Day 31: Happy Birthday Harry Potter Virtual 5k

James and I registered for a virtual race a few weeks back.  It's through a group called NerdHerd.  They sponsor 3 virtual runs all with nerdy themes.  This one was for Harry Potter's birthday.  It's really a cool thing for geeks like us.

They emailed us race bibs and we send in our times and the send us finishers medals.  James if very excited about that part.  He can't wait to see what it will look like.

We took River with us to keep us moving.  She loves to run so she should get to participate as well.  Here we are before the run.  We're casting a spell and catching the snitch.

James was  bit grumpy to start out.  He complained about everything even though he's the one that wanted to run with me.  I coaxed him along and as we got into the run he got better.

He ran a pretty good time.  48 minutes was the final time.  He was excited when he finished.

It was a bit warmer then when I normally run, but I didn't want to get him up that early.  We are going to get him new running shoes today because he's outgrown his old ones.  We run our next 5k in 2 weeks.  I'll get him out in his new shoes before then so he can break them in.

Tomorrow is a cross training and weights day for me.  I know I need those days, but I am really enjoying the runs lately.  Friday is another 5 mile run and I'm really excited for that.  Have a great day!

Day 30: I REALLY Didn't Want To Run

But I did it anyway.  It felt really good once I got going.  I had problems falling asleep last night and just didn't want to get up at all.  When I got up to feed the dogs I was still talking myself into the run.  River started dancing around me after she ate and I knew she had to go out for a walk anyway so I should just run.  I was slow getting dressed and getting the water together for her.  I really had to talk myself into this run, but once I got out there I felt pretty good.

At one point when I just started I tried to talk myself into cutting my run short.  I didn't let myself though!  I ran the whole 5 miles that was scheduled.  Like I said once I got about 5 minutes into the run it felt really good.  I felt nice and relaxed and just enjoyed the run.

River was all smiles the whole run.  She got grumpy with me when I made her stop for water.  She doesn't like to stop, but she has too.  I can't let her run that far without stopping for water.  She would quickly drink and then bark at me to hurry up so she could run again.

The last half mile of the run River developed a severe case of ADHD.  She started barking and trying to chase cars no matter what direction they were going.  When we passed the trash and recycling trucks, she started pulling and trying to get to them to chase them.  I got a good resistance workout in trying to get her to go forward and not run backwards while trying to watch the trucks.  She's such a silly girl.  I guess since she didn't see any rabbits she had to chase something else.

Right now I'm enjoying my post run smoothie and all three dogs are resting beside me.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to the farmer's market today or not.  We'll have to see.  First up is a shower though.  Have a great day!

Day 29: Speed Work and Weights

Whew...my legs are toast today!  After yesterday's long run I woke up stiff.  Once I got moving I felt better.  I switched speed work from Wednesday to today.  It was tough, but I did it.  I started with a  10 minute warm-up at a 12:00 pace.  Then I did 10 rounds of 30 seconds at a 7:30 pace and 1:30 at a 14:00 pace recovery.  Then I did a 10 minute cool down at a 12:00 pace.  It felt good.  The sprint was tough.  After the first round my legs were not happy, but as I got into it they got better.

After my work on the treadmill, I did a full body circuit.  I increased the weight on some exercise from Saturday and next week I'll be increasing some more.  The leg weights were tough.  I thought I was ready to increase weight on some of those, but after today I think it may be next week. 

When I got home I took River for her long walk.  We got about 10 minutes into the walk and it started raining.  We swung back by the house and picked up an umbrella and finished our walk.  She was looking for rabbits the whole walk.  There haven't been too many out lately and she looks so sad when she doesn't find any.

Tomorrow River and I are up early for a 5 mile run.  I really hope this weather holds as it has been GREAT running weather.  Only 83 more days until I run my half marathon!  It will be here before I know it!

Days 26-28: Track Meets, Cross Training and Long Run

Wow it's been a busy 3 days!  I moved my rest day from Saturday to Friday as James had a mini meet to end his week at track and field camp.  I went to watch him compete.  He chose to do the long jump, high jump, 100 meter dash and he was on a relay.  He did well in all those events for doing them for the first time.

Here he is long jumping.

His 100 meter dash was next.  He came in 4th.  Here he is crossing the finish  line.

He did high jump, but his form still isn't quite there.  They did teach them the flop, but most of the younger kids just ran at the bar and jumped.  He was taking off of one foot though.  He said he really likes high jump.

The relay was at the end and everyone ran it.  They had divided the kids up into 4 countries and they were competing for their assigned countries all meet.  James was on the Russian team.  They ended up coming in 2nd in the relay.  Here he is passing the baton to the next runner.

He had a great time and says he wants to go back again next year.  The camp staff did a wonderful job teaching them about track and field.  We'll be signing him up for a week next summer!

Yesterday was my cross training day.  I got up early and took River for a 3.5 mile walk before I went to the gym.  It was a gorgeous morning and we really enjoyed our walk. 

Once I got to the gym, I got on the recumbent bike and did that for 35 minutes.  It didn't feel super good and it was a "just get through it" workout.  I didn't feel horrible, but I just wasn't that into it yesterday.  Then I did upper body weights.  Next week I'll be increasing the weight on a few exercises and I'm very close to increasing on a few more.  The weights felt good.

Today was my long run.  When the dogs got me up to feed them, I got ready to head out for an 8 mile run.  8 miles is the longest I've run ever.  When I was doing some training last spring, I went for an 8 mile run and twisted my knee.  That was on trails and I don't know how I did it.  So it's been awhile since I've run this far.

