The Lake

Today’s run took place at one of my favorite spots, the lake.  It is two miles around, and I ran around the lake today once without stopping to walk.  I am happy!  I’ve gained a few pounds over the last month, and I’m ready to get them off.  So far, I’ve eaten a Clif bar today and a burrito made of beans, rice, corn, tomato, cheese, all wrapped up in a ww tortilla. Calorie count to this point is about 750.  I ran 4.25 miles today in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 25 seconds.  I stopped and talked to a couple of people during that time, and my workout was probably paused by Cardiotrainer, but I really have no idea how much impact was made on the time posted.  I just can’t run at the lake without talking to people.  It just doesn’t happen.  I think I was suppose to do 5 miles today, but this week has been a little off for me.  I am just happy as can be with the running 2 miles nonstop, so I consider it a victory.

Training continues to go well

Real quick, I haven’t had time to post, but training continues to go well.  I have gotten all the miles in that I am supposed to complete.  My weight is up because I have not been watching what I eat, but I will deal with that soon.  I am really enjoying the training, and I can’t wait until April.  More later…

Flying Pirate Week 1 Training

I had some hip pain on Tuesday, so I skipped the 3 miles slated for that day.  On Thursday I figured out what caused the pain: My four year old has started racing me to the car when I pick her up from preschool.  I guess the ole body isn’t used to sprinting!  On Thursday I did 3.75 miles rather than the called for 3 miles, and it felt good.  The pace was 14 something minutes per mile, so I was thrilled.  Tomorrow a 4 miler is scheduled, which has got to be easier than the Krispy Kreme Challenge my husband is doing tomorrow!

Edit: BTW, I have never lost a toenail due to excessive running…until today.  This badge of honor feels a little strange….

I’m back

Yeah, I’ve been away from tumblr for awhile.  I have run/walked with a friend twice since last post.  That training program I made out?  I didn’t follow it.  I’ve lost a friend to cancer.  I’ve decided to raise money to fight cancer by shaving my head in March.  I turn 40 in March.  I started training for the Flying Pirate Half today.  Ran 2 miles in 30:38.  That’s it in a nut shell.  I’m looking forward to training again.  More later.

Where to begin?

onceandfutureironman:

My name is Roy, and I am an Ironman. At least, if you believe that “once an Ironman, always an Ironman” then I am. In 1999 and 2000 I competed in and finished Ironman Florida in Panama City, Florida, USA. Physically I was in the best shape of my life. I was not the fastest, but I was happy to…

I’m super proud of my husband!

(Reblogged from onceandfutureironman)

Training with a partner

I ran with a friend today.  I’ve never really run with others before.  It was nice, but different.  It will take some getting used to, but I think I am going to enjoy it!  We went around the lake for 2 miles.  We hope to do it again on a weekly basis.

Training

I looked around, googled, contemplated, and I’ve decided on a training plan.  I was so excited by the Reindeer Romp that I want to concentrate on improving my 5k time before starting to train for my next half marathon.  So, Hal Higdon’s Intermediate program is 8 weeks long.  That is great, because there are 20 weeks until the Flying Pirate Half in April.  That means I can do 8 weeks Hal Higdon 5k speedwork style, then hit the half marathon 12 week training program again.  I’ve got a friend that is interested in training with me on Thursdays, so I am flip flopping the days runs are suppose to be on, but keeping the workouts the same.  Today is my speed workout day, which is suppose to be at my “mile” pace.  I haven’t done a timed mile since this summer, so I let that be my speed workout.  I went 1 mile in 12:24.  That includes stopping 3 times for traffic and all the glorious neighborhood hills.  This past summer, my timed mile on a track was 13:24, so I shaved a minute off at least.  Who knows what my flat uninterrupted mile time would be, but I am going with 12:00 for now.  Tomorrow I am due for 3 miles.  That is my Tuesday run for every week but race week.  I’m excited to be back in the saddle!

