I really enjoyed the warm weather today. It felt good to be sweating, I know I will regret saying that in a few months but it did feel good today. I got in 5 miles while running negative splits for the first 4 miles and cooling off for the final mile. My fouth mile was at a 7:40 pace and it felt great. The only problem I had today was the lady that was running over her dust bowl of a front yard with a riding mower while I was going by. Not only did she almost swerve out onto the sidewalk and hit me, I thought I was going to have an allergy attack running through the dust she was kicking up... Thank goodness for antihistamines.
Yesterday I ran another three miles with Lee. We picked up the pace a little over our Saturday run and enjoyed the short run. Lots of folks were out running and walking yesterday and it really felt like spring is around the corner. Something tells me we have an ice or snow storm left before Old Man Winter packs his bags for the summer though....
Monday, February 9, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
5 with the wife...
Lee and I ran together today. We rarely do because of different paces, but I thought today would be a great day with the weather being so nice. It was great. We did a nice, easy 5 miles and had a good time.
I hope to get 7-10 miles in tomorrow, but we have a good bit to do so I am not sure when I will run. That will dictate how far I go. One thing is sure, with daylight lasting longer and longer my running opportunities should improve. I hope to be back to running in the morning soon.
The warm weather felt good. I enjoy breaking a sweat, especially when the sweat doesn't immediately freeze! I hope that we don't have too much cold weather, but having lived here all my life I remember getting most of our snow and ice in February and March during my lifetime.
I hope to get 7-10 miles in tomorrow, but we have a good bit to do so I am not sure when I will run. That will dictate how far I go. One thing is sure, with daylight lasting longer and longer my running opportunities should improve. I hope to be back to running in the morning soon.
The warm weather felt good. I enjoy breaking a sweat, especially when the sweat doesn't immediately freeze! I hope that we don't have too much cold weather, but having lived here all my life I remember getting most of our snow and ice in February and March during my lifetime.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Greenville Track Club...
Even though I've been a member of the GTC for a little over a year, tonight was the first meeting I have been able to attend. It was quite a diverse crowd and that made for a really fun time. Lee recognized one of the older gentlemen as the father of some kids she knew in high school and it was interesting talking to him.
I also got to speak to Flemming and Megan. Congrats to both of them (and Megan's husband too...) on their awards. I understand why I don't ever place now that I got a good luck at those that finish in front of me! We did get to pick up our shirts for earning points in the 'Tri-Running Series'. That was a nice bonus.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a $10,000 check to Meals on Wheels from the proceeds of the Spinx Runfest this year. In these economic times, I am sure it was sorely needed by that organization that helps care for our elderly. Another highlight was some special awards for some of our older runners, including a gentleman that set a state 5K record at the age of 88. I hope I am still moving like him if I make it to 88.
Flemming had some fun while talking up the Greer Earth Day run that he is heading up. He went ahead and seeded some runners for it and gave them their bibs. He got me ready to sign up.
If you enjoy running at all, you should consder a membership. You get discounts on race entries for a lot of events and get lots of training opportunities too.
I also got to speak to Flemming and Megan. Congrats to both of them (and Megan's husband too...) on their awards. I understand why I don't ever place now that I got a good luck at those that finish in front of me! We did get to pick up our shirts for earning points in the 'Tri-Running Series'. That was a nice bonus.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a $10,000 check to Meals on Wheels from the proceeds of the Spinx Runfest this year. In these economic times, I am sure it was sorely needed by that organization that helps care for our elderly. Another highlight was some special awards for some of our older runners, including a gentleman that set a state 5K record at the age of 88. I hope I am still moving like him if I make it to 88.
Flemming had some fun while talking up the Greer Earth Day run that he is heading up. He went ahead and seeded some runners for it and gave them their bibs. He got me ready to sign up.
If you enjoy running at all, you should consder a membership. You get discounts on race entries for a lot of events and get lots of training opportunities too.
Laces and Races.....
I re-laced my Nikes and miraculously I had no pain on yesterday's run. If I get the same results on my next seven miler, I will chalk it all up to having them laced too tight. I really wasn't looking forward to running yesterday, but with all my cold weather gear on it wasn't too bad. Once I got about a half mile in, I felt pretty warm and really didn't notice the cold until I stopped at the end of the run. I am having a hard time deciding whether to run or go to the gym today. I know it warming up tomorrow, so I am tempted to take the easy route and go to the gym.
I am definitely re-stating my race goal for the year. I am not going to focus on running a race every month. Instead, I am going to focuson the GTC Tri-Running series and just take other races as they come along. I think that after the Reedy River and Cooper River, I will train for the Greer Earth Day half marathon. This year I hope to be able to do the Sunrise Run and the Candlelight Run as well.
