Monday, April 23, 2012

Seattle Rock and Roll Training Week #9

Monday - Cross train - biking 45 minutes, 15 minutes of stretching and abs

Back to exercise blogging and back to My Fitness Pal after a hiatus.  Beautiful warm weather again!!  I cross trained today and took my bike out during Rob's lunch.  Wow--still need more biking practice.  The uphills are tough.  I am not as confident on the downhills either.  I like having something new to try and look forward to biking more this summer.

Tuesday - Rest

Last Bible Study for the year so no more trips out to Dallas for awhile.  It will making running Tuesdays during lunch a little easier.  Though I will miss Bible Study.

Wednesday - Ran 4 miles on the treadmill

I ran at gym after the kids went to bed.  I upped the incline and ran between 6.0 and 6.5 and watched mindless Hollywood tabloid TV.  I like running to mindless programming.  It went fine.  I weighed myself to see how much I gained when I went off My Fitness Pal for almost two weeks.  I was pleasantly surprised to see I only gained a half of a pound.  I didn't eat too terrible in Michigan and did exercise consistently.  I have eaten even better since I came home.

Thursday - Ran 5 miles

Another night trip to the gym.  I ran from around 9:15 - 10:00ish and watched the Office and Parks & Recreation.  I like the night crowd at the gym.  The run went fine.

Friday - Long Run - 13 miles

I did not want to run.  I had planned on running in the morning, but figured it would work better in the afternoon.  Thankfully I got rained on very little--just around Mile #5 and Mile #6.  I ran up every single hill and stopped very little.  It went really well and was glad I forced myself out there.  I have some lower back pain from the abs workout.  It doesn't hurt too bad when I run--more when bending over and standing for long periods of time.

Saturday - Rest

We did a lot of walking at IKEA, but I am not really counting that.

Sunday - Ran 4 miles, 10 minutes of stretching/abs/push ups

I found a new four mile loop and I love it!  Liberty to Skyline to Davis back to Liberty.  Only downside is there not much of a shoulder on Skyline.  The hills are doable and it's in a nice quiet neighborhood.  I didn't know as well because we had lunch at Five Guys with friends from church and I drank quite a bit of pop.  I didn't have to stop at all and I made it up all the hills.  I really enjoyed this kick back week.  Next week is going to be tough!  I have to run a couple mornings as well so it will be another battle with the alarm clock.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Seattle Rock and Roll Training Week #8

Monday - 9 miles

This week is going to be a little off with the writer's conference. I might miss one or two workouts. I missed my weekend long run from Week #7 so did it today while I had the extra time. I ran one of my old running routes from when we lived in Grand Rapids--Breton to Burton to Plymouth by Christian High and back up Kalamazoo. The strong winds made it tough. Other than that I ran the whole way and felt fine.

Tuesday - Rest

It is a week later and I am trying to remember what I ran.  I am pretty sure this was our busy day at the Banner conference and I end up hanging out with Jennifer at night.  So I did not exercise.

Wednesday - Ran approximately 4 miles

I got up early and ran all over Calvin's campus.  It was slightly chilly in the air.  I loved running on the old loops I used to run on.  It was fun!

Thursday - Rest

Came home at midnight and got up at 6:30 AM.  Tiring day!  Did not do much at all and was not going to attempt to go running.

Friday - Rest

Another tiring day.  Second day back is always the worst.  Did not run again.

Saturday - 10K run - Run the Ridge 50:04

I did the same race in Lebanon I did last year, but signed up for the 10K this time.  The course is rural and there aren't many runners.  Even though it is hilly, I like the challenge.  I have trained on hills the last couple weeks so was wondering how I would do.  It was slightly chilly and cloudy.  But no rain.  I was able to maintain eight minute miles!  Was so surprised.  I had no idea I was that fast. When I went running Jennifer she said our pace was about nine and a half minute miles.  Rob doesn't think I do ten minute miles and haven't for years.  This random lady at Roths who said she sees me running commented how fast my pace is.

Anyway I got second overall womens and first in my age category.  The first place woman was hauling and there was no way I could pass her.  She finished a whole minute and a half before me.  It was fun to race again.  I liked the fact Rob and the kids could come out and be a part of it.

Sunday - Ran approximately 15 miles

Even though the weather was perfect, sunny, and summerlike I was so unmotivated.  I did not want to spend my afternoon running.  I even thought about waiting until Monday.  I drove to Minto Brown Park and ran all over Minto Brown.  I ran to the clock...not the mileage.  I ran from 1:40 - 3:55.  I wanted to run until 4, but it was so hot and I ran out of Gatorade.  I was really glad I completed it.  It was a nice break to run on paved trail and be in the forest.  I don't know the paths very well so I really just ran and kept checking the clock.  Part of the path is still flooded from the big flood in January.  Most of the paths were clear.  I ran on River Road for about two miles as well.

Seattle Rock and Roll Training Week #7

I did not keep track of my workouts last week and it's now almost a week later. It's funny how your mind forgets things after a week.

