Wednesday Workout

1) Rode 2.08 miles (15:01 min) on the recumbent bike
2) Ran 1.36 miles (20 min) on the treadmill
3) Walked 0.65 mile (11:03 min) at a 1% incline on the treadmill
4) Ran 0.76 mile (11:02 min) on the treadmill

I tried out my new running shoes today, trying to decide if I should wear them Saturday, or stay with my old ones. Same shoe model, just new. They felt good.

Treadmill Run

I hopped on the treadmill this morning and had a good run, 4.27 miles in 62 minutes. It felt good to run in air conditioning and have an easier time pushing the pace. Okay, I'm a wuss this morning, but I just wanted to get some easy mileage in! :D

Saturday's weather forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain, okay with me as long as it doesn't actually rain! The course is mostly on dirt trails, and I'm not interested in mud! But overcast, that would be great! Bring on the cloud cover!

Tired Workout

I thought I might run a little bit this morning, but ahhhh, I needed a rest. I was tempted to sleep in totally, but decided to go to the gym anyway. I rode 5.35 miles in 31 minutes on the recumbent bike. It was a tired ride, but I burned off a few calories!

Busy Exercise Morning

I started the day by running the Anna's Angel's 5K. (I'd registered to run the 10-miler, but decided earlier this week to back down to the 5K.) It was still raining a bit when I got there, but it slacked off, then stopped. It was still overcast and fairly cool, so I was happy about that. Still, it was just a so-so race for me, time-wise. I finished in a little over 47 minutes (still waiting for official time). It was a decent speed+miles workout for me, especially since I did 6 miles yesterday, but still, I'm a bit disappointed in my time. Need to work on my speed!!

So, after the race, I went to the gym, and rode 3.75 miles (21 min.) on the recumbent bike, then ran 1.12 miles (15:01 min) on the treadmill, while I brooded about my speed. The extra workout lifted my mood a bit!

One nice thing about the race--I got to see several fellow runners I know from Galloway, NC Roadrunners Club, races, and Web2.0 stuff. I always like running into other runners I know at races! :D

Short Long Run Today

This morning I ran 6.04 miles with the Galloway group, and I did it in 1:48:36. It was a pretty slow pace, but I was able to keep up with the group, and at the end, was even at the front of the pace group. It felt good to finish with the group, even if the pace was a little slower.

Our base mileage at this point is usually 10, but our small group today had various reasons for most of us being good with 6 today. (Two in our group kept going for 10, good for them!) I have a 5K tomorrow morning, so I'll push the pace then and see how I do. I'll finish up some mileage afterward, I hope, to round out 10 run/walk miles for the weekend.

Nice Thursday Run

I had a nice run in the Brier Creek Country Club neighborhood this morning! I ran/walked, usually at a 1:1 run/walk ratio, but sometimes I ran an extra minute or so. I ended up run/walking 3.68 miles in 60 minutes, for 16:17 average pace.

Mile Splits:
1) 16:47
2) 16:00
3) 16:32
.68) 10:41 (a 15:37 pace)

I enjoyed running into Brigitte while I was on the road! It's the first time I've seen her running by accident. Her bright smile boosted my pace a little, I think! :)

Light Bike Ride

This morning, I rode 5.52 miles in 41:01 minutes on the recumbent bike. I'm tired this morning, after having post-work meetings the past two nights, in addition to yesterday's speedier pace. I'm already thinking ahead to the marathon on October 3, and how I need to get more rest between now and then.

Just Runnin' in the Rain

I had a delightful run in the rain this morning, and to think I almost took a rest day! I overslept, feeling tired this morning, but I decided I'd go do SOMETHING at the gym. When I stepped outside, it felt so nice that I decided to run afterall. I ended up running 2 mile outdoors in 31:33, a 15:48 average pace, pretty decent for me outdoors lately. By the time I started running, it was starting to sprinkle, so I left the Garmin in the car, and both the rain and the quiet were refreshing.

After the run, I went inside the gym and rode 5.37 miles in 30:01 min. on the recumbent bike.

Monday Workout

1) Rode 5.2 miles in 35:03 minutes on the recumbent bike
2) Did 0.80 miles in 10:17 minutes on the elliptical machine
3) Walked 0.33 miles in 6:02 minutes on the treadmill

Still a bit tired from the weekend running and Rosh Hashanah services on both Saturday and Sunday, plus megacleaning our apartment last evening for a meeting at our place after work. Extra rest is not coming easily for me these days, which is a little worrisome, since I'm feeling pretty tired overall from pushing the running. *sigh*

Recovery Workout

This morning I did a short workout: 3.11 miles in 20 minutes on the recumbent bike, then 1.08 miles in 15 minutes on the treadmill. Probably would've gone longer if I hadn't had other plans for this morning. In retrospect, I feel like it was just the right amount of time. I've been pretty tired today.

