TexasLindsey

15 miles at 10:30 am.  Average pace 8:27.   33 degrees, sunny, wind 10 mph.   Had to run by myself since my group didn't meet today. 

Splits

Mile 1- 8:32

Mile 2- 8:43

Mile 3- 8:47

Mile 4- 8:39

Mile 5- 8:44

Mile 6- 8:34

Mile 7- 8:24

Mile 8- 8:18

Mile 9- 8:29

Mile 10- 8:31

Mile 11- 8:20

Mile 12- 8:33

Mile 13- 8:25

Mile 14- 8:07

Mile 15- 7:35

6.2 miles at noon.  Average pace= 8:31.  50 degrees, sunny, wind 7 mph. 

Splits

Mile 1- 8:37

Mile 2- 8:29

Mile 3- 8:56

Mile 4- 8:25

Mile 5- 8:27

Mile 6- 8:22

Last .2 mile pace- 7:32

I had minor cold like symptoms for these last 2 weeks but after Saturday's 15 miler, I think it progressed to a sinus infection.  I felt awful yesterday so I went to the doctor and got some antibiotics.  I don't want any infection moving to my lungs and making it so I can't run.   Today I feel much better but I'm definitely still sick.  I read that as long as your sickness is above the neck, it's ok to run. 

My 3 year old is also sick.  He has the same thing but his turned into 2 ear infections.  He's on antibiotics too now but... man, three year olds are cranky when they are sick... way worse than adults.  He is absolutely torturing his 10 month old brother.  So between myself being sick and my 3 year old acting this way, life isn't that fun right now. 

Thankfully, my sweet sister babysat the kids so I could run today.  Only had enough time to do 6.  I felt ok but my nose ran nonstop. 

6.7 miles at 5:30 pm.  Average pace = 8:10.   57 degrees, dark, no wind.

Mile 1- 8:27

Mile 2- 8:01

Mile 3- 8:11

Mile 4- 8:03

Mile 5- 8:11

Mile 6- 8:10

Last .7 mile- 7:23 

This was an unexpectedly great run!  I love it when that happens!  

I was hoping to have gotten the chance to run earlier in the day but it didn't work out... so disappointing!  So the only way I was going to get to run today was when my husband came home at 5:30 pm.  I hate running at night in the dark and cold.  Sunset is at 5:45 pm.  I had to have dinner ready, be dressed ready to go, and have both children in a reasonable mood if I was going to make it.  Things worked out, but I still didn't feel really excited about running.  Regardless, I just unenthusiastically put myself on autopilot to get ready and I repeated the mantra "Just Do It".  Thanks, Nike. 

I am so glad I did!  I don't know WHAT it was, but once I started running I felt awesome great!  My breathing was effortless even charging hills.  My legs felt perfect and strong.  The temperature was great.  I just ran happy the whole way.... and fast.  It's funny too because this 8:00 pace felt like 8:30 felt all last week.  Weird.

Another interesting tidbit.  I saw 4 other runners out there today.  Never have I ever, ever run into that many people around my neighborhood on a run.  It must be the New Year resolution effect.  It was nice to not be the only one out there though... might have contributed to my good mood. 

I am excited because my running group is meeting this Saturday.  We're running 16 miles through city streets.  We're doing part of the Cowtown marathon course.  It'll be a nice change from running the trails... and it'll be nice to run with other people since we haven't had a group run since Dec 18th... I've been running by myself all this time and I'm bored of it.

5.3 miles at 6 pm.  Average pace = 8:50.   55 degrees, dark, no wind.

Mile 1- 8:56

Mile 2- 8:45

Mile 3- 8:51

Mile 4- 8:49

Mile 5- 8:48

Last .3 pace-  8:48

I took an easy pace today.  My nose was running non-stop all day.  I didn't feel bad though... it's just really annoying.  I would have run more miles tonight but it was so dark I just really hated being out there.   My husband is off work tomorrow which means I can run in the daylight!!!  Woo Hoo! 

