Happy Birthday to MEE!

I don't have a lot of words about this one.
Awesome comes to mind.
I'm 30 today...I think running 7 miles is a good way to start it!
Happy Birthday to me.

Cross training and a Tempo run!

OHYEAH.
Check out the Kermit color green! I made it to the next level with Nike+
I heart having these graphs.
Tuesday I decided to give my legs a break and did the elliptical for 30 minutes and did some lunges and weights. I think cross training is good to mix in.

Wednesday my friends came over and we attempted our first tempo run. It was fun!! We did 10 min easy running and then 10 minutes at a pace that wasn't sprinting (so not as fast as we run those intervals...) Anyway, I kept a 9-9:15 min/mi pace for my 10 minutes. It was great! Then the last 10 minutes was easy running.

Tomorrow is...
My 30th BIRTHDAY. Thanks mom for having me eons ago.
We are also going to run 7 miles. I'm prepping my mind now.
Oh and today, I'm resting.

Monday, Monday, lala la la la la

Today was so much better than yesterday. For one thing it was 15 or more degrees cooler...MUCH BETTER. I felt strong the whole run! I was proud to be out running instead of getting 30 more minutes in bed (but spending all day with guilt over not doing it)
I was a little concerned about how my legs would feel because this was the third day in a row for running ( I have two more to go) It will benefit me this week because running in the beginning will give me two days of rest before and after my 7 miles (can you tell I'm a little nervous about the 7 ?)

I did discover last night that my chest felt tight and I had been coughing a bit. I decided to take my inhaler (I have a hate/hate relationship with the stupid thing!) OMIGOSH. I could breathe. I guess I didn't realize that I really did need it. Part of the hate comes afterward...Its hard to explain but I will say I don't ever have the desire to try drugs like speed or the like. I cannot stand that jittery, irritating, shaky sort of feeling. I did take my inhaler this morning and I think that helped my comfort...being able to breathe is helpful! ;)

Happy Monday!!

I ran today

I do not have a graph (because I took my phone) (because I'm on call)
I couldn't figure out how to make Mr. Nike work on the phone (because techie stuff doesn't come naturally for me)
It was hot (because I live in Florida)
I walked a few times (because I didn't eat breakfast, I know.)
I was really glad I went even though I really didn't want to (because if I keep showing up I'll get there)
I ran today. (because I'm cool like that)

In need of a new route

I think I need to try some new routes. Its so easy to go out the door and run where I run. I'm getting bored. Really bored. I forced myself to run this morning before work. I was cranky and tired. We've had some major sleep issues with C. I didn't want to work this weekend (I know, coming from someone who works ONE weekend a month...I know.) I think it was providential that I got to run. I had one of the worst days at work in my working history. I cried when I got home. I can say I'm glad yesterday is behind me.
I plan to run today and several days in a row. I'm trying to plan for the coming long run this next weekend. I want to give myself a day or two of rest before having to run 7 miles.
Have a great Sunday!

Sometimes...

I begin to wonder why I'm doing this...running that is.
When I have sucky runs like the one Sunday, I think I'm not made for running. Today I had all my stuff in order and more desire to run. It felt slow, I really miss the girls when I run solo!

Wednesday the girls came at 5:45 and we did speed intervals 6x400 (with 6 recovery laps jogged) It is a challenge, but I actually kind of like these speed workouts.

A Really Crappy two

Maybe because I just didn't want to.
This run stunk.
I just couldn't make myself go.
So, I stopped.

SIX

Six miles strong.
Our route was a little dark for my comfort.
Truth be told, I wanted to stop at the halfway point.
This training schedule is no joke.
I am hopeful to become more and more conditioned.
Happy Friday!

5X400

I think its called speed work.
Or torture.
We did our first workout of this kind and while I think I may sound a little sick saying this...I enjoyed it. What?! I know, but it was nice to challenge ourselves with something other than getting the miles in.
Tomorrow we will go for 6 miles.

A lovely run!

Last Friday, I got on a jet plane, BYMYSELF.
The time with my sister was medicine for me alone.
The fall-ish temperatures were a bonus!
I was excited to run someplace new and it was an amazing 58 degrees outside when I got up to run! They have this awesome trail not too far from Jennifer's apartment so I ventured there! I saw three bunnies on the path! My stupid shoe thing was out of sorts again. I just ran for 55 minutes to ensure I did my 5 miles. I was not used to the hills (because Florida is FLAT) but they weren't as difficult as I might have thought.

Wild about Wednesday!

I'm so excited that we ran 4 miles this morning because it felt so cool compared to the past few months and I was comfortable.
I am a little miffed that my shoe chip seems to be a little off. We actually ran 4 miles. I know, I've clocked it. The good news is that knowing that it was 4 miles tells me that I ran it faster than I usually do!
I'm going on a little vacation in just a few days!!!!!!!

