On Sunday, the 23rd, boy was I tired! I slept through the entire family playing a ROLLICKING game of Pictionary from 8 until past midnight, even after taking a nap earlier! Monday, the 24th, I ran 45 minutes by myself in Huntsville, Alabama. Wednesday, the 26th, I ran another 45 minutes in Huntsville, Alabama - but this time I knew I was carrying along a friend...
Yes - I am pregnant. :)
I bought two tests on the 24th (and had to hide them from my in-laws as I had ridden to the store with them.) After I got home, I thought I was imagining a pink line after the full 3 minutes was up. So I couldn't count it. The next morning, after the 3 minutes was up... again. It was there. Faint, but pink.
So as we all opened our gifts that night - I gave Joe a card and told him to open it last. He was stunned. It was great timing.
My family just found out last night as we celebrated Christmas at their house. Eden was wearing a shirt that said, "I'm the Big Sister." No one noticed it until we were about done with all of our presents and Joe told Renee to read Eden's shirt. She squealed and came to give me a hug. My mom was puzzled but all I said was, "Read Eden's shirt." She couldn't believe it either. My brother and dad both had very confused looks on their faces, even after we told them what Eden's shirt said, so I finally said it, "I'm pregnant." It was a great way to share the news.
Now, if only I didn't have this darn head cold that is making me SO miserable! Time to google and find out what I'm allowed to take for it! :0
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Finished 14 miles feeling good! (plus - another wardrobe issue!)
Two are better than one...
Definitely! I know I would not have had the gumption to get up and get out there and run 14 miles by myself. Thank you, Angie, for being such a great running partner! I brought the map with satellite shots of our mile markers, and she brought the watch with the interval beeps. I used my iPod to time our mile paces and overall times. I stashed bottles of water along our route before our run which worked out great.
This was the first time I've run the same route more than once just to get the mileage in. We had a 7.1 mile loop and ran it twice. Part of the route is a service road behind the airport that only has trees on each side. I was a bit concerned about running that portion in the dark (we started at 5:30 am), but by running the route in reverse the sun came up before we got to the service road.
It's amazing how the exertion increases so gradually during the run. Much like a sunrise. The first several miles are no problem. We're chatting and talking during our walks and during our runs. After 3-5 miles, it's a little tougher, but still feels fine. After 7-9, it's a bit tougher and we're talking less during our runs. From mile 10 on, our conversations are definitely staccato. I'm zoning out during the running minute, not saying a word. Angie tries to talk but then says, "I'll (huff) tell you (huff) in a (huff) minute." And then she laughs and says, "That saying was never more true!" Meanwhile, I start to say something and the watch beeps to run. After running, I can't remember what it was I was going to say!
We finished 13.5, but decided to run 1/2 mile more for a full 14. Something changed during that last half-mile, and I was done. It went from a 7 out of 10 exertion for me, to a 9. There definitely is a wall, and I had found it!
But thanks to the Galloway training, my wall is safely past the 13.1 mark. And as long as I stay about a 14 min/mile pace, I'll be fine. I do hope to finish before 3 hrs, and I think I'll be able to do it at the Seaside Half. Meanwhile, I have the Pensacola Beach Half in 2 weeks to practice.
I did have another object lesson concerning wardrobe. I wore a tanktop and started chaffing under my arms about mile 8 which I have NEVER done before. I soon was VERY thankful for my printed maps for a very different reason. I had to put half my maps under one arm, and half under the other. They stuck to my arms and protected them from my shirt. By the end of the run, they were shredded, falling apart and I had ink tatoos on my arms and shirt. But without the maps - I would've had SERIOUS problems instead of a minor irritation. SO - I will definitely use GLIDE in those areas and "try out" my shirt choice before the Seaside Half. Heck, I may even put a few of those big bandages in my pouch just in case. :)
Definitely! I know I would not have had the gumption to get up and get out there and run 14 miles by myself. Thank you, Angie, for being such a great running partner! I brought the map with satellite shots of our mile markers, and she brought the watch with the interval beeps. I used my iPod to time our mile paces and overall times. I stashed bottles of water along our route before our run which worked out great.
This was the first time I've run the same route more than once just to get the mileage in. We had a 7.1 mile loop and ran it twice. Part of the route is a service road behind the airport that only has trees on each side. I was a bit concerned about running that portion in the dark (we started at 5:30 am), but by running the route in reverse the sun came up before we got to the service road.
