Resident Wimp Here

I'll admit it. I'm a wimp. I really wanted to get out and run tonight, but man, it was COLD! Not just cold, but wet, nasty, yucky, cold. I just can't justify running in this mess and potentially getting another lung infection. So, I'll be a wimp, just for today.

1/30/07

Weight: 133.0

Conditions: 45 degrees

Distance: 3.04 miles

Avg HR: 181 (could not seem to get control of this tonight)

Time: 31:31 10:21/mile

Notes: First run since the bronchitis appeared. Noticed my HR was way up and breathing more difficult. But it sure felt good to be pounding that ground for a little bit.

Going through withdrawal

What do you do when you can't run? I don't know what to do with myself! I'm not sleeping well because I can't get that urge to run out of my system. It's so beautiful here in CO and I am aching to run in this beautiful weather!

The asthma is doing better, but I can still feel things a bit. My legs are thinking that all I need is a good run to get these lungs feeling better. My brain is telling me "not yet, you'll regret it!"

This run is a must do for me!! Anyone want to go with me?? It's the week before Shine III, so I hope I can get away to do this. Rick, do you think Kim will let you go?? (just kidding, Kim!) Katie comes first!

Sufferin' Succotash!

Still down for the count more for the asthma than the bronchitis now. For some unknown reason the asthma is worse now than ever.

I saw the good doctor today and we're trying a bit stronger of an inhaled steroid in attempts to ward of the oral steroids. I asked why after 25 years of "allergy-induced asthma" would I have this kind of trouble. He says that he thinks a lot of people are dealing with allergy problems right now which is unusual for this time of year.

I have allergies all year long, especially to mold, so living in Houston, I shouldn't be surprised by what I'm dealing with.

If it weren't for all the great people here, I would seriously consider moving...

1/21/07

Well, officially I have bronchitis. It is probably the worst case I have ever had, but I am feeling a little better today. The coughing is quite painful and the aches and pains in the joints from the fever are still present. I'll be off for a little while more.

Funny thing, my legs are aching to run. I am having serious RLS right now. I usually only get it when I am pregnant. Exercise is about the only thing that helps with the symptoms. I wish I could appease them.

The kids are doing better, still coughing, but not feverish or lethargic anymore. We sent them outside to enjoy the little bit of sunshine that is showing itself today.
There is something to be said for fresh air!

I have either pneumonia or bronchitis. Not sure which one, but I hope death comes quickly. I am such a wimp...

Off to the doctor this morning. Training on hold for now.

1/18/07

marathon pace 10:14

mile 1 11:24 (dog stops and crossing busy intersection) approx. 10:30

mile 2 21:07 (approx 9:38)

mile 3 32:12 (crossing busy intersection) approx 10:00 min/mile

mile 4 42:59 approx 10.47

remainder of time cool down.

Thinking seriously of skipping the 10K in early March and setting my sights on the 25K Hog's Hunt in Huntsville. I haven't completely made up my mind, I suppose I have a few weeks of training to do before I make my final decision. Part of me says, Heck, run them both! hmmm... not a bad idea... we'll see.

Also, Dirt Runner helped me set up a sort of training schedule so that I have more of a purpose in my runs rather than just running aimlessly. Tonight was the first of these runs and I am not very good at taking down my times as I seem to forget everything! How do you all keep track of your splits? Does your watch do it for you or are your minds sharp enough to recall each mile?

1/16/07

Gotta love the cold!

Mental note: Rain, temps below 32, night runs... bridges do freeze! Almost fell smack on the hindquarters as I attempted to run over the bridge. It was completely covered with ice. Even the handrails. Had to walk over so as not to eat the bridge for dinner.

Ran 3.0 miles. 9:20/mile. (includes walking time)

Lungs felt great. Legs felt great. Dog was cold. I loved it!

welcome winter weather

I was really planning to take advantage of this rare cold snap and get in a few miles today, but the kids are sick and I couldn't leave them. Turns out that Bean has the flu and Boo probably does as well. Fish succumbed this afternoon, but in enough time to take advantage of the Tamiflu medication. Hopefully he'll not get too sick. Poor Boo had to have a breathing treatment because he sounded like a kitty purring.

