Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

Happy New Year!!  I headed out today to just let the run happen.  My knees have been bothering me lately so I wanted to take it easy and just enjoy.  We ran out through Lake Park and the view of the mountains is amazing.  The pond is completely frozen over and all the ducks and geese were out sitting on the ice.  I felt great the entire time.  I was shocked when I got back and my ave pace was 8:45 - my fastest of late.  I need to take it easy more often.

Happy Running!! 

We went to the rec center to run on their treadmills today to avoid the single digit temps.  I did 6.18 there and then came home and finished .82 on my treadmill to make it an even 7.  Not a great run, my hip was bothering my and I just really do not like the treadmill. On the bright side, it made the outside not seem so bad, so we will be back outside tomorrow.  

Happy Running! 

I was so worried about running today because my hip bothered me all day yesterday. We were back outside again and my hip was fine. This confirms that it was due to running on the treadmill. I must change my mechanics or form. This is the bright spot of the run.

As soon as I headed out I was hit with a wave of nausea. I fought this and a headache until the last mile. I felt great as soon as I made it to my kids school and knew that I had 1 mile to go. I started to wonder if it was all in my head and, just like when we were kids, as soon as we got out of doing whatever we did not want to do we would be cured. Nope, as soon as I opened my front door the nausea and headache returned. I am off to take a shower or puke or maybe both.

 Ave pace 9:09
 

Happy Running!

No run today - I had to be to work early.    I am feeling a little bit better, no more nausea, just a headache and the sore throat /sinus crud I have had the past couple of weeks.  I am going to the chiropractor today for my upper back so I am going to have him take a look at my hip as well.  Hopefully after that and a good nights rest tonight I will be ready to go tomorrow!!

Happy Running!! 

We were originally supposed to head out at 8 this morning, but when I  saw the snow still coming down like mad, we postponed.  We ended up heading out at 9:30 against the wishes of our husbands.   We were unsure of where to go, so we wandered around for a while.  We headed up through the cemetery and thought we had found the perfect spot to run, plowed and no cars.  After one lap we were told that you could not have dogs in there so we head back out looking for a place to run.  We stayed on side streets and eventually ended up back home with 7.5 miles for the day.  Not as long as we were planning, but with the conditions, not to bad.  

 Ave. Pace 9:32

Happy Running!! 

Ice, Ice baby.......Today's run was a success because I did not fall. Two close calls but no fall. It was the hardest run I have had in a long time. I felt like I could not get going and when I would get going I had to slow down for ice. The one bright spot of the run was when I got to finish listening to Bon Jovi sing Livin' on a Prayer - it comes pretty dang close to making up for the ice today.

 Ave Pace: 9:13

Happy Running!

Today kicked my butt!! We head up through the golf course for my favorite run. It is worth all the work for the views but I almost didn't make it today. The first 3.5 miles are uphill and today we had a head wind to contend with as well. It was very SSLLOOWW!! Our splits were 10:02, 9:41, 10:20, 9:05. You then get the views and to run down hill home. Our down hill splits were 8:12, 8:14, 8:12 & 8:33 for the last .5. Even these times were slower that I thought that they would be. Overall a good run with a lot of work & hopefully at somepoint we will see the benefits.

Ave Pace: 9:05

Happy Running!!

Snow

+

Wind

+

Husband saying "It is to dangerous, you will get hit by a car"

=

No run this morning :(

We will see what the day brings, but I am not hopeful.

Happy Running:(
 

Glad to be back at it today.  I realized yesterday what a disaster I am when I do not run.  I had no focus at work and was pretty depressed the entire day.   Today was nice - a slight breeze and not to cold.  We ran a pretty flat easy course today so I really tried to push myself.  I started not feeling very well the second half and I am wondering if I should be eating before I run.   I haven't been but I am wondering if that is contributing to the icky stomach feeling.  

Ave Pace 8:41

Happy Running! 

Nice easy run today.  Again the weather was very cooperative, warm with a slight breeze.  I noticed while I was running this morning, that whenever an 80's song would come on my ipod I would pick up the pace without a lot of effort.  I am thinking that I need to make a playlist of all 80's music, the best music ever!  

 Ave Pace 9:02

Happy Running!
 

We had a great long run today. Beautiful weather! The only hiccup was that we stopped for water & GU too early. I got back to my house and my ipod read 10.43, so I decided to make it an even 11.

We are off to a busy day - my husband's nephew is playing at ESA today so we are going to watch him play and spend some time with family. Tomorrow is my Libby's birthday and she is turning 7 so we have lots of preparations for a celebration. Happy Birthday Libby!

Ave Pace 8:46 

Happy Running!

