A friend called me last night to tell me her parents saw me leaving the Rec Center yesterday morning. It was cold and I had been swimming, so I had on a huge sweatshirt and a toboggan. Their conversation went something like this:
Mrs.: Hey look, there’s Michele
Mr.: That’s not Michele, that’s her son
Mrs.: No it’s not, that is Michele. Look she is getting in the driver’s side
Mr.: That is NOT Michele
Mrs.: It is too. See she is driving off. Her son is 9, he can’t drive
Mr.: Oh, man something is wrong with Michele
I guess I have been doing so much of my son’s homework; I am turning into a 3rd grader.
39 or 9, I have still been getting my workout in and finishing all the homework. Both have been a struggle.
Saturday-rest day
Sunday- one hour of Have Mercy Spinervals, abs, and swim class.
Monday-7.35 mile speed work and abs. 2 mile warm up, 5x 1k (1:30 rest interval), 1 mile cool down. I missed pace on all the 1K’s so I was disappointed in myself.
Tuesday-swim 2500 yards and abs
Wednesday-6 mile tempo and abs
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
TGIF and it is date night!!!
Ronnie and I have not been out w/o kids in months. So when two of my friends called yesterday to tell me that another friend’s band is playing tonight, I got right on the phone to find a sitter. Can’t wait!!!!
But in the mean time...I got up at 4:30 this morning and ran . It was 11 degrees. BRRRRR. Shot bloks frozen again, but not my eye lashes.
Plan called for 13 miles at marathon pace.
No easy route for me, nooooooooo! I had to include Cracker Barrel Hill, Jail Hill, and Sage Hill. Gotta get ready for Birmingham.
Even with those hills I managed to finish in 1:58:01, 9:05 pace.
Have a great weekend everybody!!
But in the mean time...I got up at 4:30 this morning and ran . It was 11 degrees. BRRRRR. Shot bloks frozen again, but not my eye lashes.
Plan called for 13 miles at marathon pace.
No easy route for me, nooooooooo! I had to include Cracker Barrel Hill, Jail Hill, and Sage Hill. Gotta get ready for Birmingham.
Even with those hills I managed to finish in 1:58:01, 9:05 pace.
Have a great weekend everybody!!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Still Here
I am still here just busier then normal keeping my head above water.
Last night I was looking for the piece of paper that I had written down my reservation for the hotel for the half iron I am doing in May. Trying to get a little organized and get all my race info in one spot. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Plus, I didn’t even know where I booked. So I got on the race site and called the host hotel. They didn’t have anything for me, so I called another hotel listed, they didn’t know me either. I turned the house upside down looking for that little scrap of paper with the hotel name and my confirmation number.
Finally I went back in my cell phone to the calls placed and found where I had called a GA area code. I called that number and found out I had booked the Fairfield Inn. I don’t know where I got them from and after checking on line decided they were too far away from the race site, they will have free beer after the race. So I called the host hotel back and booked a room, then call the Fairfield back and cancelled my reservation there. I wrote all this down on a piece of paper and stuck it in my “race drawer”.
All this kept me up way later then I wanted to be so when the alarm went off this morning I hit snooze then had to drag myself out of bed.
I went to the pool and swam 1750 yards; slowly I think it was 38:36. But right now I am really working on my form and hope speed will come.
Since I last posted workout have been:
Saturday- 30 mins on trainer, abs and push-ups
Sunday- swim class 2400 yards
Monday-speed day 8 x 800 with 1:30 RI. I hate 800’s. I ended up with 7.86 miles.
Tuesday-1 hour easy spin on trainer and abs
Wednesday- 5 miles and toning class
The homework situation is out of control. My 3rd grader has 3 tests today and it is a short week. So we spent a couple hours going over reading vocabulary, science and spelling to get ready. My 2nd grader has an easier week and only has a spelling test tomorrow but she is really struggling with the words this week and we spent at least an hour working on those.
I am WAY behind reading blogs and I miss you guys. I hope to catch up soon.
Last night I was looking for the piece of paper that I had written down my reservation for the hotel for the half iron I am doing in May. Trying to get a little organized and get all my race info in one spot. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Plus, I didn’t even know where I booked. So I got on the race site and called the host hotel. They didn’t have anything for me, so I called another hotel listed, they didn’t know me either. I turned the house upside down looking for that little scrap of paper with the hotel name and my confirmation number.
