Hills

Today's scheduled run was for 50 mins of hills.

I wasn't sure I was going to do the hills because of my calf, but at the last minute I decided to give it a try.

Garmin decided to freak out a bit on me today, which I am sure was caused by the areas with a heavy tree canopy. I enjoyed the respite from the sunshine, so I don't mind if the numbers are off a bit.

I tried some Cliff Shot Bloks today. I happened to pick up strawberry, and I knew instantly that I should have picked a different flavor. The shots come in many flavors and some have caffeine, which I try to avoid.

The strawberry flavor reminded me of the filling in poptarts, not my favorite food. Once I could get past the flavor though, they weren't too bad. The texture was ok, a bit gummy bearish and I'm sure my dentist would be warning me about how bad they are for the teeth. I washed them down with plenty of water and then chewed some sugarless gum to clean my teeth off.

I ate three before the run and three more at mile three. They seemed to help as I didn't get as tired out the 2nd half of my run. I probably should have taken the shots a little earlier during the run.

I saw a few girls from the Fit group which was nice.

Total time: 49:41 Total Miles: 4.74 Avg Pace: 10:29 Avg HR: 171

Mile 1: 10:43
Mile 2: 10:22
Mile 3: 10:37 (ate 3 shot bloks)
Mile 4: 10:06
Mile .74: 10:38

My calf held up well. I felt pretty good after the run.

Nuun tablets

Tiggs asked a great question about the Nuun tablets, so I thought I'd post the information here.

I have used them twice, so I don't have much experience with them yet, but I am happy that I have been able to not get dehydrated on the runs. We'll see how I do on the longer runs.

The seltzer water taste was an initial turn off for me, but now, I don't seem to mind it so much. It is actually kind of refreshing. I am not a soda drinker because I don't like carbonation. At first it did seem like I was drinking soda, not for the sweetness, but for the bubbly feel. However, I found I reached for it first today instead of the plain water.

Suzie at Luke's suggested these and said she never carries plain water anymore. I asked why and she said, "because I don't sweat water." That seemed to make sense to me, and so far, seems like good advice. I did carry water today, and I will continue to do so until I feel I really don't need the water anymore. I carried two bottles today but will be uping that to 4 from now on.

Slow and Sweaty

A slow and steady pace, not so much by choice, bur rather by necessity.

Very humid this morning. 90%. Add a sore calf into the mix and you get these kinds of numbers.

35 minute run, took Hannah girl with me. She was pretty exhausted after the run. I think it is just to hot and humid for the pup, but she won't let me out the door without her.

Mile 1: 10:58
Mile 2: 11:14
Mile 3: 11:14 calf really started aching here.
Mile .14: 11:22

I did use the nuun tablets again and showed no weight loss/no weight gain, stayed right on 126.5.

I definately felt like I needed more to drink tho. I'll bring all four bottles next run.

Iced the calf after stretching. It feels sooooo good!

I saw Ratatouille yesterday and it was very cute. I recommend it for all ages.

The Waiting is Over!

Our team name has been selected and it is great!

You can read about how the Battling Bloggers of the Texas Republic decided upon our name on Jon's Blog. Did you think you'd hear about it any other way??

Woodlands Fit - Fourth Run

4.82 miles
Total Time: 48:56
Avg. Pace: 10:09

Mile 1: 10:15
Mile 2: 9:42
Mile 3: 10:09
Mile 4: 10:16
Mile .82: 10:23

Total Miles for the week: 16.3 (103% of plan)

Weight 128.0 I think the electrolyte tablets have something to do with the weight gain.

The calf was somewhat troublesome today, but I think the real difficulty was the 89% humidity. Today was supposed to be a 5 miler, but the course that was laid out came up a bit shorter than that. Next week will be the 6 miler, more than I have ever run....

I also tried the Nuun tablets today. They worked well. I took an e cap before the run and I don't think I needed it. My hands are pretty swollen so I am assuming I am retaining fluid, hence the weight gain. Of course I did indulge in 1 oreo and 1 chocolate chip cookie last night. Yep, that's what happens once you hit 40. 1 oreo translates to 100. It's just not fair!