I got an email back from the contact person for the Anna's Angels races next Sunday, and I will be able to switch from the 10 miler to the 5K if I want to. I think I'll probably do that! Whew! I don't think I want to be racing 10 miles six days before a marathon--what was I thinking?!

Hooray for Long Run Progress!

I had a 10 mile run scheduled for this morning, and almost backed out, or made it shorter, but I stuck it out and am glad I did! Yay! I ended up running the 10 at Shelley Lake in Raleigh in 2:57:42, a 17:46 average pace, the best Saturday long run training pace I've had since June, and that was when I was still building up to 10 miles (but hadn't made it yet)! I even had several sub-16 min. miles this morning!

All of this on about 4.5 hours sleep, to boot! Long day yesterday, plus George and I found out late that we were going to have to join his family for Rosh Hashanah services mid-morning. So, we started running early, though not as early as we'd planned. The first mile was a little tentative because it was so dark outside, and it had been raining, so it was a little hard to tell if the dark spots on the path were just leaves, or water puddles, or perhaps slippery mud/leaves/debris.

After about three miles, we took a pit stop at McDonald's, then George took off sooner and a bit faster, and I went at my own speed, sometimes doing 1:1 run/walk, sometimes doing extra running minutes. We met at McDonald's on the way back and ran/walked the final three miles together.

My mile splits:
1) 19:32
2) 16:44
3) 17:44
4) 16:56
5) 17:32
6) 17:36
7) 16:57
8) 18:29
9) 17:50
10) 18:17

Light Ride

I went back to the gym this morning, and rode 5.25 miles in 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. I was torn between taking a rest day, since I'm still kinda tired and have a 10 miler scheduled for tomorrow, and getting some exercise in hopes that getting the blood flowing might perk me up a little. On the back end, I'm not sure I did the right thing by going to the gym, but there it is.

Tomorrow's 10-miler may be a bit shorter, we'll see how I feel on the roads. I'm gonna get out there and do something though, as I need to keep up my endurance.

Back on the Bike

The recumbent bike seems to be my new best friend! While I am feeling better, I still seem to be in a bit of recovery mode from last weekend's running. I eyeballed the treadmill this morning, but just couldn't get back on it yet. So I rode 7.o1 miles in 46:02 minutes on the recumbent bike. I'll be running again soon, I know!

Catching up

Okay, I DID exercise yesterday, but wasn't in the blogging mood. I was still feeling pooped from the weekend, mostly, and felt like I did well to make it to the gym! I rode 4.63 miles in 36 minutes on the recumbent bike. Nothing spectacular. Bleh.

I had a 9:15 appointment with the orthopaedist yesterday to follow up on the IT Band Syndrome from the spring. She was glad to hear the leg is better, and was encouraging of my continuing to train for the marathon.

This morning, I headed for the gym again, planning to run some on the treadmill. I got there, and decided I couldn't pass up the cool temps and the big gray clouds. I was glad I had my Garmin Forerunner with me....I just put it on and started running in the neighborhood near my gym. It felt great to be outside, even if I still felt tired. My left foot's tender too, between the healing blister and the plantar fasciitis. I ended up going 1.75 miles in 31:12 minutes, pretty darn slow, but a good, head-clearing run/walk.

Afterward, I went inside the gym (finally!), and rode 5.81 miles in 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. Okay, my legs are a little sore from THAT! (It was a bit faster than I usually go!)

Ouch!

Okay, I am tired this morning. And sore. I think the adrenaline wore off overnight, and now I'm just beat! I did make it to the gym this morning, where I rode 6.73 miles in 41:01 minutes. *sigh*

I did eat better after this weekend's runs. I also took an ice bath almost immediately after I got home on Saturday. Still pretty tired, though. I also acquired three blisters from Saturday's running. Only one of them hurts, but that's plenty!! I'm a bit of a baby over blisters, partly because I don't get them very often (thank goodness!). I'm hoping it heals quickly.

Another Magnificent Mile!

I enjoyed last year's Magnificent Mile Race in Raleigh, NC, so much, that back in May, I registered for this year's Magnificent Mile, which was this afternoon! Little did I know in May that my training schedule would call for such a busy training weekend, but I had a good time anyway!

One of the highlights of the afternoon was meeting Sarah Witt, and her husband Jeff, before the race started! Sarah, a former runner, started the Mag Mile in 2006 to help raise money for monor neuron disease research, and has inspired so many people! (A little more about her story here.)

