What an amazing group!

I can't stress enough how much I LOVE the group runs on Saturday mornings! Today we pushed out 6 miles and I felt like I could have gone 1 more after we finished.

Things started out with a small group prayer for the second week. I think that really helps me! I started out chatting with our "Commander" and it was great! She floats around and talks to different people during the whole run, and I love that. I found a couple of great people to run with after about the first mile. It was great talking about things we have in common.

When we hit the 3 mile marker, which today was the turn around cone, they had GU for us to try. I must say I wasn't impressed. The flavor wasn't great, but the worst part for me was the texture. I am very thankful they have these things for us to try during our training. I found something else at the grocery store to try next week. Next week will be my biggest miles to date! I can't wait! Anyway... After the turn around, I found a different set of runners to fall behind. These guys are great! I think they run together often. I stayed behind them until we got to the last turn and headed back up the final 4 blocks.

This is where things got fun! They didn't want to get "Chicked"... and the race was ON! Well, for a block... Then it was on again! I sprinted the last 2.5 blocks with this guy. I really need to learn the names of those 3. We raced to the finish, and Doug took our picture. If I find it online, I will add it to this post. It was amazing! I am sure he was smiling as much as I was. I am still smiling NOW just thinking about it! We both forgot to turn off our timers at the end.

It was that "high" that reminds me why I run, and why I race. There is a feeling of Euphoria when you give it your all and just GO! I need to enter a race sometime SOON!

Edit!

Here is the PIC!


~Happy Running!

56 degrees in February in Illinois!

YES PLEASE! I should have run in shorts!

What an absolutely beautiful day! I had it in my mind to go out for a slow run yesterday to just enjoy the weather and have a calm, peaceful run-ch, reflecting on all that is right in the world. You really can see the glory of God in all that exists on a day like yesterday!

Best intentions, aside... I ran 2.97 in 23:34. My best time yet! I do wonder, though, the accuracy of the run. I have yet been able to have GPS track me from my office.

I really couldn't help myself. Once I got off campus and hit Harrison, I just hit a steady pace and kept it up. I match my stride to my breathing and just kinda go. I feel like a machine at times. Everything moving like clockwork. At the same time, I feel nothing like a machine. I feel fluid and effortless; like I was designed perfectly for running. Everything moves just as it was designed and nothing hurts! 2 strikes, inhale; 2 strikes, exhale; repeat until finished. Well, in my case, it is repeat until the last quarter mile, then hit the afterburners :) My boss was able to see me come up the hill for my finishing stretch , and he commented on how fast I was moving. Long, sure strides.

Pure Joy!

~Happy Running

PICS! I finally have pics of me running!

I actually like one of them!

First I will start with one that isn't great, but has a lot to say:

A not happy slouchy runner on the right (ME)

A not happy slouchy runner on the right (ME)

A not happy slouchy runner on the right (ME)

WOW! Just look at that form! UGH! That's me on the right. With the white shades. So slouched. It's no wonder I felt like I was slogging thru the run that day. It was only 4 miles! That was also the day it was -3 with wind chill. Can you tell by how were are dressed? I have leggings under the pants... Can't say enough good about UnderArmor! 36m42s for 4 miles. 9:11 per mile. OK, not REALLY a bad time, but OH MY! I felt awful! I am trying to remember what I did before that run, so as to NOT duplicate it! It could have just been the cold though that did me in. 

I can't remember now what all I said about that day... Safe to say I am glad that day is over and in the books!

Now... If you would please turn your attention to this pic:

A Happy Runner! (ME!)

A Happy Runner! (ME!)

Form is MUCH better and look! That smile looks MUCH happier! Well, to me it does! This was grabbed RIGHT before I shed that outer coat. Such a beautiful morning for a run, that was. I was beginning to overheat a bit. I did these 5 in 42:38. That's 8:26per! So, yeah, I'm going with temperature being a major factor in how well I run.

I was off work on Monday and got my run started later than I had planned. Granted, it was earlier than most Monday runs... It was about 11:30, but the weather was BEAUTIFUL!  I was in South Park again for a nice 4 miler. I managed to get it done in 34:01 for an 8:31per. Clocked 36degrees and sunny. Seems to be just about perfect for me. I tried a different app for tracking thru GPS. It didn't work either. Said I went 3.67 and the map was seriously skewed. I think that park is bad for GPS. So many trees! It is beautiful though, and they have already measured it, so I did know I hit my 4 miles. It is my favorite Monday run. Next time I am going to push myself and head the other direction and fight that steep hill.

End of pics! I hope to have another after next Saturday's run. If I'm lucky Doug will get me again.

OK!!! Tuesday!!! I was in a tank and capris! How often can you say that in the mid-west in February!

I may bore some of you with stats, but I love numbers! I went 3.2 in 27:14. That's another run of 8:31per!! It seems to be a golden pattern. I feel powerful and amazing! It was 52degrees and WINDY! It was a great day to run, and I thought I'd try a different route. Well, it was great up until I came across a loose dog... in a sweater! Why was the dog in a sweater? Why was it running loose? I can't answer wither, but it sure irked me! After encountering the dog, I went back to my previous path. I had mentioned before that I tend to stay out of neighborhoods, just for the fact that there could be a dog. I like dogs. Just not loose dogs when I am running! You never know if they are going to decide to attack you or just bark obnoxiously. Thankfully this dog just barked and stopped approaching me when I yelled at it.

Today is a rest day, so I decided to get caught up on this blog. I may only be here every other day or so. Life is busy. I love it!

~Happy Running!

Sunday was BUSY!

