Chug-along-chica!

2.15 at 9:57 pace including a short stretch of walking.  For some reason I got a really painful cramp in my chest this morning.  Scared me just a little because it was right where I think my heart is.   It didn't go away when I slowed down or even walked, so I just cut my run short.  Probably caused by a lack of chocolate in my diet. ; )

I'm taking an extra rest day for my heart.

Bleh. I had to wait for James to get home from the Father & Sons campout to go for my run. (I still had my little 3 year-old who was sick and struggling with asthma symptoms.) So it was almost midday when I ran. It was good--I had almost forgotten what it feels like to get heat exhaustion. You get that nice layer of dead skin build-up on your lips and start seeing little purple men (not really). But anyway, I hope to get a few more miles in when it cools down this evening.

Later...4.79 at 9:52 pace just to push me over 27 for the week. I've been in high 20s for several weeks now. Time to step it up to low 30s. Wish me consistency, everybody!

2.85 With Christine this morning

2.15 This afternoon on the treadmill. I am so happy to have the use of our treadmill back. It works beautifully! James had to do some complicated repair/replacement dealio, but it works great now.

James and I are both recovering from post-Sunday nap syndrome. We both got great, sumptuous naps yesterday and suffered the traditional Sunday night insomnia as a result. We are both flying high on about 4 hours of sleep today. Not good! Tonight we have vowed to go straight to bed when our oldest is down, around 8:30. We shall see. Hold me to it! And don't let me off the hook with the whole "but it really DOES take 20 min. to brush your teeth if you do a really good job" routine. One of the ironies of life is that the more tired you are, the longer it takes to get ready for bed. Why?

I feel like a broken record player. 2.85 with Christine at 9:39 pace. Every morning just the same. But it's good, right? I have a schedule right now that is really working, and this slightly faster easy pace feels exactly the same as 10:30 pace used to feel. I felt great this morning--well rested, even. Ahhh.

2.15 on the treadmill.   I feel really good today.  It's hard to explain, but I feel like I have a spring in my lower back.  Not a bad feeling, just energy, and strength.   Does anyone know what I'm talking about?  Like somehow the muscles of the back play a role in running.  Anyway, it feels good. 

Gasp!  Look at that.  I actually ran a different route with Christine this morning.  3 miles at 9:47 pace.

Christine is such an entertaining person.  We talk non-stop for the entire run every time.  The first thing she says to me every morning is "I'm sorry!"  Then she will usually apologize about 5 or 6 times on our run.  If I get a rock in my shoe, she apologizes.  If I trip, she apologizes.  Any time I do anything unexpected, it triggers another apology.  Ever know someone like that?  She is just cute.  Today she apologized because I couldn't find my shoes when she got here.  He he he.   

3 miles on the treadmill in the afternoon.  2 more miles in the evening outside.  BUSY!

Terrible night's sleep.   I dragged myself through the day and finally got out for 3 miles in the evening.  BUSY DAY!

Groan. This is the day of which I am ashamed. I completely skipped my run.  Missing a weekday is bad enough, but when I miss a Sat. I loose fully a third of my weekly mileage.  

I had a huge piano event today that I was kind of in charge of. I really really hate being in charge of stuff--it just does not come naturally to me at all. I'd so much rather be an enthusiastic supporter! Anyway, there were 300 piano students, 30 piano teachers, theory tests, individual performances, scales evaluations, written reports, oral reports, composer oral exams, sight-reading, duets, original compositions and a partridge in a pear tree. Ug. It went smoothly, but it was taxing making the final preparations this week. Glad it's over.

I got 4 hours of sleep last night and was on my feet ALL day--from 5:15 am to 9 PM. I did not drag myself out for my 10 miler like I should have. I was in the last stage of sleep deprivation. They are 1.) tiredness 2.) grouchiness  3.) fuzzy head syndrome 4.) the weirdness, which is much like depression. Today I was in "the weirdness" after the event. I wish I had dragged myself out for at least 2 miles. As it was, I was doing well just to get in bed and pull the covers over my head.

