4 miles-Done

Short & sweet today. 4 miles in about 38mins. Ran w/ the partner but she had 9 miles to do so I turned at the 2 mile mark & doubled back. Felt really good to run in the crisp morning air. More than likely gonna hook up w/ her later for some New Year's Eve fun. Everyone be safe tonight & see ya in the new year!

A little of this,a little of that

First let me tell ya about tempo run w/ my friend. We decided on a 8:40 pace. But we ended up going a 8:30 pace. Faster than what we originally planned but slower than what I do on my own. She was surprised that it wasn't as challenging as she thought it would be. So even I though I still think that she is faster than me overall & when she got sick over the summer lost a lot of training ground;I believe she has come around to my pace now. The student has now become the teacher.

Anyway I had longtime friend come in from Vegas to visit his family over the past few days. We got together Saturday for some catching up & wonderful dinner at Patina Grill. Great place! I wish I had a camera to take some pics of the decor & food. The menus had this "patina" look to them & the menu was internationally eclectic. A little pricey but sooo good! We had a great bottle of Shiraz that blew me away. I'm usually not one for reds but this one was really good. They have the BEST key lime tart that I have ever had.

Unfortunately I woke up yesterday w/ a scratchy throat(though it didn't stop me enjoying myself at dinner) & now today I have the stuffy head. Lovely! Tomorrow's a.m. 4miler should fun. I'm going to load up on Sudafed & Kleenex. I hope everyone had a good weekend & have a good night!

Guess what I did?

Besides working & x-training this is what I did...

Dear Dana,

Thanks for signing up for the April 5, 2008 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by POWERade.

T-shirt and packet pick up will be available at the Anthem Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, April 3 from 3 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the U-TURN Sports Performance Academy, 2101 Maywill Street (directions are available on our website).

Remember, there is no packet pick up available on Race Day!

A photo ID is required to pick up your race packet. You may pick up a race packet for another pre-registered runner, provided you have a copy of their photo ID.

For any race-related information, please visit www.sportsbackers.org. Join the Anthem Massey Fundraising Challenge: Put Cancer on the Run!

It's now official. There's no turning back now. Somehow it seems more real to me now that I have plunk down $$. Now it's just focusing on the training until the big day!

In other news I've got my usual Fri. 5 mile tempo run today. Supposed to be in the 50's,cloudy & a little breezy. Not too bad for a run.

I hope everyone has a great weekend & see ya on the flip side!

Treading it

I know that you are in suspense wondering if I decided to brave the howling winds & cold rain for my 2miler or did I head indoors?..Well maybe I'm the only in suspense. I decided to hit the tread mill yesterday(ducking the cold stares of disapproval from the hard-core runners out there) I got out of work yesterday & on the way home I just couldn't get up the motivation to run in the cold rain. You guys all know that I heart running in the cold but adding rain on top of that? I kept thinking to myself.."Don't wanna,ain't gonna". But the prospect of spending almost 30 mins on the tread to get the same distance in wasn't sitting too well w/ me either. So I decided to really hammer it on the mill so that I could do 2miles in the same amount of time it would have taken me out on the road. I was going 7.2mph for about 12mins & then topped out at 7.8mph for the last few mins.

It felt really good. I was surprised because usually I go varying speeds from 5.8mph to max of 7.2mph(no wonder it was taking me twice as long). I didn't think that I could keep that high speed on the mill. But once I found my rhythm & slowed my breathing it was all good. Also I didn't feel any flareups from my ankle which also a blessing. I did take some Alleve earlier that day as well as iced it afterwards.

I've got x-training today followed by upper body strength training. I'm out.

Christmas Day

For the first time in several years I spent Christmas w/ Mom & her side of my family. My parents divorced when I was 8 due to my Mom not really wanting to a mother. Unfortunately she only married my Dad to get of small country life but really wasn't cut out to be a mother. Trust me they were many times when I was younger when I though my Mom should have aborted me instead of try to pretend to be something that she wasn't. My Dad raised me but there has always been this rift between my Mom & me due to her bad behavior & some wrong things she did to me as a young adult.

