Great weekend of running...

We had a good weekend and got two runs in. Lee and I ran together both days. This is the second weekend we have done that and it has been fun. We went over 6 miles both days and I was proud of her. It is interesting running with someone after you have been used to running alone.

We have to work out position and pace. I tend to let her set the pace and I try to stay on the outside and half a step back. Today was a little different because we went on a route that wasn't as well defined so some turns were a little awkward in traffic. It is amazing how much faster the time goes when you are with someone, even if you aren't talking the whole time.

I hope to get some more 6 milers in with her next week and then stretch it out to 7. With any luck, I'll convince her to run the Earth Day Half in Greer....

Gym anyone?

I just didn't feel like running outside today. Not sure if it was the cold or the time or what, but I headed to the gym and hit the elliptical machine. I hope to run tomorrow and Sunday, but we will see. I think the weather is going to be better tomorrow so I'll definitely try to get a run in then.

Running against the wind....

Somehow the wind was blowing in my face for my entire route today, or at least it seemed that way. I definitely felt the effects of the bike workout as well. My quads felt stiff and heavy the entire run. Having said all that, I had a good run getting in 7 miles at about an 8:40 pace.

I have one stretch that is a long uphill and was also into the wind. It really felt like I was almost standing still. It is hard for me to stand up straight when running into the wind, I keep wanting to hunch over. I am trying hard to work on my form and today was a good test. I think I passed. It helps that the streets were pretty busy and I needed to keep my head up to look for traffic!

I also can't believe it is Thursday already. My running week goes Monday - Sunday, so I only have two runs in so far. I hope to get in two more between now and Sunday to keep my miles up. I also just realized that the Reedy River Run is two weeks from Saturday. That will mark a year since my first race.

Indoors again....

Wow, two days in a row at the gym for me. I must admit that I don't mind the cross training and I am sure my legs, knees and feet don't mind it either. I hope I can get out on the pavement tomorrow and Friday so that I can keep my mileage up.

One thing I do enjoy about the gym is people watching. There are all kinds of folks in the gym. Some treat it as a social club and spend as much energy talking as they do working out. Others are very serious and you can tell they get irritated by those that are not as serious. Some are there to pay their 'dues' and get out as soon as possible. Some are there to lose weight and some are their to build muscle. The main thing is, all of us are there and not in the crowd walking by on the way to the restaurant next door and just looking in.....

Goals that I have already missed....

Well, I am off to a banner start in flubbing my goals for the year...

I will miss at least two of the ten for sure (marathon and race every month) and a couple of others are looking shaky.... (5 races of over 10 miles and racing out of state at the top of that list)

The question in my mind is does it really matter? The marathon goal hurt for about a day, but a lot of that was just pain from flubbing my 18 mile training run :) The racing every month is less of an issue for me now too. I was using that to keep my running motivation high, but that seems to be pretty easy to do even without a race staring me in the face each month. My mileage goal is one that I really want to hit and I am in good shape with it so far. I have also been slack in my yoga/cross training goal, but that has been due to work schedules and right now I am happy to have a work schedule!

The biggest goal that I want to hit for sure is partly related to running and that is maintaining my Weight Watchers lifetime status. After Christmas I was right at my goal weight depending on the day and I am still pretty much there. I want to drop 5 to 10 pounds over the next month to get back to my low weight.

The good news is that I have races scheduled for March and April that will keep my training on schedule and with warm weather comes lots of outside work that will burn a few extra calories too. Hopefully when I do my official 'quarterly' review at the end of March I will be on target with the goals that are still in play.

What, you don't get Presiden'ts Day off?

I'm sorry if you don't get President's Day off. I never did until I went to work for my present company. I must admit that I like it! It cuts off the wait for Memorial Day a little bit and this seems like a good time for a holiday as we always have lots of little errands to run this time of year. For example, I'm sitting in the dentist office right now while the kids get their teeth cleaned....

Early on in my career, I got Good Friday off. I liked that a little more than President's Day because it was usually a little warmer then. I never got Memorial day off until the last 6 years or so. We seemed to have inherited that as more refugees from the north have moved in. Thanks for the gift guys. Memorial Day and bagels were two pretty good imports from the north.

