I Missed the Cold Front

I had intended to get out early this morning, but one thing led to another and before I knew it I had run out of time. Beverly called to ask if I had enjoyed the cool weather, but unfortunately I didn't have a clue. It had been in the 60's and I missed my window of opportunity to enjoy it. It was 7:45pm before I was able to get out. The temperatures were in the high 80's instead of 90's, so I got a little taste of the cooler weather, but it would have been better this morning. I did my intervals for 40 minutes and called it a night.

40 Minutes of Intervals

I managed to get out before 9:00am, but it was still pretty hot. I warmed up for 5 minutes and then did 1:40/1:00 intervals.

Another 6 Miles on Sunday

I had every intention of waking up early and doing my 15 miles, but I slept in. By the time I got up and got going it was after 9:00am. I decided that I would go to Oyster Creek, leave an ice chest full of water in my car, and see how far I could go. It was really hot, so after 3 miles of intervals, I walked for the next 2. At mile 5 it started raining, so I went back to running. At mile 6 I threw in the towel. I'll rest tomorrow and start back up on Tuesday. I'll eat properly and hopefully regain my strength.

Mark B Struts His Stuff for Charity

Mark Getting a Little Assistance

Mark Modeling

Mark Striking a Pose for Charity

I was scheduled to do 15 miles today, but since I haven't been feeling too great I only did a 6 miler with my FBF buddies this morning. It was really tough. Although I ate and hydrated I was really dragging. But I kept on because I had to get back in by 8:00am in order to see Mark B keep his promise to model a pink running skirt. What started out as a dare ended with a super fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

45 Minutes of Mixed Results

I was dressed and ready to go before 8:00am, but got stuck on the phone and didn't make it outside until after 9:00am. It was really hot by then. I decided to explore some of the green trail paths that I had not been on before. I had warmed up for 5 minutes and then did intervals for 35 minutes. About twenty minutes into my intervals, when I starting feeling a bit faint, I realized that in my rush to get out the door, I had not eaten breakfast. To make things worse, I had a very early dinner, so I had nothing to fuel me. I walked the last 10 minutes to home and when I got inside I felt really bad. It took me over an hour to feel strong enough to shower. I was dragging most of the day. Tomorrow is a rest day. I hope I'm feeling better.

40 Minutes at 7:00pm

I didn't get out until 7:00pm tonight. At first it felt cool, but after about 10 minutes it was sweltering. I wasn't sure that I could keep up my intervals, but I kept at it for 40 minutes. Tomorrow is a welcome rest day.

100/60 Intervals for 40 Minutes

This morning I adjusted my intervals again, with a 10 second increase in running instead of 5. I also knocked down the walking to an even 1 minute. My goal is to be running for 2 minute intervals by mid September in preparation for Chicago.

10 Miles Mostly in the Rain

My training mileage was down to 10 miles for today. FBF had 8 scheduled, so I got up at 4:00am and arrived at Town Square early and did 2 miles before meeting up with the Orange group. We left en masse and headed east down Lexington. The route was a loop to Dulles, across 6 on Austin Parkway and back to Lexington. It started raining when we passed the park entrance on Lexington and felt really good. The intensity of the rain picked up quite a bit and as we headed down Dulles there was some lightening. Several FBFers came by an offered rides, as the official run was canceled. A number of us continued one, since there wasn't enough room for everyone and we were already halfway back. I did my 90/65 intervals all the way until we crossed Sweetwater and then cut back to 65/90's. I finished the 8 miles in about 2 hours and got back to my car right when the weather worsened and the lightening got really heavy.
When I got home I realized that the inside of my arms were chaffed raw. I guess since my top was so wet, it irritated my skin. I'll have to remember to apply body glide there from now on.

Another 40 Minutes in the "Cool Morning"

I managed to get out around 7:00am and it actually felt cool in comparison to yesterday's run. Now that I am hitting heel to toe it's getting easier to run longer. Although I'm very excited about the prospect of increasing my speed and length of running time, I will follow the same pattern of slowly increasing my intervals. This morning was another 40 minutes of 90/65 intervals.

This weekend's long run is tapered down to 10 miles even though Chicago is only 2 months off. FBF is doing 8 miles so I only need to make up 2. We are staring out at the Houstonian Lite and finishing with our seminar at Town Square. Mark B will be modeling his Pink Running skirt. I can't wait to see it!

40 Minutes 90/65 Intervals

Today would have normally been a rest day, but since I'm out of sync from Sunday's half marathon I went out today. I concentrated on heel, toe again and it got easier. I had waited until almost noon to do my run. It was really hot and to make matters worse, the landscapers were mowing the common areas. At one point I didn't hear my watch beep. I wound up running for almost 3 minutes straight before I realized it. That was a record for me!

Heel, Toe, Heel, Toe

My feet were killing me after Sunday's long run. I noticed that my somewhat new Kinsei's (50+/- miles)looked almost twisted. Since I over-pronate on my right foot I figured that I needed a different shoe, maybe pair of Kayano's. Jonathan at Finish Line sports fit me for a new pair and watched me run in them. He noticed right away that my right foot wasn't hitting the pavement correctly. I've often wondered if my running form was off, but never bothered to find out. In retrospect it seems that I have been running more on my toes than my heels. Jonathan suggested that I make a conscious effort to hit heel first then toe, so this morning that's what I did. It was very strange at first, in fact I felt as though I was just learning a new dance step and about to trip, but after about 10 minutes, I got in the rhythm. I did my 90/65 intervals for 40 minutes, very slowly at first and then a bit faster. Towards the end of the training it started to feel more natural, although I know it will take some time to adjust.