So frustrating!  I have been struggling with cold /sinus infection symptoms for the last couple weeks.  Last Sunday and Monday my whole body felt achy and just bad... my sinuses were completely clogged and my ears hurt.  I got an antibiotic on Monday and I started to feel better... but then yesterday my nose just started running non-stop.  Middle of last night I realized that it had moved into my lungs.  This morning, I've got a tight feeling in my chest and I'm coughing.  This is not good. 

I'm not feeling terrible but I don't know what to do next... if there is any way I could prevent this from getting worse.   I'm wondering if the antibiotic did more harm than good.  I think I had a viral and a bacterial infection going on.  I do think it took care of the bacterial thing because now the excessive snot is perfectly clear... but did the antibiotic also kill off the "good bacteria" (which supports my immune system) and thus allow the virus to spread to my lungs?  

Also, maybe it wasn't a good idea to run yesterday when my nose was running so much.  I was following that thing called "the neck rule"... whereby it's ok to run if the ailment is above the neck, but not ok if it's below the neck.  I don't know how to handle sickness and running.  I've never run through the winter before.

This sucks!!!!   I was looking forward to running this Saturday with my group.  We were going to be running city streets of Fort Worth.. through the historic stock yards, downtown, TCU campus, etc.    It's probably not a good idea for me to go now.   I figure if I run, I'll make it worse and last longer.  I don't know.  Maybe I should just go and say to heck with it... if I get sicker, whatever. 

I wish I could just lay in bed and rest.  Not possible with my life.  I spend every waking moment cooking, cleaning, changing diapers... I haven't had a day of rest since August 2007. 

My motivation has been completely zapped.   I got sick and I had to miss several days of running.  I'm better now.... but my nose is still running non-stop.  I think it's just the time of year.  Maybe I have allergies.  I had the same problem last winter... it was like I had a cold for 4 months.  Nothing serious just a running nose.  Still, it's annoying.   

We've also had several days of freezing tempatures.  Running outside is my only option since my husband says we can't afford a gym membership or a treadmill.  This morning the windchill was 8 degrees.  8 degrees!  OMG!  It gets dark at 5:30 pm... and my husband gets home at 5:30 pm...  so I have to run in the freezing cold AND dark if I am to run.  I really want to run, but I draw the line at this...   So basically, I am a prisoner of this house.  I go out to get the mail and that's it.  

I saved up enough money to buy a treadmill but then my washing machine broke.  Ugh!  I spent my saved up birthday and Christmas money on a new washer.... Stupid washer.  LOL  

So now I've been searching the house for things to sell on Craislist so that I can get enough cash to buy a treadmill.   So far my big ticket items aren't selling...   Would you believe that no one wants my china!?!    I have lots of low dollar stuff to have a garage sale but...  If it were warm enough for a garage sale, then I wouldn't need a treadmill so badly.  Oh, the irony! 

My husband is pretty unsupportive about my running and my spending money on running things which is why it took me so long to save up money for the treadmill (ur, uh... washer).  Doesn't he notice that I am in a better mood when I run?   Being here all day with these kids... I love them, but I just need someway to relieve stress and break up the monotony... running gives me something to look forward to.   

I'm trying to not allow myself to get too down... but I am pretty down.  

I'd like to report that today it is 20 degrees outside with the windchill factor of 14 degrees.  I saw on the news that it is 21 degrees lower than the average temperature for this time of year.  Yuck! 

I'll also report that I still have not sold anything on Craislist.  My Craigslist plan for making enough money to buy a treadmill is not having much success at the moment.   I think maybe the yucky weather is to blame.  Yeah, that's it. 

I wish I could move to San Diego and change my handle to CaliforniaLindsey.  I much prefer the California weather ....and political atmosphere, for that matter.  I'll go ahead and share this on the blog --> My immediate family and I are the only Democrats we know here in Texas.  And in Texas, it's considered quite immoral to not be a Republican.  The only way good people are Democrats is if they are gullible idiots.  Thus, my friends and extended family believe me to be..... a gullible idiot.  This in spite of the fact that I have two "political" degrees from the University of Texas - one in Government and one in Economics.  Ha, ha!   Regardless, I've learned over the years that there is no point to advertise my views.  I'm not going to change anyone's mind about anything, not the least of which that I am a gullible idiot.  The only way one would feel comfortable expressing Democratic views in Texas would be if one lived in Austin.  On the political map of Texas, Austin is like a shiney blue island oasis surrounded on all sides by hot red lava.

