About Me

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Wife, Animal Lover, Pediatric Audiologist, Golfer, Skier, Childless By Choice, Half-Marathon Runner

Sunday, October 31, 2010

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.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

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.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

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.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

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!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

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.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

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.

Monday, October 4, 2010

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.