Week 16 - Day 5

Casey erased the picture of me sleeping and the picture of me doing my favorite thing is now of me running.

I got up at 5:00 this morning and thankfully the rain had held off so I was able to run outside. I am not sure what the temperature was but I think in the high 50’s. It felt great except it was a little windy. I ran the scheduled 4 miles around the neighborhoods in 38:48, 9:42 pace. I don’t know what has been wrong with me this week but my runs have all been slow!!!


What I ate today:
Oatmeal
Water
Almonds
20 oz CF Diet Coke
PB&J uncrustable
Celery and cucumbers

Week 16 - Day 4

This morning before school Casey was drawing pictures of our family. Each person was doing the thing they liked best. Bryce came running back to my room to ask me what I liked to do best. He then started making a snoring noise. I said “No, I like to run best”. He went running back to Casey to tell her I like to run but she had already drawn me in a bed. I don’t know where they got this “Mom likes to sleep” idea. Sure I like to sleep only because I get so little of it. Bryce has referred to me a lazy more then once. Kids!!!

I didn’t think I was going to get my new seat on my bike but brut force prevailed and I got it changed out.
So I set off on my ride at about noon. It was beautiful out. I rode out Maple Springs Road. I have lived here almost 4 years and have never been more then 2 miles down that road. Now I know why, there isn’t anything out there. At about four and a half miles I saw this big white fluffy dog run toward me, thankful he was behind a fence but his buddy the pit bull was not. He chased after me for a little bit. I managed to out run him without falling off my bike. Major feat for me. I continued down Maple Springs Road until I got to a four way stop. This was at about eight and a half to nine miles. I turned around and headed back. I didn’t realize until this point that there was any wind and that it had been at my back, now I was riding into a good headwind. I did some quick math and determined I would be encountering the pit bull again at about 12-13 miles. Sure enough right at 13 miles I saw the white fluffy dog inside the fence and the pit bull asleep on the porch of a trailer. I started peddling as fast as I could and got past the trailer before he spotted me. He ran off the porch and chased me but I just kept going and he gave up. The rest of the ride was uneventful, just a bunch of cows and birds that I freaked out. I ended up riding 16.80 miles in 1:00:45. I am calling that an even swap for the 6 mile run that was scheduled for today.
My new seat is much better then the old one but I still don’t see myself doing any really long rides. I hope to do an Olympic distance Triathlon this year and that is as far as I want to ride. Now that my seat issue is resolved I have to figure out what to do about my hands. Leaning on them during the ride makes them hurt. Using the areobars is better but I am still not very comfortable on them (I feel like I am going to tip).
After school, the kids, dog and I walked another mile. Peyton met up with her boyfriend again but she was much less interested in him today. Then we went to Casey’s softball practice. We picked up Sonic and got home in time to watch Survivor.
Tomorrow’s forecast is for rain, so now I have to decide if I want to wait and see what it is like in the morning or go ahead and plan on an indoor run. Yuck!!!!


What I ate today:
Oatmeal
Dried Fruit
Water
Turkey and cheese on a tortilla
Route 44 Diet Coke
Chili Cheese Fries (fell off the wagon again)

Week 16 - Day 3

This was the first early morning run in a week, and it was HARD for me to get out of bed! I got up at 4:45 and was running at 5:00. It was still cold but there was no wind, so that was ok. My hamstrings are feeling much better but I am still SO tired. It was hard to make myself keep running. I made sure I didn’t pass the house until mile 7. I kept going at that point knowing it was my last mile. I ran very slowly. 8 miles in 1:20:51 for a pace of 10:06. I just couldn’t make myself go any faster! I even let the kids off the hook on their walk today and cut the grass instead. They both chased after me on the mower for a while then wanted to ride with me. I didn’t have enough gas to do the whole yard so we hit the high points. We still have so many bare spots it’s not like we are going to get yard of the month anyway.
The new CAD tech started at work yesterday so I don’t think I will be picking up as many extra hours as I had thought. More time to train, but less income.
I think I am going to sub a bike ride for my 6 mile run tomorrow, if the weather holds. Those 24 miles really burned me out. I will never be an Ironman.

