Time Flies

Hello out there in Running Bloggie World!  

It has been about 18 months since I have done any serious running of any kind.

It feels like a confession.

Forgive me Running Gods for I have sinned!  It has been 18 months since I have trained ...

I have had many ups and downs about the issue.  Beaten myself up for not getting up and going.  Gotten myself down in the dumps about the weight I've gained.  But a lot has changed in all areas of my life ... New Apartment, New Job, New People have come into my life, others have gone.

I've tried return to running and get started but failed and start again and failed again ... only to pick myself up and try yet again. 

I started telling everyone I would start the day after Graduation, less than 2 months away.

Then I started saying I will start the day school ends, as soon as I turn in my last assignment ... that's less than 3 weeks away now ... but the excitement is getting to me.  I feel it itching under my skin.

Today!  Why Can't I start TODAY!  No one can tell me not to!  No one has to know!

You guys will keep my secret, won't you? 

When is TODAY a good time to start again??? 

TODAY!!!!

On Deck
3 Mile walk


Have a OUTSTANDING day!

Not So Short but Sweet

Today I had my long run, 6 miles at where we stand ... no my longest ever but certainly the longest in 8 months.

No times to report as my Garmin died before I started the first mile.  Seems I forgot to turn it off on Thursday after the Turkey Trot.

Mom's wants to sign up for the Holiday Run 5k but I am pushing for a 10k, not sure if one is available but keeping my fingers crossed.

Keeping it short today as I am teaching a Firearms Course this afternoon, then a GNO with the BFF.

On Deck is a 2 mile recovery run.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!!!

Race Report: Turkey Trot

A year ago, at about this time, I was coming down from the major running high of My First Half Marathon in a rather respectable amount of time (2:35:58 for those that didn't click through) and I was thankful that Recovery Runs are Better Than Chocolate.

Fast Forward one year, after an 8 month sabbatical from running and 30 pounds heavier, i.e. yesterday, when I was just trying to survive a 5K. 

Which I did by I alternating running and walking the distance in 44:20.

It wasn't a PR or even a great run by the standards I held a year ago.  But looking at it in the perspective of this year and this time around, I've cut off ~4 minutes from my last race (The Waterford 5k about 2 weeks ago @ 48:52) and I am thankful for that!

On Deck is a 6 miler, I gott start building up my distance if I'm going to get through the half! :)

Hoping you all have a Festive Holiday Weekend!

Keeping on 'Troting

Ok, so last week wasn't such a great week.  The week before that was OK, not great but OK.  This week wasn't gearing up to be much better since I did nothing yesterday.

Lets be honest: Mondays aren't the best training day for me and I should probably work with that limitation and set it as a rest day.

But Today ... Today I got up and did something.  Nothing spectacular or out of this world but SOMETHING ... and I am taking that one as a WIN!

I was even inspired to start my race planning:

• I'm already signed up for the ING 13.1 Miami (I'm actually signed up for the 26.2 but I know I won't be ready) so I will be pacing the Mom's on her first Half Marathon attempt
• I'd love to hook up with some people doing the Key West Ragnar but I don't know if I will be ready.  
• My 13.1 race will be the 13.1 Miami Beach in March
• The Traditional 7 Mile Bridge (My Alternate will be the Aflac 15k in case I don't get in)
• My A-race will be the Corporate Run where I want to beat 32:00 minutes (with my ultimate goal being sub-30)

I am Thankful that I am able to "run".  I am Thankful that I can share this hobby with my mom which brings us together and gives us a lot ... MORE ... to talk about :) I am Thankful for my family and my friends and my co-workers who put up with all my running talk (even though I haven't been running in a while).  I am Thankful running has taken me back, like an old lover you never forget!  I am THANKFUL!!!

On Deck is some calisthenics and stretching for tomorrow, cause the Turkey Trot Tradition must be upheld!!!

Have you been Thankful Today?

Getting Over The Hump

Still trying see where I stand and build my base, today I had planed to do a 5 miler that was not meant to be.

It was probably a bit optimistic to try to get through a 5 miler running straight through this early in the game but what I am if not optimistic :P

I did manage to get through 3 miles using a walk/run cycle but I really need to work on my stretching pre-run because my legs were hurting from the get go. 

Mile 1   14:53.44
Mile 2   16:21.86
Mile 3   15:56.51

Nothing impressive but still feeling pretty good about my progress.

On Deck
3m Run

Happy Wednesday!

And Their Off!

Training has officially begun.  

Today I had a easy two mile run which I thought would be a great way to gauge exactly where I am considering I didn't try to run during the Waterford 5K and I kinda took it easy yesterday.

I had set a goal of hitting sometime between 14:15 and 15:36 which would land me in a respectable range. 


I ended up at:

Mile 1   13:55.21
Mile 2   14:42.66

... which I am rather happy with. 

I did cramp up ... ALOT ... which forced me to walk WAY more than I should have so there is still much tweeking to be done.

On Deck is some cardio and strength training for tomorrow, followed by a 5 miler I am hoping to run most of :)

Wish me luck!!!



Have a great day!

T-Minus 11 weeks or 77 Days till ING Miami Half Marathon Take Deux

Last week I realized we are 12 weeks out ... now 11 weeks out ... of the 2011 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon to which I have been signed up for since last years ING Miami Marathon 2010.

The last few months have been rather eventful including:

• Reaching and passing the half way mark in my Graduate School Program and getting nominated to the Golden Key Honor Society
• Closing and moving into my own place
• A rather unexpected change in employment to a job I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT!!!!!

This eventfulness (is that a word?) has further gummed up the works in my Return to Running Plan.

Until ...

I just got out there an did it.

Last week was the Waterford 5k, a yearly run company's in the Waterford area take part in. 

Last week,  I also had an Epiphany.  I have a million reasons why I don't have time to run ... but all those reasons are in fact EXCUSES! 

So, when Friday came ... I had not trained ... I had not worked out ... But I had to run ... well I had to walk.   There was no reason why I shouldn't,  only excuses ... and I wasn't going to let an excuse stop me!

So I did, paced by a co-worker and did OK considering I haven't put on my work out clothes in about 7 months.

Saturday I rested ... I woke up with a dehydration hang over.  I hadn't had enough water in the days preceding race. 

Today, I followed it up by walking/jogging 5 miles which also went OK but made me realize I really have to kick up my training to get back to my fighting weight.  Mrs. Mom is doing it too but she has been training for a few weeks already so I have a lot of catching up to do.

For those of you who have been following me for a while might recall I pace Mrs. Mom or at least go back for her at the end of the race ... but either way ... I HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING TO DO!!!!

On Deck

2 miles @ between 14:15 to 15:36


Have a great day!