Finally I went back in my cell phone to the calls placed and found where I had called a GA area code. I called that number and found out I had booked the Fairfield Inn. I don’t know where I got them from and after checking on line decided they were too far away from the race site, they will have free beer after the race. So I called the host hotel back and booked a room, then call the Fairfield back and cancelled my reservation there. I wrote all this down on a piece of paper and stuck it in my “race drawer”.
All this kept me up way later then I wanted to be so when the alarm went off this morning I hit snooze then had to drag myself out of bed.
I went to the pool and swam 1750 yards; slowly I think it was 38:36. But right now I am really working on my form and hope speed will come.
Since I last posted workout have been:
Saturday- 30 mins on trainer, abs and push-ups
Sunday- swim class 2400 yards
Monday-speed day 8 x 800 with 1:30 RI. I hate 800’s. I ended up with 7.86 miles.
Tuesday-1 hour easy spin on trainer and abs
Wednesday- 5 miles and toning class
The homework situation is out of control. My 3rd grader has 3 tests today and it is a short week. So we spent a couple hours going over reading vocabulary, science and spelling to get ready. My 2nd grader has an easier week and only has a spelling test tomorrow but she is really struggling with the words this week and we spent at least an hour working on those.
I am WAY behind reading blogs and I miss you guys. I hope to catch up soon.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Too Much Homework
I knew that when the kids returned to school after Christmas break they would be stepping up the intensity, but man, I didn't think it would be this bad!!! After all, they are only in 2nd and 3rd grade.
So we have had HOURS of homework every night this week. Add AR reading and there has been little time for fun!
Wednesday night we got some snow and I actually hoped school would be canceled just so we could have one night without homework. But for once just the mention of snow did not close school here and Thursday night turned out to be the worst homework wise.
Well despite all the homework, I have managed to squeeze in my workouts.
Tuesday I did an hour on my trainer. I had planned to ride outside but first I wanted to finish painting my bedroom. I ran out of paint and had to go to Tullahoma to get more. That was an hour and a half that I had not worked into my schedule that day. So trainer riding it was.
Wednesday was an 8 mile run at 4:30am. It was suppose to be at planned marathon pace. I don't have big plans for Birmingham but would still like to get my training in based on a 4 hour marathon. Failed. I can blame the cold, the early hour, the dark, the diet I am on...or I can just face the truth. I didn't give it my all. 8 miles in 1:16:09, 9:31 pace.
Wednesday evening was swim class in Brentwood. Drill sergeant Dee pushed us hard. We did some great drills. And by the end, I swam 2450 yards. Not to shabby for me. Nice to know I can still do that.
Thursday I took a rest day and prepared for my long run.
Friday long run day!!! 20 miles at marathon pace + 30 seconds. It was 8:45 before I got out the door but it was a PERFECT running day. 30 degrees and sunny. I took Clif Shot Bloks every mile until I just couldn't stand the sweet any longer (about mile 16). When I got to mile 20 I spit out the one I had had in my cheek for 4 miles. I didn't hit goal but got very close. 3:13:44, 9:41 pace. I will take that.
I have a 13 mile run next week and an 8-10 mile the following week then it is race day! Downhill from here.
So we have had HOURS of homework every night this week. Add AR reading and there has been little time for fun!
Wednesday night we got some snow and I actually hoped school would be canceled just so we could have one night without homework. But for once just the mention of snow did not close school here and Thursday night turned out to be the worst homework wise.
Well despite all the homework, I have managed to squeeze in my workouts.
Tuesday I did an hour on my trainer. I had planned to ride outside but first I wanted to finish painting my bedroom. I ran out of paint and had to go to Tullahoma to get more. That was an hour and a half that I had not worked into my schedule that day. So trainer riding it was.
Wednesday was an 8 mile run at 4:30am. It was suppose to be at planned marathon pace. I don't have big plans for Birmingham but would still like to get my training in based on a 4 hour marathon. Failed. I can blame the cold, the early hour, the dark, the diet I am on...or I can just face the truth. I didn't give it my all. 8 miles in 1:16:09, 9:31 pace.
Wednesday evening was swim class in Brentwood. Drill sergeant Dee pushed us hard. We did some great drills. And by the end, I swam 2450 yards. Not to shabby for me. Nice to know I can still do that.
Thursday I took a rest day and prepared for my long run.
