Why is it so hard to run at night?

Amber & I both have a hard time running at night.  Our Wednesday night group run is NEVER our strongest run.  Tonight's run was run 6 min, walk 2...repeat 4 times.  Now you would think this would be a piece of cake......not the case.  We had to stop during the last 6 minute segment.  We had a couple of hills in the first segment and the last.  After running up a hill in the last segment.....I had to stop. When we run in the morning......we NEVER stop.  It's just not my strongest time of the day.  We are trying to figure out how we are going to run our 5K at 7pm and have a good run.  Any suggestions??? 

Up bright and early tomorrow morning to run again.  Happy Running! 

Our next test is to run....

2 miles without stopping.  We JUST decided we are going to try that on Friday.

This morning's run was run 5 min, walk 2, repeat 3X.  We did 4X and our last segment we ran 7 minutes.  After Sunday's success of running a mile without stopping......we're ready to try more!

So we'll report back as to how our Friday run goes.....wish us luck!!!  If we can do one mile.....we can do two!!  :-)

Happy Running!

One mile without stopping = success!

Today's program was run 5 min, walk 2 min......repeat 3X.  Our plan was to run a mile without stopping.  We're slow.....so we guess it would be around 12-13 minutes.  So we did our normal 10 minute warm up walk....then did a 5 minute run.  My shins were killing me today.  So we walked a few minutes and then did another 5 minute run.  Walked a few more minutes until my legs weren't hurting......and then we set the timer for 13 and were on our way......1 mile without stopping!  And we DID IT!  Then we also did another 5 minute run on our way back.  We were pretty proud of ourselves.

The ASR group was out for their Sunday run on the same trails as us.  So we crossed paths with our coaches.  They are SOOO encouraging.  I really, really like them.  As they ran by us....they all said, nice job ladies, etc.  Their support and encouragement really helps. 

Amber & I are going to continue to run a mile on top of our regular program on Sundays.  We think this will help us increase our speed and who knows.......pretty soon we might be running 20+ minutes without stopping!! 

Happy Running! Enjoy your Sunday. 

Wow, I'm sore!

Today's run was 5 min, walk 2...repeat 3x.  We are both sore so we didn't do anything extra today. 

Friday is rest day. Saturday is walk day. And Sunday is our first attempt...and it will be successful....at running a mile without stopping.

Looking forward to rest day tomorrow. I'm sore from last night! I feel like I'm 80 years old today. But I'll get past it and be ready on Saturday and Sunday.

Happy Running!

We got our butts kicked tonight!

So we went to running class tonight thinking we were going to do 5 min intervals, 4X.  Well.....surprise.  We're going to kick your butts instead. 

We did our normal walking warm up.  We walked to the YMCA.  Then crossed the street and ran to Ace Hardware. It was probably a 3-4 minute run, I'm guessing.  Then we got to the parking lot.....did some squats, lunges, etc.  Then we ran again to the the next stop sign.  Probably another 4 minute run.  Then we did some more exercises......squats, jumping jacks, squat and jump, etc.  Then we ran another probably 4-5 minutes.  Then we took a couple minute rest and ran back to the parking lot by the bank........did some more exercises..lunges, planks, squats, etc.  Then we ran back to the YMCA.....about 8 minutes, I believe.  I did have to stop once.  I felt like I never could catch my breath.  We got to the YMCA.....walked around the corner and then ran up the hill to ASR.  WOW.  What a workout!  That was quite a change that kicked our butts.  But we all made it.  We certainly did more running than we normally do.....at least it felt like it! Plus the exercises.......I'll be sore in the morning!  But even if we're sore.......we run tomorrow after work and back to our "program."

We did good tonight Amber!  Nice job! 

Have a great night.  Happy Running!

Tuesday's run

On Tuesday we did our run in the morning.  Run 4 min, walk 2 min.....repeat 4X.  We did that but ran a little further the last segment....5-6 minutes. 

Tonight is our group run.  Run 5 min, walk 2, repeat 4X.  Amber & I are both ready for the 5 minute segments.  We've been adding in some 5 minute segments for a few weeks now. 

We've got our registration forms filled out for the Milton Mile run.  We've never really tried running a mile straight.......we've stuck to the program.  So we're thinking this weekend we are going to do a trial run and see if we can run a mile.  I'm pretty sure we can. We'll probably try it on Sunday. 