I just ran 3 miles with Christine at 9:52 pace on average.

I finished reading "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer (author of "Twilight"). Any chicas out there read it yet? It is GOOD! I want to talk about it with someone.

*Later* It's been too long since I ran barefoot, so I dusted off the ol' feet and headed out for a leisurely 2 miles. I got a little bit antsy when I heard a song I liked on my Ipod so I ran the last quarter in 1:33. (6:12 pace--that is darn fast for me.) I've never really tried to run fast barefoot. I liked it. I got the tinglies and everything. *Blush* That sounds totally wrong, but you know what I mean... 9:21 pace on average for the whole run.

3 miles this am at 9:57 pace on ave. What a great run! The temps were perfect, with just a touch of moisture in the air--the promise of rain. The air was thick with the tangy scent of water on the creosotes. Ahhh. I can't believe it--I actually love running! For so long I was running just so I could blog. Then I started to like seeing progress/improvement. This moved on to getting excited about the health benefits--the increased energy and vitality. Soon I started getting excited about racing and achieving my personal best. But now, although I still like all those other things, I really, truly enjoy just getting out there and feeling truly alive every day. This is a red letter day for me. Even if the blog went down tomorrow (heaven forbid) I would still get out and run everyday because now it is finally part of me, and not just something I force myself to do.

2 more miles this evening with my dog. 

No touch of soreness from my tiny, miniature speed workout yesterday.

3 miles this morning with Christine. She got really dizzy and had to stop and go home before we were half-way done. I think it was because of lack of sleep. Hope she'll be okay tomorrow.

2 barefoot miles tonight at 10:07 pace on average.  Nothing too interesting to report other than that a big dog tried to kill me.  No time to elaborate.  *Yawn* my pillow is expecting me...  

I got up to run with Christine this morning, and promptly konked out on the couch while I was waiting for her to arrive.  She never showed, and she didn't call--that's the very first time that's happened.  Hope she's okay--I better call her.  James woke me up within 20 min. but I didn't have time for a full 3 miles.   So just 2 for this morning, SLOW.  I am feeling a little low on energy and have a sore throat this morning.  

5 beautiful miles this evening. I really enjoyed it.

Today was my piano recital, so I hyperventilated for at least 45 min. while I listened to my students play. It is so silly, I get more nervous than they do! Except I stay nervous until they are all done, whereas they get to stop being nervous once they play. I'm always thinking "oh, here comes that one part....oh please oh please oh please...Ahh good, oh, here comes that other part..." For forty-five...loooong...minutes.  Seems like there should be some kind of cardiovascular benefit. Anyway, that is a huge burden off my shoulders. Now I get to relax and do nothing but play with my kids, I mean, homeschool, for the next 2 weeks. (I believe school can be playful!) Spring break for the piano teacher! Time to celebrate.

I suppose if I really want to indulge, I could watch "The Office" while I fold laundry! Wooo-hooo!!! It's funny, my life is sooooooooo boring on paper. These are the things I do: run a long ways, take care of my kids, homeschool, teach piano lessons, clean as little as I can get away with, hang out with James, blog, oh yeah--and do ward missionary stuff. That's pretty much it. Yet somehow I get a kick out of this simple little life of mine. I remember when I was working full time and hated my job, I used to fantasize all the time about just walking out into the wilderness and living like a bushman. Now I am doing the next best thing. He he he.

I got out a little too late this morning and was only able to do 5 before I started frying. So I guess I'll have to do another 5 after the sun goes down. 32 miles for the week! Yea, finally in the 30s. Hope I can actually graduate to the 40s someday soon! 3 weeks of low 30s, 3 weeks of high 30s, then 40 will be my target.

There is a 5K next week and I am really looking forward to it. Time to make a serious try for that old high school PR!

By the way, who won the Ogden marathon? Top 3 were Logan, Seth, and Sasha, I know that. I can't find the info anywhere.

