2:14 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio
Meh. I was tired today, got off to a late start, and decided to bag it after eight miles. I ran at Meadowbrook Park, and was going to try for 11 miles (scheduled to do 12, but didn't think I'd have time because of my late start). The first five miles went really well, but then the sun came out from behind the clouds and started beating down on me and I just lost all my strength. Mile 7 (the uphill mile) was really hard. Mile 8 was better, but I just didn't want to run any farther.
I'll have to re-work my schedule again. I keep not making the planned runs. I still have plenty of time to complete my training by Oct 12, but I have to figure out miles and days.
If the weather doesn't start to cool down soon, I'm going to have to start getting up at 4 am to do my long runs. It's just too hot to run after 10 am.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday
2 miles, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, 33:52 minutes
I didn't run on Tuesday this week, because my generator quit working the night before, and I had to spend the morning taking it into Bakersfield to get it fixed. Got some exercise wrangling the generator around, though.
Today I've been kind of spacey, didn't even get out on the road until 9 am, but I had a pretty good run. About a zillion dogs came out and barked at me today.
I didn't run on Tuesday this week, because my generator quit working the night before, and I had to spend the morning taking it into Bakersfield to get it fixed. Got some exercise wrangling the generator around, though.
Today I've been kind of spacey, didn't even get out on the road until 9 am, but I had a pretty good run. About a zillion dogs came out and barked at me today.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Week 10: Ten Miles
2:49 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio
I drove down to Meadowbrook Park and did the 1.5 mile path back and forth from the railroad tracks to Valley Blvd to make my ten miles. It was a pretty good run—my time was good, even including one bathroom break. I shorted my first mile, but probably not by much, by running down the inside path on my way to the spur that goes out to the railroad tracks. But the chalk marks were still there from the Fun Run last week, so I figured out that it was the outside path, closer to Westwood, that makes a half-mile from the parking lot to the railroad tracks.
It was kind of a hard run, though. My stomach was wonky (hence the bathroom stop at 4 miles) and it was really hot, with no breeze at all most of the time. I felt very tired by the time it was over. It was probably also hard because I only did 6.2 miles last week. The tenth mile was very hard! I almost skipped my last couple of run intervals, but I ended up doing them anyway.
Overall, my time was just under 17 minutes per mile. Not bad considering the hills and the heat and everything.
I drove down to Meadowbrook Park and did the 1.5 mile path back and forth from the railroad tracks to Valley Blvd to make my ten miles. It was a pretty good run—my time was good, even including one bathroom break. I shorted my first mile, but probably not by much, by running down the inside path on my way to the spur that goes out to the railroad tracks. But the chalk marks were still there from the Fun Run last week, so I figured out that it was the outside path, closer to Westwood, that makes a half-mile from the parking lot to the railroad tracks.
It was kind of a hard run, though. My stomach was wonky (hence the bathroom stop at 4 miles) and it was really hot, with no breeze at all most of the time. I felt very tired by the time it was over. It was probably also hard because I only did 6.2 miles last week. The tenth mile was very hard! I almost skipped my last couple of run intervals, but I ended up doing them anyway.
Overall, my time was just under 17 minutes per mile. Not bad considering the hills and the heat and everything.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thursday
2 miles, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, 32:34 minutes
Woo hoo! Cut another 45 seconds off my best time on the down-the-road-and-back run. I didn't sleep well last night, and got off to a bit of a late start, and was wondering if I'd be able to match Tuesday's time. Not only matched it, but did even better! I was helped by the weather—it's been much cooler these past few days, so even though it was 8:30ish by the time I got out there, it was pleasant running the whole way. I feel as though I'm actually running on my run intervals these days, instead of just plodding along.
Woo hoo! Cut another 45 seconds off my best time on the down-the-road-and-back run. I didn't sleep well last night, and got off to a bit of a late start, and was wondering if I'd be able to match Tuesday's time. Not only matched it, but did even better! I was helped by the weather—it's been much cooler these past few days, so even though it was 8:30ish by the time I got out there, it was pleasant running the whole way. I feel as though I'm actually running on my run intervals these days, instead of just plodding along.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tuesday
2 miles, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, 33:19 minutes
I got up early this morning, started my run by 7:45, and zoomed! I pushed it a bit, but still felt good—in fact, I was a bit surprised to turn the corner and see my driveway coming up. I think I cut about a minute off my usual time for this run.
I think the hill-climbing and hill training has really helped me pick up my pace this time. Also, the 1:2 minute run/walk ratio is working really well for me. I begin to feel that a 3.5 hour half-marathon is within reach!