Needless to say that as we have gotten older & she has changed her ways & I have learned to be more forgiving has lead to me spending the holiday w/ her. I had a great time. It was so nice seeing my cousin(who is a mother herself to an adorable 1 year old girl-still can't believe it,she's only 1 year and a half younger than me(I'm 34)). My aunt has Christmas brunch every year & I have always been invited but have never gone because of Mom. I got a chance to see some relatives that I hadn't seen in years & sampled(well let's just say that the brunch lasted from 11:30am til 4pm-w/ all the "sampling") some of my uncle's homemade wine. I got a Victoria's Secret gift card & 4-wine glass & decanter set from Mom. Also managed to get a bottle of wine from my uncle.

Spent Christmas night w/ Dad's side of the family. Ate & drank more. Got some cash as well as some homemade honey & strawberry preserve from an Amish store near Williamsburg,VA.

I did get some x-training done yesterday morning(which was good thing due to all the food & drink I consumed). But a good time was had by all & I'll be doing my usual 2miler today. The weatherman is calling for rain,40 degree temps,but windy. Not sure if I gonna do the tread or not.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas & have fun hitting the after-Christmas sales & spending those gift cards!

Christmas Eve A.M. 7miler

There's nothing like waking just after sunrise to go tackle 7 miles in 35 degree temps. Not to mention looking at all the Christmas lights. I was actually surprised at the number of people I saw out running this morning. I figured that everyone w/ the exception of my running bud would be trying to get to the store to finish shopping. But I guess the ones that I saw wanted to get one last run in before Christmas Day. We did a little over 7 miles in 1:09 w/ a 9:15pace. Not too shabby! And just to let you know that the new shoes worked great however my ankle was not pleased. Let's just say that right now I've got it iced & elevated & have hit the Alleve bottle. My friend recommended possibly talking to a sports doc to get x-rays & some exercises geared towards strengthening the ankle. But I think I may do some research online(Hello, WebMD) first. I'm not too keen on going to the doc to have them tell me to do exactly what I'm doing already & "that'll be $35 for the copay please". But it may be beneficial to get some of the exercises,so we'll see.

Anyway I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & don't forget the batteries!

I give up-Part 2-confession time

Didn't think that you would be getting 2 posts outta me on the same day but didn't want to make you sit thru one extra-long post.

W/ that said I have a confession to make. I believe that I may have a little tendinitis in my left ankle(I have never had it before. Feels like a burning sensation like ligaments tearing). I know,I know everyone will say it's because I have been going too fast. But up until I started officially training for the 10k a couple of weeks ago I had no idea how fast I was going. And even then my ankle wasn't hurting. It started acting up once I cut down & lower body strength training & upping my running(per the sched). I used to lower body weight training on Wed. & Fri. Now it's just Wed. cause Fri. is tempo days. I actually do calf raises(they also help strengthen my ankle) at the gym as part of my routine. But now I do a modified version at home w/ standing on leg while slowly lifting & lowering my body up on my toes. It's not the same as the gym because there I am standing on a ledge w/ weights on my shoulders & my feet hanging off the back while raise & lower my body. But get this,I didn't feel the pain when I was on the road only when I am running on the treadmill(I know,yet another reason to hate it!). Something about running on the tread & my ankle being in the same locked position/versus the road when I constantly have to adjust my stride & ankle position to compensate for the ever changing surface caused me not to notice the pain at all when I was road running.

I had gotten new running shoes around Thanksgiving in preparation for the 10k training. I got the same model as I had last year but for some reason they didn't feel as cushy(I didn't try them on before I left the store cause I figured that I didn't have to since it was the same model as before). I blew it off thinking that maybe it was just me. Well the shoes never felt the same but I continued to use them. I would even feel the pain going down a set of stairs(never going up). I looked like a little old lady moving down them!

But anyway this past week at the gym I was near tears by the time I got off the treadmill(I only go for about 1.61miles) because my ankle was hurting so badly. So I decided to see if I could exchange them for another brand. Well because I had worn them I couldn't return them(obviously but I was hoping the running store would take pity on me-but no luck there) but they did give me a break on this pair. They feel AMAZING! Now I am not saying that it's the shoes that causing the problem but maybe a combo of not doing as much lower body weight training,adding a little more miles to my usual running but not greatly so,& new shoes that didn't feel so hot could have contributed to my ankle's demise.

