Happy National Running Day!!

Yep today is National Running Day!
I have a 4 mile date with my treadmill in the morning that's how I'll be celebrating it. Today's run (technically yesterday since it's after midnight)was hard but still went well. I keep my same pace but ran a much hillier part of my neighborhood and even though to was 8:30AM it was already 80 degrees with 69% humidity. YUCK. Go Michigan! But, I powered through and ran the whole thing.

My sweaty run:
Time:43:17
Distance:3.06
Pace:14:08

WOOHOO I really did it this time

Well I was pretty M.I.A. this weekend, from bloggyland anyway. I was out enjoying that weekend! Despite some storms rollin' through I managed to get some good run time in, which is a plus considering I just signed up for this...

Oh yeah, it's official now.
I signed up for that right after I finished my long run on Sunday. Sunday was a nice peaceful morning. I woke up at 6AM and I was wide awake. So I got up. I thought about signing up for the race then, but I had fear. It has only been this last week...last 4 runs that I have felt in my zone. My Zen post actually started it all. Since then I have been a running machine. So, it isn't so strange that...I don't trust it. It feels like a switch has been flipped and now I can do distance running, 3, 4, 5 miles...doesn't matter I can do it...and with rock solid pace. But, I don't trust it, I fear it's a fluke, that I'll go out to run and piddle out after 10 minutes just like I always have. So I decided Sunday morning I was going out to run and if that went well I would sign up for the race when I got home and that's exactly what I did.
So, I decided to run down to the park...and I do mean that literally. It's all down hill to the park, which is fine on the way down there, but I knew that would be a slow personal torture coming back home.


See, look at the elevation changes. You might also note how stable my pace is throughout, yeay me!
But, it's worth it to run in a place so peaceful.
And so empty, I think everyone must have left for the holidays because I had the whole place to myself.

View of the path and playground


Water so calm, like glass.


Sun creeping up in the sky


An uphill battle

When I got home I checked out my stats and was happy to see them so consistent. Especially since I stopped a few times for a second or two to take the photos you see here.



So, high on confidence, I signed up for the race. And now I sit here, a mixture of happy, confident, nervous and afraid. 13.1 miles is a long way to go. Will I make it? How will this change me? What will I be come Sept 4th? Eek, I'm so excited!



This should be Week 8 day 2 of the C25k but I'm way beyond that now:
Time: 01:15:49
Distance: 5.36 miles
Pace: 14:09

Rainy Day Zen

Another gloomy and grey day in Michigan.

It was rainy and 51 degrees. I deliberated for a long time, run inside on the treadmill or outside in the cold misty rain. Eventually, I decided to brave it outside. Running on the treadmill just isn't my idea of fun. So out I went into the grey gloomy world.



Guess what?
It was my best run yet. I'm freakin AMAZED. This should be W8D1 of the C25k but who needs that anymore!! I ran, straight up RAN, 4.66 miles today in my bleak, cold grey world. I freakin' rocked it. ANNNNND...the only reason I stopped was my battery was dieing on my phone and it started pouring. Here I am drenched and happy!!

I found it today, my pace, my stride, my running zen. I was there. Free. blissful. Half the time I even had a goofy grin on my face coz it just felt so good to be able to run. I can't even believe it, and I just did it!! Awesome. I'm sooooo happy!!

Week 8 Day 1 of the C25K...or whatever...my run:

Time: 01:04:54 (that's right I ran for over and hour straight)
Distance: 4.66 miles
Pace: 13:55 (my fastest pace yet for the C25K program)

OH YEAH!!

Woohoo! I'm so totally happy right now. My run went FREAKIN' AWESOME. Feeling Good, Feeling Strong, I totally ran the whole time!! It was a beautiful day for a run! Sunny and 62 degrees. There was hardly anyone out and about so I had the whole neighborhood to myself. There was lovely landscaping to look at.

and many hills to run up and down...our neighborhood is soooo hilly.



and despite all the hills I managed to keep my pace rock solid!!