Don't get me wrong, I love Texas.  It's a wonderful, beautiful state.  I love the people here, too, despite this political thing.  People are very friendly and kind here.  They are also hard working and honest.  They just listen to too much talk radio.....   

Oh, listen to me go on and on...  I'm just depressed that the weather here is interfereing with my running... 

26 degrees today and cloudy.  6 mph wind.  The weather has improved.  

I haven't run in 6 days because of illness and weather... but mostly because I've been feeling sorry for myself that I don't have a treadmill or a gym membership. 

I'm ending this streak today.  I've mustered up the motivation to do whatever it takes to run.  Thus, I am loading my 10 month old, my 3 year old and all their "equipment" in the car today and I'm driving to my sister's house.  She has agreed to babysit them for 1.5 hours while I run.  In exchange, when I am done, I must gather my kids and her 3 year old into my car and take them all back to my house for 2 hours, where no doubt, my house will be destroyed.  After my sister picks up her son, I will then spend the next several hours trying to cook dinner and clean the mess.   It is alot of work just to run.   Sigh... 

Nothing worth having is ever easy.  I guess the same applies here.  I always tell people the reason I like long distance running is because it's so hard.  If it were easy, I wouldn't feel the pride for accomplishing that days run.  I've decided that in addition to the actual effort of running, I need to extend my pride to the entire effort that is required for me to be able to run. 

I'll report back later how all this worked out.  Hopefully, I can hang on to this motivation and jump back on the training wagon for good. 

--------------------------------------

Update:

I am so happy that I ran today.  My confidence and motivation has been restored.  All the effort I have to go through to run today is worth it. 

I ran this park by my sister's house that has a 2.6 mile loop.  I decided to run the loop 3 times and try to get faster each loop.  It was fun.  My IT band on my right leg started bothering me on the 3rd loop.  I think it's these mizuno shoes...   

Loop 1 - 22:09  (8:33 average pace)

Loop 2 - 21:09  (8:09 ap)

Loop 3 - 20:40  (7:59 ap)

3.25 miles at 5:15 pm.  45 degrees.  8:59 average pace.

Well, I was done with my running funk, but apparently, the funk wasn't done with me.  My IT band on the outside of my knee on my right leg started hurting about 2 miles into the run today.  It was hurting at the end of yesterday's run too.  My left IT band knee area was also having issues the entire run.  None of this was so serious that it affected my form but it still hurt. 

I think maybe I shouldn't have run so fast yesterday after taking 6 days in a row off.  I mean I felt fine but I guess maybe my muscles and ligaments were tight or something. 

Also, I need new shoes.  I don't like the mizunos.  I think the asics and the brook's are worn out.  I always start having IT band issues when my shoes are worn out.  I'm surprised that they only lasted 200 miles.  Before this blog, I never tracked the milage exactly.  Forefoot running must wear shoes out faster than normal. 

Probably not a good idea for me to run tomorrow with my group.  I think I'll do it anyways.  I'm going for 10 miles but if my legs hurt, I'll just make it shorter. 

I joined a gym!!   Wooo Hooo!   No more complaining about the weather on this blog!  From now on I'll be complaining about being bored on the treadmill...  j/k.  Ha, ha!  

I also bought new shoes today.  I ran 5 miles in 40 minutes (8 mph average pace) at the gym in my new shoes.  Absolutely no problems whatsoever with my legs.  No IT Band issues.  So maybe the shoes or the treadmill surface. 

Ran 7 miles at the gym.  I ran 1 mile warmup, then I ran 2 miles in 15 minutes, walked 2 minutes, 2 miles in 15 minutes, walked 2 min, 2 miles in 15 minutes.   It was very helpful that the movie Transformers was on the TV right in front of me, made me want to run fast. 

I get bored at the gym and find the only way I can tolerate it is if I come up with some kind of challenge for myself. 