What I ate today:
Oatmeal
Water
20 CF Diet Coke
PB&J Uncrustable (the kids decided they don't like them)
Cucumbers and celery with blue cheese dressing
20 CF Diet Coke
Dried fruit (too much)
Beer
Cheese and crackers
I fell off the wagon and ate 3 chips ahoy

Week 16 - Day 2

Ouch! Ouch!! Ouch!!! That about summarizes my run this morning.

I ran at about 8:30 and it was about 59 degrees with 17 mph winds. I ran the scheduled 4 miles in 38:10, pace 9:33. I hurt the ENTIRE run. I was really shocked at one mile to see I had run it in 9:33, I felt like I was hardly moving and each step was painful. I sure hope my legs are better in the morning for my 8 miles.
After my run I cut the grass in the backyard and put down 50 more pounds of grass seed. Last year I was busy putting out weed killer; this year I will take weeds I just need SOMETHING green to cover the mud.
After I picked the kids up from school Bryce did his homework and Casey tried to fall asleep on the couch. I woke her up and we set out with Peyton to get more miles.


I manage to convince the kids to do two miles today, that’s two loops. Of course I had to brib them with going nextdoor to play once they finished.

We are now past the half way point!!!!

Peyton met a boyfriend on the way. I had a hard time convincing her to leave him behind and finish the walk. I didn't take a picture of the poodle I thought was going to be lunch.




Everyone was tired at the end.

What I ate today:
Oatmeal
20 CF Diet Coke
Turkey and American cheese in a tortilla
Dried fruit
Margarita

Week 16 - Day 1

I am paying dearly for yesterday’s run. My legs are sore and I dread every set of steps I encounter. After work the kids and I walked a mile (that’s 12), I think that helped some. I did not run today but hope that I will be able to run the scheduled 4 miles tomorrow without too much pain. If the run goes ok, maybe I will even swim. It is suppose to warm up this week. Maybe I can get my new seat on my bike and take it out for a test spin.


What I ate today:
Oatmeal
20 oz CF Diet Coke
Salad from Sonic (managed to not order the milkshake I was feeling like I earned yesterday)
Route 44 Diet Coke
Florentine Calzone
1 Beer

24 miles

Lana, Tracy, Gary and I did our long run today. 24 miles in Murfreesboro. We ran the Greenway and the battlefield for somewhere new to run. The weather wasn’t as nice as promised, but at least there wasn’t the wind we had to deal with 2 weeks ago. The new scenery did little to distract from the pain of running. This was by far the worst I have felt on a run. My legs were just pain tired. At 18 miles I looked at Lana and said “Well, only 6 more to go.” That didn’t sound so bad but then I realized, I just don’t think I can run for another hour. I roughed it out and finished the 24 miles in 4:07:36 for a pace of 10:19 and I complained the whole last 2 miles. Sorry Lana!!!! Ronnie called from Orlando at about mile 7 to see what I was up to, I said running. Then he called back just before he was getting on the plane and said “What are y’all doing?” I said “RUNNING!!!!!” He then made the comment “You have been running all day!” Like I was unaware of this fact.
I am glad that run is over and I sure hope that the 26 miles in 2 weeks goes lots better or I will really be questioning the wisdom of running this marathon.
Tomorrow starts week 16 and the schedule calls for 6 miles, but I will be taking the day off.
Also because I burned 2652 calories I feel that I was entitled to eat anything I felt like eating and be guilty free so there is no “What I ate today” post.

Week 15 - Day 6

The kids and I made it to the Rec Center at about 8:20 this morning. I ran on the track AGAIN. Have I expressed how much I HATE the track?!?!? The Saturday crowd is the worst. They don’t pay any attention when walking out onto the track and I can’t tell you how many people I nearly ran into this morning. Anyway, I ran my 3 miles in 27:05, pace 9:01. Saw Lana as I was rushing out. She said she was feeling better and was planning on running tomorrow. She was on her way up and according to her blog her run went fine. Got Casey to her first softball practice, a few minutes late but we made it. It was only 36 degrees. The coach said “We won’t have practice if it is cold out”. Hello, 36 IS cold!!! After practice, we came home so I could get cleaned up then we went to Tullahoma. Stopped at the pool store to get the water tested again, got more chemicals. Went to Fazoli’s for some carb loading. Then we went to see “The Shaggy Dog”. Now we are in for the night. It is just too cold out there. I sure hope the forecast is correct and that it will in fact be sunny and 56 for our long run tomorrow afternoon. It is very strange having my long run scheduled for Sunday, first it is normally my day off and second my total mileage for this week was only 20 miles!!!