I got an email from the Long Beach Marathon this morning with a link to this site: WearYourNumber.com. What a great idea! I want to order a shirt, but I can't decide which one. I worry about a women's short-sleeve shirt being too tight on my left arm. On the other hand, it's supposed to be cooler in Long Beach in October, so a sleeveless shirt might be a bit cool. On the other, other hand.... Well, I'll think about it for a bit. They'll be making/selling the shirts right there at the Expo, so there's no hurry.
I got up early this morning, started my run by 7:45, and zoomed! I pushed it a bit, but still felt good—in fact, I was a bit surprised to turn the corner and see my driveway coming up. I think I cut about a minute off my usual time for this run.
I think the hill-climbing and hill training has really helped me pick up my pace this time. Also, the 1:2 minute run/walk ratio is working really well for me. I begin to feel that a 3.5 hour half-marathon is within reach!
I got an email from the Long Beach Marathon this morning with a link to this site: WearYourNumber.com. What a great idea! I want to order a shirt, but I can't decide which one. I worry about a women's short-sleeve shirt being too tight on my left arm. On the other hand, it's supposed to be cooler in Long Beach in October, so a sleeveless shirt might be a bit cool. On the other, other hand.... Well, I'll think about it for a bit. They'll be making/selling the shirts right there at the Expo, so there's no hurry.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Week 9: 10k
1:37 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio
This morning, instead of my scheduled 9 mile run, I did the Tehachapi Mountain Festival Fun Run/Walk 10k. It was an interesting route, from Meadowbrook Park up the bike path almost to Valley Blvd, then a short jog over to one of the side streets that runs down to Westwood, out Westwood to the turnaround point and back.
There were some hills on the route, but I was surprised by how well I managed them, not slowing up too much or feeling too tired. I guess all those trips up to the water tank made a difference! Plus the running up and down the road for my midweek runs. I actually had a really good time, about 15.6 minute miles!
The only bad part was that I was way last. No one else ran the 10k anywhere near as slowly as I did, I think I was at least 20–30 minutes behind the next to last runner. So it was kind of embarrassing to make everyone at the water stops and turnarounds and finish line stay out there till I finally plodded in. I don't think I'll do it again, but other than that, it was a fun run and I'm glad I did it at least once.
I was planning to go ahead and do three more miles after I finished, but I decided to bag it and come home. Hope it doesn't make the 10-miler too hard next week, but I think I'll be okay.
This morning, instead of my scheduled 9 mile run, I did the Tehachapi Mountain Festival Fun Run/Walk 10k. It was an interesting route, from Meadowbrook Park up the bike path almost to Valley Blvd, then a short jog over to one of the side streets that runs down to Westwood, out Westwood to the turnaround point and back.
There were some hills on the route, but I was surprised by how well I managed them, not slowing up too much or feeling too tired. I guess all those trips up to the water tank made a difference! Plus the running up and down the road for my midweek runs. I actually had a really good time, about 15.6 minute miles!
The only bad part was that I was way last. No one else ran the 10k anywhere near as slowly as I did, I think I was at least 20–30 minutes behind the next to last runner. So it was kind of embarrassing to make everyone at the water stops and turnarounds and finish line stay out there till I finally plodded in. I don't think I'll do it again, but other than that, it was a fun run and I'm glad I did it at least once.
I was planning to go ahead and do three more miles after I finished, but I decided to bag it and come home. Hope it doesn't make the 10-miler too hard next week, but I think I'll be okay.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday
2 miles, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, 34:46 minutes
Still a little sore and tired today, but I kept up my pace pretty well up and down the hill and got my Thursday run in. I started about 8:30, with the sky a bit overcast, thinking it was going to be a cool run for a change—but the clouds started to burn off before I got half a mile down the road, and the sky was clear and hot by the time I headed back up the hill. Oh well!
Still a little sore and tired today, but I kept up my pace pretty well up and down the hill and got my Thursday run in. I started about 8:30, with the sky a bit overcast, thinking it was going to be a cool run for a change—but the clouds started to burn off before I got half a mile down the road, and the sky was clear and hot by the time I headed back up the hill. Oh well!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday
I'm not going to run today, because I did my exercise yesterday: I was working on the plumbing all day, and climbed the steep hill in back of the house eight times to shut the water off/on at the water tank. I am exhausted and sore and am calling all that hill-climbing my training for today.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Week 8: Eight miles
2:16 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio
It wasn't my fastest eight miles, but it was a good run. I kept up my pace and felt good the whole way. Even had enough energy left when I got home to climb the hill behind the house to turn the water back on (I have a leaky pipe under the bathroom sink I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to fix).
I ran Dennison to Valley, Valley to Curry, Curry to Highline and back, Valley to Tucker and back to Dennison. Slowed down on the hills but didn't feel too tired or get too hot, even though I'd gotten off to a slightly late start (a little after 8:30) and was out until almost 11 am. There was a good breeze, so that helped cool me down.
