Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Not as good as before

This past Saturday I did another 5k.  I was hoping that I would be able to run the whole thing like I had two weeks prior.  My legs felt otherwise.  When the gun went off (no chip start) I was in the middle of untying my shoe. I retied it as quick as I could and off I went running. 

A couple tenths in there was a hill.  I ran up the hill, but once at the top my shins and calves were screaming at me!  I kept running hoping they would work themselves out, but they kept on.  After half a mile I started to walk. There were several walkers in this race and they were all passing me once I started walking. I couldn't even walk at a normal speed my legs hurt so bad.

I walked a mile and a half and when I got to the 2 mile mark, my legs had finally stopped hurting and I decided I would run slowly the rest of the way in.  Jeremy met me with about a half a mile to go and ran the rest of the way with me.  I finished about 4-5 minutes slower than when I ran the whole distance two weeks before.  I'm not sure if that's good or not.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

It's Been Awhile.... Lots to Update

*After the half in May I took another break from running.  I despise running in the heat, so I didn't. 

*In late July/early August I did sign up for a 6 week water boot camp. I loved this class.  It really worked my arms and was a lot of fun.  With school starting back in September though I did not sign up for the next session.

*Since boot camp has been over I have ran/walked a couple times.   

*I drove one of our team vans for Bourbon Chase.   It was a 15 passenger van.  I was a little nervous, but she drove like a dream.  We had a blast!





*On November 2nd Jeremy was doing a full marathon in Indianapolis, so I decided to do the 5k to kill some time while I was waiting for him.   I ran the whole 5K on no training.  I was slow, but did not walk one time!  I am meeting a couple girls from work in the morning start the couch to 10k program with them.

*I signed up for another 5k this Saturday.  :)  Will run it all again.  I'm really trying to not focus on my times.  I enjoy running much more when I'm not competitive with myself. 


*Jeremy did awesome in his full!! He broke 4 hours, which he has wanted to do since he started training for his first full! 

*Lacey is a running machine and has ran a few races.  She loves to go running with Jeremy and gets very excited when he starts putting on his tennis shoes. 

*She just had her first birthday on November 1.  It's hard to believe it has almost been a year since she has been with us. 

I plan to post more now that I'm going to be running more.  We are planning on a full/half in March in Tennessee. Plus we are definitely doing a full/half in Hawaii in June and we might add another full/half in the fall maybe Georgia or Illinois.  Three in one year may be pushing it though, we will see. 

Monday, June 10, 2013

27 Hour Tri Recap

Our team name for the tri was "Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, and Dodge".  Our team captains brought dodgeballs and we made signs to hang on our tent.  See our team picture at the bottom of the post.

The 27 hour started Friday morning at 6am, thankfully in a heated outdoor pool.  There were 5 of us there and we each swam 30 minutes to complete the 2.5 hour swim portion. 

Next was the 12.5 hour bike. The course was on the Legacy Trail in Lexington and was absolutely gorgeous!  It was a 5 mile out and 5 back that looped around right in front of our team area so we could switch in and out as we needed too.  Not having been on a bike in over a year my butt was seriously sore after my first bike portion.  I rode again the last 20 minutes when the sun was setting.   I took a picture because like I said earlier it was beautiful. 



When the 12 hour run started our team walked the route together to know where it went, since the majority of this portion would be in the dark.  About 10pm or so I got in my sleeping bag on the ground and dozed on and off for a few hours.  I got up around 3am and walked 2 miles.  The last 20 minutes of the tri we walked the route again as a team to the finish line.  We were all still smiling when it was over!


 The reason it is 27 hours is for the 27 million people still enslaved around the world.  At the end of the month there will be the new numbers of how many people are enslaved.  The race director will let us know after the report has come out how long the tri will be next year.   We are hoping the number hasn't risen. 

Monday, June 3, 2013

A short break.....

Since the half I have taken a short break. I have walked one day in the last two weeks and have not run at all.  Which probably wasn't a good idea considering this weekend I am participating in a 27 hour triathlon.  There is a team of 8 of us and we each take turns for 27 hours swimming, biking, and running.  It is a 2.5 hour swim, 12.5 hour bike and a 12 hour run.  The swim is in a pool and there is a The nice thing is you can break it up among the people on your team however you want as long as there is only one person on the course at a time. 

