running over.... Yes, I could run for 2 miles and turn around and run home. That is the logical thing to do. I don't like doing that though and I can't really give you a good reason why either!
I got a nice, cool seven miles in today. Well, I was wishing it was cool. I got home and looked up the temp to put it in my log and the heat index was 102... No wonder I ran slow and sweated like a hog on the 4th of July! I've got to force myself to hydrate some on these day runs. I'm glad I have a fuel belt.
It is time for me to start thinking about fueling on long runs as I stretch out to 13 miles this week. I need to research what they provide on the course in the marathon. I also might just carry some fig newtons or jelly beans with me along with my fluids. I still need to find a nice 4 mile route. I haven't really been happy with any I have used as they all tend to really be 5 mile routes, so I end up walking a mile or running over.... Yes, I could run for 2 miles and turn around and run home. That is the logical thing to do. I don't like doing that though and I can't really give you a good reason why either!
Monday, August 3, 2009
On to another week....
Got my 10 miler in yesterday. Lee ran the first five with me and that was nice. I'm glad we went out early, but it was still plenty humid. This week I stretch my long run out to 13 miles. I can't decide whether to come up with some new route or just double up on my normal route that has 5, 6 and 7 mile versions.
I saw a couple of interesting things out yesterday morning, not the least of which was a guy running in a t-shirt and jeans. I am pretty sure he was running 'from' something, but he did say 'good morning' to us as he passed. It did creep me out a little, but I was probably just being paranoid.
I am enjoying the off day today, but I don't really feel the need for it. I think that is a good sign. It is funny how on Saturday my five miles felt like it would never end, but on Sunday I ran 10 and felt great the rest of the day....
I saw a couple of interesting things out yesterday morning, not the least of which was a guy running in a t-shirt and jeans. I am pretty sure he was running 'from' something, but he did say 'good morning' to us as he passed. It did creep me out a little, but I was probably just being paranoid.
I am enjoying the off day today, but I don't really feel the need for it. I think that is a good sign. It is funny how on Saturday my five miles felt like it would never end, but on Sunday I ran 10 and felt great the rest of the day....
Thursday, July 30, 2009
July is almost gone....
Just seven months ago I listed these goals for 2009. Let's see where I stand:
Get my 26.2 sticker. I have crossed most of the standard distances in races in 2008. 2009 will be the year I get the big one. I am scheduled to run the Myrtle Beach Marathon on Valentines Day. I am not setting a time goal for this, just getting the medal will be enough.
Hopefully I will get this one done in October. I didn't make it to the starting line at Myrtle Beach.
Set a PR in the 5K and 10K distances. Once the marathon is complete, I hope to recover quickly enough to PR in these two distances before the heat of the summer is upon us.
Doubt these will happen. I am not racing while training for the marathon this fall. I think that hurt me in my February attempt. Most of the races where I could get a good time will be long past by the time I recover from the marathon. Definitely a goal for 2010.
Race every month of the year. This year I started in March and missed July and December. With my limited Clemson education, I was able to calculate that I missed 4 months.
Lost out on this one early and decided it was a pretty dumb goal anyway. Tough to find races in June and July.
Complete 5 events that are 10 miles or longer.
It looks like I will have 3 if I get the marathon in. Two half's and a full. Not sure if I will try for a late fall half after the full or not.
Run a race out of the state of South Carolina.
The marathon can knock this out too...
Complete the requirements for the Tri-Running Series T-Shirt.
Not gonna happen unless I am blessed with an age group award, which would mean that no one else in my age group showed up!
Place in my age group in a race. (I guess I need to find a real small race with no 40-44 year olds)
Umm.... Don't think so.
Run 1200 miles during the year.
Definitely on target for this.
Continue my yoga classes.
Ooops... Karen, I'll be back to class soon!
Maintain my Weight Watchers Lifetime status.
Hanging in there, but I am only a slice of pizza away from moving to the wrong side of the scale!
So, it looks like I may hit 4 out of 10. Not bad if I was a baseball player!
Get my 26.2 sticker. I have crossed most of the standard distances in races in 2008. 2009 will be the year I get the big one. I am scheduled to run the Myrtle Beach Marathon on Valentines Day. I am not setting a time goal for this, just getting the medal will be enough.
Hopefully I will get this one done in October. I didn't make it to the starting line at Myrtle Beach.
Set a PR in the 5K and 10K distances. Once the marathon is complete, I hope to recover quickly enough to PR in these two distances before the heat of the summer is upon us.
Doubt these will happen. I am not racing while training for the marathon this fall. I think that hurt me in my February attempt. Most of the races where I could get a good time will be long past by the time I recover from the marathon. Definitely a goal for 2010.
