Bring on the challenge!

New year, time to get back in the swing of things and start blogging again!  

While I haven't blogged my runs very well the last few months, I have still been running, albeit not as much as I should have.  

With a marathon in 2 months and 6 extra pounds on my body (thanks to holiday travel and goodies), it's time to get back in shape!  I'm starting WW (on my own) again for the next month or so to lose the extra poundage and just to overall eat better.  I know the next couple of weeks will be HELL, but my body will thank me for it later :)

This morning we did the 5:15 a.m. track workout.  Splits were as follows:

1600 - 7:39

1200 - 5:49

800 - 3:48

1600 - 7:56

1200 - 5:52

800 - 3:47 (thanks to a sprint the last 50 meters)

Surprisingly, with extra weight and hardly any running over the holidays, my times were about right on with what I usually would do.  However, I could tell I was struggling.  Can't wait till next Monday and see if my times are improved by a healthier week this week! 

Didn't run this morning.  Should have, I was up.  Problem is, it was 5:30 a.m., 30 degrees outside (I know, in SL I would have been cheering for this!!) and a hubby with a cold.  I don't particularly care to run in the dark alone, so when hubby didn't get up, I didn't get up.  I know, poor excuses.  I had runners remorse a couple hours later.  

However, I did do a Jillian workout this morning.  I was going to do both, but at least I got one in.  And, biking back and forth to the school counts, too, doesn't it? ;)  Especially riding behind my 5 year old and his new bike; he's not slow anymore!

WW - so far, so good!! 

Once again, did not get up in the early morning hours to run.  Gotta stop relying on my hubby to set the alarm and get us both up.  I woke up and looked at the clock - it was 6:15; too late for a morning run.  However, I was still going to run today, I was determined!

Thought about running the kids to school this morning.  Then, my 11 year old needed me to carry his clarinet for him; his backpack was too full.  Running and carrying a clarinet case do NOT go hand in hand, so I biked the kids to school and came home.  

Did Jillian level 3 this morning - oh, she kicks my butt!!  But, it felt great!  I'm starting to love this level, even though it's the hardest.  Lot of core strengthening in it.  Kept an eye on the weather outside ( it was in the 30's again this morning, but supposed to be 70 today), and when it got a bit warmer, ran behind the 5 year old while he road his bike.  Run wasn't so great, but glad I did it.  Somehow, I've hurt my foot, so stepping on the heel hurts.  Kinda makes running hard, but I just had to run through the pain.  Plus, I was tired from already working out, and not much breakfast.  So, it was a little rough.

WW - still doing good.  I'm actually not struggling as much as I thought I would.  I'm down 2 pounds since Monday (must be a lot of water weight), and I'm really feeling pretty good.  I find that if I save enough points, I like to have a cup of hot chocolate at night.  It helps curb the sugar cravings :)  Especially since it's the only treat I allow  myself all day.  Quite a change from engorging on holiday goodies, eh?  

Tomorrow, tempo run. . . 

No, I didn't do the tempo run this morning.  Not because I didn't want to.  Hubby is still sick (men are such wimps!!!), and opted out.  I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to run with two other guys this morning and him not there.  In the dark.  So, I decided to run later like yesterday.  

Luckily, the weather was much warmer this morning.  I decided to run while the kids biked to school, then took my 5 year old on a bike ride while I ran behind him.  We ended up at a park where he played for about 10 minutes, then we headed back  home.  I came home and mapped the run, and was pleased to see it was almost 5 miles.  Should have been six this morning, but we'll get it next week.  Plus, there was some stopping and starting when running behind a bike, but overall, it was good.

My foot is still hurting, but not as bad as yesterday.  Sat in the tub last night and let the jets massage it.  Not sure if that is the best thing for it or not, but it feel a little better today.  

Tomorrow, off running, but I'm planning on level 3 with Jillian again.   

Did 10 miles this morning.  Did great until the last 2 miles and I just ran out of energy.  After having done WW for the last 5 days, I'm thinking I need to tweak it a bit.  I am very strict when it comes to doing that, but I can't be as strict when I am training for a marathon.  I need to just more watch what I eat, than count calories all day long.  I need more calories in order to perform better.   Hopefully, by watching what I eat and exercising more, I can drop the holiday pounds just as easily.  I think I'll continue WW this week, but just not as strictly and see how it goes. 

Well, today was supposed to have been the track workout.  And, of course, I was wide awake and ready to go at 4:30 a.m.  That's when we heard the thunder.  We looked out the window and there were lightning flashes everywhere.  A quick text to our pals we run with on Monday's confirmed that the track run was off this morning, due to the weather.  Bummer.  

It has been raining ever since.  Sat in the car drop off line for the kiddos for 40 minutes this morning.  Nothing to do but laugh about it.  It's crazy rain!  Puddles everywhere!

Came home and decided to do Jillian.  It's days like this that I wish I still had a treadmill.  I loved my sprint workouts on that thing.  But, Jillian is great, too.  

Hoping the weather will cooperated so I can run tomorrow. . . 

Tempo run this morning.  With a cold wind!!  Frustrated to be running with boys all the time.  I need someone who is more my pace.  Even on these tempo runs, I am the tail end.   I wasn't struggling today, either, actually felt pretty good, but the boys just seem to be getting faster.  Wish my legs were longer. . . 

Marathon is about 7 weeks away.  Hoping I'll be ready by then. . . 

12 miles on this COLD morning!!  Seriously, it was 30 degrees, and we were all bundled up.  I HATE that!!  Bring back my warm weather!

The run was actually pretty good, had to stop for an emergency potty break at mile 9 1/2 (thank you for having a park on our route!!), and the last 2 miles got a little hard, because we were out of energy.  Stopped and walked at mile 11 and ate some granola bar, but I think it was too little too late.  Gotta plan out our eating while we run.

