Addicted to Running

Getting lots of hill practice. It was so nice this morning. Cool and hardly any humidity. Spent most of the day walking around Stone Mountain Park. Then walked 5 miles with my sister-in-law and niece about 9 p.m. when we got home. The weather has been so great! I hope it is this nice for the race on friday.

I am getting a lot of great hill workout in.  It was great weather again. Not to much humidity.  Not as much as I was expecting.  Went to the expo today for the Peachtree 10k.  Found this great shirt that said 

"I don't chase guys, I pass them."    I loved that.  

tired of running hills so I did an easy run on my brother-in-laws treadmill.  Went and toured a civil war and locomotive museum then we had lunch at Kennesaw mountain state park.  General Sherman and General Johnston had a 2 week long battle here before the confederates were defeated and Sherman took over Atlanta.  It was a fascinating visitor center.  My girls didn't know much about the civil war until today.  We did a 1 mile hike and looked out over the valley where the battle took place.  There are so many trees and underbrush it is hard to imagine thousands of men fighting and hundreds dying.  Going up was really quite steep and I had to carry my youngest some of the way but going down was great.  Then we went to visit a plantation house that had been built in the early 1800's.  Tomorrow is the Peachtree 10k.  I have heard from several people that this isn't a race you run for time but just the experience but with 55,000 participates I  imagine it will be very crowded.  Although about half of that number will be walking.  It will be a time chip race.  The weather has been great here.   Hardly any humidity.  I am hoping tomorrow morning it will be as nice as the past couple mornings.  

Left at 5:30 this morning and drove about 10 miles when we parked and rode the MARTA into Atlanta.  The subway was packed with runners.  My sister-in-law, niece and her friend were walking.  As soon as we got to the Lenox mall we hit the port-a potty.  Took us forever.  I almost thought I wasn't going to make it.  There were so many people there I couldn't believe it.  

 Jamie was in the first group so he had to push and squeeze his way to the front.  I was in the second timed group.  I should have squeezed my way to the front but settled for the middle of the pack.  It was a chip timed race.  

My first mile was around the 8 min mark because there were so many people.  It was a huge four lane road and it was basically wall to wall people.  After the first mile things got a little better I decided to push my way through.   It was flat and downhill for the first 3 miles then it was pretty much up hill the rest of the way.  I was mad at myself for not charging my i-pod up last night.   It died on me about mile 4.5.  Had to run the last mile and a half uphill with no music.  Probably could have gone a bit faster if I hadn't tried to fiddle with i-pod.   It was 75 degrees with about 60% humidity.  There were tons of people on both sides of the street.  People and business were handing out t-shirts to runners on the side of the road as people ran by I didn't stop.  There were also quite a few unique costumes.  One guy passed me wearing a full suit.  Long pants, shirt, tie, jacket, and had a attache' case.  I saw other people completely covered in red/white/blue body paint.    I sprinted to the finish with the goal of finishing under 48 minutes.   After the race all the runners were herded down the street like cattle.  (LOL)  We got water then they took our time chip off and then through lines to get our t-shirts.    I had carried my cell phone so I could call Jamie and we could hook up.   Off to the side of the road we saw these booths that had fruit and bagels.  We just walked in and started eating.  It wasn't until about 15 minutes later we realized it was a private party for Georgia Power employees that had run the race.    This volunteer even took our picture.  LOL  

 We walked down to the civic center and waited for Koni, Kim and Kelly to finish.  We texted them about 9 a.m. and they hadn't even started the race yet.   We just sat in the shade and waited for about 2 hours for them to finish.   Although I really needed a shower.  I hated feeling all  sticky and gritty  but I tried to use a little water to rinse off.   

We rode the MARTA back to the car and then went to lunch at this deli.   Came back to my brother-in-laws and crashed for a couple hours.  I am so glad we don't have this type of humidity.  