I ran and ran until I got 3.49 miles in and that was a lot of loops...trying to avoid the really steep hills.



and this my Dears...
this is the face of one sweaty squinty eyed happy camper!!



Week 7 Day 3 of the C25K:
Time: 50:09
Distance: 3.49
Pace: 14:23

W7D2 now with Mojo!

Today I ran. Yeah Baby!

Mile 1 was...eh, I was finding my groove.

Mile 2 was EXTRAORDINARY...it was like butter. My pace was smooth, my body was in control dare I say it was easy, no, not easy, I still knew I was working but, it felt natural, beautiful, like I was made to run.

Mile 3 it all fell apart. At 2.20mi I had to start walking, just a moment, my breathing was off and I needed water. That moment was actually 2 minutes, then I started running again, but now it was labored, my calves felt tight..I lost my mojo. :^(

Ahhh, but for one whole mile, I felt it. My Running Mojo. Is that the runners high people are always talking about? Whatever it was it was GREAT. I was sad to see it go. Maybe I lost it because I had to do my run on the treadmill, maybe it way because it wasn't the time I normally run. It doesn't matter, I'm still excited. Can you just imagine having that feeling for 3, 4, 5, 10 miles...wow...that would be UH-MAZING.

Today's insightful Run:
Time: 43:00
Distance: 3.00 miles
Pace: 14:20

W7D1 at the park

Yeah who could resist running in such a lovely place on such a nice day!

Running outside today was a bit of a challenge. I was in a good mood and in such a lovely place that it showed in my pace. I did 2.75 miles and the splits went like this.

Splits:
Mile 1 13:47
Mile 2 12:55
Mile .75 24:19

Yeah, after I got my 25 minutes in...I fell apart my pace for the first 2 miles was faster than I usually do. I average about a 14:00 min/mile on the treadmill, so it's not surprising that I was pooped after 2 miles. Hubby walked with me the last .75 and we just enjoyed the nice day...as you can tell by my leisurely pace. lol.
I'm feeling good about those times...I just gotta work on more of an even tempo.

I's a nice little park to run in as you can tell by the pic above. It's got a nice run path with trees and in the middle of the loop is a playground for the kids so they can play while I run. It even has a pond with ducks swimming about. Very relaxing, and way more enjoyable than staring at the wall while I'm on my treadmill!



My Peaceful Run Overall:
Time: 44:55
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace: 16:19

Anxiously Awaiting...

I ordered these on Thursday last week. I REALLY need a new set of headphones. I hope these don't suck. Here the Link to them on Amazon The reviews seem pretty solid and I like the shape and style of the ear piece. Of course I will be blogging my unbias review here after I take them for a run. Wish I would have had them for my run this morning.

Today was C25K W6D1. I stretched it out for 4 miles so it could be a long run as well. I'm trying to make it easier to transition into the half marathon training program after I finish the C25K. Onward and upward toward that goal of the Rock-n-roll half marathon in VB this September.

Today's Long run went like this:
Time:1:00:00
Distance: 4.07 miles
Pace: 14:44

Bad Luck Friday...

Friday the 13th
I should have know by the day that this run would be cursed. All I wanted was to run my 20 minutes and be done...that's all. So I start to get ready, and can't find a hair tie...after about 10 minutes of searching I find one...good. I get the treadmill ready and get a bottle of water. Then I gather my tunes...I usually run with my Droid. Except for today that is..the battery was almost dead. So I put it charging and go get my old Ipod...dead too. UGH, the first time running 20 minutes straight and I have to do it with no music...at all......NOOOOOOOOOOO.
So I get on the treadmill and start walking to warm up, wondering how I will survive without my music. For me this is a nightmare, like sitting in a doc's waiting room listening to the clock tick as you wait and wait...time creeps by so slowly.
Tic, tock, tic, tock. Only 10 minutes in and I feel like I'm already going crazy. that's when I start the self help talk. "This is making you stronger" ...."This is preparing you for the mental struggle of a half marathon" .... "Think of how strong you'll feel once you complete this run" So much inner whinnyness, so much mental self talk. But 30 minutes later week 5 day 3 of the C25K was done. I ran for 20 minutes straight....with no music! Just me...I did that!

