I Probably Should Make My Blog Public again

Treadmill!

I have been a lazy blogger.

We got some snow, enough to make running outside in the dark too much of a hazard.

I shoveled for an hour and a half. Since we live by a field, the snow blows and settles in crazy patterns. The lawn was bare in some spots and 6 or 7 inches in other spots. Our driveway had drifts by the garage and at the bottom. The rest was easy to shovel. The end of the garage was the hardest to dig out.

Then when Chuck got home we had some family time. Finally I ran after the kids were in bed. It'll be treadmill for a few days, though I might go out to do a trail race on Saturday.

A treadmill run in the later evening. Now to decide if I'm going to drive an hour for a trail race tomorrow. I'm leaning toward yes, but it will depend on the temp tomorrow morning. If it's in the teens, I'm okay.

Miles 1: 9:14

Mile 2: 9:19

Mile 3: 9:15

Mile 4: 9:09

Mile 5: 12:24

Mile 6: 11:10

Mile 7: 11:17

Last .46: 10:03

You can clearly see where this race went so horribly wrong for me. The last time I did this race was 4 years ago. It was very cold back then, but not a lot of snow. This time, it wasn't terribly cold (in the 20s with a wind chill in the teens), but we just got about 8 inches of snow. I did NOT use screw shoes because I am not smart.

Mile 5 was slow partly because it contained a hill that you would be a fool to run up (if the entry about the last time I did this race is to be believed, it is about .2 long and winding, but I didn't look this time at my watch).

But mile 5 also began my undoing. No joke: I fell every time there was a downhill and on almost every uphill. The second or third time I fell and bent my thumbnail back so much that I think my nail may eventually fall off. I knew it hurt, but I didn't examine it until the race was over and I was at my car.

After that point, I stopped really caring about the race and just concentrated on the running part. I intentionally slid down a few hills. On about 5 occasions, I told a bunch of people to pass me because I didn't want to be that guy, you know the one who slows everyone down when the trail narrows. Unfortunately that included at least 2 women each time. I cared, but only in a remote and detached way.

My original goal was top ten women. Ha. I just barely made it in the top 25. I think I was 24 because they gave out the last t-shirt to a woman when I was still in the chute (prizes were to the top 25 women). I mean, I'll take the t-shirt and the medal, but don't feel good about most of what happened here. I'll update my time and place when they post results.

My miles for today include a mile warm up and a .55 cool down to make my mileage even. After my cool down I grabbed a snowball to ice my thumb on the way home.

Next time: screw shoes. I don't think they would have stopped every fall, but they would have given me more security and thus I would have been riskier and faster on the hills in the last half of the race.

Treadmill with the last quarter mile at 7 min pace. The cure for running soreness is more running. I was sore most of the day, but feel normal now. I think my neighbors might have some trouble leaving the house tomorrow. That's their mailbox in a giant mound of drifted snow.

5 a.m. miles on the first(and hopefully last) snow day of the year. I did a ladder sort of workout to pass the time, with a 6 minute warmup, then 6 minutes at 6.6, 5 minutes at 6.7 and so on and so forth, up to 1 minute at 7.2 and then back down until I was finished. Nothing exciting or too taxing.

I finally read The Book Thief. Finished last night when the plow woke me up. My eyes leaked a bit at the ending, but it was a good read.

I am in the habit of finishing fast on the treadmill for no other reason than I just want to be done.

Felt sluggish tonight. 2 miles is a waste of a shower, so I solved that problem by just not showering. I might regret that, but not much. Now I'm watching Illinois being destroyed by Wisconsin. Sad. A shower might be a better use of my time.

An interrupted 5 treadmill miles. Laundry and kid stuff got in the way, so it took me a while to get it all in. Raining today. Yeah, rain and 40 degrees 4 days after one of the coldest days in decades. There is no more snow on the ground.

There was a great melt today, but still piles of snow from the plows. I could only get out of my neighborhood going south because the north end of our street was flooded over. So I had to run up and down some of the neighborhood streets, which was fine.

Pace was good, just under 8:30 (8:29 to be exact) for the whole run. My last mile was 7:52. The 40 degree temps felt pretty nice. Wind was strong going west,which did not feel pretty nice during mile 5, since that whole mile was into the wind. However, it was a good run and felt great to be outside.

An easy six, slower than yesterday. I fell in the first 1/2 mile. I was on the ground before I knew what happened, but I think I caught my foot on some uneven sidewalk. Scraped myself up a bit, but I was more embarrassed than anything else. It was nice out again.

This run just seemed extra tiring. Not sure why. I stopped at 4, then forced myself to do one more after some water. I think the house is just too, too hot. Maybe I'll try cracking a window next time. I'm sure my heating bill will love that.

One of my freshmen complimented me on my weave today. Cracked me up. I don't have a weave.

Treadmill miles with 4x400 at 7:30 pace thrown in to keep it interesting.

An easy 5 treadmill miles. My run was boring, so instead I confess that I replied all to an email from our chaplain when I really only meant to send it to him. The email went out to the whole staff. A little embarrassing because the email was personal in nature, but it could have been worse.

It was around 0 and the roads were slick. As soon as I had to slow my pace I considered running a mile or two outside and then finishing on the treadmill. After mile one, I kept convincing myself to go just one more. I ended up doing 6 outside and then 2 on the treadmill faster (but not too fast). I'm ready for spring. We are getting another little snowstorm right now.

This was the rare treadmill run that didn't feel dreadful. In fact, after I finished 5 and stopped the treadmill, I really wanted to get one more in. So that's what I did. Yay me.

