Emily's training blog

It was a snowy, slushy morning, so I went to run on the treadmill.  I think I'm going to be spending lots of time on the treadmill since I run so early in the morning, and I'm scared to run on the roads in the dark.  

Today is my baby Lily's first birthday.  I've experienced many flashbacks of last year when I was as big as a whale and ready to pop.   Having a December baby definitely added a layer of beauty and meaning to the holidays.  I thought of giving birth to my little girl as I ran this morning.

I started at 8.0 mph and increased .1 every half a mile.  So, I finished the run at 10.0 mph.  It felt nice and easy for about 6-7 miles.  I was working hard the last three miles.  The overall time was 67:27.  

I'm trying to front-load my week.   I want to go for a Christmas run, but I don't want 10 or more miles looming before me.  

I had the goal of getting up at 4 to get a run in before Boot Camp class at 5:30.  But, since I didn't get to sleep until 11 and Lily woke up 3 times,  I was pretty happy with myself for getting up at 5 and driving through the slush to the health club to run a treadmill hill run.   I told myself " Just get at least 6 in."  But, once I got in the groove I woke up and was able to complete 8.  

I started at 8.5 mph and jumped up the pace every 5 minutes.  I ran a 2 minute hill on a 3 percent incline every 10 minutes.  I completed 5 2 minute hills during the run.  My total time for 8 miles was 53:27.  But . . . no Boot Camp.  Maybe Thursday! 

A.M. BOOT CAMP!!!   So much fun. . .  until tomorrow when I discover muscles I never knew I had. I wish I knew how to factor this into my mileage.  I guess it doesn't really matter.

Later A.M.  Met the East High team at the Olympic Oval.  They did running and drills.  Since I had tortured myself earlier, I just ran laps while they did their drills.  I ran 30 laps, which is just over 8 miles.   It was more fun than the treadmill, but I'm itching to get outside.  Hopefully tomorrow when I hobble through my fartlek run!

That was worse that I thought it was going to be!  My body is so sore.  Running a fartlek workout after bootcamp was not a good idea.   Oh well, I guess it is all about effort, right?

I went to Liberty Park this morning.  I'm still running in circles, but at least they are outdoor circles.   The weather is really nice for December.   I warmed up 2 miles and then ran a ladder workout.  I ran 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 minutes with 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 1,1 minutes recovery.   Then, I cooled down two miles.   I don't even know if I was hitting under six minute pace on the fast parts.  My legs are just dead, and the sore arms and abdominals didn't help matters much.  Still, the workout is done and I can enjoy the rest of the day. (Cleaning house, baking cookies, and wrapping the last few presents!)

I have been looking forward to my Christmas run all week long.  I know many people would think I am crazy for waking up at 5:00 on Christmas morning to get my run in; but I know that my fellow runners will understand the appeal of a peaceful respite from the craziness of the holidays. 

I felt like the entire world was still asleep as I took to the silent streets.  I put Christmas carols on my I-pod, and left my watch at home.  Sometimes a run is so much more than a run, and I wanted this one to be a meaningful experience.   I truly enjoyed the solitude of the early morning, as I reflected on the spirit of the season, and all the blessings that I am thankful for.  I especially enjoyed running up on a kindred spirit who was also out getting her morning run in.   (Except for the fact that I scared the daylights out of her!) 

My run was my Christmas present to myself.   It was the perfect start to a wonderful day.  One of the best things about running is that it affords many opportunities for time alone for reflection.   I'm so glad that I had one of those opportunities on this Christmas day.

Merry Christmas, fellow runners!