Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Week #7

It's VBS week. And I'm in charge. Super crazy week, but it's a great week too.



Monday: Group Power & 4 Miles

Actual : Group Power



No way I could do both having to be at church at 8 AM with all three kids and myself ready to go. I did make it to Group Power. Even with that I was still running crazy at church. I LOVED being at Group Power. It was such a great workout and I am starting to increase my weight. I used to not be able to do more than a couple bench dips and now I can complete them all!



Tuesday: 7 Miles

Actual: 4 Miles



I did the other half of yesterday's workout. I am giving myself some slack this week since VBS is taking over all our schedules this week. Thankfully everyone is OK with that and adjusting fine. Even Kara.



Margie took Hailey and Derek all day after VBS. So I ran at 5:45 PM while Kara was taking a cat nap. I looked at the map wrong and ended up missing my turn. I did not really care where I was running...I just wanted to run and get my energy out. I needed to refocus. So I mostly ran up and down Liberty. I knew I made about four miles...maybe a little more. It was a good run. I think my body is used to running in the morning now and it was a little bit of an adjustment with the warmer air. It was good though. No complaints.

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

I don't even want to talk about it! I hate missing three days of running!! I could not get out and do it. It was not even possible. I have to cut myself some slack and not be so hard on myself.

Saturday
Actual: 11 miles

My long run was supposed to be 14 miles. I looked at the same workout schedule for Novice Marathon and it said 12. I did not want to run at all. I woke up and felt fatigued. I crawled back in bed. Rob reminded me I would not be able to go later as it is supposed to be like 95 today. So I said I would try and run as much as I can. I knew he was taking Hailey and Derek out and had to leave around 9 AM. So I could not do 14 and be back in time. It was around 6:30ish. So I figured I would do 9 and then see how much time I had left. I knew it was going to be hot. I was warm all night. I knew I would run out of sports drink by Mile #9. I actually ran out much soonner than that and had to detour my route (I was doing the same one as last Saturday) to Woodsmansee Park so I could fill up my water bottle.

When I got to the park I kept running up to the Roths Vista and then would take Liberty back home. I figured when I got back home, I would be at around the 11 or 12 mile mark. It was more like 11. Honestly I could have gone longer. The fact Rob had to start getting the kids ready to go and I was getting really hot, I decided to end it for the morning. I am glad I got that much in. Because when I woke up, I felt like I could hardly run four miles let alone 11. Aside from constantly feeling like I needed fluids (I only stopped to drink about every 1 1/2 - 2 miles and at lights...never stopped just to walk) and the heat, I felt good. My New Balance shoes give me much more heel support than my Sauconys so I think I need to stick with NB for the time being.

We're going on vacation and I know I am not going to run as much again. I know once I get home I should be able to get my mileage back up again. Our schedule will wind down and we do not have anything major until Hailey starts school in early September.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Week #6

Sunday - Rest
Actual - Rest


It was another busy Sunday with VBS preparation. Everything went very well and I was pleased. I even took a nap in the afternoon. Kara is finally napping better on Sunday afternoons.





Monday - Group Power & 3 Miles
Actual - Ran 3 miles




I had every intention of going to Group Power. Although I set the alarm, I did not turn it on. Is is bad when I woke up at 5:38 and realized it was too late to go, I felt releived I could sleep longer? Probably not. I did run around 7ish for three miles. I did the same route up to Ewald. There was a nice breeze in the air and it was not even in the 60's yet. Perfect running weather. I felt like I was dragging. Kind of weaker than normal.





Tuesday - 6 Miles
Actual - Ran 6 miles




I left around 6:40 AM and ran my five route by Sumpter Park, but I ran through the whole park and also through Woodmansee Park and detoured home on Arlene. I think that equaled about six miles because it took me a little less than an hour. I still felt like I was dragging even though I drank more water. The weather was perfect. I saw some people setting up a hot air balloon and these cool black rabbits that jump around Woodmansee Park. I wish I felt stronger and not like I was dragging. Might be too many late nights and eating too much after 7 PM. I did not have to stop and walk at all, but I did not feel as strong.





