the road goes on forever...

I'm back!! After a three week hiatus due to weddings, travel, weather and illness, I am getting back into the swing of things. I am excited to get back into race shape and see what everyone else is up to. 

6 x 800 with the track club. Not as bad as I thought. Started around 3:27, last one was 3:07. It's nice to be back to my Tuesday night routine of intervals, a protein shake and a new episode of 90210 :)  And the bunny and turtle seem happy to be settled back in too.

I am not certain on my exact goals yet. I plan to run a 5k either January 31st or February 7th, depending on how quickly I feel like I'm coming back. 

Hope everyone is doing great! 

hill loops around San Luis

definitely getting spoiled by this beautiful weather; 65 and sunny when i finished!

6 hilly miles at San Luis. Longest run since the marathon. Felt pretty good, hopefully that means I'll whip back into shape pretty fast.

I can't help but laugh at my big 15 miles this week. 

2 moderate miles followed by the core workout in the new RW.  Not sure if I like it.

see wednesday

just realized i put this workout on the wrong day! whoops, it was actually tuesday. 

12x400 with the track club, most around 93, fastest 83, slowest 96

 i think i pulled a tricep! 

4 moderately hard at San Luis 

What was supposed to be an easy run turned into a tempo run of sorts, because there was a fast girl on the trails that my pride couldn't let get too far away.

In the morning I volunteered at the local 30k race and froze for a good 4 hours (24 degrees at the start- brrrr). It was definitely some good motivation to get back into shape though, and I enjoyed ringing my cowbell and cheering people in. Not to mention the free shirt and chili :)

After a good nap and cup of coffee I went out on my run. (I waited til it was a beautiful 55 degrees).  I needed to do 7 and decided it would be really good if I added a 3 mile tempo in the middle. I think I was overestimating my abilities and only did 1.5 tempo, but it was still a decent run and on a mega-hilly course. 

3 miles easy, 1.5 @ 15k pace (10:40), 2.5 @ marathon pace = 58:46 (avg. 8:23)

My heart just broke watching the Ravens lose. I actually had a Super Bowl ticket (I bought it from a place that gives me most of my money back if they lose). It really stinks when I think about the opportunity that I almost got to experience. Well at least I have money to eat now. 

I realized today that my GPS watch can do harm. I tried running way too fast on a day that is supposed to be really easy. And it doesn't help that I am out of shape, so I can't run at the pace I could two months ago but I try to anyway. So this is the second run in a row that I let my watch get me to run too fast. Neither of these work outs were what they were supposed to be. So for now on I will be smarter about what days I wear the watch, and need to listen to my body more than the pace written on the watch.

It was so cold (hey, 35 is cold to Floridians) that the guy in charge of intervals had us do a 3 mile acceleration tempo instead of stopping in between intervals and getting cold. I am pretty happy with my times and it felt really good.

Mile 1: 8:12

Mile 2: 7:35

Mile 3: 6:42

(I think, need to check in my watch later) 

what a beautiful day! 

4.5 moderately hard at San Luis. Ran the last uphill section around 7 min. pace. 

Ran 7 easy miles around town with a friend who is running the marathon next weekend and finished up with a nice 6:40 mile on my own... I put that one in fast miles :)  Felt really good. My new race season starts in 2 weeks with a 5k, I am getting excited!

Cracked 20 miles this week. I'm getting there. 

Happy birthday Jason!! The big 2-6. I can't wait to dive into the cake I made this morning :) 

San Luis, 8:35/mile

Felt great, wanted to go further but don't want to do add too much too fast.

It felt really hot and muggy so I came back and checked the weather. 66 with 90% humidity. Exact same conditions as my marathon but 2 degrees cooler. Makes me think about how miserable that day was. Super gross. 

Saturday I want to do 15k, with a 5k warm up, 5k tempo and 5k cool down. I put that here to make myself feel more obligated. 

Since I can't go to intervals tonight, I did the same workout as last week on my own. Except for the fact that it was 50 seconds faster!! 

1 mile warm up (with Jason. he finished his first complete mile! baby steps.)

3 mile accelerated tempo- 8:08, 7:12, 6:28 (that last one was pretty tough)

1 mile cool down 

4 @ 8:30 at San Luis (pushed last uphill to under 7), followed by 1.4 easy with Jason

Perfect running day- dry and 55 degrees. Since I committed myself to doing a 15k with a 5k tempo today, I was forced to do it. I didn't want to have to deal with the wrath of Kelli! :)

5k warm up- 27:48 (8:58/mile)

5k tempo- 21:02 (6:47/mile)!!! I am really excited about this. Stuck around 6:20 during the flat areas but slowed to 7:20s during the uphill. Don't get me wrong, it was really hard, but I think I am getting close to a 20 flat. Next week I will start around 6:30 pace and go from there, hoping for under 20:30. I didn't expect to be running this fast so soon, so I am really happy.

5k cool down- 26:48 (8:39/mile)

15k total- 1:15:38, avg 8:08/mile

There are a few more things I want to take from this work out. One is that I should not skimp on the warm up for 5ks, and now I see that an easy three mile warm up or so does not hurt me, and probably helps me. Also, I want to get more comfortable with the idea of running miles under 7 rather than thinking it's fast. I think I have some good times in me, and hope I stay healthy to see some of them this year.

Mile repeats tonight:

6:31, 6:18, 6:02

Mile repeats the week before my 5k PR (20 flat):: 

6:52, 6:52, 6:45 

Let's hope that means there are big things in store for this weekend!!! 

8:27/mile

i'm doing the push up challenge some people are doing on here! i think it was kathie that brought it up. i'm on week 1 day 2. here is the link to my progress.

I FINALLY got my biggest running goal I have set for myself- under 20 in the 5k. It only took 12 years!  I thought I would get it this year but didn't think it would be my first race of the year, only training for about 5 weeks. I really hope this means I'll see some great times in 2009, especially once I get my mileage up.

Mile 1: 6:11- Felt really good, I could have gone faster but knew I shouldn't.

Mile 2: 6:30- 1/2 mile of slight uphill. I knew it was going to slow me down. Worried me a bit because I knew I didn't have much time to spare. Felt pretty hard.

Mile 3: 6:14- Felt OK, not great. Slight downhill for a little while so I was able to push it. 

Overall I am happy with how I raced. I knew the second mile would be the breaking point, and I am glad I was able to keep it together. It was a tough race and I definitely pushed myself.

For placing second in my age group I got 2 boxes of girl scout cookies! I went for samoas and thin mints. I also got a box of the lemon chalet creams when I registered. I already ate some of the cookies and a pizza buffet to celebrate!

I plan on running next weekend hard if the course is somewhat flat and the weather is nice. Would like to go for 19:45. I want to run under 19:30 at Palace Saloon in April.

Here I am finishing up! 

FINALLLYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

gotta love a gorgeous 74 degree february day!

4x1200 with the track club

4:50, 4:44, 4:37, 4:27

I stayed with some people tonight that I have never been able to stay with before, but they are not in top shape. I am not yet either though, so I am hoping I improve with them and can stay up there. 

That did not go very well. Hopefully I'll get the weights off my feet before Saturday.

New PR!!!!! Before last week I hadn't even gone under 20, so this was a really big race for me! I think my new goal is to go under 19 by the end of the year, which will be really tough. I can't believe it's even a possibility.