I was able to meet and chat with several other running buddies before and after the race, including Barbara, Pauline, Louise, and Ray. That's one of the things I love about running road races in the area--getting to see and encourage each other at these events!

Since I knew I'd be starting this race with the remnants of a cold, plus 20 miles on my legs from yesterdat, my expectations weren't very high. I was hoping to beat 15 minutes--seriously! I did a 1:1 run/walk ratio so I wouldn't die on the course, and ended up running the last bit, which was downhill--thank goodness! I ended up finishing better than I expected, 13:37 I think (best I could tell without my reading glasses). I finished last in the competitive division, but I'm not gonna let myself get discouraged about my time or my finishing place. I could've left a little more out on the course, I suppose, but not a whole lot, after yesterday's training run. My training is a work in progress, after all.

Next year!

First 20-Mile Day, including the Mebane on the Move 10K

I covered 20.10 miles today in 6:14:08, an average 18:37 pace when put all together! I started with a 1.1 mile walk warmup, then my first 10K in about 25 years! It was George's first 10K ever, so it was fun to be participating in the race with him! I finished in 1:39:11 (16 min. average), and he ran in 1:23:14--yay for George! :) It was a pretty course through a fairly small town, but it did have some unexpected hills. I was the last one to finish the 10K, and ended up merging a bit at the end with the kids and their parents in the Mad Dash--it was kinda cute, really!

I enjoyed meeting one of my Facebook buddies, Skylar, before the race. We also ran into Brad, current president of the North Carolina Roadrunners Club, and he took a couple of good pictures for us, one of George and me before the race, and another of me nearing the finish line! :) To top things off, we ran into a Duke classmate of mine, Greg, who lives in Mebane now. It was fun to catch up a tad and introduce him to George.

Afterward, I drove to the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, and finished off the mileage. It started out well, but then I sagged big time. George came to join me for the final miles, and his company (plus the water and cup of ice he brought) really saved the day! :) We finished with a good bit of walking, but we really picked up the walking pace for the last 5 miles or so. It felt good to finish strong, even if it was walking. Today's overall pace for the total 20.1o miles was faster than last week's 10 miler, as well as the 18-miler from two weeks ago. Of course, pushing myself in the 10K this morning helped with the average, and I did have a bit of a rest in the car, driving from Mebane to Durham to finish the mileage, but I'll take it--especially since I've been under the weather a little bit this week.

More Bike Time, Plus Garmin News

I went to the gym this morning and did an easygoing hour on the recumbent bike, covering 10.45 miles. My throat was a bit scratchy when I started, and I was hoping the exercise would scare it off, but no such luck. So, I decided to take a sick day today, and got lots of extra rest. I never did get any fever worth mentioning, but tonight, my throat still hurts, and my nose is getting stopped up. I wonder if it's sinusitis. Charming.

Meanwhile, my new Garmin Forerunner arrived today! Yippee! Just after it arrived via UPS, I decided to call the Garmin support number about my broken Garmin, curious about whether or not I'd thrown away money for the new running toy. The Garmin support guy was very patient, leading me through different things to try, and finally gave me the news that the internal battery was dead. I found out that I could send it back and get a replacement for $69! Heck of a deal! It turns out that George was thinking about getting a Garmin Forerunner, but was hesitant because of the price. Now he's paying the one they're sending back to me in a few days, so he'll have one too! Woohoo!

More Treadmill Running

My new Garmin Forerunner hasn't arrived yet, so I headed for the gym.

1) Ran/walked 2.5 miles in 36:12 minutes on the treadmill
2) Rode 4.4 miles in 25:09 minutes on the recumbent bike

I miss running outside, but am enjoying the improvement in my average running pace. The plantar fasciitis is still bothering me some, but I'm working on it. Finally got hold of the foot stretcher thingy, which had been delivered to the apartment complex front office. I tried it last night, and am a little awkward with it right now.

Light Bike Ride

This morning I rode the recumbent bike for 8.06 miles in 51:02 minutes. Not gonna light the world on fire with this workout, but it was something. I'm a little sore and tired from yesterday's treadmill run, so I'll chalk this up to a bit of a recovery workout.