So I'll be taking them out for a spin tomorrow for 7 miles(I will be w/ my running bud so no speed). I bought some Alleve on Sat. but I want to hold off taking them until I see how my ankle holds up w/ the new kicks on the road & at the gym. So if my ankle acts up at the gym then I know the new shoes didn't make a bit of difference & I'll be hitting the bottle w/ ice. The Alleve bottle that is. But if there's no pain then I have learned my lesson about buying running shoes w/o trying them on first even if it's the same model that I have had before. I figure that I can use my slightly older pair(only a month old) for short road runs. And keep the drugs & ice handy.

Sorry for the long post. But I figured you're like me avoiding wrapping gifts,cooking(if you need to) & prepping for the big day & could use a break. Or maybe not. In any event,I'll be posting the results of my 7miler w/ my new kicks tomorrow! Good night!

I give up-Part 1

I would like to tell ya that I listened to everyone's advise took things easier on my Friday tempo run. That I was able to stay between a 8:30-35 pace & it was all good. But then I would be lyin' & I don't know ya well enough yet..;-) So my warm-up mile I clocked in at 8:39-40(several seconds slower than last week). I figured I was doing better so I sped it up a little to start my tempo pace. Well obviously I sped it up a lot cause I came in w/a total time of 41:22(avg. pace of 8:17-same as last week). What can I say? This pace feel good but challenging. So what I have decided to do is when I do run alone I will go that pace but listen to my body if I feel any pain but w/ my partner I will run a slower pace. Because honestly w/o a Garmin or someone telling me while I am running that I am going faster than my program pace then I am not going to know til I'm done. But I promise to be careful.

To go fast or not to go fast?

Thanks to Robin for posting the link for the McMillan Running Calculator. It stated that I should be going a 8:48-9:10pace for tempo runs & a 8:40-8:58pace for tempo intervals. For long runs & easy runs I should be at a 10:11-11:11 pace. Holy cow I am going MUCH faster than that. My long run on Monday which was my 6miler I finished in about 55:00 mins w/ an average pace of 9:07. That was really a comfy pace for me. Given the fact that a 10k is about 6.2 the McMillan site says that I should finish that in about 53:59 w/a pace of 8:40. Which I guess is right since you tend to go faster at a race(due to excitement & whatnot) than you do for your normal/training runs. I guess my concern is that because I am going much faster on my training runs that either I won't be able to do that on race day & end up going slower or I may try to push myself even faster on race day & end up possibly really hurting by the end. Obviously I don't want either scenario to happen so what I will try to do is shoot for around 8:30-8:35 on the tempo runs & keep my pace of 9:07 on the long & easy runs because going 10:11 is really too slow for me.

My wanting to go fast when I do any type of cardio is something that I have wrestled w/ since I started exercising(about 5 years ago). Sometimes it is good to go fast I know, but then there other times when I need to back the heck off before I get hurt. I guess the key is knowing when to go slow & easy & when to go balls out & run like you stole something.

W/ all that said I do have a tempo run(5miles total/3miles at a pace of 8:49pace) today(w/ my running partner) so I have told her we HAVE TO go at a 8:35-8:40 pace. Which should be doable because again she has the Garmin,map & can't leave her behind! I'll try to post my results later this evening. For all those braving the malls for the final Christmas shopping hoorah remember comfy shoes,yours lists, & plenty of patience. If all that fails there is always alcohol to numb the pain!

Another 2miler down & running sched.

I came. .I shivered at the start..I picked up the pace..I started to sweat...And then it was over.. Doncha just love those shortie runs? 2 miles at a 8:17pace for an end time of 16:43. About 12 seconds than last 2miler. I am one fast mofo in the cold! It will be interesting to see how much slower my times will be once winter is over w/ & weather heats up again. Because I have no doubt that they will be.

