cheryl

First thing this morning, I got on my stationary bike and rode for 30 minutes.  Then I walked on my treadmill on almost the highest incline for 30 minutes.  I'm thinking if I do that reguarly, my legs should get stronger and maybe (hopefully) more injury resistant.  I was planning to run later, but never got around to it.  After the holidays (and getting the kids back to school) I hope to get on a better schedule.

I met the group at Parkway Palisades at 5:45.  Some of them had already warmed-up and took off right away.  I ran back with Michelle and Cheris, we decided we need more warm-up time, although I guess Cheris had run a little beforehand.  Anyway, we managed to keep the main group somewhat within sight, then they came back and regrouped with us, then we all stayed pretty much together for the remainder of the run.  We did hill repeats on the big hill by Lampton, which was tough but hopefully helpful.  I'm thinking if we run Painter's we'd better get some hill work in.  When we finally got to some downhill on one of the main streets in Parkway Palisades, I did what I worry about doing this time of year--I fell.  I don't think I hit any ice, I think my foot just got caught on a small pile of snow.  Anyway, thanks to my gloves and two pairs of pants, I really wasn't hurt.   Peggy fell near the end of the run; I didn't see that happen but she told us about it.  Hopefully those are our only spills for this year.

I went to the Rec Center around 9:30 to run on their indoor track.  Lots of people there, have their new year's resolutions kicked in a day early?  I ran for 30 minutes, then I did several fast straights, walking curves.  The straights are so short I can run them in about 10 seconds, so it wasn't a lot of fast running, just enough to be fun.  I saw Debbie at the end with almost her entire family there--that's a great family activity, I think, going to the gym together.

Since it's the new year and I've read other blogs where they're putting in their goals for '09, I thought I would too.  Last year I ran more mileage than I've ever run before, but it didn't translate into better race results.  I think the reason for that is I concentrated so much on running that I neglected other things that I need to do to stay healthy.  I need to stretch a lot, plus work on strength, especially core strength.  My most successful year of running I also did lots of cross-training, so I think I'll go back to that.  I plan to do some 100 mile bike rides next year.  So running will remain my first priority, but I think I'm a better runner when I'm doing lots of things in addition to running.  I may not get many 50 or 60 mile running weeks next year, but hopefully I'll be a healthier runner.  Number one priority:  NO INJURIES!

Good luck to everyone else in your goals for next year.  Whatever happens, it should be fun!

Met with the BBK group at the JRP trail at about 126th So.  It was a windy and cold morning.  There was a fairly strong wind running south, I didn't like that at all.  Then when we turned around, I was sure the wind had stopped because I felt nothing.  Then we turned around again and I realized the wind was still going strong.  The group was running (as it seems like is always the case) a little faster than I wanted to go.  I ran by Eric for some of the time and wanted to talk, but just didn't have the extra oxygen to say many words.  I really dislike the wind, so I didn't like this run too much.  It was fun being with my running friends, but I was glad when we were done.

Later I put in an extra two miles, running very slowly on the treadmill on a 13% incline.

Take it easy day.  After doing some chores at home, I went to the Rec Center and ran for 30 easy minutes on the track.  There were still a lot of people at the gym at 2:00 pm.  It's fun to run when there's lots of other people around.   When I'm by myself, it's too easy to quit before I really should quit.

I'm starting a program at TOSH with my boys, so I went for the first time this morning and did fast hill sprints on their treadmill.  Then I went to the Rec Center and ran on the track there for 30 minutes, kept it pretty easy, threw in a few accelerations along the way.  I was glad I didn't have to run outside today.