Checking in......

Last week I ran Sunday - Wed.  Took Thurs & Friday off.  Then ran again Saturday & Sunday.  I'm trying really hard to change my thought process.....No intervals on my watch.  Just run as much as I can.  It's all a battle in my head....but I am running more so I think it is working!  

The last few times I've ran...my calves have reminded me about the pains I used to get in them.  I think it is because I run on the outside of my feet.   When I was running minute or a couple of minute intervals.......I didn't have to deal with it.  But now that I'm running more......it's back.  So I think I need to figure out some stretches or try to change my running stride.  That should be interesting.....

Race schedule for the summer: 

Possibly May 19th - Pound the Pavement  - 5K
June 23rd - Summerfest 5K 
July 25th - Sundown Dash 5K 
October 13 - Half marathon in Sheboygan 
5K @ St. Mary's Church in Milton.....whenever that is.  October, I think. 

What's on your schedule?  

Teri - did you sign up for the Sarasota Half for next year? 

Happy Running!!  


 

Change of plans......

First off......I ran Saturday & Sunday.  Saturday Amber and I ran.  Sunday I tried running with Roxy (4 yr old black lab).  Not a great idea.  She gets SOOO excited when we meet people on the trails.  She sounds like a siren.  It's rather embarassing.  It wasn't a great run......but we were moving. 

The change in plans is.....we aren't doing the half at Miller Park.  We're doing one in Sheboygan.  Looks like a beautiful course and it gives us more time to train.  http://www.rapidrunning.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=201&Itemid=310

Are you still running?  I was just looking at race dates.....I wanted to do the River To Ridge 5K......but I'll be in Myrtle Beach for a tradeshow.  So as of now I have a 5K and a half on my summer schedule.  That's plenty........for now. 

Have a great week.  Happy Running.

5 days last week

Last week we ran 5 days.  Felt good.  I felt like I was back in it.

Last night I ran on my treadmill.....avoiding the wind outside and tonight we're running again! 

Still fighting a cold.....but pushing through it.  67 days for 5K.  158 days for Half.  Goals are exactly what I need to keep going!

Happy Running.  Have a great week!

We're crazy.....

Today we decided we are going to do another half this fall.  9/22 in Milwaukee. http://www.race-brewers.com/

We originally said one a year.....but things change.  :)  Our goal will be to improve our time and run more....with less walking.  We're still working on the 5K training for now.  (And I've ran 3 days so far this week!) 

Well that's my news for the day.  Happy Running!  Keep moving.

5K training

Amber & I got out our original 5K training plan from ASR.  We're going back to the start and working on running a 5K without stopping.  We are going to try the "advanced" path and see how that goes.  And we've also come to the conclusion that we are better at running together than on our own.  So we're going to try and run together whenever possible.

The weather has been perfect!  Great time to be outside.  I've got 2 friends training for half marathons right now.  Both are in about 4 weeks.  It is the first one for Lisa - she says she has 11 in her but not sure about the rest.  And believe me.......she has it in her.  She is pretty determined.  She has lost about 90 lbs and kept it off for 2 years, I believe.  She has been running for awhile now.  She's in great shape and I'm sure will have a great race.   Lori is running her 2nd.....and is having some ankle pain.  She goes to the doctor tomorrow.  Hopefully it is something simple for Lori and she can keep running.  She's pretty determined that she is going to run it.  Good Luck Lori!!!

I have a terrible cold and sore throat....but still plan on running tonight.  I want to stay on plan.   No interuptions.  

Happy Running to everyone! Have a great week. 

Race

Amber & I signed up for a 5k today. June 23rd....Summerfest. Goal is to run it w/ out walking.

I went for a run tonight. It felt like the first time I'd ever ran. Wow....a few weeks of being lazy certainly caught up w/ me. I felt great after I was done though.

Have a great week. Happy Running!

P.S. Hope your ankle is feeling better Lori!!

Just what I needed!

