I hate winter

I haven't ran much in the last few weeks.  I knew it would be hard with Jason having evening classes 4 nights a week.  Throw in some sub zero temps and I'm toast!  I ran 4 miles, then didn't run for a week, then did a 4 mile race, then didn't run for a week, then ran last night and tonight.  Only 2 miles each b/c that's all I have time for.  I literally get home from work, change and go run while Jason fixes dinner and feeds the kids. Then when I get home from my run, we kiss and he's off!  Not to be seen again until 10:30!

It's not ideal, however the weather has been to nice to let the opportunity pass me by.  I prefer running outside and with only 1 vehicle I have no way to get to the DRC after he's gone.  I hate missing dinner with the family, however I have to put myself first sometimes and that's my 25 minutes.  I've come so far,  I'm teetering so close to 50 pounds lost that I just want to get there!  Then move on to my next goal!!  Then the next :O)

My first 4 miler

Today I ran my first 4 mile race! My goal was to run it in 52 minutes or under. I ran it in 52:38. Not bad, but not my goal.  In addition to running a race a month, I want to a bunch of different kinds of races, so today was my first leap outside my 5k comfort zone.  5k's are easier to come by, but I really want to do all the different kinds there is out there!  I have ran my 4 mile loop here in town, but it was kind weird to run a race that length.  It was a small race, only 186 runners.  Mostly hard core runners to run in that weather!  I think it was 35 with a windchill of 27!!  Warmer than the Frosty 5k :O)

The first week of Marathon training is done!

Only 11 weeks to go :O)

I did my "long" run yesterday.  It was beautiful out!  I did my first mile in great time, but got a side stitch and ending up walking alot of the 2nd mile.  I ended up almost 2 minutes over what I want my time to be this weekend at the Super Bowl Run.  No doubt I can do it, if I run the whole thing.  It say in the info that it is an out and back course.  I'm hoping that means flat too.  A year later and I STILL hate inclines!

T~R~A~I~N~I~N~G~

Tomorrow start 1/2 marathon training!  I'm doing a 12 week program.  It's slightly more intense than the TNT training schedule.  It has strength days and cross training days.  It should be good times!  The 1/2 is on May 2nd.  My goal is to finish under 3 hours. Which is totally do-able :O)

My next race is Feb. 6th. It's a 4 miler.  I've got most of my races are picked out through June.  I'm going to run the Abilene 5k again this year.  Since it's the exact same course I want to see how much time I can shave off since my first 5k.  I'm hoping for about 7 minutes!!

Frosty 5k

I did my first race of 2011 yesterday and it was great!  Cold, but Great!  I was able to meet my goal and make a new PR for myself.  I'm so excited for this running season.  I wish it would warm up so I could run outside more.  Although I do know that the TM was a big helper is shaving a minute off my race time!  Back to pavement pounding to get off this last bit of weight and to get healthier!

4 mile run

Today I did a 4 mile run.  I haven't done one n forever!  I had to push myself and at one point I thought I might puke, but I didn't. I ran 3.4 miles non-stop, then walked for .10 of a mile, then ran the last .50 miles.  If I hadn't walked that little bit I'd have a pace under 13 minutes!  WoW!  I'm bringing the pace down and I love it.

I have to admit the treadmill is helping with that.  I can't do more than a mile at a time on the TM.  It's just such a beat down!  However, the last few weeks I've been running 1 mile(at just over a 12 min mile pace!) then doing intervals the last 2 miles.  Normally I run 6.0 or a 10 min mile for .15 of a mile then do a 4.0 or 15 min mile walk for .10. That gives me a 12:30 average pace.  Not too shabby.  Sometimes at the end when I really want to push myself I'll bump it up to 6.5 or 9:13 min mile for .05, it's not far, but it's a strong "fast" run for me!!

My trainer "retired", she actually went to her real job full time and stopped training.  She put together a couple of workouts for me that I've been alternating and doing on non run days.  I know alot know more about weights and the machines now, but I still feel better knowing it's a trainer certified workout.  Next week is my Frosty 5k and my goal is to run it in less than 40 minutes.  I'd like to do in in around 37:30, but I have to compensate for the cold.  I have no idea what the weather will be like next Saturday.

2011 Running Goals

I've had 2 of my 3 running goals for awhile now,  I like odd numbers so I've been trying to decide on a 3rd one and I think I may have finally figured it out!

1.  Run 12 races in 2011.  I would like for this to mean one race per month, however due to my schedule and race schedules, this my not be entirely possible. So I'll settle for a total of 12 in case unforeseen circumstances arrive.  I've already signed up for the Frosty 5k in Jan.  My goal is to finish in under 40 minutes, which would be a new PR!!

2. I want to run every kind of race the Wichita area provides.  Up to now I've only done 5k's and the 1/2 marathon.  I want to do them all!  1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 10k, 15k, 10 miles and yup, another 1/2 marathon!  I went back thru last years race calender and got a pretty good grasp of what's out there and I'm taking to tackle them all!

3. By the end of 2011(but before is good too!) I want to be able to consistently run 6 miles in 1 hour.  I want that to be my twice a week short run with a long run thrown in there too!