End of week 5

Wednesday I had to work, so I made it a rest day. Probably should have done something, but I didn't. Thursday I went for a nice long bike ride. It actually felt good. Had to work on Friday as well, planned to do some yoga when I got home, but didn't. O well. My friends that were going to run the 1/2 with me have decided to do another one that is in 2 weeks instead of 5. Uh, yeah, I'm not doing that. I need all 5 weeks to get MENTALLY ready to run this stupid thing. So, I may be running by myself, I may not. I'll definitely be training by myself and that just royally sucks. Friday my husband and I went to the running store. I mean a REAL running store, where they have a CLUE about what you need to run. Spent at least an hour there trying on shoes and getting the right ones that will help me to run well. The only problem was that I have big feet and they didn't have my size and had to order the ones that I need. So I will get them on Thursday, probably. As for todays run, well that sucked too. It was only 6 miles, not too long on the whole grand scheme of things, seeing as how we did 8 last week. But I was exhausted, by miles 6 I was ready to be done. Not sure if it's the fact that my shoes have broken down too much or if I'm just overdoing it. sigh. such is my life. I'm hoping this week will be better. I have to switch running days around, because I had to switch my work schedule around because of class. So I'm not sure what I am going to be doing in what order now. like usual.

Week #5

This week started out great. I did 40 minutes hard. I ran almost 4.5 miles in 40 minutes. I was psyched. And I felt good afterwards. I was supposed to do cross training on Tuesday, but because of work I usually run on Tues and cross train on Wed. Anyway. I ran almost 5 on Tues, this time at an easy pace. Not too bad. My feet started hurting a little, but that may be because my shoes are in need of replacement. But maybe I just ran too many miles in the last few days. Today I rested. One extra day this week the schedule says to rest, so I made it today. I was supposed to work, but called in sick. I had too much school work to do, so I skipped on the money making. Great option, ain't it. anyway. tomorrow is another cross training day, I think. Can't decide if I'm going to run or ride. I work on Friday, so I might ride then and run tomorrow. We'll see how I feel in the morning.

End of week 4

Well let's see. The end of week did not go as well as I had hoped it would. jeez. I was going to go for a bike ride on Friday, but it looked like rain. And I used it as an excuse not to go. Just didn't want to go. On Saturday my friend Amy and I did a long run. And I mean LONG!!! For me anyway. i haven't run 8 miles in a few years, and I felt it. I was ready to quit by about mile 6.5. Amy was great and keeping me going. Made me feel super old though. So incredibly old. sigh. But I did it, now onto week 5.

Week #4

Before you know it the week is almost over. good grief. Monday we were still camping. I had every intention of going out for another run on the beach. Was actually looking forward to it. Then I took an Advil PM. No big deal, except a rash appeared on my hands, not from the Advil, from the wipes I'd used earlier. So i had to take a Benadryl. oh, yeah that was fun. I slept really good. But then couldn't get up in the morning. I was mad. So no workout on Monday, since we didn't get home until after 7pm. And we were tired from being in the car all day and just wanted take showers and watch tv. ha. Tuesday was an easy run. 45 minutes. I tried to push a little to see what i could do. made it 4 miles, actually a little more. So i think I'll be okay. I was tempted to run all the way around the lake to see how far I could actually go, but wasn't sure if i'd make it back to the house on time and I had a visit with the chiropractor, so i needed to be done on time. but it was a good run. Today, wednedsay, cross training. I did Yoga Fusion, or whatever it's called. Good workout, although I was standing the whole time. Not sure if I like that, since I'm at work all morning and that is why I cross train on wednesdays. I'll see how I feel about that maybe next week. More updates later.

Week #3

Didn't realize i didn't blog at all last week about my wonderful running. there's probably a reason for that. ..... it sucked! On monday I went 40 minutes "hard." hahahahaha. it was ugly. had to stop once, but made it most of the 40 minutes. First mile was 9 minutes, second 2 were 11-ish, i think, last one was 10 minutes. So, not bad. i guess. Tuesday was 45 minutes easy, no problem there. Easy runs I can do. I think I could run for a really long time as long as I didn't have to push myself. this is not a good thing. Wednesday i worked and felt horrible after, so it was a rest day. Thursday was a 30 minutes easy. Yet again, love those easy runs. Friday we went camping. Left at 3 am, so couldn't run. But we went to the beach, so I went swimming. It wasn't fun. swimming in the ocean is HARD!! I don't think i'll be doing any full length triathlons anytime soon. nope. not gonna happen. Saturday I went for a run on the beach. I really like running on the beach. It was supposed to be 7 miles, but I had no idea where 7 miles was. So I just ran until I cam upon some horses, then turned around and went back. I think it was probably about 3, maybe 4 if I was lucky. But i figure running on the beach made up for some lack of mileage. And later that day I went swimming again. The water was a lot calmer and the going easier, but still enough exercise to get the heart rate going. So that about covers last week.

