Mile Stone: 18 Weeks Out

So this is how it begins ...

I just realized ING MIAMI is 18 weeks away!

This is a mile stone (at least to me) because that what most training plans call for.

Being that I am training concurrently for both a Half-Marathon and Marathon I keep tuning and fine tuning my training plan (in my special OCD way!)

I am excited.

What's not exciting is the fact that yesterday's run sucked.

I ran 12 min miles the whole way through. I used the Galloway Method again but I have a sneaking suspicion that my testing of the Jeff Galloway Method has been a crutch more than anything else.

I know I can run 7 miles all the way through. Sure, it's not elegant or fast but it sure is alot faster than if I use the Galloway Method.

Side Note: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Galloway Method it's just that it isn't right for me right at the moment. I need to do speed work and do this right.

I am fine tuning and making sure to pencil in speed work (which my plan was lacking completely!)

On Deck is a tempo run ... my first I do believe.

Tomorrow is the Metallica Concert and Friday a well deserved day off ... from work, not training :}

Happy Hump Day!

Where did September go?

I feel like it slipped through my fingers a little bit. In two days we are in October. Poof! September is gone!

046:09:47:02 till the Half-Marathon!

123:09:46:39 till the Full Marathon!

Excited and Freaking out all at once! SIGH!

Yesterday, I was excited about running but knew I needed to stick to the plan and get my cross training in.

The session of went like this:

Used: 8 Pound Weights

Skipped the starters and went straight for the meat!

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats

It could just be my imagination but I am starting to see shadows and highlights where I hadn't seen them before. Legs and Arms are starting to look pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Still a way to go but progress is very motivating. Something to consider though is I may need to start working on an alternate cross training session to alternate so I do hit a plateau.

Looking forward to today's run.

I have a 4 Miler on Deck.

Have a great day!

Weekends are Exhausting

I think I need a day off from my weekend!

This weekend kept me exceptionally BUSY! As always I planned to do a lot and ended up wanting to do more! Yes, I'm an over achiever ... it's a character flaw :)

So the plan was:

Planned: Cross training: A little P90x, challenges and all over workout!
Did: THE WHOLE WORKOUT! Finished it off! Did great!

Planned: A 4m Tempo Run for Saturday
Did: A 5 mile Run (used the Galloway 3:1 Ratio) WITHOUT MUSIC. Ended up with a 4.8 MPH run ... not great but not terrible.

Planned: A 7m Run on Sunday
Did: A 7 mile Run (used the Galloway 4:1 Ratio) WITHOUT MUSIC. Ended up with a 5.04 MPH run ... improving!

I wonder if the music would have helped? My earphone died like week so I have been Music Free for my last 3 runs ... during which I am noting a downturn on speed :(

I do like the Galloway Run:Walk Ratio because it makes the task of long runs so much less daunting but I'm wondering if that's not just me giving in to my own weakness :\

I mean, I am using a running ratio for much higher than I'm supposed to. I should be using the 2:1 or 2:30:1 ratio. But yet, I use the 4:1.

Maybe I should give the 2:1 ratio a try.

But the reality is that I have run 7 miles all the way through before. I CAN do it ... but I am giving in to the walking breaks.

I think I have developed a fear of long runs. I keep flip flopping between excitement and terror every time I realize I SIGNED UP FOR A MARATHON!?! .

Oh, and an added distraction, the Fall urge has stuck and I started knitting again.

I've decided that for this fall I will be making a replica of Lafayette's Afghan from True Blood.

True Blood is raffling off the real one but it's too late to enter :\ but someone was nice enough to write up the pattern so anyone can make up their own.

I'll post pictures when I'm done :)

In Review - Week of September 21st:

Half Marathon Training Week 5 of 12: Entering Phase 2

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
On the Run	25.68 Miles	5.02	5
On the Bike	0 Miles	N/A	0
In The Water	0 Meters	N/A	0
Strength Training	90 minutes	N/A	2

Total Running Time: 4:38:47
Total Training Time: 8:18:37

On Deck For This Evening:
I would like to spend a little time on my bike today. Just a couple of laps around the block and, of course I have my Cross Training and a catch up with Dexter, my favorite local serial killer :)

Happy Monday!

Weekending

Yesterday, on my co-worker run, I decided to test out the Jeff Galloway Run/Walk System. I had planed a 3 mile Easy Run so I figured what did I have to loose?

According to the chart, I should be Running 3 minutes and Walking 1 minute.