It was a pretty nice day; overcast, light wind and 56 degrees. I thought there was a chance the wind could be a problem. For a warm up I did part of the course and realized it was rolling hills. I didn't think I'd even go under 20 because of the hills and light wind. The hills ended up being pretty awesome, the uphill was a little tough (especially the last one) but they were always followed by a downhill. I kept glancing at my watch, and during the uphill I was abloe to keep 6:30 pace for the most part. I really loved the course and for the most part felt really strong. I think I prefer rolling hills to a flat course.

So when we started I planned to run around 6:10-6:15 for the first mile, and then hold it as long as I could. I also wanted to keep first place in sight. Two girls started off faster than me, but I was able to pass them within about the first mile. They were young, and will be very talented in a few years (not that they aren't already).

Mile splits: 6:13, 6:07, 6:14

My "bests" were 5:17 during the first and second miles, 5:24 during the third mile, and 4:52 during my downhill sprint to the finish. That's kind of neat to see because it shows I used the downhill. I liked the downhill finish, it made me feel strong, and it was great seeing Jason's smiling face at the finish line because he knew I ran way faster than I expected. I gave him a high five as I crossed the line.

When they announced my time during the awards ceremony the director said "Kelsey from Tallahassee, Florida... you know she's not from around here if she's running a time like that." That made me feel fast :)  

My friends Matt, Jeff, and Scott ran as well, and all did awesome! It was fun running with different people, and we got to see each other a couple times on the course due to the little loops and turn arounds.

Ran 6 miles on the Natchez Trace, then .7 easy with Jason. 

I had a bad headache last night so opted out of intervals with the Track Club, and instead did solo speedwork today. I forgot how much harder it is to do it on your own. It turned out to be a good workout though.

2 miles easy, 800 on/800 off for 4 miles, 1 mile easy

800 "on" splits: 2:57, 2:55, 2:51, 2:43   

I really want to start getting more miles in, but I am being patient and following the "10% rule."

8:30 avg

7 on the trails to give the joints a break.

School is a mess right now. Ughhhhhhh. 

6x800 with GWTC. I was able to stay with the fast girl (Micah) again, which made me feel good. I hope to hang onto her for a sub-19 5k later in the year. I needed a good run after the day I had.

3:03, 3:03, 2:57, 2:57, 2:52, 2:43 

It has been a surreal day. I found out this afternoon that a professor of mine at Mississippi State committed suicide last night. He left behind a wife, teenage girl, a 6-year old autistic girl, and a 3-year old boy. Not to mention plenty of students. He was a goofy man who had a fun, sarcastic personality until the last couple years. It seems like the wiring in his head went wrong or something. I am struggling with this more than I would have thought I would. For any different reasons. For myself I am going through the grief of the memories, and the sadness for his loss of life. I also feel bad for my friends at Mississippi State, who are with his wife and children right now, and have been since midnight last night, trying to hold up the pieces of what he left behind.  For his family, I feel so bad that they are left to fend without their father/husband, and to deal with grief no one should have to deal with. For him, I feel so bad that he was hurting so bad that this was his only option left. Although, I think it was more "craziness" than "sadness." I also struggle with the idea of heaven and hell and where his actions (committing suicide) sent him. I pray that God recognizes him for the good he did before things began to really spiral downhill the past few years. I hope he finally found peace, and that his family and friends can eventually find theirs as well.

Laps around San Luis, 1.25 miles each...

3 laps warm up (about 11:30 each)

3 tempo- 9:56, 9:23, 8:40 (the last was under 7 min. pace! not bad for hilly trails) 

switched it up for the cool down because people were looking at me funny because i kept running in circles 

New recipe that is so good I have to share. Even better than the muffins, if you can believe it.

Baked Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberries (haha yeah that good)

All you need: Strawberries, chocolate chips, optional whipped cream 

Take your strawberries and pull off the top. Use a small spoon (I actually use a knife carefully) and scoop out some innards . On the bottom the the strawberry, take a knife and cut a small amount of the tip off; enough so that the end is flat and can stand up on its own, but not enough to cause a hole to see through.

Stuff the strawberries with chocolate chips. I think minis work even better because they melt thoroughly. You can also use chocolate shavings. (Optional: Sprinkle with sugar before baking. I don't think it's necessary.)

Stand them on a baking pan and bake in a 400 degree oven about 10-12 minutes or until strawberries look softer and chocolate is melted.  

Serve warm with whipped cream or cool whip. Yummmm.

Credit: Rachael Ray 

Also in non-running news, this is what I have been working on for the past year. Just a rough draft. 99% of hurricane research is done using a data set 1850 til now. My goal is to reconstruct past hurricane tracks that have been cited in newspapers, ship logs, etc., by basing them off of modern tracks that hit similar areas. This is a map of the 1766 hurricane season according to the tracks I digitized. I'll stop talking because I am sure no one is reading this, plus it probably only makes sense to me. But this is what I do. These tracks (although only estimates) have never been seen before! 

6 easy with my friend Michael. Could feel Thursday's run a little bit. It's getting warm- 75 degrees today. A cold front will be coming through tonight though. I'm going to enjoy the cool weather while it lasts.

30 miles this week. Finally! Slowly but surely... 

I took some inspiration from Marion for my after-run smoothie. In addition to my usual fruit (today- fresh strawberries and half of a frozen banana), milk, and vanilla protein mix, I added some carrots and a piece of kale. (Both of which belonged to my bunny- Sorry, Lewis, I'll get you more!) The consistency was a little weird, but the taste wasn't bad. Couldn't really taste the rabbit food, which is good.

Time for new shoes, after I run in either pair my joints are hurting. I have a new pair that was waiting for this moment. Will start running in them Thursday. 

3 x 1 mile

6:21, 6:13, 6:03 (give or take a second)

better than my last mile repeats, so i have high hopes for this weekend! i wish it was a 5k instead of a 10k. 

Wooo my first Gulf Winds Grand Prix win!!! Or Winston Cup Series as Jason likes to call it :)

I was aiming for under 42 minutes, Per mile I was just aiming to stay around 6:45 or under. I also wanted some grand prix points.

From the start I felt horrendous. My calves were on fire, my legs felt heavy so my feet were hitting really hard and I just felt really uncoordinated. I could not get into the pace, it felt really hard.  But I just kept looking at my Garmin and knew I had the ability to run at that pace, so I trusted my training and went with it. The 5k and 10k started together so when we parted after a mile or two I had no idea where I was in the race. I had two other girls around me, and we ran together for a mile or so, then around mile 3 it was me and another girl and someone yelled out "First two girls right here!" That's when I realized it was going to be a race. FINALLY around mile 4 I felt myself get into a rhythm and begin to feel comfortable with the pace. The other girl suddenly dropped back, so I was just left to stay strong and run my own race. Pretty difficult course, the hills felt great until the last 2 miles or so, those hills were a little painful. So my time is not all that great but compared to the other people know I was just where I needed to be, maybe even a little faster.

My splits:

6:49 (tough start, I was stuck behind some people)

6:39

6:43

6:34

6:42

6:37

Pretty steady, so i am happy with that. All in all, I guess I set out to do exactly what I wanted, plus got a win out of it! I would be more excited with a faster time, but with this course I am okay with it, and I am proud of myself for persisting through the difficulties of the first few miles. 

I'm just going to pretend like that one didn't happen.