Well, my main goal is to maintain my fitness and weight and I am doing OK on both of those. I had my physical today and other than waiting on the bloodwork results, the doctor was pretty happy. My weight was down from last year and my blood pressure was great. I used to be uncomfortable getting a hernia check, but after I turned 40 I realized that was no big deal.... Some of you will know what I mean.
I am definitely re-stating my race goal for the year. I am not going to focus on running a race every month. Instead, I am going to focuson the GTC Tri-Running series and just take other races as they come along. I think that after the Reedy River and Cooper River, I will train for the Greer Earth Day half marathon. This year I hope to be able to do the Sunrise Run and the Candlelight Run as well.
Well, my main goal is to maintain my fitness and weight and I am doing OK on both of those. I had my physical today and other than waiting on the bloodwork results, the doctor was pretty happy. My weight was down from last year and my blood pressure was great. I used to be uncomfortable getting a hernia check, but after I turned 40 I realized that was no big deal.... Some of you will know what I mean.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
It must be a shoe issue....
I ran 7 miles yesterday in my 'backup' running shoes and had none of the foot pain/cramps I was routinely having in my Nikes. I think that I may have an issue with the Nikes being laced too tight in an effort to reduce heel slipping.
I am going to re-lace them and try again. I found some lacing techniques that should allow me to get the shoe sufficiently tight around the heel without being too tight in the mid-foot and forefoot. I hope that works because I would hate to have these shoes reduced to short runs since they are so new.
I meant to run or go to the gym today, but work was too demanding. I will definitely get in a workout tomorrow. Not sure yet if I will run or hit the gym. I guess I will let the weather dictate that decision....
I am going to re-lace them and try again. I found some lacing techniques that should allow me to get the shoe sufficiently tight around the heel without being too tight in the mid-foot and forefoot. I hope that works because I would hate to have these shoes reduced to short runs since they are so new.
I meant to run or go to the gym today, but work was too demanding. I will definitely get in a workout tomorrow. Not sure yet if I will run or hit the gym. I guess I will let the weather dictate that decision....
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Two good runs this weekend....
I had two good runs this weekend, including a great tempo run on Saturday. That said, I am having a bad case of the 'marathon dropout blues'. Logically I know I made the right decision because my body was just not ready. However, now that I am running shorter distances I feel great and really wish I was going to run in two weeks. I'll be glad when I actually have a race coming up so I can change my focus. Right now, I am not scheduled to run until March 7 at the Reedy River Run. I would like to find a race in February so I can make my 'race in each month' goal, but with the kids playing basketball on Saturday mornings for the next few weeks I may not get a chance.
I am having one problem and I think it might be a shoe issue. My feet are hurting/cramping a lot more than they ever have before and it is especially bad after I crest a hill. I am going to run in an alternate pair of shoes tomorrow and see if it is any different. If it is, I may have to look at lacing issues and hope that can fix the problem.
I am enjoying the fact that days are getting a little longer. I can't wait until the morning light is here early enough for me to get out and run before work.
I am having one problem and I think it might be a shoe issue. My feet are hurting/cramping a lot more than they ever have before and it is especially bad after I crest a hill. I am going to run in an alternate pair of shoes tomorrow and see if it is any different. If it is, I may have to look at lacing issues and hope that can fix the problem.
I am enjoying the fact that days are getting a little longer. I can't wait until the morning light is here early enough for me to get out and run before work.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
X-Trained yesterday...
I wimped out, I admit it. I went to the gym yesterday and hit the elliptical instead of running outside in the rain and wind. I must admit, it felt good to be in a warm gym too. In fact, I almost decided to go to the gym again today and run on the treadmill. Then reality set in, and I decided I would hit the streets.
I missed a workout on Tuesday due to some scheduling issues and work. I'm not sure what I will do tomorrow, though I am considering getting up early and getting a little run or workout in at the gym AND going to yoga. We'll have to see if I can drag myself out of bed or not...
I am doing OK on getting back on the weight watchers plan, though I still find myself hungry before bedtime. Fortunately, I have left myself enough points to deal with this. My coach mentioned that he is in a group that is planning on running a 4 hour pace at the Marine Corps Marathon next fall.... Hmmmm.....
I missed a workout on Tuesday due to some scheduling issues and work. I'm not sure what I will do tomorrow, though I am considering getting up early and getting a little run or workout in at the gym AND going to yoga. We'll have to see if I can drag myself out of bed or not...
I am doing OK on getting back on the weight watchers plan, though I still find myself hungry before bedtime. Fortunately, I have left myself enough points to deal with this. My coach mentioned that he is in a group that is planning on running a 4 hour pace at the Marine Corps Marathon next fall.... Hmmmm.....
Monday, January 26, 2009
7 miles today....