Last night Lori sent me an email asking how my running was going. She ran 8 miles over the weekend - great job Lori! My answer to how was my running.....I'm not. I've been lazy...and busy. I ran 2 times last week and hadn't yet this week. So after reading Lori's email last night....I got up this morning and ran. Felt good. I do love to run! And this morning I was reminded of how good I feel afterwards. So I got my 5K training plan back out. I'm going to do the Advanced program and work my way towards running a 5K without stopping. So a BIG Thank You to Lori....for the support and push. Sometimes we all can use a little push...

Happy Running!

3 mile walk today

Tonight I had to pick my car up at Fagan. So I thought....I should run there. I wasn't feeling too ambitious so it took some convincing to start out. I left the house....did a couple minutes walking and then started running. That didn't last long. I hate running on Wright Road. I feel like everyone is looking at me....and thinking....she is slow, she doesn't look like a runner, and she takes walk breaks. So my goal is to one day run on Wright Road....and be confident in my running ability. I will get there...someday soon!!!!

Happy Running!!!! Have a great week!

Now what?

The race is over....so now how do I keep myself motivated and moving? I am going to sign up for another race. 5k. And my goal is to run with minimal, if any stops.

Amber & I went for a run this morning. Increased our run time. Now I need to put a training plan in place....I really think I need to do that to keep myself going.

Happy Running! Tell me how you keep going!

The race......

We made it. We accomplished our goals.....the slow bus didn't pick us up, we finished and we didn't fall down. So mission accomplished.

I think we may have started out a little too strong. We were pretty consistent for our first 6 miles. Then 6-9 was a little tougher. Once we hit mile 9......I felt like I was going to die. I got a charlie horse in my left calf and it wouldn't go away. Amber was having trouble with her arches. So needless to say......we ended up doing more walking than we had planned on. The last 4 miles were tough. They seemed to drag on forever. I had an upset stomach and was exhausted. However, we kept going. Once we were on the final stretch and we saw our support team.....Roger, Teri, Tammy, Alysia and Amanda.....we got a little boost of energy to run across the finish line. It really took every once of energy that I had to finish. It was TOUGH. But I am proud to say we finished. And we are going to do another. We're tentatively thinking Nashville next year. And next year we'll be stronger, faster and run more than we did this year. I'm up for the challenge and looking forward to becoming a better runner.

Next goal......finish a 5K and run the whole thing. No run/walk intervals....run it and hopefully in 36 minutes. I've got my 5K training back out and will start that in the next couple of days. Giving my body a little bit of a rest and then I'll be back at it.

I didn't get as emotional at the finish line as I thought I would. I think I was too exhausted. And I'm still not quite sure it has sunk in yet.....never in a million years did I think I'd be doing a half marathon. BUT WE DID!!! Thanks for being my running partner Amber!

It's almost here..........

Yesterday Amber & I ran 5 miles at the Y. We didn't want to chance it with running outside on the new snow. It was also probably a good idea to run in "warmer" weather.

We are going to do a couple short runs this week......but nothing strenuous as we rest our body for this weekend. We stopped at ASR yesterday and got a little pep talk from Kitty. She said this week we should close our eyes and picture yourself at certain points in the race...picture yourself crossing the finish line. Enjoy the moment. You've trained and now it is time to cross the finish line. She always has great advice! Glad I stopped down there.

It's been about 9 months since we got off the couch and started the 5K program at ASR. Amber & I have both had some set backs......but we've kept going. We have our plan down for running/walking....and now we just need to execute it. After we are done with this race we are going to build on our run time without stopping. For this race we are doing run one minute/walk one minute. This race is about the distance.....getting to the finish line and not getting hurt. My knees are a little tender yet and Amber is still fighting issues with her arches. But we're going to finish and finish without the slow bus picking us up! And then next year we are thinking of running in Nashville. We'll see. And each time we run......we plan to get faster, run longer and stronger.

It's been a fun journey.....and we're only getting started!

Happy Running! Have a great week.

Quick Run

Yesterday I got a quick 3 mile run in before I left for the tradeshow. The temperature was perfect....but that wind was brutal again. I wore my heart rate monitor and burned probably 150 more calories than I normally do for that distance.

