Running in Circles

This week was all about training, trying to be consistent, and keeping up with the first of the holiday season.

It was raining several days this week, but I didn't want that to stop me from getting in some good runs.  Lucky for me, campus was quiet and the Rec Center was only charging $2.00 per person to use.  So to avoid running in the rain, I ended up on the indoor track.

I had never used the Rec Center track before, but I gave it a whirl....twice!  My boys were excited because they got to come with me.  They played basketball, while I ran in circles around the track.  I didn't know how far I was going to run at first or how many times I would make it around.  So, I made a goal of running for 30 minutes, to see how far that would get me. 

At about 25 minutes, I was finishing up my 20th lap when my friend Kerri flagged me down.  I was happy to see her :)  Kerri said I looked like I had a good pace going.  That's when I found out that
8 laps = 1 mile. Holy Cow!!...that means I was booking it around that track.  My usual pace is about 12 minute miles.  I was on a pace of 10 minute miles....what???  I finished my last 5 minutes (4 laps) fairly easily with another friend, Madison by my side.  It felt good.  24 laps = 3 miles...done!

The next day, I made plans to meet Kerri at the track again.  I don't usually run consecutive days, but my legs felt good.  Let's do this!  Kerri beat me there and was about 18 laps into her run when I joined her.  She was tracking the miles on her ipod, which confirmed that 8 laps does actually equal 1 mile.  How could I be running so fast??  Crazy!!  I again ran for 30 minutes with Kerri and finished 24 laps.  So cool...another 3 miles done!

Today I ran outside again.  I used an app on my phone called "MapMyRun".  It's great to use as long as you have a pocket to carry the phone in.  I felt great on my run today.  It seemed a bit easier than most of my runs lately.  When I finished, the app said I had run 3.8 miles in 45 minutes (back to a little less than 12 minute miles) and burned 622 calories....I like it!

Its been a good running week.  I completed 9.8 miles with my 3 runs.  I'm on track....27.6 of 500 miles done!!

I have plans to run with my friend Chris O. tomorrow.  Of course I will keep you posted.

Before I finish my blog post today, I'd like to give a little shout-out to my little sister, Laura.  She is an extremely accomplished runner, both in her high school and college careers.  Laura turned 30 this week....Happy Birthday Laura....you inspire me.....I love you sis!!

Gobble Gobble

Yay for turkey!!

Today was a little Turkey Trot that began in Clarkston and ended in Asotin....just a short 4 mile run.  This race was very low-key.  Registration was $1, no running number, no t-shirts....it was great!

Dan was a good husband, as usual.  He went with me so I didn't have to make the trip alone.  Thank you babe! 

When we first got there, we were visiting with a guy named Dennis that Dan knows.  Dennis mentioned that someone asked him....why drive all the way down here for a 4 mile run??  To stay motivated, that's why!

We know that we could easily just step outside our door and run a 4 mile loop around town, but there is definitely a difference between training runs and an actual race.  I know I do better on my training runs if I have a race to run in the near future.  It helps keep me motivated to run consistently each week.

So today was perfect....nice weather, a low-key race, and something to stay committed to.  I had a good run today.  No issues with my breathing, no issues with my shins, no issues with my calves....it was awesome! 

Before the race began, Dennis and I were talking about our paces and how long we have been running, how often we run, etc.  Dennis said he was planning to run about 12 minute miles, just like me.  However, let me give you some perspective here....Dennis is a tall man, maybe around 6' 3
and I'm about a foot shorter.  So, I'm thinking my little legs might not keep up with him, but at least I found someone to track during the race.

As the race began, Dennis ended up ahead of me fairly quickly, but he was always in my sight.  I like to run the entire race, if I can.  At about the 2 mile mark, Dennis began to walk...I had my opening to catch up.  I set my sights on him and just kept moving my keep.

A race is so much easier when you have other people around you.  I had people behind me, people in front of me, and goals along the way.  Perfect!

Dennis and I passed each other a few times during the last couple miles.  I kept running, he was run/walking.  We finished within a few feet of each other.  My time today was 48:35....right on pace!

I didn't win a turkey or a pie, but oh well.  I had a good run and it felt good.

17.8 of 500 done!  Next up is the Santa Run 5K in December....ho ho ho :) Who wants to come with me?

Oh P.S.... I bought some Yaktrax today.  I'm actually looking forward to some snow so I can try them out. 

Best of Intentions

Intentions....I've had the best of them this week, but guess how many miles I ran between Monday and Friday?  Did you guess zero???  Correct answer!! :(

I ran 6.1 miles on Sunday, November 4th.  That was a nice run!  However, I had a fairly large cramp in my left calf near the end of that run.  So I wanted to wait a few days.  Thursday would be the day for my next run....for sure!

Thursday came around....um, it was snowing!!  I could have ran on our treadmill, but sitting on my couch, eating dinner, and relaxing ended up being the way I spent my evening.

Here we are now....Today is just a lazy Saturday.  My kids are gone for the weekend, my husband needed to sleep this morning, and I was free to do whatever I desired.  As I woke up, I thought...I'm going to get up, get dressed, and run this morning.  It wasn't that easy.  I did get up, but instead of going straight out for a run, I made coffee, had breakfast, and watched a little TV.

Then the little voice in my head started nagging at me....get up Denise!!  It's not that cold outside! It's not snowing.  It's not raining.  Go run!!

So that is what I did.  I went out and did a nice 3.4 mile loop.  It wasn't easy to get motivated this week, but I did it.  That is the most important part.  The run felt good and now I have the satisfaction of completing a run today.  I like this feeling!

I have intentions to run again tomorrow and Monday.  We'll see how it goes :)

13.8 of 500 miles down!!

I will run 500 miles!

Happy November 1st!

Today is the beginning of a new month and time to set some new goals.  Here is what I've come up with so far.......

• Sign up and run the Turkey Trot on November 17, 2012. 
• Sign up and run the Snake River Half Marthon on March 2, 2013.
• Find a 5K or a 10K to run in December, January, and February.
• Run 500 miles before October 31, 2013.

The Turkey Trot is a 4 mile run that will help keep me running this month.  My friend Kerri is going to do it with me.  After we finish, we could win a turkey or a pie.  Yummo!

I really contemplated about the Snake River Half Marathon.  The first half I did last June had an effect on my body.  It took several months before my right knee stopped hurting when I run.  But it was also empowering to finish.  Another thought was, will I really be able to train properly over the next 4 months....the winter months?  My conclusion is that signing up for the half will be the best way to stay motivated over the cold weather months.  So....I'm registered, along with Chris O. and Kerri.  Bring it on! Yay for 13.1 miles :)

I just made my 3rd goal as I was typing this blog.  So I haven't researched any races taking place in December, January, or February.  I know it will help me prepare for the half if I have other little races to run between now and March.  I will find some.  I'll keep you posted.

Now....this 500 mile idea.  If I'm going to do all this running, wouldn't it be fun to keep track of how far I go??  I think YES!  My friend Rob helped me add that cute little ticker to the top of this blog page.  Pretty cool!  I plan to update it regularly.  It will include training runs and race miles.  In order for me to complete this goal, I need to run about 10 miles each week on average.  I can do it!!

I guess that's it for now.  Come back to check my progress.  I have plans to run tomorrow night and Sunday.  Keep moving my feet!!

P.S.  Feliz dia de los muertos!