What I ate today:
Remember it is pre-long run day!!!
Fazoli’s sampler plate and bread (carbs, carbs, and more carbs)
Diet Coke
Popcorn (can’t watch a movie without it)
Diet Coke
Water

Week 15 - Day 5

I am very proud that I ran today. I usually run in the morning not because I am a morning person but because if I wait I am less likely to run. Well with Ronnie out of town, I couldn’t run before work today (law frowns on leaving kids home alone) so I had to wait until after work. I changed into running clothes as soon as we got home and headed out. The child care room doesn’t open until 4 so we went to the bank then the Rec Center. We were still there early so it gave me extra time to stretch, something I don’t do enough of. I headed upstairs at 4:00 and ran 5 miles on the track in 45:03, pace 9:01. Then I got the kids and we went back upstairs and walked a mile on the track together. They were so excited to go upstairs for the first time, but the excitement wore off quickly and they started to feel the same way I do about the track. We finally got it done and they get to mark off mile 11 on their chart.


What I ate today:
Oatmeal
20 oz CF Diet Coke
Grilled Chicken and Rice
Bread sticks
Diet Pepsi
water

Week 15 - Day 4

Alright!!! I got to run outside, in my new Brooks, with my new headset and I’ve lost a pound!! Life if good.
I ran at about 9:00 this morning, it was sunny and about 37 degrees. There was some wind but still not as bad as the day Tracy and I did the 22 mile run. I ran 5 miles around the 4 neighborhoods by my house. It took 45:48 for a pace of 9:09.
My new Brooks are just like my old ones except they are a different color, kind of an orange.
Wal-mart finally got in some more of the Sony headsets I like so I got a new one this morning before my run.
When I got on the scale first thing this morning I had lost a pound, then after my run I lost 2 more. I know those two are just water weight so don’t count.
Registration for the RC Cola-Moon Pie 10 Mile Run came today. Who’s ready to take on that hill???

What I ate today:
Oatmeal
Dried fruit
Ham and Swiss in a tortilla
Fresca
Sprimp Egg Foo Young (no rice or sauce)
Egg Roll
Beer

Week 15 - Day 3

This is spring???? It is COLD!!!! We have changed our long run for this week from Thursday to Sunday. The weatherman is promising that it will be sunny and 59 on Sunday vs. tomorrow when the high is 43. Changing the long run got me back on schedule since I skipped Monday because of the rain and ran Monday’s run on Tuesday so this morning I ran Tuesday’s 3 miles. Now I am just shifting everything a day. Don’t know what I will do next week. Guess I will figure it out when it gets here.
I ran at 5:15 this morning at the dreaded indoor track. I was really grouchy this morning even with most people staying out of the far outside lane. I just hate running in the circle and it seems like the less I do it the more I hate it the next time I have to do it.
I wore my new Saucony’s, they are just like my other pair and felt the same (smell better). I am just rotating 4 pair of shoes now. I ran 3 miles in 27:28 for a pace of 9:09. Lana got there at the very end of my run but she was running with Briar and was about half a lap ahead of me, I felt like I was at Tom King and trying to catch her.
Casey just asked me to call Laine to see how many miles she has. She wants to go “run” a mile since we haven’t done one in a while, still at 10. I think we will wait for it to warm up some both kids are just getting well. Maybe I will take them up to the Rec Center track Friday afternoon after I finish my 5 miles.
I have the indoor track to look forward to for both Friday and Saturday’s runs. I hope it is not raining tomorrow I HAVE to run outside, I think I would go insane if I had to run 5 days in a row on that track!