Friday long run day!!! 20 miles at marathon pace + 30 seconds. It was 8:45 before I got out the door but it was a PERFECT running day. 30 degrees and sunny. I took Clif Shot Bloks every mile until I just couldn't stand the sweet any longer (about mile 16). When I got to mile 20 I spit out the one I had had in my cheek for 4 miles. I didn't hit goal but got very close. 3:13:44, 9:41 pace. I will take that.
I have a 13 mile run next week and an 8-10 mile the following week then it is race day! Downhill from here.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Speedy Monday
I got up at 4:15 this morning for my 8 miles of speedwork. Ugg, I hate early Monday morning speed training!!!! And this morning it wasn't any easier getting myself going. It was a cold 27 degrees. But cold gear kept me warm (well not frozen). I did a 2 mile warm up followed by 10 x 400 with 400 rest interval. The pace for the 400s looked like this 8:15, 7:37, 7:59, 7:49, 7:46, 7:50, 7:49, 7:28, 7:51, and 7:27. I did a one mile cool down and called it good. Total time 1:22:49, 10:22 pace. I walked the start of each 400 RI to get my heart rate back down, then jogged before kicking it up for the next 400, this killed my overall pace. As you can see, I had a hard time in the beginning getting a feel for the pace, and in the end just left it all out there.
Hoping for good weather tomorrow so I can take my bike for a spin, otherwise it will be some trainer riding. Either way it will be done on the old painful saddle. Ouch!
Hoping for good weather tomorrow so I can take my bike for a spin, otherwise it will be some trainer riding. Either way it will be done on the old painful saddle. Ouch!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Racing Daylight
Yesterday Ronnie got a late start on golf due to the frost, so he was late getting home. Therefore, I didn't get out on my bike until 3:45. I almost didn't get my 20 miles in before dark.
Standing in my driveway I was too warm in my l/s jersey and jacket so I took off the jacket. I thought about taking off the gloves but worried that my fingers would get cold in the wind.
Boy am I glad I kept the gloves and I sure missed the jacket. Next time, I am going with first instinct.
After 3 rides on the new bike, I have determined that a new seat is REQUIRED. I place my order on Performance Bike this afternoon. Hope it solves my "soft tissue" issues.
Today I did a 1750 yard swim. Still no record break speed but steady.
BIG CONGRATS to Lana. She got her much deserved and hard fought for sub 4 today. You rock girl.
Standing in my driveway I was too warm in my l/s jersey and jacket so I took off the jacket. I thought about taking off the gloves but worried that my fingers would get cold in the wind.
Boy am I glad I kept the gloves and I sure missed the jacket. Next time, I am going with first instinct.
After 3 rides on the new bike, I have determined that a new seat is REQUIRED. I place my order on Performance Bike this afternoon. Hope it solves my "soft tissue" issues.
Today I did a 1750 yard swim. Still no record break speed but steady.
BIG CONGRATS to Lana. She got her much deserved and hard fought for sub 4 today. You rock girl.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I chose to run
Last night was my turn to host Bunko. So yesterday, after dropping the kids at school, I went to Wal-mart to buy the stuff to make. When I got home, I looked around my house. It was not "company ready". I really needed to dust, mop the kitchen, pick up Lego's...but I also needed to run 17 miles.
I debated about it for a few minutes then changed and ran. 17 miles in 2:48:18.
I don't know what has happened to those nice 9:15 paced runs but yesterday I was just glad to be done.
It was colder then I thought so it took a while to warm up. The sun only made a few brief appearances, otherwise it was cloudy and windy. I had a few run ins with dogs but the biggest, scariest dog just stood in his yard and watched me run by. My nose ran the entire time. I have never had to deal with so much snot.
After running, I got cleaned up, got the kids, and cooked.
The Bunko group got there. They had to walk around Lego's but I got my run in so it was worth it.
I debated about it for a few minutes then changed and ran. 17 miles in 2:48:18.
I don't know what has happened to those nice 9:15 paced runs but yesterday I was just glad to be done.
It was colder then I thought so it took a while to warm up. The sun only made a few brief appearances, otherwise it was cloudy and windy. I had a few run ins with dogs but the biggest, scariest dog just stood in his yard and watched me run by. My nose ran the entire time. I have never had to deal with so much snot.
After running, I got cleaned up, got the kids, and cooked.
The Bunko group got there. They had to walk around Lego's but I got my run in so it was worth it.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Toast
Man, my legs are toast!
