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.