Okay I should make a commitment to updating the blog more regularly. :)
But I have been busy with training, and work and other things too-like the neccessity of laundry and grocery shopping, because I like to have clean clothes and eat. :)
Running continues to move along- conquered an 18 miler two weeks ago and this week is the big 20! I'm just hoping not to get drenched like we did last year, but so far the forecast looks clear and sunny, so that's a good thing. And I'm learning to like (if not love) speed work on Wed nights. I always like it best when it is over- of course, but I really do appreciate all the time and effort Jeff (our speed work coach) has put into planning the wokouts this season. It gives me direction and a good anchor for the middle of the week. Plus I do think it's been helping my running, I feel stronger and more confident.
Tonight I enjoyed a wonderful trail run at a trail right near my home with some dear and special "running" friends. They are one of the joys and delights in my life. I never would have met them if not for running and for that I am will always be grateful.
Running and friends seem to go hand in hand for me, I'm so blessed to have the wonderful running family that I do! Encouraging and supportive and sometimes a little "pushy" to do things I don't think I can!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Training update
Well it's been a while since I update the blog- guess I should do that.
First off- training, it's been going very well this season so far, the long runs have been good and we ( my little group and I) have been negative splitting the last couple of runs, which means the second part of our run has been faster than the first. Which is great especially for long runs. Today we did 11 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes which is a great time as far as I'm concered.
Also speed workouts on Wed nights have been awesome! Hard yes, but in a good challenging way that lets me know that I am getting stronger as a runner. This past Wed we did 400 meter X4 (1 lap repeated 4 times) around the track as fast as we could. At the end my legs were shaking but I survived!
So all in all a great training season so far. Next week I have 16 miles to tackle so we'll see how that goes.
In other news I've enjoyed being able to spend time with my nephews lately. In fact my brother and oldest nephew spent the night with me last night. :)
Hope everyone is having a great summer.
First off- training, it's been going very well this season so far, the long runs have been good and we ( my little group and I) have been negative splitting the last couple of runs, which means the second part of our run has been faster than the first. Which is great especially for long runs. Today we did 11 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes which is a great time as far as I'm concered.
Also speed workouts on Wed nights have been awesome! Hard yes, but in a good challenging way that lets me know that I am getting stronger as a runner. This past Wed we did 400 meter X4 (1 lap repeated 4 times) around the track as fast as we could. At the end my legs were shaking but I survived!
So all in all a great training season so far. Next week I have 16 miles to tackle so we'll see how that goes.
In other news I've enjoyed being able to spend time with my nephews lately. In fact my brother and oldest nephew spent the night with me last night. :)
Hope everyone is having a great summer.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hills, Hills, Hills oh and Vacation
Well last night was speed work night for me- it's on Wed ,which appears to be a popular night for speed work I know several other runners- in different parts of the country who do their speedwork then as well.
Anyway last night our coach had us do hill repeats- my group (i.e- the slow people) did 6 repeats of a 270 meter hill with a walk back to the bottom and up the hill again. It was hard, tough work, but I did it. Not with perfect hill form, but I toughed it out. Let me tell you today I am feeling it in my butt and my quads so I know I worked those muscles hard. But it's good for me, it's a challenge to be sure, but one I am perfectly capable of meeting. And I'm kinda enjoying seeing what I can do!
In the vacation note- I'm offically on vacation woo hoo!! I'm going to visit my parents for a week, so nothing too exciting like a beach trip ,but it will be a good relaxing week, time at "home" is always good. And I'll be able to keep up my running schedule there as well. They have some lovely trails near their home where I'll be able to run!
Anyway last night our coach had us do hill repeats- my group (i.e- the slow people) did 6 repeats of a 270 meter hill with a walk back to the bottom and up the hill again. It was hard, tough work, but I did it. Not with perfect hill form, but I toughed it out. Let me tell you today I am feeling it in my butt and my quads so I know I worked those muscles hard. But it's good for me, it's a challenge to be sure, but one I am perfectly capable of meeting. And I'm kinda enjoying seeing what I can do!