The rest of this week is run 5 min, walk 2......repeat 3X.  Seems like we should have more repeats.....but next week we bump up to 6 and 7 minute intervals.  So this week appears to be a little bit of a break before we really start bumping things up.  5 weeks from today is our race!!! 

Have a great day.  Happy Running!

30 minutes of running!

Run is done for the day.  Today our program was run 4 min, walk 2 min....repeat 6X and then run an additional 2 min.  We did the 6X and then ran 6 minutes....for a total of 30 minutes running!  We felt like runners today!!!

On Wednesday we jump to 5 minute segments.  5 weeks left to our run.  I'm excited! 

We are running the July 4th one mile race.  It will be a good first run.....for us to get a feel for a race. 

Today we also felt like we are getting a little faster.  I'm really proud of the progress Amber & I have made. 

Tomorrow is a rest or cross train day.  I'll probably go for a walk.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Happy Father's Day Rog!  Happy Running! 

2 Runs....

Last night was our group run....Run 4 min, walk 2 min...repeat 5X.  The weather was icky....rainy, misty and humid.  So that made our run a little tough.  We made it......including some runs up hills and then we added an extra 2 minutes at the end. 

We talked with one of our coaches about how Wednesday night is never our strongest night.  She agreed that some people run better in the morning than at night.  She said she is the same way. 

This morning we were up and at the trails at 5:15 am.  We thought our program was same as last night but repeat 4X.  That has been the pattern anyways.  So that is what we did.   Well come to find out......it was supposed to be 5X.   Next time we'll check our schedule! 

Anyways.....tomorrow is a rest day.  Saturday is an easy 35 minute walk and then Sunday is the same time segments but 6X and then add 2 min.  That will be the longest run yet.  So Amber & I decided we're going to eat good and not drink this weekend so that Sunday is a good run.  I'll report back then.....

Have a great weekend.  Happy Running!!!

Who ever thought???

Who ever thought I would enjoy getting up at 4:45 am to go running?  That was a thought that never would have crossed my mind a couple of months ago.  

Amber & I met at 5:15 this morning.  Walk 10 minutes, run 3, walk 2...repeat 4X.  Then we finished with a 5 minute run and then cool down walk.  Tomorrow's program bumps up to 4 minute intervals......but we're ready! 

We're trying to decide.....do we have more energy to run in the morning before work or after work?  When do you run?  Morning or night? 

Happy Running!

Roger, hope you were able to get the safety cones you were looking for! 

Longest Run yet........

Today our program was Run 3 min, Walk 2, repeat 6X and then run 2 min.  Well since we are overachievers.....We ran 3 min, walked 2, ran 5 min, walked 2.  Repeated 3 times.  So we ran for a total of 24 minutes!  And we went further on the trail and also cut our time down a little.  Progress!  Every time we run we are seeing progress and I love that!

Amber & I were talking about how we can tell the difference in our run.....depending on what we ate, drank and how much sleep we got.   If you want good running results.....you really need to live a healthy lifestyle (most of the time anyways!).  We're really learning a lot about ourselves!  We're especially learning that we can push ourselves a lot further than we thought we could. 

Tomorrow is a cross training or walking day. 

Have a great week!  Happy Running!

It's the weekend....

Friday is a rest day.....a much needed rest day this week too! 

Today Rob & I got up and went to the bike trails and walked 3.75 miles.  I did run for 5 minutes but other than that......we walked.  Todays program is an easy walk for 30 minutes. Tomorrow is Run 3 min, walk 2 min.....repeat 6X.   And maybe we'll throw in an extra 5 or 10 minute run. 

ASR is doing a 10K training program for sure.  I'm going to sign up for that.  This really is PERFECT timing for me. 

I never thought I'd say this.....but I'm really enjoying running.  I think I might be a runner when I grow up! 

Enjoy your weekend!  Happy Running!

Oh and Roger........Amber was having a hard time posting with her Gmail account.  I think she said she was able to post by just putting in her name.  Google is weird sometimes......so give that a try! 