What I ate today:
Oatmeal
20 oz CF Diet Coke
Ham and Swiss in a tortilla
Celery and cucumbers with blue cheese dressing
Water
Baked Chicken
Beer

Week 15 - Day 2

The men in blue where out in full force making I-24 a safer place to drive. Problem, it made my trip to Murfreesboro take forever! But I did make it and I got a new seat, oops saddle, for my bike today. Hope it helps with the discomfort of riding.
Anyway about my workout, I got up this morning a 4:30, went to the Rec Center and ran my 4 x mile intervals. I ran them on the track, oh how I HATE the track. I ran the first one in 8:08, the second in 8:01, the third in 7:55 and the last one in 7:52. On the third one I ran a lap and when I went to push my lap button I realized I hadn’t started my watch so I hit start and didn’t count that lap. So I got a 1/12 mile bonus!!!
After the run I went down to the pool and swam 60 lengths (1500 yards) in 30:57. I tried something new today to help me keep count. I got 5 diving sticks and put them on the edge. After 10 lengths I pulled one stick into the pool. I never lost count! I am just going to have to get more sticks.
It is raining again so I guess the kids won’t get any mileage for the CM kids Marathon in today. Good thing we started early.
Recording everything I eat is working great for me. So far it has saved me from eating a handful of Teddy Grahams, chocolate chip cookies, kisses, and crackers. Guess I will keep it up.
Today I ate:
Salad topped with grilled chicken
water
dried fruit and nuts
Salmon and shrimp
1 light beer

Week 15 - Day 1

The rain this morning gave me another recovery day. I got up and dressed for an outside run at 5:00 this morning. Went outside to find that is was barely sprinkling. I was still going to run but by the time my Garmin picked up a signal and I got stretched, it was really raining. By then it was too late to change and go to the Rec Center so I got back in bed. Good news is my new shoes came today, will be ready to run in the morning!!
Casey’s teacher called me at about 12:30 to pick her up from school, she is running a fever. She doesn’t seem sick at all but I drugged her and have her on the couch. Gotta get her better so she can go to school tomorrow. She is suppose to have her first softball practice this afternoon but I am guessing it is rained out and due to her fever she wouldn’t be going anyway and won’t be going to gymnastics either. Walking is out for today also.
Today is the first day of spring, even if it doesn’t feel like it; therefore I have got to start thinking about swimsuit season. I have had horrible eating habits lately and am going to make every effort to change that. I am also hoping that improving my eating habits will improve my running. So to make myself accountable (and guilty), I am going to record everything I eat.
What I ate today:
Oatmeal
20 oz CF Diet Coke
Hardee’s Low Carb burger and Large Diet Coke
Chicken Parmesan

OK, I give up, I can NOT find a 10k to run on April 1st, guess I am just going to have to do the 12 miles instead! Boo!

Tom King Race Pictures

Lana's dad came up to the race and took some pictures. He didn't recognize me across the field so didn't get any finish line photos but here are some post race shots:

Lana, Tracy, and me.

Lana, me, Tracy, and Gary

Week 14 - Day 6 Tom King Half

I have a new PR! Today was the Tom King Half and I ran it in 1:52:38. My goal was 1:55, to beat my time from the McMinnville half I ran in October.
I went up to Nashville last night and went to Jon’s rugby game. Anyone who thinks running is hard on the body has never watched rugby. Jon did great. He scored just as I got there so I didn’t see it but heard the cheering. After the game, I went to eat with Dad and Shelley at Bonefish Grill. The food was excellent but I should have skipped the beers I had with dinner. Went back to Dad and Shelley’s house and had yet ANOTHER beer and had a great time with Shelley trying on clothes. I have got to get by her shop; the stuff she had at home was awesome; dying to see the store. I wanted to get to bed early since I did not sleep much the night before due to this shoulder. Ronnie said I have a trigger point and I have been stretching and rubbing it but I still had a hard time sleeping last night. Got up at about 5:30 this morning ate a Cliff bar and headed to Titan’s Stadium. I meet up with Gary, Tracy, and Lana and gave them their race packets. Then we all tried to decide what to wear. I decided that the cold gear pants, tank top and long sleeve cool max top would be enough and put the rest in my car. I am glad I didn’t wear anything more, I was just about perfect.
I have never run the Tom King race before and I really like the course. Nice and flat!! There was always another runner to entertain you or motivate you. It was a lot of fun. I ran the first 3 miles with Gary and Lana, then Gary took off and left us. I think his final time was 1:49. Then Lana took off and left me around 9 miles. I tried to catch her but never could. Her final time was 1:51. Tracy made it in 1:56. A PR for everyone.
My pace for each mile was: 1-8:46, 2-8:34, 3:8:36, 4-8:16, 5-8:35, 6-8:36, 7-8:15, 8-8:27, 9-8:07, 10-8:35, 11-8:41, 12-8:53 and 13-8:17 with an average pace of 8:29.
Today completes week 14 of my training. Next week is the 24 mile run and I will have to do it on Thursday and shift everything else around. I didn’t get in the pool or on my bike this week and the bike is out for next week but maybe I can get in a swim on Tuesday.