In the vacation note- I'm offically on vacation woo hoo!! I'm going to visit my parents for a week, so nothing too exciting like a beach trip ,but it will be a good relaxing week, time at "home" is always good. And I'll be able to keep up my running schedule there as well. They have some lovely trails near their home where I'll be able to run!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Be the Match and other randomness
Today I got something in the mail that I had sent away for, and I was thrilled to receive it- it was my "Be the Match" kit from the National Bone Marrow Registry. I have wanted to join the registry for many years but never have. One of my friends on Face Book- had posted that is was free through June 22, so I hoped on-line- super easy, and requested the kit. It came today and I already completed the steps inside and will send it back tomorrow. I would love to match someone. I just feel so strongly that this is the right thing to do- I'm healthy and fit and I have no reason not to go on the registry.
In other randomness:
I have fallen in love (well at least strong like) anyway with morning running! I've been meeting my friend Jen to run on Mon/Tues/Thurs mornings and it's worked out so perfectly. It's a great feeling to have the run done for the day once I get to work. Also I don't have to worry about finding time later on in the day for it!
Speed work is TOUGH! We ran our first actual speed workout on Wednesday night- it did not help the situation that it was 92 degrees outside. But I was proud of myself for getting out there and doing it, I ran the prescribed pace for the prescribed time. Only one way to find out how fast I can be- run faster and work on speed. And everyone is so encouraging even the super fast people who can lap me always shout out good job as they pass! So, so sweet and so kind!
I am very, very blessed to have the running family that I do. They simply rock!
Hope you all have great weekends!
In other randomness:
I have fallen in love (well at least strong like) anyway with morning running! I've been meeting my friend Jen to run on Mon/Tues/Thurs mornings and it's worked out so perfectly. It's a great feeling to have the run done for the day once I get to work. Also I don't have to worry about finding time later on in the day for it!
Speed work is TOUGH! We ran our first actual speed workout on Wednesday night- it did not help the situation that it was 92 degrees outside. But I was proud of myself for getting out there and doing it, I ran the prescribed pace for the prescribed time. Only one way to find out how fast I can be- run faster and work on speed. And everyone is so encouraging even the super fast people who can lap me always shout out good job as they pass! So, so sweet and so kind!
I am very, very blessed to have the running family that I do. They simply rock!
Hope you all have great weekends!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Let's "out run" childhood cancer
Tomorrow evening I will be running my second 5K in a week notice I said running and NOT racing! I plan to run this one easy, but it's a cause I believe in with my whole heart and I wanted to get out there and support it anyway I can.
This race is for Nationwide Children's Hospital's childhood cancer research. Research matters and research has life saving potential. Anyone of you who have known me for very long know I had a "little friend" named Christi who passed away from neuroblastoma (one of the worst forms of childhood cancer) in September of 2006. She started her treatment here in Columbus at Children's Hospital. She was sweet and dear and a fighter to the very end. She endured something no child ever should with grace and dignity and a smile on her face. My favorite quote of hers was "I'm not sick, I just have cancer."
She graced and touched my life in immeasurable ways.
This race tomorrow is for you sweet Christi!! Until we meet in a much better place than this earth!
This race is for Nationwide Children's Hospital's childhood cancer research. Research matters and research has life saving potential. Anyone of you who have known me for very long know I had a "little friend" named Christi who passed away from neuroblastoma (one of the worst forms of childhood cancer) in September of 2006. She started her treatment here in Columbus at Children's Hospital. She was sweet and dear and a fighter to the very end. She endured something no child ever should with grace and dignity and a smile on her face. My favorite quote of hers was "I'm not sick, I just have cancer."
She graced and touched my life in immeasurable ways.
This race tomorrow is for you sweet Christi!! Until we meet in a much better place than this earth!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Running for Ellie- Feeling Grateful
This morning I ran my first 5K (3 miles) of the season with the Fleet Feet Race Club, it was a great time! The weather was perfect and it was great to see and run with friends.