Later...5 outside at night.  Bleh.  Still too hot.

3 miles with Christine at 9:40 pace on ave. Doh! I tried so hard to get to bed early last night. I skipped my Sunday nap, got in bed early...but wouldn't you know it my kids inexplicably refused to go to sleep last night, and when they finally did, my dog woke me up with frenzied barking, and after putting him away I had a hard time getting back to sleep. I absolutely MUST have good sleep tonight and the rest of this week. My little 5K on Sat. is my BEST chance for breaking my high school record this season. Soon temperatures will be most unfavorable for setting PRs. Uuuugh. I want to break it sooo badly! I've been thinking about this for over a year! Okay. No stressing out. It is going to be fine....

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

2 miles tonight, and it is STILL over 100 F.  9:53 pace on ave.  It is supposed to cool down for the weekend.  (I hope!)

I got new shoes today.  I have a funny story about it, but I'll have to tell you tomorrow.  Time for bed!

3.35 miles with Christine this morning. 9:39 pace on ave. Eventful! Yesterday Christine's daughter almost got clipped on the freeway and swerved so hard that she ended up going into a tailspin and crossing all kinds of lanes, only to end up facing the right direction--completely unharmed. Thanks goodness! So the was conversation was even livelier than usual, and it was overall a pleasant run.

Soooooo don't die of shock, but I went and got new running shoes yesterday. I've been running in crocs or barefoot for quite a while now. They did a shoe dog analysis/gait analysis that yielded interesting results. I've had my feet/stride analyzed 2 time previously and they both said that I over-pronated pretty strongly and needed a stability shoe (and the right foot could even do with a motion control shoe). But yesterday, the results were better! Left foot was completely neutral, and the right was not pronating so much, as that the arch was a little more flexible, so barely fits into the "stability shoe" category. Better, eh? I tried to tell him that it was because I've been running barefoot, but he laughed and said that if I'd been running barefoot and I needed stability shoes my arch would be worse, not better.... Not according to my feet, but whatever.

So here's my funny story...the young man who was helping me asked me what my goal time was for the 5K this Sat. and I said "23 minutes," to which he replied by making a muffled choking sound. I looked at him and he was hiding a smile so I said "slow" and he said "yeah." So he thought my goal was laughable. I was just starting to think of a sign that said: "Wanted: Shoe store employee to do gait analysis and sell running apparell. Tact not required." Then he asked me if I'd ever done any longer races and I told that I recently ran a half in 2:03.  He made another interesting sound, so I asked him what HIS half marathon time was and he said "2:04." He was so shocked that I could beat him in a half! It was very gratifying.

1.65 miles later with the kiddos and the double jogging stroller.

3.35 outside alone at 9:30 pace on average. I am ready for Saturday. I'm going to show you guys that I can be tenacious.

Any prayers for my little 3 year-old would be greatly appreciated! Yesterday he chewed up and swallowed some glass. I called 911 and the fire department came, and we took him in... NO cuts in his mouth or throat and now we are all just waiting to see if his body can safely expel it naturally. I am a mess. He seems completely normal, though.

1.65 a little later with my boys.

3 miles outside alone. What a beautiful morning--so cool and humid. Reminded me of the beach for some reason. Hope we get rain.

I run right after James gets back from his run every day, and he scared me a little today by telling me that he saw a real mountain lion not half a mile from our house. I've heard of mountain lion sightings close by, but I've never believed them. We live in a city! Anyway, although I was scared and alone, I was also very curious, so I ran over to where James said he saw it. With about 100 yds. from the "sighting" my feet just stopped without my permission and turned me around. I've got kids. I have to live. : ). By the way, let's not bring it to James' attention that I went looking for the mountain lion. I doubt he would be pleased.

2 BAREFOOT miles outside in the RAIN!  9:29 pace on average.  Yippeeeee!  It was puddle splashing fun.  You've got to try it.  Make sure you know your route really well, though.  It would be harder to see glass and stuff. 