It was a great race. Can't believe how many people there were.  Not sure of where I fell in the rankings.  Will have to wait until the results are posted online.  

 Time: 47:30

Avg pace: 7:33 

Got up early but only had time for a short run.   It had rained in the night and it was so humid.  I'll be glad to get back home. I'm tired of running hills plus miss the dry heat.  :-)   

Packed up and we drove to Savannah for a few days.  The hotel doesn't have a workout center but we are going to be doing quite a bit of walking and swimming.

Holy Humidity!  Ran on this sidewalk by our hotel that goes to a golf course.  The road was only 1.5 miles long so we had to run it back and forth then back and forth.  Reminded me of the Speedster 10k. I was glad the ground was flat but it was so muggy.  Probably only 75 degrees but at least 87%  humidity.    I got back to the hotel room and I was soaking wet, even my shoes were wet.  It looked like I had just got in the shower with my clothes on.  Will be very glad to be home.  The one positive thing about humidity is at least my skin hasn't felt dry.   

Went to the Atlantic Ocean and spent the day.  I could handle the humidity a little better if I lived on the beach and could run along the beach .  It wasn't as bad.   Two more days and then it's back to the hot heat.  Looking forward to the Bryce 1/2.

Way too humid.  Did a short run since we had plans to go to this civil war fort and then to hit the beach.  It was also so humid.  It was only 74 degrees but 97%.  Can't wait to get home.

We got back to Atlanta late tuesday night.  Brother in-law took us out for a late dinner.  Stayed up until about midnight doing wash and getting ready for the flight home.   Woke up early but I had forgotten to get out some running clothes so I wasn't sure where they were in all the bags we'd packed.plus didn't feel like running up any more hills.  Went for about a 3 mile walk.  It had rained in the night so it was very humid. 

Had a very exhausting day yesterday.  It ended up being 26 hours long. Slept in late but still had no energy at all.  Unpacked and rode the bike for about 30 minutes. 

Still feeling tired from wednesday but better than yesterday.   Slept in too late so did 5 on treadmill. 

It was very warm at 5:30 this morning and a little humid, not as bad as Georgia though. Glad to be home. This run felt very hard. It was a struggle and I stopped and walked for a minute where ever I had my water stops. I am glad for the cloud cover.

avg pace: 8:13

time: 2:23 

Not sure how I'll do next week at the Bryce 1/2.

My legs were a little sore this morning  from my run on saturday.  My time today was slow especially  the first 2 miles.. It was a little humid but the cloud cover was nice.  I had intentions to run another 3 miles tonight on the treadmill but my knees ached a little so I decided to ride the bike instead. 

avg pace: 8:40

time: 1:05 

I had every intention of doing a tempo run this morning on my treadmill but when I started running I started experiencing vertigo. I slowed my pace down for the first mile then uped it to 8 min miles. Ran another mile then I tried to up the pace to my tempo speed 7:15 and made it about a 1/2 of mile before I was huffin and puffin. I let my mind talk me into slowing down to 7:30. Even then I needed to stop after a mile and get a drink. Ran 4 more miles at 7:30 and a cool down mile. Legs felt really tired.

Went to Cedar  City on tuesday afternoon to visit family.  Jamie and I went to a Shakespeare play then spent the night.   Visited with my niece and her cute 3 month old baby and took them to lunch then came home.  Decided to just ride the bike hard for 45 minutes then did weights. 

Went to Snow Canyon tract and did 7 x 800's. Did a mile warm-up.

1. 3:43 (super slow--having a hard time getting into fast mode)

2. 3:34 (still slow but better)

3. 3:32

4. 3:24

5: 3:27

6: 3:25

7. 3:24

Recovery lap in between and 1 cool down mile.   After being on vacation it has been hard to get the results I want from my speed workouts.  There is always next week.

My calf was feeling a little tight from the speed workout so I decided to ride the bike for  an hour.

Did weights.  