My first mile wasn't half bad (considering I was walking for 3 or so minutes of it). I followed the 3:1 ratio and did still managed to stay in the elevens range (if you recall yesterday: I ran the whole way and got about the same time :\ go figure!)

11:44.2

My second mile was less impressive. I tired to get smart and tried a 2:2 ratio, and then a 2:1 ratio ... which I don't think worked as well.

12:43.6

Then, I hit the hill. I ran it a bit slow but IT FELT AWESOME!

I forgot how much I like running hills ... they make you feel all tough and hard core :)

I was feeling good BUT then I passed my co-worker and she wanted me to walk with her for a bit. I looked at my watch and had 1 minute of walking ... OH BOY! What did I do that for!?! ... I never got started again.

17:13.8
07:35.8

DOH!

Afterwards, I made a new running buddy and am hoping for a Buddy run soon!

On Deck For This Weekend:

• Cross training this evening: A little P90x, challenges and all over workout!
  
• A 4m Tempo Run for Saturday
• A 7m Run on Sunday
  

I may switch Saturday and Sunday around and do my 7m run followed by an easy 4m. I read somewhere that after a long(ish) run you should do a shorter run the next day to loosen up the mus-ckles!

We'll see!

Happy Weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Well, last night's run stunk!

S.T.U.N.K.!

I felt like I might as well have been running backwards.

No, REALLY! I ran that slow!

I decided to go run at my 1 Mile Park Loop, which I hadn't done in quite some time and I did a little recalibrating on my Garmin (was just a little bit off ... not alot but I adjusted it).

Mile 1 0:11:02
Mile 2 0:11:43
Mile 3 0:11:45
Mile 4 0:14:25 (What the H.E.Double Hockey Sticks! I must have been sucked up into the chrono-synclastic infundibula and 2 minutes of time disappeared!)
Mile 5 0:11:30

Though I WAS impressed with the fact that I did 5 miles and I didn't feel very tired at all. I even caught up with my Mom and did an extra lap with her finishing up with a full 6 Miles.

Then when I got home I did some of the exercises for Yoga for Runners and a bit of Foam Rolling followed by my challenges. I wasn't sure I would even start them much less finish them but gladly I did both :)

Exercise	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5
Push-Ups W3:L3:D2	20	25	15	15	25+25
Sit-Ups W3:L2:D2	21	28	21	21	28+28
Squats W3:L3:D2	27	34	21	21	34+50

Not too shabby, if I do say so meee-self!

On, to my Thankfulness List:

1. I am thankful that Frozen Strawberry's work just as well as ice on Ginger Ale ... actually, they're even better :)
   


2. I am thankful that I am able to register for the ING Miami Marathon and physically able to take on this challenge.


3. I am thankful for the support of my blog-gy-peeps who are cheering me on this adventure! :) (Thanks guys!)
   


4. I am thankful that Mr. Boyfriend doesn't think I'm absolutely insane :D Well, maybe he does, but he loves me anyway! :}
   

I leave you with this VERY COOL video of the ING Miami Marathon Race Course:



Have a great day!

I SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST MARATHON!

Ok, so I have weighed my options, done the pros/cons list, gotten a reality check and even tips from a Vet (Thanks, Jamie!) and it is now official.

I have signed up for the ING MIAMI Marathon.

I'm about 99% sure I will not be doing the Disney Marathon ... but there still is that 1% lingering :)


This will be my first marathon!

The first of many, so I hope!

Also, Don’t forget about the Nathan Hydration water bottle giveaway!

Wish me luck!

Wednesday

I am torn.

Suddenly yesterday, I became indecisive about whether I should do the Disney Marathon on 1/10/2010 or the ING Miami Marathon on 1/31/2010.

Here's the Breakdown:

• Disney Marathon has a better course. You do have to run on roads but there are people all the way through. According to some course reviews I've read the ING Miami course becomes a little desolate after the 13.1 breakaway. Your running in downtown, there are not as many people doing the full and you might spot some homeless people hanging out.
  
• Disney Marathon has a lot more people. The first mile (some said 3-4 miles) will be slow so I may not be able to gauge my true run time but then again my first marathon should not be about time, right?
  
• Disney Marathon has ALOT more photo ops. There are photographers all over the parks at key points. Giving opportunity for multiple race pics. ING Miami just has the end and I've had some narly end race pics :\ would hate for it to happen here.
  
• If I did the Disney I would need to stay at a hotel ... means I'd need to spend more $$$
• If I did the Disney, I could invite my uncle and his family to come see me and cheer me on. He lives in Tampa and I know he would (he did it when I competed in Judo). Also, could possibly invite my estranged father with the excuse that it is DISNEY and tell him to bring his family to come see me and ask him to bring my Puerto Rican Grammy (whom I ADORE!). Which would then give me the excuse of brining my Cuban Grammy who would love going to Disney ... it's win/win all over the place.
  
