Wednesday

January 30, 2008

Hard day at the gym, I ran 2 miles in 19:22 and then did legs and core with Hector and Natalie. It was a hard day...Hector was showing no mercy. I ran my last mile in 9:33 and then went swimming (not well) for 45 minutes.

Clearly Wednesday is kick my ass day at the gym!

Monday

January 28, 2008

Awesome work out!

I ran 2 miles in 19:22 and then did a full body work out with Hector. It was the perfect work out! I ran my last mile ont the treadmill in 9:33, but I wasn't happy about it. I almost got on the elliptical, but I knew that the milage was more important. Here's hoping for a week of good workouts!

Oh, and Hot Stair Climber Guy? Yeah, he was at my gym today. I was waiting for Hector, and he was coming from the locker room. I looked at him and was like "Hey, I know you!" It's nice to know it's a small world sometimes. And nice to know that somedays I'll have a nice view at the gym. :)

Sunday

January 27, 2008

Today was the Aon Step-up for the Kids climb. It took place in the Aon Building (or the Standard Oil Building, for all of you that are old school like that). It's actually the second tallest climb in the United States in terms of stairs with a total of 1,643 in 80 floors.

I was pretty pumped about it...until my inhailer ran out of medicine around floor 40. That definatley sucked, but I just slowed down and finished. Probably slower than I would have liked, but I did finish.

My time was 27:57, which is much faster than I did the Hancock last year. If I had my inhailer I probably could have done better. I'm clearly feeling competitive with myself and am going to be wanting to shave off a couple of minutes for the Hancock! :) I was 588 for women 1534/2061 overall, and 207/287 for my age group. Not totally embarssing, but not my best perfomance either. So, what did I learn from this event? Check your inhailer BEFORE you go!

While I was waiting in line, I started talking with two other climbers, Ken and Sandy. (Because climbers are friendly people--and let me tell you, the guy behind Ken and Sandy was HOT!!--Seriously--Awesome shoulders, amazing eyes, when he passed me nice butt--I love the scenery on stair climbs!!) Anywho, Sandy and Ken asked about my inhailer and prior climbing participation and such...ya know, small talk. I realized that a year ago today, I hadn't even completed my first climb. I'd never run a race. Hell, I'd never run a distance over 2 miles. My first race ever, was last April, and now exactly one year and one week later, I'll run my first marathon. I never fathomed I could do that. If something was 26.2 miles away, I'd drive...and even then I'd crab about how far away it was!! I can't believe how much I've changed in the last year. It all started to prove to myself that I could do it and to get Jack to quit smoking. Now, I breath easier, I run farther and I'm much stronger. The Hancock really did change my life...and I did it one step at a time.

Saturday

January 26, 2008

There's nothing like running in 3 inches of snow to slow you down. I know it's ok to be slow, but the SNOW was what was killing me. At one point it was so bad we were running at a 15 minute pace. On the way back we hit the streets, but my nose was killing me so it was back to running slow. Thank goodness Becky was running with me or it would have been a cold and lonley day running on the path!

10 miles on the Lakefront path---about 2:20 ish?

Friday

January 25, 2008

I went to the gym today. In spite of my broken nose and feelings of pain that I can only describe as something a kin to the worst sinus pressure headache ever, I got on the elliptical.

3 miles on the elliptical in 34 minutes.

Thursday

January 23, 2008

The Facts:

--I hear that swimming is good for runners. Where running shortens the muscles, swimming lengthens the muscles.

--I want to try a triathlon.

--I had a shitty day along with a broken nose and didn't want to run.

Soooo...I try to go for a swim. Yeah, it was 45 minutes with a lot of kicking and thrashing about. I probably looked like I was involved in a shark attack. And myself coaching wasn't working. Ok, so my self coaching was me telling my self things like "You are a fish.", "Become one with the water." and "Nemo, Nemo, Nemo, Nemo..."

I totally need someone to teach me to swim.

Monday

January 21, 2008

Still not 100% but definitely better than last week!

I did 5 miles on the elliptical and and worked out with Hector. Hector and I tried out the new machines at the gym. Neither of us like them. They're supposed to be the cutting edge of machines, but I didn't feel they were very ergonomic. I don't think we'll be using them again.

Last weekends long run was cancelled due to the dangerous cold. I'm kinda glad, because I didn't want to go out and I wasn't feeling well. I missed two training runs last week. All well, life happens.

On another not swimming lessons start tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but hopefully I won't drown. I had to get goggles for this class. Seriously? Goggles? I don't know how to swim now, what makes them think that goggles are going to help, aside from make me look ridiculous. The things I do to face my fears.

Wednesday

January 16, 2008

I'm sick :(

I did 3 miles on the elliptical and worked out with Hector.