6x800 with the track club. I am still feeling pretty bad on my runs and I have no idea why. I was able to stay with Micah again but it was much harder and the 800s were a little bit slower. I don't know how to explain it. Definite burning in my calves, and just all over fatigue. After 4 miles in my race it finally went away, and after 5 800s today.  The first few miles I run are miserable. Maybe the stress of my comps coming up is getting to me. Regardless, I can push through it all (although not fun) enough to run times that are fairly close to where I should be, but it requires a lot more effort. 

I decided to take it really easy this weekend for Gate Rive Run. My goals this year are focused on the Grand Prix for my track club (since it's my last full year in Tallahassee), and a marathon, so this race is just for fun. I am also in no shape to PR and there is absolutely no way  could place in my age group since the race is so competitive. So I think I'll just pick a pace (maybe 7-7:15) and just try to hold it.  

Hopefully that will make me feel better sooner, and I can run a decent 10k in a few weeks. 

Took it reallllly easy (started out around 9:20 pace). Felt decent for the first 4 miles, no pain, feet weren't landing hard. Last 2 actually felt good. Looked down at my watch and I had sped up to 8:45 without knowing it. Wasn't a challenge like the last few runs.

I'm still going to count the race this weekend as a good workout, not push too hard, and try to enjoy it. I am excited to go to Jacksonville to visit Becky (yay!!!!!), eat cup cakes, and celebrate my last couple days of freedom before comps next week. I think this is the biggest race I have ever run in, should be a good time.

I planned on taking this race way easier, but it was just too easy to get swept into the excitement. The top 300 runners (of 12,000?) got VIP treatment at the starting line, and I was one of them! It made me feel so important, and I just couldn't go out there and run 7 minute miles or more like my original plan.

So I went out and actually ran a pretty tough race. Mile 1 felt okay, then miles 2-4.5 or so my calves started burning really bad. I even thought a couple times "what if I can't finish." I really wish I could figure out what was wrong with them. Maybe I need to get a massage and get them worked on? I actually think I had this problem once in college, I'll explain at a later date.

Once my calves started feeling better I was able to pick it up a little bit and get comfortable with the pace. The only major hill was when we ran across the bridge around mile 8-8.5. It slowed me up a little but I passed people, and then I flew down the other side of the bridge and in to the finish. I passed four or five girls at this point. I was shocked at my endurance; my major concern going into the race was the distance. But if my calves felt better I may have been able to PR, even though it was a tougher course. For my next race (a 10k) I think I am going to warm up a lot and hope I get all of the pain out during my warm up.

It was really fun running through Jacksonville. When we ran through some of the neighborhoods everyone was in their front yard tailgating with mimosas and tons of food, cheering all of us on (our names were on our numbers). There were a lot of bands and entertainment along the course. The course would have been cooler if we could see anything... it was realllly foggy the whole time.  I highly recommend this event. It was very organized, and if you can get into the top 300 seeds it is really exciting at the start! I received a hat that says "top 10% finisher."

5k splits:

21:15

21:32

20:56 

An extra special thanks to Becky (and Dallas of course) for letting me stay in their beauuuutiful beach front condo :)  

A long-winded update on my calves (Any input is greatly appreciated):

I can feel tightness in my right calf even when just sitting today. It is actually lower and towards the outside of my leg, slightly different than the spot that burns while running.

I have looked up anything I can find about calf problems while running. Most websites attribute it to shoes, over-use injuries, or relatively weak calf muscles or shins.  Since I have had the same type of shoes through 5 pairs of shoes now, and my training has definitely not increased too quickly and I am still only running 30 miles a week, I am thinking that it is due to weakness in my muscles.  I am running faster more often these days, so it could have something to do with that as well. Suggestions include calf strengthening exercises including lots of wall push-ups and calf raises.

If it is due to other reasons most websites say not to run through the pain because it will only make it worse. Luckily since my comps start tomorrow, I will probably only be able to run three days this week. I plan to go long and slow, and hope to not feel much pain. (Although I did feel pain during an easy run last week). I will try to get on a bike on my off days, but since I get 24 hours to answer each set of questions, I most likely won't be able to spend any of those hours at the gym. But we will see how it goes.

I think I had this problem when I was running in college (about 6 years ago...I'm getting old!).  I think I blocked it out because I don't really remember the specific pain (although I think it may have been this same burning sensation), all I really remember is having to go to the trainer to get my calves worked on, having one trainer on each leg, and leaving in tears. (Don't worry, I didn't let them see me cry). 

I'll update on Tuesday when I will be done 1/3 of my written exams! Yay! 

Don't know when I'll be able to run again, so went as long as my body let me. Not bad on four hours sleep. Calf muscles felt fine... maybe it's all the stretching and the rest.

My comps started yesterday. I got to campus at 6:45 am, and did not leave until 5 am this morning.  I officially stayed up 24 hours, 22 of which were in my office. Gross! I got a little delirious around 2am, but Jason helped pull me through.

Round 2 starts tomorrow at 8am. 

Wanted to quit half way through but I had to get home somehow!

2 easy, 1 hard (6:42), 1 easy, 1 hard (6:14), 1.75 easy 

Day 2 of comps went well, I was done in 17 hours and got home around 1am, way more reasonable than 5am. I treated myself to a burger and fries on my way home. (Don't tell Sasha!). It was only like my second time getting fast food this year. Although to my disappointment my fries didn't have the bacon and cheese on them like I ordered.

Only one more day to go! I am getting ice cream tomorrow night (or Saturday morning) when I am done. Steak and Shake has a butterfinger milkshake that looks really good and they're open 24 hours, so that may be the winner!

written comps are done!!! yesterday only took 16.5 hours, a new record. oral defense is in about three weeks.

 coming off a busy week it was really hard to find time to run. so i started as it was getting dark, and decided to run 10 miles around a track so that it was safer, figuring the track would be lit. it wasn't, it got dark, and i was the only one out there. i got scared and realized that it's not worth the risk. i went home after 4 but i REALLY wanted to get in a good run because this week will be just as tough to get runs in. i'll have to try my hardest. 

i fly out for a conference in Vegas at 5am!!! i'll be in your neck of the woods. 

8 on the Vegas strip

wasn't able to complete the 6 i wanted to do due to waking up with a cold. 

Let's start off by saying I wasn't expecting much out of this race due to: lack of training in the past two weeks (because of comps and the Vegas conference), lack of sleep (I got in at midnight and was asleep a little before 2), jet lag, and the cold I got while in Vegas.  I also got some ear problems from the flight. The only positive was my legs MUST be rested after the last two weeks!

So I just kind of went out and went for it, having no real plans. I started off around 10th girl, and was in 4th by 2 miles and 3rd by 3 miles. I was running with girls I had never run with before and it was really exciting. Around mile 4 I started to worry about running out of gas, but I was able to keep my pace fairly well considering how hilly the course was. I got passed at around 4.5 by a super fast girl Sheryl (who runs 3-flat marathons) and tried to stay with her but she had a great finish. She ended up beating me by 20 seconds, and getting the last of the prize money (50 bucks... bummer!!).  But I am more than happy with my time, and completely relieved and thankful the race went so well when the odds were against me.  My legs felt pretty much perfect, so I think the unavoidable rest the past 2 weeks did them well!

Splits: 6:27, 6:53, 6:44, 6:50, 6:52, 6:29. Not as consistent as the last race but pretty good! Everyone's times were slow due to the tough course and humidity, heat, and wind, and I think I had a good showing. 

It's great to be back in Tallahassee! 

Hooray for not being too busy to cook dinner! I made myself a scrumptious dinner tonight and decided to share. As usual everything I make is fairly healthy, easy, and few ingredients. 