Monday - Rest

I think my legs were so shot from the long Easter sunrise run that I didn't run on this day.

Tuesday - Ran 4 miles

I know I ran on this day and I am pretty sure I ran four miles. I think I ran during Rob's lunch after Bible Study. I know I ran outside because I didn't go the gym at all last week. I am pretty sure I ran around the Sumpter neighborhood.

Wednesday - Ran 7 miles

I do remember running seven miles in the early evening. It was a beautiful night! I ran through the Sumpter and Wes Bennet neighborhoods. It was a great run!

Thursday - Rest

Had planned on running, but it's so hard to squeeze it in right before a trip. I had quite a bit to get done before leaving for Grand Rapids. Plus Hailey had swimming. I should have ran first thing in the morning, but I was thinking I could run in the afternoon. That never happened. Oh well.

Friday - Ran 7 miles

I ran in my old neighborhood in Grand Rapids and ran through sem housing. I saw the apartment where we brought Hailey home from the hospital. Love doing a nostalgia run. I am not sure if it's the environmental change (Michigan is so humid!), but it was tough at times. It was also warmer than I thought. I was able to complete the whole run.

Saturday - Rest

Had a very busy day. Hope's gymnastic meet in Kalamazoo. In the afternoon I went out to Fruitport to see Beth. We went for a short walk with the kids.

Sunday - Ran 4 miles

Jennifer and I ran around Reeds Lake--one of my favorite running trails! It has changed and looks so nice with the new paths! It was so fun to have a running partner too. Great time.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Seattle Rock and Roll Training: Week #6

Monday - Ran 3 miles & 10 minutes of stretching, abs, push-ups

Wow--love running in the sun. Missed it. I feel a little strained and tired today, but the run went OK. I had a rough morning with Kara and I'm been overwhelmed with her tantrums lately. I'm not as hungry as I used to be and feel like my body is used to smaller portions and healthier meals. I still get a sweet snack craving at night. I'm happy with all the ab workouts because I can totally see results. I feel like I am running better though and enjoying it even more than the last marathon I trained for.

Tuesday - Rest

Tuesday is working out to be the best rest day because Rob always has extra meetings, I have been in either Dallas or Keizer the last few Wednesday mornings not getting back until around 12:15 or 12:30, and my body is shot by Tuesday after all the weekend running.

Wendesday - Ran 6 miles

I have been lazy and unmotivated in the mornings. I ran after youth group Wednesday night at the gym on the treadmill. I pushed myself pretty hard and kept my speed in the 6.0 - 6.5 range with a small incline.

Thursday - Ran 3 miles

Again I had to run at night due to scheduling issues. I ran the 5K track on the treadmill at gym. I kept my speed between 6.5 and 7.0. I felt really good. I also swam for twenty minutes--part of that was swimming with the kickboard, practicing rotations, and I managed to do one full lap non-stop.

Friday - Cross training--one hour of Centergy, 40 minutes of cycling

Love Centergy! It was really good today. Exact same workout as last week so I knew what to expect. My bad shoulder was acting up a little bit, but nothing major. The stretching is so good. Also took my road bike out for the first time!! Getting used to biking. My biggest adjustment is learning to be a vehicle versus a pedestrian. I was biking on the wrong side of the road on Ironwood--oops. My speed is really slow--like 10 mph if that--probably slower. I need to get more comfortable on the bike before I try and up my speed. Thankful for sun today!

Saturday - Ran 6 miles, 10 minutes of stretching/abs

I wanted to do my long run in the afternoon, but was too pressed for time. The weather was perfect. Warm and sunny. I ran by Wes Bennet park and attempted the Baxter hill. Still can't make it up without stopping--that hill is so steep. The rest of the run went fine.

Sunday - Ran 14 miles!! 7 minutes of stretching/abs

I wanted to do an Easter sunrise run. I thought that would be like my own personal Easter sunrise service. I had planned on doing my 6 mile on Sunday and 14 mile on Saturday. With the errands we had to run on Saturday and Matt's party in the late afternoon--I could not squeeze it in without putting everyone under a big time pressure. So I decided I would be the crazy morning runner and get up at 5:15 AM on a Sunday. I would do more sunrise runs. I love the quiet of the neighborhood, seeing the sky get light, and hearing the outside morning sounds like the birds. It is always a fight to get myself out of bed. That is the hardest. Once I get out and get running, I am awake and I'm fine.

There was a lot of solitude this morning. I don't usually pray when I run. This morning I did at the beginning of the run--and it was pretty amazing. I ran through the Rees Hill neighborhood, Battlecreek, and ran most of Mildred. I need to get more comfortable on hills. The Mildred hills are difficult and I walked halfway up one. I only stopped to drink Powerade and at the crosswalks. I was able to run almost the whole time.

I am pretty tired now and I will be even more so tonight. My right hip is acting up again. I think a previous strain from kickboxing. Ice helps a lot.

We had a brunch at church and lunch and Easter egg hunt at the VB's house. It was worth getting up.