This 5K was especially meaningful because it was for a little girl who lives in our Community named Ellie- Ellie has a disease that is robbing her body of it's ability to walk, run, talk, or even breathe. She was there this morning at the finish line, giving each of us a thumbs up and a high five as we crossed the finish line.
When I see someone like Ellie I'm reminded of the great gift I've been given of two heathly legs that allow me to run, am I the fastest? No way not even close, but somehow running for charity that doesn't seem to matter as much. It matters more that I'm out there, that I'm using the ablity that God has granted me to be able to run! I'm thankful that I can! I plan to continue to run, to run my best to celebrate that gift!
Hope your weekends were as fun as mine!!
This 5K was especially meaningful because it was for a little girl who lives in our Community named Ellie- Ellie has a disease that is robbing her body of it's ability to walk, run, talk, or even breathe. She was there this morning at the finish line, giving each of us a thumbs up and a high five as we crossed the finish line.
When I see someone like Ellie I'm reminded of the great gift I've been given of two heathly legs that allow me to run, am I the fastest? No way not even close, but somehow running for charity that doesn't seem to matter as much. It matters more that I'm out there, that I'm using the ablity that God has granted me to be able to run! I'm thankful that I can! I plan to continue to run, to run my best to celebrate that gift!
Hope your weekends were as fun as mine!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
In Celebration of National Running Day
Tomorrow is National Running Day! Wow a whole day dedicated to one of the great passions in my life.
Now as a child, young adult, and adult well into my thirties I was not remotely athletic, I hated gym class, so much so that I took summer gym to avoid it in High School. I can vividly remember in HS having to be able to run a mile in 15 minutes or something like that. Believe me that was the LAST thing I wanted to do, so it's amazing to me now how much I love running.
I also remember getting started with running- a program called Couch to 5K, I had decided that I wanted to challenge myself and a friend suggested this program to me. I remember that first walk/run I ever did- how hard it was and how I was sure that I was never going to make it even one mile. Suprise of all suprises I did make it, ran my first 5K and I was off so to speak.
In 2006 I trained for and ran my very first half marathon and from then on I was hooked. Now running isn't just something I do- it's a huge part of who I am. Running has become a way to soothe stress, ease a broken heart, spend time alone or with others and just to stay fit and active. Now I am not breaking any land speed records out there, but I'm out there doing it.
I have gained invaluable friendships through my running, and have had the privelage of cheering on others as they have started running.
So tomorrow in celebration of the abilty I have to run, I will be enjoying a run. And for those of my fellow runners out there- Celebrate tomorrow- celebrate YOU! Whether you have completed a 5K , 10K half or full marathon or many of the above- you are runners, some of the most wonderful people on the planet. I'm blessed to count myself am0ng you!
Happy National Running Day!
Now as a child, young adult, and adult well into my thirties I was not remotely athletic, I hated gym class, so much so that I took summer gym to avoid it in High School. I can vividly remember in HS having to be able to run a mile in 15 minutes or something like that. Believe me that was the LAST thing I wanted to do, so it's amazing to me now how much I love running.
I also remember getting started with running- a program called Couch to 5K, I had decided that I wanted to challenge myself and a friend suggested this program to me. I remember that first walk/run I ever did- how hard it was and how I was sure that I was never going to make it even one mile. Suprise of all suprises I did make it, ran my first 5K and I was off so to speak.
In 2006 I trained for and ran my very first half marathon and from then on I was hooked. Now running isn't just something I do- it's a huge part of who I am. Running has become a way to soothe stress, ease a broken heart, spend time alone or with others and just to stay fit and active. Now I am not breaking any land speed records out there, but I'm out there doing it.
I have gained invaluable friendships through my running, and have had the privelage of cheering on others as they have started running.
So tomorrow in celebration of the abilty I have to run, I will be enjoying a run. And for those of my fellow runners out there- Celebrate tomorrow- celebrate YOU! Whether you have completed a 5K , 10K half or full marathon or many of the above- you are runners, some of the most wonderful people on the planet. I'm blessed to count myself am0ng you!
Happy National Running Day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)