Where ever you are and however you're celebrating I wish you the best in 2009.
We just got home this week from celebrating Christmas in Florida with all the family(17). What a nice trip, the weather was perfect and it was great to have everyone together.
I managed a run with Katy, Jenny and Amy the day after Christmas . Katy and I did 4 miles and Jenny and Amy each ran their own distance. Afterwards we all had waffles for breakfast.
I wanted to be good and get my long run in so I won't get a lump of coal in my stocking. I put my Smart Wool socks on since this was going to longer than what I usually do. My schedule had 7 miles for today( actually tomorrow) and I tried to figure out what would come close without going out of the neighborhood. Missed by .40, I did 6.60.
What a beautiful day.The sun was out for the first time in 3 days, the fog had lifted and the temperature was a nice 61. I had a tempo run on my schedule for today. What the hell, I had never done one of these but there is always a first for everything.
It's a good thing I have worked out the last three days because I had chocolate iced Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting on my counter this morning. Now there are several people in my family that love doughnuts(you know who you are) and we can't pass a good doughnut up. Not only could I not pass up a doughnut I had two. And that's not a good thing.
To Kathryn, Jodi and Jenny good luck on your half today .
I was suppose to do speed work with a distance of 5 miles including a warm up , 2x mailto:1600@12:30 w/800 jogs, and cool down.
My gosh I can't believe how cold it is getting out. I went to the gym to train this morning and the temp was around 65.
After being off for a week because of an injury I decided to go to the gym and do a very light workout. I figured my best bet was to use the treadmill, mostly walking but with some running added. I did 1.50 miles and everything seems to be fine. On my schedule for today I was to rest or cross train.
I could have used a cane today as I hobbled out of bed and to the kitchen for my morning coffee. My schedule has a run for today but I'm going to do it on Friday or Saturday. It'll depend on how my leg is doing.
Yesterday afternoon I made some gingerbread cookies from an old recipe of my grandmothers. It's the kind of cookie that is soft and oh so good and reminds you of the holidays with that wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen. I know what's this got to do with running? Well last night my leg started to bother me and this morning it was hurting even to walk on. I figured all that standing in the kitchen must have done something to my leg. You weren't going to hear me say " run, run as fast as you can..."
Today was my official start to my training for the half in March. I was suppose to do an easy run with a distance of 2 miles at a pace of 14:51. I wanted to run outside because I like it better and also to get some vitamin D, which according to the news we are deficient in.
Where have I been for the last two days ? I was working at Foot Solutions. I found it interesting that a lady came in and wanted new shoes right before she is going to run a marathon. She is running the White Rock Marathon in 2 weeks. I don't think I would be getting new shoes before a big race. Not only did she get new shoes she also bought inserts to go in them.
Like everyone else this morning, we headed down to Dallas for the Turkey Trot. This is one of the biggest Trots in the country. This year there were around 34,00 runners. Some were doing the 3 mile fun run and others the 8 mile not so fun run.
The dogs were signed up for the fun run and were given bibs and scarves. Cocoa was anxious to get started but she had to wait for the 8 mile runners to go first.
Here's a picture of the runners for the 8 mile waiting for the horn. I thought I got a better start this year but still got bumped and pushed with runners trying to weave their way out of the pack. I felt like I was doing good and kept thinking about how Tonya and Katy pushed my pace. There were more hills then I remembered and some of these I had to walk. This year I had my sports beans so I didn't have to look for any used gels on the ground.
After the finish I found my family. They were standing at the finish line waiting for me to come in. They didn't know I had finished.
Yesterday and today I was at the gym training. We worked on shoulders, back and abs. Of course while I was working out I was thinking about all I had do to get ready for the turkey dinner and the turkey trot. I don't know which is harder to prepare for.
It was feeling like Fall this morning when I finally got out the door to go for me run. Almost lost my hat and was wishing I had worn gloves. This is good practice for the Trot this Thursday. I guess I need to be prepared for anything.I changed my course a bit and it shortened my run by about a mile.
Sunday morning and it was cold and windy. We were up at 5, ate a bagel with peanut butter and had some coffee. Tonya and Loretta were going to follow us to the race site.
Tonya, Katy and me before the race. As you can see the sun isn't even up yet. The only thing bright in the picture are Katy's pink shoes. They are the Newton running shoes I mentioned a few weeks ago. She was trying them out in this race.We had some coffee from Starbucks and they were even giving out oatmeal. That was a nice treat on a cold morning. By the time we got lined up the sun was starting to come out. There were 17oo (mostly women) who signed up for this inaugural race, 500 were doing the 5K. I did spot a guy with a blonde wig and a pink tutu. His hair looked better than mine. Katy and Tonya were nice enough to stay with me and actually pushed me a little harder than what I would have done. The course made a big loop with a straight down and u-turn back into the loop. It was at this point mile 2 that I needed a bathroom. We spotted a Starbucks so I headed over to it and they kept going. I rejoined them and we finished the race.
As we crossed the finish line we were handed a jewelry box and inside was our necklace. On the oval charm it says Atlanta Zooma 11.16.08
Our first race for the weekend was the Warrior Way at North Cobb High School. Riley, Katy and I went over on Friday night to pick up our race packets. We loved the shirts! This also gave us a chance to check out the course. Hills, hills and hills. The first mile is up hill then you come down and turn left into a park which you loop around. I saw Katy and Tonya half way through the loop when I was turning in. As I was coming out of the park Michelle and Riley had started in. Once out of the park you have another steep hill to go up and then the last mile is down hill. At the bottom we turned right and headed behind the school to the track where we finished. My Garmin had quit on me at the start of the race so I had no idea how I was doing but as I entered the track someone said " you're at 38 minutes" that got me moving. I finished in 38:32 a PR for me. Katy and Tonya were there to cheer me on and then we waited for Michelle and Riley to show up. Riley had a strong finish. We were all really proud of her and what she has accomplished.