I left the house in what felt like a sprint today. I felt great and when I heard the 'beep' of my Garmin at end of the first mile I was anxious to see the pace I was on. Then when I saw 8:47 show up, I was shocked!
It really was stupefying to me that I felt like I was running at my 5K pace but I was only at my half marathon pace. I didn't let it bother me for too long. I felt pretty good in general and did pick up the pace for next three miles and then slowed it down for the last three. Today was scheduled to be an easy run, so I didn't want to overdo it and not be able to handle my tempo run on Wednesday.
Today was kind of weird as far the temperature went too. I looked at the thermometer and saw 50 degrees, but when I stood outside it felt cooler. I struggled with what to wear and finally decided I would rather be a little warm than a little cold and went with the tights and long sleeve compression shirt with a t-shirt over it. I did skip the fleece headband and gloves though. It felt great and I am starting to seriously consider buying some compression socks when the weather warms up. I am afraid that Lee won't even hang out with me after races if I am wearing them though, so I may have to slip them off before heading over to socialize!
Day one of the food diary is almost in the books and if I can avoid my normal late night feeding frenzy I will be off to a good start. It is amazing how much less I eat, if I eat slowly and then force myself to step back and let the food settle for 20 minutes. I have to remember that at lunch time when I typically eat quickly.
It really was stupefying to me that I felt like I was running at my 5K pace but I was only at my half marathon pace. I didn't let it bother me for too long. I felt pretty good in general and did pick up the pace for next three miles and then slowed it down for the last three. Today was scheduled to be an easy run, so I didn't want to overdo it and not be able to handle my tempo run on Wednesday.
Today was kind of weird as far the temperature went too. I looked at the thermometer and saw 50 degrees, but when I stood outside it felt cooler. I struggled with what to wear and finally decided I would rather be a little warm than a little cold and went with the tights and long sleeve compression shirt with a t-shirt over it. I did skip the fleece headband and gloves though. It felt great and I am starting to seriously consider buying some compression socks when the weather warms up. I am afraid that Lee won't even hang out with me after races if I am wearing them though, so I may have to slip them off before heading over to socialize!
Day one of the food diary is almost in the books and if I can avoid my normal late night feeding frenzy I will be off to a good start. It is amazing how much less I eat, if I eat slowly and then force myself to step back and let the food settle for 20 minutes. I have to remember that at lunch time when I typically eat quickly.
Changing priorities....
Two things happened during marathon training. One - my well documented flop on the 18 mile run that was the valley of my short running career and two - I gained weight.
Along with getting back to 'fun' running, I am also getting back to a stricter eating plan. I am still right at my official Weight Watchers goal weight, but that isn't where I want to be. I can already see the potential for being comfortable with that weight and then slowly being comfortable with 5 more pounds and 5 more pounds.... all the way back to my pre-WW physique.
This week I am doing two things to combat this:
1) Going back to strict point counting. Even though I can pretty much run on auto-pilot, I think the practice will be good for me and help me catch the extra calories I am not paying attention too. Nutrition labels beware! I am back on the point calculating bandwagon.
2) Changing up my exercise plan. I am going to run, but I want to run less and add in some alternate forms of exercise. I think I will run four days a week and cross train two days a week. I hope to do yoga AND some cardio on Tuesdays. That will be a challenge because it will require me to get out of bed early and hit the gym before work on Tuesdays. On my runs, I hope to run Mon, Wed, Friday & Sunday. I am going to shoot for 7 miles on Mondays and Fridays, a 5-6 mile tempo run on Wednesdays and a slow 7-12 miles on Sundays.
My goal is to be back down to my early October weight by mid to late February and then hold there through the summer.
Along with getting back to 'fun' running, I am also getting back to a stricter eating plan. I am still right at my official Weight Watchers goal weight, but that isn't where I want to be. I can already see the potential for being comfortable with that weight and then slowly being comfortable with 5 more pounds and 5 more pounds.... all the way back to my pre-WW physique.
This week I am doing two things to combat this:
1) Going back to strict point counting. Even though I can pretty much run on auto-pilot, I think the practice will be good for me and help me catch the extra calories I am not paying attention too. Nutrition labels beware! I am back on the point calculating bandwagon.
2) Changing up my exercise plan. I am going to run, but I want to run less and add in some alternate forms of exercise. I think I will run four days a week and cross train two days a week. I hope to do yoga AND some cardio on Tuesdays. That will be a challenge because it will require me to get out of bed early and hit the gym before work on Tuesdays. On my runs, I hope to run Mon, Wed, Friday & Sunday. I am going to shoot for 7 miles on Mondays and Fridays, a 5-6 mile tempo run on Wednesdays and a slow 7-12 miles on Sundays.
My goal is to be back down to my early October weight by mid to late February and then hold there through the summer.
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