The Cursed run results:
Time: 29:19
Distance: 2.0 miles
Pace: 14:39

Small Victories..

The couch to 5k running program is such an amazing thing to me. It works every time, you just have to do it and listen to your body for speed. Today was week 5, day 2. that means 8 minutes of straight run/jog then walk for 5 then run/jog another 8 minutes. 8 minutes is a long time. Heck 5 minutes is a long time. But, I got on the treadmill and just did it. It was humid and I was sweaty but I ran it. No near death experience...no clutching the sides of the treadmill for dear life...I just ran. I did ease the pace back just a smidge because it was so humid. But, I'm proud. I made it. Next up is Week 5 day 3, that means 20 minutes of straight running!


Time: 30:44
Distance: 2.05 miles
Pace: 14:59

I have survived...

YeaY,
I have four days off from work! That's a nice way to start off Mother's Day weekend. I have been working 6 and 7 day weeks since the beginning of March. Now we finally have a new co-worker so we can all have some much needed rest! I decided to take mine this week. So I have today off and I don't go back till Monday night(3rd shift) Needless to say when I got home this morning I was on high! Woohoo! So I got on the treadmill and practically danced it out...YES!
Today was Week 4 Day 3 of the couch to 5K and it was no match for my positivity! I'm in a great mood right now. Time off, happy run, and nothing planned for the day except a nice tasty nap...WHHHHAAAATTTT...I did work all night...lol.

Happy Run Details:
Time:00:30:00
Distance:2.06 miles
Pace: 14:33

That's what separates the Runner from the Whiner

So I sized up my treadmill this morning...

It wasn't lookin' so tough....
Huh, you eyeballin' me treadmill?
Yeah, it had to go down...a treadmill throw down like no other. Sure there was sweatin', cussin', maybe even a tear or two, but I came out victorious!

Week 4 Day 2... it's no joke.

Week 4 Day 2 says BRING IT or stay home!

and the sweat on my face says.... BooYah.

Treadmill Throwdown Breakdown:
Time: 00:29:35
Distance: 2 miles
Pace:14:47

My new run partner

So I had a new partner on my run this evening, my baby girl

She wanted to come with me so we did W4D1 of the Couch to 5k. She actually did pretty well. She did whine quite a bit during the long runs segments, but she made it the whole way with me. As for me, having my daughter along was a nice distraction, I spent more time encouraging her than I did thinking about my legs. That was good coz our area is nice and hilly

It was a nice cool evening for a run and I'm glad I decided to run it outside.
My W4D1 training:
Time:00:39:04
Distance:2.43 miles
Pace:16:04

Another week is done...

Today was C25K W3D3. I did well and felt good so I ran/walked another mile. I'm ready for week 4.

Time: 00:43:58 min
Miles: 3.0miles
Pace: 14:39

It's My Anniversary!

Just a quickie post to check in. Today was C25K W3D2 and I didn't skip it. I thought about it, afterall it is my 15th anniversary. But no, I had too. I took time off for Easter, I don't need anymore "time off" I got a race to prepare for! So, not only did I run it, but I gotta a better time then I have in awhile woohoo...feeling great! Now I'm flying high on good number too. I'm in such a great mood today! Off to get ready for my date with hubby!