10 days!! Just 10 days til we run 13.1 miles. I'm excited!!

No running today. On my feet for 12 hours today at the tradeshow. I plan to get in a couple more 3-5 mile runs this weekend.

Have a great week. Happy Running!

Damn wind!

Today Amber & I set out to do 13 miles. Well...that didn't happen.

We had our route planned....start behind Sam's club and end at the boat launch in Afton....all bike trails. So I picked up Amber at the boat launch and we stopped in Palmer park to hide some water bottles. We then discover that all of the trails are not plowed. From Palmer down to Afton they are plowed....but not from Sam's to Palmer. Ok... we'll run from my house to Wright Rd to Ruger and then pick up the trails in Palmer. We start out and realize the wind is blowing like crazy and we are running right into it. After 15 minutes....we're wiped out. Running into the 25 mph wind just isn't going to cut it if we want to go for a long run. So we turn around and head to my house. We got in the car and headed down to Afton. The wind is blocked a lot down on the trails with all of the trees. So we ended up getting in 8 miles today. But felt like we ran 15 with the damn wind. Amber's arch on her foot was hurting and I was wiped out. So we were happy with the 8 and called it a day. We feel good that we can do 13.1 and not get picked up by the slow bus. :)

Next weekend we'll do a 4 or 5 mile run and then take it easy the days leading up to the race. This week I plan to get in a couple 3 mile runs hopefully. I've got a tradeshow out of town Wed - Friday so that always throws a wrench into my schedule. Working 7-7 on my feet doesn't allow for much running....so we'll see.

Have a great week!! Happy Running!

Sunday & Monday run

Amber & I ran on Sunday. Just about 5 miles. We ran on a different part of the bike trails. We started behind Sam's and ran along Hwy 14. A change of scenery was nice. And Amber's ankle was feeling pretty decent.....and the weather was perfect!

Tonight Hannah & I went to the same trails and ran a couple of miles. It was dark when I left do I figured a running partner was a good idea.

Sunday we are doing a dry run for the race. We've got our path figured out....Sam's to Afton boat launch. That is pretty intimidating but I'm excited too!

Have a great week. Happy Running!

we both ran today!

Amber & I ran together today. First time in a couple of weeks! 3 miles this morning. Tomorrow 5 or 6. My flu is gone (Rob has it now) and Amber's ankle is improving.

Tomorrow we are checking out the trail behind Walmart. Looking forward to some new scenery.

Then next weekend we have our last long run before the race....I think. I need to double check the schedule. It is coming fast!!!

Enjoy the sunshine and get outside for a run!

Tammy, I have your headband for the race. I'm trying mine out tomorrow.

Happy Running!!

No habit this week...

I got hit with a nasty flu bug. In bed for 2 days. Lost 6 lbs in 2 days. Should be back at it Friday or Saturday!

Keep running!

Can this become a habit?

Can I make getting up in the morning and running a habit?  I'm always happy when I do it....then I'm done for the day. 

I knew that tonight I will most likely be going out for dinner......so if I wanted to get a run in....I needed to get up early.  So I did.  Got 30 minutes in on the treadmill.  I really want to try to get into the habit of doing this during the week.  I want to start getting 45 minutes in every morning....whether it be walking or running.   So that is my new goal.....ask me how it is going after this week?  If I can commit to this week....I think I can start to make it a daily habit.

Happy Running! 

12 miles = 7, right?

Amber's ankle is still hurting......so my advice to her was skip the long run today.  She has to heal if she wants to run the race.....and we still have 27 days left AND we've already ran 11 miles.  So I decided to stay inside today and see just how many miles I could do on my treadmill. I knew this was going to be a battle.  I really wanted to get 8 miles in.  I knew I wasn't going to get 12 in on the treadmill......I'd go crazy trying to do that.  I have a hard enough time staying on the treadmill for 30 minutes most days.  But I thought.....I'll shoot for 8, be happy with 5.  haha. 