Italian Tilapia and Spaghetti:

Ingredients: Spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, tilapia, mozzarella cheese, spices.

Preheat oven to 350. Place tilapia in foil-lined baking dish and spice to liking. I used garlic salt, onion powder and topped with some bread crumbs to add a little crunch. Bake tilapia until almost done (about 8 minutes if they are thin like the pieces I have).

Meanwhile, heat up spaghetti sauce and cook the noodles.  

Remove tilapia from oven and cover each piece with a little spaghetti sauce (about 2 tbl) and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Put back in oven and cook for a few more minutes, until cheese is melted and fish is finished. Plate with spaghetti and enjoy! Yum. I add some cheese on my spaghetti too :) 

Strawberry Angel Food Cake:

Ingredients: Angel food cake mix, strawberry pie filling

In bowl mix the cake mix and pie filling with a spoon. Put in ungreased 13x9 pan and cook according to box directions (don't add any other liquid though).  Mine says 350 for 35 or so minutes, but I think it cooks a little faster. When cooled you can top with cool whip or fresh fruit. I think it's great plain though, and FAT FREE!! Everyone loves it. You can also use a can of crushed pineapple instead, or even pumpkin with some pumpkin pie spice. I think I want to try that next, I love me some pumpkin! 

Easy recovery run. Wasn't too motivated to go out there, which is a shame because I didn't fully appreciate the absolutely perfect running weather. 

I decided to take a shot at joggling. Just for the fun of it. But first I need to learn how to juggle. This morning I got really close to being able to juggle three balls. I think I'll be able to get this down in a few weeks. Right now I can juggle them all twice before dropping them. Then I guess I have to add the running part, which I am sure will be tough. It gets really frustrating at times. Anyway, be back later after intervals tonight.

It's later, and I officially have my first joggling injury. I think from bending over too much to pick up dropped balls I'm really sore in my... bending over muscles (I don't fully understand what that means either, but it's true). 

4x1200 with the track club. Didn't feel well at all. Back to lower leg pain. Booooo.

(Avg. 4:45) 

Warm up and cool down with a 2.5 mile tempo at 6:45.  Wanted to do a 5k tempo but wasn't able to hold on.

It's rained over 8 inches since intervals, which is why I haven't run. It's been crazy here, but today is gorgeous and sunny, with a high of 80.

Bending-over muscles are doing better, I took it easy on 'em the past few days. I can juggle 3 balls up to 4 rotations now, but that's it. It will be a while before I combine the juggling with the running. I'll let you know when I reach my next juggling milestone! 

A bunch of people from the track club did their last Boston long run today, so I joined them for part of it. It was a much-needed change of pace to run with other people.

2 easy, fartleked around for 3 miles, 1 easy. I enjoyed this no-expectations fartlek... I just ran hard for as long as I felt and then took however long I needed to recover. Sure it wasn't as good of a workout as intervals would have been, but sometimes a run you really enjoy is better for the body than one that is really hard. 

6 easy miles, with a half mile at 5k pace (it was supposed to be a mile but it was uphill and killed me!)

I had my oral defense today (of my written comps) and I passed, so I am officially a PhD candidate, and ABD (all but dissertation)! Yay! At least now I don't feel bad for letting my running suffer so much because of school; it makes it a little more worth it.

I have a 5k tomorrow, which at the beginning of the year I thought would be a chance at under 19 minutes, but because of school and other circumstances resulting in lack of training, I will now will be happy with under 20. But once again, my comps put this all into perspective and I hope just to enjoy the race no matter what. It's the second biggest race in Tallahassee and should be a ton of fun. I even have an after-race party to go to, and then an Easter celebration with my young adults church group. Should be a fun, busy day. Hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend!

I accomplished all of my goals for this race: go under 20, don't be too hard on myself, and have fun. With my lack of training I was still able to run my second fastest 5k ever, which makes me really excited to see what will happen in the future when I have the time to train hard.

I attempted to recruit a bunch of girls to join in intervals and the track club, which will obviously mean more competition, but in most circumstances I'd rather run a good time than get a good place. I ran the entire race with Micah from the track club and it was a lot of fun, it almost felt like I was back on my college team. I also tried to recruit her and another girl on the track club to run the Disney marathon with me in January. It would be great to have people to train with!

As for race details, we ran negative splits, mostly because we went out a little too slow (6:26). I was okay with it though because I feel like I definitely used everything I had. The after party was at the Palace Saloon, and there was an after after party at a guys house, both of which were pretty fun, and I used to kind of celebrate my comps.  

Now I get to celebrate Easter with my bunny :)

Easter Bunny Story (Warning: My family is weird):

When we were little apparently my parents put raisins in the front yard to make it look like Easter Bunny poo, and we loved it. My older brother (27 years old) is very young at heart and to this day loves telling poop jokes. It's become a big joke in my family. So for Easter I mailed my family a care package with candy and other goodies... and sent my brother a baggie containing some goodies from my bunny. The baggie had a place where you write the contents, so I of course wrote "Easter Bunny Poo." Weird, I know, but he loved it and called me all excited about getting poop as a present in the mail. 

My parents hire a bunch of family members to work as secretaries in our tax office during tax season. My cousin Tasha was working the day the poo arrived (Thursday), and she is a complete germaphobe. So my brother decided to put it on her desk (still in the baggie of course) and say I sent it to her. She actually got really excited about it, and decided to use it for her kids who are at that stage where they love gross things like poop and puke. They usually leave a carrot out for the EB and eat half of it. This time, they also left a trail...

So my Lewis actually got to play Easter Bunny today! 

On an unrelated note, I had an interesting experience today. On Easter morning my church has a sunrise service at 7am at the downtown park, where homeless people often go after getting kicked out of the shelter in the morning. My church group (about 8 people) decided to get together to give them lots of fruit and bagels and juice. So we made bags and handed them out (we made 30 bags, were able to get rid of about 20, and then left 10 behind in the gazebo in the park).

I went back to check the status of the bags, and 5 gentlemen were sitting in the gazebo. I said good morning to them, and they were very interested in talking to me. So I stayed for a little, they told me about themselves, how they feel about Chelsea Clinton (I think they thought I said Chelsea instead of Kelsey) and some of their hobbies. One of them likes to read, and showed me some of the books he is reading. Another said his glasses broke so he can't read anymore and joked "his arms are too short" (because he can't hold the book far enough away). After I went back to church for a while, I was on my way home, and couldn't get over the fact that he couldn't even read if he wanted to. I stopped by Dollar General, picked him up some reading glasses (only 6 dollars) and a case so they would last longer. I also got some crackers and gum for the others (I figured if they don't brush their teeth it could help keep them a little healthier).  I went back to deliver my new purchases and they said "Chelsea is back!" The man who I gave the glasses to smiled and said "I can read again." The one who loves to read (who I just gave crackers too) hugged me.

I had odd conflicting feelings during the whole thing. During the actual church service in the park only one homeless man was present. He sat there right next to the pastor the whole time. During part of the service the pastor talked about Jesus' suffering, and different types of suffering now in the world (e.g. cancer, homelessness, addiction). When I visited the gentlemen to check the status of the bags, the one present through the service told me that he was there, and that we were talking about him- with the cancer, homelessness and addiction, although he is "no longer an addict, but an alcoholic". It's tough to see things like this and know that I can't really do anything to help them turn their lives around, I can only help them fill their stomach.  All five men at the gazebo were already drinking (it was 10am), and one was obviously very very drunk. He was the only one that was at all rude. He was very beat up, black eyes and scrapes, and apparently got in a fight with a woman the night before. The other men said they weren't letting him drink anymore for a little while, and that they had cut him off. He dropped an "F bomb" while I was there, and the other men yelled at him for cursing. Except when one yelled at him he said "don't use that g-d word" and he felt realllly bad and looked at me with wide eyes and apologized. I said it was okay, but the others said it was not. So I said, well I forgive you, and he seemed to accept that. 