I wore my sleeve instead of my bandages on my arm and it felt much more comfortable. Think I'll use my sleeve for long runs from now on.
I drank my whole bottle of water. I'm going to have to start figuring out places to refill my water bottle for anything over 8 miles.
It wasn't my fastest eight miles, but it was a good run. I kept up my pace and felt good the whole way. Even had enough energy left when I got home to climb the hill behind the house to turn the water back on (I have a leaky pipe under the bathroom sink I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to fix).
I ran Dennison to Valley, Valley to Curry, Curry to Highline and back, Valley to Tucker and back to Dennison. Slowed down on the hills but didn't feel too tired or get too hot, even though I'd gotten off to a slightly late start (a little after 8:30) and was out until almost 11 am. There was a good breeze, so that helped cool me down.
I wore my sleeve instead of my bandages on my arm and it felt much more comfortable. Think I'll use my sleeve for long runs from now on.
I drank my whole bottle of water. I'm going to have to start figuring out places to refill my water bottle for anything over 8 miles.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Thursday
2 miles, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, 36:44 minutes
My time was long today, because I had to stop when I got about halfway down the road to run off behind a tree and go to the bathroom. My stomach's been wonky since Monday; I think I'm having a delayed reaction to the antibiotics and my digestion's all off. Despite that, I had a pretty good run, was able to keep up my pace with an 18-minute mile on the uphill. I think my stop took about two minutes, so my time would have been around 34:40 if I'd been able to keep going.
I've decided to participate in the Mountain Festival Fun Run on August 16, instead of my usual Saturday run. They have 1 mile, 5K and 10K run/walks. I'll do the 10K, of course, which is about 6.2 miles. I'm scheduled to run 9 miles that weekend, so I'm figuring I'll do the run, then tack on another three miles somewhere. The run is starting at Meadowbrook Park (and ending there, presumably), so I can probably just do 4 laps around the trail after it's over. It starts at 8 am, so I should be finished with the 10K by 10 am and another three miles by 11 am, which will still give me plenty of time to get home, showered, and ready to get to work by 1:30 pm.
Last year, I thought about doing the Fun Run, but no one seemed to know if there was any time limit on the runs. I didn't want to still be out there after everyone else had packed up and gone home. This year, I don't care. I'll just do the run at my own slow speed and finish when I finish.
My time was long today, because I had to stop when I got about halfway down the road to run off behind a tree and go to the bathroom. My stomach's been wonky since Monday; I think I'm having a delayed reaction to the antibiotics and my digestion's all off. Despite that, I had a pretty good run, was able to keep up my pace with an 18-minute mile on the uphill. I think my stop took about two minutes, so my time would have been around 34:40 if I'd been able to keep going.
I've decided to participate in the Mountain Festival Fun Run on August 16, instead of my usual Saturday run. They have 1 mile, 5K and 10K run/walks. I'll do the 10K, of course, which is about 6.2 miles. I'm scheduled to run 9 miles that weekend, so I'm figuring I'll do the run, then tack on another three miles somewhere. The run is starting at Meadowbrook Park (and ending there, presumably), so I can probably just do 4 laps around the trail after it's over. It starts at 8 am, so I should be finished with the 10K by 10 am and another three miles by 11 am, which will still give me plenty of time to get home, showered, and ready to get to work by 1:30 pm.
Last year, I thought about doing the Fun Run, but no one seemed to know if there was any time limit on the runs. I didn't want to still be out there after everyone else had packed up and gone home. This year, I don't care. I'll just do the run at my own slow speed and finish when I finish.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Tuesday
19 laps, 1:1 lap run/walk ratio, 31:59 minutes
Ha! Made it under 32 minutes, by a mere second! 16-minute miles, and it felt pretty good.
I decided last night to skip the Zyrtec I've been taking for my allergies. I've been wondering if it was one of the reasons I've been feeling so tired and enervated lately. I tried skipping it once before, but my head got stuffed up at night so I continued taking it. This time, my head remained clear all night and I woke up at 6:30 am feeling refreshed and ready to go, so that's a very encouraging sign! I'm going to stop taking the Zyrtec for a while and see what happens.
