Motivated to Succeed

School was crazy this week and there is a nasty bug going around the school right now. Just trying to make it to the weekend so I can catch up a bit and more importantly, REST up! I am also running in a 5k this weekend that is put on by SafePassage, an organization that helps women and children of domestic violence. It is called the Hot Chocolate Run and every finisher gets a ceramic mug filled with hot chocolate! I can't wait!

Ran on the treadmill. I did the first .5 miles at 8:34 pace, then sped up to do a mile at 8:00, followed by .5 miles @ 6:40 pace, then alternating between 8-8:34 and a couple more "pick up" laps. Sweated a ton! Finished in sub 8:00 pace!

Total Time: 31:31 Total Distance: 4 miles Average Pace:  7:53

I went hiking with Emm at Monument Mountain this afternoon. I have a race tomorrow, but we both wanted to get out and get a hike in. It was cold at the start, around 30 degrees. We started at 3 and finished around 4 something right when it was getting dark.

We made it up to the top in 23:00, not bad considering we haven't hiked it in so long. We didn't go up to the "Devil's Pulpit", where I proposed to Emm (didn't know the name until today!) as we didn't want to get stuck in the dark.

Felt pretty good on the hike today. Nervous about tomorrow, as I only ran 2x this week! Ick! 

8:30 AM - Got up and drove with Emma to Northampton for the 7th Annual Hot Chocolate Run 5k put on by SafePassage. SafePassage provides support for women and children that are victims of domestic abuse. I raised $135 for this 5k in a week, and even though I was feeling lowsy with the cold I've had since Thursday, I wanted to do right by everyone that donated money to me.

WARMUP: We got to NoHo about 8:30, but unfortunately for Emm (who was looking to get some XMas shopping done), nothing but a couple coffee shops were open until 12. Oops! Sat in the Rav4 with her until 9:20, at which point I went for a warm up. Did about 11 minutes (1.3 miles) and stashed my basketball shorts and lined up at projected finish time of 22:00. I knew that I wouldn't be able to hold 22 pace, but looking at how far back I already was and dreading a Turkey Trot fiasco again, I figured that it was the best place.

THE RACE:

Before the gun, I gauged I was about 400 people back from the starting line. There was a sea behind me. The race mascots jogged over next to me about 4 mins before the start. I laughed at the penguin and polar bear, especially when the polar bear decided to do "stretches" and did about 1/3 of a toe touch and said, "Alright! Where's the hot chocolate?" This race has the incentive of a mug and hot chocolate at the end of the race. Yum!

MILE 1: The race started fast, though it took me some time to get to the starting line. Starts on an uphill and then gradual downhill off of Main Street. Saw Sarah Lynn at the corner (coworker and cocoach for the cross country team). I hit the 1 mile in 7:40, but needed to remember it was about 30 seconds to get to the start line after the gun, so I really ran about a 7:10. Feeling good, and throat didn't hurt too much breathing in as I had forgot my cough drop in my other shorts!

MILE 2: Held fast into a headwind. Hit it right at 14:59, 7:19 second mile. A few people passed me. I was just happy I wasn't dying.

MILE 3: Mile 3 had several uphills and it kicked my butt. I was just trying to make it to the finish. I very much prefer winter running as I don't sweat quite as much and I can run faster (or feel as though I do anyways). Tried to work the downhill last .5 and it worked and balanced out the hills. Was striding down the hills around 6:20-6:30 pace.

Hit the finish line in 23:14, but this race goes by chip time only so I ran a 22:39 (7:19 pace) a full 5 seconds faster than any 5k race I've done this year! Ended up 308th place of 2731 finishers. Missed top 300 finish by 1.5 seconds :(.

After the race I went to the Montague Book Mill with Emm. Absolutely love it! It is my dream bookstore set right near a babbling brook with a waterfall. It has a cafe with all local foods and sells used and second hand books. If I ever win the lottery, this is the type of bookstore I'd like to run!

Went back to NoHo to do some shopping and got Tibetan food at the Lhasa Cafe. Very yummy! Picked up some really great decaf coffee (It has been close to 6 weeks since I gave up caffeine!) called Peruvian French Roast Decaf (shade grown, organic and fair trade) - deemed the "best tasting decaf coffee in the world". I would have to agree as I've bought it twice!

Still feeling under the weather. Really dragging and dreading the work week. I am going to the doctor tomorrow if I am not feeling better because I just do not like being sick! 

11:30 AM - Snowing outside and 29 degrees (with the wind it feels like 9). I am home sick from school and a doctor appointment at 3 so I figured I would try to run the sickness out of me (or sweat it out in any event). Emm did a Power-90 tape downstairs as I ran. Set it at 8:34 pace and 2% incline for the first 3 miles, followed by 1 x 800m for good measure at 6:40 pace, then cooled it down the remainder of the way. 4 miles in 33:20 followed by .26 mile slow cool down before stretches.

