Today was the last day of January, in Chicago. It was almost 60 degrees! I HAD to go outside and run. It would be a crime not to. I even wore shorts!! I called Julia and we met up for about 4 miles (4.15 to be exact!). We ran it in 46:47 (an 11:17 pace).
It was a great day for a run and just what I needed. It's so hard to motivate myself to run in the winter. The couch always seems so much better than the frostiness outside. I'm so happy I have awesomely athletic friends who will run with me!
Tuesday
Monday
January 30, 2012
I saw Hector this morning. I just ran 800m...and we did some strength training (arms and core).
Has anyone seen my motivation? It seems to be MIA.
Has anyone seen my motivation? It seems to be MIA.
Saturday
January 28, 2012
Did not want to get up and go to the trail today. It looked cold. It looked icy. (Queen of Excuses? Who? Me?)
I did three on the treadmill at a 10% incline in 42:00. Hopefully the treamill hills will prepare me for Alabama.
I did three on the treadmill at a 10% incline in 42:00. Hopefully the treamill hills will prepare me for Alabama.
Wednesday
January 25, 2012
So sore...when did I get old?
Hector did this thing, where he ran me on the treadmill (ok, I started walking) and then he stretched me. We did this stretching, interval thing until I was running. It felt good, but I only ran a mile.
Hector did this thing, where he ran me on the treadmill (ok, I started walking) and then he stretched me. We did this stretching, interval thing until I was running. It felt good, but I only ran a mile.
Sunday
January 22, 2012
Gold Medal Challenge, Part 2 or
MARATHON!!
Time for the hard part of the Gold Medal Challenge. 95.5 laps around the Petit Center. I started out a little sore from the day before. I think it was because the track wasn't cushy (mostly concrete). The first part was crowded. I stayed to the right, because the speedy peeps were lapping me. Barb stayed with me for the first third or so. Steve and Darwin (from Niles) were also running. It was so nice that Barb's mom came out again to cheer. Also, Kim, Keith, Dan and Steve's wife were there cheering too. I really liked that I got to see people every lap. It was definitely motivating. I did have to do some walking and I totally hit the wall in the 70's. But once I got to 79, I knew the end was near. I felt good in those last laps and powered through for a 5:59:10 finish.
Not too bad for a first marathon back after a year of injury and the day after a 1/2 marathon. I even had enough energy to run Steve's last two laps with him. I'm not sure I'd want to do the Gold Medal Challenge on the hard concrete again, but I'd defiantly do the marathon again. Oh, and of course, they ran out of medals for the marathon too. The race director did promise to mail them, and because I didn't get the medal yesterday, he saved a marathon and gold medal for me. That was very nice. It would be sad to have run almost 40 miles and just get a t-shirt. (I'll let you know when it comes in the mail.)
MARATHON!!
Time for the hard part of the Gold Medal Challenge. 95.5 laps around the Petit Center. I started out a little sore from the day before. I think it was because the track wasn't cushy (mostly concrete). The first part was crowded. I stayed to the right, because the speedy peeps were lapping me. Barb stayed with me for the first third or so. Steve and Darwin (from Niles) were also running. It was so nice that Barb's mom came out again to cheer. Also, Kim, Keith, Dan and Steve's wife were there cheering too. I really liked that I got to see people every lap. It was definitely motivating. I did have to do some walking and I totally hit the wall in the 70's. But once I got to 79, I knew the end was near. I felt good in those last laps and powered through for a 5:59:10 finish.
Not too bad for a first marathon back after a year of injury and the day after a 1/2 marathon. I even had enough energy to run Steve's last two laps with him. I'm not sure I'd want to do the Gold Medal Challenge on the hard concrete again, but I'd defiantly do the marathon again. Oh, and of course, they ran out of medals for the marathon too. The race director did promise to mail them, and because I didn't get the medal yesterday, he saved a marathon and gold medal for me. That was very nice. It would be sad to have run almost 40 miles and just get a t-shirt. (I'll let you know when it comes in the mail.)
Saturday
January 21, 2012
Gold Medal Challenge, Part 1
It's time for the Gold Medal Challenge. I wasn't really worried about the 1/2. I finished in 2:46:59. Barb and I ran together...all 47.5 laps. Running in circles wasn't so bad. We kept seeing the same people over and over. We started a lovely game of tag with some other Gold Medal Challenge people. Barb's mom came out to cheer us on (very cool!) It was just a lot of fun! We saw speed skaters practicing and open skate. I actually enjoyed myself! Too bad they ran out of medals. I was promised one in the mail. (I'll keep you updated on when that shows up.) I am nervous about tomorrow...
Does this rank on my top 10 list of stupid things?
It's time for the Gold Medal Challenge. I wasn't really worried about the 1/2. I finished in 2:46:59. Barb and I ran together...all 47.5 laps. Running in circles wasn't so bad. We kept seeing the same people over and over. We started a lovely game of tag with some other Gold Medal Challenge people. Barb's mom came out to cheer us on (very cool!) It was just a lot of fun! We saw speed skaters practicing and open skate. I actually enjoyed myself! Too bad they ran out of medals. I was promised one in the mail. (I'll keep you updated on when that shows up.) I am nervous about tomorrow...
Does this rank on my top 10 list of stupid things?