The conflicting feelings come from the fact that if they weren't drinking they could have afforded all of the things I bought, although I do not think they should go without glasses and food because they are alcoholics.  If alcoholism and mental illness were not part of the picture I would feel more able to make a change in their lives.  I wish there was more I could do, but I feel pretty helpless with it all. There was that article in Runner's World about the girl who ran with the homeless people, but that is obviously impossible to do until they are sober (at least in the morning).  For those of you who didn't read the article, her program was very successful, made the men feel like equals with the doctors and lawyers and other people that they were racing, and many of them sobered up and ended up getting jobs, finishing a half marathon, and improving their lives.  I spoke to some people in my track club about it and they are very, very interested in starting a group like that, but I just don't think I'd have the time and resources to accomplish this during my time in Tallahassee. 

The man who loves reading said he reads in the gazebo every morning, so I hope to take him a new book some time soon, and maybe some breakfast every once in a while so I can use that time to hopefully provide a positive influence in his life.  Don't worry, I won't go alone (I promised Jason) and I will be careful.

If anyone has any ideas on how to do more I would love to hear it.  I think my church group could really make a difference if we new the right way to do it. 

Great run!  Best training run I've had in a while. Now I get to go pick up my Easter basket my mom sent me at the post office :)

intervals with the track club

2x1200- 4:36, 4:36

2x800- 2:57, 2:54 

2x400- 75, 75

another good workout, with good results and no pain. i am on a roll these past few days!

i am running a tempo thursday night with some people i have never run with before. i am excited to try to do more running in groups, and i know that although tempos can be miserable, they are a great workout. then i am running a 5k this weekend for the fun of it... should be interesting after a fairly intense workout week!

hope everyone is having a great week! 

Met up with a Thursday night tempo group and it was a lot of fun. Running with other people is awesome!! We did a mile warm up, then a 5k tempo (3.2 miles actually) @ 6:55, then a cool down. Not a bad time for a few hills and the really bad trail footing (sand and roots and stuff).

They just updated the Grand Prix standings and I managed to stay on top after the big races! Pretty exciting! I don't need to win but I would love to still plaec over all by the end of the year.

http://www.gulfwinds.org/grandprix/2009/grand%20prix%20standings%2009.htm

On Boston weekend I feel dumb talking about a teensy 5k but I will anyway! Went really well, it was perfect weather but the course was hilly and perhaps a little long so I am very proud of my time. There was no male competition there so I was only about 15 seconds away from winning it all! I really wanted it but couldn't catch the two guys in front of me. 

My splits were something crazy, like 6:16, 6:15, 5:56, and then my watch said I ran 3.17. Another woman's said about 3.2 as well. So I don't really know what happened, but I would be shocked if that last split was right. I did feel like I ran hard but that looks pretty impossible.  

This is the first race in a while where I was completely out of breath the whole time... which I am taking as a positive because it means I pushed myself hard. I knew I'd be close to a PR and raced the clock at the finish to no avail.

I am especially happy also because I worked out hard this week and it looks like it didn't hurt my race much.

Oh, and I won a plant. Sweet!

Very enjoyable 7-mile jaunt... started out 8:30 for my first mile as a warm up, then sped up with each mile ending at 7:22. 

6 x 800

All were between 2:52 and 2:58, except the last which was 2:43... I got "yelled at" for sandbagging but I think I just need to start out faster.  There is a faster girl that I am going to try to run with next week which will make it more of a challenge.

Still feeling great, no lower leg pain. Knock on wood. 

Ran with the same tempo group as last week, dropping over 30 seconds off my time (21:30 for a little over a 5k). This is about the time I would like to run week to week.

Just registered for the Disney marathon (January 2010)!! I am really excited about it, and glad I finally committed.

This probably means I won't be doing a fall marathon (I have a ton going on with weddings and stuff), but I look forward to taking the time to train and really doing this one right! 

It's a disgusting 82 degrees in my apartment right now. I like to test my willpower with the air conditioner.  It hit 90 degrees yesterday (outside not inside), meaning the hot, uncomfortable running weather is coming quickly. Booo. 

A few months ago I read on someone's blog that they like to try to get a little walking in after each run (if it is you let me know!). Ever since then I have successfully walked about half a mile after every single run. I'm proud that I've kept up with it and it's actually become somewhat enjoyable.  On an out and back I always make sure to go out further to get my walk in.  Today on my post-run walk some guy yelled out the window and told me he loved me. What a nice thing to say... I think. 

4 x 1200

This workout felt horrible. I haven't hit a wall like that in a while, and was very close to not finishing. But I finished, although embarassingly far behind the rest of my group. I guess some times you just have to suck up your pride. I think I was extra tired because I ran about 5 seconds faster than normal on the first two, so was put in group one. Since I was in the back of that group, I got 2 minutes less rest than usual. Anyway, it ended up with me going about 20 seconds slower on the last one... but I finished.

Grand Prix race this weekend, so I am going to take it easy the rest of the week. Judging by today's intervals my legs reallllly need it.

9 days til storm chasing. 

It's Wednesday but I decided to do a little research on my 1200s to make myself feel better. About 2 months ago I ran 4:50, 4:44, 4:37, 4:27.  Yesterday I ran 4:25, 4:25, 4:31, 4:4x. So not as bad as I thought, especially with the shorter break, it just felt bad. 

easy run, resting the legs up for the weekend.

My best friend is graduating today so I don't have much time to write up a report. But don't get too excited, the course was short (3.03) so this doesn't count as my first sub-19 5k. I need to see 3.1 on my Garmin to make it official! I will come back later with a way too long race report, because this morning was pretty eventful. To add some suspense, let's just say I was crying before the race (but not in a really bad way, if that makes sense). 

Okay, so here is my morning. Last year the race was a little long (like a minute) so I knew the race wouldn't be one to go for time, more so just to run hard and try to get grand prix points.  It is for the Humane Society and I knew they would be "advertising" the shelter dogs but I guess I didn't realize what that would entail. To go to the bathroom you had to go through all of the animals... the cats, the bunnies, the dogs, all of them. So needless to say I sobbed the entire way to the bathroom. 

So the race starts, and it is about 70% on trails, which are of course.... trails... sand, roots, you know. My first mile was in 6:03, which I am really happy about, it's about time I get a good start. And I never really died per say, but I definitely got really tired at some points. It was a pretty flat course, a few teensie hills, and then the finish was on top of a monster hill. It was huge, and I had no idea the finish was right at the top or I would have pushed it a little bit harder. So I finished with a little bit left. I raced the clock for sub-19, just in case, but looked down at my watch and it said 3.03 miles. I guess there is a chance it is right, Garmin's do go crazy in the woods some times, but I find it easier to just deny my time and try again next time. Kinda stinks though because it's the second week in a row I would have PRed if the course was measure correctly (last time long, this time short).   But I did win, and got 30 grand prix points out of it, which I didn't expect at all!