Other than that, I was actually surprised that it went so well.  Training hasn't been as great as I thought, but I'm glad to see that we did okay.  About 7 weeks till the marathon, so we really need to crank this up.  Hopefully, the miles will be good next week. 

Ah, it was so tempting to sleep in this morning.  No school, I could have run later.  But, I was a good girl and got up at 4:45 a.m. to go running at the track.  

On the up side, it was shorts weather this morning.  Sure beat the cold of Saturday!  We started our splits and they started good, but the second half was a bit slow for me:

1600  - 7:31

1200 - 5:48

800 - 3:48

1600 - 7:52

1200 - 5:57

800 - 3:48

Glad to see at least my 800's were consistent!  We watched the marathon Olympic trials on Saturday, and to see the times those winners posted - incredible!  I'm finishing an 800 when they are almost done with a mile!  It is just mind boggling to me to think of how fast they are going.  

Anyway, came home, showered, and climbed back in bed :)  Got to sleep for another couple of hours.  The nice thing was, by the time I really got up this morning, the exercise and showering were already done for the day :)  Made for a nice morning. 

Tired this morning (why does that always seem to be my opening line here???)  5:30 a.m. comes fast.  It was a misty rain outside, but 70 degrees, so the weather felt great :)  My legs felt heavy this morning and I was overall tired.  Hubby was feeling it, too, though, so it wasn't just me.  Ran our 4 miles, then I did Jillian after the kids went to school.  Maybe not the best idea when you are already tired, but, hey, I'm an over achiever :)

Tempo run this morning.  Yesterday it was in the 30's to run, today it is in the 60's.  So bipolar down here.  It was nice to not be freezing this morning!

So glad it is Thursday.  Tomorrow is my day off of running and I'm so looking forward to it. My foot is still bothering me and I'm getting a shin splint on the other leg.  Shin splints only happen to me when it's time to get new shoes, so, I guess it's about that time again.  Went ahead and ordered me some online.  Hopefully, these injuries will clear up when I start wearing new shoes!  I never keep track of the mileage on my shoes (guess I should), but I thought they were still doing okay.  Looking back, I guess I have had them for about 10 months now. . .pretty sure they've lived their life!

14  miles planned for Saturday. . . 

14 miles this morning.  Started out wondering how the legs were going to do (shin splint on the one, and sore foot on the other) but after mile 2, couldn't feel the shin splint and the foot was killing me!  I think I've got some kind of tight muscle that runs through the foot and into the calf.  By mile 2, I could feel my foot starting to go numb.  Stopped at mile 2 to stretch it out, and it felt better.  Had to stop every 2 miles to stretch it out, but after the first 2, it was much better.  By mile 3, hubby made me mad so the music came on.  I try to keep a fairly consistent pace, but I know that I do go faster at sometimes than others.  I think he was frustrated because I had picked up the pace at this point.  SORRY!!!!  He should have just run without me at that point.  Anyways. . . .the rest of the miles were uneventful until about mile 12.  Then, the foot started hurting again.  Thankfully, I was able to stretch it out again, and was able to finish the last 2 miles.  I don't know what it is, the last 2 miles, no matter how far I go, is always the hardest.  I think it's a subconscious thing.   Made it home and did a 2:08 for 14 miles.  Not great, but it's okay.  Still wondering how I'm going to add 12 more to that in about 6 weeks. . .

On a side note, weather was great this morning.  68 to start, and VERY muggy, but by the end, the temp had dropped a few degrees and a nice breeze was blowing.   

Track workout this  morning.  Not so hot today.  Here are the splits:

1600 - 7:41

1200 - 5:51

800 - 3:56

1600 - 7:55

1200 - 6:01

800 - 3:46

The last 800 was my best today.  Better than in weeks past, too.  Guess I got irritated that I was going so slow on the others today and decided to go for broke!  Foot was bothering me a bit, glad my new shoes should be here tomorrow!!!

Came home and did Jillian level 3 today, also. 

Did the tempo run at 5 a.m. this morning.  I think my going to bed before 9:30 all week finally paid off this morning.  I was feeling pretty good!  

The tempo run was actually pretty good this morning until about mile 4.  We usually run the first mile together, slow, then 1 mile tempo, then 1 mile slow, then 2 miles tempo, then 1 mile slow home.  By the second tempo part, my bowels were starting to get to me.  Which really made me mad because I felt so good out there!  It would come and go.  While I felt great, I was cruising along, then it would hit me and I'd have to slow down.  Very frustrating.  Needless to say, I was glad when the run was over with this morning!! ;)

Tomorrow is day off of running, but I'll do Jillian.  Saturday, we are planning 16 miles. . . sheesh!!! 

Weather was perfect for a run this morning.  16 miles actually wasn't too bad.  Didn't like the mile I added onto the route to make the 16, though.  Going to have to try something different for next week.  

Ran for most of it till the last 3 miles, then had to pull out the music.  Got my second wind then :)  Felt good to run fast to loud and fast music :)    

Track workout this morning.  Because I am writing this the next day, I cannot remember all my splits, unfortunately.  However, I do remember that they were much improved from the week before.  I was surprised that I wasn't too worn out after the 16 mile run on Saturday.  Had hubby rub my left calf the night before and wow did that seem to improve something!  I need to have him rub it some more.  I think it's so tight and that's why I've been having trouble with that leg/foot lately.  I can't seem to stretch it enough.  Would love to visit a massage therapist right about now!  I'm sure it would hurt, but would probably do me a world of good!  

4 miles this morning.  VERY humid.  Left the house in a long sleeved shirt and was ready to strip it off half way through!  The humidity preceded the rain that came an hour later. . .glad we were able to get our run in first!