I have been trying to include more hills in my running this week and I am paying for it. But the good news is...I think I have just about kicked this cough.
The week didn't start out so good...
Sunday I ran 6 miles on the nice flat route by my house. Then I made the long haul to Brentwood for swim class. It was sign up day and it was packed. It was great to be back and I really look forward to making a lot of improvement on my swim this year.
But Sunday night I didn't sleep well and coughed all night.
Then Monday morning, it was warmer out and I couldn't stop coughing. I made it 1.1 miles then threw in the towel. I felt like crap all day.
Monday night I slept much better.
Tuesday morning, I ran from my house up Cracker Barrel Hill, up Jail Hill and up Thrill Hill. I had planned on a 12 mile out and back, but at the top of Thrill Hill I was only at about 5.5. There was an alarm going off in the distance and it isn't the best part of town so I turned around anyway. To make up the distance, I ran down Jail Hill and turned around and ran right back up it. Back down and then back to home.
This morning, I drove to the Rec Center then ran a 5 mile loop that included running up Jail Hill and up Sage Hill. After the run, I went to toning class. My legs were so tired the squats just about killed me!!
I have been trying to include more hills in my running this week and I am paying for it. But the good news is...I think I have just about kicked this cough.
The week didn't start out so good...
Sunday I ran 6 miles on the nice flat route by my house. Then I made the long haul to Brentwood for swim class. It was sign up day and it was packed. It was great to be back and I really look forward to making a lot of improvement on my swim this year.
But Sunday night I didn't sleep well and coughed all night.
Then Monday morning, it was warmer out and I couldn't stop coughing. I made it 1.1 miles then threw in the towel. I felt like crap all day.
Monday night I slept much better.
Tuesday morning, I ran from my house up Cracker Barrel Hill, up Jail Hill and up Thrill Hill. I had planned on a 12 mile out and back, but at the top of Thrill Hill I was only at about 5.5. There was an alarm going off in the distance and it isn't the best part of town so I turned around anyway. To make up the distance, I ran down Jail Hill and turned around and ran right back up it. Back down and then back to home.
This morning, I drove to the Rec Center then ran a 5 mile loop that included running up Jail Hill and up Sage Hill. After the run, I went to toning class. My legs were so tired the squats just about killed me!!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Trouble
Wednesday night I took some Mucinex D and told Ronnie that if I got any sleep I was working out in the morning.
The Mucinex worked so I got up at 4:30 and headed to the Rec Center.
I saw Tim in the parking lot. He told me I was crazy to run outside, his truck said it was 8 degrees. I told him mine said 13. Turns out mine didn't have enough time to get the actual outside temp in the 4 mile drive over there and Tim's truck was closer. Actual was 10.
I was really cold at first. As I huffed and puffed my way up jail hill, I could feel the moisture from my breath forming ice on my eye lashes. My eye lashes just kept getting heavier during the five miles. When I got back to my car at the Rec Center, I looked like Tammy Faye Baker.
I went inside to swim. The water felt really warm on my frozen body. I knocked out 1750 yards a minute faster then last week. Still not breaking any speed records.
Last night both of the kids had a friend spend the night so I ordered pizza. I got myself a calazone to prepare for my long run.
The Mucinex didn't help as much last night and I was up quite a bit hacking. The alarm went off at 4:30. I got up, went to the bathroom, and got right back in bed. I laid there for a minute thinking. It will be warmer later today, I can take the kids to day camp and run then. But they both had friends over and I hated to have to take them home just so I could run. Tomorrow is going to be 60, it would be so much better to run then. Ronnie will be golfing, when will I squeeze in 16 miles? I ate that calazone last night, I can't eat like that and then not run. So I then I got my butt out of bed and ran.
It was warmer then yesterday, in the teens. But I was struggling. I didn't want to be out there in the cold and dark. I made excuses. I am sick, I didn't get enough sleep, It's cold, It's dark... I didn't have a route planned and was just going by the seat of my pants. Mile 4 had me in Baker Heights. I got a plan. From here I could run Cracker Barrel Hill. Then I could compare it to the hills in Birmingham. New motivation. I was excited to be running now.
I made it up the hill, down interstate drive and a short out and back on 41. I beeped 8 miles. I turned around and headed back.
I was running out of excitement now. I ate a shot block, which freeze in your pocket when it is in the teens.
I felt a little better.