After the race there was a ton of food, and they had a stage that they were taking some of the dogs on and introducing them to the crowd.  I hope some of them got adopted. Some of them were super cool dogs. If I had a yard I would have taken home a truck full. I took one for a walk and I loved her. There were at least a dozen I wanted. The shelter said they get 60-70 animals a day... and they only had 60-70 animals. Which makes it super sad to think about the others that don't get adopted, and don't get to live a full life :( So sad. I love that I love animals so much, but they also break my heart.  There were only 2 bunnies, and one was a female lop, white with brown spots, the I knew Lewis would just loooove to snuggle with. I was one storm chase away from adopting her, but I can't get a new bunny just to take to Jason's apartment and make him watch her, especially not knowing if she is well-behaved or potty trained like Lewis. But if she is still there when I get back in June she will probably be mine. It breaks my heart thinking of her being in that cage, but at least she has food and a cool, dry place to live. 

Anyway, enough about the animals, I could go on forever. As for the running is concerned I think today proved I can go under 19 (since I got this time on the trails). I finished right behind a guy I know that goes consistently under 19, so it is looking good. Also, most people went slower on this race than the others, and I actually ran faster.  Next 5k is May 23 in Mississippi (between storm chasing and Greece), so if the days is right (and the course accurate) maybe that will be my day.

I'll have to see if anyone from the track club actually measured the course. If so, then I will be willing to accept my time. 

Easy 6 (54:47). Actually, I am thinking more like 6.17. I will Garmin it tomorrow and see how close I am :)

6 easy. This was supposed to be a fartlek but after two accelerations my calves were screaming at me. So I started to head home, but encouraged myself to run past my house and finish my planned distance at an easy pace. It went pretty well once I slowed down (a lot).

Packing for an entire MONTH now! Not an easy task. (And the rabbit and turtle make it harder because they have more stuff than me!) 

3 miles easy, 4 mile tempo (about 6:55 pace), 5 miles easy. I only planned to do 11 but I just wanted to get the longest run in possible before I leave for storm chasing. I could have done a few more if I had the time.

Off to chase tornadoes, hopefully I'll see some great storms and have some time to run in between. I definitely don't want to lose what I have worked so hard for.

I'll be back with chasing updates! Looks like we may be off to Oklahoma but I'm not sure yet.

We drove to Dallas last night and stayed in a pretty nice hotel (won't happen often) which actually had treadmills. I didn't run though because I don't want to over do it after running so far yesterday (relative to my other runs lately).

We plan on heading up north a little to chase this afternoon, although it isn't looking very good. It also isn't looking good for the next few days, and the long range models show bad news for the rest of the trip. But I guess it only takes one good storm to make it a successful trip. 

Yesterday we got on a storm that supposedly dropped a tornado, but it we were in no position to get to that part of the storm.  We did go near the core though and experience a little hail and what not.  Drove to Brownwood, TX where we spent the night. No pics yet. Looks like today we will do some tourist stuff nearby and home something pops up later in the afternoon.

Ran through town around the hotel, maybe a little more than 6. Lots of people cleaning up their yards, picking up what is left of their trees.  Some flooded roads.  Ran at 7:15 and it was crazy humid.  Moderate run with some surges and a fast start and finish. Ran okay but didn't feel great. Probably a little tired from Thursday.

We chased a storm around Marathon, TX yesterday. There was no hope of tornadoes due to lack of rotation, but it was still a severe thunderstorm in terms of hail and heavy wind. We punched the core of the storm, parked the van under a picnic table roof on the side of the road (harder than it sounds) and watched the hail come down.  We probably saw a few gulf ball sized stones, and when the storm passed we drove down the street and it looked like it had snowed. The road was covered with about 2 inches of hail for about a mile. I'll try to put up a picture later.

Spent the night in Alpine, TX. Woke up and ran 8 miles around town and through the Sul Ross State University campus.  Probably headed to Colorado (and maybe Utah) in the next day or so.

Marginal risk again today, probably some more of what we had yesterday. We did get to see some cool storm structure and some hail and wind, so it's better than nothing.

We very illegally hiked and waded through the Rio Grande yesterday so that I could step foot in Mexico for the first time. It was actually somewhat tretcherous, and I just kept thinking about how mad I would be if I broke my ankle while doing it. But we made it, and I have officially been to Mexico.  No storms.

Ran around the parking lot of our hotel in Midland, Texas this morning. Tuesday is interval day so I found a stretch of industrial road next to the hotel that was about 450 meters long or so. Did 3 x up and back and 3 x one way. The times don't matter at all, but they were 3:49. 3:37, 3:30, 1:39, 1:32, 1:28.  Not bad (I guess?), but I was dead after the last one. Which is a good thing.

Should get an okay chase day in today. Keep your fingers crossed.

Miss you, pig. 

If interested, you can follow our storm chase on my fellow-chaser's blog:

thetae.blogspot.com 

We got good sunset pictures of a shelf cloud today, so when he updates there should be some pretty pics. 

interstate tempo run in OKC... ugh

Wichita, Kansas

6 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Our chase is over, forget I ever said anything about it :(  We're slowly heading home today.

6 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Was going to do some kind of speed work but my calf pain is back :( Not at full force yet though. It went away after 3.5 miles, but I just kept it easy and did a couple of strides within the last two miles.  Soooo sick of running by myself. The track club has definitely spoiled me.

I am officially in between storm chasing and my Greece trip, and I figured running a race between would be a great work out and motivator to keep at it til I get back to Tallahassee. I am in Mississippi, and I am "undefeated" in my races here in Jackson so that adds a little excitement as well.

Long story short, the course ran a little long on my Garmin (3.22) and everyone I asked had at least 3.16. So that is a good 15-20 seconds. I normally wouldn't care, but I really want a new PR and I am having trouble getting it because all the courses are a little off, making it tough. But it will happen one day. I still don't know if I count the sub-19 from a little while back. I think I will if I never do it again :)

There was a hill named "heartbreak hill" on the course and it made me never want to run Boston, because it hurt like heck and I can only imagine how it would feel during a marathon. Guess I'll find out in less than a year.

One boy finished the one mile fun run on crutches because he has a debilitating disease. Jason and I both cried, it was really inspirational. I need to watch him run before every race.

All in all, this was a good workout and I got a cool piece of local pottery.

I did, however, pull my calf a little walking around after the race. I was still able to get my cool down in and my other calf actually caused the most pain. When I stopped my cool down I felt my legs tighten up instantly (and I was only doing like 9:20 pace). The one I tweeked is hurting when I walk right now. It's higher up, towards the inside almost to my knee. This is different than where they normally hurt. So I need to keep stretching today, and I can't wait for my "stick" to get here. This puts a lot of pressure on you ratteltrap, I am looking for a little miracle!

Recovery Run. My calf (the left one, not the one I "tweeked") hurt to the touch and I thought there was no way it would make it. Much to my surprise, it didn't hurt at all, just a little tightness towards the end.  Glad I was able to get the miles in. 

I planned on doing 1 x 1600 and 8 x 400 on the track, but 800 meters into my workout a man came and told me I had to leave because they were locking the gates of the track.  I got reallllly frustrated but found a neighborhood nearby and did another 800 (estimated) and then did 8 x 85 second intervals. All in all it turned out pretty well.

I saw a goose with a broken leg at the park where I warmed up, so I plan on calling animal control tomorrow to help the poor guy out :( 

4 mile warm up, 4 mile tempo (first mile 6:58 down to last mile 6:38), 4 mile cool down

Got attacked... or at least highly threatened... by a bird during my half mile walk after my run.  I thought I was going to have to hit the bird, which would have made me feel bad, but luckily a car went by and distracted it. Crazy! 