Week #2

Amazing how time flies. Week 2 is almost over and I'm just now getting around to posting something. Luckily I'm better at running than I am at posting. Monday was a "moderate' day. I was supposed to run for 35 minutes, at moderate heart rate. ugh. it was horrible. Just horrible. I couldn't make it past 20 minutes, I had to stop and walk. I have no idea what the heck is wrong, but jeez that was not fun!! I can't remember if I mentioned my shoe saga, but on this run the Nikes SUCKED!!!! They were horrible. and the insoles I put them, complements of Dr. Scholls, moved around the entire time and made running sooooo not comfortable. By the end of my run the heel part was under my foot. not cool. So then on Tuesday it was 40 minutes easy. I like long easy runs. i don't think about them and can run them better than I do the ones that have a set distance. I put the Reeboks back on with the insoles in them since the Monday shoe ordeal was so crappy. I was hoping that this would help. It didn't. The Reeboks worked for cushion, but then the insoles gave me a HUGE blister on the arch of my foot. Not cool. Where the hell is Adidas when you need them. jerks? :) So by the time I got done on Tuesday I was hurting. Or at least my feet where. Wednesday I didn't do anything. It was supposed to be a cross training day, but I was too tired and sore to do anything. so I didn't. This morning was another easy run day. Supposed to be 40 min. but I forgot to take the watch, so I just did 3.5 miles easy. And ended up with another blister on my foot. aaaauuurgh!! Tomorrow I'm riding my bike. I'm not working all day, so I shouldn't have any problems getting out and riding.

End of week one

I did actually work out last week. i just didn't have time to write about it. Wednesday was a rest day. I kinda switched the schedule around since I work on Wed. and am on my feet for 8 hours and cant' run afterwards. We were headed out to go camping for the weekend so I planned on swimming in the lake for one of my cross training days. I ran Thursday with a friend for 40 minutes easy. Not a bad run. On Friday I tried swimming in the lake. I'm not a bad swimmer, actually I'm okay. However, it's been at least a year since I've even tried to swim more than a lap in a pool, let alone swim in a lake with waves. And I was supposed to do 30 minutes of cross training. yeah, that didn't happen. I did about 15 minutes and was so tired that I figured that was enough. On Saturday I ran 6 miles. It felt good most of the way. When I started it sucked, but then it always does. I had to run by myself since there wasn't anyone else to run with me, that made it suck even more, but I did it. I talked to myself part of the way, since the pace was supposed to be conversational. It was better than nothing.

Training has officially begun

A bunch of us from church are going to run a half marathon in October. 5 of them ran it last year and know what the trail is all about. I run at the park where it's held every day. so I think I should be okay. I got a workout plan from Runner's World that was at Peggy & Ray's last weekend. It seems pretty good and I should be able to get myself moving. I'm pretty motivated at the moment. We'll see how it goes next week or maybe the week after. yeah. that's when it will be interesting. I had to run 35 minutes yesterday at a moderate pace, which is faster than conversational. The workout has target heart rates, but I'm not real into that. Partly because I've been an athlete my entire life and never worried about how fast my heart was beating. eh, I might give it a try some day. I was determined to run the entire 35 minutes. I think it went pretty well. I didn't pass out and I was seriously huffing and puffin'. There was no way I was talking to anyone on that run. I measured how far I went, we'll see if it improves as I go. Today was a cross training day. I took the bike out and road for 35 minutes. I hate the bike. I was going to get a new one today, but got distracted by other things and didn't get it purchased. I have a week. But if I'm going to do this thing, I need a better bike. The one that I am using is my father in laws and it's a trail bike and it's slow. slow as molasses in January. not fun to ride. and it makes my butt hurt. I work on Wed & Friday, so although the schedule says to run on those days, I think I'll be cross training on them. I'm on my feet for at least 6 hours, while working. I don't think I could do running after that. I think the pool or the bike will be just fine. I hope. I'll try to do better on the blog, now that I have a goal and I plan on running in October, barring any major catastrophes. but it's not like anyone reads this thing. ha!

