10 K Training Week #5

Sunday - Cross training - 30 minute hike

While on our church campout, I went for a walk around the lake and around the camp (about 30 minutes total) with Kara on my back in the back carrier. She was much heavier than when I hiked with her last fall! My goodness--my shoulders were killing me. It was a good workout and I LOVE being out in nature and hiking--so much solitude! Derek and Rob were napping in the cabin and Hailey was fishing with Caleb and his girls. We're going to try more hiking with the kids this summer.

Monday - Rest

We were pretty dead and very crabby when we got home from Camp Tadmor. Derek was miserable in the car and Kara was exhausted. They napped ALL afternoon. The fact we got to sleep until 8:30 AM did not make me overly tired--I did not nap in the afternoon. But I was ready for bed by 9 PM.

Tuesday - Ran 3 miles

I had not run in well over a week so I knew my muscles would be pretty tight. It felt good to get moving again and run. I just ran to Woodmansee Park and back. I wanted someting flat and boring. It rained all morning, but thankfully was sunny by noon. Did I say this spring has been awful weather wise? Glad I am not training for a marathon.

I also did the 10 minute solution workouts on Netflix (thighs and abs). Although I was interrupted three times by children and the door bell...and then the phone which I did not answer (I figured it was for Rob anyway). It felt nice to do some stretching.

Wednesday - Rest

Had a very busy morning, afternoon, and evening. Rob and I are both having a tough time getting up before 7. We've been sleeping until 7 almost every morning. I have been really tired at night starting around 9 since we came home from Tadmor. Yuck. Want to get over this fatigue, but the last two weeks have been non-stop busy. Guess I cannot expect anything more.

Thursday - Intervals - 9 x 400s

Was scheduled to a tempo run, but wanted to intervals instead since I have only done them once since I started training for this race. The weather was crummy as usual, but thankfully not raining too hard. I almost felt like screaming outside at the rain today or cussing...yes it is affecting me THAT MUCH. I am also having a bad hormone day which has caused extra anxiety, but thankfully I am handling it better and not making everyone around me miserable. Anyway the intervals went great and were exactly what I needed. I felt refreshed and renewed when I came home...and the anxiety level has been lower ever since. I don't like the fact I am going to miss four days of running next week with Rob at Synod. I am hoping to do some extra cross training at home.

Friday - Hills - 3 miles Stretching and abs

I decided to run up the Lone Oak Hill which is the absolute steepest hill. Never have run up it. Only down it...and it was really hard on my knees. My goal was to run up as much as I could. I knew I would need to walk a little and I was right. I ran up the first part, walked about 2-3 minutes, ran up the second part, walked about 3-4 minutes and then ran the rest of the workout without stopping. I ran in the new housing development off Mildred then put me back on Holder and then back to Lone Oak. This is where I took the kids sledding about three years ago when we had that artic blast. So many houses have gone up in that area. Good rolling hills. The weather was beautiful--finally sunny and in the 60's.

I was going to do the 10 minute solutions, but we've had sporadic Internet today. It was down at the time. So I did my own strength training and abs workout which was probably not as good, but it was better than doing nothing. :)

Saturday - Long Run - 6 miles

Pretty psyched to be up to 6 miles! It was not easy actually. I struggled at times. I loved being back on Barnes by the Wes Bennet park & neighborhood. I had not run over there since training for Sacramento. It is such a nice peaceful area. I decided to run the Baxter hills...always avoided them. That is one of my goals with this training--do a little more with hills. I knew I would not be able to run up all the hills, but I only walked about 4-5 minutes up the last 1/3 of the first hill. All the rest I ran up and down. I actually felt the best around Mile #4. I was very thirsty. I stopped for water at Woodmansee Park and was going to get water there again on the way back. There was this big birthday party going on with these little kids all playing in the water fountain so I just kept going. I need to get a new water carrier. I am not sure where mine is, but it does not hold enough. I really liked the one the girl I met at Sacramento from Coos Bay had. It had four different little bottles on it and a zipper back for energy bars. I was shopping on line today and saw them for like $25-30, but I am wondering if I can get one cheaper at the discount sports store.

10K training Week #4

I decided to take the whole week off to let my body fully recover from strep. My friend Margaret said she always caught strep when she got overly busy. I am wondering if was my body's way of telling me to slow down. Tricia was also here all week (left this morning). I had the last MOPS meeting I had to do a lot for. Plus our church camp out is this weekend (leave tomorrow late morning). I am behind of Banner stuff as well. I did not want to put pressure on myself by following a rigid training program this week. Tricia and I took the kids to the coast and were pretty active on Tuesday. We went for a long walk in Vancouver on Wednesday and in downtown Portland. We also went for a walk yesterday. I am sure I will do plenty of walking (with Kara on my back too) this weekend. I hope to continue the training on Monday. I miss running, but I was thankful for a break too.