So I have a running program question for all of you out there. A little background first. My running schedule that I downloaded from Runner's World has my tempo runs at 3 miles w/ an 8:49pace. But as you know by now I am going much faster than that. On my first tempo run as well as my 2milers I have been going a challenging but comfortable for me 8:17pace. Now on my long runs(6 & 7miles) I have been averaging about a 8:54pace. Understandable since I am going further. The program did not ask me for my average pace(just a recent race time,the race distance I am training for,how many miles do I put in now,& how hard I want to train) so I am not sure how it arrived at that 8:49pace. Considering that it may be too slow for me. So my question is does any one know of a program that will take into consideration of what your average pace is & then create a schedule from there? Or is the 8:49pace right for me & I should slow down?

I've got my usual Thurs. x-training at the gym(need to get my workout sched. posted) & thanks once again for listening!

Ramblings

I wanted thank those who weighed in w/ opinions about me getting a Garmin. I am definitely torn. I thought more about last night when I was at the gym & I realized that I love running for fun & fitness. And even though people tell me I'm fast I don't intentionally work on my speed. I don't do speedwork & outside of the tempo runs I have scheduled for my 10k training I have no interest in wanting to get faster. I realize that the more I run I'll get a little bit faster(as my muscles become more efficient at pounding the road) but that's enough for me. And as far the distance feature of the Garmin well I use Map My Run & print out directions for my long runs(over 3 miles). A part of me doesn't want to become a slave to another gadget but I do see the pros for having one. But not unless someone is willing to give me(& even then I would feel guilty about taking it because I know I won't get much use out of it for the reasons I stated above) one then I REALLY don't see me buying one for myself. W/ all that said who knows I might change my mind(I'm a girl..sue me) & buy one anyway.

So I've got a short 2miler today & the temps are supposed to be in the upper-40s w/ wind chill of low to mid-40s & cloudy. I am wondering when I will head to the treadmill when temps get too cold? I know those who live in the midwest(Steve) are used to running in much colder temps but I am not looking to get frostbite in my girly bits..I know no chance of that today..But still..Anyway good luck to all those who are running today & thanks listening to my rambling.

Cold run

FINALLY,FINALLY the cold temps are here! It was around 45 degrees w/ a wind chill factor of 39 yesterday for my run. Did 6miles(easy 9:03 pace) in 55mins. Definitely could not go faster due to running w/ my friend(she has a Garmin & the map to where we were running). She kept telling me over & over that I need a Garmin. I keep thinking that outside of needing to know my pace(I did a down'n'dirty method of going mile marker to mile marker in a certain time-but you see how well that worked-see tempo post) for my tempo runs I really can't afford to spend the $$ for something that would sit inside the box after my 10k training. But then she pointed out because I wasn't trying to go that fast,I might injure myself by pushing myself harder(w/o knowing it) than what my body is currently training for. I hate it when she makes sense! So we'll see. In addition to totally shooting down my argument for not getting a Garmin,she totally surprised me by giving me a reflective vest to run in! I totally was not expecting that! Since it gets darker so much earlier(like around 5) it's nice to know that my running partner doesn't want me to get hit. Then again it would mean that she would have to look for another one if I did which would mess up her running schedule

I've got x-training today at the gym. Have a good Tuesday everyone!

So..what about that tempo run?

1st tempo run. 5 miles. 3 miles at 8:49 pace. How about I ran it at a..wait for it..don't move..8:17 pace. 8:17?!?! Tempo out the window(hey that rhymes!). My total time was 41:20. Yeah... So anyway I was fast. Faster than what my running sched says I should be. Is this normal or right? And just to let you know that they were some hills involved so I don't get it. I do have to admit that after that run,my thighs were shredded. I never knew what that really felt like but I have read other runners talk about it & after my run I had my first experience w/ it. I'm tellin' ya I had to work out the logistics for going to the bathroom! Heaven helped me if I really had to go. So next morning I did some Pilate's for the lower body & felt a little better but then the inside of left ankle started acting up during the course of the day. It was kind of like a burning sensation. I might have slightly over-worked the ligaments in that spot or maybe my ankle was just pissed at me for making it run at a 8:17 pace for 5 miles. So of course I had to baby it for the rest of the weekend. Feels fine today which is good cause I have an easy 6miler on Monday. Hopefully I'll be running w/ my running partner(who just to let you know is naturally faster than me but she's been going slower since her bout w/ mono a few months back). She will keep me slower since where we run I am not familiar w/ the area & she has the map & I really can't leave her behind.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Byeeeee!!!