Total Time: 33:20 Total Distance: 4.26 miles Average Pace:  8:20

7:30 PM - Went on the wind trainer in the basement while Emmy ran on the treadmill. I think that the wind trainer will be a good option for me again this winter as I can still get a good workout in. I read from Lee Miller's Roanoke: Solving the Mystery of the Lost Colony. Really getting into this one! Did a couple sprints at the end of the ride for good measure.

Today at work really stunk. I felt like junk and the flu shot I got yesterday must have been in the wrong place because my entire left shoulder is swollen and sore like your buddy punched you hard in the wrong place the day before. I went through about 40 more cough drops and had a class at the end of the day that basically made me want to cry because they refused to listen and follow directions. I think I have freaked out about the 48 standards I have to cover instead of sacrificing the necessary time to "break" the 7th graders in again. It sucks because it is just like Day 1 of school all over again. I hope I feel a bit better tomorrow because it really is hard to get a good night's rest when you wake up every hour for a cough drop.

*Counting my ride 10 mins : 1 mile of running - Let me know what you think but I think this is a fair assessment to keep track of miles.

Total Time: 40:01 Total Distance: 4 miles 

4:30 PM - Biked on the wind trainer for an hour while I read Lee Miller's Roanoke. Started sweating pretty good. Emm did Power 90 VHS tape while I rode. I am going to work on two things over the next several months. Goal #1: is to watch my diet specifically with regards to processed foods and grains/cereals. I suspect my weight issues will resolve themselves if I work hard on this and: Goal #2: is to get back to exercising at least 5 days a week.

Total Time: 61 minutes Running Equivalent Miles: 4 miles 

7:00 PM - Hopped on the wind trainer as Emm ran on the treadmill. I continued to read Lee Miller's fascinating work on the disasters at Roanoke. I never knew there were so many backstabbers, murderers, and wrong decisions made with regards to the endeavor, nor did I know that there were 2-3 missions sent before the 1587 colonizing expedition. It is all starting to come into focus as to why the 117 soles that were left on Roanoke "vanished". They were set up to fail.

Felt pretty good. Bodes well for current fitness. I am still hefty, but in better initial shape than when I did the wind trainer seriously two years ago. I can do an hour no problem right now.

Did 61 minutes again on the trainer, about 4 miles of running I'll count it as.

Total Minutes Cycled: 61 mins Running Miles Conversion: 4 miles 

6:00 PM - Got home from school and I was exhausted. My throat still hurts from yesterday after talking all day, but especially when I swallow. Jumped on the wind trainer and did an hour spin. First 30 minutes warm up, then 10 minute tempo followed by 6 x 60s "on" w/ 30s "off" sprints. Then cooled down the remainder.

Total Time: 60 minutes Running Equivalent: 4 miles 

Spent a great weekend seeing my brothers and parents over in New York. Had to come home and finish progress reports and grades though. Ended up finishing around 8pm and then went for a run. Ran 4 miles with the first 20:00 at 8:34 pace, then sped up to 8:00 and finally 7:30 pace. Total was 33:18 for the run.

Total Time: 33:18 Total Distance: 4 miles Average Pace: 8:20 

8:00 PM - Cold and windy out. Wind chill of single digits. I had a long day at work, followed by after school tutoring and then I drove to meet Emm who was taking Ruby to the vet to settle the ringworm incident. Later we went out to dinner at Panera with Kara. So great to hang out with friends! When we got home I went for a jog. Started with 20:00 at 8:34 pace, and then increased to 8:00 with 3 x .25 mile pick ups at 6:40 pace. Felt good. Just feel lowsy because I'm still so heavy and don't fit into my clothes!

Total Time: 34:21 Total Distance: 4.25 miles Average Pace: 8:05 

Was home sick today. Woke up with stomach issues and horrible congestion. Just trying to make it through tomorrow to vacation. I tried running to get the congestion out and it backfired literally. Coughed up phlegm all over my shirt. Blah! Goal was to run slower today, but I still had to labor a bit because of being sick. Ran 20:00 at 8:57 pace, then dropped it to 9:05. Ran 5 miles in 45:18 and 5.55 total w/ cooldown was 50:38

Total Time: 50:38 Total Distance: 5.55 miles Average Pace:  9:07

9:00 AM - First day of winter break. Got up early and was sad to see Emmy have to go off to work. I can't wait to see her tonight though when she gets home. Maybe we can have an exercise and movie date! I was intrigued to see how running would feel considering when I woke up this morning I sounded a lot like ET. I think that it is just a cold, but I've never been so sick in my life than in the last several months. Hoping to recover the right way over break.

This morning I had a slice of raisin bread toast with 2 cups of decaf coffee (splash of skim milk). Had a snack afterwards of Light 'n Fit blueberry yogurt, a banana, and 2 large glasses of water. 

