1 mile warm-up, 1 mile cool-down, 4x800 fast with 400 slow between 3:31, 3:26, 3:20, 3:29, 7:44 avg. overall I probably should have done 6 800s today, but I left my kids with my Dad and I still had the memory of my baby crying out-of-control last night when I ran, so I just did 4. I felt like the 4 I did I pushed myself on and I took my warm-up and cool-down a little harder than usual too so at least I got worked-out. Were it not for this little place in the middle of nowhere that nobody knows about except my husband, I wouldn't have even done a speed work-out today. I kind of felt like going out for a nondescript 4 mile run and calling it good. But this darn fastrunning site MADE me do the run I knew I should. Three cheers.
4 miles pretty laid back at a 7:55 pace. Goodnight it was cold! I spent a lot of time trying to think of a way to breathe without using my mouth or my nose. I felt like every time I breathed it was like I was spraying a mist bottle at my face - like I was running the sprinklers on my lawn in December - it was nonsensical. Every breath added a layer of ice to my nose and cheeks. I thought that if I tapped my face with one of those triangle hammers that doctors whack across an innocent patient's knees to make sure they have a nervous system (or to get out some aggression - there have to be kinder ways to prove a person has an opperative nervous system) my whole face would have shattered in pieces on the ground in the form of an interesting Picasso. Yeah, it was that cold. It took me about a mile to know that I was telling myself the truth, but it was still WAY better than running on a treadmill.
On the positive side, I ran at night again so that my parents could watch my kids and this time I didn't think any criminal element was going to wrap me up in duct tape and put me in a cement mixer because there is no way any bad guy was going to be out looking for me on a night like this one. I had a teacher at church in high school who always told me to keep my eye on the donut and not on the hole. It has really stuck with me.
I did the same route as last night, but a whole second faster per mile. It was a 7:54 tonight. I was just going to run 3 miles because my parents kept telling me how incredibly cold it was going to be. They even suggested that I shouldn't go. I might have rolled my eyes at them except I saw my little kids sitting next to them on the couch watching a movie and I thought "geez I love my kids and I know I'm going to love them until I'm dead" and I decided to keep the eye roll to myself. I was all prepared to be knocked down by the cold, to wish that I had access to a treadmill, to die of frozen lungs - but I'm pretty sure it was warmer tonight than it was last night. It was still face-cracking cold, but slightly less face cracking cold than last night. So I extended the run to 4 miles. I even considered five miles but I'm planning on 5 tomorrow and 10 on Saturday and I'm still trying to bring my mileage up slowly enough not to give myself injuries. I've finally faced the fact that I'm in my 30's and my body isn't going to up and do whatever the heck I want it to, gosh.
Anyhow, tonight my body felt good, loose and content to be running. I didn't feel any numbness of leg or mind. In no way did I feel like I was improving as a runner tonight but I also didn't feel like I was DISimproving. It was simply a decent run.
Today was one of those days where I felt slightly off angle with the rest of the world. I was just a little annoyed, a little miffed, a little frustrated with everything. I didn't even really want to go running but running is usually my cure-all so off I went tonight while my parents, my sister, and her husband settled down to some very good-looking bowls of ice cream. But for once running really didn't make me feel better. I kind of slugged it at an 8:12 pace but I didn't get a step in that I truly found satisfaction or release in. Contemplating on it as I ran I figured part of it was that I wasn't doing the hill work-out that I wanted to do - I was feeling like a bit of a lazy bones. But most of it was that my missing-my-husband feelings were able to put a crack in the dam of my subconscious today and enough pity water came through to make me feel a little off-kilter.
Just before I left to run I checked in on a good friend's blog. She's been married almost eight years and hasn't been able to have a baby yet. She has had several adoptions fall through, a miscarriage and a heartbreaking loss of twins at 20 weeks gestation - but as much as it has been painful, she has come out with a sharpened appreciation for God and life. Whenever I feel like I need a dollop of humility and faith-strengthening, I turn to her. And tonight she told me that not only is she adopting a baby in a few weeks, but she is expecting a baby as well in five months. She called me on the phone after my run and we giggled and laughed and were amazed together for a while. And it reminded me that hard things pass, good things come - life is beautiful even with the blunt edges. And I think tomorrow's run will go better.
I don't know that my body felt much better running today, but my mind was much more at ease. My legs have been feeling heavy and sluggish all week. It might have to do with the lack of sleep. I still managed to keep a 7:58 pace. I kind of felt like knocking my watch against the ground to make sure it was working right because my legs definitely felt like they were going at an 8:45 pace. Give all the 45 second credit to my mind. I'm starting these long runs out thinking I'm going to take it easy, but I usually finish them briskly. I don't know if that's good or bad.
