EW!! That is my reaction to today's run! I waited too long to get out there and the heat index was 82! And it was pretty humid after last night's thunderstorm. Then there was the wind. At first it was like, stop wind, you are making it hard to run! But then it would stop and the reality of how hot it was would take over. Then I'd be thinking, Wind, where are you, come back!
I tried to slow it down to compensate for the heat, but my body just seems to have a different idea! I ran all sub-ten minute miles. That is something that I really need to get a hold of because as Saturday proved, I cannot be doing that for my long runs. At least it is cooling back off tomorrow...but that was a little window into what I'll have to deal with this summer. Great. My favorite. :)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
My first PR!
Not only did I beat my target of 1:45 in the Soldier Field 10 Mile, but I beat 1:44!! My official time was 1:43:23! That is a whopping 8 minutes off of last year's time! And over 5 minutes off of my 2004 time! The crazy part is that I was still disappointed in my performance! Are we runners never happy?! :)
My miles got slower as the race progressed. I felt that I was really having to push myself mentally those last few miles. I don't know if it was because it was a morning race, that it was just a race in general or maybe that it was a bit hilly on the way back north, but this felt much more difficult that my nine-miler last weekend and that showed in my time. For the record, my Garmin clocked the course as 10.11 miles. In which case, I averaged a 10:15/mile pace. If it was truly just 10 miles, then my pace was a 10:23. I think mostly I'm just disappointed in my positive splits on the last 3 miles or so. That isn't really something I've seen in my long runs lately so it was a surprised.
At least I have a new PR and I know I'm on the road for good things to come!
On a different note, this gas price thing has really pissed me off and I swear I'm not driving anymore! So, this right after I finish this, I'm off to Target ON FOOT to do some shopping. Let me tell you, I have not run my errands on foot since I got my car! It is a beautiful day out (for the moment...storms are coming) and my muscles could use a little work to keep them from getting sore so I'm gonna go back to the days of old. Backpack on to carry stuff back...20 minute walk there, 20 minute walk back. This is how it is gonna be until they can figure out a way to stop killing us with the gas! I refuse to be a prisoner to their prices!
My miles got slower as the race progressed. I felt that I was really having to push myself mentally those last few miles. I don't know if it was because it was a morning race, that it was just a race in general or maybe that it was a bit hilly on the way back north, but this felt much more difficult that my nine-miler last weekend and that showed in my time. For the record, my Garmin clocked the course as 10.11 miles. In which case, I averaged a 10:15/mile pace. If it was truly just 10 miles, then my pace was a 10:23. I think mostly I'm just disappointed in my positive splits on the last 3 miles or so. That isn't really something I've seen in my long runs lately so it was a surprised.
At least I have a new PR and I know I'm on the road for good things to come!
On a different note, this gas price thing has really pissed me off and I swear I'm not driving anymore! So, this right after I finish this, I'm off to Target ON FOOT to do some shopping. Let me tell you, I have not run my errands on foot since I got my car! It is a beautiful day out (for the moment...storms are coming) and my muscles could use a little work to keep them from getting sore so I'm gonna go back to the days of old. Backpack on to carry stuff back...20 minute walk there, 20 minute walk back. This is how it is gonna be until they can figure out a way to stop killing us with the gas! I refuse to be a prisoner to their prices!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Confession
So, I have a confession. Two actually.
Um...so, I was on my way to work this morning. And I'm coming up from the blue line. Up the escalator...halfway up the stairs...and it happened. My most dreaded moment ever. I've seen it happened to many people over the years. I tripped.
Lucky for me, it wasn't one of the really bad, totally bite the dust type falls I've seen many folks take down in the Loop wearing their nice business clothes. It was on the stairs so all it took was a knee hitting the next stair up and my fall was broken. But not before my coffee spilled all over my hand and on my favorite jeans! That was another good thing...at least it was casual Friday so I had my jeans and tennis shoes on. Otherwise, it may have been a whole lot worse!
I quickly recovered and was on my merry, yet slightly embarrassed way :)
So there it is. Yeah.
My other confession is that despite being so much more prepared and in better shape for my race tomorrow, I'm finding that I'm getting nervous. Ten miles is still going to be the farthest I've run so far this year. And now I have to do it with the Jumbotron at Soldier Field waiting for me at the end!
I know I can do this.
Um...so, I was on my way to work this morning. And I'm coming up from the blue line. Up the escalator...halfway up the stairs...and it happened. My most dreaded moment ever. I've seen it happened to many people over the years. I tripped.