The Run: Popped in Without Limits starring Billy Crudup, incline at 2%, and started about 9:15 pace or so. Ended up cruising along for about an hour, then increased the pace for the last mile and a bit to about 8:45 pace. Felt really good and a nice pleasant tired afterwards. By far one of the nicest runs in a long time, even if I was sweating like a Finn in a sauna!

Total Time: 1:13:10 Total Distance: 8 miles Average Pace:  9:09/ mile

Biked on the wind trainer tonight while Emmy ran. It is supposed to be a good storm tonight, with more than a foot of snow expected and winds in excess of 35mph. Blizzard conditions which means very little activity outside the house. 

 Had a wonderful Christmas with both Emma's family and my own. We spent the morning here in Pittsfield, then drove an hour and a half over to NY to Galway to see my youngest brother Harry and my parents. Jonn is over in Norway for three weeks visiting Ellen and my sister and Rocco are in Orlando. (Emm and I are going down to Orlando to visit in February!) Headed home late Sunday because the storm was on its way and we weren't able to go to Harvard to see Emma's aunt and cousins.

Snow is still coming down and they are predicting up to 18-24" of snow by the time this thing is done on Monday! Movies and hanging out to come!

Total Time: 60:00 Total Running Equivalent Miles: 4 miles 

9:30 AM - Lindsay left early this morning to go to work in Boston. We spent about 2 hours yesterday digging out. 18.5" of snow was the storm total. Biggest storm in several years, though it is expected to be in the upper 30s and 40s later this week, so not sure how long it will be around.

Drove Emmy to work and then came home and wanted to get in a run before doing work today. Set up this elaborate laptop station on the treadmill. Had the outdoor eating table with a chair on top of it, and then a foot stool on top of that. Then the laptop and speakers. Started watching Season 1 of the Office on NetFlix and before I knew it I had watched the entire 6 episodes of Season 1 and the first 2 of Season 2.

Mode of operation today was to take my time. I had not done more than 8 or 9 miles since the Hairy Gorilla Half on Halloween. Did 25 minutes of jogging at 9:40 pace, followed by 5 minutes of walking at 14-14:30 pace (brisk walk). Continued cycling through this until the end when I did 20 and 5.

Hit 5.85 miles in 1:00, 9.82 miles in 1:40, and hit 15 in 2:34.  Funny thing: Found out the treadmill shuts off at 99:59 (1h40m). Took a quick break, changed my shirt and downed a granola bar and back on it and away I went.

This was the longest treadmill run I have ever done. Previous record was probably 12 miles.

Total Time: 2:35:00 Total Distance: 15.08 miles Average Pace: 10:16 

4:30 PM - Went jogging after going food shopping before I had to pick up Emmy. Feeling pretty good. My choice of recovery? A large glass of Garelick Farms True Moo 2% Chocolate Milk. Mmmmm !!! Ran most of it at 9:40, with the last .75 miles faster, one lap at 8:34 and one lap at 7:30. I think I'm doing the Hangover Half just for fun on New Years. Now I know I can still go the distance!

Total Time: 30:35 Total Distance: 3.25 miles Average Pace:  9:21

7:30 PM - Emma worked all day today. I tried to focus energy on school work but to no avail. I ended up helping make marshmallow squares for her secret santa get together tonight and then made dinner. Last night I made turkey lasagna, tonight I opted for cauliflower, onions sauteed in a smudge of olive oil, and barbecued chicken and turkey patties. I have to admit I probably looked a bit odd in shorts out on the deck grilling, but man did that piece of chicken and the turkey burger taste good!

After Emm left I decided to run on the treadmill. The first mile was tough because my legs were a bit sore from yesterday's miles. But then the legs loosened up and the only issue was my stomach. I had neglected to wait the hour before jumping into the proverbial pool. Doh! I toughed it out. I guess good training for when I'm running in a longer race and my body isn't agreeing with me.

I also followed our very own Davy Crockett during his Across the Years race. He has been leading the 48 hour race for much of the day. We truly have some amazing talents on here. I am so glad to have been a part of FRB for the last three years :D. Can't wait for 2011 to make it even better!

Total Time: 47:00 Total Distance: 5.01 miles Average Pace:  9:23

4:30 PM - Went running because I was pretty stressed out. Drove all the way to work today to drop off some books and stuff and wasn't able to get in. Tried really hard to concentrate on school work today but I couldn't do it. I wish I had a less demanding job that wouldn't interfere so much with my personal life. I feel like I hardly have time to spend with my family! Was a nice run. First mile hurt a bit. Quads pretty sore. Officially registered this afternoon for the Hangover Half. Should be a blast.

Total Time: 48:46 Total Distance: 5.25 miles Average Pace:  9:17/ mile

9:00 AM - Ran easy on the treadmill today. Hangover Half Marathon is tomorrow. Felt really relaxed. Going to go shopping now to get things for New Years Eve. Tried 2 x 30s wall sits. Man that hurts!

Total Time: 30:39 Total Distance: 3.26 miles Average Pace:  9:24