Race every month of the year. This year I started in March and missed July and December. With my limited Clemson education, I was able to calculate that I missed 4 months.
Lost out on this one early and decided it was a pretty dumb goal anyway. Tough to find races in June and July.
Complete 5 events that are 10 miles or longer.
It looks like I will have 3 if I get the marathon in. Two half's and a full. Not sure if I will try for a late fall half after the full or not.
Run a race out of the state of South Carolina.
The marathon can knock this out too...
Complete the requirements for the Tri-Running Series T-Shirt.
Not gonna happen unless I am blessed with an age group award, which would mean that no one else in my age group showed up!
Place in my age group in a race. (I guess I need to find a real small race with no 40-44 year olds)
Umm.... Don't think so.
Run 1200 miles during the year.
Definitely on target for this.
Continue my yoga classes.
Ooops... Karen, I'll be back to class soon!
Maintain my Weight Watchers Lifetime status.
Hanging in there, but I am only a slice of pizza away from moving to the wrong side of the scale!
So, it looks like I may hit 4 out of 10. Not bad if I was a baseball player!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Doesn't it feel great to finish a run?
Finishing a run is a great feeling. Not for the reason you may think either. It isn't because it is over, but rather because of the feeling of accomplishment. I think there is certainly an endorphin high, but the mental boost of setting a goal and accomplishing it is a rush as well.
Yesterday my run was miserably slow. My body was tight from the Sunday 12 mile run. I didn't push my speed but finished it up and still felt great afterward. Today was a 'hard' hill workout day and I pushed it pretty good. I had much more energy than yesterday and my legs had more life in them. I found a new trick for my mid-run hydration. I fill my fuel belt bottles and freeze them. They are nice and cool about 3 miles into my run. I don't mind the warm drink I normally get, but the cold fluids were a refreshing change.
Rest day tomorrow then three days straight at 5, 5 and 10.
Yesterday my run was miserably slow. My body was tight from the Sunday 12 mile run. I didn't push my speed but finished it up and still felt great afterward. Today was a 'hard' hill workout day and I pushed it pretty good. I had much more energy than yesterday and my legs had more life in them. I found a new trick for my mid-run hydration. I fill my fuel belt bottles and freeze them. They are nice and cool about 3 miles into my run. I don't mind the warm drink I normally get, but the cold fluids were a refreshing change.
Rest day tomorrow then three days straight at 5, 5 and 10.
Monday, July 27, 2009
12 Miles....
Yesterday was my longest run since the Greer Earth Day Half. I added in an extra half mile uphill to start the run. I kept me from doubling up a long stretch of East North Street. I haven't gotten a good route longer than 10 miles yet, so this was a little of an experiment. I think the extra uphill was a good workout.
I felt good through 10 miles and started having some minor pains and cramps in my feet for the last two miles. I think I suffered from no breakfast and no hydration that morning. I didn't get out until about 9:30 and it was 88 when I finished. I ran out of fluids at the 9 mile mark.
Pretty good shape today, but I am a little more sore than I expected. Tomorrow is 4 miles easy, so hopefully it will stretch me out and I can get a hard workout in on Wednesday.
I took my tunes with me. The 9 miler last week without tunes was too far. I am good for an hour or so with nothing but my own thoughts, but after that I began to bore myself.
I felt good through 10 miles and started having some minor pains and cramps in my feet for the last two miles. I think I suffered from no breakfast and no hydration that morning. I didn't get out until about 9:30 and it was 88 when I finished. I ran out of fluids at the 9 mile mark.
Pretty good shape today, but I am a little more sore than I expected. Tomorrow is 4 miles easy, so hopefully it will stretch me out and I can get a hard workout in on Wednesday.
I took my tunes with me. The 9 miler last week without tunes was too far. I am good for an hour or so with nothing but my own thoughts, but after that I began to bore myself.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Nice and warm today....
We had a garage sale this morning, so I didn't get out until about 1:30 or so. It was plenty warm by then!!!
I pass by our neighborhood pool at about 3.25 miles and it was hard not to jump in today. One day I am going to start my run there so that I can jump in after I finish. Maybe I will do that on a long run day.
Tomorrow I have a 12 miler scheduled and I hope to get out early and knock it out before church.
I pass by our neighborhood pool at about 3.25 miles and it was hard not to jump in today. One day I am going to start my run there so that I can jump in after I finish. Maybe I will do that on a long run day.
Tomorrow I have a 12 miler scheduled and I hope to get out early and knock it out before church.
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