THOR running: Not fast..but I pound the pavement!

I am BACK!!!  Wow... had to take more days off then I wanted to but those other shoes did a job on my feet (serious pain).. thanks to advil and 15 min. ice bucket soaks. 

Also, I went back to a brand that I am really familiar with.. that helps runners with severe pronation and provides motion control.  I got in my 6 miles and they felt really good this morning no feet problems... THANK GOODNESS! :-) The only thing is that they are clunky to run in... but hey all things considered I will take clunking vs. pain any day of the week!

Also I got me a Garmin 305 running toy!  and am estatic about it too... no more glancing at the clock when I leave the house and glancing again when I return getting an approximate time... now I will know all of the details...

This morning got in 5.7 and will get in a few more this afternoon with my family run (i.e. I will be pushing the stroller again) :-)

Happy New Year... wishing many "fast" injury free miles to everyone!!

Ok two days and I am finally starting to get back into a groove.  Gotta love the Christmas holidays but the varying schedule is not good for the work-out schedule.   Almost got bit this morning by the excuse bug but managed to fight it off and get my run in.  I was indeed being lazy however in addition.... mentally I was not excited about getting out into the 24 deg. F. (with winds) for a run.  After I got about 0.5 miles into it it was not too bad; although I have to be honest... when the first wind gust hit me... I thought about sprinting back to my BED! Lol

The second set of shoes are definitely a keeper... I am happy with my selection now and my feet/body appear to approve!  I noticed this morning that I am going to have to focus more on my running form. It appeared to take a little more energy but the results were huge when I focused on trying to take a longer stride as well as pushing my arms... forward and backwards.  Not exactly sure if this is good form or not although I do plan on doing some research now to determine what is indeed best.

I think I am down approx. 2 lbs this week as I weighed in at 193.. good news as I need to be down approx. 18 more in the next 8 weeks.  Obviously I will be watching my diet a lot closer now with the New Year!

Lastly I am finally getting my Garmin 305 programmed to my specs... on my first run it was beeping at me the entire run telling me to speed up.. speed up.... then when I would run faster it would tell me that my heart rate was too fast!  :-)   I am excited to be able to use the heart rate feature.... after about two more weeks I plan to try and identify my optimal running heart rate and use that for my upcoming marathon in March.

Will try to hit the gym later today for another 4 miles! Stay tuned!

Lunch Update:

Was able to squeak out 4.2 at lunch today to round off today at 10 miles.... first 3 miles I ran in 22.32 seconds... from my rough calculations that puts me at a 7 min 31 sec / mile pace! :-) I am very happy with that... ok so after I exhausted myself on the first three, I literally walked some, jogged some, and sprinted some for the last 1.2 miles.  I believe I finished the 4.2 in 35min and 45 seconds? although I am not really sure because I was focusing only on distance at the end.

Did not make my full 10 miles today... that is my total including my 3 miles at lunch.  This morning was rough to say the least.  Temp. was about 19 degrees... no wind but wow was it cold.  A lot of runners on this site are from up "north" so I have to add my reference point.  I am fron NC where about 1 month ago the temp was in the low 80's... seriously! 

Ok so I am running with a t-shirt, two hoodied sweat shirts, a fleece coat, skull cap, gloves, sweat pants, and shorts!! I had planned on going about 8 miles but about 1/2 way through my first long loop (approx. 3 miles) it felt like I was carrying a 10lbs on my back with 3 lb ankle weights.  I was not pushing hard or anything... just taking a slow run that ended up being a train wreck.  In summary the run just felt bad... in the morning I completed 5.5 miles.

Lunch time I went to spin class and did fairly well.  It is a really tough class but the instructor has awesome music and is very energetic so you feel bad about not pushing yourself.

After the spin class I hit the treadmill.... the first two miles actually felt pretty good, but the last mile I had to push a bit.  I got the first two miles in at about a 8 min./mile pace and the last mile was about a 9.5 min./mile pace.

Unfortunately again I believe my lack luster day is due to energy.  I have been cutting back on the sweets and non-beneficial carbs but they seem like a direct link to my energy!  I am going to bear with it for at least two weeks.  Hopefully by then I will be through my withdrawel and my body will transition to other sources of food for energy... (i.e. protein!)

Another cold morning around 17 degrees F at the start of my run and 16 degrees F at the end.  I was Eskimo man again... equipped with my T-shirt, Long sleeve T-Shirt, 2 hooded sweat shirts, skull cap, lower face wrap, gloves, sweats, and shorts!  I am guessing that those cloths weighed at least 5 lbs toward the end of the run because I sweat a lot and they were soaked!