The one thing I do like about the treadmill is that I can work on increasing my speed a little bit.  I did increase my speed by .5 mph on my last few miles.  So I did a lot of running, walking, increasing incline.....just to try to entertain myself for awhile.  I did end up getting 7 miles in.  I know it isn't 12.....but I'm happy with it.  It was a good workout......I ran a little bit faster than normal and I burned 996 calories according to my heart rate monitor. 

Next weekends run is supposed to be 5 miles, I believe.  Since I cut this week short.....Maybe next Sunday I'll shoot for 8.  One thing I did notice.....I'm not so stiff.  I'm guessing it is because I didn't have to deal with the cold weather.  The wind was quite chilly today and I just didn't have it in me to to out today. 

Have a great week!  Oh and Lori did not sign up for the Chicago Marathon.  When she went online to sign up......it was already full.  It filled up in just a couple of days, I believe.  She is on the lookout for another one.  She's crazy!  :)

Happy Running!  Heal up Amber! 

Knee is feeling better

I ran on Monday & Tuesday.  Last night I did not.  I wanted to.....but got home late and decided to skip it.  I'm glad I did.  I woke up this morning and my knee feels pretty good.  I haven't worn heels to work the last few days and that is helping too.......can you relate Roger? 

So tonight I'm going to run again.  Maybe outside.  The treadmill is convenient....easy....but I just don't love it like I love running outside. 

Our training program calls for 12.5 this weekend.  I think we are going to do 11.  In 2 weeks it has us run 14.....I think we'll do 12 or 12.5 then.  Tammy or Roger....when you run 12 miles....do you run on the trails?  Where do you go?  We usually run in Afton, but we're thinking of changing up our scenery.  Parking a car at the beginning and one at the end of the 12 miles.  So any ideas for a great new place to run......let us know.  Thanks!

Have a great day!  Happy Running!!! 

P.S.  Lori is thinking about signing up for a full.....I can't wait to hear if she signs up or not! Go for it Lori!!!!

Treadmill

Last night I had a date with my treadmill.  My calf muscles were so tight.....so I knew that I needed to do some walking at an incline.  So I spent 40 minutes and today my calf muscles are much better. 

I had planned on running outside today......but it's chilly....and windy.  So I'll probably hop on the treadmill again.   

This weekend is 12.5 miles.  I'm hoping for a nice day.....hopefully no ice to worry about.  Then we have one more long one before we start tapering off.  The race is going to be here before we know it.  http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html 

I've been saying through this.....this is the only half I'll ever run....and I'll never run a Marathon.  BUT.....I'm kinda changing my tune on the half.  I told Rob last night that my next half will be in Nashville.  Amber, wouldn't that be fun!!  But first I have to make it through this one without the slow bus picking me up.  Ask me after Sarasota....

Happy Running!  Have a great rest of the week. 

Back at it

Today I was back at it.  Felt good.  My knee was a little stiff and sore....but not bad.  I was on the treadmill for about 35 minutes today.  Tomorrow I'll head outside and run 4. 

Amber got a call from the doctor......x-ray didn't show anything.  But the doctor also didn't offer any advice on what to do to relieve the pain.  And she said the pain is getting worse.  So she is taking a few days off.......hopefully that will help. Our bodies don't always appreciate what we put them through.  But hopefully she'll be ready to go in a few days. 

36 days to the race.  I'm excited.  Terrified also.  But I am looking forward to sunny Florida.  I think I might go tanning a few times too....since my skin hasn't seen the sun in quite a few months.

Happy Running!  Enjoy the Super Bowl....if you are watching.  I'm watching and hoping I win some money on the pool we're on! 

Getting better

My knee is starting to feel a lot better.  I'm thinking I just pulled a muscle around my knee.  I'm going to run either tonight or tomorrow and then Sunday.

Amber had some x-rays yesterday.  She is having pain in her upper ankle area......she will find out early next week what the doc says.  She says she is running the race no matter what.......so let's hope it is no big deal. 

Keep running!  Have a great weekend.  4 miles this weekend for me. 

no running....

