Monday, October 25, 2010

Run Run Run

Finally used up all my lazy points and put my running shoes on. I even dug my "new" shoes out of the closet that I bought back in July. I decided when I bought them not to wear them. I did a trial run in them and didn't feel a difference in my knee pain at the time. So I decided to save them until my "old" shoes were finally old.

The run was 2 miles in just over 20 minutes. Not bad for spending so much time on the lazy train. Only 19 days until the Sarasota Classic. I've gotta do this more often in the next couple weeks :)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Lazy Train

After the PR at the Stonebridge 5K I decided to take a day or two off....

....It's been over a week.

Oops!

School drama got in the way of fitness. (yes I do have an excuse for everything) Double Masters class last week on top of our building Principal telling us she was resigning effective Friday (48 hours notice...suspicious if you ask me) kinda stressed me out.

However, I do plan to get a run in some time this week. I can't be a Lazy Butt for ever. Plus....in just less than a month I have my next race....The Sarasota 5K Classic for Special Olympics! My sister and I are doing this one while we're in Florida for our Aunt and Uncle's 40th anniversary party! I don't know if I'm going for a PR or just for fun. Haven't discussed this with my sister. She super fast and I don't know if she's planning on racing this one or just doing it with me for fun. Should probably check on that...

Congrats to Lisa on finishing the Nike Woman's Half!!

Happy Running!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Stonebridge 5K

Just getting it out there......PR!!!!

Ok. So. Carefully laid out my outfit the night before. After the crappy run the other day, I tried not to over estimate for temperature. I think I did a pretty good job. :)

Up at 6 and out the door by 7. Packet pick up ended at 7:30 and I didn't want to be late. The race was taking place just minutes from my house! The number one reason why I picked it! I got to sleep in, and make it on time!

The second reason I chose this race was because it was the first year it was being run. Because Chicago filled up so fast, our local YMCA decided to map out a route and hold a marathon here in my area. The course started in the next town over and ended in the park just down the street from my house. They also mapped it out and got it certified as a BQ course! After the marathon runners started, there were simultaneous 5Ks being held at both the start and finish locations. The 5K I was running was being held at the finish location. The race would be on the trail that Bentley and I run on a lot!


I was really impressed with the organization and set up of the race. It was a really small race, like only 30 people participated in the 5K, but it was really well organized. The picture above is of the snacks and water tent for post-race. There was a woman slicing apples and bagels and putting them in ceramic bowls. There were also bowls of banana halves and grapes. It was set up like a hotel breakfast buffet with fall decorations. So cute! And delicious!

Husband was able to make it out of his football meeting to come and watch me race. I was so happy he came. After the loneliness of the last race, I was really hoping someone would come and watch me. Yay for husband points!

After a few really good training runs, I was totally going for a PR with this race. I was also really counting on Pedro to help me keep a good pace time. When the race started, I paced myself behind a guy who was going the pace I wanted. I kept it there until I looked down and noticed the pace time on Pedro had slipped by 10 seconds. Oops!


When we hit the water stop, that was the turn-around point. I knew that I needed to pick up the pace if I wanted get that PR. So glad I knew this trail! I knew exactly how far I had to go each moment. As we were rounding the curve that takes us back to the bridge down the hill (details, details, details) I uped the pace just a bit more. I passed 4 people I'd been chasing since the water stop.

The girl in the pink next to me put up a good fight toward the end. I kept trying to shake her and she kept up with me! Oh...and do you see the guy in yellow behind me?!? Well....after I finally lost the girl in the pink I kicked in the sprint to the finish. I could hear someone coming up behind me, I though that the pink girl and found some fire and was coming for me! Ah! Can't let her pass me! Nope! It was the yellow guy! He totally got me right at the finish line. He came up and thanked me for giving him someone to chase. He said I was tough to catch and that I started to sprint right when he needed me to. I laughed and said, "You're welcome." Anything to help :)

Pedro's time at the finish line said 29:09. The official time was 29:15. Total PR!!!!!!!! So excited!!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

NEW RACE!!!!

Guess what?!?!?!?

Just signed up for next year's half marathon!!!! So excited for this one!!!


You get to run through Lambeau!!!! Love it!!! Husband and I are doing this one together. My sister is also supposed to do this with us. She might be running the full marathon instead of the half though. We're planning this as a big family weekend :)

We wanted to run the Chicago Rock-n-Roll every summer as long as we were interested. But next summer, the race is the day before school starts. Also, I'm planning a little event to take place that will prevent me from running a grueling distance like that at that specific time of year ;) So....if someone runs it, it won't be me.

Not my best

Today is conference day. That means that I don't have to be at school until noon! That also means that I can't leave school until 7:30 tonight. Boo!

That also means that I could get a run in this morning! Yay!.....well.....I thought so anyway.

I decided that Bentley and I would just run our hilly neighborhood today for the sake of time. We suited up and headed out. Weather was perfect. Everything was looking good. Then everything started to break down.

  • Legs felt slow and heavy
  • Almost rolled my ankle twice
  • My breathing was out-of-sync and I was coughing (still sick)
  • Over dressed for the run and I was getting too hot
  • Bentley was pulling because I couldn't drop the leash in the neighborhoods (he doesn't know how to run in a straight line yet)
  • Brown Monster attack and I didn't make it home :( (worst part of the run...hasn't happened since July!!!)
  • There were some rolling hills that kicked my butt.
  • I had to take 2 walk breaks.
  • Distance: 2.74 miles Time: 30:27.6 Pace 11:08
Yup. I kinda felt like a failure when I crossed the finish crack-in-the-road. But then I remembered that all runners have off days. I did a spin workout this week and had a great 2-mile run on Tuesday. Those two things alone were enough to make this run just seem like a no-big-deal kinda thing. The big thing is that I got up and ran this morning instead of sleeping 'til 11:00 like I wanted to.

Let's hope these parents are good today :) Off to get my conference on!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Update

So far this week I have...

  • Gone to spin class
  • Did a 2 mile run with my official pace-dog :) (Time 19:39 Pace 9:50...Heck yea!)
  • Planned math for next week
  • Washed the dishes (and didn't need an extinguisher!!!
  • I haven't killed anyone yet....but it is only Tuesday :)
Looking good so far!

How are things working out for you?

Saturday, October 2, 2010

List of things to do:

This is a list of what I have to do and want to accomplish this week.

  • Run at least 3 times to get my confidence in place for my race on Saturday the 9th.
  • Get my lessons planned by Thursday.
  • Wash the dishes in my kitchen by Monday night or set the sink on fire...
  • Don't kill anyone for "stress-relief purposes"
  • Read a chapter of a book for fun.
Ok.....if I add anything more to this list, I run the risk of not accomplishing anything because I'm trying to still do too much. After a series of "clarifying moments" last week I realized that I need to slow down and breathe. Thank goodness we get Columbus Day off!!!

I feel like my running is in a good place right now. I know that Saturday's race will be great! The best part is that the starting line is only 5 minutes from my house :)

Happy running this week!