Getting Faster!

Each time I run, I get a little bit faster, and I feel better and better. I haven't run on the treadmill in almost a month, as the weather has been pretty decent. Today I decided to break the streak and stay out of the elements. It was a little chilly and windy, and since I did my 3 miles in the cold and wind on friday, I decided to give myself a break. Plus today was speedwork day, and the treadmill is much easier for that. I did 4.5 miles today, slowly working my way up to routinely running 8K. My goal for the Trot is really starting to look reachable, as I am only 15-30 sec per mile slower than where I need to be, and of course race pace is always better. I ordered a new pair of Newtons (all-weather trainer) so that I am ready for snowy Buffalo winters. I can't spend the entire winter on the treadmill- I think I might go crazy. So instead, I am slowly building up the winter gear I need to run outside.

Just Made It!

Running has been going very well this past week. I had a great short run on Sunday, averaging close to my last 5K pace. Today was another long run, 4.25 miles. It was 79 degrees, in Buffalo, in October, and I had to take advantage. I checked the weather forecast several times today and the crazy wind/downpours weren't supposed to start until after 6. It looked ugly out there, but I was determined. I thought about cutting the run short, but I ended up running far enough past my car to force myself to finish the whole run. I had my best long run yet. I am still not where I want to be on race day but I am inching closer, and I know I wll be faster that day anyway. I finished my run just in the nick of time- it started pouring as soon as I got in my car!  My legs feel good, although I am tired. But a couple of months ago, the thought of running for almost an hour would have either made me cry or made me laugh hysterically, so I am making progress.

My "Long" Run

My three weekly runs consist of one "easy" run, one "long" run and one "speed work" run. I can do them in any order I choose, and it usually depends on my schedule. Today I decided to do my long run, which was scheduled to be 4.25 miles. I decided on this because Tuesday is the day I get out of work the earliest and it was about 55 and sunny, which means I was able to do my run outside. I suspect I will be stuck inside the remainder of the week because of rain and limited daylight, so I thought I should take advantage. This was my longest run ever, with the exception of the one Turkey Trot 8K when I ran the whole way in 2008. So this was pretty exciting to me, especially since I felt pretty decent the whole way. I could have run more, but I was happy to be done too. It was pretty windy today, so the half I ran into the wind was tough, but the second half was far better. I have to attribute some of of my newfound interest in running in my new sneakers. I invested in a pair of Newton sneakers, which I have to say, was worth the $150. Check them out here: http://www.newtonrunning.com/ My legs actually feel decent and I don't have any more calf soreness, which was one of my big issues in the beginning of this whole running thing. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, but for right now, I am feeling pretty excited that I ran as far as I did.

Dr. Richard Sarkin 5K Memorial Run and a Personal Best

Today was a picture perfect day for a run. Up until last weekend, I didn't have any upcoming races to run in. I am very picky about which ones I will do- there have to be a lot of people or else I won't do it, the reason being that I am afraid of being last. Yes, I know that seems ridiculous, but as I have mentioned before, I am very very slow. How slow you might ask? Well, I have been tracking my runs since August, and I have done 4 5Ks since then. My times were:

Mississippi Mudd 5K: 43:20 (13:52 per mile). This was my first race since two that I did in June, and it was hot and humid that day. I was feeling pretty much like death after this was over.

Tops 5K: 41:29 (13:18 per mile). Better, but considering the beautiful day, this was still very slow. I felt ok after this race, not as sore as the last one.

Linda Yalem 5K: 38:51 (12:23 per mile). Much much better! I felt good this day and had enough left in the tank to run an 8:58 mile for the last tenth.

And finally today, the Dr. Richard Sarkin Memorial 5K: 35:42 (11:29 per mile) with 8:02 pace for the last tenth. I know I am still slow by normal standards, but I never thought I could run under a 12 minute mile. It was very exciting. I can't come close to what my husband does (finishing the entire thing in 20 minutes... WHAT!) but I am really proud of what I did today. Hopefully my next race will be even better. I have one or two more to go before the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. My original goal for that race was to finish it in under an hour (about a 12 min/mile pace) but I may have to re-evaluate that goal in light of today's performance!

Speed Work and Runny Noses

Today was a scheduled speed work day. It was beautiful outside so the treadmill was definitely not an option. I woke up yesterday a little bit under the weather- sniffles and sneezing. Nothing major, but in the past I would have used that as the perfect excuse not to run. But, I did not, and instead I did 3.5 miles on the track. I actually felt pretty good today, despite my excessive use of tissues. Running made me feel better too- I always say I never get sick, and I don't really count this as sick- just a little sniffly. Anyway my speed work seems to be doing the trick- I am getting a little bit faster each time, and I am feeling more comfortable. It consists of .5 mi warm up and cool down, with 5 repeats of .25 mi "as fast as I can go" and .25 mi "comfortable pace". Coming up this week- an "easy" 2.5, more speedwork and a 5K on Saturday.

3.5 Miles

Today I ran 3.5 miles after working for 9.5 hours, in high heels no less (I worked in high heels! I ran in my awesome Newton sneakers). In the old days, I probably would have bailed. But it was 65 degrees and finally sunny after too many rainy days in a row, and I was looking forward to spending some time outside. I had 3.25 scheduled, but since I shortened Tuesday's run by .25, I figured it was only fair to extend today by the same. It went pretty well. I know it doesn't sounds like a lot, but for me, it is. Tomorrow is a day off, so that I can hit the gym for some cross training on Saturday and do some interval runs on Sunday.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaackkk!

Why hello! Yes, it has been MORE THAN A YEAR since I last blogged. I'm not quite sure what happened, but here I am again. I'm not going to re-cap the last year, but maybe just the last couple of months. I actually completed the couch to 5k program this summer, and believe it or not, I can actually run now, without stopping. I have done a few 5ks and my times are getting better and better. I might even, dare I say, look forward to my runs. I am on a training schedule for the Turkey Trot (I know, I know, I said that last year). But I am very much committed to this. My lovely husband created a training schedule for me, which consists of 3 runs/week, with speed work and mileage increases as well. I am also squeezing in some elliptical and stationary bike work. I also went back to Weight Watchers about 5 weeks ago and I am down about 10 lbs, so it is easy to stay motivated when I see so much progress.