Earlier in the day, it was sunny and almost 40. By the time I got out it was cloudy, but not too cold, maybe just above 30 or so. Still good. I avoided sidewalks since any residual snow was slushy and just ran streets and the bike path.

8 has been my go to longer distance each week. The only time I did more was when I ran the trail race, and I only did 9 that day. I have to start thinking about a training plan for my annual half marathon. It's not till April 26th, but I bet that'll be here before I know it. I have no solid goal, except to PR.

I went out for a run after school but before our open house, which started at 5:45. I forgot my face mask thing and it was frigid. I had to rig up my hood to cover my face. It was very windy when I started. Then the driving snow statrted. I decided to call it a day after 4.

Roads were terrible on the way home. Snow day tomorrow. This is the second snow day this week, the fourth this year. I don't particularly care for snow days. But someone's got to think of the children.

4 easy treadmill miles. I played a little with the pace throughout, but still kept it in the easy realm until right before I finished, when I just got impatient.

My butt cheeks are windburned from yesterday's run. Ha ha.

Just 3 slow miles in the p.m. after putting Charlotte to bed. Glad I got something in. Weather is supposed to be bad tomorrow, but I'm praying for an outside run.

No long run today. Fresh snow, unplowed streets, bitter wind. I decided to run indoors, but didn't get to it till after putting Charlotte to bed. I started slow and then worked my way to less slow. No pushing the pace for me today.

Though the air temp was above freezing, my opportunity to run came while Charlotte was napping and Chuck was out serving chicken at the Knights of Columbus. So...I opted for the treadmill. For whatever reason, my treadmill runs are always slower than outside runs. This was no exception. It didn't help that I stopped a few times (laundry, potty, water and chafing this time), but 7 miles is better than I usually do.

I foresee another snow day this week. They're saying tomorrow or Tuesday, maybe both. I'd rather be in school. Is that blasphemy?

I think I had a breakthrough in my treadmill running. I do not know what was the difference today. The time? (I ran in the afternoon because of the annoying snow day we had today). My breathing? (I remembered to take my inhaler BEFORE starting my run for once). My pre-run fuel? (I've been eating garbage lately, but have been making better choices in the recent days). Better hydration? (I doubt that one, because I didn't drink nearly enough water in the morning). Who knows!

I didn't run fast or anything, but I did run all 8 miles without finding some excuse to pause. I did a little speed interspersed throughout the run, but just randomly when a song came on that spurred me to speed. Even those bursts of speed weren't really fast, though.

Whoops. Forgot to post.

I was supposed to go to a basketball game, but instead I took a nap. The last few work days have been a little crazy. We got our seniors out of the building Wednesday to serve in the community, a new tradition we've been dreaming of for a while which finally was realized. I got to go with a group of kids to a multicultural center serving migrant families. It was a good day. But after my nap, I eked out 2 miles, which is better than the zero I was thinking about doing.

An easy treadmill run right after work but before driving to Springfield. Pushed the pace to around 8 mm after a little warmup so that I could get on the road.

I did not run yesterday. I drove back from Springfield, fell asleep at 5, and didn't wake up till 10. I then fell asleep for the night. Bummer.

My run today was good, but quick because people were coming over. One mile warmup, three miles starting at 8:30 pace, increasing the pace every two minutes up until 7.6 pace, then back down. The last mile cool down ended a nice run for the day.

Three easy miles on the treadmill. It is treadmill, treadmill, treadmill for the foreseeable future.

Started off crabby. Determined that I was only going to do two just to put something on the calendar. Then I changed my mind as I got less crabby. Snow day tomorrow, maybe. I'm hoping no, but the decision will be made in the morning.

Snow day, so more miles than usual. I treadmilled it. Stopped at 7 miles, then decided one more was in order. I played with the pace a bit, but only pushed the pace in the last tenth of a mile.

Sick Char Char the last two days. Not doctor sick, but clingy and pitiful sick. We all cuddled in bed last night to watch The Little Mermaid. Her fever kept me warm.

I stayed home most of the day with her, though I was able to go in to work for a couple of hours to teach my Algebra class and take care of a couple little things. My run was later. It was interrupted in the beginning by the phone, and then before Chuck took the boys out to the KCs, I told him to bring Charlotte up and have her sit on the couch while I finished. She had my phone and I thought there was a slim possibility that would distract her. But it didn't. So I finished a half mile as fast as I could and called it a day. One more mile would have been nice, but 5 was all right.

I don't think I've run outside in 3 weeks. I'm going stir crazy.

More treadmill while the boys went to Eli's basketball game. They all came home when I wasn't quite finished and rushed m off so that we could get out of the house and do something as a family.

Char is still sick. Chuck stayed home with her today. My boss's wife also gave birth to their first child yesterday. She was a couple weeks early, but healthy.

Five easy treadmill miles before dinner since Chuck was already at home. Now I have the whole night ahead of me. I almost don't know what to do with myself.

Five treadmill miles. Sort of a ladder, but nothing too fast. I always forget to take my inhaler before starting my run. I have to get in the habit.

This will, unfortunately, be a light running week. Charlotte is still sick, so my mom came down to stay with us. I have supervision stuff the next two days, so I might be able to squeeze in a couple miles, but it depends on what time I get home and what time my mom goes to bed. The treadmill's in the guest room...

Treadmill. One warmup mile. Then 6 x 400 at 7:30 pace with a 400 recovery in between. Then 1 mile cool down. I felt good during the fast pace. The pace was comfortable, but not easy.