Pretty well-paced run.  Calf pain pretty bad at mile 2, I think it's because I started off at a fairly quick pace, and my calves need a 9 minute mile (or 3) before they can get into it.  Pain was much more dull by mile 4.  

Got my stick in the mail! Hope it helps.  

Off to Greece tomorrow!! Hopefully I'll be able to find somewhere and somewhen to run.

I am writing this a few days later because I haven't had much internet access, but I have been sick and severely jet lagged. I actually did this run after 4 nights of less than 4 hours sleep each, at sun rise because I had been up since 4:30 and couldn't sleep. This was as far as I could go. There are a lot of roosters here. You learn that when you are running when they are waking up!

6 with a bunch of fellow hurricane researchers in Corfu.  Very sleep deprived, but I just finished my presentation this morning (it went amazing!!!) which gave me the energy to run.  Moderate pace, lots of hills. I was really tired, but I think it was more due to sleep and sickness. There is no way I could lose that much in a few days. I can't wait to get back into my normal running routine. 

Won't be able to run for a few days.  Flying to Athens tonight, seeing the Parthenon and probably sleeping in the airport. Will be back in Mississippi Saturday night, which in my time would be Sunday morning. Hopefully I adapt back faster than I adapted here. I got 6 hours of sleep last night, which was the most I have had in a week. 

At my layover in the Athens airport. We are spending the night here because it's too expensive to stay at a hotel.  It's 4:30 though, and I've only slept an hour and it looks like I am done. Uncomfortable air port benches and a constant cough don't make for good sleep.  Hopefully I will get some good sleep on the plane. I wish there was a shower in here somewhere, then I would use up some time by going for a run.

I got news yesterday that my grandmother passed away, so I got my flight changed and I am heading to Maryland.  Another good reason why I am longing for a soothing run.  As of right now I am allowing myself to be in denial so that I can deal with the traveling.  Then when I am home with my family I can take care of everything.   

Thanks everyone for your comments and messages about my grandmother. It has been tough but my family is doing well. I have decided to stick around Baltimore until Monday since I do not often have no major school obligations and some one who does not mind watching the pets. So I will miss my grand prix race this weekend, which will probably eventually cost me the overall win, but I never expected to get it anyway and will be more than happy to settle for second or third.

Got my first workout in in 2 weeks. I was a little over zealous and planned on doing a 9 mile run with a 3 mile tempo in the middle (I figure I need speed and distance really bad at this point). Bad idea. I did my easy 3, did about 2.25 hard, and then just jogged home, for a total of 6. Still much better than nothing. I only have track meets coming up, until a 5k in 2.5 weeks, so I have a little time to get it back together. I may run a 5k here in Baltimore in Saturday as a workout.

Small grand prix event for a track club in Baltimore. I decided to do this as a workout, and at $6 it was well worth it. I got a  $15 gift card to panera bread, and ate an awesome cinnamon sugar bagel.  Words can't describe.... it was almost like a donut. I plan on buying some of those with my gift card. Yummmm.

Semi-hilly, two-lap course. Miles 1 and 3 were uphill, 2 and 4 were downhill.

6:31

6:25

6:45 (second uphill portion... ouch!)

6:25

I am pretty happy with this, considering I basically did a two-week taper. The McMillan race calculator puts me at a 19:56 5k, which isn't too bad but not nearly where I wanted to be. I tried my best to stay in shape while gone, and the first three weeks I did a great job, including speed workouts and distance runs. The last two weeks consited of major jet lag, sickness, and other events which caused me to miss a lot of runs. But I get back to Tallahassee next week and I'll get right back into the swing of things. Hopefully it doesn't take me too long to get back to where I was. Nothing a few interval sessions and tempo runs can't cure!

Sitting in the Atlanta airport on my way to Mississippi. Slowly making my way back to Tallahassee, I should be there Wednesday night. I volunteered to bump myself to the next flight for 400 delta bucks... not bad! I wish I had my running shoes so I could run around the terminal, but Jason said that would get me arrested. Although I bet someone on here has done that before... Sasha :)

Can't wait to get back to my normal running routine, and really looking forward to a nice run tomorrow morning. 

I have a track meet Thursday where I will be running an embarrassingly slow 400. It should still be fun though.  

It felt great to get an actual run in. Although I started at 7:20 and it was already really hot. I am now remembering what it's like to train in the south in the summer.  I drive to Tallahassee tomorrow, and it will be my first time in my apartment in about 6 weeks. Crazy.

High of 100 in Tallahassee on Thursday for my track meet.... ewww.

Talk about getting back into the swing of things! I had a super busy day today with a meeting with my advisor, school work, and then the track meet. It was 97 during my race, with a heat index of about 105. Hence the short warm up and cool down. Anything longer than a 400 would have been miserable. 

It was tons of fun sprinting again, I actually got pretty competitive with the other girls once our race started :) That's the way the 400 is supposed to be though. I am super happy with my time, I just wanted under 70. Next week is the 800, and I feel lots of pressure because that was my race.  

I was just proud of myself for getting out of bed to do this run, since I didn't get home from the track meet til 9 last night. I got up at 6:30 and the heat index was already 85... although it felt warmer because it is soooooo humid right now. My shirt was completely soaked through.  It's supposed to be 100 today (about 110 heat index) and that's the COOLEST it is going to be in the next three days!! I'm not running again until Sunday, but at least I am running with a big group of people, and they put water and gatorade out on the course. 

This really is as hot as our summer gets, so if I can run through this heat wave the rest of the summer shouldn't feel that bad. 

A little shirt-soaking tennis in the afternoon.

I wish when I typed in my mileage in addition to "slow miles" and "fast miles" there were "running scared miles" because between races and runs like today I seem to have a lot of those. I think today I clocked about 3 or 4 scared miles. 

Today's run started off warm, but great. I went with a group of people doing a long run on some trails I have never run on. They were doing 15, and although I know I can do 15, I also know I shouldn't, since my mileage the past two weeks were only ~18 miles. So I decided to come out and do their first 5 with them, and then turn around for a 10 miler.

The first five were enjoyable, ignoring the flies that kept biting me and trying to fly up my nose even with the layers and layers of bug spray I put on, as recommended by Nancy.  I played close attention to all turns so I could find my way back but I was still worried, as I have a horrible sense of direction.  

 So I turn around and naturally pick up pace, since it is more boring on your own I just kind of wanted to get done. At this time (around 9am) the heat index was already in the mid-90s. Then comes a decision... one trail where I really didn't know which way to turn. I turn left and go about 1/2 mile and it started to not look at all familiar. So I decide to head back and check out the other way. I go the other way and it seems a little more right. But then another decision... another right or left... this time I choose right, since left didn't work for me last time. The trails are all beginning to look the same and I really start freaking out. I kept thinking, what would happen if I get lost. Even if I have to add a 1/2 hour to my run, I could be in serious trouble due to lack of fitness and the extreme heat.  I figured I needed to just go with it, or go back to where I know the trail was right and just wait for everyone else.  I kept going and I was about 1/2 a mile away from a panic attack and tears when a biker was coming from the other direction. He was probably overwhelmed with my excitement to see him, and I asked him if I am headed towards the Crump Road entrance. He said he had no idea, but if I cross a street I will be on gravel. I said, "Great, that's where I need to be!!" And thanked him and kept heading straight, When I got to where I really knew where I was going I had gotten to my ten mile mark so I decided to walk my way in.  There were a few other turns but I was pretty sure I was going the right way. Around 9 minutes I started to get really nervous because I knew within the next few minutes I would either be at the car, or have to turn around and try something else. When I saw the hill that leads to the parking I through my arms up in victory. By the time I finished the heat index was 100. I can't believe everyone else is still running... gross!!!