I haven't exercised at all this week.....I did something to my knee. It is starting to feel better....I think. At least I'm trying to convince myself of that. :) Maybe tonight I'll walk....depending on how it feels. If my knee isn't better by Monday....I am making a doctor appt.

Running is a tough sport! Haha. I think it takes awhile for your body to adjust to the new activity. Hopefully this is nothing and I'll be back at it in a couple of days.

Happy Running!

Sunday Run - 11 miles

We did it.  11 miles.  It was chilly out there and slippery!  I look forward to the day when we can do a long run outside without feeling like we have to be so careful and not slip and fall.  YakTrax are VERY helpful and without them, I probably would have fallen......but when it started to cool off yesterday the trails got pretty slick.

I'm a little stiff today....but not bad.  I had a few too many Bud Lights on Friday night and that probably didn't help my energy level but we did make it. 

This weeks goal for me is to exercise 45 minutes every day.  That is probably pushing it.....but I'm going to try.  BIG week at work this week......everyone finds out if they have a job with Grainger or not.  Stress levels will be high in the building and we all know exercising is a good stress reliever......so that is my plan. 

Have a great week!  Happy Running! 

This week....

I did miss one night this week......so I'm a little mad at myself for that but otherwise I've exercised every night.  Mostly the treadmill.....but last night I did try the elliptical.  My knees don't really appreciate the elliptical so I only spent 10 minutes on it.  Just needed a change of pace.

I'm mentally preparing myself for our long run this weekend.  11 miles.  That seems a little overwhelming.....but when I think about our last long run.....this isn't that much further.  We're running on Sunday......so I'll report back then. 

Have a great Friday!  And Happy Running! 

44 days til Sarasota!!! 

Treadmill & I

Last night after our Habitat for Humanity Run meeting got done......I still had to go home and run.  I didn't want to start my week off by not sticking to my commitment on the first day of the week!  So I went down to my treadmill......thinking to myself - just get in 30 minutes.  At this point it is after 8 pm and I'm normally starting to go to sleep by then.  So I had to talk myself into not just going to bed. 

So I hopped on the treadmill.......set my Garmin for minute intervals.  That is usually my best option on the treadmill.  Run fast for a minute, walk for a minute.  Keeps my interest that way. After a minute.....I kept running.  I thought to myself......I'm going to run a mile straight....maybe 2 and then be done for the night.  I was almost to a mile and I bumped the "key" and shut the treadmill off.  Darn it!!  Ruined my momentum.  So then I had to start over........so then I went to the intervals.  Run as fast as I can for a minute........walk for a minute.  I did that several times and finished up my 30 minutes.  I want to keep working on my speed on the treadmill PLUS try to work on running 3 miles without stopping on the treadmill.  One of these days......the treadmill and I will be good friends. 

Happy Running. 

oh and shout out to Lori - she signed up for her 2nd half. Wisconsin Half on 5/5.  Great job on keeping going!!

Also - Lori, mark your calendar.  May 19th.  Habitat for Humanity Run.  1K/5K/10K.  More details to come! 

4 miles today

Amber & I put on our YakTrax and went to the trails in Afton. The trails were plowed and in decent shape. Total today was 4.75 miles.  Next week is 11 miles.

I'm committing to exercise every day this week....treadmill, outside....running and walking.  NO EXCUSES!!! 

Have a great week. Happy running!
 

What I've learned about myself through this training process

Earlier this week I was thinking about the race......at the time it was 53 days away.  I started to get really nervous......what if I don't finish?  What if I don't make the 4 hour time limit?  What if I feel like crap that day and can't run?  I had all of these crazy thoughts in my head.  And then I had a little talk with myself.......

I generally don't sign up to do things that I'm not good at.  I'm not big on commitments either.  This training thing has been a BIG commitment and way out of my comfort zone.  And I certainly don't like to attempt things that I could fail.  So this whole running and commitment thing......are new for me.  And that is when I said to myself.........Tina, you may not be the fastest or best runner out there.....but you are a runner.  Even though you walk during your runs........you are a runner. You have been training, just like you should.  You will win....you will succeed.....because you will finish. 