10K training Week #3 - May 16 - 22

First of all let me say that when I started this running blog, I was not sure people would actually read it. Who wants to read about my daily workouts!? I am honored that some of you do and have been very supportive and encouraging to me. It is not easy to run 5-6 days a week with my schedule and demands, but I can't imagine NOT doing it. So thank you. :)

Monday - Ran 3 miles, 10 minutes of legs, 10 minutes of abs

It was not easy to run today. My legs felt like jello. My side ached off and on. Again I felt my best around mile 2 - 2.5. I did my regular route from Lone Oak to Holder to Liberty. Very few hills. I think my body is just tired. I've done some pretty intense workouts the last few days. I was not going to run today because I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch at the park with the kids. Hailey woke up with a stomach ache (thankfully she's feeling better and should be able to go school tomorrow) and we cancelled. So I took advantage of Rob being home for lunch from 12 - 1 and ran from 12:15 - 12:45. The kids were super crabby today anyway so maybe it was for the best. Kara is teething really bad and was feverish by bed time. Derek was crabby and exhausted. I could hardly wake him from his afternoon nap.

I did a new exercise video on our Instant Netflix called 10 minute Solution: Target Toning. I have to say I love it! I like it even better than Exercise TV which I was missing since we dropped our extended cable. I am going to stick with it for awhile, but I also get a few exercise videos on Instant. So I can switch it up if I get bored with it or need something new. My abs are being worked and it feels great to work a part of my body I neglected for too long.

Tuesday - Rest Day

Enjoyed it!

Wednesday - Ran 4 miles

Not sure what my deal is. My body is very tired. It was a tiring day. Kara napped maybe an hour and is teething really bad. Derek was a handful in the morning. This afternoon I felt a sore throat coming on. I felt like I could have laid on the couch and slept. I wanted to go running. I got out at 7 PM. The run went pretty well. I did not have to stop to walk. My heels hurt, my shins ache a little bit, and I just feel--tired. Hard to explain it. It's like my mind wants to go and my body can't keep up. I felt a little better by Mile #3. My throat still hurts and I have a minor head ache. It's either I am catching a cold even though no one in the house has had one. Kara had a very mild one, but always gets one when she is teething. Or it's seasonal allergies. I had awful season allergies in Michigan starting around 1996 and they were at their absolute worst the summer we moved. I've had nothing since we moved to Oregon, but have had sneezing, sinus pressure, head aches for the first time this spring. They say the pollen count is crazy and allergies are at their worst in Oregon this spring so it makes sense. Now that I am sitting here, I am feeling a little bit better. Honestly I could lay on the couch all night and watch movies and call it good. I was not going to try and accomplish anything tonight anyway.

Thursday & Friday - Rest

Little did I know the throat thing was strep. Never had it before. I know enough people who have had it to recognize the symptoms. I went to bed at 9 on Wednesday night. My throat kept me up all night long. By 6 AM I was crying. Rob brought me some Extra Strength Tylenol and PowerAde. It took the edge off and I managed to sleep off and on until 7. I managed to get a 9:20 doctor appointment. He told me my glands were totally swollen and my throat looked absolutely terrible. He said it was a good thing I came in when I did so I start the antibiotics right away. My throat felt like it has knives in it. I took Tylenol throughout the whole day and did not do much of anything. I probably could have eaten, but it hurt so bad. Today it still hurts, but it is slightly better. I am just a little weak and fatigued. I am supposed to run in the Run For The Iris tomorrow and I asked the doctor if that would be OK. He said the fact I'm a long distance runner, I could handle it. He said not expect to break my PR and walk if I need to. I'm already feeling better now (it's around 10:00 AM so I think I'll feel even better tomorrow). I tried to quarantine myself as best as I could so no one else gets it. I know it can be really contagious. So far everyone is doing OK.

Saturday - Race for the Iris 5K - 24:18!! Second in my age category

I went out to my friend Kelly's to scrapbook Friday night. My throat still had that knife feeling a little bit, I knew it was getting better. I felt fine. Saturday morning I knew I could run. I felt like I could run pretty normally, but I was not going to push myself if I felt weak. The weather was perfect--not too hot but not too cold, no rain. I ran the race last year with Trena so I knew the course. Rob dropped me off at the packet pick up in the Safeway parking lot. For some reason I had it in my mind he was going to meet me at the starting line which is at the Roths parking lot in front of Starbucks. I walked over there with my packet. Only a few minutes to the start, I still did not see him. I did not know what I was going to do with my packet. I kind of liked the t-shirt and did not want to lose it. Thankfully he showed up and thought I would be waiting for him at registration. Bad communication on my part. Not a big deal.