• Doing the Disney will push me up 3 weeks in my training ... not necessarily a good thing :\
  

I've asked for a couple of opinions (ok, two so far) and I've gotten the same response:

"Why not do both!"

Not entirely UN-feasible. They are 3 weeks apart.

But what if I decide after doing the Full that I NEVER WANT TO RUN 26.2 EVER AGAIN ... I've heard it said, so I dunno.

In my head, I think I will be HARDCORE and run in to the shute saying "Woo-Hoo, let's do it again" ... but that could just be the G.I. Jane/Lara Croft/Electra Me that lives inside my head! What if the outter me (the one that feels pain) doesn't agree?

I could register for both and then do the Disney Full and take the turn on the ING Half. That's alot of money though :\

Hmmm, So much to consider.

Anyway, Today's run has me psyched. It wasn't a personal record or anything near it. I had trouble getting out the door, my IPOD Shuffle's earphone (I HOPE IT'S JUST THE EARPHONES) died. I even had to stop for a 2-minutes at the end of mile 3 because my left foot was going numb (my Quads again? I think.) but it still got me excited about the Half and the Full Marathon. Woo-Hoo!

Mile 1: 10:24.4
Mile 2: 11:15.5
Mile 3: 11:12.2
Mile 4: 11:57.4
.03 M: 00:23.6

Avg HR 169
Max HR 180

Temp 88.0 °F
Humidity 63%
Scattered Showers (it was clear skies where I was)

After, I did Yoga for Runners (I love Polly!) and had a stab at Foam Roller (I think I'm gonna like it!)

Then I did:

50 Sit-ups
20 Push-Ups
50/50 Under-The-Leg Lifts

... while I watched the tail end of The Biggest Loser. I had never seen it before. It's not terrible ... would need to watch more to form an opinion.

On deck for this evening:
5 Mile run

Have a Happy Hump Day!

The Workout Won

Yesterday, I had scheduled a cross training day and I felt the conviction that I should stick to it.

Once I got home I had to put together my Cansolidator Pantry from ShelfReliance.com I only put together 3/4 of it being that my pantry is uber tiny but already noticed the difference. My pantry is now uber organized and I can start a little Hurrican Prep Storage you know, "In Case of the Flies" (that's "por si las moscas" which means "just in case" directly translated which always gives me a chuckle!)

Then I was off to my workout.

I modeled my cross training workout after P90x (I call mine E90 ... no X yet ... heheh). I took some of the great leg exercises I learned in P90, added my hundred push ups/two hundred situps/two hundred squats Challenges, tossed in some core and a bundle of Thunder-Thigh Busters and removed pull-ups (just for now). I've modified it several times in exercise order and added and removed exercises until getting a good fitness recipe :)

Yesterday's went like this:

Used: 8 Pound Weights

Starter for Set 1: Chair Lunges 25/25
Starter for Set 2: Wall Squats 90 sec/10 sec int
Starter for Set 3: One Legged Wall Squats 60 sec/10 sec int
Starter for Set 4: Jump Rope 2 min
Starter for Set 5: Chair Salutations 2 x 30 sec

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats

I hadn't planned for it but after Set 2 I went for my ZYM Electrolyte Drink Tabs.


By the middle of Set 5 I was done for. I got light headed and had to sit down so I went for my Silk Light Chocolate Soymilk (which I use as a recovery drink) with a tablespoon of Chocolate PB2 which I like to call my Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Shake cause it tastes just like a Peanut Butter Cup :)

I did two more exercises and called it a night. I ended up skipping the gray-ed out exercises. Ultimately, My biggest priority is to finish my Challenge sets at the very least and that was done.

I didn't stretch out afterward but I'm only mildly sore today.

I suspect my "light headed-ness" could be that I need to eat a little something more before I get my strength training started.

On Deck for this evening:
A four mile run with my co-worker

No extraneous hopes for this one being that I haven't run in 6 days. My intentions today are just to get out there and have some fun.

Happy Tuesday!

Running Vac-ay Is Over

We are currently holding at a Level 0 - ALL CLEAR on the Migraine Threat Scale.

The running vac-ay is no over! HO-RAH!