So I'm learning......I can try things out of my comfort zone.  I don't have to be the "best" to succeed.  Let's just hope that on race day.....I can still convince myself that I can finish and I am a runner! 

So that's my thought for the day.  Keep on running! 

Happy Running!  Enjoy the snow! 

My friend....

Tonight the treadmill and I were friends.  I decided it was a little too chilly to venture outside.  So I hopped on the treadmill for 2 miles. Running, walking...faster, slower, increasing incline.  I felt like I got a good workout in and I didn't hate the treadmill today.

I had the flu yesterday....Amber has it today. Hoping for a healthy weekend.  4 miles on Sunday.  And hopefully the weather will work with us too.

Have a good night. Happy Running.

Yak Trax

I ventured outside tonight to get a run in with my Yak Trax. Tonight was a true test since the roads were snow covered.  They were great!!!  Felt very stable and no slips at all.

It was a little chilly and windy so I did just 2 miles.  A lot of people hadn't shoveled yet so I got to run through plenty of snow....burn more calories that way. :)

Happy Running! Stay warm.

I'm beat!

We did it. Furthest EVER.

Today was tough. It was cold and windy. We used our Yak Trax for awhile but then took them off.....trails were pretty clear.

Some days are easier than others.....today it took everything I had. When it is cold....My muscles are stiff.  Hard to ever feel like my muscles are warmed up and ready to go.

But we did it!! It wasn't fast...or pretty by any means but we did it!!!  And I learned to pee outside w/ out peeing on my pants.  :) 

Happy Running!!!

Yak Trax

Finally....some snow so I can try out my Yak Trax.  I put them on and headed to the trails for a walk yesterday....with Rob, Hannah and Roxy.

Roxy is a little hyper. Young and very energetic.  So she usually ends up pulling me all over the place. So my Yak Trax would be put to the test for sure. I really liked them. They didn't feel weird either. With Roxy leading the way....I would have ended up on my butt without them.

Today I am going to run with them. Amber is too. We're going 9.5 miles today....Yak Trax and Magic Beans! Stay tuned for details.

Treadmill = yuck

Last night I hopped on my treadmill with the plan of walking 45 minutes at an incline to stretch my legs out.  I ended up doing 20.  I just can't seem to keep myself on the treadmill.  Boring. 

This morning I had my YakTrax on my shoes and all ready to go out in the snow......No snow yet.  SO I went downstairs to the treadmill again.  Hoping to get in 30 minutes of something.  I did get 35 minutes in.....walking at an incline, running fast, running slow, walking fast.  Changing things up at least helps me stay on the treadmill......most of the time.  It did work this morning so I was happy with that. 

I have Friday off of work so my plan is to go for a long walk with my YakTrax on and see how they feel.  I'm guessing I might need them for our long run on Sunday so I want to try to get used to them on Friday & Saturday.  I will let you know how they "feel."

Happy Snow! Happy Running!  I love snow so I'm looking forward to seeing a blanket of white stuff when I leave work today!  Have a great day.  Drive & run carefully.

Beautiful night

Perfect night for a run! Amber & I went to the trails and ran for about 40 minutes. Run/Walk....working on increasing our speed during our runs.  I felt like we got a great workout in. 

I did the same thing last night.

Making it a priority to get 30 minutes of activity in every day.  I'll probably take Friday off. And then......Sunday is 9.5 miles.  We ordered a case of "magic" beans....so we're all set. I just have to be good to my body...and it will be good to me.

Roger...will I see you Saturday night? Rob might be going up north...not sure yet but I will be there.

Happy Running! Enjoy the weather before the snow comes!

Arizona

Working a tradeshow is a killer on my feet and legs.
Arizona was beautiful....warm and sunny. I did get out for a 3 mile walk one day. And the hotel was HUGE. We did a lot of walking from building to building to get from our hotel room to expo hall.  But I'm VERY glad to get back home and into my normal routine for exercising, sleeping and eating. Going to run 3 miles today.  Looking forward to it.
Have a great week! Happy Running.