I needed to run three miles today and had no assistance lined up. I didn't manage to pull myself out of bed early (I stay up way too late when Beer Geek is gone), so I knew I needed to run while Shoo napped or I'd be doing it late at night. Unfortunately, Shoo napped yesterday, so getting him down today was a challenge. By the time I got him to sleep, I only had 45 minutes to get ready to run, run, shower, pack up a bag for him, and get out the door to drop him off at a friend's house.I did the three miles in 26 minutes. Something like 9:25, 8:05 and 8:30. As far as running goes, I've survived the week of Beer Geek traveling. Next week will be a different challenge as Jones' has an afternoon camp that ends at 5. By the time I pick him … [Read more...]

I have very pale skin. Very. So, I am pretty careful about always using sunblock. Chemical sunblocks make me nervous, so I usually use a zinc oxide based one (Badger is my favorite). I tried out a new one today and it turned me white. It just sat on top of my skin. And judging by the pink under it, it may not have worked well either, sigh.I ran 6 miles today in 1:00:53. It's 91 degrees out with 42% humidity, so I started out at a comfortable pace and tried to stay slow. I used my Garmin only to slow myself (never going faster than a 9:15 pace) and to keep track of the miles. I also walked a bit at the end of each mile while I had some water.The GoodMile 1 - 9:52Mile 2 - 9:59Mile 3 - 10:06Mile 4 - 10:18Mile 5 - 10:18Mile 6 - 10:17I … [Read more...]

Today called for 12 miles. I planned to hit the road by 6:30am because the forecast was for a hot, humid day with poor air quality. I loaded up with an 8 oz bottle of water, an 8 oz bottle of "ade", and two gu's. I set my goal for a 10-10:15 pace.As I headed out the door, I quickly realized it was going to be a nasty run. It was already 70 degrees out and humid with a beautiful sunny sky and no breeze whatsoever. Within the first mile, I had sweat dripping down my face (which is pretty unusual for me. It usually takes me at least a couple of miles before I get really warmed up). Unfortunately, I didn't change my run plan at that point and paid later. I did the first three miles at a 9:50 pace and was feeling pretty good, but then … [Read more...]

I got up at 6:30am as Beer Geek headed out the door to work. I ate a half a banana and drank a bit of water and then jumped on the treadmill. I had to start a bit slower than normal as I was not even a little bit warmed up, but I managed 3 miles in 27 minutes with a 1.5% incline. I think if I'd been able to run outside, I would have enjoyed it more, but there's no way I can manage to run before Beer Geek leaves for the day.I'm actually quite impressed with myself for waking up so early. I am a total night owl. Given a choice, my body tires around midnight and sleeps until 8:30. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't work that way, so I've spent much of my life tired as I have trouble going to bed early. I'm trying to reset my … [Read more...]

A friend took Jones again today, so I was able to get in a 6 miler on the treadmill while Shoo napped. I finished in 56:30ish, which was ok. It was just so hot in the basement that I found it quite exhausting.The heat and Beer Geek's upcoming travels are leading me to make a change I'm not wanting to make. I'm going to start going to bed at a reasonable hour (as in, before midnight) so that I can run before the kids wake up. I hate morning runs. In fact, that's part of the reason I don't run more races. And one of the few things I like about the summer is that we can all sleep in. Oh well, it'll be worth it when I cross the finish line at the MCM. Right? … [Read more...]

Good run today. I did three miles in 26:28. I'm slowly bringing my times down for the short runs, but I have to admit that this particular loop is mostly flat.And now for some whining...I'm not a big fan of summer. I don't like to be hot. I don't like to be sweaty unless I'm running. Jones needs a lot of activity and I don't particularly like swimming (no Tri's for me LOL) and sitting out at a hot playground isn't high on my list either. So, I planned our summer so that we would be home for only about 5 and a half weeks. I figured with Jones in part day camps and Shoo napping, I'd be able to pull off marathon training. Apparently I live in a fantasy world.Shoo has decided that naps are optional. If he takes one, it's usually nice … [Read more...]

Saturday morning, I hit the pavement at 6:30am. It was already horribly humid and quickly beginning to warm up. I ran an average of 10:03 per mile and actually did quite a good job of keeping my pace pretty even. The only slow miles included one where I got stopped for directions and one where I hit a long light and ate a Gu. The hills were pretty intense. I'll never have to specifically do a hill workout around here. It's virtually impossible to miss them if I run more than a couple of miles. I drank one fuel belt bottle of 'ade and a half of one of water plus the Gu. When I got home, I drank another 16 ounces or so of the 'ade and then got on the scale. Even with what I had drunk, I had lost 2.5 pounds! As much as I hate getting … [Read more...]

I did six miles on the treadmill today while Shoo napped. It was hot and humid and I was totally drenched when I got done, but it was a good run. I decided to go for negative splits again and, since I find treadmill running boring, I actually paid close attention to my speeds. My miles 10 9:30 9:20 9:18 9:08 9:29 My average speed was about 9:27, which is a good pace for me. I would have liked to have done the last mile faster, but I was dying for some water and I'm not coordinated enough to run and drink at the same time when I'm on the treadmill. I REALLY need to find some new shorts though. I run in "compression" shorts and the ones I own are the Champion 86% cotton ones. I end up completely soaked by the end of my run. I … [Read more...]

Not so much physical flexibility, although I'm sure I could benefit from more stretching. Rather, I'm trying to stay mentally flexible about my training plan for the marathon. Since both kids are home with me for the summer and Beer Geek occasionally travels for work, I have to grab running time where it presents itself. As much as I'd like to say that I'm going to run every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I have to realize that some weeks will have to be different, especially once the mileage really starts increasing.Today, when I dropped Jones off at his camp, one of the moms offered to take him home with her and give me most of the day with just Shoo. I happily took her up on it (and will return the favor later this … [Read more...]

Despite too much beer and too much food (is it really possible to gain three pounds in one day?!?), Dad and I had an excellent run this morning. We aimed for 9:45 miles and ended up doing 9:28. The best part was the mileage breakdown. 9:48, 9:17, 9:44, 9 something, 9:25, and 8:52. We really rocked that last mile and could have done it even a bit faster. I actually sprinted the last .1 miles. I've been trying to start slower and finish strong and this run was the best I've managed so far. I'm going to miss running with my dad. Jones, Shoo, and I head back home tomorrow. It'll be great to see Beer Geek and nice to get home to my own bed, but I love visiting my parents. I wish we didn't live half a country away. I'm now done with week 3 … [Read more...]