Thankfully, my weight maintained stable over the 5 days (almost eerily so). No weight gain AT ALL ... even though I was comfort eating the ENTIRE 5 days. I kept looking for something to make me feel better and after Thursday's REBOUND HEADACHE from taking too much ADVIL (which is what almost forced me to go to the hospital) I turned to food (yes, I know, WRONG ANSWER!)

So it's been 5 whole run-free days.

Wednesday: A Planned Rest Day due to the Concert
Thursday: Migraine Forced No Run Day
Friday: Migraine Forced No Run Day
Saturday: Still had a mild migraine but was going to give a run a try but got majorly rained out
Sunday: Got caught up reading Club Deadby Charlaine Harris (Author of True Blood) ... Yes, I read the whole thing in one day! I was done by 6pm (I'm an English Major, Glad to see I've still got my reading chops!) which is my running window but it was cloudy so I started Dead to the World instead.

Half-Marathon Training Phase 2 is over and we are beginning Phase 3. Meaning that I've got 8 weeks (55 days) until my first Half-Marathon!

Today, I am scheduled for a Strength Training Day which I would much like to skip and make up my 6 miler from yesterday. But I know I probably shouldn't.

Considering this weeks schedule:

Monday: Cross/Strength Training
Tuesday: 4 Mile Run
Wednesday: 5 Mile Run
Thursday 3: Mile Run
Friday: Cross/Strength Training
Saturday: 45min Tempo/4 Mile Run
Sunday: 7 Mile Run

I think I will stick to the plan and push on ward!


In Review - Week of September 13th:
Half Marathon Training Week 4 of 12:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
On the Run	4 Miles	5.32	1
On the Bike	0 Miles	N/A	0
In The Water	0 Meters	N/A	0
Strength Training	90 minutes	N/A	2

Total Running Time: 0:45:08
Total Training Time: 3:45:08

This weeks stats S.T.I.N.K.! I was so demoralized yesterday I even thought about bagging the Half-Marathon. I know this set back was due mostly to my migraine but I could have done more. Not to worry though I tossed that thought off the boat in a JIFFY!

ON WARD HO!

This set back will be double motivating to STICK to this weeks plan!?!?!

Wishing everyone a Happy Monday!

Run Rain Out

I am currently holding at a Level 1 on the Migraine Threat Scale.

As I drove home to get my Run on after 3 days off I realized I was being followed by some enormous clouds which threatened thunder and lightening.

Thankfully, I had a back up plan, being that I had also missed my Strength Training session this week (due to my migraine) I decided I could get it in:

Used: 8 Pound Weights

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats

At least I got my weight training in, but I am really hoping to run tomorrow.

Have a great day!

SWR and The 48 Hour Migraine

So the She Wants Revenge Concert was AWESOME!

Mr. Boyfriend, THE GRRLS and I had a wonderful time.

We started the evening at American's Backyard having drinks and catching up since not seeing each other for about a year.



Then we headed over to Revolution for the concert!

Kill Hannah was the opening band and performed a great show.

The next morning I woke up and had a minor headache. I wasn't surprised because we drank ALOT. But I thought "I'll take an Advil and it will be gone before the afternoon and I'll be able to get my run in"

BOY WAS I WRONG!

Let me begin by explain my Migraine Level Scale:

0 - No Migraine and A-OK
1 - Mild clogged feeling
2 - Uncomfortable clogged feeling; Feeling pain
3 - A headache
4 - Headache, waves of hot flashes, sensitivity to light
5 - Headache, persistent hot flashes, sensitivity to light, need lights dimmed
6 - Headache, persistent hot flashes, sensitivity to light and sound, waves of nausea
7 - Very Painful headache, persistent hot flashes, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea
8 - Excruciatingly Painful headache, persistent hot flashes, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea/vomiting
9 - Excruciatingly Painful headache, persistent hot flashes, can not stand light or sound, nausea/vomiting, crying from pain
10 - Need to go to the hospital

By the afternoon the headache had morphed into a full grown migraine (Level 7) and by the evening I was crying (Level 9) and getting dressed to go to the Hospital.

Thankfully, I was able to get it under control before that was necessary but the pain was EXCRUCIATING!

This afternoon I thought the same thing. I woke up with a moderate headache (Level 3).

Even Mr. Boyfriend wanted me to go for a run ... he knows that if I have a low level migraine (Below evel 3) I can usually kick it with a 3 mile run ... I think it's the endorphins but that's just a theory.

But the migraine was still too strong (Level 5).

It is now 48 hours later and I am still down from this migraine.

Currently holding at Level 3.

I'm down for the count and getting some rest.

I am hoping I will be better tomorrow.