1st tempo run

So I've got a 5 mile tempo run(3miles @ 8:49pace,plus 1mil warmup & cooldwn) scheduled for today w/ high 50s for temps(yeah!). I was supposed to meet up w/ my running bud at mile 3 but she had to bow out due to family obligations. Since I don't have a Garmin,I mapped my route on Google & notated the mile markers so that I know how far I have to go in my prescribed pace. I know that my running bud as well those who have left comments here say that I am speedy but somehow it doesn't feel like it when I am out on the road,ya know? Also knowing that this is my 1st tempo run where I am supposed to go at a certain pace is making me a little nervous. But if I don't hit it,I know that this will give me a goal to work towards(or at least die trying). I'm out.

2miler

So 2 miles yesterday in..get this..16:59. We're talking 7:57 pace. Are you kidding me?!?! You would have thought somebody was chasing me w/ a weapon. And it wasn't even cold(we're talking low 70's). I have noticed that I tend to run better(read-faster) in the cold as I assume a lot of runners do but good grief..7:57 pace? Now granted that's w/ 2 miles I suspect-in fact I know I more than likely could not keep that pace over more than 2 miles. But whoa..

I wanted to say thanks to all the congrats over my 1st 5k where I ran the whole way. Your comments mean a lot to me given how speedy you all are & once again confirms what great,supportive running community we have. Also to Sensationally Red my arm is feeling a LOT better since my mishap at the gym last week. I have updated my blog w/ races that I have run & those I have planned for next year on the right. I'd like to get some pics on here but I don't have a camera(although I may ask Santa for one under the tree). And all of my races except for the one I ran this past Sunday I go to alone.

I've got x-training today at the gym. And of course it's cold(well colder then it has been in the past few days-we're talking high of about 50 which is what it should be) today. But hopefully it will be cold tomorrow for my 5miler.

My 1st comment!

I know that for many bloggers this is a creative outlet. Just to put your thoughts out there. But it's nice to get feedback. Because honestly for me,I wouldn't make my life public if I weren't expecting some feedback. I think a lot of us are exhibitionists at heart. So thanks for showing this new blogger some love!

On tap for me today is an easy 2miler(in shorts & a t-shirt again-gotta love this crazy weather we’re having in Virginia!) Followed up w/ lower body strength training. I’ve got my 1^st tempo run on Fri.(according to my running program) & I am not sute how to do it w/o a Garmin or something similar. I have this Polar watch but it doesn’t give me a pace. I have to wait til I’m done & then look at the total time & then do the math. I would like to buy a Garmin but they are crazy expensive & I’m not sure if I want to invest that much into something that right now would be beneficial for my 10k training but after that I might not use it as much. Any thoughts?

5 miles

So...5 miles yesterday w/ the running partner,in 70 degree weather in December done in 46mins. Yeah I'm a little speedy(for me anyway). This crazy weather that we are having(70 degrees one day,a 20 degree drop the next day..fun times) makes running(not to mention dressing) a challenge. I had originally thought on Friday that I would only run about 3 miles after my 5k yesterday but legs were feeling good & I was anxious to start my 10k training. The program that I am on had me doing 6 miles yesterday but I knocked off a mile to be safe. But it will be 6 next Monday. So it will be the gym today for some elliptical & tread work followed by upper body strength training. Later.

5k & other weekend stuff

So this weekend past by in a blur. And I know that time usually does when you are doing something fun. Here's my weekend rundown(I won't be offended if you want to skip to the bottom-really..):

Friday:

Did a 3.1miler w/ running friend. Did it a 8:58 pace. Nice & easy since I had my 5k race on Sunday. Then later that evening I had drinks w/ said running friend. I was in by 9pm though cause I had some surfing on the net to do for a dip recipe for my choir annual potluck Christmas party.