I felt a little weak at the start, but around Mile #1 I felt great and I started passing people. I tried to increase my speed around Mile #2 and carried it through to the end. The course was all flat except for one little hill. I was really excited to see the clock was around 24:14 when I finished because I knew I broke my PR! I was thrilled. Rob thought I did not place because he saw a lot other women finish first. So I didn't even go to the awards and I wasn't sure where they were anyway. I went on line and realized I placed second in my age group. Last year I did not even come close to placing. The weather was lousy, my feet were numb half the race, and I had Kara nine months prior...my body was still recovering. I do have a ribbon and gift card to pick up Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Racing is becoming more fun now and less intimidating. I don't get overly nervous anymore. I don't feel as intimidated by the other runners.

I am not going to put pressure on myself to run a lot next week as my body might still be recovering from strep. The antibiotics are giving me nausea off and on...it's at its worst at night. Tricia is also coming from Michigan and I have not seen her in three years!! I have not spent any quality time with her since we moved to Oregon.

Sunday - Took a rest. Rob and I got to celebrate our anniversary after PM church. It was nice to have a Sunday afternoon to watch movies and relax.

10K training Week #2 - May 9-15

Monday - Ran 3 miles, 10 minutes of stretching, 10 minutes of back/abs

I had a crummy morning. I felt pushed over the edge. I do Hailey's hair in the middle bathroom every morning before she goes off to school. I have to close the door or Kara will push all the shampoo bottles into the tub, empty all the bath toys, put things in the toilets or pull all the toothbrushes off the counter and put them in her mouth. It only takes me a few minutes to do her hair. As I get out of the bathroom I see Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies all over the floor. I intentionally put the cereal away in the cabinets after we're done eating because Kara and Derek were climbing on the table eating it out of the box after breakfast and spilling it all over the place. Apparently Derek started playing in the cabinets and Kara, of course, was joining in. It should not be a big deal--cereal all over the floor. But it was the last straw. I have been dealing with this kind of stuff multiple times throughout the day for weeks on end. People complain about "the terrible twos." I have a much harder time with "the threes." When Hailey was three, I really struggled. I remember feeling this way and felt like I was losing my mind. Needless to say I made Derek clean it all up. It took him a 1/2 hour, but he stuck with it and did it. The boy is not defiant. He never fights time out or really only fights discipline when he is tired. He's not mouthy. He just gets into everything and breaks things.

Then the family room was an absolute disaster. Like I can't ever remember it being so bad. It was like someone picked up the room, shook it, and everything scattered all over the place. We found Legos in just every single corner of the room. It took over an hour and a half to clean it and I think that's a new record. Derek helped me and did pretty well. Kara's room is terrible too and we have to tackle that later this afternoon. While I was on the phone with my parents last night, Derek and Kara had "let's just trash the room for the heck of it" including throwing clothes and laundry everywhere. It kept them occupied, but I hate it when the rooms get so bad.

Then I had some issues with my current Banner article, but I think those are ironed out. I have to write two articles tonight and I'm still waiting on photos for one and another response for a second. They have to be in by morning Eastern time. I hate playing it so close, but my sources are really busy like me. I have to be patient with them.

So I knew I HAD TO RUN this afternoon. There was no skipping that. Yes, now my mind feels much clearer and I feel less overwhelmed. Exercise is wonderful, isn't it? If only people knew how much better it makes you feel. How it does not make your problems go away, but they seem much smaller and less looming. I tell so many people I don't exercise for the physical benefits...that's an added bonus. I do it for the mental benefits...which of course affect the physical.

I ran my regular three mile route on Lone Oak and Holder. Kind of wish I would have been able to cross train because I did not feel as strong. My right heel was hurting and my body felt tight. I had a side ache off and on. I kept moving and some stretching will help. The abs workout and stretching workout have been very good for me. I am glad I am implementing them into my workout.

Tuesday - Rest

Did not really plan on resting today at all. I was out late and then I had to write two Banner articles. I was not asleep until 12:30 AM. I did not want to try and get up and run. Running in the late afternoon was not possible.

Wednesday - Cross training?