Today's awesome training run:
Time: 00:29:30
Distance: 2.00 miles
Pace: 14:45

Tuesday in Slo-Moe

It's a rainy gray Tuesday morn, and today my daughter has a doctors appointment. Just enough time to get my run on and get showered up to take her in. It's lightly raining out...misting really, and I thought about running outside anyway, but I decided against it. Running on the treadmill can get so boring luckily for me I had just freshened up my tunes so my music was fresh and lively. Wish I could have said the same for myself...lol. Today I felt heavy and a little sick to my stomach as I ran. Note to self: do not toss a hand full of peanuts in your mouth 10 minutes before you hop on the treadmill...barf! I never did barf but that feeling came and went the whole time I was running. I think I'm just short on sleep. I cut myself short on sleep all weekend long entertaining for our extended family, I think now it's finally catching up with me.

Todays training run:
Time: 00:31:10
Distance: 2.0 miles
Pace: 15:35

Jelly Bean 5K today...

Hey Everyone! I just completed the Jelly Bean 5K virtual race. There's still time if you wanna join in on the fun! Today was supposed to be C25K W2D3 so I just did the whole 5k in that fashion, run for 1min30sec walk for 2minutes. I did try to run more where I felt I could to try to get an ok time. Edn result? 00:46:33. I'd like to have done better...But, I'm fine with that number. Yep, another race under my belt as I prepare for the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach!! This is me just after my 5k, tired and happy!

C25k W2D2

Nothing like a post-run icing to make yah feel like a true runner! Ugh, my legs are tired, glad tomorrow is a rest day.
Today's run went kinda crappy. I got into a small squabble with my hubby, just before he went to work. Which put me in a bad mood for my run. I actually thought about not doing it at all. I thought about making some sugary crap food to eat and watching TV instead. But, I didn't. I made the decision to get on the treadmill anyway and do my run. It was hard. I didn't feel very happy running. My legs felt heavy, I actually thought I might even cry. But, I powered through, and NOW I feel a little better...still mad at hubby, but at least I don't have the guilt of not running. That would just make things worse.

Today I managed to get this:
Time: 31:10
Distance: 2.01 miles
Pace:15.30

Snow Again?

WHAT is allll that about? It's mid April and it is all snowy outside. Grr, Michigan. So I decided to stay in today and run on the treadmill. This is W2D1 of the c25k. It went well no complaints. Would have been nice to run outside...but I guess mother nature had other plans. I hope it goes away soon, I'm so sick of winter.

Today I did:
Time: 31:00
Distance: 2.01 miles
Pace:15.25

C25k W1D2 Today

Ok that's it...time to pull myself together and get goin'.
- Game face on - check
- Podulating device packed with groovish tunez - check
- C25K training schedule handy - check
- Random running blogs gleaned for inspiration/motivation - check

Then I am ready.

C25K W1D2

Lock N Load.

W5D3 - Finally! I know, that took awhile.

So yeah, It's been awhile. I'm not gonna lie...the 20 minute straight run scared the pee outta me. I really was pretty sure I wouldn't make it through, I know I'm not ready. Well, anyway, The first 11 minutes went by well enough, I started to get winded and sore but then I found my groove. But, as minute 12 approached, my calves started burning. Once they started screaming at me I new my run was limited and by minute 13 I had to walk...so I slowed down to a power walk which I really think actually made it worse so I picked up my run pace again...which immediately made my calves start screaming again. Yes, that last 7 minutes was a hellish exercise in futility. Running, power walking, running again, awe hell I can't, walk again until finally the cool down. I know that W6D1 is 10 minute runs with breaks. So I am going to advance myself to week 6 but I'm going to stay on Day 1 or Day 2 until I fell like I can really run that much coz W6D3 is a 25 minute straight run and I don't want it to turn out like this run.

The Details:
Distance: 2.07 miles
Time: 30:53
Pace: 14:55

I'll be participating in the 2010 Grand Rapids Kidney Walk on May 2, 2010. The Kidney Walk is a non-competitive walk event with a route that is about 2 miles in length over generally level terrain. If you like to support me in this event you can visit my page and make a donation online. Any help is greatly appreciated!! :o) BTW: it's a S L O W loading page.