Derek is sick and I hoping I don't get it!



Wednesday - Group Power
Actual - Rest


Did not make Group Power again! So frustrating. I had bad insomnia starting around 1:30 AM. I have had bad sleep the last couple nights. Not due to kids. They have been great. Just the mental stress of the Launch Party and VBS. So much to try and get done. Deadlines everywhere. A few frustrating moments with different people. Trying to practice patience and acceptance. Rob is a good example as he deals with this constantly in ministry. He handles it better than I do.



I didn't do any exercise today.



Thursday - 3 Miles
Actual - Rest


Rob suggested I sleep in. I really needed it. It felt really good. My intention was to run in the afternoon or evening. I forgot we had a MOPS park date and we were gone all morning until early afternoon. You know how the evening goes...things get busy, dinner gets on the table late, and we had a 8 PM meeting. I could not get out there and squeeze three miles in. I greatly dislike our busy schedule right now. It is making me grumpy, smothered, and my tolerance level is way down. Even Hailey asking me all these questions all day is aggravating. I really need a break!



Friday - Long run - 12 miles
Actual - Ran 3 miles and Group Power


Switching the schedule and doing the long run on Saturday. I did yesterday's workout and ran three miles doing my normal route. It's not like I had problems running it. I did not have to walk or anything. I just feel like I am dragging. I feel tired. Even the little hills look daunting. Why is this? Three miles should be super easy.



I also went to 9 AM Group Power which was awesome and more fun than the run. Because I have been running so much, the back and legs workouts and lunges are so much easier. I want to get to Power more often!

Saturday - Cross Train
Actual - Long Run 9 miles

I tried a new route today and I think it is one I am going to incorporate into other long runs because it was perfect. The hills were manageable...not overbearing. The neighborhoods were quiet and peaceful...a lot of condos and golf courses. I spent a lot of time running straight down Commercial and Sunnyside which is boring and uneventful. I realize I need that too in my long runs. I ran my five mile route but then took Sunnyside to Rees Hill to Fairway which put me right by the gym I go to. Then I took Commercial back to Idylwood to home. I only stopped to rehydrate and I am trying the Ultima Replenisher we'll get in the marathon. It was nice to finally feel good during a run and not lagging, exhausted, and winded. I actually finished at 7:22 AM.

Not looking forward to 14 miles next week. Honestly next week is going to be tough with VBS. But I have to stick with it because I know I am not going to be as faithful while we're in British Columbia.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Week #5

Sunday: Rest





It was another busy Sunday and will continue to be that way until VBS is over. I felt more in control...less anxious and uptight. I actually enjoyed being in the nursery today.





Monday: Group Power & 3 Mile Run





I was not going to try and go to Group Power seeing as it was kind of a holiday and we were planning on being in Pacific City all day. I did want to go running before we left. I set the alarm wrong so I did get not wake up until 7:30 AM. By that time it was too late. We had to start getting ready for the day. I did walk with Kara on my back all over the beach and I climbed the huge dune. So could that classify as cross training?





Tuesday: Six Mile Run





I did Monday's workout and ran three miles at 6:30 AM. I ran up the Boone hill which is getting easier. It was a good workout. Nothing eventful. I think my three mile run is like 3.5 miles because I was gone longer than expected.





Wednesday: Group Power





I did Tuesdays workout and ran six miles on my new route I mapped which goes from Mildred to Sunnyside. Great route. More hills than I originally thought, but very doable. They are spread out enough.





