I don't know why its so hard to get my butt out there on a Thursday. We had good intentions but with baby's new 2 hour nap thing I have to either go before the hubby leaves (still not happening) or after the morning nap which pushes us pretty late if we have any other plans. So Thursday didn't happen. My gym buddy and I were supposed to switch today so I thought instead of the gym I'd hit the road with just the dog. Well she bailed so I decided we would all go after nap time. It was warm so I decided we'd try a different route I'd been eyeing since our normal trail is in a little canyon and doesn't get much of a breeze. I had seen that one of the main roads by our house had a long asphalt trail all along the side of it that was a good distance off of the main road (dog sometimes gets spooked by cars and mom is afraid of cars swerving into baby). So we headed that direction although I knew I had no idea how far 5 miles would be (or 2.5 since we'd be turning around at some point). I decided 60ish minutes would do so we started running. The only problem was that we had to cross some pretty busy streets before we got to our trail so we had some down time waiting for long lights. It actually took us the first 15 min to get down there so I'm not so sure I love that idea unless its early early and there won't be a lot of cars to make long lights.
The trail was ok. It was kind of bumpy but pretty shaded. It goes by some stables (stinky!) but had otherwise pretty good views of the multi million dollar homes in that area. We ran for 33 min and then turned around. I know I was going slow today with the heat and the stroller but I hadn't realized we'd been running slightly uphill the whole time so the gradual downhill on the way home was nice. I have to say I don't really trust google earth so I will drive it today but from the google path I did it was a little under 5 miles which I am fine with. We stopped at 60 min so I figured as much.
On a separate note, it did kind of feel like I lost 15 lbs today because this was the first time I ran with the stroller but not the carseat. I have really really liked clicking the carseat in the stroller but now that little one is staying awake more, I thought he'd like to look at something other than my sweaty face. He seemed very content, stayed awake for about half the time and slept for about half. I miss being able to see his cute face while I run but I knew this day was coming!
I'm hoping I can get my butt out of bed to do a real 5 miles tomorrow before hubby leaves but if not at least I know I can make it with the stroller (and the dog is so tired I don't know if she'll move for the rest of the week!)
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Night Runner
I was so planning on running this morning. I got up and drank Gatorade and ate a good runner-friendly breakfast. And then just after 8am my son called from school and... I'll spare you the details, but there went my morning. I was on auto-pilot from there on out, running here and there and everywhere. Yes, "running", but the errand kind, not the training kind. After a day full of school assemblies, doctors appointments, teacher conferences, and piano lessons I knew I wouldn't be able to run til tonight. I mapped out a new five mile course and waited for hubs to get home. I didn't leave til 6:00ish pm.
Apparently night running doesn't totally agree with me. The actual run was pretty good, at least I felt great and finally had a good run after my recent struggles. I finished right at one hour (12 min mile), which again, for me is pretty good. I also hit the GU at around 35 minutes, where I stopped at a Starbucks to use the bathroom and ask for some water.
The problems came when I realized why I shouldn't run at night by myself. I had been concerned about cars not being able to see me - I made sure to wear a white shirt. But I forgot that I wouldn't be able to see where I was stepping! The last mile was all rough terrain with no streetlights - dumb dumb dumb. And kinda scary. I was sort of dancing around, tiptoeing and running slowly and delicately over the rocks and such, paranoid to twist an ankle or worse. Then when a car would pass and shine his lights on my path I would run like a mad woman to make up for lost time and out of irritation for having to slow down.
Plus, (t.m.i warning) so, ok, I didn't wear underwear. I have a laundry situation going on - don't judge me - and thought, hey I'll just run commando. Dumb dumb dumb. I'll again spare the details, but I do not recommend. Not such a pleasant experience. (p.s. I was wearing pants).
So, what I'm saying is, by the end of the day my brain is fried and I don't think too clearly. That doesn't lead to the wisest running choices. Oh well, hopefully my morning buddy will be back soon all healed and healthy!
Top music picks today: Hollaback girl, Gwen Stefani and Safe in the Arms of Love, Martina McBride
should've known.
should've known that in trying to avoid one big hill, the course i chose instead today gave me 2 GIANT hills.
should've known not to run somewhere i had never even driven before, thus the 2 GIANT hills.
should've known that running between 7:30 and 8:30 passing 4 schools on the way would guarantee me some run-ins with annoying teenagers who won't get out of the way.
should've known that owey would fall asleep for about 20 min and then think he didn't need a nap after we got home.
should've known that it was a bad idea to run DOWN that GIANT hill knowing i would have to run back UP it on the way back.
should've known that if i don't pass any runners along the way, it is most likely because no one else dares to run that way.
should've known that my time would be not exactly impressive (but still not terrible)- 60 min for 5 miles.
despite all that, here are some things i actually did right this morning:
wore my water belt - good thing!
brought along some gu just in case - very good thing!
ran on the shady side of the street both ways
ran against traffic when pushing up the GIANT hill so cars were watching my grimacing face instead of my big ol' behind.
ran up that hill with buns burning to the sound of "honkey tonk badonkadonk" - now that is what i call motivation!