But I'll tell you what I do know, I love my long day runs. Love, love, love them. Because when you go eleven miles you can usually choose to go somewhere pretty and there is lots of time to focus on the details of the prettiness. Today I ran out in the prairie along a river. The yellows and browns of the grass and trees and leaves made me feel like I was running into an old-timey photo. Like maybe I'd run into a homestead dug-out where I'd find a dirty two-toothed farmer shooting the hat off of some guy all dressed in black trying to steal his horse. I didn't run into that though. I did run past an old shack that's probably been around since forever and it gave me a bit of the creeps to think that somebody or something might be hiding inside just waiting for me to pass so they or it good jump out at me and yell "Boogooody Boo!" or something frightening like that. That didn't happen either though. I just got me a quiet, beautiful run in. Nice.
Today I ran an 8 minute pace on the treadmill. Oh horrors. I could not create a better instrument of boredom if I tried for a thousand years. It was a mightily painful forty minutes. I love hyperbole when talking about treadmills - the worst ever of all time, worse then being hung by my toe-nails, worse than eating live bugs, worse than sitting chained to a wall for years of my life - but not worse than running in below zero temperatures I guess.
I would consider running outside tomorrow, but I think I'm going to have to treadmill-it again because I couldn't find a person to pay for my use of the treadmill in the gym that I went to. I completely stole a treadmill ride tonight. When I walked in there were two glass doors right next to each other. One said, "For Members," and the other said, "For Visitors." I dutifully went through the visitors door only to see the gym spread out before me and absolutely NO employee to pay. So very, very odd. I figured I'd just pay up after my run, but the place was employeeless for the night I suppose. So I'm going to have to be an Honest Abe and go back and pay for my soporific run. Maybe that is their conniving way of getting me back on their stupendously horrific treadmill - tricky devils!!
It was another cold night tonight but I failed to get back to the gym that I owe five bucks to. I couldn't convince baby #3 that he would rather be in his crib than in my arms before closing time came for the gym. My Mom suggested that I use a stationary bike that is gathering dust in the storage room in their basement to get my exercise for the night. I had low hopes that this kind of work-out would be even close to tolerable or begin to create sweat. I was wrong.
The fantastic thing about a stationary bike is that you don't bounce up and down while you are doing it so you can actually read a book. With all the wishing power that I have I wish I could read a book on a treadmill. It would make ALL the difference. I read some of the Federalist Papers while I rode and got to read such gems as this, "A man must be far gone in Utopian speculations who can seriously doubt, that if these States should either be wholly disunited, or only united in partial confederacies, the subdivisions into which they might be thrown would have frequent and violent contests with each other. To presume a want of motives for such contests, as an argument against their existence, would be to forget that men are AMBITIOUS, VINDICTIVE, and RAPACIOUS." The Federalist Papers were written by Hamilton, Madison and a guy named John Jay to try to get the state of New York to ratify the constitution. Apparently New York was pretty gung-ho for a loose confederacy of states instead of a federal union. Anyhow - as indicated by the capital letters, I just loved the choice of adjuctives to describe the sorry lot of us - ambitious, vindictive and rapacious. Rapactious is my favorite descriptor of course, mostly because it sounds the most dastardly. At first when I read the phrase I was offended because I don't like to think of myself in those terms. But doggone it, Hamilton et. al had human nature pretty well pegged. As I went through the first few papers I couldn't help but think of Iraq trying to form as a republican nation and our muddling in it and I was even led to think about basic relationships that I have with people. It gave my mind lots of wandering to do and made me have to reread the parts I cruised over with my eyes while my mind was traipsing around off-course. Anyhow - the time passed quickly and I'm seriously considering some long-term borrowing of the stationary bike.
I put down 4 easy miles as the equivalent of fifty minutes on the bike. I went about 12 miles according to the computer. Four miles might be on the low end of equivalency for distance, but no doubt it would be considered easy miles. Although the bike would make me go uphill every now and again which made my heart beat harder so some sort of exercise did happen.
It was another night on the stationary bike. I was fine with one night of sitting on a bike, but when I figured there was no way I was going to be able to get to a gym for a second night it was hard to not get weighed down in wishes that I still lived in Arizona. Good ol' Arizona where the coldest days were in the 30's at night. Sigh. I knew I loved you then, but I love you even more now that you are gone.
On the positive side, I got some more reading in on the bike. I feel like I'm completely maximizing my free time by exercising and reading at the same time. I had to read the same five pages twice to really understand what was being said. I've always wished that I was smart and that I could retain the things that I read. I'm finding that if I read things twice, I more than double my comprehension. So I guess I might slow down a little bit in what I'm digesting and figure it is better to read and retain than to read more. Hamilton was making all sorts of references to Roman government last night that my brain kept straying away from. The only thing I really remember about the Romans is that they fell to Hannibal who came into Rome on an elephant. I don't know where in my many years of education I was told that Hannibal conquered the Empire on an elephant but it really stuck. I guess because I'd love to conquer anything on an elephant. I wonder how fast they run 26.2?