runnin in the rain

Went for a short run the other day, in the rain. Love running in the rain. Love it. Not sure why, I think part of it is that no one else likes to run in the rain. When I go out to run, there aren't very many people out there. It was raining pretty good when I started, then stopped half way through. I was bummed, cause once it stopped raining it warmed up, not cool. The run was good, ran a short 3 miles, not sure on the time. I'm not timing myself yet. Don't want to get disappointed too quickly. I know that if I time myself I'll get discouraged and stop running. not likely, but ya never know. I think I'm losing weight. maybe, maybe not. ha, I'm real concerned about that, can you tell? I've been having serious sugar cravings lately. not sure why. I'm wondering if I'm dehydrated and that's why I'm jonesing for candy and cookies. not sure. I'll have to work on that. Can't be putting all this running to waste. Until next workout :)

runnin,runnin, runnin

Went for 5 miles with Jaimee on Monday. It was an aiight run. nothin gmajor. Although I've noticed that i've been getting major headaches a few hours after I'm done. Not fun, cauase they are migraine like, very similar to the ones I used to get when I as younger. not cool. I've tried drinking more water, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Sean and Jaimee think maybe I should drink before. The only problem with that is my over active kidneys will send me to every port-a-pit on the 5 mile loop. It'll take me forever to finish! sigh, maybe i'll just have to start taking tylenol BEFORE I run. Who knows.

I'm B-a-a-a-a-a-ck

I've decided to try again. I have convinced a friend from work, while 2 of my friends from church have convinced me, that we need to run a 1/2 marathon. It will be in October, so I have time to prepare. I am also going to do the sprint tri that I was going to do last year and didn't get to. I have a thesis to write this summer, but i can do that anytime I want, so I have time to go running in the morning. I also had a friend clue me in on the cheap pool on the other end of town. It's only $1 or 2 for adults to swim at weird hours. I'm talking 7 am or 8 pm, so, it's worth it. I just have to go :) I've decided that I'm going to train on the crappy bike so that the bike riding will be hard for now. Then a month before the race I'll get a nice road bike, not too expensive, cause I don't know how much I want to pursue this triathlon thing, but a nicer one than I have right now, and then the riding will be easier. (How about THAT runon sentence:) The tri is in August, I figure the training for the half marathon will cover the running. I'm already up to 5 miles 2 days a week, so I should be good for August. Now I just have to do all that swimming and biking stuff. sigh. The swimming will be the hardest, don't know how I'm going to handle it.

Typical

Just when I try to get back is in the saddle and start running again, something always happens. I got back and started running for about 2 weeks, got the dog back in shape and everything. Then I starting feeling really tired and like I couldn't get enough oxygen, and I had this horrific cough. I get a cough every winter and didn't think anything of it, so I just stopped running and waited for the cough to go away. I kept waiting and waiting, and waiting. Needless to say, the cough never went away. Everyone kept telling me that I really should go to the doctor, but I kept putting it off. Mostly cause we can't really afford the dr. or the expensive insurance. We switched insurance companies to save some money before I am able to get insurance through work. Just when we switch, I decide that yes, maybe I should go to the dr. So I went yesterday, and wouldn't you know it, I have walking pneumonia. Lovely. So this means no running for a while, and then it is totally going to suck when I get back into it. I'll let you know when I'm back on track.

Am I nuts?!

I called my friend Jaimee today to ask her if she was running in a race anytime soon, cause I have been feeling kinda sliggish. Be careful what you ask for! She called me back and said yeah, we're running a half marathon, at the beginning of October. Oh, okay. I guess that means i need to go running now:) I really need to get a move on. I'm getting lazy in my old age. The crappy part is, it will take me longer to get back into the swing of things. I was doing so GOOD when I was training for the triathlon. man, i need to do that again. I think i'll be able to train for it next year. It doesn't look like I will be doing anything too crazy. yeah, famous last words. I'll have to see how this training goes. what do i get myself into?!

Events have conspired against me

I went for a short bike ride today. Only 5 miles. While I was riding I realized I haven't ridden the bike in 2 weeks! Yeah, so much for keeping up the training while working at Target. I have only been running twice in the last 2 weeks. Getting a raging case of tendonitis didn't help either! And now I've found out that we are supposed to register this weekend so that we can all go together in the same heat. And that means I would need to have 45$ to register. 45 bucks that we don't have right now, and if we did, I'd be buying stuff for class that is supposed to start at the end of August. Soooo, I guess that means that I won't be doing the triathlon after all. I think I'm going to keep up the training cause the cross training is great for my legs:) But, no official triathlon for me at this point. I think there is one at the Y sometime in the winter, but I'm not sure. Maybe I'll so that one. We'll see.