Week 14 - Day 5

Gotta head to Nashville. Ran 3 this morning at 5:00 in 28:32 for a pace of 9:31. It was cold and it has gotten colder. I packed some of everything and hope I have what I need.

Week 14 - Day 4

This weather yo-yo is really messing with my running attire. The forecast called for chances of rain and it really looked like it could start anytime this morning. So I got the kids to school and came home to set out on my 6 miles before it rained. Now remember yesterday morning everything was covered with frost, so I dressed in my cold gear pants, a l/s cool max shirt, a fleece vest, gloves, and an ear band. About 2 miles into my run the sun came out and I roasted. Despite the fact that I was WAY overdressed I finished the run in 56:52 for an average pace of 9:29 carrying my gloves and ear band.
I don’t know what to plan to wear for the Tom King half marathon Saturday. I think I am going to go spend the night at my dad and Shelley’s tomorrow so that I can get race packets on Friday and not have to leave here at 5:00 am Saturday morning. Guess I will just pack one of everything and see what Saturday brings.
Kids get out early today, better go get them. Wonder if I can talk them into walking again today. Yesterday we walked two miles because of the chance of rain today.

Week 14 - Day 3

Man, it was COLD this morning. Monday morning I was running in shorts and this morning everything was covered with frost. I started my run at 5:00 this morning and was just going to run 6 since I had to get to work. But once I got started I figured I would go ahead and run the eight that the schedule called for because I am afraid it is going to rain tomorrow and I would rather run 6 inside then 8. I just ran the neighborhoods out here AGAIN. I really need some new courses. It took me 1:18:31 for a pace of 9:49. Ronnie had pressed the wrong buttons and changed my Garmin to speed again and I didn’t notice until I was already running and didn’t want to stop or try to change it while running so I just tried to calculate pace from speed the whole time.
This afternoon got much warmer and the kids, dog, and I walked two more miles; they are up to 10 now.
My new shoes haven’t even shipped yet. Glad I didn’t wait until I started having issues before I ordered them. Speaking of which, Lana is having foot troubles. I sure hope she can get better before Saturday for our race.

Week 14 - Day 2

I got up and ran my scheduled three miles at 5:30 this morning in 29:21 pace 9:27. It is cold again and I was tired. I didn’t sleep well. Casey got up at about 2 and wanted me to find her new shoes that she was sleeping with and had lost in her blankets. Bryce came into our room at some point after that and said he had a bad dream and wanted to sleep with us. With him in the bed I slept wrong on my shoulder and it is killing me. I sure hope it feels better tomorrow.

Week 14 - Day 1

Today was 6-880s at 5k pace. I met Lana and Tracy at the Westwood track at 5:15 this morning. It was about 64 degrees with some wind. I wore shorts and my race shoes; they made me “wicked fast”. Here is the break down of the 880s:
1-3:39
2-3:39
3-3:36
4-3:35
5-3:33
6-3:31
The total distance was 3.08. Average pace 7:00/mile. I will never run a 7:00/mile 5k so I consider this a very good run today!
There was a bomb threat at school today so I had to leave work at 10:00 and pick up the kids. Casey has gymnastics today so we are skipping the walk today. We actually have time to do it since they are home so early but it is looking like it could storm any time now and they are happy playing on the trampoline.
I got Ronnie and me upgraded from the half to the full marathon today so there is no turning back now. Hope Lana got upgraded too. Tracy still needs to sign up!

Week 13 - Day 6

Wow!!! What a great spring day. I got up at about 6:15 and ran my 3 miles. It was about 60 degrees with 10 mph winds. I set out tired and just wanted to “get it in”, but that speed work is really paying off and with out much effort I ran the 3 miles in 27:27 for an average pace of 9:09.
The kids got up at about 7:30. We put grass seed on the yard, went to the pool store, and the park. Then we walked another mile bringing their total to 8 miles.
Laurie and I were at the park with the kids and we were discussing how badly we need pedicures when I discovered that my toenail that I damaged in the Team Nashville half in November finally came off. Now I really need a pedicure.
I have a great recovery week coming up with in ending in the Tom King Half Marathon on Saturday. I am going for a PR. It is suppose to “flat and fast”. My best time to date is 1:56. So wish me luck, say a prayer and cross those fingers.