The four or so inches of fresh snow mean that the exciting run I was planning outside for tomorrow will not take place outside. Our roads will be snow covered until it warms up, which might be this week.

8 easy miles on the treadmill. Nothing fast. Just a little under 9 minute pace.

Treadmill again. We got hit by another blast of snow. I drove back from Chicago today and it took me an extra hour because of driving snow and poor visibility. On the plus side, though, it is supposed to warm up this week, so hopefully we'll have clean roads at some point!

My run was good. I had a headache before I started, but it didn't get in the way. I started off with a warmup of a mile, then started increasing the pace every half mile. I feel that my treadmill workouts are all the same, just minor variations, but I have to keep changing the pace frequently, otherwise I get bored.

5 treadmill miles. It warmed up today, not enough to melt all the snow, but it looks promising for the rest of the week. I don't know if I'll be able to get out till the weekend because Chuck has supervision on the evenings on Thursday and Friday and so do I. But still, it's going to be nice!!

The warmup yesterday left the roads a slushy mess, which then refrozen, leaving the roads a bumpy icy mess. I wisely (but not joyfully) chose the treadmill for a rare morning run. I felt slow, but not terrible. I was able to log more miles for a morning run because I had to take the boys to the dentist.

I need to start adding mileage, and probably should have started my normal "training" last week. I am still not sure whether I should go gung-ho or not. I have in the back of my mind that a pr is important...

I knew this wasn't going to be the best running week. I don't know how many miles I'm going to be able to wring out of the next two days. I'll do my best.

Ahhhhhhh. Finally a run outside. I checked my garmin. It has been a full month since I last used it.

My entire run felt pretty good. It was a little icy in spots, but not enough to slow me down. Pace was under 8:30 average (last mile 7:45) and all felt easy. Why doesn't that pace feel easy on the treadmill?

Then I got ready for a shower. Sometimes to save time I get Charlotte in the shower with me, and while I was getting ready to get in the shower, she pooped in the shower. Awesome.

The first 3 miles felt great.  Then for some reason, the last 2 miles felt like work, even though I was "cooling down" from 8:30 pace. 

Lately my calves have been cramping at night.  Like serious charley horse with that crazy residual pain.  I assume it is related to my shoes, but I'm hoping this is not a signal that I need new ones.  I've only put a couple hundred miles on them. 

I switched to the Kinvaras today just to see if that alleviates the nighttime charley horses.

I'm just glad I posted something for the day. This was all I had time for in the a.m. because I woke up late. Lots of nighttime activities this week. Girls play for state title Saturday.

I am having trouble coming by miles lately. I think it's treadmill malaise. I was all set to be able to run outside in the overcast but not frigid day, and then my plans got derailed because Chuck had to do something for work. If I didn't have this ball game tonight, I would just have waited, but I had to use the window available. I got to 4.25, and now I just feel like being done. Hopefully tomorrow will be an outside day, depending on how much snow we get. Forecast is saying 4-8 inches starting tonight. I'm praying we don't get that.

Girls play for state title tonight. Last year they ended up losing the state title in the worst game they've ever played, so I'm praying that tonight they play like they know how.

Just another treadmill run. Maybe could have run outside, but allowed myself to choose the lesser of two evils (treadmill or snow). Treadmill meant a lighter wardrobe. Run was fine.

Got in an outside run for a change. I had a dentist appointment at 2:20 and decided to run before picking up the kids. I'm glad I did. My run felt great, and just affirmed that I'm doing okay, fitness wise. AP for the entire run was just under 8:30. That included one warmup mile at just under 9 mm pace. My last mile was just over 8 min pace, and it felt comfortable.

A rare treat! Two days I a row outside. My brother in law graciously picked up my kids without me knowing it and then called to let me know I should get in a run and he'd watch the kids. So that was nice. Gotta love him!

My run today was almost split for split the same as yesterday. AP was slightly over 8:30 pace instead of slightly under. I love that this pace feels easy. I just don't know what that means. I need a 5K to gauge my fitness, but central Illinois doesn't do races right now.

Update. Well, I guess there is a 5k this weekend in Urbana. I doubt that I will run it, but I checked the race calendar, and there are a few I can do coming up.

This is a week where I am trying to break my ocd habit of only running whole miles. Why? No real reason.

It is warming up! Yay.

I ran over 10 for the first time in a long time. I was satisfied overall, but a combination of wind on lack of endurance made the last mile seem harder than it needed to be. I only pushed the pace for 3 miles mid run, and even then I didn't push too hard because I am well aware of my lack of endurance. During my cool down I decided to run around the retention pond because I needed to add onto my loop to bring me home. Unfortunately, half of it was covered in frozen over slush, so it was uneven and slow.

Last night our boys won their sectional in double overtime. It was an exciting game, and it was the first time our school has won a sectional title for boys basketball. It got very tense at the end of the game, especially when a kid in our student section supposedly called a GIANT man a fat ass when he walked by. He was making visible threats and kept walking by the student section. Of course, I had to play bouncer, and I am not that menacing. Luckily I had a few teachers who helped me out. In hindsight, i should have talked to the police officer on duty, but I forgot that he was there until I was talking to my husband at home.

I ran yesterday in my Kinvaras and decided to try the virratas on a longer run today. My hip was a little stiff from yesterday, but after about a half mile, it felt fine. At just over 3 miles, I threw in 10 minutes of as close to 7:30 pace as I could keep it. Then I finished 7.1 miles on my own.