I really like barefooting.  I wish I could transition to running barefoot all the time.  The thing that keeps me from doing it is that then I feel like I have to run the same little .5 mile loop all the time.  I don't feel safe just taking these bare puppies wherever because of the possibility of broken glass. 

Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE broken glass?  I HATE IT!  Whoever invented glass should be forced to eat it every day for breakfast, with no sugar. 

3 miles outside.  Wow, the temps were perfect--54 degrees at 7:30  I hope it is like this tomorrow too!

James is home today.  Yea!  We are all going to the zoo today, so that should be a fun time. 

Ow! It is absolutely ridiculous to be this sore from a race as short as a 5K. I can hardly walk. I stumbled out the door like a drunk and chug-a-lugged through 1.1 mile at 11:49 pace. The first quarter was at 15:00 pace! My hamstrings are the main culprits.

PM  Ahhhh.  So much better.  I really wonder if running barefoot uses different muscles or something because I was able to run barefoot without much discomfort at a more or less normal pace.  2 miles barefoot at 9:47 pace on average. 

2 miles in crocs at 10:09 pace on ave. A little ouchy, but felt better as I went along.

Yesterday I returned the shoes I got last Monday and I ordered some Vibram Five Fingers from Steve Hooper. This is the color and model I am getting:

They are basically shoes for people who want to run barefoot. More like socks, really...but the sole is tough enough to provide protection against glass and stickers. Only 4.4 oz each! I'm really looking forward to trying them out. Can't wait until they get here.

PM 2 miles on the treadmill, around 9:40 pace.  Felt just a little tight  in the hamstrings at first.  All systems are 'go' for tomorrow.

2 miles at the track with my whole family.  Somewhere around 11:00 pace.  1 of the miles barefoot.  The track doesn't feel especially good on bare feet.

3 miles outside in crocs at 9:58 pace.
 

5 on the treadmill in 49:40.

OK people. I need a little help. I am having a little bit of waffling in terms of what my primary goal for running is right now. It used to be that any time I was having a hard time getting out the door for my run, I would just think about how good it would feel to bring down my high school record. Now that it is out of the way (hooray!), I have been waffling between 3 running goals:

1.) 22:XX for a 5K

2.) sub 50:00 for a 10K, or

3.) 1:50:XX for a half

The significance of the 22 min. 5K to me is that that is where I've always started thinking of a chica as darn fast. It would be nice to be able to think of myself as fast.

The 10K time is significant because it is the dividing line between the boltushkas (meaning talkative woman who runs mainly for social reasons) and the non-boltushkas. Now I KNOW that it is actually a really good description of what kind of runner I am (vomit!), and Sasha has said that it is not a derogatory term, but I still just can't help feeling like I am being called the Russian 'B' word! I would LOVE to ditch the title. On the downside, I have never run a 10K and I am a little afraid of the distance. It's long enough to be aggravating, but not long enough to inspire awe from non-runners (haha).

The half time is significant because a certain red-headed running guru has commanded (advised) me not to run a full marathon until I can do a 1:50:00 half. According to Pachev prognostication, I should be able to do it by the end of July, providing I have solid training until then. So there will be no marathon for me until I can accomplish this.

So there it is. What do you guys think I should focus on? Vote!

5 miles outside this evening.  3.8 shod (crocked & socked) followed immediately by 1.2 barefooted.  God's shoes!  48:10 (9:38 pace).

*Whew*  I got really hot and tired on this run.   I left too late--around 8:30.  It got pretty hot.  (Hot enough to start seeing stars by the time I was done!)  I had a pretty good mild bonk today because I ran 5 miles right before going to bed last night, then 10 more miles 1st thing this morning, and the only calories I took in between the 2 runs were from a little bit of gatorade and some cheddar bunnies.   I took off my shoes for the last mile.  My body kept sending me hungry, hot, and tired signals, and I had to smile and think 'you gotta start storing more glycogen, baby!'  9:50 pace on average.