Saturday:

Got my hair done in the morning then did some Christmas shopping & general errand running. I had to pick up a $5 gift for the "Dirty Santa" game that is played at the party. Ended up getting some black cherry jam at the World Market(I heart that store). I managed to get one person crossed off my list but of course I bought a couple of things for me as my reward! You know one gift for one person/2 gifts for me! Went to the Christmas party that night. I had tons of fun. And there was SOOO much food. Sausage dips,meatballs in a sweet type sauce,cheesecake. I never did surf the net Friday night for a dip recipe so I decided to buy a chocolate angel food cake for the party. It was never eaten!. No matter though,I sent it home w/ someone else. Didn't need a whole cake in my house since I live alone. We sang Christmas carols(of course we tried to do the 12 Days of Christmas & couldn't remember after the 9th day. Any know what's given after that?) But it was fun just the same. Later we played "Dirty Santa"(which I had never played). The rules were each person would pick a gift in order(1-how many gifts were there-we had 17). The next person could steal the previous person's gift or pick from the pile. A gift could only be stolen 3 times. I got the last number so I had the chance to see what everyone got that I could steal. There were some gag gifts(think singing Christmas trees & mice). No way I wanted those! Someone had a tealight holder in the shape of a snowman(done in silver) & one of those running water stone statues(runs by batteries). I really wanted the stone statue so I took that one. Then someone showed up late to the party & ended up taking it! So I ended taking the snowman tealight holder.

Update: At church on Sunday the host of the party bought me a running water stone statue! She said she felt bad that my gift got taken since the game was over w/ by the time the late person got there. I told her that she shouldn't have but accepted it just the same. Almost brought tears to my eyes!

Sunday:

Did my 1st 5k running the entire distance! Clock time was 25:59/official result 26:03. It wasn't a chipped race so everyone had to walk down the chute so their time could be recorded manually. In a way I don't like non-chipped races because the people recording the time are often 10-15feet away from the clock not to mention the human error. But it was small running-club sponsored race w/ the proceeds going towards the Toys 4 Tots program so no chip. I didn't start off too fast like I was afraid of doing. Unfortunately I don't have a watch that gives me splits(maybe Santa-if you're listening-can bring a Garmin for Christmas?). Anyway I am really proud of my time & it was a well-organized race. The only negative was a lot of the kids on course kept stopping in the middle of the road to either look for the friends and/or parents. I have no problem w/ kids running in these races but please for heaven's sake MOVE TO THE SIDE! Don't stand right there in the middle of the road leaving everyone who is running to go around you! One great thing that happened(other than my time-I also placed in the top 10 in my age group(30-34)) my running partner showed up to cheer me on! She thought about doing it w/ me but due to getting mono a few months ago she didn't feel up to racing just yet. I had left her message that morning to remind of the time if she wanted to come out but I figured that she wouldn't show. Imagine my surprise when she tugs on my arm just I am about to line up at the start! That totally made my day.

Sorry for the long post(if you are still w/ me). I plan on doing an easy 5miler this afternoon. I am starting to train for a 10k in the spring of next year. I know that my running partner stated that I should do less miles today(since I just raced yesterday) & do a longer run either Tues. or Wed. But honestly my legs feel good & Tues. isn't going to work because I x-cross train that day(as well as Thurs.) & Wed. doesn't work because I do a short run(3.1miles) then & right afterwards I have choir practice. So I figured as long as I take slow,listen to my body(& stop if it starts to hurt) I should be ok. Until next time....

Gym mishap

Guess what?..... It's SNOWING here! I just heart the snow. We don't get much of it here in central VA. More ice & slush than snow. Of course when we do manage to get some of the white stuff people don't know how to drive in it. And then there's the rush to the grocery stores to try to buy up the world's supply of bread,eggs, & milk. I always laugh at those people! My grandmother used to tell me that if you don't have enough food to last you at least a week on a regular basis then you don't know how to grocery shop! No truer words have been spoken. Beside the fact these are the same people when the governor tells ya to stay off the roads so the state's snow crew can work their magic,are out there driving(due to severe cabin fever..but w/ technology to some extent keeping from having face-to-face contact..why would they have cabin fever!?) Anyway some of these people have the monster suv's & the few flakes that normally grace my neck of the woods gives them reason to be out there. Anyway to anyone who may be lurking who lives in the central VA be careful out there. So on to the title of today's post.