Caleb has been running lately. He wants to be able to run a 5k in the summer. Most days he runs about a mile on the treadmill. This has been on and off since around Christmas, so he hasn't been consistent week over week. I'm thinking that maybe he should blog.

Anyway, he ran a mile on the treadmill and then wanted to run with me. So we ran 1.15 together while Eli rode his bike. The pace was very slow.

I ran sans watch. It was a gorgeous day, was getting a little colder when I got outside. It was nice to wear shorts.

Just a quick run after a long day.

Running this week started off promising, as usual. Then life hit, and I had two unplanned days off from running. Oh well. Sometimes other things are more important. So this run was fine. AP was 8:47. I threw a few faster paced half miles in the mix and then finished the last mile fastish. Nothing was at breakneck pace, and the last mile felt hard.

Caleb set up his blog. http://calebn.fastrunningblog.com

A fantastic run. It was in the upper 30s. Chilly for shorts because of the wind, but I chose them anyway. I kept a nice pace throughout. About an 8:15 average for the run, and it felt great.

Today was warmer than yesterday, but much windier. Going east was the worst. I stopped to vote in the IL primary about a mile in, and then continued on my way. I am a good citizen.

Just a quick two on the treadmill. I will not have a great running week this week. Unfortunately, that seems to be a trend lately.

But spring break is next week. We're driving to Pennsylvania on Friday for a long weekend, so that shouldbe fun.

We got back from PA, and I didn't run much while we were traveling. Ran once in a hotel and once by my brother in law's house. That was a nice run on the golf course behind their house.

We had a good time. Went into NYC, saw most of Manhattan. We just took the boys, so we were able to do a little more. We saw the Statue of Liberty up close while on a boat tour, and then Times Square, the UN building, and 30 Rock. After that, we walked around Central Park. We ended up walking about 5 miles, and there were several times where we needed to walk out of our way for a bathroom emergency. When we were driving back to PA, The boys crashed hard. Eli started whining in his sleep about how he didn't want to walk anymore. He slept through dinner and didn't wake up until the next morning.

Also saw the start of a big city car chase. We noticed a guy hit a taxi to our right as we were driving out, and then we noticed that the driver side window was smashed. We passed the car, and then watched him go around the cab, take a quick right, and then saw 4 cop cars follow. A mounted policeman and a bike cop came from the opposite direction and also followed. That was weird.

Now we're back home. My seven miles were easy. Can't find my watch. I didn't have it while on vacation.

Another 7 miles, sans watch. It was crazy windy. I did not enjoy that too much.

These were very slow miles indeed. No watch. I did at least 9, and my pace was probably about 9:30. I guess I needed the slowness.

I was going to run 12 today. I ran 5 by myself, stopped at home to leave off a layer at home and drink some Gatorade, and then the boys wanted to run with me. We spend the rest of the time I had budgeted for running riding/running/walking around. Caleb ran 1 mile, maybe a little more, and then Eli fell off his bike and wanted to walk a little, so they traded. Eli and I ran/walked about a mile and a half. So I'm counting it as 7, though it was less than that, effort wise. But it was good nonetheless.

I found my watch after this run. Caleb left it in the garage the last time he used it.

Running, blech.  I'm just not interested in it right now, but I guess the fact that I still did 5 miles is a good thing.  The wind made this run more of a chore.

Treadmill miles.  It was raining most of the day, and I chickened out of running outside when I got out there, and it started to drizzle.  I pictured myself getting stuck in a downpour and said no thanks.  Then when I was running on the treadmill, I was staring longingly outside.  It did not end up raining big time and I regretted my decision.

Calves were cramping something fierce during and after this run.

14 miles.  Probably the longest run prior to the half (3 weeks to go).  My run was pretty good, though it was split up a bit.  I ran 5 warm up miles (9:01, 8:47, 8:47, 8:45, 8:38) and then stopped at the house to go to the bathroom before heading out for some fast running.  My splits for the next 5 miles were 7:51, 7:57, 8:14, 8:17, 8:10.  I think the first two miles were fine, but mentally, I was unsure.  After the first two miles, I gave myself a little pep talk, and then just allowed myself to slow down.  Then it was fine.

Then I did 4 cool down miles with the boys on their bikes.  They didn't bike all 4 miles, but instead played at the park while I added on a mile.  The mile that I added on was faster than the rest of the cool down miles. 

All in all it felt nice, but it wasn't really confidence inducing.  I don't really know what I'm shooting for in 3 weeks, but this was exactly how I felt at this time last year.  I will probably decide on race day, like I did last year. 

Two miles on the treadmill late late. Blame it on the rain.

5 miles outside, no watch.

The last mile I pushed the pace. I need new shoes. I am starting to have some pain in my right heel. Ans after running consecutive runs in my virratas, my calves cramp up at all hours of the day.

Ran at my mom's. It was a beautiful run, maybe a little windy, but temp was perfect. I ran out to the suspension bridge, where I was supposed to meet Chuck and the boys. I got there in 5.25 miles, with the last 1.5 hovering around 8 min pace. I couldn't find them, and ran another mile before I found them. Then we walked to get some water. I started running a little with Caleb, and my toe was stinging. This is the same toe that was bleeding last week. It is the piggy that didn't get any roast beef. I think I just needed to trim my toe nails, so hopefully that takes care of it. I added on to get to 7.5 and called it a day.  Hoping I can get in 10 or more tomorrow, but it will depend on what time we get on the road. 

Oh the best laid plans of mice and men...

