Running for Jen

My minimum goal was to complete 8 miles, therefore I was happy that I was able to make it to 9.  I completed this run in1:34:30.  I felt good throughout and was very happy that the temperatures were in the 60's and overcast.  I am still a bit disappointed that I am slowing down.  I am just trying to run at whatever my natural pace is.  I don't know if this is normal when you are trying to increase your base mileage as well as begin training for a marathon.

My weight of 113.5 was post-run.

I completed this 8 mile run on the treadmill.  I warmed up for the first mile.  Then I ran miles 2 and 3 at a 10:00 min/ mile pace.  Mile 4 was at a 9:50 min/ mile place.  I then ran the final four miles at a 9:30 min/ mile pace.  This run seemed to drag this morning.  I felt alright, but it just seemed like it took a while to get through.  I am feeling a little bit of pain on the left leg, outer part of the knee.  I have been putting one of those Icyhot strips on it in the hopes that it will make it feel better.  It is not very painful, but it is definitely there. 

I took it to the streets today for this run.  Once again, my minimum goal was to go 8 miles, therefore I was very happy to get the extra mile in.  The weather here was great this morning, hovering in the 60's.  I completed this run in 1:35:43, which was slower than I was hoping for.  I was not trying to run a certain pace as I would in a race,  I was just hoping that my natural pace would be a bit faster.  I still feel as though I have slowed down over these past few weeks.

This run was completed on the treadmill.  My original plan was to run 8 miles, but due to some GI problems and time (I subbed today at a local high school), I had to stop at 7.  Outside of my stomach not feeling so great, the rest of the run was fine.  Since I am running a 5K tomorrow, I decided just to run 10 minute miles today.

I weighed 113.5 post-run.

I was very excited about my time in today's 5K; I set a PR!  I ran the 1st mile in 7:30, the 2nd mile in approximately 7:53 and ran the last 1.1 miles in approximately 9:00.  Needless to say, I was very happy with my first mile time, although, I wonder if I took it too fast, since I slowed down each mile thereafter.  The last 1.1 miles had at least a couple of hills, especially towards the end. 

I do have one concern.  I felt nauseated for the majority of the run.  I do tend to have nerves prior to racing, but this was not a bathroom issue.  I do know that I have seen plenty of runners vomit towards the end of races that they have run very hard.  I didn't enjoy the race very much because of this feeling.  I hope that this isn't typical for me.  This will probably be my last race at this distance for a while, because my marathon training started a couple of weeks ago.

I had to skip working out yesterday and limit today's workout to 5 miles due to illness.  Saturday evening, while hanging out with friends, I developed a fever.  I am not sure as to how high it was, but both my husband and I agreed that I was burning up.  On that note, I was in bed by 9:00pm, took two Tylenol-8 hour pills and slept for the most part of the next 12 hours.  I rested all day Sunday, which is a non-running day for me anyway.  Monday, I decided that fresh air would probably be a good idea, so I put leashes on my dogs and took them for a slow two-mile walk.  I am feeling a bit better each day, although I do not feel 100% yet.  I was able to run most of the 5 miles today, but did walk a little bit during the last couple of miles.  I just felt tired and a little short of breath. 

My original plan for the week was to get to 55 miles, but that goal is going to have to be re-adjusted.  My goal will be to run at least 8 miles each day for the next 3 days.  If I can do it, great, if not, I will just do what I can.  I still plan on getting 15 in on Saturday.

This was another slow one.  I decided to run outside today instead of going to the gym.  I just felt like I could use the fresh air and I wanted to be able to move at my own pace.  I felt a bit better today than I did yesterday, although I did feel a bit lightheaded in the beginning.  I was tired during the last mile to mile and a half.  I am sure that this is a combination of fatigue (from being sick) and the fact that I haven't been eating as much the past few days.  I also allowed myself to walk when the running felt a bit too much.  This usually happened going uphill.  Overall, I was happy to be out there and feel as though I should be back to my normal mileage in the next day or two.

 Post run weight was 112.5.