Lucky for me, it wasn't one of the really bad, totally bite the dust type falls I've seen many folks take down in the Loop wearing their nice business clothes. It was on the stairs so all it took was a knee hitting the next stair up and my fall was broken. But not before my coffee spilled all over my hand and on my favorite jeans! That was another good thing...at least it was casual Friday so I had my jeans and tennis shoes on. Otherwise, it may have been a whole lot worse!
I quickly recovered and was on my merry, yet slightly embarrassed way :)
So there it is. Yeah.
My other confession is that despite being so much more prepared and in better shape for my race tomorrow, I'm finding that I'm getting nervous. Ten miles is still going to be the farthest I've run so far this year. And now I have to do it with the Jumbotron at Soldier Field waiting for me at the end!
I know I can do this.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
This never stops being amazing to me
How can this year just be such the exact opposite of last year's experience? Every time I have a great run, it still amazes me! It is such a great feeling not to hate, fear, dread, insert-bad-adjective-here my runs!
Tonight was another one of those nights where I got home and was tired and hungry and pretty much felt like laying on the couch was the best way to expend what energy I had left. But, I knew that was not an option. Again, last year, it surely would have been! I suited up and decided to run north. At first I figured I'd run to Addison, but when I got there, I thought maybe to Grace. When I got there, I figured, why not shoot for Irving Park? As I made my way back south, I did begin to feel a bit tired, but I knew I had to make it back! Despite my fatigue, these were my splits:
Mile 1: 9:49
Mile 2: 9:34
Mile 3: 9:44
Mile 4: 9:32
Half Mile: 4:43
That comes to a 9:38/mile pace! That is ridiculous! This can't be me! These can't be my legs! I don't want to get my hopes up too much for Saturday because I know a race is a whole different ball game. There is the crowded beginning that wastes a lot of time. And stopping to get water without being able to stop the clock...My watch allows me to enjoy my water break without messing with my time :) As long as I don't jump out of the gate too quickly, I think I'm still game to make a 1:45 finish. We'll see!
Tonight was another one of those nights where I got home and was tired and hungry and pretty much felt like laying on the couch was the best way to expend what energy I had left. But, I knew that was not an option. Again, last year, it surely would have been! I suited up and decided to run north. At first I figured I'd run to Addison, but when I got there, I thought maybe to Grace. When I got there, I figured, why not shoot for Irving Park? As I made my way back south, I did begin to feel a bit tired, but I knew I had to make it back! Despite my fatigue, these were my splits:
Mile 1: 9:49
Mile 2: 9:34
Mile 3: 9:44
Mile 4: 9:32
Half Mile: 4:43
That comes to a 9:38/mile pace! That is ridiculous! This can't be me! These can't be my legs! I don't want to get my hopes up too much for Saturday because I know a race is a whole different ball game. There is the crowded beginning that wastes a lot of time. And stopping to get water without being able to stop the clock...My watch allows me to enjoy my water break without messing with my time :) As long as I don't jump out of the gate too quickly, I think I'm still game to make a 1:45 finish. We'll see!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ahhhh...the morning run
I hate getting up. This is no secret. No matter what time it is, waking up and getting out of bed is never fun for me. But, I do realize that there are going to be times this summer where training is going to require me to do this at an hour that is absolutely incomprehensible to me. Today was one of those days.
5:30am was when the alarm went off. I was a very, VERY good girl and only hit snooze one time. Then I got up, drank some protein shake and changed. Then I wasted some time cuz I didn't want to go out and run :) Finally, at about 6:15, I headed out. The weather was decent, cool and cloudy, an occasional raindrop.
It took me awhile to really get going. My body was obviously not awake yet. Miraculously, I managed to keep my 10 min/mile pace, but it felt much harder. I felt like I was really working for it. And I probably was! By the end of my 45 minutes, I was glad it was over! Good riddance to that run!
This worries me a little for the Soldier Field 10. I guess I'll just have to get up super-duper early and make sure my body is awake. I supposed if I take the red line down there, I'll have a bit of walking to do and get warmed up, versus driving and only walking from the parking garage to the start line. That is probably the best strategy at this point.
I can't decide if I should try to do all runs this week in the morning in an attempt to acclimate my body to it. Friday will have to be a morning run no matter what so I guess that really only leaves me to decide on tomorrow's run. Hmmm... :)
5:30am was when the alarm went off. I was a very, VERY good girl and only hit snooze one time. Then I got up, drank some protein shake and changed. Then I wasted some time cuz I didn't want to go out and run :) Finally, at about 6:15, I headed out. The weather was decent, cool and cloudy, an occasional raindrop.