Small window to run. Had my watch 5 minutes before I left, then couldn't find it. Spending time finding it would have made my window shrink. So this was around 3 miles.

Got some new shoes. I really needed them. I wish I had more time/desire for running and blogging. I'm stressed right now with work. Lots of work to do and lately it feels like I leave with nothing finished. I think that just might be characteristic of April.

I was ambivalent before this run. Started on the treadmill because I was just going to do 4. Then after 2 miles decided that I felt good. So I went outside for 5 more.

Hoping for at least 3 days where I don't have to think about work!

It was really warm today, and I had to find a bathroom partway through this run to avoid a potential problem. I finally found my watch...after this run. But I had a regular timer and knew the mile markers.  Nice and easy, around 8:45 AP. 

Not easy, but not hard either. It was windy, but the end of my run was with it. Just under 8:30 pace.

Low miles this week. First I was sick. Now everyone else is sick. Shouldn't last too long, but race is on Saturday.

This is without a doubt the worst race I've ever had. I had a great first 3 miles, and then I'm not really sure what happened. I just struggled to breathe and stopped twice to see if the medics had something for me. Both times they gave me a neb treatment. I'm trying not to dwell on it. I need another half marathon. This is not indicative of my training, and I want to redeem myself.

Forgot to post this.

Back on the horse.

Now that I'm a little removed from my terrible race, I'm feeling okay about whatever happened. I think some of it was mental, but I'm still having some breathing issues. I'm really trying to be better about using my inhalers. I should probably go back to the doc. I think pollen counts are really high. My cough is back.

Kinda caught a bit in a catch 22. Running alleviates stress, but when I have a lot of stress, it's hard to make the time to run. I ran in the a.m., and will try to make that happen until school lets out.

Ran another a.m. 4.  It was drizzling, but it felt good. 

Whoops. This is actually Friday. I felt good on this run, especially at the end. The only weird thing was that I saw a lady throwing up what looked like coffee outside the American Legion hall. I offered to get her some water, but she seemed like she wanted to be alone with her puke.

Well, it's been a week since I last ran. I have to admit that my race really killed me mentally, but work and family life has also played a factor in my lack of desire to run. Morning running fell apart two days after it began, first because of rain and then because Chuck is stressed, and it for some reason it makes him feel better when he leaves for work at 5.

I was actually looking forward to this run all day. So that's good. I ran out to the farm. Pace was slow and easy. I didn't even crack into the 8s until partway into the third mile. It was windy and warm, maybe 70s. Next week should be easier for running since school is out. I still have to work, but hours are drastically reduced.

In michigan. I ran around in circles. Luckily the circle was a mile loop.

In Michigan still. I started off running the same mile loop as Saturday, but got bored with it. I didn't have a lot of time, as I started my run soon before everybody started to clean up to leave.

4 easy at dusk. School is pretty much over, which is nice. I still have summer hours, but they are much more laid back.

An easy run out to the farm. I am feeling better about running ever since my epic fail, especially now that school is over! It's been pretty hot and humid, but I ran later in the day, and it felt pretty nice.

Yesterday i mismanaged my time, so I only did abs. Today I ran my normal 4 mile route but added on some mileage by running along the bike path to add on a little loop it as rather warm and sunny. At least the lady's puke from last week was gone.

I also fell. I spent a minute thinking about running in the street to avoid this area that is always wet after I decided not to run around it I forgot about it and hit it square in the slippery part. I went down, but fell perfectly so that I hurt nothing. The car that watched me stopped to make sure I was okay. That was nice.

I forgot to post this. I ran to the boys' baseball games, sat in my own filth for a while, then ran back.

I got p90x3 today. I'm going to do it this summer again with my babysitter. I liked today's workout (total synergistics). I will probably get in a run today too. The workouts are only 1/2 hour long, so I will probably run too. I just need to figure out my rhythm. I thought about getting up this morning to run but it was storming.

There. Also ran 4 miles. A storm was brewing, so it was really windy.

Agility

Yoga

P90x Accelerator. We are modifying the Classic routine by switching out the one video that has all the pull ups in it with the accelerator.

Then I ran 4 miles. I might do a mile race at school tonight for funsies, It depends on how yard work goes.

I took the boys down to school to a mile race to benefit the xc team. We warmed up a lap and then I ran with the boys for the kids race. Caleb complained the whole time, but ended with a pr (9:30). Eli only complained a little, t never slowed down. He finished in 9:34.

Then I waited for the adult race. A couple dudes who were more serious than me wanted longer to warm up. I thought it was odd, since there were only 6 people running, but whatevs. I wasn't sure what I should go for. The other lady running asked me how fast I was planning on going. I said between 8 and 8:30, but when she said she would like under 8, I told her I'd run with her. I passed her about halfway through the first lap because I was feeling good. I ran pretty even, except for the third lap. I brought it back to end with a 1:45 four lap. I finished first, but there was only one other lady running. Then I cooled down with her and apologized for misleading her in the beginning. I felt good, but definitely could have busted it to go faster. Glad I didn't though.

I did the cvs workout and then ran 3 miles to the ball field. I then stewed in my own filth till Caleb's game was over. It was 9 by that time and everyone needed a bath, so I just drove home with the fam.

The warrior

Total synergistics

I did something this day, whatever was the next for p90x.

Ran down a bike/running trail in Luverne, MN. Was going to meet the fam int he state park, but partway through the run they came driving by to tell me that they wanted to go to a playground instead. It took me a while to find the playground that they were at, so I probably walked another half a mile or so before we reconnected.