Week 13 - Day 5

I set out this morning at 5:00 to run 3 miles but decided after about a mile to go ahead and get the 4 miler out of the way since I was feeling good. There was very little wind and it was about 55 degrees. I ran the 4 miles in 39:49 for a pace of 9:57. I was happy with that since I had just had such a difficult run yesterday. I plan to get out of bed tomorrow at 6:00 to get my last 3 miles for the week in; Ronnie has a golf tournament so it is either run early or skip.

Week 13 - Day 4

Things did not start out well for me today. Bryce woke me up at 6:00 this morning telling me he felt sick and needed a bucket. I got him on the couch with a bowl and he started feeling better. He then told me he was hungry, a good sign. So I gave him breakfast. The whole time I am doing this I am thinking “My eye sure hurts.” After getting him settled and sure that he wasn’t going to be sick, I went into my bathroom and discovered my eye was just about swollen shut. I got an ice pack and got the swelling down. My stomach was also hurting a bit but I got everyone ready and dressed for my run. I took the kids to school then came home to meet Tracy. It was about 64 degrees but WINDY!! The winds were blowing at 17-20 mph. We headed out planning on doing all the neighborhoods out here as many times as it took. The wind was brutal, it felt like I was making no forward progress when running into it, it was a fight to run in a straight line when it was a cross wind, and when it was at my back it blew my hair into my eyes and I was disappointed that it didn’t just pick me up a carry me forward after battling it from every other direction. I ran the 22 miles in 3:39:18 for an average pace of 9:58. I can’t say I am thrilled with my time but considering the wind I will take it. The kids declared it too windy to walk today after school and I did not argue.
I still have a 3 mile and a 4 mile run to finish this week.

Week 13 - Day 3

I ran at 5:00 this morning. Since it was dark and I wanted to wear my headset, I decided to just run the Maple Spring loop 6 times. Boring but at least I had music and it still beats that rec center track. I ran the 6 miles in 58:24 for an average pace of 9:44. It was about 45 degrees out and I felt pretty good for the entire run.
The kids, Peyton, and I walked another mile after school today, it was beautiful but windy.
I got my shoes ordered yesterday.

Week 13 - Day 2

Today called for a 4 mile run but I am going to have to run the long run on Thursday this week so I am shifting things around. Tracy and I set out for 6 miles from the rec center at about 8:15 with no route in mind. We started out with the greenway and town and ran a neighborhood off of Highway 41 that took us over to Bushy Branch Road. There were two fairly step hills late in the run. We got too far out AGAIN. This time we stopped at 6 miles and walked back to our cars, about a mile. The 6 miles took us 59:26 for an average pace of 9:55. After the run I swam, 3 x 200. I set out to do 6 to 8 x 200 but I had forgotten how much harder it is to try to swim fast. I asked the lifeguard to write down my times for me since my watch doesn’t keep track of all that, it is old. My times are for 200 yards.
1 – 3:44
2 – 3:50
3 – 3:48
This leads to my question: I signed up for the GJCC Tri and put in an estimated swim time of 4 minutes for a 200 meter swim. That swim is in a 50 meter pool and the swim I did today was in a 25 yard pool. Is 4 minutes a good estimated swim time or do I need to adjust it?
Kid's Training:
Walked one mile after school. That brings the total miles walked to 6. Casey wanted to call Laine to see how many miles she has now.