YUCK

Ok, I have proof that the Stick is working. How did I confirm this? Well, I forgot to use it tonight and my legs felt awful for the run. I couldn't pick up my pace at all and could only focus on what was hurting while running.

I did put my 35 mins in, but it wasn't pretty... consistent, but not pretty.

I think the dog was happy I was so slow tonight.

I did talk with Dirt Runner and Suzie at Luke's to get more information on the whole "nutrition while running" stuff that I was totally in the dark about. I feel much more enlightened now and decided to forgo the Gu. I tried some nuun tablets in my water and some soy chocolate milk for some protein right after my run. I was even able to down some peanut butter on whole grain bread after the run. I usually don't have the stomach to eat after I run for about an hour, but I have learned that I MUST get over this. Muscles need to be able to repair themselves and protien within the first 45 mins after the run is essential for the repair process.

Ran 35 mins. Total Miles: 3.33 Avg. Mile 10:32 Avg HR 182; 86%

Splits
Mile 1: 10:36
Mile 2: 10:11
Mile 3: 10:39
Mile .33: 10:39

And the humidity is back....

Waiting

Waiting to hear if we've decided on our official TIR team name yet. I can't wait to start throwing it around!

Week 3 Day 2

Another morning run. 6:45 was a bit later than I wanted, but I needed some sleep!


Ran 40 mins. Total Miles: 4.06 Avg. Mile 9:53 Avg HR 176; 82%

Splits
Mile 1: 10:30
Mile 2: 9:12
Mile 3: 9:33
Mile 4: 10:20 (1 min walk in this mile)
Mile .06: 9:09

Continuing with the core and stretching. Seems to be helping.

Running in this beautiful broken world!

Week 3 Day 1

Trying to get up early to run since my nights are filling up with other obligations.

Ran at 6:00 this morning. Went to bed at 1:30. It's almost 11:00 pm now... gosh I'm tired!

Ran 40 mins. Total Miles: 4.14 Avg. Mile 9:40

Splits
Mile 1: 10:14
Mile 2: 9:20
Mile 3: 9:18
Mile 4: 9:45
Mile .14: 10:10

I was only supposed to run 35 mins but somehow ran over into my cool down time. Could have been the lack of sleep that made me forget...

I am loving the new shoes and the stick. They seem to be making a difference. I don't have as many aches and pains as I have had in the past. Knock on wood!

Going to bed. Up in the morning again for another run.

Happy Running!

Woodlands Fit - Third Run

3.7 miles
Total Time: 36:02
Avg. Pace: 9:52

Mile 1: 9:51
Mile 2: 9:31
Mile 3: 9:53
Mile .70: 10:07 (crossing major intersection proved to be dangerous!)

Total Miles for the week: 9 (one run missed because of calf issues.)

Weight 128.0

Was supposed to be a 3.9 (4.0) mile run, but we cut a few corners and lost some distance. I felt pretty good today. I didn't know how the calf would hold up, but it did fine. I have a slight aching in it now, but nothing too bad.

I didn't feel like I was pushing myself too hard. I am finding that it is nice to run and talk with folks. I never thought I would enjoy that. I still love the alone time with my headphones on, but I am seeing that my pace is more consistent and my mind is more distracted from the run when I am running with the team.

Praying that Dirt Runner was right about the shoes and that my body will handle the running much better now.

Happy running!

New Look

I've been trying to figure out how to customize my blog a bit more. I finally sat down and tried to do it myself tonight, but the Bean got a hold of the keyboard and finished it up for me.

I think she did a nice job.

The header is a shot I took in Galveston over our vacation.

Week 2 Day 2

Had the pleasure of seeing Dr. DirtRunner today at his "office"

He evaluated my gait and diagnosed that I have probably been in the wrong shoe for quite some time. That would explain a few things. I knew the shoe was not perfect when I first got into it, but I was sold some orthotics that I thought would help. Obviously not.

Currently, I am dealing with a hurt calf. So I will not be pushing it too much, but I am also not ready yet to go on complete rest again...