So I was at the gym yesterday evening doing my thing & I was on a machine designed to work your triceps. You have to sit w/ this pad about chest-level in front of you w/ arms over it. Then there is bar w/ 2 handles goes over top that when your arms are resting on the pad but bent at a 90 degree angle you grab the handles & push the bar that causes the weights to lift. I know not a very good description but work w/ me! Anyway usually the bar(w/ the handles) will lock into position then place up & out of the way. Well last night the locking mechanism wasn't working & the handle came crashing down on right elbow(right near the funny bone..but SOOO not funny!). Talk about an instant tear-inducer. I managed to finish the rest of my sets as well as the rest of my workout but could not raise(& bend) my right arm to drink from my water bottle w/ moaning in pain. I believe I just bruised the bone but man it hurts today!

I've got 3+miler this afternoon. I am hoping that the snow will hold out so I can run it but the forecaster says that it will change to rain by this evening. I'm out.

Windy run

So I managed to do a 4+miler w/ my running partner in my first VERY windy run. Winds were gusting at about 20mph but some of was at our backs which made the run somewhat easier. We did the distance in about 34mins. Coolness!

I have a 5k toy run on this Sunday. This will be my first race where I am running the whole distance instead of the Galloway run/walk method. I used to do a 5mins run followed by a 1 min walk but a couple of months ago I was running w/ my friend & we were talking about her buying a house in my hood & before I knew it I hadn't looked down at my watch to take a walk break & had been running the ENTIRE time! My friend didn't let me know it til the end(such a good run buddy she is). She said "Dana you are a RUNNER,there isn't really any need for you to walk anymore unless you absolutely have to." She asked me how I felt during the run & I told her that I felt great & didn't feel tired at all. She also let me know that we kept a pace of around 8:45 to 9:00 the whole distance. I thought I was moving so slow! Since then I have not looked back. The running club that I belong to organized this run to raise donations for needy kids who would otherwise not get any toys at Christmas. You can either pay the $10 registration fee or donate a toy worth $5-$10. Very worthy cause. There is guaranteed to be at least one person dressed as Santa running it. I can't wait! So I am thinking of a pace of 8:30-8:45. Nice & conservative because I know I am going to try to run faster due to all the excitement from the race.

So I have cross-training today at the gym(some tread & elliptical followed by upper body strength training). One of these days I need to put my workout schedule,the races that I have done as well as the blogs that I follow on this site(because I know you all are SOOO interested in that!). Later!

Weekend recap

Miss me?..Ha Ha..I know that I am just putting myself out there for my own masochist enjoyment. Well I did a 4+miler(in about 38mins..yeah!) w/ my running partner on Friday. It was nice & chilly of course but a good run was had by all. Of course my partner wanted to sprint at the end & my body was not having it! Between all the gunk that I had been swallowing during the course of the run(due to a stuffy nose) my stomach was staging a revolt by the end of the run. Obviously she smoked me but immediately felt bad afterward when she asked me how I was & I told I could taste my day's meals back in my throat. Such a good friend! Anyway I spent the rest of Fri. evening doing laundry,cleaning & blowing my nose. I know,I know you are soooo jealous! Spent Saturday running errands & did Chinese takeout. That's my one day that I don't cook & treat myself to someone else's work! I always get a hot 'n' spicy shrimp dish that is done w/ Old Bay seasoning(it's a seasoning salt that is commonly used w/ steamed crab & shrimp) in a gravy type sauce. It's sooo yummy. I have thought about trying to re-create it at home but I'm lazy & figure someone else can cook for a change.



So I was at the grocery store(a fairly popular one here in the VA that is kind of pricey) & I go to checkout. I am walking up to the express checkout & see that the person in front of me has way more than the limit(but in her defense the clerk asked her to come over because she was free). The person tells me to go ahead of her since I only have about 5 items. I proceed to put my stuff on the conveyor belt & the clerk is checking me out. Now I have cloth,re-usable bags(trying to be green & all that) & my store gives back a 5cent credit for each bag used. Then the clerk tries to put my eggs into a plastic bag. I tell her not to do it,that's what the cloth bags are for. You would have thought that I told her to explain the big bang theory because she goes totally blank & gives me that vacant stare. It's like she didn't know what to do when I stopped her from putting my eggs in the plastic bag. I'm like didn't the store train you on customers who buy the cloth bags to their groceries are trying to SAVE the environment not destroy it! So I give her another cloth bag to put the eggs in & then she tries to do the same thing to my ice cream! I'm like my goodness this clerk needs a crash course in reusing & recycling. The lady behind me jokes that I am going to eat the ice cream on the way which is why I don't want to put it in a plastic bag(how did she know that?..lol) Anyway at this point I am SOO ready to be out of there & then the clerk says that I am paying w/ cash when I clearly show her that I am paying by debit card. At this point I'm like can I please end this pleasant(not!) experience for the both of us & pay & get out here!