I am meeting a friend tonight, who is also on the team, to swim.  I haven't swam or biked since March and then it was just for the indoor triathlon I did.  Which if you remember was the first time I had done either since before I broke my ankle.   The bike loop is 10 miles so I figure I can do a loop, rest a few hours then do another one since my bum won't be ready to ride a bike for any length of time. 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Woodford Wag 2K, Baseball, Beach Boys, and John Stamos

Saturday Jeremy and I took Lacey to the Woodford Wag.  There was a 5k for people only and a 2k for people and their pets.  Jeremy did the 5k and I did the 2K with Lacey.  Jeremy came in 2nd in his age group and the award was a dog tag.  Very fitting.  Lacey was a bit shy around the other dogs, but once we started walking she was fine.  On the way home she was one tired pup. Too much excitement for my little girl.



 
 
Sunday we met up with my three college roommates for a Reds game.  We had a great time catching up at lunch, dinner, and during the game.  The Beach Boys were playing a free concert after the game.  The best part was that John Stamos (you know Uncle Jessie from Full House) was there playing with them.  

 I didn't have a Reds shirt, so I just wore a "red" shirt.


We also got our pool up and going this weekend and spent yesterday relaxing poolside.  It was very chilly but oh so nice. 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Green Bay Half Marathon Recap

Jeremy and I have been planning on doing this half and full for some time now.  Jeremy is a huge Packers fan and ever since one of my best friends moved back to Wisconsin two years ago it has been on our list to do. 

We left Thursday after lunch and drove 10 hours to Katie's house.  She lives 20 minutes from Green Bay so it worked out perfectly to stay with her and also to not have to get a hotel room the night before the race.

Friday we went and toured Lambeau Field, which was also where packet pick up and the expo were.




Saturday we did some sightseeing.  We drove up and saw Lake Michigan.  Wisconsin is so flat and miles and miles of farmland.  We ate early and went to bed early. 




Sunday we got up and go to the race about an hour before it started.  Katie originally was going to do the half with her boyfriend but lack of training and farmwork kept him from participating, so Katie (who had not done more than 6 miles) was going to do the half with me. 

The first 8 miles we ran 7 minutes, walked 2 minutes.  After mile 8 though my back started tightening up and it got warm out!  We walked the last 5 miles.  Of course we talked the whole time, which was great!   Before the finish line, you run in the tunnel of Lambeau Field and run a lap around the stadium before heading back out to the finish line.  It was really cool to do this.  The rest of the race was through a lot of neighborhoods in Green Bay.  On the full course you do run by a river for several miles.




My goal for this race was to finish. I didnt' care about my time I just wanted to cross the finish line and put the 13.1 sticker on my car! 



Jeremy had a good race too but unfortunately didnt meet his goal of breaking 4 or getting a PR.  It was 77 degrees when he finished.  After training in the cold all  winter we decided that having a warm day on race day is not good for PR'ing.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Throo the Zoo 5K

This is a 5K that Jeremy and I have wanted to do for a few years, but there is a big race in our hometown on the same day.  This year was no different, however Jeremy's brother decided to have our nephew's 2nd birthday at the Louisville Zoo this year.  So we mentioned doing the race in conjunction with the party and the date was set. 

This is my first "real" 5k since I broke my ankle. I have walked a few but haven't ran in one.  I honestly hadn't planned on running this one, I had planned on walking it with Anna, but once we crossed the start mat she took off.   She pulled ahead about half a mile in but was within eyesight.  Then she decided to stop at the bathroom and I kept on going figuring she would catch up.  I walked at that point so I could put my headphones in. I walked one other time up a huge hill. I wanted to make it all the way up but after going over half way and turning a corner and seeing more hill, I decided to walk the rest of the way up.  I finished in 42:37 which I am really happy with.  In my long runs I had not done under a 15 min pace. 


Before the race

Anika also enjoyed the zoo


Lacey has been running quite a bit lately.  She has done several long runs with either me or Jeremy.  The most she has done so far at one time is 15 miles.  She almost always goes with him on his 5-6 mile week day runs.  She definitely needs the exercise or else she is running wild. The picture below is of her new favorite place in our yard. She loves to go to the top and watch what goes on in and outside our yard.



This weekend Jeremy and I are gong to Wisconsin for the Green Bay Full (him) and Half (me).  I also get to see one of my best friends that moved up there a couple years ago! I can't wait. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Run the Bluegrass 7 Miler

Saturday was the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon and 7 miler.  I signed up for the 7 miler since it would be a good race for me and would hit about half way through my half marathon training.  This course is notorious for being hilly.  When the owner of the local run shop says it's hilly, you KNOW it's hilly.