2 Runs to report.....

Wednesday nights class was HOT!  I'd say only half of the people showed up for class.  It was 93 degrees and humid....and I thought to myself.......this is going to be tough!  It was.  But we made it through our 3 minute run, 2 min walk.....repeat 5 times.  Amber & I did stop one time and take a break during one of our runs.....BUT then we made up for it and ran an extra 2 minutes.  We were wiped out after that run!! 

Today we got up and ran at 5:15 am.  Today's program was run 3 minutes, 2 minutes walk.....repeat 4X.  We did that and then.......we ran 10 minutes straight!!!  I was pretty proud of us!  My legs are a little sore.....and I'm sure tomorrow I'll be stiff.  But Friday is a rest day so I'm looking forward to that! 

Happy Running!!! 

Up Bright and Early

Amber & I ran at 5:15am this morning to avoid the heat.......High today of 98!  yuck!  So we met at the trails and did our program.  Today was Run 2 min, walk 2 min....repeat 3X.  We did it 4X.  It wasn't easy with the humidity.......but we made it. 

Tomorrow night is our class.  Really hot again tomorrow AND our program tomorrow night is run 3 min, walk 2 min....repeat 5X.  Now that is going to be tough!!  But we'll do it!!

Do you still run outside when it is this hot?  Do you find you don't have as much energy?  Does it just take some getting used to? 

Have a great day!  Happy Running!

All By Myself

Sunday was my first run all by myself.  How boring.  The program was to run 2 min, walk 2 min...repeat 5X.  I did it and then ran an extra minute.  I do much better running with Amber.  We both run at the same pace and we encourage and push each other along. 

Saturday night I had to get my walk in......so Rob & I went to the bike trails.  I ran a few minutes here and there.  He even ran with me.....well ahead of me.  His pace is much faster than mine so I didn't really like running with him.  But I got my walk in and steps in....so I was happy. 

Today is a cardio/do anything day besides running.  Tonight I'm going to ride my exercise bike.  My "good" knee (the one that I didn't have surgery on) has been hurting a little bit.  So a bike ride will probably be a good idea tonight before I tackle the next 3 days of running in a row. 

Have a great week!  Happy Running!  And stay cool......sounds like the next few days are going to be cookers here.  Yuck!!!

We ran 5 minutes straight today!

This morning had to be an early run......my 4 yr old niece is coming over for the day.  So Amber & I met at 6am.  Our "program" for the day was run 2 min, walk 2 min.....repeat 3x.  We did that and then we ran 5 minutes straight!  We were pretty proud of ourselves.  We were both pretty tired since we ran last night and then were up early to do it again today.....but we did it!!!

Tomorrow is a rest day....and Saturday an easy 30 minute walk.  Sunday will be my first by myself run.......Amber will be out of town.  So it will be a good test to see how much I push myself! 

Have a great day!  Happy Running!!!

Uphill twice?

Tonight was our 2nd run together as a Beginner's Group.  A lot of people didn't show up......not all 64 people were there tonight.  We'll see what next week brings.

Our run tonight was run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes....repeat 4 times.  Then finish off with a 3 minute run.  Well our first run was uphill.......WOW.  I said to Amber as we were running....I don't know about this one.  She said, don't you dare stop.  So I didn't.....we kept going.  And I convinced another lady to keep going too.  So we made it through our 4 runs...and then the final 3 minute run came.....uphill AGAIN.  Our coach Brenda was at the top of the hill coaching us.....keep looking at me, don't look down, use your arms, keep going.  And then I made it up....Amber too.  WOW.  That was a tough one.  Then it was cool down time.  But we had a surprise 2 more minute run during our cool down.  So tonight we went 2.92 miles in 45 minutes.  Not bad considering we walk the first 10 minutes.  It is REALLY great to run with a group.  We all really push ourselves harder and encourage each other more than we would if we were just running by ourselves. 

Tonight they mentioned going into a 10K training after our 5K training is done.  It will depend on how many people they get.  I sure hope they get enough!  It would be for the race in Janesville on 9/24.  I'll be out of town and won't be able to be in the race......BUT I really hope we get enough people for the training program.  That would be perfect for leading into the half! 

I'm exhausted.  I'm meeting Amber at 6 am tomorrow for our Thursday run.  I think I'm going to be sore......but no pain, no gain.  Have a great night!!! Happy Running!