Wednesday
Monday
January 16, 2012
I was on the treadmill, while Mike did the bike. I hate that treadmill! (Anyone want to buy one?) I did 3 miles in 44:30 at a 10% incline. I hate to admit it, but I am getting better at the hill workouts. (shhh! Don't tell Mike!)
Saturday
January 14, 2012
Today was supposed to be the Polar Dash. It was canceled due to snow. WTF? What did they expect in January? No measure of good faith was given (like a coupon for another race or even an 'I'm sorry'). The race is next weekend, so I can't do it due to the Gold Medal Challenge.
Even though it was icy, snowy and cold, Sarah, Pam and I ran 5.01 miles of parking lot loops. Our reward? Breakfast at Jack's. I had the mini pancakes. What can I say, I like to eat mini-food. It makes me feel like a giant! :)
Wednesday
January 11, 2012
Lifted with Hector today. Made it a mile on the treadmill. Still stiff from Saturday. Ugh. So tired. Need more sleep. (who me? Crabby? Never!)
Saturday
January 7, 2012
So, I went out for a run with the intention of running 18 miles. I was a grand and glorious day, perfect for winter running...
And then I tripped, rolled my ankle, fell, tore my tights, destroyed my gloves and scraped the crap out of my knee.
Screw you, gravity.
There I was sprawled out on the path, bleeding and crying. A few kind souls stopped to check on me. I tried to run, but my ankle was telling me there's no way 18 miles is going to happen today. I just limped the, less than half mile, to my car. :(
Thursday
January 5, 2012
I can't believe it's January in Chicago! It was so mild today (40's), I took my run outside. I ran from Casa de Bethie to North Ave. and Oak Park Ave. Duke and I ran 10 miles in just over 2 hours. My hamstrings and calves are still pretty tight, but I'm so thankful for the beautiful weather!
Wednesday
January 4, 2012
Back at a very crowded gym. Any by "crowded" I mean "how can this place not be over capacity?!" Every. Frickin'. Treadmill. TAKEN!
So I did 5 miles on the elliptical and lifted "legs" with Hector. My "legs" seemed more like concrete. I pushed through it, but they were very lead like. I hope that eating high protein and wearing compression socks will help get them ready for run outside tomorrow.
So I did 5 miles on the elliptical and lifted "legs" with Hector. My "legs" seemed more like concrete. I pushed through it, but they were very lead like. I hope that eating high protein and wearing compression socks will help get them ready for run outside tomorrow.
Tuesday
January 3, 2012
Well, the bad news was that I spent 2 hours this morning in the dentist chair getting a filling. Not wanting to bite my tongue immediately after due to the novacane, I waited to run. Then the soreness started. :( Needless to say, I didn't run today. I did lift a little with Mike. We did 30 minutes-ish of back and arms. In between some sets, I did some squats and lunges. I guess it's better than nothing.
Monday
January 2, 2012
Two days in a row?! *GASPS!*
Yeah, well I worked out two days in a row! Boo-yah!
This morning I thought about running to the gym...and then I looked out the window and saw the wind and snow. Whereas I was injured last year in similar weather, I opted to drive to the gym.
Big. Frickin'. Mistake.
The "Ressies" are back. Those people who feel they are going to make a "lifestyle change" and hog up the gym equipment. Yeah, they'll be gone in a month.
Any who, after waiting 15 minutes for a treadmill, I ran 2 miles. Then I lifted arms and core with Hector. It's nice, after a year of PT, to see the look of surprise on Hector's face when I respond to his question "How much did you run this weekend?" (For the record it was 16.3 miles.) After we lifted, I waited for a treadmill 10 minutes before opting for an open elliptical. I ellipted (is that a word?) the time it would have taken me to run the remaining two miles. I know, I know, elliptical isn't as good as a treadmill, but I really didn't want to wait for a treadmill. And for the record, they didn't open up while I was on the elliptical.
I can't wait for the "Ressies" to go back to their couches.
Yeah, well I worked out two days in a row! Boo-yah!
This morning I thought about running to the gym...and then I looked out the window and saw the wind and snow. Whereas I was injured last year in similar weather, I opted to drive to the gym.
Big. Frickin'. Mistake.
The "Ressies" are back. Those people who feel they are going to make a "lifestyle change" and hog up the gym equipment. Yeah, they'll be gone in a month.
Any who, after waiting 15 minutes for a treadmill, I ran 2 miles. Then I lifted arms and core with Hector. It's nice, after a year of PT, to see the look of surprise on Hector's face when I respond to his question "How much did you run this weekend?" (For the record it was 16.3 miles.) After we lifted, I waited for a treadmill 10 minutes before opting for an open elliptical. I ellipted (is that a word?) the time it would have taken me to run the remaining two miles. I know, I know, elliptical isn't as good as a treadmill, but I really didn't want to wait for a treadmill. And for the record, they didn't open up while I was on the elliptical.
I can't wait for the "Ressies" to go back to their couches.
Sunday
January 1, 2012
Ok, it's been a while. Better later than never, right?
It's a new year, and I've decided to start (b)logging again. So where have I been? Well, 2011 bit the big burrito athletically. An injury in January took me out for most of last year. I've done my PT and I'm trying to be back.
To start out the new year, I lifted shoulders and chest with Mike and biked on his stationary bike for 31 minutes for a total distance of 6 miles.
Whew. That wasn't so bad. Maybe I'll do this everyday!
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