Reindeer Romp 5K

I ran a 5k this morning.  It’s the first time I’ve run since the half marathon.  I didn’t plan it that way, but that’s what happened.  Anyway, I ROCKED it…my finish time was 39:15, a 12:38 pace.  I haven’t had a 3 in front of my time in YEARS!!!  It was different from most 5ks.  It was a trail run.  At the beginning it was run, or be run over.  Then, it changed to maneuver the crowd.  There was one water stop two miles in, and waiting in the crowd was not worth it for me.  I kept going hoping the crowd would thin for the last mile, and it did.  I couldn’t believe it when the finish clock was in sight and it was at 39:00!  I am totally motivated again and need a running plan pronto.

OBX Half Marathon recap: It really could not have gone much smoother. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am so very thankful for my husband and children. They sacrificed, encouraged, and cheered me on all the way to the finish line. The day started before sunrise, and I had my clothes for that day prepared for weeks. It was in the 40s to start, so I was concerned about being cold. I had on longsleeves, shorts, gloves. I got to the start in plenty of time. It was a wave start, and my wave was last. I had to ask about the corrals and letters, cause, well, I didn’t know! I opted not to stand in super long portajohn lines, though it turns out I probably had time. My husband and kids were going to be just around the corner so I decided I would start out in a jog so I looked strong. Then I settled into a pace a little quicker than my brisk workouts at home. I people watched, made a comment here or there. People either weren’t interested in chatting, were with their own click, or had on earbuds…….until Barbie. Barbie made this race for me. She is 60 years old, a cancer survivor, a marathoner, and this was her fourth race, second OBX. She mentored/supported/encouraged/motivated me the last 9 miles of this race. We were going the same pace, but honestly she was going about 45 seconds faster than I had planned to go. The race had plenty of water stops, medical tables, and portajohns. By the time I got to the bridge, the family drove by and cheered me on again. My only physical issue(other than I got HOT, ditched the gloves, and thought about ditching the shirt) was my lower back got tired. Strangely when I jogged it relieved that ailment. So, when I stopped at portajohn after the bridge, I was able to jog back up to Barbie before the finish. That last mile seemed long, but finishing felt great. My time: 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 10 seconds. I am ready to do it all again! Now, it’s been 10 days, far longer than I planned to go before starting back up. I need to get back out there. I don’t think this leaf raking crosstraining is going to take me too far. View high resolution

OBX Half Marathon recap: It really could not have gone much smoother. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am so very thankful for my husband and children. They sacrificed, encouraged, and cheered me on all the way to the finish line. The day started before sunrise, and I had my clothes for that day prepared for weeks. It was in the 40s to start, so I was concerned about being cold. I had on longsleeves, shorts, gloves. I got to the start in plenty of time. It was a wave start, and my wave was last. I had to ask about the corrals and letters, cause, well, I didn’t know! I opted not to stand in super long portajohn lines, though it turns out I probably had time. My husband and kids were going to be just around the corner so I decided I would start out in a jog so I looked strong. Then I settled into a pace a little quicker than my brisk workouts at home. I people watched, made a comment here or there. People either weren’t interested in chatting, were with their own click, or had on earbuds…….until Barbie. Barbie made this race for me. She is 60 years old, a cancer survivor, a marathoner, and this was her fourth race, second OBX. She mentored/supported/encouraged/motivated me the last 9 miles of this race. We were going the same pace, but honestly she was going about 45 seconds faster than I had planned to go. The race had plenty of water stops, medical tables, and portajohns. By the time I got to the bridge, the family drove by and cheered me on again. My only physical issue(other than I got HOT, ditched the gloves, and thought about ditching the shirt) was my lower back got tired. Strangely when I jogged it relieved that ailment. So, when I stopped at portajohn after the bridge, I was able to jog back up to Barbie before the finish. That last mile seemed long, but finishing felt great. My time: 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 10 seconds. I am ready to do it all again! Now, it’s been 10 days, far longer than I planned to go before starting back up. I need to get back out there. I don’t think this leaf raking crosstraining is going to take me too far.

I did it! Chip time: 3:10:10 View high resolution

I did it! Chip time: 3:10:10