The weather was cooler than I expected and I was regretting my short sleeve shirt at the start, but after we took off I was glad I had made that decision.  I started with my couch to 10K workout of run 4, walk 2.  I was planning on doing that through the whole race. However, I quickly realized when I was running up the first hill, that that was NOT going to work.  My new strategy became walk up the hills and run down them.  I did this for most of them.  There were some that were so steep it took a little while after them to recover.

The sun was actually shining and the course was beautiful going by many of the horse farms in the area.  Around mile 10, the half marathons had joined back up with the 7 milers and I kept looking for some of my friends.  I saw James, John, and Eric first.  I knew Jeremy would be coming soon. About mile 12 he caught up to me.  We had talked about him finishing with me if he caught me but when he got to me he said he was doing good and wanted to know if he could go on.  Of course being the good wife that I am I said "Yeah, go on" and off he went.  After he finished he came back for me and ran the last half a mile in with me.   My friend Emily had also done the 7 mile race and she did fantastic!  She beat her goal time by 5 minutes.  I was super impressed, especially considering those hills!

Me and Emily
 
Jeremy and me
 
 
 After the half and 7 miler was over, they had a kids race that was .9 of a mile.  Jeremy volunteered to run with Anika.  She was so excited about running in a race and winning her medal.  

Ready to run!

Showing off our medals


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Orlando and a run of firsts

A couple days after the indoor triathlon my hip started hurting.  I tried to run a couple times, but would have to stop and ended up having to finish the distance walking. My 4 mile run became a 4 mile walk.  I went to the chiropractor and he got me all fixed up. 

Two weekends ago Jeremy and I went to Magic Kingdom and to Universal's Islands of Adventure to visit Harry Potter World.  Harry Potter World was great!  And Butter Beer (which is non-alcoholic I will add) was amazing! I had three!  We are already planning to go back!










I didnt run while we were down there. I was supposed to do 5 miles that weekend, but we seriously walked all day long for three days - one at Universal, one shopping, and one at Magic Kingdom. So I thought that made up for it.

This past weekend, my plan had me doing 6 miles since I have a 7 mile race this upcoming Saturday.  If you have ever read my blog or know me, you will know I HATE running in the rain.   I can count the times I've run in the rain during the past 3 years on one hand.  Saturday was going to be nice but we already had things planned.  Sunday called for a 70% chance of rain.  And of course we woke up to a downpour.  I looked at the map and it looked like it might be past us around 11am, so Jeremy and I decided to wait it out for a couple hours. 

11 o'clock came and it was still raining.  But I had told myself I was going to do this and with Lacey.  She has to be exercised or she is wound up all day and night long.  We started out and for the first mile I thought this had to be my worst idea ever and was planning on running a couple miles then I could go back to my house and do the rest on the treadmill.  After 2 miles though, the rain let up and it was just windy and cold.  I decided to continue on and even decided that as long as it wasn't raining I was going to do 7 miles, instead of the 6 that was on schedule.

Keep in mind since I broke my ankle I have not run more than 4 miles and as stated above that 4 miles ended up being a walk bc of my hip.  I ran/walked 7 miles and felt good! I wasn't concerned with my time.  On this run I realized I actually like running when I'm not worried about getting a certain time and I really like running with Lacey. She keeps my attention so I don't think about how much I don't like running in the rain or how slow I've become.
Lacey, finally worn out after a run.
 
 


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Catching Up and Indoor Triathlon Recap

Sorry I have been away so long from the blogging world.  I have been running and have finished week 6 of my couch to 10K program. I got a little behind in February with a lazy week, followed by hurting my already bad ankle.  But it is better now, nothing broken, just bruised. 

Jeremy and I have been running with Lacey as much as we can.  She isn't quite ready to run in town yet, so we have to go to the park with her. Jeremy has taken her on a couple 5 mile runs and she has done really well and is tired afterwards.  We have figured that for now 5 is her magic number of what it takes to get her to wear out. 