I trudged on. I ate a few more shot block ice cubes and finally made it home.
It wasn't my best 16 miles but it is 16 miles in the bank.
I started hacking as soon as I walked in the house. Took a couple more Mucinex and am hoping for a nap in a little while.
In the meantime, I pluged Garmin into the laptop and got the profile from todays run. I compared it to the profile for the Mercedes Marathon. I am in TROUBLE. While Cracker Barrel Hill is a little steeper it is only about a tenth of a mile. Mercedes has 2 hills that are each a mile climb. OUCH!!!!
The Mucinex worked so I got up at 4:30 and headed to the Rec Center.
I saw Tim in the parking lot. He told me I was crazy to run outside, his truck said it was 8 degrees. I told him mine said 13. Turns out mine didn't have enough time to get the actual outside temp in the 4 mile drive over there and Tim's truck was closer. Actual was 10.
I was really cold at first. As I huffed and puffed my way up jail hill, I could feel the moisture from my breath forming ice on my eye lashes. My eye lashes just kept getting heavier during the five miles. When I got back to my car at the Rec Center, I looked like Tammy Faye Baker.
I went inside to swim. The water felt really warm on my frozen body. I knocked out 1750 yards a minute faster then last week. Still not breaking any speed records.
Last night both of the kids had a friend spend the night so I ordered pizza. I got myself a calazone to prepare for my long run.
The Mucinex didn't help as much last night and I was up quite a bit hacking. The alarm went off at 4:30. I got up, went to the bathroom, and got right back in bed. I laid there for a minute thinking. It will be warmer later today, I can take the kids to day camp and run then. But they both had friends over and I hated to have to take them home just so I could run. Tomorrow is going to be 60, it would be so much better to run then. Ronnie will be golfing, when will I squeeze in 16 miles? I ate that calazone last night, I can't eat like that and then not run. So I then I got my butt out of bed and ran.
It was warmer then yesterday, in the teens. But I was struggling. I didn't want to be out there in the cold and dark. I made excuses. I am sick, I didn't get enough sleep, It's cold, It's dark... I didn't have a route planned and was just going by the seat of my pants. Mile 4 had me in Baker Heights. I got a plan. From here I could run Cracker Barrel Hill. Then I could compare it to the hills in Birmingham. New motivation. I was excited to be running now.
I made it up the hill, down interstate drive and a short out and back on 41. I beeped 8 miles. I turned around and headed back.
I was running out of excitement now. I ate a shot block, which freeze in your pocket when it is in the teens.
I felt a little better.
I trudged on. I ate a few more shot block ice cubes and finally made it home.
It wasn't my best 16 miles but it is 16 miles in the bank.
I started hacking as soon as I walked in the house. Took a couple more Mucinex and am hoping for a nap in a little while.
In the meantime, I pluged Garmin into the laptop and got the profile from todays run. I compared it to the profile for the Mercedes Marathon. I am in TROUBLE. While Cracker Barrel Hill is a little steeper it is only about a tenth of a mile. Mercedes has 2 hills that are each a mile climb. OUCH!!!!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year
We finally finished Christmas this weekend at my in-laws. Good times were had and way too much food was eaten.
I did manage to get in a 6 mile run on the hills Sunday morning before everyone else got up.
Monday I was starting to feel sick (a gift from my daughter) so I skipped my run.
Tuesday I met Mike and we rode the Normandy loop. It was sunny and about 37 but there were also 20 mph winds. Made for a tough ride. My bike did great.
The coughing got worse all day yesterday. And then last night I didn't get much sleep. So I decided to skip the run this morning. Good thing too. At 8:00, on my way to work, it was still only 18 degrees. Brrrr!!!!
I am still hacking away. But I hope to be able to get in a 5 mile run and a swim tomorrow before my long run on Friday.
I did manage to get in a 6 mile run on the hills Sunday morning before everyone else got up.
Monday I was starting to feel sick (a gift from my daughter) so I skipped my run.
Tuesday I met Mike and we rode the Normandy loop. It was sunny and about 37 but there were also 20 mph winds. Made for a tough ride. My bike did great.
The coughing got worse all day yesterday. And then last night I didn't get much sleep. So I decided to skip the run this morning. Good thing too. At 8:00, on my way to work, it was still only 18 degrees. Brrrr!!!!
I am still hacking away. But I hope to be able to get in a 5 mile run and a swim tomorrow before my long run on Friday.
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