That brings us to Sunday morning which I spent in church(always an uplifting good time). Our church is decked out the biggest(stands over 30 feet high) Christmas tree that I have seen done in red & gold. Almost makes me want to go out & buy a tree for my place but I have absolutely no storage space for the ornaments once I take the tree down. I've got one of those prelit almost Charlie Brown like tabletop trees which is enough for me.



Well I'm off to cook some pasta & sauce for dinner. Ciao!

Burning nose-Part 2

So I worked out at the gym yesterday. Did the elliptical for about 16mins for about 2.42miles then moved to the tread for 15mins for about 1.62miles. Ended w/ some upper body strength training. The nose burned before I started & after I was done. But at least I didn't have to carry any Kleenex w/ me! Still burning this morning(I know exciting stuff here!..I won't be offended if you would rather read about ANYTHING else other than this). I think my body is trying to get sick on me & I am NOT havin' it!(as if I can control that..lol)

But I have to put this question out there to anyone reading..Does anyone who goes to the gym & have to wait for a machine & will get dirty looks from the person using it? This has happened to me a few times w/ a personal trainer who is w/ someone on the machine that I want to use. I wait patiently giving plenty of personal space so they don't feel like I am breathing down their necks but I still get the evil eye from the trainer & sarcastic,joking(but not really) comment that "Are you waiting?". Well of course I am just standing here in front of the machine,staring you down,silently counting your reps til you're done. I am always polite & say that I am but to take their time(of course that DOES NOT mean you should be taking 2-3min rests between each set..I mean if you need that much time then MAYBE the weight is too heavy?..hmm?). Then the trainer usually says,"You can go to another machine & then come back when we're done." To which I say,"That I have a particular order in which I use these machines". Besides I know that if I leave someone else might take my spot. I HATE it when this happens! I am not going huff & puff beside you or even worse ask very rudely when you are going to be done but I am going to wait & NO I will not move to another machine! What I really like to say is "I am waiting..Get over it & do your reps". But I try to bite my tongue because I know that does not solve anything.

Anywhooose sorry for the long rant but just had to get that out. On tap for today is a 2+miler around my hood followed w/ some lower body strength training. I'm out!

Run in the cold

Went for a run yesterday. Did 3.1miles in 26:06. Not too shabby. Weather was slightly chilly about 50s,sunny but very little breeze. I heart running in the cold although I don't like having to put too much effort in what to wear. In the summer it's all about sports bra,shorts,socks,shoes. Low maintance! This is my 1st time running in the cold & I never realized how much planning it takes into putting together an outfit. I know it's all about layers but by the time I put everything on,I have already had a workout!..;-) Although it seems as if I brought a little friend back w/ me from my run yesterday. Say hello to Mr. Sniffles. My nose is burning like I have to sneeze but I don't & instead I sit here at my desk w/ a Kleenex hovering around my face as if I have some contagious disease. Yesterday on my run my nose was doing as much running as the rest of my body! I wonder if you could time that? What would the splits be? I know,I know it takes little to amuse me.

Well I plan on hitting the gym today for some treadmill & elliptical time as well as some upper body strength training. Should be fun w/ a burning nose!

Intro

Not quite sure how to start this. I mean it's my 1st post that sets the tone(or either have you running screaming for the hills wondering why I thought my life would be interesting enough to read). But here goes...

I am 30-something single gal living in Virginia who started running(due to peer pressure from a trainer) about 9 months ago. I love to read,run(although not necessairly together),cook(in my own mind-but no one has died-not that I know of-from my dishes). Sometimes crazy stuff happens to me but I have no one around to share it w/. So I am here to post my musings about life& the pursuit of the perfect run.