This is a test. The Powers that Be (i.e. insert higher power you believe in here) in voluntary cooperation with Reality, Philosophy and Quantum Mechanics have developed this system to keep the balance of the universe. If this had been an actual emergency the world would be over and the feeling that your life sucks you are having would have been followed by The End Of The World As We Know It. This life serves to test your limits of mind, body, soul and spirit. These tests are meant to push you harder and make you stronger than you ever thought you could become. This concludes this test.

500 MILES

As of last night's run I have logged 501 miles, crossing off one of my Goals for 2009. But being that I have another 463 miles scheduled in my running plan over the next 3 and a half months I am thinking about shooting for the lofty 1000 mile goal!

Here's to shooting for the stars and landing among the clouds!

Weary Wednesday

I am exhausted.

Last night, on our 3 mile co-worker walk/run (i.e. they walk while I run) we were joined by a one of the Lady Developers and became a 4 Mile walk/run.

I had a little trouble with my calves. They knotted up so bad I had to stop 3 times in the first 1.5M to stretch them.

Mind you I was doing pretty good.

The first half mile FELT like I was running at an AVERAGE pace but turns out I was hitting 7.0 mph (i.e. FAST!) and later looking at my Garmin I saw I hit as high as 10.0 mph (i.e. FLYING!) TWICE!?!?!

Splits were GOOD-UGH-OK-UGH!:

10:18.4
11:51.2
11:07.4
11:51.3

After the run, we cooled down and got to talking and it turns out the Developer who joined us today had done a brief stint as a Yoga Instructor in India (you know misspent youth and all that ;) and she walked us through a few MARVELOUS stretches.

Later on when I got home I remembered that Bobbi from N Her Shoes recommended a Yoga for Runners Video on Youtube so I decided to give it a shot!

I do declare, I believe I am HOOKED!




Today I'm a little sore but nothing I can't handle. Probably a 2 on a scale of 0-10. I'm thinking I will squeeze in a 10 min YOGA before the concert to stretch it all out.

On deck for this evening: Rest and She Wants Revenge

Have a great day!

6 Months and Counting

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.

Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or gazelle - when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

~ 0 ~

As of Today:

I HAVE BEEN
"A RUNNER"
FOR 6 MONTHS.

Yes, I have regularly run in the past. During College (i.e. 10 years ago) I was in JUDO and ROTC and I ran 3 to 5 times a week but I didn't consider myself "A Runner".

This journey began on 3/15/2009 when I began "TRAINING FOR A RACE".

Yes, I had run a couple 5Ks before but I had never actually "TRAINED FOR A RACE" before!

So far it has been a wonderful journey and I am quite in love with how being "A RUNNER" makes me feel!

Also, I'm counting down to becoming part of the TOP 1% (or 3% depending who you ask) of people on earth who have attempted a Marathon Race.

13.1 Fort Lauderdale T - 61 Days
ING Miami Marathon T - 138 Days

I wonder what percentage it would be for people who have attempted an IRONMAN? (Anyone?)

On deck for today:
A 3 mile run with my co-worker. This is my recovery week so I'm cutting down even though all I want is to RUN RUN RUN!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Tuesday!

Cross Training

Today I wanted to run but I knew I shouldn't.

But I had a great Cross Training Session:

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats

My priority is to get my Push-Ups/Sit-Ups/Squats done because they are part of the challenges. The rest is really just icing on the cake.

The sets take me an average of 15 minutes a piece and leaving me sweating (sometimes even more than when I run)! I use 8 pound weights (5 pds if I'm at Mom's like last night) and really go for high reps to tone everything up. I don't want to build just tone.

Well, Here's to Monday being over!

Week In Review: Authum Falls

So it's official, Autumn is here!

Pumpkin lattes have arrived and we even made a batch of Pumpkin Pancakes for our Saturday morning breakfast.

Makes me kinda wish I lived somewhere that the leaves turned to those fabulous colors.

Looking back to December 2003 and my trip to Tallahassee (Mom was living there for a bit) and remembering those fabulous colors and a very UNHEALTHY me!

There abouts I was tipping the scales in the high 220s (I topped them off in the 240s about a year later).

Wow, how things have changed.

I think I'm going to stick to being happy right where I am today ;}





In Review - Week of September 6th:

Half Marathon Training Week 3 of 12:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
On the Run	24.9 Miles	5.47 ↑.07	5
On the Bike	0 Miles	N/A	0
In The Water	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 4:35:31

I'm not happy with my Bike time this week. I have really been meaning to get some bike time in for the last 3 weeks (which is why I keep putting it on there even though it's 0!) It is a GLARING REMINDER! :)

But I am uber happy with my run stats. This week is a Recovery Week where I reduce the mileage a bit after 3 weeks of building it up.