Looking forward to next week... temps. are supposed to be back in the lower 40's... NICE!!

This morning my run was slow... not intentionally I just could not get any momentum (hopefully because of all of the cloths).  Although; I do have to say that I felt better than yesterday!  For some reason I just could not get the wheels turning!  In the end I was determined not to stop or cut it short and achieved that goal.  Although my shoes are now not causing me pain I do feel like I am running in bricks... they literally make a Clip/Clop sound like horse hooves when I run.

Two more runs before I can take a day off.  This afternoon I have been invited to run with "THE RUNNERS" at my local YMCA.  These guys are the real deal.  I will not be able to hang with them but for about 1-2 miles but I have to start somewhere.   They typically go 5 miles at about a 7 min 30 sec. pace...soooooo wish me luck!  I am a competitor so I don't plan on being embarrassed for long.  I plan to run with them once a week for a while until I can hang with them enough to finish with them in view ahead of me.... and then over time add days to run with them as my conditioning/speed gets better.  In any event I have no worries about getting lost, I have my Garmin GPS so all will work out "when" I get left in their dust today!! 

Then on tomorrow I have my long run... will target ohhhhhh 14-15 miles. Hopefully a warmer morning.

Stay tuned.. more updates after my lunch run! 

Update:

Well I didn't do good.... but not horrible either.  Got to the gym and thought I missed the group but only one of the runners (Keith) showed up.  We started off and I was doing well although two things came up which initially got me off track.  1) My garmin did not locate the satellite very quickly, so after about .4 miles into the run I had to shut it off and turn it on again... needless to say about the 1st .7 miles I was fiddling with it.  Next time I will meet the group down stairs/outside with my Garmin ready to go! & 2)I have always been running by myself, so it was different talking while I was running as well as keeping pace with someone else.  However, I did really push.  I still have quite a few lbs. to loose and today for the first time in a while I ran so hard that my lower sides (aka luv handles!) ached.  I was only able to keep up with Keith for about 2.25 miles then he started pulling away.  I did keep him in my sight for most of the run (i.e.he got approx 2.25 blocks ahead).  In the end... I am glad I finally made the run, and actually plan to incorporate running with that group at minimal once per week and over time get to where I run with them everyday :-)  (Gotta love the opportunity to add a new goal to the list right?).

Until tomorrow!

Saturday morning run... was decent.  I honestly think I was mentally beat from the begenning because I knew I exerted a lot during my lunch run on yesterday.

Also... I am starting to wonder if you can run too slow?  I wanted to get a really long run in 15 miles and felt good throughout until about mile 9.5.  After starting off really slow... I even lowered my pace just to be certain I could get the distance and time in.  Well I ran into a demotivational hill (i.e. 9.5 miles into the run) and had to walk... after getting past the hill I was able to run again but only enough to make it back home.  I tried using the hammer gel this morning and a couple of the gummi energy candy.  It worked well, although I think I am going to have to get used to using it.  I believe I waited too late to start eating it, although I had a bad experience a long time ago with cramping after eating while running so I was just being cautious.  Today... no cramps :-)

So the reason I feel I may have waited to late to take the energy gel is because I walked in the house and my wife is packing a gym bag... she looks at me and says come on!  WE are going to level 3 step class!  My neice was in town and was going to keep the kids.  I was tired but am not able to back down from a challenge (hence how I got myself into running these marathons :-))  Long story short I made it to the class... it was a new routine so I could not hang with the instructor... although I worked to keep my Heart Rate in my target zone for the entire class. 

Another good week... almost 50 miles but I know I can do it now... If I had run on Monday I would have done it!  Next week!!  Next week!  Tomorrow is my rest day and I plan to take full advantage of it.  Take care!

Interesting run this morning... after taking Sunday off to rest, I was not feeling good at the start.  Actually I was feeling so bad that I was seriously thinking about not going the six miles I had established in my mind to run.  Note: I have mapped out two runs in my neighborhood a 3 mile and a 5 mile loop.  I have to make a call at about the 1.5 mile mark which loop I want to run. 

Based on feeling sooo sluggish I made up my mind to run the 5 mile loop. That way even if I have to walk I will get in 5 miles!  So plugging along after about the 3.5 mile point I started to feel really good.  Then when I got to about 4.5 miles I was feeling awesome... actually so good that I knew I was definitely going to take another 3 mile lap!  Long story short...even when I got  to the finish point 8.37 miles I felt like I could go for another 3 miles with no issues but unfortunately time would not allow it. 

