Today's Long Run

I enjoyed this morning's 10 mile long run/walk with the Galloway group a lot. We had a planned route in Cary that's famous for little shade and much concrete (lots of sidewalk running), but our group leader (who's from Cary) decided to take us on a different route that included Bond Park. Very nice! I was able to keep up with the group most of the time, and it showed in my pace, the fastest average pace I've had in 3 weeks! I ended up with 10 miles in 3 hours, an 18 min./mile average pace. Yes, I know some people walk faster than that, so it's a minor victory, but I'm gonna take it and run! (Okay, maybe I'll run/walk!)

Our group leader invited us over to her nearby home for a pool party afterward, which was a treat! In addition to inviting our pace group, she included some other Galloway runners, and it was such a nice chance to socialize and cool off at the same time.

Friday Workout

1) Walked 1.1 mile (20 min) on the treadmill
2) Rode 2.65 miles (15 min) on the recumbent bike

Had a pretty easy workout today, hope it helps me to be more energetic tomorrow for my scheduled 10-mile long run with the Galloway group. My non-running workouts have been a little punier this week--though my runs have been good. I wonder if that'll make a difference.

I made it back to Yoga for Athletes on Wednesday night, and haven't been as sore as I was last week. Not sure if it's because I'm stronger and more limber, or if I didn't push myself as hard this time. We did work on some different moves, so it's hard to tell.

I started measuring and tracking my food this morning. It's a bit of a pain, but I think it'll be worth it.

UPDATE: Took a 17 minute (0.84 mile) walk break at work. I should do that more often!

Just the Bike

I went to the gym and rode 6.81 miles (40 minutes) on the recumbent bike. Between yesterday morning's run, last night's yoga class, and getting to bed at midnight, I'm tired this morning! I hope to get some walking in this afternoon, though.

Meanwhile, I need to figure out how to get George and me to bed earlier at night on a regular basis. Well, I'm not really responsible for George's bedtime, but it sure helps when we're in sync about going to bed. He's such a night owl, and I used to be, but I'm a lot more fresh when I get to bed earlier! Help!

Umstead's the Charm

Well, I decided to return to Umstead State Park for my run this morning, to see if going back would be enjoyable. I was a little wary of the bugs, since I have two big bug (horse flies, I think!) bites on my legs from Monday! I'm so glad I went back, as I had another good run, this time sans bugs, and I had an even better average pace today than Monday! Plus, I went a little farther! Can you tell I'm excited?!

I also listened to music instead of podcasts today, and I think the songs on my workout playlist helped me pick up the pace a little.

On my way home, I stopped at the gym and rode the recumbent bike for a bit. Final result:

1) Ran/walked 2.13 miles in 36 minutes
2) Rode 2 miles in 11:11 minutes on the recumbent bike

Back on the Bike

This morning I went to the gym and rode 5.27 miles (30 minutes) on the recumbent bike. I have a scratchy throat and am a little tired this morning, so I'm glad I took it easy at the gym. I hope the sore throat is nothing serious. Heading to work, will see how it goes.

Thanks, Umstead!

I decided to get one of my mid-week runs in this morning, eventhough I'm still a little sore from the weekend. I got in the car, and decided what I need was a change of scenery from the gym and my normal running route. So, I headed to Umstead State Park! Man, what a nice change of scenery that was! It had rained in the night, so the trees and plants had that nice, post-rain-uber-green look to them. There was very little car traffic, so I had the park almost to myself. I listened to music, which as a nice change of pace from the usual podcasts too. The only out-of-the-ordinary thing was that these big, winged buggy things started coming after me after I turned around. (I think a couple of them were tag teaming me!) I tried to outrun them for a while, and thought I'd succeeded, but I learned the hard way that there was one still one me when I sat down in the car! (Yikes!)

After I got Big Buzz out of my car, I headed for the gym, and got a 2.32 mile (13 minutes) bike ride to go with my run/walk (1.94 miles, 33 minutes) in the park. Ahhh, I'm feeling better today!

Walk Today

I woke up pretty tired and sore, so I did a leisurely 2.44 mile walk outside in 52 minutes. It was sunny and slightly windy, a beautiful morning that lifted my spirits!

Yesterday's Long Run

While I was out walking this morning, I realized I never got around to posting about yesterday's long run with the Galloway group. Part of it, I think, is that I'm starting to feel and sound like a broken record! I ended up at the back of the pack AGAIN! Man, it's discouraging! I did go 12.5 miles, but in 3:48:00. (Okay, it's a bit of an estimate--but a darn good one, based on several Garmin Forerunner comparisons. I'd forgotten to turn mine back on after a water stop once.) Average pace stunk again! *banging head against palm of hand* Okay, I'm pouting about it again! For a little motivation this morning, I pre-ordered a paperback copy of Dean Karnazes' 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days--and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!
Have any of you read it?

After the run/walk that lasted forever, George and I joined some of the Galloway group at the Panera on Six Forks Rd., and a guy walked by on these strange leg-things. (See the picture above.) We were curious, so we all ended up having a nice conversation with him. The leg things, it turns out, are called power risers, and he walks around on them for exercise! He was very trim, so he was a good spokesperson for them. Here's a video from YouTube, demonstrating them.