My right calf was still feeling a little tight. I was worried about the race so I didn't sleep much on friday night plus I was in a strange bed at my brother's house. My hubby and I got up at 4:10 and got ready then drove to Cannonville and caught the shuttle to the start line. I thought it was going to be cold but it wasn't too bad. Started off slow. My goal was 1:40 and I knew I had to keep a 7:38 average. When I started on the down hill I just let go. The last three miles were a bit of a struggle but I kept telling myself that I hadn't run 10 miles to give up now. At the last mile I saw a woman ahead of me so I decided I was going to just push with everything I had and pass her. I passed her and then she passed me so I really kicked it in and pushed passed her and sprinted to the finish. Passed a few guys at the end also. I was exhausted and had to stop for breath. They gave all the runners finisher medals and the snacks were great to. The weather was perfect. It was a fun race. Iced legs afterwards.

mile 1 7:47

mile 2 7:34

mile 3 6:20

mile 4 6:55

mile 5 7:18

mile 6 7:18

mile 7 7:36

mile 8 7:43

mile 9 7:48

mile 10 7:29

mile 11 7:38

mile 12 7:44

mile 13 7:13

.10 5:35

Avg pace 7:23

Walked for a mile then slowly ran 5 I think.  Didn't have watch  I was up in Hagerman Idaho at my sisters.  Ran along highway.   My legs were really sore from Bryce 1/2 marathon.  Sat in a hot tub to help with soreness.   

Still slow but not as slow as monday.  Legs feeling better.  

Still in Idaho. Ran along the highway and through town. Legs feeling better. Didn't use watch again so I am approximating my distance.

The fun run was in Ivins. Starting line was at the park. Hubby and I ran from our house to the park as a 2 mile warm-up. Although the race didn't start for another 20 minutes after we got there.

Not to many people at the race. Probably about 40. You had to run up hill for the first quarter mile. That was a little hard. My first mile seemed slow. The course took you through the Kayenta subdivision. Some of the race was on a dirt road. It was pretty packed down so it wasn't too bad. At the start everyone was passing me and I thought OH Great, I am going to be the last person across. Then I got into my pace and started passing people. I was a little nervous about getting lost so I tried to be more observant and pay attention to the signs. It was a pretty hilly course but the last mile and a half was all down hill which was nice. I was able to make up some time. I saw this guy in black ahead of me and I tried to catch him but didn't. I didn't push as hard as I could of on the downhill because my legs were still recovering and were feeling a little tight. It was a fun run and a good way to get a speed workout in.

I was totally shocked when my hubby told me I was the first woman across. I was excited!! First time I've ever won a race. The trophy was a fun bobble head woman runner. It was awesome. My hubby took first place in men!! I am surprised I did so well considering I could barely walk on monday. After the awards ceremony we ran home.

I may do a couple more miles tonight on the treadmill or just ride the bike.

mile 1     8:15

mile 2     8:02

mile 3     8:19

mile 4     7:48

mile 5     6:55

.40         6:29

Avg Pace: 7:45

I just rode the bike hard for an hour this morning.  Legs were a little tired.  Decided to give them a rest so they will be ready for a long run tomorrow. 

I had planned on 16 but I hit the snooze on my alarm and didn't wake up until 7 a.m. 

My legs felt tired and sluggish today. Didn't really push myself just listened to my music and ran. Didn't really even look at my watch.   Did weights

Avg Pace: 8:43

Took me 2 miles to get into a rhythm. Okay run.  

 time: 1:02
 

Nice  morning to run. Not too hot. 

Weights

got up at 6:30 headed out at 7:00 but it was still 75 degrees.   Ran around Ivins.   It about 83 degrees when I got back.  The first couple miles were slow.  My left hamstring has been tight the last couple runs.  I picked up speed.  I even passed an older man on a bicycle.  Going up hill.  I hope he wasn't going so just so he could check out my backside.  :-)