A coolish morning

It actually felt cool outside this morning when I left to run!!!!!!!!
I went solo, felt a little slow.
So, so glad I got up and did this, great start to my week!
Have a great Monday!

FIVE miles

I sort of allowed myself a little break last week. I think I needed it. Today I got up and ran 5 miles. This was an original request of one of my running buds, who turns 30 on Sunday. She wanted to run 5 miles again before she turned the big 3-0. (we did the 1/2 marathon together a couple of years, and babies ago.) Schedule and life conflicts kept us from running the 5 together yesterday. Kristina did hers, Judy did hers and I waited until this morning.
It was great!
I changed it up and chose a different route.
I ran alone.
It was SUPER humid but not as hot and I think it made it more bearable!
I did end up walking a little near the end. I didn't eat before and I think I might have benefited from it if I had.

Running through the muck

My head is clogged with life challenges and the rut of daily life right now. I have a vacation coming up and I know it will be good for every part of me. (mom please don't call frantic that something is wrong...its not, just need a break.)

I feel strongly that if Kristina had not been driving to my house I would not have run. I cannot believe that I got so excited to see 77 degrees at 6AM instead of 82, but it was a nice change. A slight breeze even. That lasted until about the last 1/2 of the route then it was like a giant cloud came and sat on my head. Woof. I really am sick of the humidity.

We do have to step up the game a bit. Training for the half starts mid Sept and I need to add at least one more day of running a week if not two.

I know, my mood is a little sour. Like Eeyore. Some things to note:
*Its cloudy
*Been a Full Moon, and Yes, I swear my children know it and act a little crazy.
*may or may not be hormonal...OK I think hormones are to blame for everything.
*Hubs is still working about 50 or more hours a week, so thankful for his job, but makes for long days
*out of creative flare with the three year old. (see above)
;)

Happy Hump Day.

chipping away

I weighed in today!
- 2.2 more pounds!!!!!
total loss -14.8 pounds.

Feeling great, keep on truckin!

;)

Run Ragged.

This morning my alarm went off and I said to myself, "NO.WAY."
I grabbed my phone and went to the bathroom to text my friends.
Judy had already sent a text.
Sweet!
Wait, first she said she's not coming, but then she said she IS coming.
OK.
Kristina overslept.
Lucky.
Judy and I just started walking (neither one of us felt like running)....we were about a mile in and saw some people running. We felt guilty, so we ran. My graph is ugly and I feel like it shows that I am tired today.
When all is said and done, I'm so glad we ran. I plan to do some exercise this weekend, just not running. I think the heat/humidity is wearing me down. Perhaps I will be able to run in NC in a few weeks!!!
Happy Friday.

Shooting Stars and Armadillos

I was really hoping to only run 3 miles today, felt so good, we did 4!!!
On the run I dodged the regular obstacle course of gigantor grasshoppers, saw a shooting star, and had a run in with an armadillo (those are creepy little animals, who cannot see where they are going. I was karate chopping my foot to get it to go away!)
Happy Hump Day!

Monday brutality

My shoe chip was off...I did not run 2.41 mi
I did do almost 2 mi.
It hurt, but was good for me to loosen up!!

Tour de Pain

I do not have a graph of the 4 mi beach race from Friday night. The gun went off and I hit start on my ipod and it froze. Awesome.

Friday began with the 4 mi race on the beach.
7:30 pm
It was hard. I finished. I did not walk once. I just kept saying in my head (because I was tired of hearing myself suck air and feet on the sand) "just keep running, you will be there soon" I did feel like the finish line was being moved back as I ran toward it.

Saturday morning came quick. By 6:45 AM I headed out for the 5K. I was starting to realize why this was called the Tour de Pain (I hear this in my head said with one of those plastic microphones that echos...) It was hot and humid to the bazillionth degree. I was feeling it all by 2.5 mi and had to walk a few times. I did finish!

The grand finale came Saturday at 5pm. It had rained before it was time for the race. You might think that would help the blistering conditions...but it didn't. It was like a sauna. This was 1 mile. I was so nervous. I didn't know what I had left to give. I did it. I finished!

Saturday night I slept terribly and ended up getting sick. I think I was dehydrated. Sunday was spent resting/recovering. I am really glad I challenged myself to do this race series. I definitely learn something about running and/or myself with each race. I also know I have the most amazing cheerleaders in my family and friends! That makes a huge difference!

4 miles beach side

I drove to Judy's house at 5:45.
Judy drove us to the beach.
We ran.
4 miles!!!
We also got to see the glorious, amazing, God-gifted, sunrise.
It was a challenge to run on the beach.
The sunrise was a nice reward.
What a great morning!!!!!!!!