Beautiful morning in the woods

I am really enjoying my Sunday trail runs, and I feel like I am adjusting to getting the long runs in back to back fairly well. I really tried to stick to the 11:00 min pace for most of the run. I slow a bit the last mile to run with Pete. He was ready to stop at mile 6, but we convinced him to continue on a bit longer. Lord knows, he has encouraged me to keep running many, many times when I really wanted to stop.


It was still humid, but overcast and the woods always provide a nice distraction for me. I find I am running less and less with my mp3 on. I've only used it once this week and it was really not necessary. I never thought I would enjoy a run without it, but I really do.

Next week will be interesting. I have been wanting to run in the mornings, but due to my late nights, I've been running in the evenings. Because of some other obligations this week, I'll have to skip running with the Trail group folks and hit the streets on my own in the morning. I must admit, I really like running with the group, but I know I also need to be comfortable running on my own. I am too social for my own good!

The weekly mileage dipped a bit this week, mostly because of the hip and the funeral we had to attend.

Total Time: 1:27:00; Total Mileage: 7.78 ; Avg. Pace: 11:09; Avg HR: 171

Weight: 126.5; Calories Burned: 667

Weekly Mileage: 25.3 ; Monthly Mileage: 20


Mile 1: 10:24
Mile 2: 10:24
Mile 3: 10:44
Mile 4: 11:51
Mile 5: 11:21
Mile 6: 11:41
Mile 7: 11:20
Mile 8: 11:03

8.3 miles in 83 degree heat

Got in a little more than 8 today with the Fit group. I saw some familiar faces today that were running with the Houston training group, (those training for the Houston marathon within the Woodlands Fit group.)

I didn't meet Christy though... I looked around, but I just couldn't figure out who you were, sorry! I did see a lady with a baby jogger, but she had a little girl, 3 weeks old. I was very inspired by her!

I just received my August issue of Runner's World and discovered a wonderful surprise! Bill and Dana-Sue Crews have an article written about them, with their beautiful children! It is a nice article with some great pictures. Congratulations Crews family!

I felt great today. My pace was slowed when I realized that several of my runners were no longer within eye shot of me.

I am officially back off of sugar. I've lost 3 lbs since starting this again. Sugar really is my enemy!

Total Time: 1:23:50 ; Total Mileage: 8.3 miles ; Avg. Pace: 10:06 ; Avg HR: 172

Weight: 126 ; Calories Burned: 809


Mile 1: 9:35
Mile 2: 9:20
Mile 3: 9:54
Mile 4: 10:01
Mile 5: 11:17
Mile 6: 10:06
Mile 7: 10:37
Mile 8: 10:05
Mile .3: 9:49

Thursday Night Run

I was able to get in a quick 4.5 mile run tonight. Average pace of 9:46. The hip felt good, but I am still fighting something. I have a very sore throat and headache. Funny thing is that I didn't have either while running!

Running on empty

Saturday I didn't run as I didn't think my hip would be able to last. Instead I helped a bit at the RTW as the Fit folks ran for their time trial. It was interesting being there at the finish to see the runners come across. I've never actually seen a runner take first place, so that was a neat thing to experience.

It was pretty hot. Several of the runners were feeling ill at the end of the run. I saw so many people that I knew and I loved cheering them on! It was a lot of fun.

I didn't run Sunday either. Again, I felt like the hip needed the rest. Maybe I am just a wimp, but I am not willing to risk an injury that will bench me for 8 weeks like it did last season.

Monday, after learning that our friends' son died, I was not in the mood to run, but I needed to. I ran hard, fast, and mad. My time was faster than it has been in awhile. It was a good run, but at the end, I could feel the hip screaming at me.

Yesterday, I awoke to a nice limp and pain from my low back to my knee. I headed into the chiropractor's office to have my self fixed up. He did a marvelous job, but I decided to let the adjustment settle. I am going to an easy run this evening to see how it feels.

Push-Up Challenge

Thanks to Jamoosh over at Das Mixture, I've decided to take the One Hundred Push-Up Challenge.

My initial test was a whopping 2! 2 whole push-ups!! I guess there's tons of room for improvement!

Please Pray

A family in our homeschooling group has just lost their 17 or 18 year old son in a drowning accident that occurred in Huntsville.

Please keep this family in your prayers.

My first swim lesson...

at least as an adult!

Foo joined me as he is out of TKD right now with a possible meniscus tear. More on that later.

We were up and out early as Bean had to be at the church to head off on the first of her summer retreats. Foo was regretting his decision to accompany me to the lesson citing his lack of sleep, (7 hours!) I had no pity for him.

The lesson went very well! I was so impressed with the instructor, I almost felt okay about the ungodly amount of money I paid for the lessons!

Foo's stroke was dramatically improved by the end of the lesson and I could see a slight glimmer of hope in his eye that he might find another activity besides TKD to keep him busy. She also showed him how to run in the water, something I am going to try as well on those days that I might have a few aches and pains.

I re-learned how to do the flippy-turny thingy again, and got some great input on my breathing, stroke, and kicking.

I also learned the backstroke, something I had never really learned before. The instructor, Amber, is really wanting me to do a triathlon. I stood my ground though and told her..."maybe in 2009, I need to get my 50 miler done first!" I didn't mention the 100 miler looming in the back of my mind.

All and all, one hour in the pool appears to have been quite fruitful. I have a nice workout for the week. The biggest problem will be actually getting there.

Tomorrow is RTW. Not sure if I'll run or be the support staff. I'll have to make the call in the morning. I don't want to push the hip/back thing I felt yesterday.

Ouch!

After the late afternoon showers, the temps were in the 70's this evening and despite a little twinge I was feeling in my back and hip, I thought I'd go for a run.

I met the trail group at Rico's and we headed out on a 4.5 mile loop. I could tell from the first step things weren't feeling right.

I gave it about 1.3 miles and then turned back towards the car. One of the other runners was heading back because of some IT Band pain. We kept each other company on the walk back.

The pain isn't bad unless I am running so I will listen to the body and rest til Saturday.

I don't think I'll be pushing for the 25 min 5K though.