Meanwhile, I checked Amazon this morning for the tracking of my plantar fasciitis toy, and it turns out UPS delivered it to the front office of my apartment complex Saturday morning after they tried delivering it to my front door. They didn't mention that on the sticker they left on my front door! The sticker said they'd try to redeliver today! I was in the process of signing the back of the UPS sticker to leave on my front door before I left for work, when I decided to check the tracking info out of curiosity. It's been a few yards from my apartment for TWO DAYS!! I could've been using it!!!! Arrrggghhhhh! *sigh*

Good Workout at UNC Wellness Center

I decided to visit UNC Wellness Center after sleeping in a bit on this Labor Day Monday. I ran/walked 2.5 miles in 35:21 minutes on the treadmill, a zippy (For me! I'm serious!) 14:08 average pace, then just walked 1.53 miles in 25:06 minutes, still on the treadmill. I really worked up a sweat!

Afterward, I enjoyed the sauna, whirlpool. and swimming pool there for about 30 minutes total. Now I'm ready for a holiday afternoon nap!

Light Workout

1) Walked 1.77 miles (30 min) on the treadmill
2) Rode 2.15 miles (12 min) on the recumbent bike

Had planned to do some treadmill running, but decided to pass. My legs and body are still pretty tired from yesterday's run, followed by an employee cookout and season-opening football game at Duke. George and I only had about 30 minutes at home between about 7 AM and 10 PM yesterday, and that half hour was spend rushing to shower and get ready for the afternoon and evening events. All good, but I've been pooped today.

Yesterday's 10-Miler

I did arond 10 miles yesterday, but it was such a Murphy' Law morning, that I'm tempted not to post about it.

George and I decided to run on our own, instead of with the Galloway group. We overslept, then George decided he needed new shoes before he ran. We went to Raleigh so he could buy new shoes. Extra late start. Then, we went on a route that George had seen part of and wanted to try. I was hesitant, since I lean toward running routes I'm very familiar with. Since I admire George's adventurous spirit, I decided I'd try his route with him. Part of the path was nice and shaded, but part was all sun (which was way up by then), and part of this route had no path at all, but was running along some major roads and state highways. Some of that grass was mowed, some hadn't been in a while. George enjoyed forging ahead on this sort of route, in a Daniel Boone sort of way. It irritated me a lot yesterday morning, perhaps more than it should have!!

To top it off, my Garmin Forerunner started acting up, and then totally died around mile #7. Before that, the plantar fasciitis in my left foot started acting up AGAIN, probably from last week's increased mileage. Grrrr! So, I was slower than usual, to boot.

To add to the frustration, when we got home, I had a UPS sticker on my door! Aarrrrghhh! I started feeling the plantar fasciitis earlier this week, so Friday I ordered a foot stretcher thing to help with the plantar fasciitis, and paid EXTRA to have it delivered Next Day (which was yesterday). Turns out that paying for the extra fast service meant I needed to sign for it at delivery, and they won't redeliver it until TUESDAY!

Okay, I DID get out and do the 10 miles to stay on my training schedule. The whole experience just left me stressed out when running is supposed to relieve stress. &^@Q$$!!*!*\^@^@*#$@

Yesterday's Run=Rest Day Today!

Yesterday I returned to the trails of Umstead State Park, and ran a sluggish 3.03 miles in 56:02 minutes. The weather was glorious, but the run was a tough one for me. I knew it would be hilly, and wanted the hills and trail practice, but my body didn't cooperate very well. I got slower with each mile, unlike the negative splits in other recent runs. I'm still feeling fatigued from last weekend's 18-miler, eventhough I've gotten more sleep this week than I have in a while. It's kinda thrown me for a loop, really, this slow recovery from a run, eventhough it WAS a personal distance record for me. I need to work on ways to recover more quickly.

So, today is a REST day! Maybe I should've taken one of these rest days earlier in the week! Usually, I'm a little antsy on rest days from exercise (unless I'm actually sick), but today I'm happy as a clam to be leaving the running shoes under the bed. Tomorrow's soon enough.

Biking at the Gym

I hit the gym this morning and spent the whole hour riding the recumbent bike. It was a pretty slow and easy 10.12 miles in 60 minutes. I got a ton of sleep last night, but still feel like my body's in recovery mode from the 18-miler. I don't think I felt the residual tiredness this long after 16 miles. I did push the 18 miles a little faster, though. Maybe that's part of it.

On the Road Again

Eventhough I woke up tired, I decided to do an easy run today. I was going to go run on the treadmill in the air conditioned gym, but when I realized how nice and cool it as outside, I decided to run outside at Brier Creek instead. I started out slowly, but eventually started feeling better and picking up the pace. I pretended that the last mile was my last mile of the marathon, and boy, that helped too! Negative splits again today! Woohoo! I averaged a 16:22 average pace today, not great, but okay considering I'm still recovering a bit from Saturday's 18-miler.

Mile Splits
1) 17:13
2) 17:07
3) 16:43
0.66) 8:57 (on target for a 13:28 mile)