I wanted to go earlier, but I have been having a hard time getting up in the morning. Our evenings are full. Derek is starting bedtime wars again. And I go, go, go all day. At least some of it is fun stuff like we were outside a good part of the early afternoon and all evening yesterday. Our schedule will slow down significantly come August. We have hardly anything going on after our vacation. Rob said it was OK if I got back by 7:45 this morning because Kara is not getting up until 8 anyway. He got the kids breakfast and brushed their teeth. They wanted to start playing outside at 8 AM because it is supposed to be in the 90's today. Finally Rob and I can sit out the patio tonight and have a drink. We've been wanting to do that since March, but it's been too cold here.





Anyway the run was good, but I felt tight and like I was lagging. I did not feel good until Mile #5. I don't know if this is because 1) I have not done a lot of weights or stretching lately 2) It is a little humid and I might have been a little dehydrated or 3) Just an "off" day. Not sure what the reason is, but I need to do some stretching.



Thursday: 3 Miles



Better run today. Beat the heat. Got up at 7 and did my regular three mile route up to Ewald. Felt pretty good. Could already tell it was going to be a super hot day.



Friday: 12 Miles



And I did 12 miles today! I found a route for 12.47 on Map My Run. The guy or girl started it from two streets over. It seemed nearly perfect. I started out feeling great. I was thinking, "Wow it's going to be one of those running days where I feel like I am flying." Not the case. I ran down Liberty and once I got out of the city close to around Bates, the hills were killing me. I don't know if it was the humidity. I had no pain anywhere. I felt winded and fatigued. The hills were massive...constant huge and up and down hills. The person who mapped this out must like hills or be training for an Iron Man because it was crazy. I almost quit around Mile #4 and turned around. But then I would have to hit the hills all over again. I wanted to gamble on a break from the hills. I had a little break on Bunker Hill and started to feel better. I was getting way into the boonies. I saw cows, horses, llamas, and migrant workers. It was farm country.



As I turned on the "C" Street (funny name--cannot remember it), the hills were getting massive again. I had to start taking walking breaks. By Mile #8 I felt like I was done. I could not do anymore. I pulled the cell phone out. It was 7:09 AM. I figured I could walk for awhile and then call Rob. He probably was not even up yet. I could tell him to come get me, but I thought he would be really annoyed getting all three kids in the van. I started running again and I felt better. I really wantd to finish the whole 12 miles even if I had to walk more of it. Even if it took me until 9 AM. Then I hit more hills and had to walk again. Finally I started running around Mile #10 and I felt really strong. The hills were still there, but seemed more doable. I ran the whole rest of the way.



I was really confused because I was supposed to turn on Prospect and then on Joseph. I know Joseph pretty well, but could not find Prospect. So I kept on Skyline towards Liberty. When I got to Liberty I was afraid I had not gone 12 miles so I was going to go an extra mile or two. With feeling so crummy at the beginning I decided to just go home. Later I mapped it out and realized Skyline and Prospect are the same street for awhile. And I did 12.2 miles! I also realized I did not walk as much as it seemed like I did. It always goes that way. I can usually run 12 miles in two hours. It only took me two hours and ten minutes. I think I left at 5:45 AM not 5:40 so it might have been an only extra five minutes. I was done by 7:50 AM. Hailey and Derek had only been up for ten minutes and Kara was not even up yet. So it was a good run after all.



I think I got very anxious about the massive hills and being way out in farm country. I have never been in that situation before when I cannot complete a run. I am glad it worked out. I am not sure I can do this route again. It is a little too remote for 6 AM. There's also not much of a shoulder on Skyline and Liberty. I am glad I tried it even though I was not happy about it at the time.


Saturday - Cross Train

Went to Group Power and it was great! I had not been in two weeks and had not been to the gym in over a week. New instructor and you could tell she is a rookie. But she did well. It was an increased weight workout, but I found I could keep up with everything. The back and legs workout as well as the lunges helped. My legs have been very tight lately from all the running. I needed the stretching so it was really good. Trena came too. We have not worked out together in quite awhile. Will miss swimming this week. Maybe next week.