Hopefully that is the sign that my hard work is starting to pay off!!  I will be able to better judge at the end of this week.

Still planning on heading to the gym today at lunch and definitely plan to try and squeak out 4 miles on the treadmill.  As always I will keep you posted!!

P.S. I think I gained the 3lbs back I lost earlier!  Unbelievable how I can be logging so many miles and not loosing any weight.  In the end I know that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction... you think I am logging the miles on the road... you should see me now at the table :-) LOL

Lunch update: Went to the gym today and worked chest... had a decent work out but no record lifting day.  Jake was back from Holiday / vacation so that added some support.  We had planned on running on the treadmill but all were taken so we opted to hit the road.  We ran for 30 min. at what I would approximate to be around a 9.5 min pace.  I was hoping to have an edge on him today although he had been home (UTAH) for about two weeks and did some training at the higher elevation so he was definitely feeling great during the run.  I kept up pretty good but I could tell he had the better endurance (just slightly).  No worries I will reel him in over time :-).

This morning's run felt pretty good.  Honestly, I am not totally sure if the better feeling is tied to my condition or just the great weather.  We have gone from 16-19 degrees F in the morning to around 47 degrees this morning.   Obviously this allowed me to take off multiple layers of cloths so I could move better!!! 

For the last two days after getting warmed up, I have felt like a runner! :-)  keeping in mind that, I am not focusing on speed at this part of my training (but rather longer distances and longer lengths of time) I did want to make sure I was not taking it too easy/slow. So this morning I pushed a little harder and continued to feel great!  (Note: I continued to keep my HR in the 60-70% range).  Typically I feel like the little engine that could putt putting along but this morning it felt like I was actually M-o-v-i-n-g!!! lol

Alright that is about it for now... stay tuned for my after lunch update!

Lunch update: Hit the gym today worked on my triceps and shoulders.  Had a decent work out... I am modifying it from heavy lifting to medium weight with a lot of reps.  After weights I hit the treadmill for a pretty uneventful 3 miles.  Started off at 10 min/mile pace and each 1/2 mile in increased the pace by .5 miles/min.  Finished in decent shape not real strong but not struggling either.

This mornings run was simply AWESOME!  Weather wise anyway... I believe it was around 51 degrees F? If not warmer!  Something told me to put a water bottle in my mail box and that came in handy as I lost a lot of fluids from sweating.  My legs and feet are starting to get somewhat used to the mileage. I do not have the very sore (i.e. work out type) of feeling in them like I did when I started.  Got in my 8.33 and am looking forward to pounding another 3 out this afternoon in the gym.  A little worried about the weather... we need rain in NC very bad but it is not good for me to see rain before I get out to run... definitely will take some internal motivation to not get lazy if it is raining in the morning!  This should be my first 50 miler week so that should keep me motivated!

Got a new delimit I am working on now... running with music or without?  I always have run with my favorite tunes blasting in my ears.  However the other day my battery went dead ... I was sure I was going to die, but then I started paying better attention to my breathing and amazingly I actually felt better.  Towards the end of my run I started playing the music again but only at a very low level where I could still hear my breathing and foot steps.  Since then I have been doing a combination of music, no music, and low music.  We will have to see how this turns out? I believe I am going to try and get away from it however having it is great in the beginning as motivation to move my feet and whenever my runs get really tough (i.e. on a hill).

Stay tuned for the lunch update!

Lunch run was fine... probably averaged a 9:30 min / mile pace which was a little faster than my desired 10 min / mile pace however I got to run outside with Jake.  Since I run so much alone anytime I can run with someone it adds some fun!  Actually we have been lifting weights for a while together but only recently did I learn he likes to run.  Oh I forgot we started off in the gym by doing some light leg work... leg curls, leg extensions, calf raises, and sitting leg presses.  Very light weight... sets of about 15 to 20 reps. 

Felt lazy and slow running this morning although when I checked my splits I was only slightly off my normal pace.  My HR was lower than I wanted during the first 3-4 miles so I would pick up the pace just slightly to get me to my desired range. After about 5 miles I saw another jogger in front of me so I tried for about a mile to reel him in a little but he was too far gone. After that little burst of exerted energy I actually felt a lot better (i.e. not so lazy) so after sucking down some water I headed back out with high spirits for my last lap around the neighborhood ... it was pretty uneventful except for the fact that it started raining.  I chuckled to myself... because with out reading the other blogs on this post, I would have typically headed back in.  However I could not see myself writing I stopped a run because of rain when others are running in snow and ice!

Note: Walkman = +1; definitely was a walkman run! A couple of good songs helped me to keep my mojo.

Morning Run Miles = 8.35

Lunch was awesome! Headed to the Y and had about 26 min. before spin class so I jumped on a treadmill.  Pretty tight timeframe but I wanted to get my 3 miles in and could not run them after class like I typically do because I had a meeting.  So I ramped up the speed to about a 7 min. 30 sec. mile and hammered it out.  The first two miles felt great!  The last mile I had to push but finished my 3 miles with about 3 min. to spare before class!  Did not see final speed / time because I had to RUN to class to ensure I kept my bike!  The class is always packed because the teacher/music is great!  I kept my HR monitor on during class, it was an aerobic pace workout that she wanted us to keep, and so I focused on keeping my HR at around 146 i.e. the bottom of my Aerobic range :-)  Whereas I can not clearly see the benefits of my running while I am running I can definitely tell in spin class!

I finished the class feeling very strong... and made it back to the office with time to spare before my 1:00 meeting.  Gotta love multi-tasking!!

Finally I am confident that I will meet my 50 mile in one week PR this week and really really want to have a great LONG run on Saturday so I am thinking of either A) Taking Friday off or B) Just doing a very light run and light day in the gym.  My goal for Saturday is to run for 2.5 hours.  I have not had much success with my long runs lately so I need a mental victory!!

Ok so today I was NOT planning on running.  This turned out initially to be pretty good because when I awoke there was a thunderstorm!  I am thinking great, roll back over and get some more zzzzzzz's :-) and I did!

My goal was to take an easy day and prep/rest for my long run tomorrow.  I packed my gym bag just to mess around in the gym (i.e. stretch & walk on the treadmill).  This would work well since I only had an hour.  HOWEVER, I walk into the gym and THE "running group" was assembling at the front door.  Keith gives me this big smile and says COME on Kev... we are about to go!!!  I could not say no... just couldn't.  I equate this to being asked to play B-ball with your older brother when you were a kid... you knew you would be demolished but had to take the opportunity to play!!

As it turns out today was a great day to get out and run.  Probably about 68 deg. Sunny with a very light breeze.  I was very nervous getting out with this group because as stated earlier they move out... much faster than my typical 10 min. per mile pace.   My goal was to run for about 2 miles with them and then find some short cuts back to the YMCA. ;-) 

Well I got started and sure enough we were moving at about a 7 min. 45 sec. mile pace.  I was good to go for about 2 miles but between miles 2-2.5 I could feel my body getting winded. But I kept pushing....At this point I was definitely at the back of the pack but some good tunes started coming on and I started feeling better sort of like I reached the top of  a hill and now I was on the down side! 

As I started to feel better I noticed some of the other runners slowing down... I felt this was my opportunity and forwarded to my favorite song to keep my momentum.  I then started to reel them in and passed about half of the pack.  I continued to think that they would pass me at any moment, although I maintained my "center" position in the group (which I am ecstatic about) until the end of the 5 mile run.  I enjoy running with others because it makes you push a little harder than I typically would.  Often I have been wondering if my running has had any positive results but today confirmed that I am indeed making positive progress!!

This is a good group for me to continue to target to run with as they have slow and fast runners (i.e. sub 7 min. runners).  I am planning on trying to run with them one day a week for the next few weeks and then increase the days over time until I can run with them every day

:-) 

Kevin

The GOOD..THE BAD...& THE UGLY!!

That's how I summarize my run for today.  Which do you want to hear about first... OK the BAD... well the bad news is that I did not reach my desired distance of 15 miles for today.

However...

The GOOD news is that my endurance did not prevent me from accomplishing my goal.  My wife had an appointment and I had to cut my run short.  I felt really good through about 10 miles, and even at the end I knew I could have gone another 3 miles feeling decent. I was not trying to go any faster than normal (i.e. close to 10 min. 30 sec. / mile pace), however at the end I realized that I averaged a 9 min 45 sec. / mile pace with a HR average of 143.  Pretty cool... my fastest mile.  Here are my splits:

9 min 14 sec / mile  at 140 HR

9 min 01 sec / mile  at 143 HR

9 min 39sec / mile  at 145 HR

10 min 03 sec / mile  at 141 HR

9 min 41 sec / mile  at 143 HR

9 min 47 sec / mile  at 143 HR

10 min 02 sec / mile  at 141 HR

10 min 07 sec / mile  at 144 HR

10 min 09 sec / mile  at 142 HR

9 min 28 sec / mile  at 146 HR  - Note I started picking up the pace at this point b/c I knew I was going to have to cut my run short and wanted to get in at least 12 if possible.

