Week 3 Done - and a not so good start to Week 4

Week 3 was good

Monday, 12/19 - 30:00 run
Total time:  40:00
Total distance:  2.67 miles
Average pace:  14:58
Mile 1:  15:23
Mile 2:  14:03
Nubbin:  10:35

Wednesday, 12/21 - 30:00 run
Total time:  40:00
Total distance:  2.68 miles
Average pace:  14:52
Mile 1:  15:15
Mile 2:  14:03
Nubbin:  10:34

I did this run early in the morning since I had a physical therapy appointment at 9am.  I knew if I didn't get the run out of the way early, it probably wouldn't happen.  There were a lot of other things packing my schedule on this day.  When I got home I got to see this...

While this isn't the most spectacular sunrise I've ever seen, the contrast between the blue sky and the dark trees was striking.  I almost wish I'd been up on my roof to get a better shot.  This is taken from my back patio at about 7:00 am.


Friday, 12/23 - Easy walk
This was supposed to happen on Thursday, but my hubs came home from an extended work trip and I had to pick him up from the airport really EARLY in the morning.  Nothing much happened for the rest of that day, so I moved to walk to Friday.
Total time:  48:55
Total distance:  2.24 miles
Average pace:  21:49
The dog sure enjoyed this!

Saturday, 12/24 - 5 mile run
I went to the gym and did this run on the treadmill since it was raining.  I really don't enjoy running in the rain, especially in the winter.
Total time:  82:00
Total distance:  5.6 miles
Average pace:  14:38 (this is a calculated number since I wasn't wearing my Garmin)

So...as my title states, Week 4 hasn't started out so well.  I went out for my 30:00 run on Monday morning.  I think I left the house about 9 or 9:30.  The first mile I was feeling pretty good!  Then, disaster struck!  In midstride (at about 1.2 miles), I got hit with a charleyhorse in my left calf!  Then I had to walk home.  My total distance was 2.24 miles.  That next mile was NOT fun!  It feels much better today (thank goodness!), but I definitely hobbled around all of yesterday.  I still can't take a full stride with the left leg, but at least it doesn't hurt like it did yesterday.  Looks like I'll be biking the rest of the week.  Except for my easy walk day, although I'll assess that when the time comes.  Thank goodness this is an easy week.  My long run is only 2.5 miles this week.

Week 2 - Done! Run report and other stuff

What a week it has been!  I feel like a lot has happened this week, but that's probably just my imagination.

I completed my weekly runs as scheduled.  Feeling pretty good about that!  Keep in mind, all of my runs are done using the Galloway run/walk method and include both a 5 minute warm up and cool down walk.  So my "runs" are always 10 minutes (+/-) longer than what I have scheduled.

Monday - 30 minute run
Total time:  40 minutes
Total distance:  2.75 miles
Mile 1:  15:15
Mile 2:  13:33
Nubbin:  11:13
Average pace:  14:33
Interval used:  1:00/1:00

Wednesday - 30 minute run
Total time:  40 minutes
Total distance:  2.76 miles
Mile 1:  14:41
Mile 2:  13:09
Nubbin:  12:12
Average pace:  14:30
Interval used:  2:00/1:00

Saturday - 4 mile run
Total time:  1:05
Total distance:  4.56 miles
Mile 1:  15:17
Mile 2:  14:12
Mile 3:  13:38
Mile 4:  13:04
Nubbin:  9:03
Average pace:  14:18
Interval used:  1:00/1:00

Total run mileage for this week:  10.07

I think I really like the 1:00/1:00 interval.  I find that my breathing and heart rate stay more consistent, and I feel good after my runs instead of feeling like I've been beat up.  Next week's schedule is the same, except Saturday is a 5 mile run.

One thing I did discover this week:  Do NOT run in these

two times in a row when you're not used to running in them.  I wore my Vibrams for my Monday & Wednesday runs.  Let me just say, my calves were SOOOO sore on Thursday!  Needless to say, I wore my regular running shoes for today's run.

Now for other stuff:
If you've never heard of Bountiful Baskets, I urge you to look them up.  http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/
I've been buying my produce through this organization every other week since October.  A basket in my area costs me $16.50. Unfortunately, organic baskets aren't offered yet.  I get so much more than I could buy in the grocery store for the same amount.  I do have to drive a little further, but it's totally worth it!  This is what I picked up this morning.

There are fresh green beans in the paper bag.  The other items are romaine (2), grape tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, potatoes, grapefruit, oranges, Fuji apples, and bananas.  I have a friend who purchased her first basket this week, and when she picked it up this morning she was amazed at how much was in it.  And this is good quality food!

It hit me today that Christmas is just a week away.  I am so NOT ready for the holidays.  I still have gifts to mail, gifts to buy, a house to decorate...you get the picture.  We were supposed to go out of town for the holidays, but my husband needs dental work done so we're staying here.  That decision was made early this week.  Needless to say, the house isn't decorated at all yet.  And since my husband travels for his job, and has been out of town for quite a while, it all falls on me to get things done.

