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I'm running into the sun but I'm...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Step in Time

We went down to the Monument to run the dreaded steps again tonight.  We made it 4 times (which is 832 steps - if you're counting) and 4 times around the 1/4 mile loop.  The steps are a KILLER cross training workout.  It doesn't take long to do but every muscle in your body KNOWS you just worked out!

I'm hoping to make this a regular workout.   I'd like to get in a "steps" session at least a couple times per month.

And...  some of the best news...  we have all our ADR's for our dinners during Princess Half Marathon week!  Including, the most coveted Be Our Guest reservations for the Monday after the race.  Now...  all we need is for Disney to ante up with free dining.  We can only afford the Quick Service plan so if there is no free dining, all our wonderful dining reservations will get cancelled :-(

Come on Disney!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Just Keep Running...

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Yesterday's run was just "ok."  However, I was excited to see at the end that I JUST went over the 300 mile mark and "leveled up" on Nike +!  I started using Nike + just after starting training for the 1/2 marathon that I ran in June.  I started training in January and probably started using Nike + in February.  I don't use it on my short, early morning, two mile runs so I'd say I have, at least, 50-75 more miles than the app shows.

Since I don't run another race until February, I just feel like I need to keep on, keeping on to stay in shape and keep the pounds off.  I have a super busy week ahead and we're headed out of town for Labor Day weekend so my mileage will definitely suffer this week but I have plenty of time to catch back up! 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ice Cream for Dinner



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As I mentioned before, I hate evening runs.  After sitting at a desk all day, my body does not want to move the way I want it to for a run.  But, often, my friend, Amanda, runs with me and on some of our evening runs we head straight to the ice cream parlor for a huge ice cream cone.  We always nickname it "ice cream for dinner" because we usually don't eat anything else.

Last night, ice cream was quite the motivator.  It was a good run with a FAST time!  Hopefully, tomorrow's longer run will feel just as good!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Flights are Booked!

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Today was a busy day!  Amanda and I booked our flights for the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  Just a few more loose ends to tie up (like an extra night and praying for Free Dining!) and we'll be on our way!

I tried for a "hat trick" of "Fastest 10Ks" today but it was not in the cards.  My afternoon/evening runs are always horrible.  This one was particularly bad.  At the halfway point of my 6.25 mile run, I had to use the bathroom.  My choices were:  Turn around and try to make it 2 miles back to the Port a Potty or keep going another .75 miles to the next Port a Potty.  I decided that I was not going to make the 2 miles back so I went the .75 more.  Now, this, of course, meant that I finished my run when I was still almost 1.5 miles from my car!  UGH! 

I'm going to try to get another run in on Thursday afternoon but I think it will be a bit more leisurely.  As you can see, I have more than 6 months until my next race so I'm going to take it easy here, for a bit, on my runs.  Keep the distance.  Lose the speed.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Another Fastest 10K!

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For the second  week in a row, my Nike + app recorded my run as my "fastest 10k!"  I'm still learning this app but to the best of knowledge, this week's 10k was just a couple of seconds faster than last weeks.  Overall, my run was actually a few seconds slower.  Depending upon how my training goes during the week, I'd like to run 8 miles next Saturday.  We'll see if I wind up with a third "fastest 10k" at THAT distance!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

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I always do small workouts during the week.  For example, this week, I ran 2 miles on Monday morning, did Jillian Michaels on Tuesday morning, did a Denise Austin ab workout yesterday morning and last night I changed things up a bit.  Instead of my normal "medium" run, I did steps.

Our town is the home of the William McKinley National Monument.  There are 108 steps.  I only did 3 laps but it is a good workout!  This morning I was back to a 2 mile run on some sore legs!






















Saturday, August 11, 2012

Fastest 10K?



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So, my Nike+ app told me that I ran my fastest 10K today.  I think we must have both eaten something rotten for dinner last night.  The run started out well enough.  It was cool (which I love) but drizzling (which I HATE) but I run on a densely wooded trail so most of the way it is like running under a giant umbrella.  There were a couple of times and places, though, where it was raining pretty hard - blech!

So, all was going well until about the 5 1/2 mile mark.  I had to go to the bathroom.  And my body doesn't just give me a warning.  When I'm running and I have to go, I have to go NOW!!!  Except the port-a-potty is at the 5 3/4 mile mark   I was in some serious pain - to the point that I couldn't run.  I just walked fast and cried!

That's my explanation for my strange splits.  After I used the bathroom - I made up my speed!  I've been working on speed a lot during my short, two mile, morning runs.  Maybe it's starting to pay off!  I hope so!

Now to work on not having to use the bathroom during a run....

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Ouch!

I love to do an ab/core workout for cross training.  I have really started to see results.  I bought a two piece swimsuit this year for the first time since I've been about 20 years old.  And let me just add that that was LONG time ago!

One of my favorite workouts was the Ab Crunch workout on Netflix.  I'd pull it up on my Wii a couple of times a week and get in a good workout.  Well, thank you Netflix for getting rid of EVERY SINGLE exercise video that was out there!  But, I say "thank you" because you forced me to go on the hunt for a new workout video.  I think I found a hit.  It is the Denise Austin ab workout.  I found a series on YouTube.  I did level one and two this morning and then got in a 5 mile run this afternoon.  This is one sore body that I am dragging off to bed right now! 

I liked Netflix and I will like the YouTube videos because I travel a good deal of time for work and can play them on my iPad in my hotel room.  Especially if I am in an area that doesn't appear safe for running.

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Even though it is 15 months away, I registered for the inaugural Cleveland Rock and Roll Half Marathon.  It was bargain priced ($55) for the first 500 who registered and I need all the bargain races I can get right now.  Not only was the Disney Princess a $140 registration fee but with combining it with a week at Disney World - it will certainly be the most expensive race I ever run!

Looking forward to the potential of THREE half marathons in 2013!