I'm Back On Track! Susan G. Komen 5K Race

Me and Bob Just Before the Race

This morning was the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for a Cure, held in downtown Houston. The weather was beautiful, although a bit hot for racing. Several FBFers were there. Bob and I rode in together and although he was always a bit ahead of me, we finished within about 35 seconds of each other. I came in at 38:38:35, just a bit longer than my PR (personal record) of 38:25 on July 4th. It felt good to back in range again after such a poor performance at the Fired Up 5K on Labor Day (my time there was 40:28:03).
The race was well organized with lots of goodies for finishers. I need to remember to read labels before I eat any of the stuff they give out. After one very sweet spoonful of yogurt, I checked the label and sure enough it had Splenda (a major migraine trigger). Then after I finished a bag of tasty chips, I discovered it had rice in it - another trigger. I'm going to drink a lot of water and take some Excedrin Migraine and hopefully stave off a headache as Bob I have 20 miles to tackle tomorrow.

40 Minutes

I was originally going to train on Wednesday and today, when I realized that I needed to count the Komen race on Saturday towards one of my weekday runs. So I took yesterday off and went out this morning. You would think that by now I would have figured out the maintenance crew's schedule, but I haven't. When I got to the lake the air was filled with exhaust fumes from the mowers and lawn equipment. I turned around and worked my way through the neighborhood, but never quite got my breath back. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals for 40 minutes and then called it a morning.

Could it be Autumn?

Today's weather is what we have all been waiting for -the beginning of Fall and cooler days. What a difference 15 to 20 degrees can make. I had to wait until my 7:00am meeting was over before I could get outside. There wasn't a cloud in the sky at 9:00am, and even though the sun was beating down, the cool and crisp air offset the heat. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals for 40 minutes. What a perfect morning. Even the pesky attack geese rushed away when I ran by them at the lake!

14 Miles at Oyster Creek

My long run was down to 14 miles this weekend. Although I could not make it out with my FBF buddies on Saturday, I stopped by around 7:30am, socialized and got to hear the seminar. The weather last night was really severe - rain, lightening and thunder, but by the time 6:00am rolled around things had calmed down and it was just drizzling. I went out to Oyster Creek Park and did just over 3 loops, visiting my trunk in between each loop like I did last week. And this time, when I was finished, I did not lock my keys in the car! It was overcast the entire time I was out. There was a nice breeze and an occasional drizzle. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals the entire time and felt pretty good. My training schedule has my long run at 20 miles next week. Other than during a marathon, I've never done that much mileage. We shall see.

40 Minutes in the Evening

Even though I am planning on doing my long run on Sunday, I knew that there was no way I would get out on Friday, so I did my training tonight. I got out just before sunset and did intervals for forty minutes. I'm giving a speech, actually telling a story, tomorrow morning at Toastmasters, so I killed 2 birds with one stone by listening to the story over and over again, instead of music. It worked pretty well, because now I feel that I have the story down and hope to do well in the morning.

35 Minutes Walking

I got out tonight around 7:00pm. I was pretty tired and my IT band on my left leg was pulling. I tried to run a few intervals and then decided there was no reason to push it. I walked briskly for 35 minutes and called it a night. I think part of the reason it's taken me so long to recover from Sunday is that I didn't have a massage afterwards. Last season, I would get a deep tissue massage a day or two before a big race or long mileage and/or right after. This year I haven't done it and I'm feeling it.

40 Minutes During the "Cold Front"

I've said it before, Tuesdays are tough for me. When I realized how cool the weather was this morning, I decided that I would find a way to get my run in after my two early meetings and before my 11:00am appointment. I got home at 9:20am, changed, zipped outside and did 40 minutes of 1:00/1:00 intervals. Even though it got hotter as the morning progressed, it was really pleasant. The weather today reminded me a lot of California. I got home just in time to shower and get out the door. My legs were still a little sore from Sunday's 18 miler, but all is well.

18 Miles!!!!

This morning I did 18 miles. I had mapped out a there and back route from my house, but then decided it would be better to do 4 loops in Oyster Creek Park. I put a cooler filled with cold water and gu in my trunk, and parked near the rest rooms. Every time I did a 4.5 mile loop, I would come back to the car, get a new water, eat a gel and take a potty break. It worked out great. The weather was pretty cool for the first two loops, but then it rained (and that was nice), but the sun came out and it felt like a steam bath for most of the last two loops. I did mostly 1:00/1:00 intervals except for a few miles when I took long walk breaks. My total time on the course was 4:48, so I was pretty happy. When I finished, I changed into my sandals and promptly locked my keys in my trunk, but Stan came to my rescue. When I got home I took an ice bath which was difficult to do, but really helped my achy legs and feet.