I'm really not complaining about that, just feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I have to finish cleaning up the house, get the decorations/tree out of storage, figure out what's happening Christmas day, etc.  But I start my vacation on Wednesday, and I still have tomorrow, so it's all good.  I WILL get this done.  Maybe not to the nth degree that I usually try for, but it doesn't have to be perfect.  I'm not going to have many people at my house this year, unlike last year which was pretty stacked.


Have a great week everyone!

Half Training - Week One Complete

Week one of training is done.  And what a week it has been!  Between work and home responsibilities, and training, I have been pretty busy.  Busy enough that I took today as a PJ day.  Yep, I'm STILL in my PJs, and it's after 6pm.  I have completely enjoyed it, although I didn't laze around all day.
To recap my training for the week:

Monday - 30 minute run
     Total time:  40 minutes (includes warm up & cool down)
     2.66 miles

Wednesday - 25 minute run
     Total time:  35 minutes (includes warm up & cool down)

     2.35 miles
     This was a hill/varying speed workout on the TM that I got from a friend.  Thanks, Tiffany!

Thursday - Easy walk
     Didn't happen

Saturday - 3 mile run
     Total time:  About 48 minutes (I forgot to turn off my Garmin when I stopped)
     3.45 miles (includes warm up & cool down)
     This run kind of sucked.  While it wasn't really cold, it was breezy and overcast.  My legs did get to feeling cold during the run.  I believe that hindered my performance.  

Total mileage for the week:   8.46
Training schedule for next week is basically the same:
Monday & Wednesday - 30 minute runs
Thursday - Easy walk
Saturday - 4 mile run
With the weather as changeable as it is, most of my weekday runs could very well be inside on the TM.  For my longer weekend runs, I really prefer to run outside.  The TM does tend to get boring fairly quickly.  However, it is definitely time to invest in some running togs for cooler/colder weather.  First thing on the list...LONG PANTS!  (See above comment on my Saturday run).

One last thing to wrap up.  The support I've gotten from my husband is awesome!  He has even started running again in support of my efforts.  Funny thing...when I emailed him that I had completed my Wednesday run and how far it was, he replied that he had run about 6K.  I called him a show off!  In his defense, he's almost a foot taller than I am, and he's been running for many more years than I have!  I am truly appreciative of his support.  It makes this SO much easier!

Here's a picture of me that was taken in October 2011:

For comparison, here's a picture of my husband.  That's the same figure he's kneeling by.  Is it any wonder he covers more ground than I do in the same amount of time?  Funny thing, though; when we're walking around a store, he always asks me to slow down...

First Training Run...DONE!

I did my first training run today.  I have to say, it was tough.  I haven't run for a while, and I was running on a treadmill.  I'd much rather run outside, but it's cold and damp here today.  It's definitely time to look into getting some cold weather running gear.

Run stats:
Total time:  40 minutes
5:00 warm up walk at 3.5
30:00 run/walk - 2:00/1:00 intervals (one 2:00 walk in the middle)Ac
5:00 cool down walk at varying speeds - started at 4:00 and worked down to 3.0

5:00 stretching

According to the TM, I did 2.66 miles and burned 190.4 calories.  And yes, I do run slow.  But I get to where I'm going, so it's all good!

Have a great night!  I'm off to bed.

Just Have to Share my Dinner! (And other stuff)

OMG!  My dinner tonight was amazing!

Salmon fillet with sliced Roma tomatoes and Feta cheese (with basil & sundried tomatoes)
Roasted sweet potatoes
Salad made of leaf lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, & more Feta
I made a Dijon white wine vinaigrette and put that on both the salad & the salmon.  The salmon was baked in a foil packet for about 20 minutes.
Nomnomnomnom!

All of the vegies in my dinner tonight came from my Bountiful Baskets pick up this morning, except for the sweet potato.  I got that in my last pick up. Here's a picture of what I got in my basket this morning.  I'm really glad I found out about this organization.  For less that $20 and a short car ride, I got twice as much produce as I could by at the grocery store.  AND it's better quality produce, as well!  Score!  I'll be eating good for the next couple of weeks.

I officially start my half marathon training on Monday.  I'm planning on running in the morning before work during the week (Mondays & Wednesdays).  Both of those runs are only 30 minutes.  Adding in time for a warm up and cool down walk, my exercise time will be 40 minutes total. 

In other news, I ran the YMCA's annual Turkey Dash on Thanksgiving Day.  This is my 3rd year doing it, and I had a good time, as usual.  The course is a flat out and back run.  And this year, I got a PR!  37:10!  I was pretty stoked about that, let me tell you!  Here I am at the finish line:

Good night, everyone.  I hope you had a good Saturday.  Have a blessed Sunday!