7.4 miles on a treadmill at the gym.  I was planning to run 8 but the machine cut off at 1 hour exactly.   I thought about restarting it and finishing my 8... but then I noticed there was a guy waiting for a machine and all the treadmills were full.  What am I supposed to do in that situation?  Is there some kind of gym ettiquete?   I just left but I was disappointed.

So I get up with determination that I would make it to the gym today.  I was going to take both boys with me for the first time.  Jake (3 yrs) has been before but Ryan (11 mo) has not. 

I won't go into details because it just makes me tired to even talk about it, but it took me 2 and a half hours to get everyone ready to go.   Sigh....  I'm still determined though.  I'm going to run today. 

I get to the gym.  It's 20 degrees outside.  I struggle in with a 25 pound baby in a carrier and a 3 yr old who won't mind me.  I stand in a long line to sign them in.  They BOTH start crying hysterically.  Sigh...   Still, I will not give up.  This will not defeat me.  The childcare ladies and I decided that maybe they will calm down when I leave.  Out of sight, out of mind...  might work.  

I change in the locker room and then I run 2 miles.  I decided to take a break to peek in on the kids.  As soon as I turn the corner, the lady is frantically calling me inside.  Ryan has not stopped crying.   She is not happy.  She will not wait for me to go change and get my stuff, I need to take this baby now.  I had to carry him with me through the gym back to my treadmill to retrieve my things.  People are looking at me oddly...  It's a strange scene.  Then I had to carry him with me to the locker room.  He crawled on the floor while I changed. 

Then I went back to get Jake.  Jake promptly explains that he "boomed" a kid in the "kisser" because the kid hit him.  Where in the world did he get this vocabulary?!  I don't understand... we don't even spank him, and yet all he wants to do is "boom" people.  Must be that Y chromosome.   The other little boy that Jake hit is crying.   Man, I just made these childcare ladies day, didn't I?!  They can't wait for me to leave! 

.......All for 2 stinkin miles.  

Then I went to the grocery store with the two of them because apparently, I hadn't had enough torture and embarrassment already.  I could not muster up enough motivation to try to make up the run later that night. 

GREAT RUN!!   Ran with my group today!  Haven't run with them since Dec 18th.  These long runs with my friends make the struggle to keep up with my weekday runs totally worth it.  I am so surprised that I ran well today considering how few miles I've been logging lately.  I think the treadmill runs have helped me stay fast.  Everytime I run on the treadmill, I do speedwork. 

Today we ran part of the Cowtown Marathon course.  The Marathon training group did 19 miles and the HM training group did 10 miles.  After these last several weeks of reducing my milage, I have decided to drop myself to the HM schedule. There were several hills on this portion.  We started out with a pretty big group - about 15 people.   No one wanted to get lost running on all the city streets.  It was fun! About mile 7, the people running 19 miles split off. 

When there was 2.5 miles left, we got off the city streets and ran on the trails back to the running store.  At this point, I turned on my ipod and speeded up.  Only one guy kept pace with me.  We kinda raced at the end.  He was behind me for 2 miles, but with about 2 football fields to go, he got in front... I briefly thought about letting him go ahead, but then I punched it up this steep hill and passed him again...   I thought I defeated him but I guess I underestimated him.  On the downhill with only 40 yards left, he passed me back.  I didn't have enough juice left to kick into a higher gear.  He finished about 10 yards ahead of me.  Ah well.  I'm impressed with myself that I ran that fast. 

Mile 1- 8:39

Mile 2- 8:22

Mile 3- 7:28

Mile 4- 8:10

Mile 5- 7:50

Mile 6- 7:41

Mile 7- 7:51

Mile 8- 7:39

Mile 9- 7:11

Mile 10- 7:15

3.1 miles at gym in 24:30 minutes. 

7 miles at 5:30 pm around my neighborhood.  Average pace = 8:10.   48 degrees, no wind.  Sunset was at 6 pm.

Felt really strong today.  Legs feel strong.  No problems whatsoever.  I think the treadmill running is making me faster and it is less stress on my legs.