walked part of the way on the 2 steep hills to conserve energy and then pushed it to the top.
the last mile was all downhill - the best way to finish if you ask me!
well, hope you all have a great weekend. i will try to post on saturday to fill you in on what i'm up to...
should've known not to run somewhere i had never even driven before, thus the 2 GIANT hills.
should've known that running between 7:30 and 8:30 passing 4 schools on the way would guarantee me some run-ins with annoying teenagers who won't get out of the way.
should've known that owey would fall asleep for about 20 min and then think he didn't need a nap after we got home.
should've known that it was a bad idea to run DOWN that GIANT hill knowing i would have to run back UP it on the way back.
should've known that if i don't pass any runners along the way, it is most likely because no one else dares to run that way.
should've known that my time would be not exactly impressive (but still not terrible)- 60 min for 5 miles.
despite all that, here are some things i actually did right this morning:
wore my water belt - good thing!
brought along some gu just in case - very good thing!
ran on the shady side of the street both ways
ran against traffic when pushing up the GIANT hill so cars were watching my grimacing face instead of my big ol' behind.
ran up that hill with buns burning to the sound of "honkey tonk badonkadonk" - now that is what i call motivation!
walked part of the way on the 2 steep hills to conserve energy and then pushed it to the top.
the last mile was all downhill - the best way to finish if you ask me!
well, hope you all have a great weekend. i will try to post on saturday to fill you in on what i'm up to...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Like a pig? Like a cow?
Since I can't post about my running (curse you stupid toe).....I want to get your opinions.
Kristen and I went to Red Robin last night and stuffed our faces with Blue Ribbon burgers.
Yum.
As we were talking, she brought up (or did I? can't remember) the whole healthy eating thing. The subject we both hate. Which is probably why we are best friends. Anyway- she said she wanted me to start another blog (I think I'm going for the blog record- 5 blogs? Really. Somebody shoot me). She suggested a blog to hold everyone accountable for the food we eat. It could be anyone (other friends out there, not just gazelles). We would write what we'd eaten for the day. That way we might want to eat healthier if we have to tell what we're eating.
I know she's got the running thing down. I'm hoping to be back out there next weekish (after xrays again of course). But if we're really gonna run a good solid race, we know that we (ughhhhh) have to eat well also. Blue Ribbon burgers just aren't going to cut it.
So we laughed as she said, "You know like "Like a Pig instead of 'Like a Gazelle.'"
What do ya say? Would you be willing to write what you'd eaten during the day?
We could give each other tips too.
I don't want to go on a full blown diet. I just want to eat more sensibly. And to actually give myself nutrients other than prune juice (DP of course) and fried potatoes (french fries).
Any takers?
Kristen and I went to Red Robin last night and stuffed our faces with Blue Ribbon burgers.
Yum.
As we were talking, she brought up (or did I? can't remember) the whole healthy eating thing. The subject we both hate. Which is probably why we are best friends. Anyway- she said she wanted me to start another blog (I think I'm going for the blog record- 5 blogs? Really. Somebody shoot me). She suggested a blog to hold everyone accountable for the food we eat. It could be anyone (other friends out there, not just gazelles). We would write what we'd eaten for the day. That way we might want to eat healthier if we have to tell what we're eating.
I know she's got the running thing down. I'm hoping to be back out there next weekish (after xrays again of course). But if we're really gonna run a good solid race, we know that we (ughhhhh) have to eat well also. Blue Ribbon burgers just aren't going to cut it.
So we laughed as she said, "You know like "Like a Pig instead of 'Like a Gazelle.'"
What do ya say? Would you be willing to write what you'd eaten during the day?
We could give each other tips too.
I don't want to go on a full blown diet. I just want to eat more sensibly. And to actually give myself nutrients other than prune juice (DP of course) and fried potatoes (french fries).
Any takers?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Gettin' Burned
Sun burned that is. Note to self... if you go running in the sun for an hour and then you go to the beach remember that you've already been in the sun for an hour before you got there! I am
F-R-I-E-D!! I am glad that we have a day off tomorrow!
We got out there kind of late today because, get this, the baby took a TWO hour nap this morning! And I was NOT messing with that. Usually he takes a really short morning nap and falls asleep again as soon as I start running. Today was interesting because since he had taken a 2 hour nap I wasn't sure how he would handle the stroller. Surprisingly he was totally happy and cute and his cute little smiles really helped to pump me up! I had to cover him up when the sun got in his face and he promptly fell asleep again which I guess is fine.
Anyway, even though it was warm there was a nice little breeze and I felt like I kept a good pace. I didn't know how far 4 miles was on the trail so I just rain for 48 minutes. That was probably a little less than 4 miles but we were in a hurry to get back for our beach date.
MY song of the day, a little Gwen Stefani, I don't know what its called but my favorite lyrics: "I'm just an Orange County girl, livin in an extra ordinary world..." it always gets me going, you know me and Gwen, just a couple of girls from the OC!
Oh and Kristin, you almost made me cry! I totally agree that this blog has been SO good for me, I have gotten out there so many days that I would have rather just stayed at home because I didn't want to let down my blogging friends!