Talk about perfect timing cause I've got a Thursday and Friday off and I'm heading to the She Wants Revenge Concert. WOO-HOO!



Wishing everyone a Happy Monday!

Another Blustery Run

Today's run was a great success.

It started to rain as I passed the one mile mark. I started to become concerned that today's run would be a repeat of yesterday.
But thankfully, there was no Thunder or Lightening to be seen ... so I ran on.

Mile 2 and 3 felt great. The rain was light and cool. But then the rain started to get harder. I started to become concerned again but still no Thunder or Lightening ... so I pushed on.

Mile 4: I decided to add a new section to my route. I ran around the Coral Gables City Hall. Normally, I would run up next to it and not go around but today I felt adventurous.

Mile 5: The rain got harder... By this time I WAS SOAKED! But I wanted to do 7 miles ... so I kept going.

Finished Mile 6 and on my way home.

I finished up at 7.16 Miles in 1:18:44 ... exactly 11 min mile pace average.

SWEET! Faster than my 7 Mile Bridge Run! Woo-hoo!

Here are the splits:

Mile 1 10:38.3
Mile 2 10:56.1
Mile 3 10:52.5
Mile 4 11:11.2
Mile 5 11:12.5
Mile 6 11:01.4
Mile 7 11:05.6
Extra 01:46.7

Here's hoping everyone enjoys the remainder of the weekend!

Rain Rain Go AWAY!

Darned rain!

Ok, well it wasn't the rain itself.

But the lightening and thunder which ended up scaring the crap out of me to the point that at mile 5 I stopped and called for a ride.

I was running in the Granada Golf Course area and for a while the rain was soft which felt absolutely FABULOUS!

But when the lightening and thunder began ... and then came the downpour ... all I could see in my minds eye was the image to the right.

When Mr. Boyfriend came to get me I felt great ... I SOOOOO could have finished off the 7 miles but the weather was too dangerous to continue.

By the time we got home (yes, count 'em 3 minutes later) the rain had pretty much subsided but as I conferred with Mr. Boyfriend we both agreed it was too dangerous to go out again.

LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY ... or run that is! :)

Here are my sweet splits:

09:33.9
10:25.7
10:49.9
10:51.2
10:49.6

I hit the 5K at 31:53.1 ... quite awesome. I'll be hitting SUB-30 in no time :)

Now, Mr. Boyfriend are off to a JAM tonight. I might cut it short and try to get in a run in the A.M. ... Let's see!

Happy Rainy Weekend!

Workout didn't go as planned

Ok, so my work out didn't go as I planned.

IT WAS BETTER!

Even considering that I was having weird electric back spasms through the beginning and end of it ... but not the middle ... weird, huh!

So I started with P90x Legs & Back Warm -ups followed by the Chair Lunges and Calf Raise Squats then I started with my own routine:

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats

In between I did Wall-Squats, One Legged Wall Squats, Sneaky lunge and chair salutations with the video but mostly it was the challenges causing the beads of sweat to run down my arms and legs. I also followed the video's cool-down which is short and sweet.

Next go around I will also be adding tricep curls, chest flys and leg lifts for my lower abs.

All in all it took just over an hour.

I am definitely a lot more excited about doing strength training and still very much looking forward to my 7 miler this weekend.

Oh-Oh Spagetti-o!

Ok, I know I'm not supposed to... but I have set a mental goal for my first half-marathon.

Of course I want to finish. But also, I want to finish it in about 2:45:00 (ok, I want to finish in less than 2:59:54 which is what someone I know did it in!)

It's a modest goal. Not impossible.

I did the 7 mile bridge last April and averaged 12 minute miles the whole way (with a lot less training under my belt) and also on my PDR which is an 8 mile run, also in April.

The difference is that in my head 13.1 miles is not insurmountable.

Neither is 26.2.

Does that mean I will eventually be a candidate for a ULTRA? I don't know (we never know where life will take us) and I'm actually gearing myself more to Triathlons (being that I had never learned to ride a bike or swim until the recent past and beating those is a big deal to me!).

But Madonna's Morocco Ultra sounds inciting and the Rim2Rim2Rim sounds like fun and even the Great Wall Marathon sounds like the cat's pajamas but when I think about doing them the money seems like more of a barrier than the distance.

Is it just that since I've never run more than 8 miles I don't know what it will really require of me? Ignorance is bliss and all that?