It took me awhile to really get going. My body was obviously not awake yet. Miraculously, I managed to keep my 10 min/mile pace, but it felt much harder. I felt like I was really working for it. And I probably was! By the end of my 45 minutes, I was glad it was over! Good riddance to that run!
This worries me a little for the Soldier Field 10. I guess I'll just have to get up super-duper early and make sure my body is awake. I supposed if I take the red line down there, I'll have a bit of walking to do and get warmed up, versus driving and only walking from the parking garage to the start line. That is probably the best strategy at this point.
I can't decide if I should try to do all runs this week in the morning in an attempt to acclimate my body to it. Friday will have to be a morning run no matter what so I guess that really only leaves me to decide on tomorrow's run. Hmmm... :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Runnin' Nine & Feelin' Fine!
Okay, lamest blog post title ever! :)
Yesterday was my 9 mile long run and I finally felt confident going into a long run! All my runs last week went great, albeit they were short ones. But, this nine-miler was no exception! Here were my splits:
Mile 1: 10:15
Mile 2: 9:56
Mile 3: 10:10
Mile 4: 10:18
Mile 5: 9:59
Mile 6: 9:56
Mile 7: 9:59
Mile 8: 9:57
Mile 9: 9:46
I can't believe I ran 10 minute miles for my long run! That first mile I assume just needed me to get warmed up and then miles 3&4 were when I turned back north directly on the lake and had crazy head winds. And splits are so consistent! That is really great! I tried to speed up the last half mile in an attempt to finish in 1:30, but I didn't quite make it!
I felt really great the majority of the run. I did start to run out of steam somewhere between miles 7 & 8, but not to the point where I was struggling. Just to the point that I was ready to be done! I'm totally confident in how I'm going to perform in the Soldier Field 10 Mile on Saturday! In 2004 it took me 1:46 and some change, last year I was 1:51 and some change...this year I'd like to break 1:45. That is the only goal that I have for it! I also haven't been running in the morning at all, so that might play a role in the race. I guess we'll just have to see...
Yesterday was my 9 mile long run and I finally felt confident going into a long run! All my runs last week went great, albeit they were short ones. But, this nine-miler was no exception! Here were my splits:
Mile 1: 10:15
Mile 2: 9:56
Mile 3: 10:10
Mile 4: 10:18
Mile 5: 9:59
Mile 6: 9:56
Mile 7: 9:59
Mile 8: 9:57
Mile 9: 9:46
I can't believe I ran 10 minute miles for my long run! That first mile I assume just needed me to get warmed up and then miles 3&4 were when I turned back north directly on the lake and had crazy head winds. And splits are so consistent! That is really great! I tried to speed up the last half mile in an attempt to finish in 1:30, but I didn't quite make it!
I felt really great the majority of the run. I did start to run out of steam somewhere between miles 7 & 8, but not to the point where I was struggling. Just to the point that I was ready to be done! I'm totally confident in how I'm going to perform in the Soldier Field 10 Mile on Saturday! In 2004 it took me 1:46 and some change, last year I was 1:51 and some change...this year I'd like to break 1:45. That is the only goal that I have for it! I also haven't been running in the morning at all, so that might play a role in the race. I guess we'll just have to see...
Thursday, May 15, 2008
If every run could be like this!
I had another short one on the books tonight...just 35 minutes. And you know how sometimes you just don't feel like doing a run? That was me tonight. I was cold on my walk home and that last thing I felt like doing was going back out there. I finally decided I better get a move on before it was too dark to go and headed out. I was worried I might be a little tired after pushing myself last night, but it seemed to be going fine. Once I hit Lincoln Park, I feel a little uncomfortable running on those dark tree lined streets...and maybe that is why my pace picked up, yet I didn't feel like I was running any harder than usual. Here are my splits:
Mile 1: 10:06
Mile 2: 10:00
Mile 3: 9:56
Last 1/2 mile: 4:58
And it didn't feel hard or anything! I would love if all my runs could be at that pace and feel that easy! Finally, running is fun!!