I carried a kid through Jewel Cave. Lots of stairs, but really only 1/2 mile of cave traversed. What does that count for?

Does it help to know that there were 763 stairs? I can't remember the depth we went to. Does it also help to know that she really killed my lower back?

The Warrior. Back home. No formal exercise after I carried Charlotte through the cave. That really did a number on my back and neck. I couldn't turn my head to the left for a couple days. That made driving pretty difficult. We did hike a lot and were on the go from dusk till dawn. Saw everything in South Dakota but didn't meet Matt and his fam. I feel like a jerk for being so close and not arranging something.

Yoga and then 2 miles outside in the heat and humidity. Feel like I'm back at square 1 as far as running is concerned. But at least I can turn my head now.

I have done p90x every day this week, but we did it in a different order this week. I am too lazy to blog them separately, but we did yoga, cvx, total synergistics and isometrix. I like these workouts.

In running news, I am once again having trouble with timing of running. I have thought about several things: giving up running a lot of miles completely, giving up running in favor of p90x temporarily, running in the mornings and then doing p90x after work, running after p90x, running instead of p90x, running at 8 or 9. Right now, I'm feeling discontent with not running as much, generally until I am about to run. Then I could care less. But my run this morning was a good one.

3 with Eli on a bike. I think I left my watch at my mom's, but it didn't matter much. Eli dictated the pace. We stopped for a couple water breaks and then stopped to see Chuck's cousins, who just got into town today. The. We headed back. Eli liked biking in the dusk. He kept commenting on how peaceful it was, and how he liked the streetlamps.

I did the total synergistics plus abs. Then in the evening, biked with the boys. We biked the same route as yesterday, but with only two stops (one pretty long).

Afternoon p90x was isometrix. Took the boys for a run in the evening. They alternated biking a running at half mile intervals. So pace was slow and we stopped often, but it was a gorgeous night.

Something p90x. Can t remember, too lazy to think.

Pilates in the afternoon, 5K in the evening with no watch.

Every time I do this 5k, I momentarily wish that I had trained for it. I did not push too much, and there was not a lot of competition. I did not get passed, and I passed many people throughout the first two miles. The last person I passed was just after the third mile, and I let out some gas right next to the guy. Whoops. But it definitely discouraged him from staying with me. My time was somewhere in the mid 24s.

After I finished, I ran backward along the course so that I could run in with the boys. I found Caleb, gave home my towel, and then waited for Eli, who was, as always, panicking about something. I ran him in t the finish. He almost caught up with Caleb, who walked the end with his friend. I do not know what their times were.

CVX.

Yoga, then an after dinner run with the boys. They biked, and we stopped at the park. I did some assisted pulls while they played. Then we headed back. On the way back, Eli and I got tangled up when we were turning and we both went down pretty hard. Just a few scrapes, but both otherwise fine.

Total synergistics.

Burt,

Dynamics.

Blogging

Accelerator.

Is

Pilates.

Getting

CVX.

Kinda

Yoga.

Boring

Second block.

Eccentric upper.

I

Triometrics.

Will

Yoga.

Try

Eccentric lower.

To

Incinerator.

Be

MMX.

Better

5.5 miles with some buds.

Then eccentric upper and abs.

Triometrics.

Then I did hip hop abs with a friend. It felt a little awkward.

4 miles with some friends. They wanted to go faster than I wanted to, so I hung back. I still went faster than I wanted to. The. I did yoga with a friend.

Eccentric lower. Then abs, I think.

5.5 miles with a friend. Then incinerator.

I'm not sure if I ran while I wasn't blogging. I was sick one of the weeks, and I. Just managed the p90x, I'm pretty sure. I know I biked a lot with the kids during part of that week and the next.

Now that I'm back from my vacation, I'm feeling better about running. I don't know how well it will work out this week.

Also, I'm sure that I didn't blog my p90x right. This was the end of week 7, so I'm starting a transition week.

4 biking miles on a rickety bike towing Charlotte behind.

Isometrix. This is the transition week.

Chuck is starting p90x3 and instead of doing my workout for the day, I did his with him. It was total synergistics. I got resistance bands last week, and I am trying to find ways to do the pull-ups. My use of a chair didn't quite work, but it was better than not trying at all.

Then I ran with Eli on his bike. The first mile was a good warmup, the second was fast and then the third was slower because we were out on country roads, and it made me nervous to run with him out there. Luckily there were only a few cars. We ran/biked 3.25. Then after some farm time, we hitched a ride home in the car and I ran to get to an even 4 miles. My pace was quite brisk, and felt good.

Did the agility workout with Chuck in the morning. Was going to do another workout later, but the day got away from me.

Did Pilates and then ran while Chuck and the kids biked. We stopped at my in laws to pick up my bike and fill the tires, and I rode back. Not including that in my distance, but it was 1.5 miles.

I did CVX, and then went out for a quick 4 miles on the bike. I kept a good clip, somewhere in the 12 mph range, but it was definitely easier than running for the same amount of time.

I did The Warrior with Chuck, and then we went on a short walk (probably just over .75 mi). Then I went on a run. I pushed he pace, nothing crazy, during mile 4. Overall felt good. My only problem is breathing. I have to get in the habit of at least taking a puff from my inhaler before running, but I keep trying to tell myself that it's all in my mind. Then when I run anything over 3, I realize it isn't. Im not gasping for breath, but the cough starts early and lingers all day.

I am updating my goals to include my quest to encourage Chuck's goals. He would probably be embarrassed to know that I am putting it in writing, but he'll never know. Wink.