9 min 45 sec / mile  at 150 HR

9 min 59 sec / mile  at 147 HR

The UGLY news??? well that is I did not get out of bed this morning (4:30 AM) and run early like I usually do.  I let the lazy bug get me and rolled over.  Had I of gotten up, I could have accomplished my target goal.  :-)  Oh well that is the good thing about goals.... they remain there waiting for you to earn them! 

Even better today at ballet class (for my daughter) I saw a guy with a 2007 Boston Marathon Jacket on! SWEET!!!   Wow not only was I impressed, the jacket looked AWESOME.  So I will never win a trophy running but in a year or two when I get to Boston I am going to get me one of those jackets... (maybe TWO!!).  lol

Ok so to conclude this week... it was pretty awesome from a running perspective.  Even better I can tell my body is getting used to the training.  This is probably the first Saturday where I did not feel like I was "dead" and had to rest on Sunday.  I am definitely going to rest but based on how I currently feel, I "could" get in some miles tomorrow..

Take care... until Monday...

Kevin

Blaaaaahhhhh sums up my morning run.  I was feeling really good after this past week so I ate like a little piggy this weekend.  Seriously... doughnuts, pizza, cookies, & hot wings!  So this morning I paid the price and I knew exactly why too.  As a matter of fact when my wife asked how my run was and I said it was tough she commented on what I ate as well.

I guess I am finding that I may actually have a screw or two loose.  How else could I explain training as hard as I do and not being able to focus at the dinner table? Oh well can't change the past can only work on the future.

This morning my legs felt really tight at the start and actually took about 3 miles to loosen up.  I am wondering if I should take Sunday totally off or if I should get out and do a very.. very light 2-3 miles to keep my muscles limber and loose to some degree?

Also I think there definitely is a correlation to me running in cold and how I feel.  This morning the cold weather came back so I was running like an Eskimo again wrapped up in multiple layers with skull cap and gloves... approx. 35 degrees.  Big difference from Saturday when it was much higher.  Oh well I better get used to it because they are forecasting even lower temps prior to the end of the week.

Enough for now... stay tuned until after lunch.

Goal is to hit upper body in the gym today and will sneak in my 3 on the treadmill.

Lunch Update:  Upper body workout was ok but I can tell I am loosing strength.  It is a sacrifice I will have to make in order to run faster and I am ok with making not only the strength change but hopefully the lifestyle change.  Meaning transitioning from being a bulky heavy lifter body type to a more slim runner body style.  Long term I will not be able to maintain real "heavy" lifting anyway.. now is a good time to make the transition.

My work out buddy Jake did not make it so after hitting chest, I jumped on the treadmill to get my miles in.  First 2 went well so I figured I would try to edge in an extra mile to start making up for those doughnuts :-)  After giving it some long thought I felt that someone should be responsible for all that I ate... then it hit me... that I am the person who was responsible! 

Well after going at about an average pace of 8.5 min / mile for the first 3 I slowed up on the last mile to around a 9 min mile.  Not a bad run at all.. felt a LOT better than this morning.  Could be because of the warmer temps (i.e. inside on treadmill) in conjunction with less cloths.. shorts and short sleeve shirt! - Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Wow... this morning was very interesting to say the least. I jumped out after my warm up blocks and was feeling GREAT. Almost too good... felt like I was flying! I figured I could not keep the pace up but wanted to see how long I could go... long story short I maintained (what I thought) was an awesome pace for about 5 miles. Then I got back into my normal tempo for the remaining mileage but still felt Awesome. :-) I was pleseantly surprised at how good I felt because I literally drug myself out of bed. However, in the end...I can't help but laugh because at the end of my run I was only about 15 seconds off my normal pace. hehe I think my Garmin must not be calibrated... surely I was flying :-) Oh well outside of my slow time I had a really terrific run and am looking forward to this afternoon. Will see how it goes pushing the stroller. I am home with my son (2 yrs old) who has a slight fever, although from an attitude perspective he is fine (i.e. running and playing). Going back to my run again... maybe it was the cloths? I did have a ton of cloths on? Ok ok enough of that... I am happy my run went better than yesterday! Even though I wasn't faster I am wondering about my diet again. I cheated last night and ate two bowls of Frosted Flake cereal w/skim milk of course! :-) Anyway, based on my run I may start eating cereal EVERY night! lol

Total 8.35 miles

Stay tuned...

