A Lousy Run to Close Out the Week

Yuck.  Bad.  Not happy.  I was supposed to run 6 miles today.  I got up too late to run before I  went to the farmer's market downtown with my sister and her family, and then went home.  It was cool and cloudy; looking good.  Then it rained.  Then I fell asleep on the couch.  When I woke up, it was around 1 pm and very sunny outside.  Cue the humidity.

I bought a hydration belt the other day and was so excited to try it out.  I mixed up some Heed from Hammer, and filled my bottle.  Drove to a new place to run which I was told was a two mile loop, but when I looked it up on the trail info website, it's really only 1.6 miles.  So, had to recalculate my running--should do four trips around to get to my 6 and a little over.

So, I started out, after calling Bud and letting him know where I was and that I would call him back after my run.  It was a new place, and I just wanted someone to know where I was, since it is not on my list of regular running places.  I ran about 20 feet before my hydration belt began to do a dance around my middle.  I tried to tighten it, but the only way it would stay in one spot was if I ran with one hand holding it down.  The sun was blazing, and I was really peeved and disappointed with my hydration belt.

 I made it around 3 times, stopping to walk and adjust the belt continuously.  It stays in place if you walk, so I may gift it to C-Joy for her to use in her half marathon.  It's great for walking, but not for running.  I'm not happy, since I had decided this would keep me from stopping at water stops during my races, and help me improve my time.  All it did was slow me way down and annoy me.  And it made me feel lopsided.

Back to square one.  I will have to just suck it up and grab water at the water stops like I always have done.  I really have no idea how to carry my drink with me comfortably.  I am also very unhappy that I didn't complete my 6 miles.  I just gave up, which I usually don't do, but I had just had it!  Maybe it's from running three days in a row, in the heat, and not when I wanted to, but when I could.  I can only hope that when it begins to cool down, my running will improve since my body has completely forgotten what it's like to run without major heat and humidity.  I'm glad I'm not training for a full marathon, cause I would have serious thoughts about dropping out.  What a summer for running.  I'm pretty sure many people across the country feel the same way I do.

After going to Target to get some things, I came home.  Bud called me.  I forgot to call him.  He was ready to drive over and find my car to make sure I was ok.  I feel like a crumb.  Oops.

Taking tomorrow off; it's supposed to be 90 degrees with the humidity climbing again this week.  Only had one day of lovely weather.
Ten mile run to accomplish; my goal is to do it on Tuesday, my other day off.  Going to get up and be out by 6 A.M. to accomplish it before it gets too uncomfortable.

On the bright side, the Sac and Fox Trail has been repaired from the 2008 flood, so  I am going to go there Sunday afternoon and ride my bike--get some cross training in for the week.

Less than a month away from the half marathon!  Getting a little nervous, although I am definitely better prepared than I was in May.

Blooming Zinnias

After months of waiting, they're finally blooming!  Red...

Pink....

And Orange!

Running Through The Cemetery With No Dead People Chasing Me

I mean that with all due respect to the people who found their final resting place in this particular cemetery.  It comes complete with a pioneer section, if you really want to see some old head stones.  Anyway, it's a beautiful cemetery, and fortunately for me, it's fairly close to my house (about a 5 minute drive--10 with road construction) and is built on rolling hills.  It's also very peaceful, has little to no traffic, and is quiet.

This is one hill I made a loop around--it continues straight up

This is another hill I would run up and around to yet one more hill!

This is where I chose to run my 4 miles of hills today.  I figured if I ran up and down the hills for about 40 minutes, I would hit my 4 miles.  I also figured if I ran up and down the hills about 8 times, it would be good. 

I lost count after 4 rounds.  I started running around the cemetery, up one hill, then slowly jogging down the next.  I started criss-crossing lanes, and soon was running up three different hills.  The road meanders through the cemetery, and it's easy to forget what you're doing since, if you're like me, you look at headstones as you run past.  After the first heart pounding hill, it got more bearable.  


There's something deeply satisfying about running up those darn hills.  It's a brief victory, but it feels pretty good to make it up the hill to the top.  And to do it over and over again, well, not only does it wear you out, but it feels like you've accomplished something major.  And, knowing the work I do now will help me in a month keeps me going.  I may not feel quite so flush with hill running victory when I attempt to get out of bed tomorrow morning, though.  


Grabbing the aspirin now!