If it isn't too nasty precipitation wise tomorrow, I will try to run.

Enjoy the winter weather. Next week we'll be shopping for beachwear again!

1/14/07

Ran with the kids again today.

1st mile was just with Lem and the dog. She is a natural, I think. I was holding this girl back! She flew through the mile and finished in 10:42. Like I said, I held her back.

2nd mile, Lem and Foo ran with me. Foo was having great difficulty. His respiratory status is very similar to mine, so we probably need to work him up much slower. He was barely able to run and became quite frustrated. I am going to try to encourage him to follow the Ct5K plan. He'll have daily goals and hopefully that will help him to feel more successful.

Personally, I think I am needing to increase my speed. I seem to be slowing down a bit lately. I am not sure what is more important at this point. If I am wanting to run the 50K, should I focus on speed now and distance later, or distance now and speed later? Does it matter?

I have a short term goal of hitting 25 miles a week spread over 5 days. Again, I'm not sure if that should be my goal at this point or not.

Right now, I'm happy to be running with less and less IT band pain. I pray that this continues. I also need to get to the trails. I want to try these out sooner rather than later.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

1/12/07

Weight: 138.5

Conditions: dark, 68 degrees

Distance: 4.3 miles

Avg HR: 175

Time: 44:00(approx as watch turned off, I guess I could make something up!! I noted my time at the half-way point and doubled it once I realize the watch was off. 10:13/mile

Notes: Lungs felt great. Legs much better. Dog lagged behind! Poor thing, I think it was a bit too much for her tonight.

1/9/2007

Weight: 137.0

Conditions: dark, 58 degrees

Distance: 3.90 miles

Avg HR: 175

Time: 40:16 -- 10:19/mile

Notes: Lungs better tonight, so of course, the hips start talking to me. What's the deal?!?! I felt like I was in slow-motion for most of the run, and my time proves I was. Hips were very tight. I NEED to find a way to stretch these puppies!!

Start 'em early

Gotta love those sponsorships!

Run with the kids

Nothing too challenging today. The kids have decided they would like to run the Spring Fever Run on March 3rd. Foo would really like to run with me for the 5K, but he is not yet ready. I told him we will work him towards it. We have just under 2 months, and he is young. He can probably do it. Lem will have to stick to the Kid's 1 mile run though. Of course, she could surprise me and be ready for the 5 K as well. I think 8 years old is a bit young to run that distance. Do kids do that?

We headed out the door this morning for a one mile run. Time was 13:34. We made several stops so that the kids could re-tie shoes, fix their fuel belts (good learning lesson, mom said they wouldn't need it for one mile!!) and catch their breath. Unfortunately, Foo also has asthma and did not remember his inhaler before we ran. He was a bit discouraged after our run, but I know that our next run will go much smoother.

3rd RTW

Ran RTW today. Happy Birthday to Jon! It was so nice to see his family out there cheering him on as he enters the world of Master Runner. Have a beautiful day, Jon.

Weight: 137.0

Conditions: cloudy, damp, humid 60 degrees

Distance: 3.11 miles

Avg HR: 193 (lungs felt this!)

Time: 28:19 total - 9.05 min/mile (PR for me for this course)

Notes: Lungs still troubling. Began new regimen with Advair and Singular as well as Albuterol. Not liking to have to take all of this, but if I want to run, I need to. Hoping to wean of the Advair within the month.

My Christmas present arrived!

I guess I'd look ridiculous running in these beauties at RTW. I'll have to wait till another day to hit some trails. But I did wear them to Red Robin...!

1/3/2007

Weight: 137.5

Conditions: 9:15 AM; 47 degrees

Distance: 4.0 miles

Avg HR: 171

Time: 39:45-- 9:54/mile

Notes: Hips felt every inch of this run. Lungs felt good.

Time to rest

I've had to take a few days to rest. My lungs are really not doing well right now and I'm not sure why.

I've been religious about using my Advair 2X/day and things seem to be calming down a bit.

I hope to run tomorrow.