I'm also considering trying to complete the California Dreamin' Racing Series. It occurred to me that, if I really want to keep exercising regularly throughout the year(s), I need to schedule myself for a race at least every six months to keep myself motivated to run. Otherwise, I just sit around and get lazy until the next time I decide to sign up for a race. And, conveniently, here's this series. You need to complete either a marathon or a half marathon over two years in each of three races: Long Beach, Surf City (Huntington Beach), and San Francisco. I'm already signed up for Long Beach. Next race would be Surf City on Feb 1 next year, then San Francisco on July 26. Both Surf City and SF have 6-hour time limits on their marathons, so it would have to be half marathons for both. Surf City's half marathon limit is 6 hours, same as the marathon, so that's no problem. San Francisco has two half marathons, one has a 3-hour time limit, and the other is 3.5 hours. I'd have to do the 3.5-hour one, and hope I can cut my time down by about ten minutes between now and next August. It's a challenge, but it's doable, I think.
Let's see, 13.1 miles in 3.5 hours comes out to 16-minute miles. Right now, I can do 16-minute miles for about two miles. On a good day. Heh. I will really need to increase my speed, but if I keep training, I think I can do it. I should also lose about 20 pounds. Having less weight to carry would enable me to run faster.
Anyway, it's something to think about. I know I can do Surf City, and that would be next. That will keep me running over the winter, brr! I may have to join a gym so I can run on a treadmill when the weather's bad.
Ha! Made it under 32 minutes, by a mere second! 16-minute miles, and it felt pretty good.
I decided last night to skip the Zyrtec I've been taking for my allergies. I've been wondering if it was one of the reasons I've been feeling so tired and enervated lately. I tried skipping it once before, but my head got stuffed up at night so I continued taking it. This time, my head remained clear all night and I woke up at 6:30 am feeling refreshed and ready to go, so that's a very encouraging sign! I'm going to stop taking the Zyrtec for a while and see what happens.
I'm also considering trying to complete the California Dreamin' Racing Series. It occurred to me that, if I really want to keep exercising regularly throughout the year(s), I need to schedule myself for a race at least every six months to keep myself motivated to run. Otherwise, I just sit around and get lazy until the next time I decide to sign up for a race. And, conveniently, here's this series. You need to complete either a marathon or a half marathon over two years in each of three races: Long Beach, Surf City (Huntington Beach), and San Francisco. I'm already signed up for Long Beach. Next race would be Surf City on Feb 1 next year, then San Francisco on July 26. Both Surf City and SF have 6-hour time limits on their marathons, so it would have to be half marathons for both. Surf City's half marathon limit is 6 hours, same as the marathon, so that's no problem. San Francisco has two half marathons, one has a 3-hour time limit, and the other is 3.5 hours. I'd have to do the 3.5-hour one, and hope I can cut my time down by about ten minutes between now and next August. It's a challenge, but it's doable, I think.
Let's see, 13.1 miles in 3.5 hours comes out to 16-minute miles. Right now, I can do 16-minute miles for about two miles. On a good day. Heh. I will really need to increase my speed, but if I keep training, I think I can do it. I should also lose about 20 pounds. Having less weight to carry would enable me to run faster.
Anyway, it's something to think about. I know I can do Surf City, and that would be next. That will keep me running over the winter, brr! I may have to join a gym so I can run on a treadmill when the weather's bad.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Week 7: Seven miles
1:57 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio
I had a really good run today. I guess I'm getting back into the swing of things after my hiatus.
I got up early today—I set the alarm for 7 am, but I didn't need it because the woodpeckers woke me up at 6:30 drumming on the side of the house. Aargh. But I was at the mailboxes ready to run before 8 am, so that was a good thing. I did my 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, I'm really liking it. Did the same run as last week, with the addition of the half-mile jog down Curry to Tehachapi Blvd and back, to add in the extra mile. I felt good the whole way, and even kept up my pace pretty well on the final mile back uphill on Dennison.
After last Thursday's post, I decided to take Mom with me to Long Beach after all. I'll find someone else to take care of the fish and fur kids. She's looking forward to it, it will be a fun little vacation for both of us. I changed my reservation to two nights instead of three. That will be plenty of time, and will save me considerable bucks. So yay! That problem solved.
I had a really good run today. I guess I'm getting back into the swing of things after my hiatus.
I got up early today—I set the alarm for 7 am, but I didn't need it because the woodpeckers woke me up at 6:30 drumming on the side of the house. Aargh. But I was at the mailboxes ready to run before 8 am, so that was a good thing. I did my 1:2 minute run/walk ratio, I'm really liking it. Did the same run as last week, with the addition of the half-mile jog down Curry to Tehachapi Blvd and back, to add in the extra mile. I felt good the whole way, and even kept up my pace pretty well on the final mile back uphill on Dennison.
After last Thursday's post, I decided to take Mom with me to Long Beach after all. I'll find someone else to take care of the fish and fur kids. She's looking forward to it, it will be a fun little vacation for both of us. I changed my reservation to two nights instead of three. That will be plenty of time, and will save me considerable bucks. So yay! That problem solved.
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