BLAH!!

Tuesday

January 14, 2008

Sooo sore!

Today I went to the gym, but only because I knew that I would see Hector.

I tried to run on the treadmill, but I got as far as a quarter mile and had to stop. Seriously, my legs were solid lead and not happy with me. I switched to the elliptical and was able to finish the mile. Hector didn't even work me today. He gave me a much needed 45 minute stretch. It was nice to catch up on the weekend's events and see how surgery went (wisdom teeth). After the awesome stretch, I did two more miles on the elliptical. The soreness seemed to dissipate a little, but I'm not happy with how much my legs hurt!!

Saturday

January 12, 2008

1/2 MARATHON DAY!!!

So, getting up at 3:00 am was not fun. I'm not a fan of waiting at the start for two hours so that all the roads can be closed down. But it was still an awesome race. I, of course, felt the need to run the race wearing Tinkerbell wings and glitter (but does that really surprise anyone?!?!)

Fireworks started the race and my first 5k just flew by. Let me tell you, running through the Magic Kingdom with all the spectators cheering was truly and awesome experience. The back roads of Disney were filled with cast members and characters cheering on the runners. Bands, music and even a gospel choir were there for motivation. My asthma acted up around mile 10, but I walked a little and was able to finish strong.

I completely shattered my time from the last 1/2 marathon. I beat my last half marathon time by 11:57--that's almost a TWELVE MINUTE PR!!! That's HUGE!!

Here's the break down from the race:

Bib Number #31889
Official Time 2:39:02
Clock Time 3:04:12
Chip Time 2:39:02
Overall Place 6547
Gender Place 3208
Division Place 451
Age Grade 41.4%
5K Split 33:28
10K Split 1:09:00
15K Split 1:50:01

I love having the splits, it shows that I really need to work on my endurance, because as the distance gets longer, I get slower. I guess that's normal at this stage. None the less, I'm still pretty freakin' proud of myself!!

Friday

January 11, 2008

First 5K of the year and the slowest time ever!! Ok, so it wasn't a chipped race and I walked with mom's CCI puppy, still a good time! It probably took a good 45 minutes for the 5k, if not more. But it was good publicity for CCI. They even gave the puppy a finnisher's medal!! Yeah, Disney!

Wednesday

January 9, 2008

Today was an easy day. I did 1K warm up in about 5 minutes and then it was a core work day with lots of stretching. It's an easy day due to the big race on Saturday. I'm so wiggly over going to Disney tomorrow!! Yeah!!

Monday

January 7, 2008

First of all, I am so pumped for the 1/2 marathon!!

Today I ran 2 miles in 19:22 and then worked out with Hector for an hour. I was sweating like no other! I don't know if I was kicking ass or if it was just due to the abnormally warm weather. I was going to run 2 more miles after the legs and core session, but ALL the treadmills, ALL of the stair climbers and ALL the elliticals were filled. I hate this time of year--all the stupid fakers who decided that their New Year's resolutions were to loose weight/get in shape. And now, due to all the fakers, I can't get on a treadmill.

Those fakers don't have a 5K and a 1/2 marathon to run in five days. GET OFF MY MACHINES!! Grrr...I know it will taper off in a month but that doesn't help me now!

Saturday

January 5, 2008

Today was my first run with the CARA training group. It was super fun! I'm so glad that I signed up for this. I ran with the 12:00 minute group. I was feeling strong, and others in the group ran with me. They were pacing off of watches. I estimated my time, I really should run with a watch so I know, but I hate that! I had a little bit of a twinge in my IT band about mile 3 but it seemed to work itself out. I definitely need to do those stretches that Becca showed me. Anywho, it was a great run! I felt really good and am excited for the 1/2 marathon a week from today!

I also started a training log on the Runner's World website. The link is on the side bar. Even if it doesn't show my most recent work outs, if you click on it, the link will take you to my training log. I like it because the program is free and it count mileage for you, as well as pacing and fun graphs and stuff that I don't want to have to figure out myself. Yeah running!

Side note to Victoria: I am registered for the Shamrock Shuffle. Woo-Hoo!

Wednesday

January 2, 2008

Last workout in Denver, and still on the elliptical. My legs totally felt like lead today. I really had to push myself, and I wasn't still up to what I did yesterday. I ran 4 miles in 44:11 which is an 11:03 pace.

Tuesday

January 1, 2008

Way to start the New Year right! Becca came with me to the hotel fitness center. She did 5 miles on the bike while I ran on the elliptical (yep, still in Denver). I was super motivated today. I really wanted to be faster than yesterday. I'm pretty proud of the run! I did 5 miles in 51:28 which is a 10:18 mile pace. Oh yeah!!