YMCA Yearly Challenge Over; Another One Begun

I belong to the YMCA and every year, from August 1st to July 31st of the next year, they have a challenge for members.  You submit your miles that you've run, walked, biked, or cardio machined your way through and they keep track for you and let you know how many miles you've accumulated.  It also works for swimming and any exercise classes you do.  You can do  any of these activities at the Y, or on your own.  The point is to keep you moving and motivated.  At the end of the year, if you've reached the miles required, you get either a T-shirt of a certificate of accomplishment.

I kept track of my running, biking, and some classes I started after January of this year.  My total biking miles were 130.5 and my total running miles were 230.6.  Unfortunately, to get a t-shirt I have to run at least 500 miles; it's more than that for the biking.  But, I made the first tier of mileage, so I get a certificate.  I took 26 classes before one was canceled for the summer, and work hours changed so I couldn't make the two other classes I took after work.  I may take up a class again; I'd like to try kick-boxing.

Anyway, I'm happy to see the miles added up.  I'm starting fresh with my mileage tracking today for the Y, so we'll see where I'm at this time next year.  I'm shooting for that darn t-shirt!  I got one in 2008; that was the year of the flood.  The Y was completely engulfed by flood waters; destroying the main floor, the pool,  locker rooms, the basketball and racquetball courts.  It was closed for 3 months.  So the Y graciously gave anyone who was close to the miles a t-shirt as a thanks for being patient and keeping up the exercise where ever we could.

Today I ran my 4 mile "tempo" run.  It sounds easy:  you run your first and last miles at your regular pace, and the two in between at a slower pace.  Well, since I run slow anyway, it was kinda hard to run any slower!  But  my friend Mr. Muggy was present, so that had me stopping and walking a few times--I'll take that as my slower pace!  I'm noticing my breathing is finally getting back to where it needs to be, so I'm not even noticing it.  I'm also seeing myself running longer distances between pooping out and walking.  This is good!

Running Week in Review-- I Made My Goal!

I just finished up my last run for the week, and now I'm cleaned up and my appetite is waking up rapidly!  I need food!!  Mexican, hopefully.

My weekly running goal for this week was 21 miles, and with my 5 mile run today after work, I did it.  I'm so happy with myself.  It was hot running; the humidity was bearable, but I am so used to complaining about the smothering effects of a high dew point, I've  forgotten what it's like to just have it be hot outside.  Can you tell I prefer to run when it's 60-65 outside?

I have to say I am feeling better about my running, although I am still frustrated at my slow pace.  I hope the alternating weeks of hill and speed work over the next month will help improve my speed on race day--which is on Sept. 5th--about a month away!  I'm debating getting a waist belt for carrying my drinks with me when I run long distances.  It would be nice to have my preferred beverage with me, and then I wouldn't have to stop at the drink stations, cutting into my time.  I'm going to check them out and think about it, although I need to decide quickly so I can practice running with it.

So next week is only 18 miles:  hill work of 4 miles, a long run of 6 miles, and a few more 4 milers thrown in.  Two days of cross-training and one day off.  The day off will have to be tomorrow, since I work all day and I can squeeze in the rest during the week.

I am going to have to replace the pads in my shoes sometime soon, and I have a problem with my running shoes:  I've managed to poke a hole in the tops of both shoes where my big toe resides.  I've superglued one shoe, and it seems to be holding.  I guess I'll do the same with the other one.  I may have to get another pair of shoes before I run my third and final half marathon in October.

I am such a weenie

I'm surfing the web, looking for more interesting blogs to join.  I come across this one:

http://eatdrinkrunwoman.com/

Holy crap!  This woman runs like no one I have ever read about.  How amazing.  I can't whine about a measly 5 mile run again.  

She's inspiring, although I'm pretty sure I will never achieve a 50 mile run in my life.  

Check it out.

8 Mile Run is Done!

I went out today and ran my long run for the week--8 miles.  I started at 7:03 AM, and finished at 8:40 AM.  This included stopping for water breaks and my final stretches after the last mile.  It was very difficult and the backs of my legs are feeling it!  But it's done!  Can't wait for cooler weather--I've forgotten what it's like to run in  the 60's with low humidity.  I can only expect my running will be better, since I won't be literally dripping with sweat.  The only thing on me that was dry was the top of my head.  Seriously.  The top of my head.  How terribly attractive I looked! This was certainly an ugly sweat.


Going to take a quick nap now--I am pooped.  Two more shorter runs to complete this week to get to my 21 miles--a 4 miler and a 5 miler.  

A close representation of moi...but the chicken is running faster