Been really struggling with mornings. I just can't get up. I am usually awake by 6:40. If I had two just a two mile run or exercise TV program, I could do it. Running 3-4 miles and being back by 7 is not possible. It will be much easier in the summer and more doable because we won't have school to worry about. The kids generally sleep in until 7:30 or 8 on the weekends. Kara will sometimes get up early, but it all depends. I was going to run at 5:45 PM, but then Rob realized his meeting was not at 6:30 PM not 7 PM. I did a ton of cleaning...like a whole bunch of it. Derek and I cleaned his room and Kara's room. Hailey helped with Kara's room. I cleaned my room and vacuumed most of the first floor. I also scrubbed all the walls in the bathroom. I worked up a sweat and did it more than an hour so I think it qualifies as cross training.

Thursday - Ran 3.5 miles

Yay! I got out bed before 6:30 AM. The light was so bright in the morning it woke me up. I got out the door by 6:30. I did my regular 3 mile route to Lone Oak, Holder, and Liberty. Then I went an extra half mile to Idylwood and back. I normally don't run as well in the early mornings, but I strong and great. It was a good way to start my day!

Friday - 8 x 400 5km pace Intervals

Still trying to figure out what intervals are. I do about 90 seconds of hard running and then 90 seconds of a slow pace. I do it by time, but distance wise it was about three miles total. I used to hate the stop and start, slow and fast combo. When I trained for the riverbank run in 2003, I did something similar to intervals. You actually stopped and walked. I hated that. This time I run a fast pace and then slow down to a slower pace. I only walked a couple feet to the crosswalk on Kuebler. It's really helping me with pacing and it's a different workout. So I do like the variety in it. I would like to try it on a track. For now I just picked a flat course and used my stopwatch.

Saturday - Hills 4 miles

I ran on the hills behind Roths again and then ran up Joplin to Crosian Scenic road. The first hill on Cunningham is always a killer. I almost walked. Once I get past that, I am usually OK. I feel even better after the first mile and a half. It was a good course and I would do it again. The weather was a little cloudy, but no rain. Temperature was high 50's so pretty comfortable.

I need to find a new strength training workout and abs workout. We just cut our cable back to basic and lost all our "on demand channels." We're saving a ton of money. While I do miss Exercise TV, I don't seem as affected by all the extra channels we don't have. Honestly with Netflix back, the kids don't really care either. I am looking on Netflix for something and Rob found some yoga videos on the the Sports Network we get. I need to go through it and see if we can find one that works. Not an excuse not to do abs, but I miss my Amy Dixon video.

Sunday - Long run - 5 mile run, 10 minutes of abs and stretching

I was surprised that it hurt and was uncomfortable to run. I felt tired, dizzy at points (yes, I am drinking enough water) and wanting to walk. I did not stop and walk...sometimes it's easier to just keep moving. I did my five route to the Sumpter neighborhood which is not very hilly. I actually felt the best around the last mile. The weather was perfect. It was supposed to rain today, but thankfully held off. The high 50's/low 60's was wonderful. Today was one of those days I needed to run again. Not the kids this time. Just other stressors. I knew if I would have laid around all afternoon, I would be in a pretty crummy mood right now.

I did my own ab workout and stretching. I kind of remember the ab workout from the song "Who Are You" from Group Power. So I did it as best as I could remember it with some simple stretching. My abs killed throughout the whole thing so I knew I was working them. Does it make sense that I need to stretch to music but I prefer NOT to run to music?

Awesome 3000 Training - Last Week!!

Sunday - Hailey was active all day

Hailey was at the VB's house all day. She hiked, canoed, and played. She had a great time.

Monday - Rest

Once again yucky miserable rain. It has not left yet! We decided to take a rest today.

Tuesday - Ran/walked 10 minutes

I am not following the training plan as closely. The training plan really caters to the kids running the 3K and Hailey is running half of that. We've done at least a mile and a half a couple times. I figure we should be tapering by now. So I had Hailey run around the parking lot and church for ten minutes. She took 2-3 walking breaks of around 30 seconds. She did the whole thing by herself. I did not run with her at all. I was trying to make sure Kara did not fall off the swing set while Hailey ran. Hailey is disciplined enough now to run on her own. When she started this process a few weeks ago, she could not do that. And she could not last more than a minute. Now she ran four minutes straight! I am looking forward to Saturday and hope it does not rain!

Wednesday - Hills

Hailey ran up the Hrubetz Road hill once and back down. She did this three times. Derek ran up once and ran back down once.

Thursday - Rest Day

Friday - Short run around the parking lot

Rob had Hailey do three short laps around the parking lot. He also made a pasta dinner in preparation for our big race!

Saturday - Awesome 3000!

