Long Run Sundae!!!

Generally, when people are training for half marathons or full marathons, most utilize a training schedule that guides them into preparing for the race. And most schedules allow for long runs on sundays. And each week, on sunday, you gently increase your milage. Today, instead of doing my usual 6 miles, I added 1 mile. Also, these long runs on sunday are not meant for speed or personal records, just a slow paced run for distance. I decided last night after feeling so crappy because of all the junk food I ate that I would venture out early morning for my run. If I didn't go early, I may not go :) So, shortly after my coffee and bowl of oatmeal, I laced up my shoes, threw on my running clothes, grabbed my Garmin and iPod, and out the door I went. It was a breezy, overcast, humid morning. But the cool breeze allowed me not to really notice the humidity. Although, the humidity does not bother me, it actually helps me breathe easier. So, my usual 6 mile route that I run, I did it in reverse this morning, while adding some streets into the mix, just to increase my milage. The Garmin REALLY helps with this. It helped me do exactly 7 miles while finishing at my driveway!!! I'm not a fan of backtracking or passing my house, because once I see my house, it's over!! Another good thing about the Garmin is it telling my my time splits. When I uploaded it my computer, to see my splits, each mile was 9:40 or 9:43. So all seven miles were an even pace the entire run, which is the ultimate goal for long runs. Nothing fancy, just working on endurance. I don't really have slow pace or a fast pace. I have my pace and I have a race pace. Whether, I am running 4, 6 or 7 miles, I usually run a 9 min pace. Overall, the run felt great, I had no cramps, no pain, no breathing issues, and my Brooks shoes seem to be doing fine. I'm hoping to get in 4 miles tomorrow, as it will round the month off with 70 miles for the month of May!!! Yay!

Thankfully, I did the run mid morning, as it stormed and rained after lunch for the remainder of the afternoon!! :0

Hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day tomorrow......I have to work :(

Man is it hot outside.....

Happy Day, O Happy Day!!!! :) Today, I was off work! O Happy Day O Happy Day!!!! I spend most of the morning straightening up the house, washing a few clothes, etc. Mike and I went to lunch together as we usually do when I am off work and the little one is at school :) !! I decided that I would run outside today with Mike before we went to get Michael Robert. Mike and I LOVE to run together, but it doesn't happen often, so we take advantage of it as much as possible. Not to mention, Mike has been nursing a stress fracture and was put off on the running for about 6 weeks, he is now back to running (yay!) but at low milage and a slow pace. It's all good. Better than no running! Anyway, I decided to go with him this afternoon. He is up to 2.5 miles. We took it slow and easy and ran at a 9:30 pace. Nothing fancy, just a jog. And man is it HOT outside!! Whoa. I am a hot and humid runner, I love the heat, but I have got to get myself use to it again! So, running with Mike is a easy way to break myself back into it. Sadly, I fought a cramp the entire run.. :( Not sure where that came from, maybe I didn't drink enough water???? I usually drink enough to fill an olympic size swimming pool!! Maybe it was the heat? It wasn't a side stitch, it was on the left side in the upper rib cage area. It started out pretty intense, then I realized it was not going away, and I was NOT about to stop. So, I focused really hard on the breathing, taking slow and deep breaths and it eventually eased up, but thank goodness that didn't happen last weekend during the Jubilee 8K!! Well, that's about all I have to say about today's run. Tomorrow is weights and I'm thinking of maybe a slow jog on the treadmill....We'll see!

Welcome!

I have just created this blog to "journal" about my passion for running. I'm not good at this sort of thing, but hopefully in time, I will become a little more experienced! For today, I did not run! :( Today was a weight training and Arc trainer day! I ran over 6 miles yesterday outside in my neighborhood. I am currently trying to "acclimate" myself back to the hot and humid weather.