My Mom called me this morning from work and told me she would be home by 5pm and that I should have my running clothes on and be ready to go out the door. I love Moms. I really do. So I finally got to run outside again and it made me feel joyful in my heart - well after I got through the first mile and a half or so. For the first mile and a half it was mostly me wishing I didn't have a frozen face. But after that things got good and I think I would have kept going after six miles except I knew my Dad was inside with Chinese food. I didn't take my Garmin because I wasn't patient enough for it to pick up satellites. I was freezing right through my two layers of clothes and I didn't think that was a propitious way of beginning. I probably ran around 8 minute miles. I felt a little clunky in my legs and joints - I don't know whether to attribute that to the cold, that I haven't run in a couple of days, not stretching, not getting enough sleep or...there's gotta be something else to add to that list - being an Aquarius? Really I think I do need to give some more time to stretching. My right knee kind o' went out on me a couple of times and I really don't want it to turn into a problem. On a side-note - have you read or heard Obama's speech for the Nobel Peace Prize? It made me want to be better - I thought he did amazingly well. The man knows how to string some thoughts together
Here is a link if you want to read it: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/world/europe/11prexy.text.html?em
I think my average was about 8:20. It snowed last night so I made first tracks on the sidewalks or ran on slippery roads for about 2/3 of the run. It was a joy to be outside and running though. Yesterday we came back from Colorado. The temperature was much warmer here - I was baking in the 20 degree weather. Nice.
I feel sore today in my calves - probably from the muscles I used to fight the snow. I had a hard time around mile 8 with feeling hungry. I think I need to start taking water and a little something in case that happens on the longer runs. I do like to eat.
It was snowy and slippery today with occasional slushy surprises. Luckily I stepped into the biggest slush surprise with just a half mile left to run. It was a soggy half mile. I think I was around an 8:45 pace what with having to pick out every step and with fighting lethargy. I think saturday's snow run really took it out of me.
8 miles at 7:45 - mostly flat, mostly no deadly ice. got faster and faster as run progressed - not planned - just happens on longer runs - boredom maybe? maybe just get used to the pace? guilt that i've left some poor soul with 3 3-and-under? anyhow - i do actually like the way serendipity is working.
have sick baby tonight that wants to be held. hoping for sleep.
15 min. warm-up, 5x4x3x2x1 with 1 min. in between, 15 minute cool-down
splits per mile pace: 6:48, 6:45, 6:47, 6:38, 6:35
I did this because I saw that Nan did it sometime recently and it was something to do other than 800's which is the rut I have been in in the last month. Yeah - don't be surprised if I rip all of my work-outs off from Nan and then do them MUCH slower and probably an abbreviated version. The 5 and 4 were downhill and then I turned around and came back up after that. I felt pretty tired by the time I got to my cool-down which is good. I feel like I was in better shape by now after my last pregnancy, but I'm going to take Aaron's advice and enjoy my running and try not to get too worried about speed as long as I'm working hard.
Well, I've got one child screaming and another one getting warmed up so back to being a Mom.
It was just an easy run today at an 8:05 pace. I need to work some time in for stretching - I'm getting tight through my hips these days. I spent some time cruising around the internet trying to figure out some running terminology and how people figure out work-outs. It was fun and gave me all sorts of stuff to dream that I'd like to do. I'm sure I'll execute somewhere lower down on the scale, but the dreaming is awfully fun.
Today was one of those good days where I accomplished a few goals that I've been putting off, I got to see my kids playing happily with their cousins, and I got a good phone conversation with my husband (usually I have three kids demanding that I give them attention through the whole phone call and then as soon as I hang up they don't need me quite as bad anymore - I think the cousins distracted them today). By the way, I'm starting a count-down, 40 days until the husband is home for a two week R&R.
I ran 12 miles at an 8:02 pace - probably faster than I should have with how my legs and hips felt today. I ran up to the college I graduated from and then in the neighborhoods around there a bit. My husband and I met doing a competition through the army ROTC where we ran a bit together and the course I went on made me think of running in formation with him and our good friends/old teammates all of whom are scattered through the U.S., Iraq and Afghanistan now. It was highly motivating to think of those hard-working, competitive, faithful guys - to want to push myself hard because that is what they have done for themselves in the past and now. I could hear them on my run today calling me by my last name and telling me not to drop off the formation, pushing me up front to lead the group - maybe hoping that my desire not to be trompled by 10 guys would make me run faster. Maybe in 20 years when everybody is done with their Army career, had their fill of the Middle East and are home safe for good, maybe we could all go for a run together again and they could all tease me like brothers again. I think that would be fun.