Toastmasters -My Other Obsession

Me and Sid with our awards

This morning I represented my Toastmasters Club and competed in the Area M-30 fall contest. There were two competitions; I participated in the evaluation contest and my friend Sid competed in the Humorous Speech contest. I am proud to say that I won the evaluation contest and Sid placed second in the Humorous Speech Contest. It was a lot of fun, and although I missed being with my FBF family, I enjoyed my time listening to my Toastmaster friends deliver their speeches. The next level contest is on October 21, the same weekend as the Chicago Marathon. Unless I can figure out a way to rearrange my airline tickets and get someone to pick-up my packet for me, I'm going to have to bow out of the Division Contest and make room for my alternate.

Another 40 Minutes of 1:00/1:00

I didn't get out until 7:30pm tonight. Thankfully there was a nice breeze. I did my intervals after a 5 minute warm-up. It probably wasn't a good idea to go for my run just a few hours after I had had an adjustment at the chiropractor, but I needed to get my 3rd training in before my 18 miles this weekend. I found the training difficult and had to really push to get my time in.
I have to skip tomorrow's run with FBF as I am representing my Toastmasters club in the area contest. I'll do my 18 miles on Sunday.

Back to 1:00/1:00 Intervals

I've been trying to figure out why my timing has been getting slower when I've been running longer. The answer I came up with is that the longer I run the more tired I get, so the slower I get. So with that in mind, this morning I switched back to 1:00 and 1:00 intervals and actually covered more ground. I'm going to stick with it for the next week or so and see how it goes.

45 Minutes 1:50/1:00 Intervals

This morning my goal was to get back on track and run intervals during the whole training (except for warm-up and cool-down). It was difficult, but I did it. My right knee is still pulling a bit, but it wasn't too bad. I encountered the fearsome "Goosey-Gander" gang by the lake again, but this time I scared them away with my trusty squirt bottle and loud yelps. It felt good to let them know who was the boss! Now it's not just my Grand-cat who thinks I'm a mean lady.

12 Miles on Sunday

When I woke up at 4:30am on Saturday I was totally exhausted. I knew that if I tried to do my mileage with FBF that I would probably crash. I went back to bed and slept until 8:00 am. I went out today, instead, at 6:30am, greeted by pleasant weather and the rising sun. I walked at a brisk pace for most of the 3 miles before entering the park. Once I got to Oyster Creek I did intervals of 1:50 running and 1:00 walking and then just randomly walked and ran. It took about 3hours and 20 minutes to complete my route.

It Was Actually Cool This Morning!

What a treat. It was actually cold enough for a light jacket this morning (although I chose to go sleeveless). I was tempted to run intervals, but stayed with my plan to walk today. My ankle and leg are feeling much better and I wanted to keep it that way. I walked at a brisk pace for 45 minutes.
FBF is scheduled for 10 miles on Saturday; my schedule is for 12. I won't have to get up too early in order to get the extra 2 miles in.

Nature Trail

The weather was great this morning, almost cool. I bumped my running interval up to 1 minute and 50 seconds, but only got to run for about 20 minutes as my left leg and ankle started hurting. Even though I skipped Tuesday's training and waited until today,it must not have been enough. I guess the race on Monday was a little too quick after Saturday's long run. I'll probably just walk tomorrow instead of running. As I was finishing up my 40 minutes, walking, I spotted a Possum, a family of baby ducks and a rabbit, on the one morning I didn't have my little camera with me.

Fired Up 5K

Maybe it was the 16 miles on Saturday, but I didn't do very well at the 5K this morning. Although I wasn't looking for a PR, I had hoped to at least come in under 40 minutes. My chip time was 40:28:03. At least I finished and I wasn't last in my age category! Lots of FBFers showed up and many of them won in their age group. Thank you to Stan for volunteering this morning. I got him up bright and early and he didn't complain too much.

Jannelle, Me and Bob After the Race

Augie Wins First Place in Her Age Group

Mark Wins First Place in His Age Group

Arburn Wins an Award

Carol Wins an Award

16 Miles!!!

Jacque, Me and Shelley after 9 Miles

FBF had an outing scheduled for today at Brazos Bend Park. I really wanted to attend but there was no way I could get my mileage in. So this morning I met Shelley and Jacque at Velocity at 5:30am and walked with them for the first 9 miles. We did a 4 mile loop, came back to the parking lot, refreshed our water and went out for another 5 miles. After we got back, I went out by myself and did a 7 mile loop. I ran reversed intervals for about 2 miles (running 60 seconds and walking 100 seconds). I walked mostly until I got into the park and sporadically ran whenever I felt I could muster the energy. When I got back out to Dulles, I ran most of the 1 mile back. I was tired, but figured I'd get back faster. All in all with water and potty breaks, it took 4 hours and 45 minutes. Next Saturday the mileage drops back a little to 12 miles.

35 Minutes in the Park

Since I was so out of sync with my training this week, I decided to get my 3rd training in today. I didn't want to overdo it since I'm scheduled for 16 miles tomorrow, so I went to Oyster Creek Park with the intention of walking for about 45 minutes. After 10 minutes, I felt really out of alignment, so I made an appointment with my chiropractor and went in for an adjustment after 35 minutes of walking.