We headed out today for a hilly run. After our 1 mile warm up I had a hard time maintaining and even pace. I finally decided to make it a fast run. Mile 3 is the last big up hill and my split on that mile was 9:01. I was hoping for under 9 but it was a killer. The rest of the run the splits were 8;25, 8:11, 8:05 & 8:15. They were a combination of flat and down hill. I felt like I was running at those paces during miles 2 & 3. Overall a good run.

I have been sleeping terrible. I am hoping that it improves this week.

Ave Pace 8:45

Happy Running!

Today was supposed be a nice easy run.  We were headed out on a flat easy route, when last nights dinner did not agree.  I had eaten too much, too late at night and it was just sitting there like a brick in my stomach.   It ended up being a mentally hard run on an easy route.  Not a good thing.  Hopefully tomorrow is better!

Ave Pace 8:53

 Two other items:

 1.  One of my new years resolutions was to eat better.  It is not going so well.  I have cut back on the amount of candy and pure sugar that I am eating, but the food I am eating is not great.  Way to much eating out at lunch (YEAH Cheesecake Factory, Training Table & Kneaders) and not nearly enough fruits and veggies.  I am going to do better.  I do pretty good at home, it is just the lunch hour that is my weakness.  I need to leave the office and have a break & food is always involved. 

2.  I found out at work that I am going back to India twice this year.  I love visiting and working while we are there and this time we will be taking 2 two week trips instead of 1 three week trip.  The first trip will be this spring if we can figure out a good two week span for my coworker and I (the hard part).  I am really concerned about how this will affect my running.  Last time I went, I tried to run on the hotel treadmill (outside is not an option due to safety concerns) but about died.  The treadmill is not my friend.  I am not quite sure what I am going to do. 

Happy Running!


 

Yeah for the Kearns Olympic Oval! Yeah for new running shoes! Yeah for BUTT KICKINGS!

Today we head down to the Olympic Oval to run indoors. The track was a great alternative to the treadmill and my hip is grateful. I got to wear my new shoes that came in the mail yesterday and they are wonderful. I never realize how badly I needed a new pair until I put the new pair on. We warmed up for a mile and then picked up the pace. I paced another gentleman who was keeping a pretty good pace and then it got serious. He said lets go one more lap and he took off. My legs could not keep up and a trailed most the lap. HE KICKED MY BUTT!!! (so bad, I needed a quick bathroom break) As hard as it was it felt really good. I need more of these. Thank you!! After a few recovery laps, I got back to running and we finished up. It was a good run.

ave pace 8:43

Happy Running!

The Oval does not open early on Thursday's so we headed to the rec center. The place with an indoor track that 11 laps = 1 mile. 80 laps later we had completed our run. I had several laps in which I ran hard on the straightaways and took it easy on the turns and a few overall faster laps. I did not know if we would make it or not. After 1.5 miles, my body knew that there was a bathroom available and that I should use it. At 2.5 miles I thought " If I can just make it to 3 miles, I can be done" Pretty soon the lovely lady from Nike + Ipod said " 3.5 miles to go" and I thought I will run until Paula has to leave. She was really patient and waited for me to get to 7. It is over. We decided it is not something we would choose to do often, but a much better alternative to becoming a human popsicle.

Ave Pace 8:44

Happy Running!

No run today.  Off to San Francisco with my hubby!  He has some meetings and I get peace & quiet and lots of GOOD FOOD!!  Plan to run on Saturday and Monday! 

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE RUNNING PAINTER'S!!!!  I CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOUR RACE REPORTS!

Ran today out near the SF airport by our hotel.  There is a bike/fitness trail that I followed and repeated several times to get to 10 miles.  It was probably the worst run I have had in months.  I wanted to just sit down and cry.    My legs could not get going and I felt like the first 6 miles I just tried to survive.  I took some GU at mile 6 and then felt a little better until the last 1/2 mile.   My feet hurt and my legs had enough trying to battle my mind.  I am so glad I am done.

 Ave Pace 9:06

Happy Running!

 

No run today. Lots & Lots of eating!  Tonight IN & OUT Burger !!  I will be paying for this when I get home.  Lots & Lots & Lots of  shopping.  We've been to Steve & Barry's, the Gap, H&M and Nike Town.  Two more days to go so I am sure I can find more to buy.  Tomorrow running on the Warf.

Congrats to all the Painter's runners!  Way to represent the FRB!

Today was a repeat of Saturday's run.  Horrible.  My calves were so tight and felt like the were on fire for the first 3 miles.  My legs also felt like the had lead in them and would no go.  Hope tomorrow is better.  Glad to be back home - not glad for snow!

Ave Pace 9:14

Happy Running! 