Week 13 - Day 1

I met Lana at Westwood track at about 5:20. I was supposed to be there at about 5:10 but I was moving in slow motion this morning and was late. We ran one warm up lap slow and easy and then started our 880s.
1-3:41
2-3:33
3-3:37
4-3:35

Lana felt strong


While I felt like dying

Week 12 - Day 6

Today the schedule called for either a 10k race or a 12 mile run. I really wanted to just do a 10k but the closest one was in Nashville, so by the time I drove there and back I could be done with the 12 miles. So I ran the 12 miles at 8 am. It was about 32 degrees, sunny but very windy. I ran Maple Springs, Creekside, Red Oak, Amberwood, then back to Maple Springs to ditch my hat and gloves in my mailbox, finished the Maple Springs loop then headed to Baker Heights and Danbury, had to do another loop of Amberwood then finished back at home in 1:55:29 for an average pace of 9:37. I wore Ronnie’s HRM for the first time. It is nothing fancy and does not keep track of average heart rate so I just kept an eye on it during the run. Best I figure, I had an average heart rate of about 155. It did peak at about 184 while I “sprinted” the last 0.10 miles to finish.
The kids and I met Grandpa in Murfreesboro for lunch (great to see you dad, and thanks for lunch) and then I took the kids to the movies. To offset the big lunch followed by too much candy the kids and I came home and walked two miles. That gives Bryce and Casey 5 of their 25 miles required by April 29th. They are hoping to be ahead of Laine now. Peyton is passed out on the couch, that is the most exercise she has had in a very long time.
I am going to have to start thinking about new shoes before too long. I have over 320 miles on each of my two pairs of running shoes. It seems like I just got them.

Week 12 - Day 5

I ran my scheduled 3 miles at 5:30 am. I ran it in 28:12 for an average pave of 9:24. It got cold again and I was shocked when I got outside in a long sleeve shirt and long pants to find out it was only about 35 degrees. I ran back into the house and put on a fleece vest and gloves. I was still cold for most of the run but at least it was a short one.
The kids and I are skipping our afternoon walk, I am tired and Casey looks like she is about to fall asleep. I am going to see if I can get Casey asleep, she is grouchy and needs a quick nap.
I got signed up for the GJCC Triathlon that is Monday May 26th. It is a 200m swim, 8.5 mile bike and a 2 mile run. Kim is signed up also.

Week 12 - Day 4

Tracy met me at my house this morning at about 8:15. It was cloudy, about 60 degrees and looked like it was about to rain any second. We ran Maple Springs, Baker Heights, Danbury and Maple Springs again for a total of 8 miles in 1:19:42, average pace 9:57. I felt good the whole time. It did get misty a couple of times but never rained. I decided there was no way I was going to be able to get my bike out today so I went ahead and showered and went to Wal-mart. I got home about noon and it was sunny and about 72 degrees. I aired up the tires on my bike and changed into my cycling attire. Laurie I love that jersey you got me for Christmas, I was so stylish. I decided that since I haven’t been on my bike in months, maybe October, that I better not get too far from home. I just rode the Maple Springs loop ten times. That is 10 miles in 38:26 for an average pace of 3:50; wish I could run that fast but it isn’t so hot for cycling!
The kids and I did another mile after school. We set out for 2 but stopped after one for a juice box break and got side tracked. So Laine is still ahead of us. I didn’t tell them that we were ahead of Briar, got to keep them motivated.
I t has been a good week for my training wise. I have felt good, run every run as scheduled so far, and got in a swim and a bike ride. Also, I have managed to get off 5 of the 10 pounds of winter fat I have been storing. 5 more pounds and I will be back to the weight I was able to maintain all of last summer. Then another 10-15 and I will be happy with my weight!

Week 12 - Day 3

I was way overdressed for my run this morning. I ran at 5:00 am and I think it was about 55 degrees. I had on my cold gear pants, a tank top, a long sleeve fleece top, hat and gloves! I don’t know what I was thinking BUT it was only 26 Monday morning. I took the gloves off after less then a mile and ended up having to make a potty stop at 2.4 miles and was able to ditch the gloves. I was hot and not in the mood to run. I ran my scheduled 8 miles in 1:21:34 for an average pace of 10:12. SLOW but at least I finished, I thought about quitting at the potty stop. I ran Maple Springs and Amberwood twice then added Creekside and that other subdivision once it got lighter and finished with Maple Springs one more time. I didn’t take my MP3 because I don’t like running in the dark with a headset so I had nothing but my negative thoughts to keep my mind busy.
The kids and I did another mile walk today after school, that is 2 miles for them. I told Casey that Laine has already run 4 miles and she is so upset and wants to try to catch up; Bryce could care less and told me his knee hurt, funny it stopped by the time we got to the end of the driveway.