An easy 5 miles. I tried to go up and down some good hills just for the heck of it. I felt really good - everything about it seemed smooth and unstressful. It must have been my mood today because I really felt unrattleable with the daily whines and cries and dishes and diapers. I'm guessing the good chi is coming from all the Christmas cookies I ate last night. Three cheers for the season!
An easy 4 miles today at 8:12. I was going to do a speed work-out today but I decided tomorrow would work better with the way I was feeling and because the snow was coming down pretty thick and right in my face. As soon as I decided to just run easy it was amazing how the snow transformed into a peaceful reminder of the Christmas season instead of an enemy to be put off until tomorrow. Oh well - now I can't back out tomorrow.
So I got myself to do the speed work-out that I wanted to do yesterday. I almost got out of it again because my husband called right when my mother-in-law was supposed to come down and watch the kids. It was a good connection so we talked for over an hour which took up the time my mother-in-law had in the morning. Much to the joy of my subconscience, I was able to put off running until the kids went to bed tonight and left the baby with my in-laws and went to the gym. I ran on the treadmill and did a 1 1/2 warm up and the same for a cool-down and then 4x1 mile with a quarter mile in between. I was pretty afraid that I wouldn't be able to make myself run consistently if I did the 1 miles on the road for the first time. It was good for me to see that I could do a 6:49 pace and maybe even take it up a little bit more. I feel like I know what to expect out of myself on the road now. I used to do this when I trained for my last marathon - if I had a speed work-out to do that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to have the discipline to make myself meet the time hacks on, I'd go in the gym and use the treadmill. I always felt like I was cheating and had to confess my sin to my husband as soon as I got home. I kind of feel like I need to email him tonight and let him know I used the treadmill and I'm a little ashamed (: 34 days 'til I can tell him in person!
I did 13 miles at an 8:49 pace. My goal was to go easy - maybe I didn't think it would be quite that easy, but it was certainly the pace I needed today and I'm just glad I didn't let myself push it anymore than that. I didn't mean to not run the last couple of days but between getting only 4 hours of sleep one night this week and feeling bad asking my mother-in-law or sister to watch my kids when they were so busy with Christmas preparation the running just didn't happen. I have to say that the run today was just the physical, emotional and mental release I needed. One month exactly until my husband will be watching the kids while I run!
5 miles easy at 8:11 pace I think. My mother-in-law has been trying to make me wear a scarf on my last couple of runs because I've had a sore throat and I think she doesn't want me to go completely south and have to be in charge of the kiddos for longer than her daily hour (I think this is the appropriate time to mention that I really do have one of the best mother-in-laws EVER). When she tied it around my neck on Saturday I went outside, stretched, took the scarf off and put it on the bumper of my car so I'd remember to pick it up when I got back, and went running. For some reason today I didn't take it off - I think it was curiosity to see if anything positive really could come from a strangling piece of cloth around the neck - scarfs are a foreign piece of clothing for this gal. And it was actually nice. I pulled the scarf up over my mouth and nose for a mile or two of the run when my face got particularly frozen and it was a sweet, warm relief if slightly suffocating. It reminded me of running in a gas mask in my old Army ROTC days - its a great way to get one-hundred percent focused on how you breath. So I guess for this entry I'm officially endorsing the scarf. I'll be right here waiting to be paid my millions by scarf-makers.
29 days 'til the husband. I wish I knew how many days until the inversion is over!!
OK, so I guess I wasn't too serious about feeling guilty for using the treadmill for my speed work-outs. Well, closer to the truth, I'm not strong enough to overcome my desire to use the treadmill for my speed work-outs. Today I did a 1 1/2 mile warm-up, 6x800 with an easy 400 between and then a mile cool-down all on the treadmill. It really was snowing pretty good outside and would've been pretty slippery to run on...really it would have been really, really hard...super hard...i'm a wimp! Anyhow, I did the 800's at 3:15. The first few steps at the 3:15 pace each time made me feel a little panicky and then it eased in and wasn't as bad as I was imagining it would be on my way over.
I was kind of glad to have to drive over to the gym anyway. Aaron Burr has finally killed Alexander Hamilton on my book on tape. I've got to take the book back to the library tomorrow and I was afraid I wouldn't even get through the duel. Nothing like killing two birds with one stone - I mean running and finishing a book. 29 days until the husband comes home (his leave date was pushed back just a smidgen - I can deal with smidgens).
This was a happy run. It was snowing big, peaceful flakes and the big, peaceful flakes were landing lightly on mounds of already settled flakes. It was like running through Robert Frost's snowy wood on an evening. My feet made first tracks on the sidewalks. First tracks make me feel like an explorer - nobody had ever touched that snow before - I was the first. I slipped once on the snow and landed right on my backside and out came a giggle. I felt like a little kid playing in the snow for the first time of the winter. Yeah - anyhow - I liked it. It was a slow, but I had a down-right pleasant time of it.