It's amazing how the exertion increases so gradually during the run. Much like a sunrise. The first several miles are no problem. We're chatting and talking during our walks and during our runs. After 3-5 miles, it's a little tougher, but still feels fine. After 7-9, it's a bit tougher and we're talking less during our runs. From mile 10 on, our conversations are definitely staccato. I'm zoning out during the running minute, not saying a word. Angie tries to talk but then says, "I'll (huff) tell you (huff) in a (huff) minute." And then she laughs and says, "That saying was never more true!" Meanwhile, I start to say something and the watch beeps to run. After running, I can't remember what it was I was going to say!
We finished 13.5, but decided to run 1/2 mile more for a full 14. Something changed during that last half-mile, and I was done. It went from a 7 out of 10 exertion for me, to a 9. There definitely is a wall, and I had found it!
But thanks to the Galloway training, my wall is safely past the 13.1 mark. And as long as I stay about a 14 min/mile pace, I'll be fine. I do hope to finish before 3 hrs, and I think I'll be able to do it at the Seaside Half. Meanwhile, I have the Pensacola Beach Half in 2 weeks to practice.
I did have another object lesson concerning wardrobe. I wore a tanktop and started chaffing under my arms about mile 8 which I have NEVER done before. I soon was VERY thankful for my printed maps for a very different reason. I had to put half my maps under one arm, and half under the other. They stuck to my arms and protected them from my shirt. By the end of the run, they were shredded, falling apart and I had ink tatoos on my arms and shirt. But without the maps - I would've had SERIOUS problems instead of a minor irritation. SO - I will definitely use GLIDE in those areas and "try out" my shirt choice before the Seaside Half. Heck, I may even put a few of those big bandages in my pouch just in case. :)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Here it comes!
Tomorrow - at 5:30 am... 13.5 miles. Alone. with Angie. She'll have to sing her 1980's sitcom lyrics by herself because I'm not familiar with them!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Jingle Bells
I can't believe I actually did TWO CrossFit WODs (Workouts of the Day) last week AND my two Galloway week-day runs. My Thursday run was only run 3 lightpoles, walk 1 lightpole instead of the 4:1 I was doing before - AND I stopped after 35 minutes instead of going 45 or 55. Thankfully, I have a 13.5 - 14 mile run coming up on FRIDAY MORNING, so I begged out of any CrossFit workouts this week so I can be ready!
Saturday I knew not to expect a PR because of the past week. Running 3.5 miles with the Galloway group before the race was still harder than normal - so I was especially glad that I had signed up for the race. The energy at the start is so invigorating! It's always great to start a race with the mass of people around you. :) You feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself!
Naturally the group spread out quickly. I saw one father with an empty jogging stroller. His two girls were running at the time. "I'll be doing that soon with my two-year-old" I said. He responded, "I consider it to be a run / ride." That made me smile. Maybe I will not only take Eden to a Fun Run - but also consider bringing her to a few 5Ks when I'm not concerned about my time at all.
There was one teenage girl with her father who was having a rough time. I always see people, especially kids, suffering and I want to tell them all, "I'm running for 1 minute, walking for 1 minute. Do you want to run/walk with me?" But I never do. Well, this time, I mentioned run/walk to the young lady - and she took me up on it! A minute later, I heard her dad say, "ok... your minute starts... now!" And they started running. She kept it up to the end of the race and did pretty well. :) Consider recruiting people to the run/walk intervals during a race! It just might work! :)
There was a girl dressed up as a Christmas tree - and I was determined she wouldn't beat me. I caught up with her fairly easily. But once I did - she kept passing me again and again! I don't know if she sped up or if I had slowed down. But I decided she wouldn't beat me - and began to leave her behind. I always pick one person mid-race to catch or pass which makes me do better. Another reason to sign up and run!
I finished in 37:14 which is not a personal best. (Turkey Trot was 35:xx) But it WAS a decent time. At least - it was a 2nd best if you don't count my first ever race over a year ago. :) Races always encourage me that even if I'm not #1 at the moment - I'm a lot better off than not running at all. So I'm happy with my time.
Time to hydrate and sleep and prepare for my Friday morning run! I'm a bit nervous - but I suppose I have to take it 1 minute at a time! If anyone wants to join us - even for a portion of the route - let me know! It'd be a great encouragement. :) (Bikes are welcome too!!!)
Saturday I knew not to expect a PR because of the past week. Running 3.5 miles with the Galloway group before the race was still harder than normal - so I was especially glad that I had signed up for the race. The energy at the start is so invigorating! It's always great to start a race with the mass of people around you. :) You feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself!
Naturally the group spread out quickly. I saw one father with an empty jogging stroller. His two girls were running at the time. "I'll be doing that soon with my two-year-old" I said. He responded, "I consider it to be a run / ride." That made me smile. Maybe I will not only take Eden to a Fun Run - but also consider bringing her to a few 5Ks when I'm not concerned about my time at all.
There was one teenage girl with her father who was having a rough time. I always see people, especially kids, suffering and I want to tell them all, "I'm running for 1 minute, walking for 1 minute. Do you want to run/walk with me?" But I never do. Well, this time, I mentioned run/walk to the young lady - and she took me up on it! A minute later, I heard her dad say, "ok... your minute starts... now!" And they started running. She kept it up to the end of the race and did pretty well. :) Consider recruiting people to the run/walk intervals during a race! It just might work! :)
There was a girl dressed up as a Christmas tree - and I was determined she wouldn't beat me. I caught up with her fairly easily. But once I did - she kept passing me again and again! I don't know if she sped up or if I had slowed down. But I decided she wouldn't beat me - and began to leave her behind. I always pick one person mid-race to catch or pass which makes me do better. Another reason to sign up and run!
I finished in 37:14 which is not a personal best. (Turkey Trot was 35:xx) But it WAS a decent time. At least - it was a 2nd best if you don't count my first ever race over a year ago. :) Races always encourage me that even if I'm not #1 at the moment - I'm a lot better off than not running at all. So I'm happy with my time.
Time to hydrate and sleep and prepare for my Friday morning run! I'm a bit nervous - but I suppose I have to take it 1 minute at a time! If anyone wants to join us - even for a portion of the route - let me know! It'd be a great encouragement. :) (Bikes are welcome too!!!)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
As If Running Wasn't Enough...
As if running wasn't enough, I have to add CrossFit workouts to my routine! My husband is starting this new method of training and I did my first two CrossFit workouts this week. I'm not sure what the neighbor thought as he pulled out of his driveway to see us in the street at 9 pm while I was performing kettlebell swings! Monday's workout was good: 10 rounds of run 50 m, 10 medicine ball squat & throws, run 50 m, 10 kettlebell swings. I did it in 20 minutes and was sore the next day - but it felt good to be sore.
Tuesday night I did my run - and felt like someone had pushed me back 4 months in my training! I couldn't run for 4 lightpoles. I had to start with running 2 lightpoles and worked up to 3 lightpoles. I could really tell the effect of Monday's workout on Tuesday's running. This is when I realized with this change in my routine, I'm probably NOT going to get a PR in Saturday's 5K.
Wednesday - well, it was tough. Joe wanted to put me through 75 air squats and 75 pushups - but was stunned to discover I can't do a single pushup and can only do 3 - 5 knee pushups. Plus, with all of the extra weight I carry, I can't do a single air squat or I fall over! So he had me do as many pushups as I could, then had me hold one as long as I could. It hurt. Then he had me hold a squat and do high-knees. That was repeated three times. It was only 12 minutes but felt like 20. When it was done, there were spots on the mat from my tears. It made me think, "Crying? There's no crying in CrossFit!" But yesterday there was. And the crazy thing is - Monday evening, I'll be doing it again.
Tuesday night I did my run - and felt like someone had pushed me back 4 months in my training! I couldn't run for 4 lightpoles. I had to start with running 2 lightpoles and worked up to 3 lightpoles. I could really tell the effect of Monday's workout on Tuesday's running. This is when I realized with this change in my routine, I'm probably NOT going to get a PR in Saturday's 5K.
Wednesday - well, it was tough. Joe wanted to put me through 75 air squats and 75 pushups - but was stunned to discover I can't do a single pushup and can only do 3 - 5 knee pushups. Plus, with all of the extra weight I carry, I can't do a single air squat or I fall over! So he had me do as many pushups as I could, then had me hold one as long as I could. It hurt. Then he had me hold a squat and do high-knees. That was repeated three times. It was only 12 minutes but felt like 20. When it was done, there were spots on the mat from my tears. It made me think, "Crying? There's no crying in CrossFit!" But yesterday there was. And the crazy thing is - Monday evening, I'll be doing it again.
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Airport Loop
6 miles around the airport in my new running capris! After so many weeks of freezing cold weather, it was strange to be running in a fog (literally!) and to have your hair soaked from the humidity and sweat that couldn't evaporate. It was neat to run for a while with Iris and hear her Vegas stories. I especially love to hear stories about passing people around mile 20 that can barely move! This is NOT because I want people to suffer while running a marathon - but because it proves the intelligence of taking walk breaks from the beginning.
Jingle Bell Run next week - and then our last big long run. Angie and I are going to run by ourselves on Friday, December 21st because both of us will be traveling for Christmas on the 22nd and can't run with the group. I'm a little nervous about that run as we won't have our group leader and others to keep us going. But, perhaps its good for me, because I actually question whether or not I can run a Half without the group. Do I have the heart to keep going even when it hurts? stay tuned....
Jingle Bell Run next week - and then our last big long run. Angie and I are going to run by ourselves on Friday, December 21st because both of us will be traveling for Christmas on the 22nd and can't run with the group. I'm a little nervous about that run as we won't have our group leader and others to keep us going. But, perhaps its good for me, because I actually question whether or not I can run a Half without the group. Do I have the heart to keep going even when it hurts? stay tuned....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Dragging Myself Back on the Road...
I hurt after the 12.5 mile run. I really hurt. It was not fun! So no wonder on Monday and Tuesday I didn't set my alarm and overslept! Maybe subconsciously I didn't want to get back out there and hurt again!
But I'd forgotten. I wasn't going to run 12 miles every morning. Only 45 - 55 minutes. About 4 miles. And I had forgotten how good that makes me feel.
So I went out there and did it on Thursday, and felt GREAT. So don't give up because of a hard, long run. That's why we don't do them every day.
But I'd forgotten. I wasn't going to run 12 miles every morning. Only 45 - 55 minutes. About 4 miles. And I had forgotten how good that makes me feel.
So I went out there and did it on Thursday, and felt GREAT. So don't give up because of a hard, long run. That's why we don't do them every day.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wardrobe Malfunction at Mile 9
Last Saturday we ran 12.5 miles on the Blackwater Trail in Milton. I'd never been out there and it was a great trail. I hope to go out and bike with my family there someday.
It started easy. I've been running 2.5 minutes and then walking 1 minute at home, so running 1:1 seemed too easy. But that changes gradually mile after mile. All was normal the first half - then we turned around, did a few more miles, and things started getting strange... First it was the HeeHaw song, "You met another and pbbt! you were gone!" then the Green Acres theme song followed by the Facts of Life theme song and our group leader chimed in with "It's so hard to be humble - but I'm doing the best that I can!" Robin was the first to succumb to oxygen-deprivation to the brain and got quite giddy. Others followed suite and even I felt the effects.
It was somewhere around mile 9 that I noticed chaffing... I commented that I shouldn't be having chaffing issues while wearing capris. About that time, I checked and found out my 10 yr-old cotten "tights" that my mother had JUST turned into capris with pockets on the outsides had blown a hole up in the nether regions! Now exposed, the material on the other leg turned into sandpaper and was rubbing me raw with every step!
It was uncomfortable but gradually got more and more painful. When walking, I waddled from side to side to keep things apart. I even RAN from side to side for several minutes and discovered that is NOT the most efficient form of running! I had a long-sleeve t-shirt that was knotted around my waist. Relief finally came when I stopped and stuffed the sleeves of the t-shirt into the hole. That covered most everything and allowed me to finish with a normal stride. :)
(On hind-sight, I could've put my head-band earwarmers around my leg and that probably would've worked too!)
I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON! I was trying to save money and not buy expensive running pants. But, now I have to put a gauze over the wound and wrap it with tape to keep it in place while it heals. Thankfully, it didn't happen early in the run or it would've prevented me from finishing. We have enough to handle with hydration, nutrition and endurance without our gear causing more problems!
It started easy. I've been running 2.5 minutes and then walking 1 minute at home, so running 1:1 seemed too easy. But that changes gradually mile after mile. All was normal the first half - then we turned around, did a few more miles, and things started getting strange... First it was the HeeHaw song, "You met another and pbbt! you were gone!" then the Green Acres theme song followed by the Facts of Life theme song and our group leader chimed in with "It's so hard to be humble - but I'm doing the best that I can!" Robin was the first to succumb to oxygen-deprivation to the brain and got quite giddy. Others followed suite and even I felt the effects.
It was somewhere around mile 9 that I noticed chaffing... I commented that I shouldn't be having chaffing issues while wearing capris. About that time, I checked and found out my 10 yr-old cotten "tights" that my mother had JUST turned into capris with pockets on the outsides had blown a hole up in the nether regions! Now exposed, the material on the other leg turned into sandpaper and was rubbing me raw with every step!
It was uncomfortable but gradually got more and more painful. When walking, I waddled from side to side to keep things apart. I even RAN from side to side for several minutes and discovered that is NOT the most efficient form of running! I had a long-sleeve t-shirt that was knotted around my waist. Relief finally came when I stopped and stuffed the sleeves of the t-shirt into the hole. That covered most everything and allowed me to finish with a normal stride. :)
(On hind-sight, I could've put my head-band earwarmers around my leg and that probably would've worked too!)
I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON! I was trying to save money and not buy expensive running pants. But, now I have to put a gauze over the wound and wrap it with tape to keep it in place while it heals. Thankfully, it didn't happen early in the run or it would've prevented me from finishing. We have enough to handle with hydration, nutrition and endurance without our gear causing more problems!
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