Mile 1: 10:06
Mile 2: 10:00
Mile 3: 9:56
Last 1/2 mile: 4:58
And it didn't feel hard or anything! I would love if all my runs could be at that pace and feel that easy! Finally, running is fun!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What a difference 40 seconds makes
When I got ready to run tonight I just had a lot of stress and energy to burn off...so I took off running for real! I only had to do 30 minutes tonight so I figured I'd just make it worthwhile. Here is what my Garmin came up with:
Week 7 Run 1
I do believe that first mile is a little bit off...uh, I was not off-roading as the map seems to think I was! Assuming that first one was more in the ball park of the other 2, I was running 9 1/2 minute or faster miles. That isn't that far off from 10 - 10 1/4 minutes miles I've been doing. Yet, I was totally huffing and puffing this whole run. I definitely felt it in my muscles and couldn't wait for those 30 minutes to come to an end. It was only about 40 seconds faster per mile...and only just over 3 miles...but it felt hard. And really great :)
Maybe I'll try to work in a run like this each week. Just push myself and then take it easy on the rest. I need to remind myself that I'm not bound by my previous results and I can do better!
Week 7 Run 1
I do believe that first mile is a little bit off...uh, I was not off-roading as the map seems to think I was! Assuming that first one was more in the ball park of the other 2, I was running 9 1/2 minute or faster miles. That isn't that far off from 10 - 10 1/4 minutes miles I've been doing. Yet, I was totally huffing and puffing this whole run. I definitely felt it in my muscles and couldn't wait for those 30 minutes to come to an end. It was only about 40 seconds faster per mile...and only just over 3 miles...but it felt hard. And really great :)
Maybe I'll try to work in a run like this each week. Just push myself and then take it easy on the rest. I need to remind myself that I'm not bound by my previous results and I can do better!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
That was a doozy
This was one bad running week! There was that first treadmill run. Then a 45 minute run on the lake yesterday that included head winds so strong that I totally wore myself out just fighting them. That lead to me starting today's 8-miler on very tired legs. I could already tell I was having a hard time from the jump and to top it off, I suddenly had to pee after less than a mile in! It is amazing how much a distraction like that can throw you off! I kept passing the bathrooms up because I was worried that if I stopped I wouldn't be able to start again due to what a struggle it was to be moving at all! On my way back, I knew that it was going to kill me if I didn't stop at the first one I saw. That was at about Mile 6 :) Amazingly enough, my last 2 miles were my best miles of the run, time-wise and comfort-wise. Next time I will not be so hard-headed!
I have to be up early tomorrow for the Y-ME Race to Empower and I'm supposed to be RUNNING the 5k. Right now, I'm not thinking that is going to happen! I think a nice little 1 mile walk will do me just fine!
I have to be up early tomorrow for the Y-ME Race to Empower and I'm supposed to be RUNNING the 5k. Right now, I'm not thinking that is going to happen! I think a nice little 1 mile walk will do me just fine!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The "other" streak is over!
That would be my no running streak. I didn't run for 8 days. I'm so ashamed :) But, after 2 failed attempts at getting up in the morning, I went to the gym today during work and knocked out my 40 minute run. It was tough. Mentally I was gone after about 20 minutes, physically gone after about 25. But I refused to let myself stop and I did the full 40. So, I'm back! No more missing runs for awhile cuz I don't want my runs to feel like today's did!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
I survived!
Whew! What a weekend that was! I flew to San Fran on morning and met up with Jon. We were picked up by his long-time friend Brian and went back to his brother-in-law's place to meet up with him (Rick) and Brian's wife Chris. Oh yeah, and their adorable 11-month old daughter, Maya. We had a nice little lunch in Golden Gate Park and then went to their cousin's house to stay for the night. After a wonderful pasta dinner, we settled in and went to bed. We got up early and headed for our campsite. It was a 2 hour drive south into the middle of nowhere.
Most of the crew was already at the site so we didn't have much to really do except set up a couple of tents. Easy enough. The temperature rose pretty quickly as the day went on and I was kicking myself for not bringing shorts! This was desert and we were lucky enough to have a campsite with several big trees for shade...most campers were not so lucky! I met a bunch of absolutely great people this weekend! The other campers were: Justing & Quinn, and their 18 month old son, Logan. Justin's brother Brian H. & his partner Ryan. Glenn & Laura and their 22 month old daughter, Rachel. And of course, me, Jon, Brian S., Chris, Rick & Maya. There isn't a whole lot to do when camping except talk to everyone and eat! I'm pretty sure I gained a few pounds out there!
When night time came, the temps dropped quickly! By bedtime, I'm sure it was only in the high 30s to low 40s. I barely slept that first night because I was so cold and could not get warm. One of my pinky toes even went numb and I couldn't feel it until about 9am! Brutal!!!