Along with a very pretty pair of these
, I bought a thing called a Stick. Here I am, in The Woods, yet I am having to buy a stinkin' stick... go figure. Honestly, it really does a nice job of massaging those tight calves I'm dealing with right now.

I didn't think I'd be able to make the designated run tonight of 35 mins, but I did. I seemed to warm up slowly, but once I was warm, the calf felt a bit better and as evidenced by my splits, my performance was better. Or maybe it was those pretty new shoes. I have happy memories of running around my dad after getting new tennis shoes proclaiming, "See, Daddy!? I can run faster now!!" Maybe there is something to that!

I am going to rest the leg for two days and then run on Friday. I'll be popping in the Pilates until then and riding the bike with the kids.

Ran 35 mins. Total Miles: 3.40 Avg. Mile 10:21

Splits
Mile 1: 11:37
Mile 2: 10:26
Mile 3: 9:27
Mile .39: 8:58

Edited to add: I've increased my H2O intake. I didn't realize how very little I was drinking. Now I think I am up to 85 ounces a day and I feel better. Although for some reason, my hands seem drier. I am supposed to start wearing this amphipod belt and I really don't want to. It seems so cumbersome. I'll probably just carry some water with me this weekend (only a 4 mile run), but I know that I'll have to do something else next week and every week thereafter. The hand held bottles are nice, but I rubbed a raw spot on my hand and as you can see, I am a baby when it comes to discomfort... LOL

Week 2 day 1

Ran 30 mins today. SLOWWWW. My calf seems to be bothering me and both legs felt pretty heavy this morning.

It might have been the extra weight my trail shoes were carrying. The trail was quite wet and muddy.

The dog loved it though!

Dreams

I took the plunge and registered!!

Woodlands Fit - Second Run

3 miles
Total Time: 30:03
Avg. Pace: 9:18

Mile 1: 9:38
Mile 2: 9:13
Mile 3: 9:05
Mile .23: 9:13

Total Miles for the week: 10.73

Weight 127.5

Wishing there were 36 hour days sometimes

Yesterday was a scheduled run day, but I just couldn't fit it in. By the time I got home last night it was well after 10 pm. It was very humid and I told myself that I would get up and run in the morning, early.

Well, at 12:00 pm today, I finally got out the door. It was 87 degrees and 60% humidity. ACK!

Funny thing though. I felt great running today, save for the last 3 mins or so. My legs felt light and free. My breathing felt good. It was weird! I don't remember ever feeling like this. I felt like I was in a really good rythym, looked down at my watch and numerous times I was under a 9 min pace! I kept looking at it thinking, "No Way!" I felt like I was moving at my usual pace, no extra effort. But I was moving much quicker. More like my pace for RTW without the feeling that I was maxing myself out. I hope this happens more often!!

Ran for 25 mins today. Garmin wasn't cooperating with the mileage, but I believe my average pace came in at 10:17/mile. I did take Hannah with me today and she slowed me down a bit in the beginning for her doggie stops. But once we started going, I didn't see anything under 9:30.

Tommorrow I'll be running with the Woodlands Fit group.

AM Humidity

I've had some readers ask about the humidity in the morning. I've been tracking it through a weather tool bar that I have installed and over the last week, I've noticed that the humidity in the morning is over 85%. For example, the temperature currently at 9 am is 79%. The humidity is 89%. That is just too saturated for my defective lungs.

Believe me, I WISH I COULD run in the morning. I usually do. I love getting up at about 4:30 or 5:00 and getting the exercise in for the day. This way I don't feel guilty taking time away from the family later in the day not too mention how productive I am for the remainder of the day.

You know how they say, "It's the humidity, not the heat"? For me, this is really true. If I had my way, every day would be 60 degrees with 30% humidity. Perfect running weather!

Happy Running! I hope to get mine in tonight, after the sun goes down and the heat index is under 90 degrees, LOL!!

Week 1 Day 2

Total Time: 30:00
Total Mileage: 3.04

mile 1: 10:15
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 9:41
mile .04: :23

Avg pace: 9:52

Temp: 90 degrees, 50% humidity

The run felt pretty good despite the stifling heat and humidity. I waited until 7 pm to run, but it was still a bit too warm for me. The last three mins were the toughest. I didn't take any walk breaks so I was very happy and my times were much better than I thought they'd be.