I always thought it was funny that in summer school in college we always got the 4th of July off if it was on a weekday. However, we had to go to class the next Saturday to make up for it. I never understood that.

Well, I do plan on spending some of my day off running. We are heading out to see 'The Pink Panther 2' and then I am going to run before supper. I hope to get in 7+ miles to get week off to a good start.

Still on target....

I ran with Lee again today. I think it is pretty fun when we can do it. So far, I am over half way to my monthly goal of eclipsing 100 miles. Obviously February presents the biggest challenge being the shortest month, so if I make it through this one I hope to be OK.

I have no clue as to what the weather is supposed to do this week, but I know tomorrow is a family day so I hope to get a run in but I am not going to push too hard to get it done. I'll probably at least go to the gym if I don't get a run in. Ideally, I would get up in time to run before we get going tomorrow, but I doubt that will happen.

I am starting to get a little paranoid about losing some of my aerobic base since I haven't had a long run since my failed 18 miler. I need to get a 10 miler in this week and start building for my half marathon at the end of April. I want to get at least on 16 miler in before that race.

Nothing really earth shattering today... I got some new compression shirts for V-Day and I am very happy about that.

Hmmmm. Not so good excuses today....

I probably could have squeezed a run in today, but I didn't try hard enough. I'm trying to fight off a mile sinus infection and really didn't feel like pounding the pavement today. I'll definitely go tomorrow since I am only working half a day. I may even shoot for a long run and try to get 10 or more miles in since I won't have any time constraints.

I understand why we have such an obesity problem in this country. We have more holidays/events dedicated to food and beverages than I would have believed before I lost weight. I can't seem to go more than 3 weeks or so without a major eating event...

A quick glance at the calendar covers every month....

January: New Years Day (bowl games plus big meal), Super Bowl Sunday
February: Valentines Day (Yes, I shoveled 4 mini Baby Ruth's tonight)
March: St. Pattys Day (Corned Beef and Beer, yeah throw in some sweets too), NCAA Tourney
April: Lee's Birthday, our Anniversary, Masters weekend
May: Memorial Day cookouts, Mothers Day
June: Swim Meets = Late Night Pizza Binges, The Beach
July: The Beach Continued including July 4th
August: My birthday (just send cash, thanks in advance)
September: Labor Day, Football Tailgating
October: Football tailgating, Julian's Birthday & Halloween
November: Bobby's Birthday, Football Tailgating and of course the big one: Thanksgiving
December: Do I even need to go there... A month of food...

Yes, it is a good thing I took up running. I think if I run to and from all these events I might be able to survive and keep the weight off!

Good excuses for missing a workout...

It takes a lot for me to miss a workout. Usually illness or injury is required for me to skip a workout. Sometimes weather will prevent one, but I'll usually at least go to the gym. Today was one of those days where life just got in the way.

I spent the whole day working on an issue for a client that ended up being tied to the client having the wrong version of Microsoft SQL Server. I was glad to finally figure out that I hadn't done anything wrong but still upset that I had spent the whole day on it. Anyway, I skipped lunch so no workout then and after work I got the kids to church and did my usual stint with the 5th and 6th graders. After we got home, I helped young son with a project and checked young daughters math. All in all it was a nice, yet busy day. However there was no time to work out. :(

Too nice not to run....

I was going to hit the gym today for some cross training, but it was just too nice outside to stay in. I had a great run as my ADD mind was able to jump from idea to idea without interruption for a little over 7 miles. It is amazing how easy a run can be when your mind relaxes and just goes into a zone of brainstorming and free thinking.

When I hit mile 5, I was really kind of sad thinking I only had 2 left. This was the perfect day for a long run and I wish I had time to get one in. One thing I really enjoy is that on my 'normal' route I cross in front of a McDonalds and a Jack In The Box. I really enjoy thinking about how different my life is now versus 16 months ago. I can't remember the last time I ate at McDonalds. I know I ate at Jack In The Box on Thanksgiving day (We had our big meal at night this year). I still crave a few fries now and then, but I really don't miss it. I never thought I could say that!

Get out and enjoy this weather!