Yoga with Chuck, and then a 2 mile walk with a stop at the park. The boys biked/rip sticked the long way to the park then went the short way home. We did the opposite.

Did the Decelerator workout in the a.m. This was. The first time I did this one and I liked it enough. Maybe a run later in the p.m., but depends on whether my mom has the energy to watch Charlotte while I take the boys.

Did get in a run with the boys. The first mile was slow because Caleb was riding his rip stick and was slow. After a mile, Eli and I left him. Then we stopped at the park and waited for him. Then ran home. The second mile I was able to push the pace a bit.

I missed my workout yesterday because of registration, and because it was Agility, I decided to skip thar one for now and do The Challenge instead. Push ups and pull ups. I liked it. Then I took the boys on a 5 mile bike.

Just yoga and abs today.

A good run. First 4 miles I felt good energy, so they were in the fast range. Then I added one more mile as a cool down.

Afterward, I did Triometrics. A lot of squats. I felt tired.

Chuck and I did Total Symergistics and then walked. 3.1 miles. The last mile I made him push the pace.

First I did CVX with Chuck. Then I went in a 4 mile run to the farm with Eli biking with me. We started off really slow, like close to 10 min pace for about a quarter mile until I realized that I was actually he one setting the pace. Whoops. Then I picked it up.

When we got to the farm, Caleb wanted to ride too, so I just went another 1.25 with him to the KC's.

Deceleration with Chuck. Then we all walked 2.5 miles. Well, to be honest, we stopped at DQ during our walk, so it was a mixed bag.

Ever since the first time I did MMX, I've sorta dreaded it whenever it comes up in the rotation. It's not the punching and kicking, but the sprawls that kill me. I felt good after it was over, even though I did dog the last burnout move (50 secs of punching and sprawling).

Eccentric upper in between work and work. Maybe some running tomorrow, I hope.

The day kinda got away from me, but I finally got in a workout in the afternoon while Charlotte was napping. I did Eccentric Upper and then Pilates (which was my workout from yesterday that I missed). I realized after I was done that the first workout was actually scheduled for tomorrow, but whatever.

Triometrics with Chuck.

I'm so bored by my own blog that I keep forgetting to post entries. Decelerator with Chuck.

I thought I was doing MMX today, and I was dreading it. Then I realized it was Agility. That one's not my fave, but it's not bad.

The Challenge. All push ups and pull ups. I love this one even though I'm improvising pull-ups. I just ordered a contraption for inverted pull ups, and I think I'm going to enjoy it when it comes.

Triometrics and yoga.

Total synergistics with Chuck. I did something weird to my shoulder, not sure what, but it only hurt on one exercise, and then just a couple random points throughout the day.

Decelerator. I got ten minutes in when Eli came down asking questions about forever. Pretty soon he was sobbing. I think they were talking about heaven at school. He's been asking about that a lot lately. So we chatted for a while till he was smiling again. Then I got back to the workout.

MMX. This one is usually exhausting. This time it was fine. I felt happy to be done. Chuck walked with the boys out to the farm. This was all his idea, so I was pretty happy. It was about 3 miles.

Now I'm thinking about running. The extra time has been hard to come by with school starting (last week). But I'm almost done with this round of p90x (I have less than 2 weeks left), so I have to ease back in to more running. I'd like to keep some of the p90x workouts in my routine.

Got my pump on with some eccentric upper and a new inverted pull-up bar. I like it, but dang, bands are simple comparatively.

Triometrics.

First eccentric lower and then Pilates. Afterward I took the boys for a bike ride.

I'm starting "Victory Week," whatever that means. Admonishing myself a bit for not taking a before photo, but as I'd never post them anyway, I'm over it. I'm looking good, though. Use your imagination.

Now back to running. I've managed to avoid it for 3 weeks.

My first run in quite some time. Going to try to build running while I back off p90x. I guess I'm shooting for 3-4 days of running this week. We have a busy week with 2 parent open houses and 2 home football games, so I'm shooting for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Thursday is only a maybe because Chuck will be gone. I'll be able to do my p90x for sure tho.

Isometrix (think yoga moves, holding each for 45 secs). Then slow miles, just a little slower than yesterday. I ran to the park and met the boys, who rode over earlier on their bikes. Then I ran back with them.

Accelerator

Yoga, followed by a spur of the moment bike ride with the boys that turned into a mini adventure. First we stopped at the part where I discovered that my phone fell out of the bike carrier (or Charlotte threw it out, not sure which). Then we helped a girl who was helping a boy with low blood sugar. We walked him to her house which was closest where we called his mom. I don't know how that turned out because it was dark and her parents told me they had it covered.

Then my faith in humanity was renewed because a woman found my phone and called my mom. So I got it back, which was nice.

An easy 5, partly with the kids and Chuck on bikes. This was interrupted by 2 stops at 2 different parks(the second stop wasn't long) and a stop at the store to get so e bandages. It was nice and cool.

I still need to do Pilates, which is my last real workout for this round of p90x3. I think I'm going to do it right now:)

Went for a run with Caleb biking along. Then, because Char was sad when we left, went back and got her for a quick bike ride. Only counting the running.

Then I did my last official p90x workout. Did dynamix. Didn't love it.

I think that I injured my back while doing the last official p90x routine--and it was really just stretching. How misfortunate. I suppose it's possible it had something to do with running, too.

I rested it yesterday and then ran again today. Just an easy run witht the kids on the bike. We'll see how my back feels.