My Own Private Half Marathon Plus Some

I was scheduled to do 13 miles this weekend, and had every intention of joining my FBF family for 7 miles of it on Saturday. I figured that I would do the rest on Sunday since I had to be awake and alert mid morning Saturday. As it turned out, between noisy neighbors and a power outage, I got very little sleep. When my watch alarm went off at 4:50am I decided that there was no way I could get up and go running, so I slept for as long as I could. My 13 miles would just have to be done on Sunday morning. I had mapped out two routes, one was from my house through Oyster Creek Park, back into the park 1.5 miles and then back home. The other was from my house, through the park and with a circle back down Dulles to Austin Parkway to Commonwealth, then Elkins to Sweetwater. I took the latter, and as I was exiting the park remembered that this route was short a mile, so I went back in to the half mile marker and out again. I did 90/65 intervals until I got to Commonwealth and Palm Royale where I started walking. By the time I got to Elkins, I was pretty tired and began to wonder if I was going farther than needed. Stan drove by to check on me and offered me a ride, but I declined, bound and determined to finish. I should have taken him up on it because when I got home and mapped my route it turned out that I had done 14 miles. His offer of a ride was at the 13 mile mark. Oh well, I am no worse for the wear, although very tired. I had my own half marathon(plus some)although the "hardwear" I received was not the usual reward.

40 Minutes in the Dark

I had great intentions for today. My original plan was to get out at 5:00am and do my 13 mile long run, then credit Saturday's group run to Thursday. It didn't work out that way. Not only did I fail to go out and do 13, I didn't get out at all. Then this evening, after the rain, I was feeling guilty about not getting out, so at 9pm I got in my gear and did 40 minutes of 90/65 intervals. So I'm on schedule, but still have to figure out how I'm going to squeeze those 13 miles in this weekend.

40 Minutes of 90/65 Intervals

I didn't get out until 9:00am and of course it was pretty hot. I finished my 40 minute workout, consumed with the challenge of how to fit a 13 mile long run in this week. Saturday is out, as I am participating in a service in the morning and have to be alert and awake. I'm sure I'll figure something out. Tomorrow is a rest day and I am ready!

45 Minutes of 90/65 Intervals

I was really feeling exhausted this morning, not fully recovered from Saturday. I dragged myself out just past 8:00am and after a 5 minute warm-up, reluctantly began 35 minutes of intervals. I increased my running time to 90 seconds and although it's only a 5 second increase, these "baby steps" are working for me. I felt better by the time I was done.

12 Miles With Mixed Results

This morning was one of the worst long trainings I've had although it didn't start out that way. I got up at 3:30am to make my date with Bob, Terrell and Amy at 4:40am. We left from Finish Line Sports in Sugar Creek and did our first 6 mile loop. Bob and I finished in 1 hour and 22 minutes doing 85/65 intervals. Except for burning feet, I was feeling fine. We got back just after 6:00am and then left again at 6:20am with the Orange group. During this second loop, I started feeling sluggish at about the 1.5 mile mark, and by mile 2 was having a hard time running my intervals. I switched to 65/85 intervals and then by mile 4, just walked it in. The second loop took me 1 hour and 37 minutes. I was drinking plenty of water, had taken some Ecaps and had 2 Hammergel packets during the entire mileage, but when I got to the finish, I was really lightheaded. I sat down for a while, but when I got up I thought I was going to pass out. Coach Susie saw that I was having trouble, made me lie down on the pavement, gave me a mint and water and watched over me like a hawk. While I was having my "spell", Coach Randy started feeling light-headed, too. We had a little infirmary going in the parking lot, with Nurse Susie watching over us. All in all there were at least 5 people who had problems this morning. I realized that mine was related to lack of protein. I usually have red meat the night before a long run and an egg and toast in the morning. But last night I only had a bagel and cream cheese, and this morning just oatmeal and some fruit. To make matters worse, I discovered that the reason my feet were burning was because I had my sox on inside out!
Bottom line, I completed my mileage, and with some very important lessons learned.

40 Minutes of Intervals

I was able to make it out around 7:00am and it felt somewhat cool. I guess it's all relative - let's say it wasn't as hot as it gets when the sun has been shining for a few hours. I did my 5 minute warm-up and then intervals for 30 minutes.

I'm trying to get ready for Saturday morning. I'm meeting Bob, Terrell and Amy at 4:40am for the first of 2, 6 mile loops, one before the FBF walk/run and one during.

45 Minutes 85/65 Intervals

I was really tired when I got up this morning. I barely made it to my 7:00am meeting and could not imagine how I was going to have enough energy for my training today. When I got home at 8:30am, I decided that if I didn't go then, I would probably not make it out. It started raining just as I was heading out the door, so I turned around, changed shoes, took off my fanny pack and left with just a visor, sunglasses and my water bottle. The rain stopped as soon as I got to the sidewalk. It was extremely humid,and although I kept hoping, it never rained again. I warmed up for 5 minutes and did intervals for 35, cooling down the last 5 minutes. Hills were on the agenda for the regular training, but I will save them for Thursday. This Saturday I'm scheduled to do 12 miles. Fort Bend Fit is doing 6 miles in Sugar Creek, so I'll get there early and do my first 6 miles before out scheduled meeting time.