I am finally getting back into the swing of things.  I was able to get back up to 8 miles today without much walking.  I did have a couple of coughing fits, one as I completing mile 4 and the other was near mile 7, which slowed me down a little bit.  I completed the distance in 1:23:54, which is nothing to write home about, but it was definitely better than the past couple of days. The weather outside was good, 60's and overcast.  I felt a bit lightheaded prior to starting, but everything worked out alright.

 Post-run weight was 112.5.

These miles were completed on the treadmill.  My time was limited this morning since I was substitute teaching.  I was hoping for 8, but was only able to manage 7.  I had to go to the bathroom twice and I ran the first part slower than normal.  I just felt as though I should start off slowly.  It took a while to get in the groove.

My weight of 112 is post run.

This was the first time that I had run at least 15 miles since last year's Jacksonville Marathon.  It went fairly well.  The air was nice and cool at the stIart, although it did warm up by the time I was done (it was past 10:00am when I finished).  I was a little concerned about my stomach to start, but everything went fine.  I ran my normal route for the first 8 1/2 miles, and then decided to repeat a small part of it again (about 2 1/2 miles) so that the last few miles in the other direction wouldn't seem so long.  I finished in 2:37:41.  My average pace was a 10:30 min/ mile.  I felt pretty good for the most of the run.  I definitely started feeling a bit tired during the last couple of miles.

My weight of 111.5 was post-run.

I ran this one at the gym.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have to work today, so I thought better be safe than sorry and get my workout in.  I am glad that I did, because I wound up picking up a sub job this morning.  My run went well.  I tuned into Sportscenter for the entire run, which helped pass the time.  Unfortunately, running on the treadmill is not exciting.  The first mile was pretty much a warm up.  I actually felt some knee pain after the first couple of minutes, so I slowed it down, readjusted, and then worked my way back up.  I ran the final 7 miles at a 10:00 min/ mile pace.

For the first time in a while, I ran these miles in the afternoon.  I am trying to figure out my training schedule for when I eventually go back to work.  One idea is to run a couple of days a week after work so that I don't have to get up at 4:00am.  Since I substitute teaching job today, I figured that I would try it out.  It wasn't bad.  I just had to make sure that I changed and was ready to go as soon as I got home.  I was able to do that for the most part.  It was a bit warm outside, as the afternoons here are still in the 80's.  I was able to complete my run in 1:20:21, which is a bit faster than what I have done in a while.   Overall, I feel pretty good.  

My weight of 113.5 was post run.

I completed this run on the treadmill at the gym.  The first few miles seemed to drag a bit, but otherwise it went fine.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran miles 2-6 at a 10:00 min./ mile pace and then ran the final two miles at a 9:50 min./ mile pace.

My weight of 112.5  was post run.

I decided to run this afternoon as I am trying to get used to a new schedule in the hopes that I will get hired soon.  I did substitute teach today, therefore I wasn't able to start until after 4:00pm.  It was raining when I got home, but it stopped so I thought I would run outside (I was debating about going to the gym because of the weather).  After the 1st mile, the rain came back and continued for the next 5 miles.  It was a nice steady rain for those miles.  The rain finally tapered off during the last two miles.  I was able to complete the mileage in approximately 1:21.  Both my time and distance are approximate since I lost the signal on my GPS for a good 4-5 minutes during the first mile.  When I got the signal back, it was off by a good .2-.25 miles.

This run took place at the gym on the treadmill.  I got there soon after the place opened.  I was planning on running 8 miles, but was only able to get 7 in due to time.  The run itself went well minus a couple of bathroom breaks.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran miles 2-6 at a 10:00 min/ mile pace and ran the final mile at a 9:50 min/ mile pace.

My weight of 112.5 was post run.

It was another rainy run this morning.  For the first 8 miles, it was misting outside.  It actually felt kind of nice.  Due to the inclement weather, I left the iPod at home.  During the last 8 miles it rained the entire time.  It was a good steady rain for the most part.  Every now and then it would rain a bit harder.  I was able to complete this run in 2:43:03.  Unfortunately, I am not sure how accurate the distance was due to the weather.  I utilized my Garmin, but the signal became weak many times and the thing was getting wet.  My average time per mile was 10:11.