Chuck was gone and it was stormy, so I didn't take the kids out, but I did do Total Synergystics and then cold start.  Caleb worked out with me for most of the workout and I badgered Eli into doing the cold start (just a warm up/stretching type thing).

After a meeting I convinced Chuck to work out with me.  I really had to twist his arm.  We did Agility.

I kinda like to know where I'm going with fitness, and since I've got no immediate goals, I feel a little lost.  All I know is that I'm kinda kicking myself about not running much in August.  Between football/volleyball/beginning of the year events at 2 high schools/stuff for our kids' school, the fall has never been an ideal time for running.  So I'm uncertain about how Tracy can get her groove back.  

At least I still have p90x to fall back on.  I'm not totally unmotivated :)

Went for a run with Chuck and the kids on their bikes. We also stopped at my brother in laws house about a mile and a half in and and he came with us the rest of the way. This would have been around five miles, but Caleb's brakes jammed and I rode Charlotte home the rest if he way because Chuck and his brother fixed the bike at his brother's house. It was till a fun morning workout with plenty of park time for everyone.

A nice run by myself for a change. This run was affirming. In the newly fallen fall, 8:30 pace felt easy after a warmup mile.

Sometimes I compose my blog entry in my head, and this time I forgot to actually post it. I'm behind.

I ran with the boys at night while they were on their bikes. It got dark quicker than I thought, so it was a little dicey. Probably won't be able to do this much during the week anymore.

The challenge with Chuck. I beat him in the number of push-ups, but we were about the same in pull ups.

4 miles after school but before the volleyball game. We played a team whose fans are notoriously poor sports. I had to kick an old guy with a cane out of a basketball game a couple years ago, and he was there tonight. We made eye contact.

Six miles with my college roomie. We met at the trails in Mahomet and had a good run and good chat. Talking while running makes me winded! But it was good to have company.

Walked a little under 3 miles with Chuck and Eli, with Charlotte in the stroller. Our AP was approximately 17 minutes per mile. Then ran 3.1 home with progressively faster miles 9, 8:45, 8:29). Then did eccentric upper. The push-ups and pull-ups were tiring today for whatever reason.

Forgot to blog this.

Five miles with Chuck and the kids biking. I added on 2 miles while everyone played at the park. It is gorgeous out, and I felt a good spring in my step. Probably because i haven't run since Tuesday.

Yoga.

Funeral today for a dear family friend. I didn't go to work, is I was able to get in a morning run.

It is hard for me to establish a pattern of morning running, because every time in need to run in the a.m. I sleep like crap the night before. I woke up 6 times to check to make sure my alarm was set and I still had time to sleep. Then I woke up at 4m thought I had time to sleep, but never did fall asleep again. Consequently, I'm exhausted. But my run was good and I'm glad I got it over with.

In keeping with my morning thing, I woke up early again. This time Chuck and I lifted (eccentric upper). I didn't really want to get out of bed, but I decided that I wanted to make a real effort to become a morning worker outer.

Another morning run? Can it really be?

And it was even raining. I didn't sleep well because of the rain, but I was wide awake and raring to go when my alarm went off.

I did not run this morning because of the rain and because I had some, you know, gastrointestinal issues last night and I didn't think my stomach would cooperate.

Today was homecoming and I had to stay at school, so I ran between the pep assembly and the game.  I ran with one of our Sisters and our chaplain for the first 2.5 miles.  It was a very holy run.  

We ran with the xc girls, too.  I think it was a first for everyone.  Sister ran in her habit and dress, which I thought was pretty cool.  Father is allowed to wear street clothes, so he wasn't as exciting.  

In general, I'm pretty happy with how this run felt. It was a good pace (8:28) with a fast finish (I started pushing it in the last half mile, so the last mile was under 8). I intended to do 5, added on to my regular route to get to the farm, but overshot by 1/2 mile, so I just went past the farm to get to an even 6.

So I obviously blew it this morning when I did not get out of bed to run.

Instead I worked out after dinner.  I first did The Warrior.  Charlotte started out "working out" with us.  She has her own mat and she mostly just does downward dog with a leg lift, unless we are doing something that resembles jumping.  Then she jumps up and down with us.  But she got crabby pretty quick.  I asked her if she wanted to go to bed, and she started sobbing, but said yes.  So I paused and put her to bed.

The boys did the workout with me, at least kinda.  Caleb did really well with it.

Then we went to the treadmill and took turns running.  Caleb ran 1.5 miles (split into 3 go rounds), Eli did .5 and I did 3.  My 3 was broken up because they were clamoring to run.

I find that when I blow off one day of working out in the morning, it gets me off track until I take a day off running.  This is because I don't really have the desire to finish running at 9 and then wake up the next morning before 5.  Hopefully I can get back on track this week, because there are a couple days that I will not be able to run other than at 5 a.m.

4 miles in between school and a meeting. Pace varied depending on the wind and the terrain. Ran behind the school, so there was a lot of wind and lots of up and down. Felt good.

A little over 4 in between school and a night activity at school.  Chuck and I kissed each other goodbye on Monday with parting words of "See you on Sunday."

This run was fine.  The last mile contained a darn near 1/2 mile uphill (over the overpass) and was directly into a pretty strong wind.  Until then 8:30 pace was no effort at all.

Most of Total Synergistics with the kids. Charlotte can do a mean Boat Plow.

6 easy miles while the kids were practicing with my school's a capella group for a performance in a few weeks.  I was able to fit all 6 miles into the area behind the school by going around the lakes a couple times.  The crops were being harvested and it was a beautiful day.