We're up early, eaten our bananas, had some peanut butter and are ready to leave. This is Riley's first 5K so we are all excited.
There are around 300 runners. We find a spot to line up and wait for the start. The morning is cool and damp from the rain the night before.
Riley and Michelle are behind us. They are going to walk with some running.
The track where we finished .
Katy, Michelle, Riley, me and Tonya pose for a picture after the race.
Here is Riley getting her medal for third place in her age group. Way to go Riley!
My turn for a medal. I took first place but I think I was the only one in my age group. When you get to be my age there isn't a lot of competition.
Today was my last workout before my races this weekend. Tomorrow I fly to Georgia to run The Warrior Way 5K in Kennesaw on Saturday and then on Sunday The Zooma in Atlanta.
Sword Beach in Normandy
I didn't want to be a turkey today and miss my run, but is was a little cold this morning. I waited until 12:30 and then went out. I took the usual trail through the neighborhood. About the time I hit the old path I was thirsty and wishing I had brought some water with me. You know what they say " be careful what you wish for.' As I was running down this hill I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. A bottle of water! It didn't look like it had been open so I scooped it up, uncapped it and poured some in my mouth. It hit the spot. I usually don't do this but I was thirsty. Last year during the Dallas turkey trot I was sooo thirsty and hungry I considered picking up a discarded gel pack on the ground and squeezing the last remains out of it.
This coming weekend I will be going to Atlanta to run in two 5K races. One is for my granddaughter's high school and the other is the Zooma Women's Race.
Miles today 4.77
Miles for week 16.32
One thing I'm enjoying about running outside this time of year is the beautiful Fall colors. This morning I went out for my run and some of the trees are simply gorgeous. I did the usual trail from my house running down past the tennis courts than up to the trail that runs through the field. If I'm lucky some days I see the roadrunners out. Then I go back into the neighborhood and try to make it up the killer hill. Down the hill and on the old path and heading home.
Total miles 4.87
As I was doing my run this morning I noticed a lot of very busy ants. It got me thinking about how training for a race is a lot like the Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper.You can be like the ant and follow your schedule and do all your runs and workouts and when it is time for the race you'll be ready. On the other hand you can blow off workouts or have excuses why you can't run and when it's race time you may not be prepared to run a good race.
It was a beautiful morning and Allie and I headed over to the soccer fields in Plano. She had to be there 45 minutes before her game and that gave me the chance to get my run in. There was a slight breeze and plenty of shade on the trail. My first mile I did in 11:36, not too bad. By the time I finished my run the game had started and I got there in time to see their team make a goal. Sadly they did not win the game.
I had to get my run in today but first I was having coffee with my friend. Since it was Halloween we shared a piece of pumpkin bread and caught up on her news.When I got home I changed into my running clothes and got ready to go out. I ended up doing a short run because my abs were really hurting from yesterdays workout.
It seemed like it has been longer than a week since I last worked out but I was scheduled to go today. Katie decided it was time for a 30 minute core workout. Damn, how many leg lifts and sit ups can some one do? By the time I was finished I was feeling it. I guess that's a sign of a good workout.
Last week I was in Florida to babysit while Jenny and Mark ran the Niagara Falls Marathon. My first day there she said I could go with her to pick up the boys from school. I had my choice of Mark's bike or Jenny's. I took the one with the basket. I don't feel very steady on a bike but I forged ahead following her to the school and than home again. I figured that was my exercise for Wednesday
Thursday was running day and we decided to stay in her neighborhood. It was a warm day and we agreed she would do her run and I would be behind doing mine. I guess I was a little slow because when I was nearing her house she had come out to look for me.
Friday I walked to the boys school to pick them up and then walked home. Andy wanted to run home but I said it was too hot and we were walking.
The rest of the week I took off. I figured i was getting enough exercise going up and down her stairs. :)
Miles for week : Wed. 2
Thurs 3:88
Fri 2 for a total of 7:88
Sometimes you have to change things up and do it a little different. I had gym day and it was back and biceps, nothing too hard. After my workout I started to head home. I was feeling guilty that I didn't stay at the gym and do cardio, but I had a lot to do today. On my drive home I thought, why not go to the park and do my run. Granted I didn't have my Garmin, I didn't have my i-pod, I didn't have my favorite pair of running shoes on and I had long pants on but what the heck.
It was such a beautiful day and I wasn't suppose to run but decided to take a walk and enjoy the nice Fall weather.
Jenny for talking me into going for my run early instead of waiting and doing it before the soccer game. Thank you.
Where have I been all week? On Tuesday I had training. It was triceps, chest and abs. After training I worked at the shoe store.
This morning I headed out on my usual trail for my run. It was suppose to be cooler today but I couldn't tell any difference. I noticed my Garmin wasn't tracking the miles right. I thought I had reset it, but maybe not. The next thing I noticed was the sky was getting very dark in the West. Looked like it could rain but I was sure it wouldn't happen until later today so decided to go on and not turn back. I had just made it up the big hill when the wind picked up and the leaves started coming down and then it happened. Rain, it started coming down. At first I thought this was great, it was cooling me off, then it became annoying. My hat was wet, my glasses were fogging up and I was afraid I would slip on the wet leaves on the pavement. I kept running, what choice did I have, I had to get home and I had no phone to call for a ride. That's the thing about running once you are out there you just have to keep going. I finished with about 4:45 miles for the day.
if you eat lousy the night before a run, you will run lousy. I didn't feel like I was at my best this morning and in trying to figure out why I realized I ate a lot of junk food yesterday.