I put the pictures up on facebook. We had a fun morning! The kids were very excited when we woke up. We got to Bush Park around 10:00 AM. We were told there would be massive amounts of people everywhere and that was the case. Thankfully we snagged a parking place not too far from the stadium. As we approached the stadium, we ran into Team Winter! It was very cool to see Winter and her brothers walking around. I kind of wished I would have had the kids wear their Team Winter shirts, but I also wanted them to wear their purple Awesome 3000 shirts like all the other kids.

It was starting to cloud over, but thankfully we only got a sprinkling of rain here and there throughout the morning. No downpours. As we checked in we ran into one of Hailey's close friends Sophie. I was glad Sophie was there to run in Hailey's heat. It was kind of crazy because you hand off your child to a volunteer who brings him/her to their age division in this roped off area. Then you don't see them until you pick them up from the finish line area. I knew Hailey would be fine. We saw her take off. She was near the back of the pack. As she passed by us, she looked so happy and excited. As she came in, she still had that smile pressed on her face. It was so adorable. It made me realize that it does not matter what time she got or if she was near the front of the pack. She had so much fun and tried something new. She said she enjoyed it. She ran/walked and got tired at some points, but just kept going. She wants to do another race with me this summer.

Derek and I did the very last race for kids three and under. It's untimed and just for fun. The track was so congested and packed. Derek did better running when he was not holding my hand. He fell a couple times. I think he tripped over his shoelace and then ran into another girl. I think he also got really excited and lost his balance. He was so excited to cross the finish line. He had a big grin on his face and high fived people. He was thrilled to get a medal and Clifford book. He's been carrying them around all day.

We went to Mc Donalds for lunch and there were a bunch of racers. It was cute to see the kids all talking about the race with one another.

I am really glad Hailey and I took this on and it was a great thing for our family to do together.

10K training Week #1 - May 2-8

Monday - 3 mile run, 10 minutes of Strength, 10 minutes of Back/Abs

Rob and I have been having a hard time getting up in the morning again. I was able to run at Rob's lunch and do strength training while the kids napped. It helps to not have a vet. course right now. My schedule greatly opened up in the afternoons. I ran through the Sumpter Park neighborhood. I did not feel as strong as yesterday, but I still felt OK. I did not have to stop and walk at all. Then I did Holly Perkin's strength training for runners and walkers. I really like Holly Perkin's workouts especially because they cater to runners and walkers. I really struggle with doing "the plank" and side "plank." This used to kill me in Group Power as well. The abs workouts are good. I really feel like I am working a part of my body I neglected for so long. I wish I was not so hungry all the time and craving junk. I need to work on that!

Tuesday - 3 mile run

Rob did not sleep very well last night and decided to sleep until 7 AM. I was lazy and could not get up. I went running at 6:45 PM and it was SO nice out. Everyone was out--runners, walkers, bikers. The weather was warm and it was a BEAUTIFUL evening. I ran Liberty to Holder to Lone Oak route. I felt great.

Wednesday - 35 minutes tempo run & Abs and Back - 10 minutes

I've never done tempo runs so this is new to me. They recommend doing it on a track and a friend of mine said the track at Crossler Middle School is open to the public. They also recommend doing a flat course. I just ran my 2 mile speed run course and up and down my street. I ran a slower pace for a half mile and ran hard for a half mile. I did this three times. I know the speed work is really good for me. I need to work on pacing. I am just used to running by distance not by time. So I was not sure how to far to run and what route to take. Now I have a better idea of it. I also did the abs workout. Which is getting a lot easier.

Thursday - Rest Day

Friday - Hills - Ran 3 miles, 10 minutes of strength, 10 minutes of back/abs

I was really crabby in the morning and I just wanted to clean--and everyone to leave me alone. The weather was awful by the afternoon, but I knew I had to run. I would be even more crabby if I skipped out. I ran the hills behind Roths. Although it was so rainy and cool, I felt better after 1 mile. I felt strong and it did break me out of my crummy mood.

I also did 10 minutes of Holly Perkin's strength training and 10 minutes of Exercise TV Amy Dixon's back and abs. Both were good and are getting easier to complete. Been trying to work on my form as well.

Saturday - Long Run - Ran 4 miles

I ran my 4 mile run through Sumpter Park. The sun came out and it felt great! Felt really good to run today.

Sunday - Rest

I really wanted to cross train, but could not squeeze it in. Rob made a special breakfast, then it was getting ready for Sunday School, then church. then lunch at Hilda's. Rob had to get ready for evening church by the time we got back. I stayed home from evening church with the kids. By 8 PM, I was absolutely exhausted. I don't mind those "marathon" Sundays once in awhile, but they take a lot out of me. I was practically crying by the end of the day I was so tired.