I"ve really debated about running at 5 am, but the humidity is higher then and that is what affects my asthma the most. I may try to run Thursday morning because I have an evening appointment.

7/9/2007 Week 1 Day 1

Time of day: 5:00 pm
Temp: 90 degrees
Humidity: 54%

Mins 25:00
Mileage 2.22
Min/mile avg: 11.15

Splits
Mile 1: 10:45
Mile 2: 11:53
Mile .22: 2:22 (should I buy a lottery ticket with the number 2 on it??)

Max HR: 189
Avg HR: 174

Poor dog couldn't take the heat today. We both looked bad coming in!

Woodlands Fit - First Run

My day started a bit earlier than I anticipated thanks to the local howling hounds which began their beckoning at about 3 am. I couldn't fall back to sleep after that so I spent the remainder of the time tossing and turning and of course thinking. Thinking too much about silly stuff. Like, can I really expect to run a marathon? Maybe I should commit to the 1/2 marathon instead. A much more doable goal. But I really want to be able to run the Sunmart 50K, so I should stick with the full marathon...etc, etc, etc.

From that line of thinking I move quickly into setting up our homeschooling curriculum, what to order, what to plan for the kiddos, and finally into the business issues. Are we growing the way we should? Where best to advertise? The thoughts just keep coming and I keep trying to shut the mind off, but I have yet to find the switch. I've even considered getting out of the bed and getting my run in at that time! But being dark and not too long past the bar closing time, I think it would probably not be the safest decision I've ever made.

Today did mark the official training start for me. I attended the Woodlands Fit meeting totally ill-prepared. I wasn't quite sure if today would be a running day or more of a seminar/registration day. So I dressed for a run, but left everything else at home. No hat, no music, no watch, no hr monitor. Of course, today was a running day; 3 miles. I didn't know how I would do considering the last few runs I've had and the trouble I've had with the humidity. Thankfully, I met a few very nice folks who were kind enough to encourage me along and I made was able to hang in there the full 3 miles. When I thought I was going to have to stop, there was a water station that I didn't even see. The man I was running with said, "Hey, grab a drink and then we'll go!" And we did. (Thanks Richard!) Two other ladies I met, Rebecca (another first timer) and Sara (a veteran with 5 marathons under her belt). I also saw my favorite doctor's wife who is running the half marathon in Disney in January. It was great to see a familiar face!

The day wouldn't have been complete without seeing Coach Bill. He is always so encouraging and positive. Thanks for that, Coach!

I registered in the Yellow group (9 - 10 min/mile) with the understanding that I can switch to the red group if necessary (10-12 min/mile).

Since I left my watch at home, I am not really sure of my time, but I think I saw 30:03, which would put me at the 10:01/mile mark. I know I have run faster than this, but with the humidity, it was really everything I could do to finish this.

Of course the few extra pounds that my vacation and poor diet has afforded me the past few weeks does not help either.

I am looking forward to the training because I think it will give me more accountability and more knowledge, as well as maybe a few folks to run with from time to time.

Happy Running!!

More of the same

Very wet, very humid. I think I could have walked faster...

3.0 miles 11:00/mile

128.5 pounds.... NO MORE SUGAR!

Pilates tomorrow and Woodlands Fit on Saturday.

94% Humidiy

I found myself praying for the rain to come down! No such luck.

3 miles that my legs were more than happy to carry me through, but my lungs were protesting

mile 1: 9:29

mile 2: 10:17 (2 min. walk break)

mile 3: 9:51

+ .1: 1:05

average pace/ 9:57 Total time: 30:43

I checked out the coaches for The Woodlands Fit and some seem so familiar!! :0)

Crud

I've caught whatever the children have had and I haven't been able to even consider running this weekend.

Hopefully I'll get this over with quickly and be on track to start with Woodlands Fit next weekend!

I've really discerned whether or not I should join this group and finally decided that I might have better luck with serious training if I have some more accountability. I am excited to see what is in store for me now!