This is also my first time hitting 55 miles for a week, which I am very happy about.

 My weight of 112 was post run.

My plan was to run 8 miles on the treadmill this morning.  I am happy to report that I was able to get 9 in.  I warmed up for the first mile, then ran the next 3 miles at a 10:00 min./ mile pace.  I ran the final 5 miles at a pace of 9:50 per mile.  Usually, by the time that I hit the 8 mile mark, I have had enough, but fortunately, I felt well enough to run the extra mile.

First of all, today was the first time in almost a week that I was able to run outside and not get poured on.  We have had an obnoxious amount of rain in this part of the country.  This run was unexpectedly slow.  My stomach felt a bit off when I started, but worked itself out.  I also found myself walking where I normally don't.  I am not happy with the time, which was over 1:30, but am always happy to complete the distance.  My goal was to at least run 8, which I was able to do.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day!

I ran at the gym today.  I warmed up for the first mile and then ran the next 3 miles at a 10:00 min/ mile pace.  I ran the final 4 1/2 at a 9:50 min/ mile pace.  Everything went as usual.  Sportscenter, Frasier and my iPod kept me company.

My weight of 113.5 was post run.

I had a really good run today.  I mixed things up a bit in regards to my route.  I wound up averaging under 10:00 minute miles by finishing in 1:28:23.  It may not be by much, but it has been a while since I have been able to do this outside (versus the gym).  This is also the first run that I have had since gaining employment.  I was offered a teaching job yesterday, which needless to say, made my day.

 Weight of 113.5 was post run.

I ran today at the gym.  My run seemed never-ending.  I found myself staring at the distance on the treadmill for most of the workout.  I did feel a bit fatigued today, which may have been part of the problem.  I warmed up for the first mile at just under a 10:00 minute mile and then ran the final 7 miles at a 10:00 min./ mile pace.  I will be honest, I am happy that it is done.  Hopefully, my 12 mile run tomorrow will be better.

 Weight of 113 pounds was post-run.

I was looking forward to today's run of "only" 12 miles, since my next three long runs are going to be 18, 20 and 16.  Unfortunately, it didn't go as well as I had hoped.  I didn't feel bad, but the pace just wasn't there.  I also found myself checking my GPS way to many times.  I left my iPod at home due to the weather.  It rained during my run, although it wasn't nearly as bad as it was last weekend.  I am used to running without it, but I have to admit that I do like having it for these long runs. I run by myself, so the music keeps me company.  I finished in 2:12:20, which is about 11 minute miles.

I weighed 114 prior to my run and 111 post run.

Today was a great day for a run!  I normally take Sunday's off, but since I am unable to run tomorrow due to a fasting holiday, I ran this morning.  The sun was out and the temperatures were in the mid 60's with a nice breeze.  I was able to complete my run in 1:19, which is just under 10 minute miles.  I did not weigh myself, since I tend to eat a bit more on the weekends.  I really do not want to know what the scale shows right now.

It was in the 50's this morning.  I actually had to switch from a short sleeve to a long sleeve shirt.  It was so nice and refreshing.  The only problem that I had, which is common for me, is that since it was cold, my nose was running the whole time.  I thought that with the weather being so nice that my pace would pick up a bit, but it didn't.  I completed this run in 1:33:20.

Weight of 112.5 was post run.

I ran on the treadmill at the gym today.  It started out well, but didn't end as smoothly as I had hoped.  When I was just shy of hitting the 5 mile mark, I started getting that feeling in my right leg again where it feels as though it is going to give out on me at any time.  When I got to 5, I stopped to use the restroom, which also allowed me to rest my leg (it feels fine while walking).  I got back on for three more miles and struggled once again during the last mile.  I had initially contemplated running 9 today, but thought eight would be a better idea considering.  I warmed up for the 1st mile and then ran the next 3 1/4 miles at a 10 min./ mile pace.  I then took it up to a 9:50 pace, but eventually slowed it back down to a 10 minute mile once I got to the 5 mile point.