The reality is, I don't know where this ride will take me but it's awfully fun to dream. And I am finally starting to worry less about my weight and even forgetting to weigh myself some mornings (EGAD! That would have been INCONCEIVABLE to me in the past!)

Today's Runner's Quote Sums it all up best I think:

People begin running for any number of motives, but we stick to it for one basic reason-to find out who we really are.
~ George Sheehan, M.D.

On deck for this evening: Today is a Rest (from running) day so I will be doing P90x as well as my challenge sets with the addition of:

• Triceps Push Downs (Michele Obama rocks these for her great arms)
  
• Hammer Curls (These too!)
  
• Bent Knee Crunches (I want to one day show my mid drift)
  
• Bicycle Crunch (These are highly recommended for runners)
  
• Under-the-leg lifts (for those thunder thighs)
• Arm Running (recommend for runners) :: 60 second sets
  
• Ankle Balances (supposed to help prevent running injury) :: 30 seconds each leg
  
• Calf Raises (Also recommended for runners)
  

And for tomorrow, I have a 7 Miler which I am actually excited about! Go Figure!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Running Appetite

First I would like to thank everyone for the hydration tips ... very much appreciated! :)

Today's run was a Co-worker run:

Mile 1 10:30.7
Mile 2 10:50.9
.44 M 05:00.2

Cool Down (1 Mile) 23:06.3

Started off good but at the designated Voodoo turn around point (i.e. right before we pass the point on the bridge where someone threw a dead chicken wrapped in brown paper bag as an offering to God knows who and which stinks to high heavn) I lapped my co-worker and she asked me to double back with her, so I did and then we finished off walking.

When I got home, the little old man across the street admitted that he had been the one that left us the 3 most delicious avocados on our door step (he is so cute) which I had with left over Picaddillo in a wrap.

Mr. Boyfriend accused me of not liking his cooking because I can never eat after my longer runs but then I googled this:

"In general, the more intense the exercise, the higher your body temperature, and the more likely your appetite will be suppressed for several hours following exercise. Exercising at low intensity and working out in cold temperatures will have less of an effect on hunger and post-exercise appetite."

After a rest and a little CSI, I hit my challenge sets.

I did a repeat of Week 1: Day 2 - Level 3.

Challenges	Push-Ups	Sit-Ups	Squats
Set 1	10	15	13
Set 2	12	8	16
Set 3	8	15	16
Set 4	8	15	13
Set 5	12	18	16

Followed by:

Under Leg Lifts - 1 set of 50 on each leg
Ankle Balances - 30 seconds on each leg
Calf Raises - 1 set of 20

Now off to a little GRE review and then to bed!

Happy Friday Eve!

Thankfully Thursday

I woke up this morning thankful it was Thursday already. It's definitely a good start to the day.

I am also thankful that I didn't wake up terribly sore from my 6 miler yesterday and thankfully the nausea from trying to over hydrate after the run was gone by the time I started to fall asleep.

I have really got to figure something out with my hydration on the run!

Yesterday I didn't take my camelbak because as I was setting it up it got all wet from a leak I could not locate ... it wasn't cracked or broken anywhere but somehow it kept getting all wet. So I decided to go it with only my 2 shot bloks. I took one at the start and one at the end of mile 2 because I had no real expectation if getting to 6 miles at that time, rain was immenent so I just wanted to sneak in a short run and at that time I was thinking 4 miles max. Then I passed the 4 mile turn around and made it to the 5 mile turn around and once I returned and made it back to my divergence point (where I could extend my run by .5 , 1.25 or even 1.5 miles) I took the 1.25 mile extension course before starting my .75m back home. Towards the turn around of my extension the clouds started to rumble and I wondered if I had made a mistake ... I had gotten slightly wet in the begining of the run from some light rain showers but this looked like a full on torential down pour. "Oh, well" I thought and kept on going.

Mile 1 11:58.3
Mile 2 12:07.9
Mile 3 12:25.7
Mile 4 11:09.3
Mile 5 11:25.3
Mile 6 11:40.0
Extra 03:21.7

I didn't do my challenge sets YET AGAIN! I have really got to get back on that. But atleast I got through a few GRE Quantatative Test Practices so the evening was not a total loss :)

Hmmm ... what am I thankful for today!

1. Developers who finally listen to you after 2 years ... FINALLY! :)
2. Quiet evenings at home while the boys are out playing poker.
3. New challenges and sticking to your plan to beat them!
   
4. Finding friends you haven't seen since you spent the summer's at your dad's house on a mountain in Puerto Rico when you were a teenager on Facebook!
   