Saturday was the Wildflower. Jon, Brian S., Rick & Brian H. were all doing the long course. This is essentially a half ironman. And with how hot it got that day, I don't know how they all did it! We only had 2 of the 4 finish :( Jon went down to injury and Brian S. got 3 flats on the bike course and didn't make his checkpoint in time. Huge bummer! Our campsite was bordered by the running course just after the 8 mile marker and it was awesome to watch the runners come by all day long. Although, it was also a little heart breaking to watch those that were struggling to make those last 5 miles. I was a cheerleader the whole time and tried to yell something to every single runner that went by :) Justin did the Mountain bike course which was a 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike & 2 mile run. He obviously finished with no problems! Ryan was doing the Olympic course which was 1 mile swim, 26 mile bike & 6 mile run. That was on Sunday so we didn't get to see how he did, but I'm sure he did great!
After all the boys were done, we ate a nice big dinner and chatted the night away in front of a HUGE fire we built in an attempt to use all the wood we brought. That second night, I made sure I gathered up a couple more sleeping bags and I was toasty! I did have my sweatshirt hood up and closed over my face so only my nose was out to breath though :p That cold air was freezing my face off!
Sunday morning, we packed it up with a quickness because they closed the roads at 9am for the Olympic course and we wouldn't be able to get out. We all met up at a McDonalds in the first little town we came too and had a greasy breakfast. We parted ways with half the crew and drove back up to San Fran. After a long-awaited shower, I was dropped off at the airport and on my way back to Chicago.
I have to say this trip was so amazingly fun! Not only was it fun to meet new people and see Jon reach for his triathlon goal, but it also opened my eyes to the importance of taking a break from our daily routine once in awhile. There was zero cell phone reception, no mirrors to do your make up in or check your hair, no shower to get into every morning, no email access...just good people and good times. And I wouldn't trade any of those regular life conveniences for those couple of days out there without them! I think my friends and I need to come up with an annual expedition just like this to just be together and have a good time!
Most of the crew was already at the site so we didn't have much to really do except set up a couple of tents. Easy enough. The temperature rose pretty quickly as the day went on and I was kicking myself for not bringing shorts! This was desert and we were lucky enough to have a campsite with several big trees for shade...most campers were not so lucky! I met a bunch of absolutely great people this weekend! The other campers were: Justing & Quinn, and their 18 month old son, Logan. Justin's brother Brian H. & his partner Ryan. Glenn & Laura and their 22 month old daughter, Rachel. And of course, me, Jon, Brian S., Chris, Rick & Maya. There isn't a whole lot to do when camping except talk to everyone and eat! I'm pretty sure I gained a few pounds out there!
When night time came, the temps dropped quickly! By bedtime, I'm sure it was only in the high 30s to low 40s. I barely slept that first night because I was so cold and could not get warm. One of my pinky toes even went numb and I couldn't feel it until about 9am! Brutal!!!
Saturday was the Wildflower. Jon, Brian S., Rick & Brian H. were all doing the long course. This is essentially a half ironman. And with how hot it got that day, I don't know how they all did it! We only had 2 of the 4 finish :( Jon went down to injury and Brian S. got 3 flats on the bike course and didn't make his checkpoint in time. Huge bummer! Our campsite was bordered by the running course just after the 8 mile marker and it was awesome to watch the runners come by all day long. Although, it was also a little heart breaking to watch those that were struggling to make those last 5 miles. I was a cheerleader the whole time and tried to yell something to every single runner that went by :) Justin did the Mountain bike course which was a 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike & 2 mile run. He obviously finished with no problems! Ryan was doing the Olympic course which was 1 mile swim, 26 mile bike & 6 mile run. That was on Sunday so we didn't get to see how he did, but I'm sure he did great!
After all the boys were done, we ate a nice big dinner and chatted the night away in front of a HUGE fire we built in an attempt to use all the wood we brought. That second night, I made sure I gathered up a couple more sleeping bags and I was toasty! I did have my sweatshirt hood up and closed over my face so only my nose was out to breath though :p That cold air was freezing my face off!
Sunday morning, we packed it up with a quickness because they closed the roads at 9am for the Olympic course and we wouldn't be able to get out. We all met up at a McDonalds in the first little town we came too and had a greasy breakfast. We parted ways with half the crew and drove back up to San Fran. After a long-awaited shower, I was dropped off at the airport and on my way back to Chicago.
I have to say this trip was so amazingly fun! Not only was it fun to meet new people and see Jon reach for his triathlon goal, but it also opened my eyes to the importance of taking a break from our daily routine once in awhile. There was zero cell phone reception, no mirrors to do your make up in or check your hair, no shower to get into every morning, no email access...just good people and good times. And I wouldn't trade any of those regular life conveniences for those couple of days out there without them! I think my friends and I need to come up with an annual expedition just like this to just be together and have a good time!
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