I woke up Sunday morning and got dressed for a run. Of course, I had to go pick up my youngest from Grandma's, where he spent the night, and take him to baseball camp first. Ian had a blast, and didn't even notice I was missing for a half hour :)

I went a nice, slow pace for most of the run. 3 miles in 27 minutes. Good, easy recovery.

However, the Zumba-thon afterwards, for the American Heart Association, was not the brightest idea. I managed to tweak my knee and sidelined myself. Today my body aches all over and I am supposed to hit the road for 4 miles.

I think when I do get out to try, it will be quite a bit slower than normal.

~Happy Running

Many more miles unwritten

But first!! My training log shows 102.6 miles since January 1! WOW! ( and a few more since I wrote that, as I got interrupted while writing)

Today we went 5 miles as a group. The weather was PERFECT!  A few of us started out with prayer. That really added to the beauty of the day for me. It was a really great run. I ran a bit faster than I "should" have. :) 5 miles in 42:38. One of my fastest runs, but I have always loved 5 and 6 mile runs (since I discovered them) and can't wait to try more!

I told myself that I would blog my miles. I am having a harder time doing that than I had anticipated.

This week I decided to really push myself on my 3 milers. I did! Thursday was the BEST! I went 3 in 23:35!!! I can't believe it. I was fairly well toast when I got done, but it was needed. I have had a really awful week. Work has been somewhat stressful, and home has been VERY stressful. We have a sick cat. Not sure which one is sick, but it makes for a mess of a day.

Last Saturday was the COLDEST run I have ever been on. It was 15 degrees outside, I think, but -3 with windchill. Thankfully the group has veteran runners who give tips on how to dress. Thankfully I had my under armor balaclava also! That thing is fantastic. I went quite a bit slower last week than I normally do, and I am blaming the cold. :)

Tomorrow Ian has a baseball camp. He is excited! I hope that I feel he is under good enough care that I can sneak off for a recovery run. In the afternoon, I am going to go to a Zumbathon. Yup, 2 hours of Zumba to benefit Healthy Hearts.

Busy days...

~Happy Running

I think this blog is the hardest part!

I have gone on 3 runs since my last post!

Sunday was FUN!

I had to make a few detours around red lights to keep moving. I really don't like to stop at an intersection an wait to cross. I just turn and head down the block until I have a clear path at a different corner. What was intended as a 3 mile run turned into a 3.58 mile run. Heehee! I was an easy, fun, and exciting run. I need to do that more often. You know, just go out and take random turns and see what sort of path it creates and just run til I can't run anymore!

Monday in South Park!

I met up with my buddy Trista again in South Park after work. We both needed to unwind from a stressful Monday. This was a great way for us both to do that. We talked about anything and everything that popped into our minds. Up until the last half mile that is... Then we stepped up our pace a bit and weren't as able to talk. Man it was great.

Here is what I posted to facebook: Had a great run this afternoon. It's always better with a buddy. Love to chat along the way. It males 4 miles just FLY by. We were done before I "thought" we should be. Sometimes I lose my time-sense while running and I love that. It is absolutely enjoyable.

I still get happy little smiles thinking about it. We connected through a very unfortunate even tin my life, but share a passion for running and I count her as one of my best friends. We can go days without talking, but always have this.

Today was a "Fred" run. I forgot to pack my UnderArmor top, so I opted to use the treadmill next door to run and not freeze my arms and chest! It was actually pretty nice. There are times when it helps to have your pace controlled and you can just zone out to tunes. I never wear headphones when out on the road, so treadmill time is it for music.

That is 4 days in a row of running again. I feel better this week than last. I am so happy.

OH! Did I describe Saturday???! I still can't! It was absolutely amazing! There is a "group" on facebook for the training group. I simply LOVE it. I can post things in there and be understood! I cannot tell you how much that means to me as I am not surrounded by a family of runners. Things happen to runners that "normal" people have never heard of!

Take today for instance: my post: piriformis!!! oh, for the love of a tennis ball!!! ;) Was COMPLETELY understood and others have had the same issue. I really felt that I belonged! I know this is where i need to be right now!


I love running. I love life. Thanks be to God!


~Happy Running

First Group Run

What a great thing! A group of over 100 runners and walkers out with the same goal in mind! All accomplishing that goal! I am really at a loss for words about today. I may come back when I have had time to process it.

I went.

I ran.

I feel amazing.

I feel blessed to be a part of something so amazing.

~Happy running~

Why did I chicken out?

Why did I chicken out and stay in on a treadmill on such a beautiful day?

Well, Maybe it was because this head cold is traveling to my lungs and I just trusted the stationary-ness of a treadmill. I could list a dozen reasons, but that one rings most true. even though I almost regretted it afterwards. It was rather nice outside yesterday, but really windy where I am. No real worries. I got my 3 miles in. I felt good doing it. I felt good after. 2 hours later... I needed sleep; lots and lots of sleep.

Before the training started I generally only ran 2 days back to back and kept it at 3-4 a week. I ran 4 days in a row! 15.48 miles. WOW! I am TIRED! I am taking this day to rest. I have no doubt that my body will grow accustomed to this schedule. People are very adaptive. It was just my misfortune to acquire a head-cold during this first week. I pushed through every day on the schedule and got my mileage in. Today it says CT or REST. I do not feel bad at all about resting. It is needed.

Even with my body rebelling against me today, I am already looking forward to tomorrow's run. I just hope the nice weather hold out and I can get outside in the sun. I have a 3 mile loop mapped that I can do from the office. I would much rather not run in the rain, but I can still head out in the cold. The sun helps. I really enjoy running in the sun. :)

I can't wait for Saturday to get here! I really am looking forward to a group run. It will be as exciting as race day for me, I'm sure! I love getting the chance to engage with other runners and swap stories!

~Happy Running!