Hoping you have a terrific Thursday!

Week In Review: Labor-Less Monday

Today I just did not want to get out there.

It's a holiday and I just wanted to be lazy. I told Mr. Boyfriend and he said I should go anyway ... and I knew he was right. DARN IT!

I got out and as I was finishing up my 2nd mile I thought wouldn't it be great if I did 4 miles today instead of 3.

And so I did.

Mile 1 10:08.6
Mile 2 10:42.6
Mile 3 11:04.1
Mile 4 11:09.2
0.05 00:32.8

I wasn't able to do my Challenge sets though. I need to make sure I do them before I run.

Overall a good day!

In Review - Week of August 31th:

Half Marathon Training Week 2 of 12:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
On the Run	20.91 Miles	5.40	5
On the Bike	0 Miles	N/A	0
In The Water	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 4:12:07

Hope everyone enjoys the last few hours of Labor Day freedome!

Night Runs

Today I had my first Night Run.

We got home a little later than we hoped and by the time we had dinner, night was rearing it's head.

I was a little sad but then I remembered someone had told me they only run at night earlier today. So I decided to give it a go.

Weather was a pleasant 82° degrees with a moderate 72% humidity.

I ran my usual path in the Gables but the trees looked rather ominous and creepy (as you can see in the photo from a past photo shoot)

I won't be switching my runs to the evening from the afternoon but it will definitely be a fail safe for future use.

Rain Check

I just ran 5.25 Miles.

It was the run I was supposed to do yesterday but it was called on the count of rain. When I woke up this morning I wasn't optimistic considering it was raining much harder than yesterday.

But thankfully the clouds parted and I saw my opening.

I wasn't sure if I would do 3 miles, 5 miles or go all the way to 7 miles (which is what I have scheduled for tomorrow) but I threw on my camelbak with about 18oz of water and a ZYM Electrolyte Drink tablet, grabbed my ipod and headed out the door.

Thankfully it was dry enough to run but there were still some wet and slippery patches as I got further into Coral Gables and I started to run on the grass and even on the side of the road in some parts.

I also tested out a new way of running the old route since I was running on the road and had a little more freedom.

The run went smashingly well.

Good energy. No hydration issues. My foot did start to tingle a little at the end of mile 1 and mile 2 but I was able to fend it off with a quick short stretch and keep on going.

As I neared the end of my 4th mile it started to sprinkle which I took as a sign to head home which is just over a mile. Running in the rain was kinda nice. I felt a surge of motivation and finished up the run in good form. Although I don't think I would start a run in the rain it was definitely a nice end to one.

RUN STATS:
Pre-run snack: Publix Sunburst Granola (as I was making my Granola bars ;)
Run Hydration: 18oz of Water in Camelbak with Zym Hydration Tab

Splits:

Mile 1 10:43.0
Mile 2 10:26.1
Mile 3 11:55.0
Mile 4 10:55.4
Mile 5 10:36.3
.25 M 02:44.0

So happy I got out there!

Now off to dinner and JAMMING with friends!

Stormy Weather

Well, the rain got us again.

Mr. Boyfriend and I woke up late after last nights JAM celebrating Labor Day and our friend Rafy's Birthday.

I got up to make us our special Saturday breakfast of Pancakes and Eggs and found that we were out of our usual Lactaid Milk but I remembered I still had some Light Chocolate Silk Soy Milk.

So I gave it a shot!



HOLY YUM!

It even got the Mr. Boyfriend (i.e. I have never eaten Health or Light food before) seal of approval.

Mr. Boyfriend also insists that I mention that Light Chocolate Silk Soy Milk tastes great with Cuban Cafe Con Leche ;}

After breakfast, I got 2 hours of GRE Study time which went pretty well. I focused on diagnostic tests to create a base line and find the areas I need to work on.

Then being that the rain persisted I decided to make a batch of No-Bake Granola Bars.


These are so simple and come out so great!

Happy weekend!

Friday Follies

I wasn't stoked to head out on my 5 mile run but I was looking forward to crossing it off my list. But as luck would have it, as I walked out the front door of my office building, it started to rain.

Not allowing myself to be completely defeated, I dusted off the P90x Back and Legs DVD and brought out my 100 Push-Up/200 Sit-Up/200 Squat Challenge notebook and got to work.

Challenges	Push-Ups	Sit-Ups	Squats
Set 1	11	17	15
Set 2	15	22	20
Set 3	9	14	13
Set 4	9	14	13
Set 5	15	22	22
Extra	10

At least I got my heart going:





Have a great day!