The route I take is very hilly which I need to do.  It's a beautiful route through the country.  There is no one out on the roads yet.  It is always peaceful.  I love running by farmer's fields and watching the cows as I run by.  I also run by River's daycare and I can hear all the dogs barking at me as I go by as the doors to the runs were open.

Today was the day I tried the Honey Stingers as I ran.  I know I have to keep my energy up and I have to have fuel for my body to draw on when I run these longer runs.  I can't do the gels because the texture makes me gag.  Someone told me to try these.  They are like fruit snacks so I can chew them.  I ate 6 of them every 40 minutes on the run.  I really liked them and I did notice a difference after eating them.  I just need to keep using them to find what will work for my on race day and what flavors I like. 

So today, I ran for 40 minutes then walked a few minutes to get the stingers and some Gatorade in me.  Then I ran for another 40 minutes and did the same thing.  I felt really good on my run and only had to walk the 2 times so eat and drink.  I just can't do that while running.  I've tried and it is never successful.  I'll keep trying though.

Like I said before this route is really hilly.  There are low rolling his and long steep ones.  I ran up every one of them!  There is even an intersection that no matter what direction you are going, you will be going up hill both ways.  That was towards the end of my run and it was not fun.  I was cursing it in my head as I was running.  But once I got up both of those hills, it was downhill and flat the rest of the way home.

I love running in the early mornings and in this cooler weather.  I just wish I could have taken River with me.  She's a great running partner and she just loves to run.  8 miles is just too long for her.  The most I'll let her run with me is a 10k.  That's pretty much her limit.

Tomorrow I'm switching things around.  I'm doing speed work and weights and Wednesday, James and I are running a virtual 5k race.  He's excited to see how his running has improved and the fact that the race is Harry Potter themed.  Our race bibs were emailed to us last week and they look cool.  It will be a good time.

Now I'm off to cross stitch the rest of the day.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Day 25: Another Beautiful Day!

I know it's July and this should be fall weather, but I'm loving running in this stuff!  It was about 48 degrees when I got up this morning.  It made for another great morning of running.

Today was supposed to be a 5 mile run, but last night I found out that James was getting dropped off at our house at 6:15 so I had to cut my run short.  I ended up doing a 5k.  I took River with me though.  We both really enjoyed the run as it was another sunrise run.  There is just something about watching the sun come up as you are running.  It's just amazing.  I love the quiet and the calm of that time of day.  No one is up.  There aren't many cars.  Nature is out and the air smells so clean.  It's probably my favorite time of day to run.

The 5k route we take starts with and uphill and ends with an uphill.  At the start it's a nice slow uphill, but at the end it's a short steeper one.  We live in just the right spot that it is uphill both ways to get to our house.

Tomorrow is James' last day of track and field camp.  They are having a little mini-meet and he's very excited.  He's decided to do the long jump, high jump, 100 meter dash, and a relay.  He wasn't sure if anyone could come watch him, but I told him this morning I was coming and he was really excited.  I'm taking my camera so there will be lots of pictures.  He has really enjoyed this camp.  It's been good for him to step out of his comfort zone and do this.  He likes running and this was a way for him to see the other events and to learn how to do them.  He's come home every day excited and happy and that's what counts.

So tomorrow I'm up really early again to hit the gym for a cross training day and weights.  Saturday is my rest day and I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I won't get to sleep any later, because River will still need her morning walk, but it will be an easy walk with my coffee in tow.

I'm off to start the rest of my day!  It's going to be a day at home so hopefully I can get some stuff done.

Day 24: What a great day to run!

I woke up at 4:30 this morning ready to run!  The temperature was about 50 degrees and there was a light breeze.  Perfect running weather!  River was ready to go and when she realized we were running she was doubly happy.

I did a 5 mile loop and for the first time doing this loop, I felt nice and relaxed.  The run felt so good from start to finish!  We got past the dog park and to the base of the sledding hill when River needed to stop for a drink.  While she was drinking her water, I snapped this picture of the sun rising.

It was so nice to watch the sun rise while on our run.

This route has some hills both steep and rolling.  Normally there are 2 small, but steep hills that kick my butt.  Not today!  We ran up those hills without a problem.  It just felt great!  In fact, I ran an almost 10 minute best time on this training run.  Not to shabby!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a cross training and weights, but Mike has to go out of town and I may have to pick James up from his mother's house to take him to camp.  I'm switching my Thursday and Friday around so tomorrow I'm off for another 5 mile run.  I think the weather is supposed to be just as cool as today so River will join me.  Friday I'll hit the gym and do my cross training and weights.

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!

Day 23: I switched things up today

I was supposed to do a 5 mile run this morning, but I was feeling speedy today.  I went to the gym and did speed work instead.  Normally speed work is done on Wednesdays, but I'm flexible with my training schedule.  Plus tomorrow morning is supposed to be even cooler than this morning so River will love the run even more.

I warmed up on the treadmill for a half mile at a nice easy pace.  Then I did 10 rounds of 30 seconds really fast and really hard with 1:00 recover time.  After 5 rounds I got a bonus 1 minute recovery.  Then I did a half mile cool down at a nice easy pace.

I have to admit that this workout felt amazing!!!!!!!  It felt great to push myself and not have any pain and just feel the speed.  I have not had a speed workout feel this great in a long time. 

After that I did leg weights.  I'm just about ready to increase weight on a few machines. 

So tomorrow I'm up early for a 5 mile run with River.  She will love that as this morning she thought she was going running with me and was disappointed when I left her at home.  I'm excited for the run since these past 2 days have felt really good.  I'm hoping this carries on through the rest of the week.