Ouch! OUCH! Ouch!

Getting old sucks! Okay, so I'm really not that old in the whole grand scheme of things, but playing basketball for 15 years really puts a lot of wear and tear on your body. Making your body SEEM like it's older than it really is. I had every intention of getting up this morning and going for a couple of miles with the dog. He hasn't been out in a week and really needed to get a move on. But alas, when I woke up my knee was SCREAMING!!! It hurt like crazy. Nothing like tendonitis to put a halt to all activities relating to a triathlon. This sucks. I was going to ride the bike yesterday, but it had started to hurt then (just al ittle twing, nothing major) and I was exhausted after work, So I was a lame-o and didn't go, kinda glad I didn't, cause then my knee would have REALLY hurt today. Yeah, so going up and down stairs is not fun, nor is getting up from sitting down. I know I said this already, but this really sucks. So for the week, I will be sucking down the Advil and using the ice, and hoping that it goes away by Monday so I can at least get on the bike then. Here's hoping.

Swimming still sucks

No bike ride today, went swimming instead. I suck at swimming. Actually I don't suck at it, I'm just not in shape to do it. I couldn't even do 2 laps in a row. I did one, was completely exhausted, waited a half hour, then did another lap. This is not going to be good. The upside is that I don't have to actually do all the laps in the pool at this triathlon. I found out that they just add minutes on for any laps you don't finish. So I am going to see how it goes before that, but I have a feeling I'm not going to be doign all the laps. But I am going to try and do a few. I guess this is really a good one to start out with. Otherwise, I'd be toast!

A good run

Riddick and I went for a few miles today. I really wish he would get over his thing for other dogs. I spent a few minutes during said run trying to control him. Yeah, trying to keep a 130lb great dane from crossing the road is NOT fun. We really need to work on that. I know I said I was going to go for a bike ride yesterday, but that was before I realized I had to work a full 8 hour shift. That was not fun. By the time I was done all I wanted to do was sit down and slide into a vegetative state. So, no bike ride yesterday. Maybe tomorrow, although Sean was talking about going to the pool, so maybe I'll do some laps. This is all completely dependent on the rain factor, it hasn't rained for 2 days here, so that means we are due for some good thunderstorms. Maybe we'll get lucky and it will be nice tomorrow. Then again, maybe not. I don't think I have to work 8 hours tomorrow, so I should be able to do something, no matter what it might be. I hope, anyway.

Running between the raindrops

After sleeping in this morning, Riddick and I set out at 7 for a run. Hey, when you usually get up at 3am, 7 is sleeping in! It had been raining before I got up, but I thought I would chance it. I don't mind running in the rain anyway, most people don't bother. I like to, cause it makes me "cool!" At least in my own mind it does:) We got most of the way done before the rain started up again, luckily. Riddick doesn't like the rain, so he would have been a pain in the butt if it had been raining any earlier or any harder. It was a good run, not great, but not bad. We actually went all 2.5 miles without stopping. Except for the water fountain, of course. Dog had to get his drink on the way back. Tomorrow will be the bike again, at least if I can motivate myself to go after I get done with work.

maybe I can do this

I actually was able to go out on the bike today. Only went 5 miles, but I figured that was better than nothing. It's really difficult to get myself motivated after getting up at 3am and then working for 6 hours, to come home, change, and go run or bike. It's just ont appealing. But I was able to do it. I'll be getting up early, cause I'm used to it, (not 3am) and going for a run when it's cooler. I didn't get out on the bike until 11am and it was already starting to get a little warm, but I dealt with it, not biggy. But to run with the dog it needs to be cool. He was excited and thought he was coming with me when I came down in my bike shorts and t-shirt. He was so disappointed, well as disappointed as a dog can be.

I'm a slug

This new job is kickin my butt. Not only that, but the rest of my schedule makes it so hard to workout. I am planning on getting in 2 days of running this week, as well as at least 2 rides on the bike. However, I'll be happy with just one. Working at 4am has it's good points, but when I get home, even though it's at 10am, I'm still tired. I really need to get something worked out. I was so excited that I was able to run this last week, abd I was totally planning on biking on Saturday,t but had a meeting so couldn't go. I need to get a more organized schedule, so I can fit everything in.