F-R-I-E-D!! I am glad that we have a day off tomorrow!
We got out there kind of late today because, get this, the baby took a TWO hour nap this morning! And I was NOT messing with that. Usually he takes a really short morning nap and falls asleep again as soon as I start running. Today was interesting because since he had taken a 2 hour nap I wasn't sure how he would handle the stroller. Surprisingly he was totally happy and cute and his cute little smiles really helped to pump me up! I had to cover him up when the sun got in his face and he promptly fell asleep again which I guess is fine.
Anyway, even though it was warm there was a nice little breeze and I felt like I kept a good pace. I didn't know how far 4 miles was on the trail so I just rain for 48 minutes. That was probably a little less than 4 miles but we were in a hurry to get back for our beach date.
MY song of the day, a little Gwen Stefani, I don't know what its called but my favorite lyrics: "I'm just an Orange County girl, livin in an extra ordinary world..." it always gets me going, you know me and Gwen, just a couple of girls from the OC!
Oh and Kristin, you almost made me cry! I totally agree that this blog has been SO good for me, I have gotten out there so many days that I would have rather just stayed at home because I didn't want to let down my blogging friends!
Staying Alive
Nothing new or exciting to report today. I did my 4 miles (the non-hill route today) in about 45 minutes (that is me looking at the clock before I leave the house and as soon as I walk in the door, so not totally accurate, but it gives me some idea). My hubs said that is about an 11.25 mile, which for me is pretty darn good.
Interesting question you posed Jess. I personally don't want to get too caught up in the timing and stress myself out. You and Brooke are more experienced than little ol' me and I think ya'll should go for it. We should all just be aiming for our personal best. I've started paying more attention to my time to make sure I am not short changing myself and to make sure I'm pushing myself a little bit to improve, but really I'm just so proud of myself that I'm still in this and not dead. Or luckily, not injured (knocking on wood). I have no problem whatsoever coming in dead stone cold last - those who know me know I don't give a rip really what people think of me. I'll just be happy to finish!
I have to take a moment here also to address something I was thinking of this morning during my run. I just want to bear my testimony :) and say I love this blog and really want to thank you girls for helping me and inspiring me. Blogging about my runs has really been a key tool for me to stick with this training program. I know I don't know you all that well, but it helps me so much to know I have to run and report. And I'm always so excited to see what you all have to report too. Thanks for putting this together Jess, I can't wait to meet you all in person someday soon. Hey, maybe we should have a pre-race get together!
Today's song: Staying Alive, by the BeeGees (yes, really)
Interesting question you posed Jess. I personally don't want to get too caught up in the timing and stress myself out. You and Brooke are more experienced than little ol' me and I think ya'll should go for it. We should all just be aiming for our personal best. I've started paying more attention to my time to make sure I am not short changing myself and to make sure I'm pushing myself a little bit to improve, but really I'm just so proud of myself that I'm still in this and not dead. Or luckily, not injured (knocking on wood). I have no problem whatsoever coming in dead stone cold last - those who know me know I don't give a rip really what people think of me. I'll just be happy to finish!
I have to take a moment here also to address something I was thinking of this morning during my run. I just want to bear my testimony :) and say I love this blog and really want to thank you girls for helping me and inspiring me. Blogging about my runs has really been a key tool for me to stick with this training program. I know I don't know you all that well, but it helps me so much to know I have to run and report. And I'm always so excited to see what you all have to report too. Thanks for putting this together Jess, I can't wait to meet you all in person someday soon. Hey, maybe we should have a pre-race get together!
Today's song: Staying Alive, by the BeeGees (yes, really)
just call me speedy gonzalez...
ANDALE, ANDALE!!!
ok, so after brooke posted yesterday about how much easier it is to run for miles on the treadmill, i had to give it a go. when i'm not on a treadmill, i do in fact measure out how far i will run before i leave, but there isn't a constant flashing light that tells me how far i've gone, how far i have to go, how long i've been running etc. about the only thing i can really measure is the half way point or when i'm almost home. PLUS, the treadmill sets the pace for me and helps me realize if i speed it up, i will be done faster. outside, on the other hand, i really can't tell if i'm going really slow or really fast since i don't have mile markers and don't run the same place often enough to know that by now.
anyhow- back to me being speedy gonzalez. i really wanted to challenge myself on the treadmill this morning since i've been feeling a little slow lately. so i did. it may be some sort of fluke, or miracle - call it what you will - but i ran 4 miles in 37 min this morning!!! the best part about it was that i was done almost 15 min earlier than i was yesterday!!! granted, i felt like i was sprinting the last mile and a half, but sometimes it feels better to actually RUN than just jog. once again, i am not going to obsess over a time goal for the actual race - that isn't really the point for me. at the same time, i do realize that the faster i can run, the faster i can get it over with!!! so, i think i will do at least 1 "speed run" a week to make sure that i can run this thing before they start packing up the drink stations and port-a-potties. do you all have a goal time or are you like me and just hope to actually make it to the finish line?
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