Sunday Emily and I took part in an indoor triathlon, the same one we did last year.  Unfortunately this year I did not prepare at all like I should have.  I had not swam or biked since early last summer before I broke my ankle and as previously stated February wasn't a great run month for me.  The swim was ok.  I was the next to fastest person there. I alternated between freestyle and backstroke because my arm muscles were on fire! Switching back and forth helped to give some of the muscle groups a break.  The bike was not pretty. They were on spin bikes and I had already planned on setting the resistance easy and going slow so I could finish and have some legs left for the run.  The run was 21.13 laps around the indoor track.  I decided to help me keep count and to be able to do my run/walk method I would walk 1 lap and run 2 and do that 7 times.  Jeremy was there to cheer me on and keep track of mine and Emily's laps.  Emily finished before me on the run and did the last three laps with me and Jeremy ran the last .13 with both of us.  It was really sweet of them to finish with me.  All the other spectators thought Jeremy was adorable for helping me.  Of course I agree with them!

In January I sold my car to Jeremy's mom and thus had to take off my tri magnet and 13.1 sticker off.  I didnt want to put either back on my new car until I had competed in one again and now I can put the tri magnet back on!  May 19th is my half marathon in Green Bay and I'm looking forward to getting a new 13.1 sticker.

Monday, March 4, 2013

"The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired" Book Review

A few weeks ago Ryan Robert contacted me about reading and reviewing his book The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired".  I was thrilled to be asked to do this and quickly accepted!  Unfortunately, it has taken me longer than I would have liked to actually get this post written.

The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide covered many of the aspects that first time runners wonder about such as what to wear, what kind of shoes do I need, what to eat before and after a run, and what to do if you just really don't want to run that day.   

I really enjoyed the visualization strategies that the book gave. I have used visualization when I was in high school  and even when I've coached my highschoolers on the swim team and really believe that it works.  However, I had never thought about using it for running. 

The book had 4 training guides in the back: already active people, non-exercisers, over 50, and one for weight loss.  Looking through them, I felt that the guides for beginner's were advanced for a newbie runner and that trying to run 5 days a week might be a day or two too much for someone just starting out.   It suggested switching your off days for when you wanted them, but to make sure you ran 5 days a week.  My husband who runs marathons and is constantly training for something doesn't run 5 days a week. In my opinion I don't think someone just starting would be able to start with that frequency and enjoy it. I know I wouldn't. I'm doing good to get in 3 days a week.   

I would recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about running or a new runner that has recently started.  There was a lot of information, but it wasn't overwhelming. Several times throughout the book, it said if you feel like starting, go to the back and select a plan.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Couch to 10K, Lacey, and the treadmill

Last week I registered for a 7 mile race at the end of March and a half marathon in mid-May.  So it's time to get back to running!  A couple weeks ago I started the Couch to 10K program.  It's 13 weeks which is perfect because the 7 mile race is in, yep 13 weeks.  I chose to do it instead of the Couch to 5K to start back because the 10K actually started slower with less running and more walking which is what I need getting back in to it.

I have taken Lacey with me on 3 of the workouts.  I'm training her early to be our running buddy.   She does really well on the leash when it's time to run.  On the last workout though she was a little pooped out towards the end and needed a rest. But after a minute or two she was back to her normal spunky self. 

She desperately needs to be exercised every day, so I'm also going to start training her to run on the treadmill.  I watched a few youtube videos on how to do it and have worked on this twice with her so far.  Both times she has done well  She loves walking for treats!  We need to build up her walking intervals between treats. 

Have any readers trained their dog to run on the treadmill?  Any tips? 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Looking for Shoes

 


I have been looking for new shoes over the past month.  My ortho doctor told me to train on the treadmill. But with the new puppy needing walked every day what better way to kill two birds in one stone?  It gives her exercise and trains her to run with us. Unfortunately running on the blacktop  leaves my ankle tender by the end of the walk/run. 

I want shoes in a color that I like as well as some that are very cushioned.  I have worn the Nimbus and Ghost in the past but none of the current styles are in colors that I really want to wear which has left me searching for a new shoe. I also need a neutral shoe with a lot of cushioning for my ankle. 

I have tried on the Mizuno Creation and Rider, as well as the Ravenas and the Glycerin.  I have finally decided on the Glycerins and will order them tomorrow hopefully.
 
 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

2013 Goals

C Goals:
-do a half marathon in 2+ states (Green Bay Half in Wisconsin is already on the schedule)
-do 2+ triathlons
-lose 5-10 pounds and maintain
-5-10 miles per week average
-re-break 45 minute 5k

B Goals:
-lose 15-25 pounds and maintain
-re-break 3 hours in half marathon
-11-15 miles per week average
-match 5k PR time or faster

A Goals:
-lose 30-40 pounds and maintain
-2:45 or under in half marathon
-16+ miles per week average
- break 30 minute 5k


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