Splits

Mile 1- 8:21

Mile 2- 7:51

Mile 3- 8:26

Mile 4- 8:04

Mile 5- 8:07

Mile 6- 8:22

Mile 7- 8:03

8 miles at 5:20 pm around my neighboorhood.  Average pace =8:46.  50 degrees.  Pleasant until it got dark.  Sunset at 6pm.  Went really slow today because I was having stomach pains.  I ate too much before I ran.

Mile 1- 8:41

Mile 2- 8:36

Mile 3- 8:57

Mile 4- 8:38

Mile 5- 8:52

Mile 6- 8:53

Mile 7- 9:19

Mile 8- 8:20

Chip time 1:41:23  

Race distance according to my Garmin =13.34 miles  

Average pace for first 7 miles =7:36/m

Average pace for last 6 miles=7:38/m

 

Mile 1	7:34
Mile 2	7:38
Mile 3	7:39
Mile 4	7:32
Mile 5	7:43
Mile 6	7:37
Mile 7	7:32
Mile 8	7:35
Mile 9	7:54
Mile 10	7:33
Mile 11	7:38
Mile 12	7:45
Mile 13	7:28
Final .34 mile	7:41 pace

I had a great race today.  Better than expected.  I haven't been running that many miles lately so I assumed I wasn't going to be able to do as well as the half that I ran on Dec 18th (where I ran a 1:41:30).  It was a surprise to finish with about the same time.  Actually, today's race was alot more hilly than that other race AND everyone's garmin had it longer at about 13.3 miles long... therefore, I think today I actually did better than the Dec 18th race.  

Today was really hilly... mostly gentle rolling hills but there was one "nice" hill.  I don't think there was any part of the course that was flat... we were always going up or down.  ELEVATION MAP ---> http://www.wellsphere.com/endurance-training-article/lake-benbrook-half-marathon-pr/596227   

The hills didn't really bother me until around mile 9.  I started having a mental problem in the 9th mile... thinking that the race was hard... that 4 more miles seemed SOOOO far.... I should have run more miles to prepare for this race... I'm not in good enough shape for this...  what if I aggrevate my IT Band on these hills...  

Then it occured to me that I needed to SHUT UP.  I found this song on my ipod that seemed to pump me up and I played it over and over and over and over.  I started focusing on the people in front of me.  Several guys in front of me were slowing down in the final miles so I started passing them and that really improved my mental state.  Actually, now that I think of it... not a single person passed me the entire race. 

I saw this girl in pink ahead of me when there was about 2 miles left.  She was probably about 2 football fields ahead at the time.  I started focusing on her trying to catch up.  She looked like she was getting weak.  Some men were passing her so I thought she was slowing down.  I was able to catch up in the final part.  There was fairly challenging hill (er, well, challenging after running 13 miles) in the final .3 mile.  I sprinted as fast as I could up that hill at the end (which was apparently a 7:41 pace) and I finished almost dead even with her.  I found out later that I actually did squeak it out.... My Gun Time was listed as 1:41:30.3 and hers was 1:41:30.7...  so by the skin of my teeth. 

I think that song that I was repeating was what made all the difference this race. It's called "C'mon" by Tiesto and Diplo.  I loaded it on my ipod last night.  I have never even heard it before.  Never heard of the artists. I just went to the itunes store to the "Dance" charts and saw this song featuring Busta Rhymes with a fast beat and on a whim I loaded it to my ipod.  I LOVE IT!   I think it's the perfect running fast song.  I really recommend it!!!!  It's kinda a techno song with some fast paced rapping.  He repeats "Catch 'em by surprise" over and over.  This became my mantra while I was passing people.  He also says the following over and over... "c'mon" ... "Let's Go"  ... "Hold em off" ... "hypnotize" ....   "Let's go... we're going to fly"...    VERY FAST tempo song.  

5.5 miles at 5:30 pm around my neighborhood.  Average pace=8:19/m   Weather=50 degrees and windy.  Cold front is coming in tonight, supposed to snow tomorrow.  Pretty crazy since it was 81 degrees on Saturday.   So I guess it'll be back to the gym and treadmill for the next few days.

Splits

Mile 1- 8:43

Mile 2- 8:25

Mile 3- 8:30

Mile 4- 8:15

Mile 5- 8:11

Pace of last .5 mile- 7:19