We went to the Olympic Oval this morning.   A one mile warm up and then got down to business.  I still was not at the speed I would like but I much better than my last two runs.  My calves were much better and my legs still felt heavy but nothing like yesterday.  The Australian speed skating team was warming up  and it was interesting to watch as we finished up with a 1/2 mile cool down.  Glad to be feeling a little more back to normal.

Ave Pace 8:44

Happy Running! 

I need a major attitude adjustment. Another horrible run, but my legs felt better. I do not know if it the weather or what but I am struggling right now to be motivated. I have nothing else to say. Sorry so depressing.

Happy Running!

 After some "deep" reflection, I have come up with 10 reasons as to why I am having a crappy running week:

10.  It is too cold

9. Jet Lag

8.  No new episodes of the Office since November

7.  Bad eating habits

6.  My husband is out of town and will be for about 30 days over the next three months

5.  It is too cold

4.  No new episodes of the Office since November

3.  It is too cold

2.  It is too cold

1.  I will not reach my mileage goal for the week because I missed on Monday and have a 5k on Saturday.  ( I think this is about 99% of my bad attitude)

Now I know why, I just have to figure out how to fix it.

 It is amazing what a hot shower and a little cream of wheat can do for a person!
 

No run yet today - might try to get in a few later on.  My husband is still out of town and kids had to be to school early today.   I have been thinking about my goals for tomorrow, under ideal conditions they would be:  Gold - under25:20;   Silver - under 26:00; Bronze - completion.  Due to the fact that the weather is supposed to be bad and we will probably be running on a snow pack I am changing the to be:  Gold - under 26:00; Silver - under 26:30; Bronze - completion.  Hopefully, it won't be be windy.   

 Happy Running!

 

I was more nervous for today's race than I have been for a long time. I really did not know what to expect. I have not run this race before and with the week I have had, who knew what would happen. I was also having serious "what to wear issues" . I was not sure how the weather would be out by the lake but it could not have been better.

I started out much faster that I normally do and it took me about 1/2 mile to get into a rythm. I soon realized my toes were completely numb. This is a first, even with all our winter running. My calves started there new aching at about 1 mile and I thought that I might be in trouble but they behaved. It seemed forever to get to the turn around. I finally made it to the turn around and at this point I was feeling pretty good. I had taken off my fleece before we started and was still overheating. Off came the gloves and ear warmer and I kept running. The last .25 is a little up hill and I struggled just a bit, but pushed through.

I was so excited to see my time when I came into the gate. A new PR. Overall, it was a pretty good race on a flat course. I got to meet Brent and Sylvia and chat with them for a few minutes and there were other FRB there as well.

Happy Running!

Holy Wind!!!  Avoided the wind and went to the Oval this morning.  Several others had the same thought, because it was crowded.  Saw Andee and her neighbors.  My Nike + ipod is dead and I need to get a new foot pod, so I wore my watch and counted laps.  It was a nice relaxing run and a good way to start the week.  Enough of the indoors, back outside tomorrow!

Happy Running! 

Today is my son Jake's birthday.  He is 13.  I am officially the parent of a teenager...........

 We headed out today very grateful to be back outside.  We headed on an out & back course that is up hill for the first 3.5 and then down hill home.  We had a little head wind on the way out but got going and felt pretty good. After about a mile we picked up the pace and by 2 we were going strong.  At this point I was planning on  just stopping by the bus stop to say Happy Birthday to Jake but I realized how embarased he would be of his sweaty, stinky mom with frozen hair.    I started to wonder if I could make it home before he headed to the bus stop.  At this point, I began seriously picking up the pace.  I made it home before he left and gave him a big hug and then headed back out to finish up with Paula.  She had just passed my street so I started after her and chased her down to her house.  She walked in her door just as I got there.  I cooled down with another mile to make it 8 for the day.  One the down side today.......This is probably the worst day I have experienced with drivers. Only a very few moved out of the way for us.  The majority didn't even slow down.   Overall a very good run!

Happy Running!
 

Back to the Oval to avoid snow being blown in our faces and being hit with a car.  Warmed up for a mile and then my friend the Butt Kicker was ready to go.  I hung with him for the first lap and fell a little behind on the second.  Much better than last time.  Thanked him as he headed for work and then finished up with another 5.75 miles to equal 7.25 for the day.  My legs were really tired today from yesterdays run but they survived.  Back outdoors tomorrow.  Hard to believe we miss being outside, but we do.   

Happy Running! 

As we ran into the wind today I had a new thought regarding our winter weather.   I wonder if it is like a church calling, it is not going away until we learn to love.  So with that in mind I tried really hard today to "love" the wind.   I did not love it, but we had a good run.  We pushed hard with about 2 total miles into the wind and the rest in a cross wind.  It was good to be back outside and not so good almost being hit by a car.  I guess being in a cross walk with the right away is not enough for some people.  Hope you all have a good day!

 Happy Running!