Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

100 degrees!

I love running in the heat. I love it love it love it. But, it's something I have to ease into. I just can't go outside and bust out a 4 mile run in 100 degree weather without doing short runs first. SO today, it was 101 on my car thermometer and I knew it was going to be tough, but it is something I have to tackle. So, I decided to superhydrate all day long at work to prep for this run outside. Had a pretty good day at work, left on time, came home to change and then drove over to the local park. I stretched out pretty good and off I went. The weather was tolerable. I was breathing great, no cramps , no knee pain and there was a hot breeze every now and then never. It took me longer to get home from work, get changed and to drive over to the local park than I expected. I completed 4 miles in 38 minutes which ended up being a good start for long runs in this massive heat! I wanted to do 5, but close to 4 miles, I started to develop a cramp in my lower right quadrant. Instead of fighting through the cramp as I normally do, I was not going to chance it. I had done 4 good solid miles in this heat, and I was happy. Not to mention, my chest is still sore from yesterday after doing chest/bi's on the weights. I think it was the cable crossovers that have me sore :)

Running with sore chest muscles is not alot of fun either. But, I am happy with today's 4 mile run in the heat!!

It's been a while!!!

WoW! I haven't blogged in 21 days! Holy Smokes! Although, I have not posted any recent blogs, I'm still running, and pretty regular too. I guess I am not good at the blog thing yet, and I am a facebook addict, but who isn't this day and time.

SO, on to more important things, like a few of my recent runs. This past weekend, we went to Augusta (my hometown) for a wedding. And thanks to FACEBOOK, an organization called The Augusta Market posted something in reference to a 3, 5 and 8 mile run on saturday morning. Hmmmmmm. Hmmmmmm. Most of my family does not get up and about until, well, lunch time. And in order for me to continue my dedication, prepare for my half marathon, I needed to get a good long run in since sunday would be a travel day back to Montgomery. So, after 1 or 2 posts, I got the answers I needed. Be at The Augusta Market at 0700, and run starts at 0730. Now, remembering, I am on currently on CST, which meant, I would be up and moving am hour early. Regardless, I was going to do this run no matter what. The bonus part being, they marketed the 7-8 mile run as a "Two State Loop Run". Well being from Augusta, and it starting at the riverfront, I knew, that it would cross over into South Carolina since Augusta is right on the savannah river. All I could think about is, "How cool would it be to run in 2 states in the same run?" Freaking Awesome. It does not take much to excite me.

So, I show up at 0700 and didn't see any people of the "like". So after a few minutes of walking around, a few guys got out of their car and they were of "the like". I introduced myself and they welcomed me with open arms. Very very friendly bunch of people. And I did meet up with an ole pal from highschool who is also my friend on FACEBOOK. She even said to me, that she knew I was coming into town, and wasn't sure if I would be able to come run, but she said she was glad I made it.

The run was 7 miles, it was not too hot, and most of the run was in shady areas. I am so glad that I found out about this little adventure. It was great to get out and run with new people and see new scenery. For some reason, I thought the long route was 8 miles, and I was mentally prepared for 8, but we missed a turn somewhere along the way and the course ended up being 7 miles....Fine by me!! If I can run 7, I can run 8!!!

Today on the Treadmill

Today was a run day, obviously, since I am writing this post. However, on monday, wednesday and friday's I do full body workouts with weights, a semi circuit training. I also do the Arc trainer on these days too for about 30 mins. This seems to be working well. So, on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday's I usually run. Today, I went to the gym to run on the treadmill. I like to run outside, but I am not a fan of running in the neighborhood when Mike is not at home. Not that my neighborhood is bad, however, it is STILL Montgomery. Running on the treadmill is not favored by many. For various reasons I have heard over and over again. The number 1 reason being, BOREDOM. Others being, the treadmill does the work for you, the treadmill hurts my knees or gives me shin splints, or I like to look at the great outdoors to on and on and on. I take what I can get. The treadmill is not boring to me AT ALL. I find it quite amusing. I am a people watcher, and I get quality time people watching while I run on the treadmill. I even laugh out loud sometimes!! :) As for it doing 90% of the work for you and you get better training on the ground, that is a bunch of BS! If you are moving and sweating, you are getting the job done. I did over 50% of my half marathon training on a treadmill, and I did pretty damn good for my first half marathon. So, enough on my treadmill soapbox. I set out to run 45 minutes at a slow and easy pace....Here again, working on endurance. I completed 5 miles in 44:50. I felt great, was very sweaty and the Brooks running shoes seemed to do fine for me on the treadmill. I missed yesterday's workout altogether because it was Memorial Day and I had to work. Not to mention, we went out to dinner with some of our neighbors. I am ready to hit the weights tomorrow.