Moral of the story: I will never run on trails I don't know when I know I will end up being on my own. If for some reason I do this to myself again, I will take a fuel belt with water, gatorade, and my eell phone. I haven't gotten that confused when running for about 7 years when my friends and I got really lost in the woods and actually had to knock on doors and get someone to drive us to the car. Scary and no fun! 

(If you're bored)

For some reason I am super proud of this...

http://gulfwinds.org/Columnists/Droze,%20Gary/2009-06-20%20Hot%20400.htm

Actually, I know why. It's because he referred to me as a sub-19 minute 5ker. Although I would never call myself that, it definitely has a ring to it!!

6x800s on the track. Ranged from 3:02 to 3:08. Considerably slower than my usual 800s, but I haven't done a speed workout in a month or so and when we started the heat index was about 100, so I'll take it. I convinced my brain that it wasn't that hot, but my legs weren't hearing it.

Tennis with Benton

This race was a ton of fun! I knew I would be disappointed over 2:40, and would love to go under 2:30. (My PR in college was 2:23). I decided to go out slow, and my first lap was in 77 seconds. I actually heard someone yelling at me for sandbagging during my first lap :) I still don't know who that was. Then right at the line leading to the second lap I "took off," passed about 8 people (which I admit was kind of fun), and ran a 72. I realize that I probably could have run faster if I went out, and this is kind of a sissy way to race, but I really enjoy it! I love finishing strong and not being miserable during the race, and especially love not hitting a wall. I think I'll sacrifice a few seconds every once in a while for the sake of enjoying myself :) 

Tennis with Benton

Just what you were waiting for... yet another race report by me.

This was a grand prix event, located on St George Island, almost 2 hours from Tallahassee. It started at 7pm under the hot, hot sun. Yuck.

Not many details... it was super hot, and my time was bad but with the heat and head wind I didn't expect anything better than that really. My main "competition" (she's actually a friend I love racing with) missed the start, so there were no other girls around me, but ran mainly with a guy who I run some tempos with.  I didn't place as well in the men as I normally do though, so that shows I'm not quite in the shape I was a month or two ago.  I'll get there though. And I am perfectly happy in the mean time running 19:45s on "bad" days... after all, I would have killed for this time last year.

Pretty much just glad this one is over! Is it Autumn yet???

Splits were something like 6:15 (felt ehhh), 6:33 (headwind, hurting), 6:22 (hot, hurting, wind at back) 

I'm engaged!! Jason proposed to me yesterday through an elaborate plan involving me flying to Memphis, and now we are staying at a bed and breakfast in New Orleans to celebrate! 

Back in Tallahassee!

7ish. Hot. 

I have my mile tomorrow... not expecting much but it should still be "fun" :) 

I am very pleased with my mile time! I think it is my best mile ever, but definitely since college. I would have been disappointed over 6 minutes, and extremely happy under 5:45.

I ran this similar to my 800, went out super slow (2:57 first half) and then raced the second half of the race. It really made it more enjoyable. Plus Jason got to watch and I got to show off my new bling :) 

We have a grand prix mile race in the beginning of August and I really want to get as close to 5:30 as possible.  

I don't know if it is the heat or what, but I am totally unmotivated right now. 

P.S. #1 on the mileage board right now ;) 

2 x 1200- 4:53, 4:44

2 x 800- 3:01, 3:01

2 x 400- 81, 78

Went much better than I expected. I'll take it. 

I went out easy, as I have been doing and loving. First mile- 6:12, Second mile- 5:55. New Gulf Winds record, nice! 

(Note to self: This was actually a full 2 miles instead of 3200)

Had a tough time tonight. It was warm (heat index around 96) but nothing out of the ordinary. My legs just struggled.

12x400, all @ 90 or less, fastest 84.  

I am super happy with this race! I thought I would struggle to run 19:45. My friend Micah came, and we hadn't run with each other since May since I have been traveling so much, but she is getting to be in really good shape. There was also a girl from the FSU track team there. I knew Micah really wanted to beat the other girl, and I decided to just stay with them until I couldn't. That point ended up being around 9 laps in I think. The FSU girl ended up beating Micah by 5 seconds which stinks. 

I have 400 splits, but we went out in 6:08 then did something like a 6:11, then I died a little. But this is the hardest I have actually run in a while, and I am really happy with it! 

I also won the summer track series, I think I get my award next week!  

GORGEOUS morning!! 76 degrees when I finished at 9am! Too bad I didn't get to enjoy my run that much because for the last 3 miles I just kept thinking about how bad I had to use the bathroom. At least it made me run fast towards the end! 

Mile repeats. 6:16, 6:14, 6:15.  Felt really hard. At least they were consistent... consistently slow...

Tennis! Fun stuff.

I think I may get my summer track award at the meet tomorrow, so I am nerdely excited. I don't care what it is, I'll still love it :) Although I hope it's not a trophy or plaque. And I hope I can eat it.

The track meet is just for fun (no grand prix event), so I'm thinking of doing the 800 immediately followed by the 2 mile. Then back to Thursday night tempo runs next week.

They changed the race schedule around, meaning I ended up running a 400 and then the 2 mile. I ran the 400 in about 64 or 65 and won by 1/1000 of a second! It was super close. I ran so hard that I honestly thought my quads were going to rip off or I was going to fall down. It was crazy. When I finished I had tunnel vision. It was only a second or two faster than my 400 a couple weeks ago, but apparently that made a big difference. Probably because I went out faster so I was dead. 

Then I had a 3 minute break before the two mile. I knew I was in trouble because my legs were all messed up. It was horrible! I ran 13:07, a minute slower than two weeks ago. I didn't think one 400 could mess me up that bad but it did. 

Today was the ice cream social since it was the last track meet, but you never get any if you do the distance event. So instead we went out for ice cream after and I got a brownie sundae with cheesecake ice cream. It was unbelievable. It made me realize how much I really love real whipped cream. And hot fudge. And a brownie and ice cream.

My prize for the summer track series was a 10 dollar gift card to the local running shoe store. Although I can't eat it, it will definitely be put into use! 

Hill workout with Micah and Sheryl at San Luis. Tons of fun! I have never run there with other people before. 

2 mile warm up, 6 hill loops pushing the uphill, 2 mile cool down.  

Legs weren't feeling it. And neither was my nose. Trash day, yuck.

Heck yeah! Best intervals I have had in a while!

6x800

3:03 (oops), 2:57, 2:57, 2:57, 2:54, 2:47 

Not bad for super humid. Ran with Micah, Sheryl, new girl Laura, and almost Lauren. Really fun, it felt like we were on a team! 

No running today, just tennis!

I did, however, bake "Jesus cookies", well that's what I was calling them because they were for church. I took an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe and made it a little healthier and changed the chips to butterscotch because that's what I had. They were a hit, although somewhat crumbly off the pan. Once they sat around an hour or two they held together fine. No one missed the butter!

This made 27 cookies for me, but was supposed to make 30:

 [Relatively Healthy] Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies