Dashing through the snow...

So...running in the winter...with hills. Pretty exciting stuff. Okay so not really, I've made it out a couple of times. Haven't fallen...yet, and I've really enjoyed it. The times I went out though, sidewalks were clear and there wasn't much ice. But since I'm sure the "best" of winter is yet to come, the executive decision came down...I'm joining the Y. If I'm going to give this half my best shot, I want to go in fully prepared. I want to hit each training run, and not pass it up due to icy, snowy conditions. I feel a big sigh of relief at making this decision, it's been adding to my stress levels lately, the worry of not being able to get each run in and for now, I think it's the thing that makes the most sense. Sure running laps around an indoor track won't be the most exciting thing ever, but I will be running. :) If outdoor conditions are favorable, I'll go outside, but having the flexibility makes me feel more in control which is a nice feeling. So one week from today, Monday the 21st officially kicks off "training." Wish me luck!

Turkeyman Turkey Trot

What better way to spend a bright and early Thanksgiving Day morning than outside, in 40-degree temperatures running with a thousand other crazies? On Thursday, I ran my second “race,” and it was great. I love the feeling after finishing, even though it’s only 3.1 miles; it just feels like such an accomplishment. The course went through downtown Lansing streets, past the capitol Christmas tree, the rain held off and it was awesome. I ran with a friend and her husband and it was nice to have someone to chat with through the course. Rex was the gracious “stuff” holder and honorary picture taker; he’s such an awesome guy. I’m so lucky and thankful to have him. Who else would get up at 7:30, drive me in, stand in the freezing cold and cheer me on? Well, besides my parents that is. ☺ They came out to cheer us on too, all in all a fun little race, I’m already looking forward to next year…

Time: 33 minutes, 14 seconds

Sunday Run-day

On Sundays it's my one outdoor run of the week, well for now. I know I have to kick it into gear and start adding another one or two in soon, but for now, Sunday it is. Lucky for me, I can con Rex into going with me. We've been gradually adding on 5 minutes to our time each week, but we're getting to the point where I can't con him into going with me anymore if I keep adding time. Last week we did 35 minutes, our usual game plan is run 2 minutes, walk a minute, repeat 'til the time is up. Since he was not having any of my "let's go for 40 minutes" rah rah..I decided it was time for me to suck it up and ease into non-stop running, with loops and retracing of my steps to keep time with him.

So on this brisk fall morning we went for 30 minutes, he kept the 2 minute/1 minute pace, I did 30 minutes non-stop. My legs are sore, already. They usually are okay until the following day...I'm worried for tomorrow. I think the kicker was trying to keep pace with him on the 2 minutes he was running, his fresh legs made me kick up my pace to match his. Which is good. :)

Overall running stats from the Nike+
Run time: 30:39
Distance: 3.56 miles
Average Pace: 8:34

(I haven't calibrated my new sensor yet, and last time I did, it was showing .1 of a mile more, so I subtract .1 for each mile I go, making it more like 3.2 miles, and I dunno what that would put the pace at, definitely no where close to an eight and a half minute mile is all I know!)

And just for fun data facts...here are the last couple of Sunday stats, I recalculated the distances to account for the non-calibrated sensor, and left pace alone.

Nov. 8th
Run/Walk Time: 35:04
Distance: 3.1 miles
Average Pace: 10:14

Nov.1st
Run/Walk Time:30:03
Distance:2.7 miles
Average Pace: 9:56

Dallas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon...

I took the plunge and signed up, now I've got to figure out a plan of attack...anyone want to be my running buddy? More details to follow after I wrap my mind around running 13.1 miles straight...

Getting back to it...

Well, it won't be a new state, but it's definitely going to be a new challenge. A friend conned me into signing up to run the Turkey Trot which takes place Thanksgiving morning. To be honest it didn't take too much to convince me. We spent the day Sunday watching and cheering my brother on in his first marathon, and it was AMAZING. A bit of big sister bragging on him...he completed it in 4 hours and 1 minute! That's pretty sweet stuff. The energy that morning, the pure determination, it made me really miss running. So I really didn't hesitate to sign up for the run, the big challenge will be the weather. It's going to be pretty chilly come the end of November here in Michigan, so that should definitely add an interesting twist. I started working on my training plan this morning, since I only have 5 short weeks I've really go to get moving on it. This means re-buying my lost sensor for the Nike+ instead of waiting 'til Christmas and hoping for it then. Maybe this will actually force me to write a few more blog posts, eh?

So I finally went for a run...

Over Labor Day, I headed out one fine morning at the cabin. It seemed like the time and the perfect place to go. I had my hip little running skirt on and a fun green top, my nike+, my iPod, and was ready to rock and roll. One problem...that long looped shoe lace when it connected with the stick, which connected with my foot, which took me out. In my mind it looked like a scene from a movie, slow motion style. Witness the magnificent beast yelling "NOoOoOoOOOo" and knees hitting, followed by elbows and a short skid. I should mention this happened not even 50 yards into my run. Luckily, no one witnessed it.

I stood back up, and started the damage check. Obviously no broken bones. (Good) Knees only slightly scraped. (Even better) Clothes easily brushed off, no clingy dirt. (Nice) Left elbow, a few minor abrasions and bleeding. (Not bad) In my head I started the debate, was nature trying to tell me something? Aka, go back to the cabin, eat a cookie, put on your suit and go be lazy by the lake? Or should I suck it up and move on? I decided that since I was only bleeding from one location, it obviously meant I should continue on my way. I carefully tucked the offending shoe laces into my shoes and headed off.

It was a nice cool morning for a run, light traffic, and things were going swell. I asked myself multiple times as I headed to the turn around point, "See, aren't you glad you stuck it out and went for it?" I started back toward the cabin when I heard the ominous words broadcast through my ear buds..."Sensor signal has been lost." Sure enough it had. No more sensor tucked in my sock. I looked around, no sensor in sight. I turned and re-walked my route for a good 50 yards, nothing. I walked back forward, nothing. Back and forth, and back and forth. I'm sure the cars thought I was a crazy; let's take stock-girl with a bleeding elbow, dirt stuck on her knees, huffing and puffing, bright red and sweating pacing the same stretch of road. Back and forth, back and forth. Sounds crazy to me.

Alas, I didn't find the sensor. Tucking it in my sock has never been a problem before, but that day was the day. Luckily it's not too expensive to replace. Sighing, I cranked up the tunes and headed the rest of the way back. Stretched, then headed down to the lake to take off my shoes and dangle my feet in. It was heaven. Not a ripple on the surface, no boats. Absolutely beautiful, and I realized, that klutz prone run, had been TOTALLY worth it.

Soooo about this running thing...

Who's been a slacker in the posting department? That'd be me. I have continued with my running, although I've found myself REALLY missing my running group. I guess it's the whole social aspect of it all. It was a really great group of people to get to run with on a weekly basis. Such is life though, and I've kept on going. With the crazy hot temps last week, I decided a run in the 90 degree weather wasn't going to happen. So I did my running indoors on our elliptical, and focused on intervals. Lower ramp and resistance for 30 seconds, then a higher incline and higher resistance for 2 minutes and did this for 50 minutes. I can definitely feel myself getting stronger and more accustomed to it. I'll drag Rex out for interval running Thursday night, and then Saturday I'm hoping to get a long run in outside up at the cabin. :)

Today, I had my weekly workout with Erin, and we started with our outdoor "warm up" as usual. It felt like we were definitely going a bit faster than usual, and at the end of it we'd gone 2.25 miles and the best part...at a 9:30 pace!!! I am geeked and just had to share. I'm not sure if I could keep that up for a whole 5K, but hope to be able to at some point in the near future. On other running news, I haven't signed up to run my next 5K yet, but have been looking at a few different ones. Not sure which state to tackle next, probably Illinois or Indiana...something close by and drivable? We'll have to wait and see. Other fun things...I bought an arm strap for my iPod on Amazon last night, and am going to pick up the Nike+ today! It will be nice to have something give me actual data on how far I've gone and what my pace is, I can't wait! Off to do some shopping, happy running everyone! :)