Lunch.. it was still cold 37 deg. F.  fortunatey for me we purchased a stroller with insulation and cover to keep Jonathan warm.  I put two coats on him and a skull cap then zipped him up inside his "bubble" cover attached to the stroller.  I believe he lasted about .25 miles before he was sleep.  Running with the stroller was a challenge... not only was it cold but the wind was blowing.  Going down hills was great... although going up was a different story.  Our stroller is heavy and as long as it is on a straight line you are gold but when you have to turn the darn thing then it really works your arms.  I did not wear my HR monitor because I figured I would not be going that fast and sure enough I wasn't.  After about 2 miles I got into my putt putt stride and was good to go... except for the wind gust... on particular time, I was going up a hill and the wind hit me... it honestly made me feel like I was running in place :-).  Oh well another run under my belt.  4.25 miles while pushing a stroller.... WHO'S DA DAD??? I AM!!!

My son is still under the weather.  Was able to get my morning run in but could not make the stroller lunch run.....  At the Doctors office.  Hopefully I can sneak in some tonight when the Mrs. gets home. Also the weather is looking very bad for tonight and tomorrow.  Snow/Ice mix??? I am gung ho but that may even be over my limit. 

I know I know gloom and doom and excuses :-(  not really big on negative talk but today is just one of those days. 

Stay tuned... hopefully!?!?!

Yesterday I posted a big goose egg... zero miles!  No excuses.. my wife even offered me the opportunity to get out and run.  I believe it was because the week has been so bad.  I have a new found respect for stay at home Mom's... not that I did not really respect them before.  Just mentally draining to be at home taking care of a sick little one.  Jonathan had some type of virus that was causing him to have high fevers and not keep ANY food down.

Well even after taking yesterday off today was a gruelling run.  It seems like I can remember all of the steps I took.  Oh well it is over. 

Ok today is a highlight for me.  Finally got in a 15 mile long weekend run.  Since I did not run on Saturday I figured I had to get this week started off on a right food and definitely did not want to take two consecutive days off.  Had to take Saturday off... went home (Columbia, S.C.) for a Party Friday night (Brother in Law), and Saturday morning I was up at dawn helping my Mom take care of home improvement items that had gone by for too long.  After about 7 hours on the job at Mom's.. got the call from my wife that it was snowing at home and I either needed to be on the road or prepare to stay for a while.  I opted to burn the road up and head back home.

Well enough of the excuses (that don't excuse) and reasons (that don't rationlaize) why I did not run yesterday.  Today felt good..... really good.  I started off with a good slow pace and was able to maintain it with no issues at all until about mile 12.45 (note I stopped at my mail box to get some water which I keep in my paper slot) so I am wondering if I drank too much.  Never the less,  at about mile 13, I pulled out a trail bar and ate it thinking it would give me more energy... well it did but it took longer than I wanted it to.  I am going to have to get a better feel for how much to hydrate with and when to start eating.  After the food kicked in I was able to get back to my fast shuffle. :-) 

In total I ran for about 2 hours 45 min. and covered 15.4 miles.  Not running anyone off the road but it was a personal best for me regarding mileage (i.e the most I ever ran at one time).  Starting to feel decent about finishing the 26.2 Georgia marathon I have coming up at the end of March.  With all that I have to learn about ME and what will work best I know it is definitely going to be a learning experience!  Next week... maybe 17 miles??  :-)

Took a slack day on Monday... it was a Holiday and tough to get into my routine.  No excuses.. except for being LAZY ;-)

Wow that lazy bug is hard to shake!  I did not run this morning at 5:00 AM... and after getting up to get going I knew I was going to regret it!  Sure enough I did... thinking that my mileage this week is definitely going to suffer and after such a great start. 

After not running yesterday it should have been a priority but I did not.  Ok so my schedule is a little open so I head to the gym a little early... hopped on a treadmill and started booking it... planned on going 6 miles but actually got in about 9.1 miles!  I was happy about that thinking it would not get me to my planned goal of approx. 13 per day but it was an improvement on yesterday :-)  So after my run my weight lifting partner Jake comes in and we go to do a pretty decent chest work out!  Towards the end Jake says... I am going for a 35 min. run on the treadmill... are you up for it..... Hey you know me.. I can't turn down a challenge so I find myself back on the treadmill really booking it this time!  Jake is a pretty decent runner and pushes me pretty good...  I got in another 3 miles in about a 7.45 min. per mile pace (including the warm up) and then slowed the pace down for the last mile.  In the end I think I got in 4 miles at about an 8.35 min. per mile pace.  I was not too disappointed with that!

Still feeling pretty good... if the temperature does not get too bad, I may try to get in 2-3 miles tonight?  Nothing big, just something to help me feel better about getting over the lazy bug!!   :-)

This morning was awful... I am thinking I may have exerted too much on yesterday, as I got in my miles but they were all at a faster pace than I usually chug along at.  Nevertheless I managed to get out.  Today was very foggy in Charlotte, NC so I could not run my normal route.  Typically when I leave my house I don't like to pass it again (i.e. loop around) because the temptation is too great to cut my run short when I see my driveway :-)

Well the route I normally run has a stretch of road about .5 miles where the lanes are narrow and there is a bridge which barely can hold 2 cars....  AND definitely not 2 cars and a jogger... bottom line.. on a good day it is not truly safe and on a foggy day I would be asking for trouble. 

Sooooo I had to do the loops around the neighborhood.  Sure enough it was a tough run and even after the first loop (i.e. 3 miles) I wanted to call it quits (seriously)... I made the 2nd loop and definitely wanted to stop... somehow I huffed and puffed my way around for the 3rd loop which by making a few turns cuts off a mile but there was a pretty steep hill on this stretch.  During this part I literally I felt like I was running in place :-( 

In the end I am glad I pushed my self!  Today was not one of those lazy days but just mentally and physically tough - you know one of those days where you had to push for each step.  I will definitely remember it when I get to the marathon and have to pull up some motivation that "I CAN DO IT!!".

Lunch update: Hit arms today in the gym got a decent work out in... covered both tri's and bi's.  Afterwards Jake wanted to get his run in, after this morning I knew I was not up for a hard run but told him I would trot along for moral support.  Was able to get in 2.6 miles but was not feeling like I had good energy so I did not try to push it. 

Ok the difference between yesterday and today is like comparing...night and day... today felt much much better than yesterday.  The first 5 miles of my morning run felt really good... nice and easy like they are supposed to be :-)  the last few miles I had to push but was still ok.  As a matter of fact, on the last I would say quarter mile I really picked up my pace and tried to turn my legs (per say).  That really felt good although it was very tiring!

At work I was hoping to get some good news on an internal job I applied for and interviewed with several people for.... however, unfortunately did not get the green light. 

Then on top of that....I got caught up in a meeting so I could not go to my "fun" spin class... the one that has great music so it gets you motivated (it is at a YMCA that is down the street vs. the YMCA that is 1 building over).  Nevertheless I obviously had a lot of stress and really was counting on pounding a treadmill to help me relieve some of it; so I headed on down for a quick work-out.  Made it to about 25 min. of a spin class (already in progress when I joined) which helped me to get warmed up very good, then headed down stairs to the treadmill for quick 3 miles.  Including my warm up I cranked out 3 miles in about 25 min. so I was pleased with that.

If all goes well I will run with the pack tomorrow (i.e. the really good running group at the Y).

Until tomorrow!! 

4.79 Miles on the morning run.  Was cold outside (for NC anyway) @ 19 Deg. F.  Since I am running with the gang at lunch today I really wanted to take a VERY easy pace.  I know I will have to give everything I have later today but wanted to keep my morning routine of getting up and running.  I believe I am going to try to get up at the same time every day so that I can stay away from the lazy bug!  Sleeping in is sort of like those potato chips... can't do it just one day!  Oh well I digress... back to the run... I had loaded some new tunes on my MP3 player so I picked up the pace and it felt good.

Lunch run... wow I HATE thinking about running with the gang!  I just know it is going to be painful (i.e. pushing my threshold) but wow does it feel great when I am done!  The temp is still down (i.e. 32 degrees) so only the die hard runners came out.  Basically that told me that I was going to come in last place and have to push to keep the other 5 runners in sight.  Sure enough after the warm up the pace is moving fast... two runners (still have not learned their names)... move out and are literally gone!  Two other runners are about a block ahead but I get into a groove and keep them locked... and my buddy Keith is about 10 paces ahead of me although I can tell he is not pushing as hard as he can (he was out partying last night ;0 )

We started down town and they just come out of the building and start warming up down the street.  My Garmin does not pick up until about what I would approximate to be about .5 miles into the run but for the warm up I fell great no issues.  Even during this I can tell that everyone’s strides and comfort level is EASY... except me. 

Ok into the run now... Mile #1 - 1 I clock a 7:43 pace... feeling good no issues.  Giving it everything I have but still feeling good.  Also mile 1 has some hills so that is a really good time for me!  Ok mile #2 - 7:51 starting to feel winded but not too bad I can tell that I am pushing hard.. but feel like I don't need to quit.  Mile #3 - 8:28 bottom line I am pushing it giving it EVERYTHING I have... weird I keep feeling like I am going to give out (i.e have to stop running and jog at best... walk worst case scenario); but somehow I keep finding energy to keep moving.  Final stretch Mile #5 - 8:46 still giving it all I have and never stopped running.  Note: running downtown there were a couple times I had to stop for traffic but today I caught a lot of lights and I believe only stopped 3 times for very short lights.  My times include all stops (i.e. it kept running). 

Today was a very good day... Keith commented on the fact that he could tell I was improving... and even better... before he made the comment I could tell! Nothing like results to keep you motivated!

Well if you are still reading two other great notes that make today outstanding!!

1. The job I thought I did not get.... well I received word that I am indeed going to get an offer!  I did not find out until after my run.... otherwise I am sure I could have used that to cut some time off :-).

2. Does the name Ray Krolewicz ring a bell to anyone?  Well long story short he was my Football Conditioning coach and Soccer coach in High School.  I always knew he liked to run and thought I would look him up just to catch up.   Well goodness.. I started googling him and literally found out that he is a freaking running LEGEND!!  Anyway today before my run I spoke with Coach K - what we call him.  That really made my day.  I am going to forward my blog info. to him and hopefully will get a chance to run a race with him in the near future.

Note: http://www.ncctrackclub.com/articles/RayKrolewiczLEGEND.html

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Seemed to work well last week so I took Saturday off again and finally got enough "heart" to get out and do my long run.  Wow it really is mentally tough to get out of the house... (i.e. just thinking ... "am I up for a 15 mile run?")  Well, got out and started running, for the most part up to about 10 miles was uneventful... except for the dog that was chasing me and I did not recognize it because I had my head phones on :-)  That was a first... most of the times the dogs will just bark but will not get into a pursuit mode. 

Ok I was looping around some other neighborhoods and finally made it back to my neighborhood around mile 10.  I found myself really needing some water so I stopped into the golf shop and gulped some down and used the rest room.  Then I started the last leg of my run.... back by my house where I had some water stored in my mail box... when I got back to my house it was on mile 12.  I knew I had one loop around left but would have to make a go no/go call on the additional loop.  From mile 12 to mile 15 went well.... I actually found like this kind of stride/walk type run that felt great... and did not cause me to jar my body so much like I typically do.  Ok made it to mile 15 and grabbed my 2nd water bottle.  Guzzled it down and now my belly is sloshing around.  Mile 15 to mile 18 was a REAL test.  I could definitely tell I pushed myself... it was not the cardio part but my muscles were wore out but I continued to push!  Was happy I made it but it gave me some questions about me being able to run 26.2 at this point?  I felt like I could not have gone another 0.1 mile!  Although again I am very happy that I made it!!!.  18  is the most miles I have ever ran at one time!

Wow... what a day... can't type much now as it is late.  Just came in from my run.  Got a curve ball today.  My son fell and I had to take him to the emergency room, initially thought he was going to get stitches (in his lip) but he avoided them.  They put some type of glue in the cut and in a couple of days they say it should be ok.  Oh... he decided to go down the slide at school head first... only 2.5 years old    :-o

Run tonight was fairly easy.  Really intended to at minimal go 6 and had ambitions of going 9.  HOWEVER found that I had to stop for nature :-)  I guess that is a good thing about going in the morning.  Haven't had to take a pit stop before! :-)  Hopefully the late run does not get me off track in the morning.  Only time will tell.

Wow where do the days go when you are being lazy.  This week has definitely gotten me off track.  However, I felt really good today during my lunch run.  After getting my miles in I went to spin class for 45 min.  Typically the Thursday workout gets me pretty good but today I handled it with ease. 

Looking forward to my run later on tonight as it feels like I am out of my slump...(i.e. was lazy this morning and did not get up) :-(