Secret Runner

I made it 3!

2006-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday my running partner surprised me and said she was ready to run 3 miles. I knew the path that would be 3 miles and knew that once we were halfway there, there was no turning back. We'd have to keep going ;) She thought it was a turnaround loop. We made it non-stop 3 miles in just over 32 minutes! I wanted to see how fast we could do the 3.1 but she needed a break, she hasn't run 3 miles, and I've never ran it the whole way.

I felt like I could keep running though, so that was refresing to know I could make it!

We walked another 0.6 mile to cool down. I have a busy day tomorrow and can't run, but maybe this weekend we'll do it again. I think our regular run will be 3 now! And I'm starting to enjoy doing it. Not addicted like some people are but still it's a feeling like I've accomplished something.

Race for the Cure

2006-09-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

I'm gearing up for my second 5k. I'm going to run the Race for the Cure. Didn't know when I'd get to another one. But when I found out an old friend from high school in East Texas was going to run in honor of her mom, a survivor, I decided I had to. If you would like to help Holly reach her goal you can donate by Clicking Here - I've helped Karen Thibodeaux photograph this race before and it was a very touching race to be part of.

So I've got a couple of weeks now to get back up to a 3 mile run.

Back in the saddle again

2006-09-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

So after a one week hiatus, I put on the running shoes again. Monday night my neighbor said she was running at 8:30pm did I want to go. I really didn't feel like it but Edwin encouraged me to go. So we ran our 2 miles and walked a .5 mile cool down. Ran the two miles, surprisingly, in 21:35. I really thought I would not have been able to run the whole 2 miles after such a long break. But I did!

Then at 8am the next morning (yesterday) we ran 2 miles again, at just at 22 minutes. But wow! The cool front had come thru, it was about 75 degress, low humidity and the sun was behind clouds. That was a nice way to run! If only every day could be like that!

Today it was still cooler than normal. We ran 2 miles in about 22 minutes again, but my legs were a little sore. My hamstrings started cramping up. It was easier not to quit while having a partner. If I had run by myself I probably would have come home after the cramping started, but I kept at it.

After a shower I used a bunch of BioFreeze, which I highly recommend! I got it from my chiropractor and it's better than the Theragesic or SportsCreme. And now there's no soreness. I'm on schedule to run again tomorrow.

I hope the weather stays this nice for a while.

Weight update: Finally starting to see the numbers go down a tad - 5 pounds lighter, but it's taken me 3 months to do it. I'm thinking I might add a nightly power walk a few nights a week at a lower heart rate to burn some of that fat :)

No running for a week

2006-09-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able (rather didn't make the time I guess) to run all last week. So tomorrow I'll start again. BUT we went in to visit Edwin's mom yesterday and I just sucked it up and said "We are taking these pictures for me and for my kids" so told Martha to rest up and told me sis in law that I was ready to do it.

Actually I didn't even cry when doing them, which I thought I would, but I guess it went so fast and it was a pretty good day for Martha so there were no tears. And I got some of the shots I was hoping for. Here they are:

Martha will all four grandkids

Martha and Reed

Martha and Owen
Martha and Ashton

Martha and Jenna

Wiley, Martha & Edwin

Martha & Haywood
So there you have it . . . I feel much better for having these now.

Tomorrow, back to our regularly scheduled events . . .

I've got the blues

2006-08-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Just don't feel like doing anything right now. If you don't want to hear whining or frustration then just close the blog now.

My mom had a big birthday that ends in a 0 today so she is depressed. I didnt' make it out to visit her while she was on vacation and I'm upset that she'll be upset about that fact sometime when she gets over her birthday thing.

My nephew went in for coclear (sp??) implants today and had some minor problems with spinal fluid leaking.

My mother-in-law is doing worse every day. For those who may not know, she is in her final stages of brain cancer. It's returned for the third and final time, they can't do anything else for her now. Hospice started coming out to her house last week. I really don't expect to have her at Thanksgiving this year. It makes me so sad.

Today Ashton, my 7 year old, said "Mom, I cried at school today thinking about Diddie dying." I asked her if her teacher said anything. She said "she didn't see me, I was sitting at the back of the room working. My friend asked me what was wrong and I told her I would tell her later." So that made me cry, makes me cry thinking of how it's affecting my babies too. We will miss her so much . .. .

I have two things that make it harder - back in June or July I wanted to get a photographer friend of mine to take some very special portraits of Martha with each of the grandkids, real close up shots of them hugging or holding hands or something on black backgrounds, with black clothes, in black & white. Very intimate portraits. And a family portrait since our last one didn't have our little nephew in it. I wanted a big wall collage of all these. BUT it didn't work out. Edwin couldn't go in that weekend, and his brother had to work. They just didn't understand how important this type of thing is to me. Now she's too weak and depressed to do it. She doesn't smile anymore. She had a beautiful smile . . . .

Another regret is that backin July I sent a book where she could record herself reading a book to our kids. So they would always have this and get to hear her voice read to them. But could anyone help her do it??? NO! I asked Edwin and a couple of other people to help her do it and I am just so frustrated that no one seems to understand how important these two things were to me! Geez now I'm bawling again . . .

Now she's to the point that I don't think she can read out loud anyways ... .

maybe I'll feel better soon, but for now I'm just staying away from everyone.

Steady training

2006-08-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, i haven't blogged much because I feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over.

I ran 2 miles Monday, 2 miles Wednesday and 2 miles today. Time varies, I tell you I have no sense of time when running, it all feels the same. We (my neighbor Ana) might run 11 minute miles one day, sub eleven one day or like yesterday both miles were over 11:35! However I am running the whole two miles. She doesn't walk until she finishes 2 miles :) At least we change up the route every day. I think we've only ran the same route twice since we started running last week.

I missed Tuesday because it was Jenna's birthday and I had to take cupcakes to her school. I can't believe my baby is 4 years old already! I took her out today in her new boots for her birthday photo session, she's so cute if I do say so :) She came up with her own posing too, she likes to do that . . . So here she is, our 4 year old princess . . .

First Official Race Today!

2006-08-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe I've gone 11 days without posting. I HAVE been running, but haven't been posting it.

But today I ran my first OFFICAL 5k. I ran one a couple of years ago with zero training, just one of those spur of the moment really stupid ideas. That time was 40 minutes and something. My goal today was to run in 35 minutes. I forgot to bring Pedro (Edwin's GPS watch thing) So I have no clue what my splits were today or even how I was doing. I ran the first mile with Cassie & Sarah but after Sarah and I walked a little in the second mile, Sarah passed me too and I had no sense of time or speed.

It was unbelieveably hot and humid. It was pretty cool when I could pass someone, a little embarrassing when someone would pass me though. I was number 141 to finish with a time of 34:06 I think! So a PR (personal record for all my non-running readers) and better than my goal. If I had a watch I would have kicked it up a little at the end to get in the 33 minute range. Oh well, next time.

It was so nice to finally meet some of the Houston Running Bloggers! Vic, Barbara, Keith, Holden and Fran, Dave and son, is that all? I had already met Cassie, Manny, Sarah, Jon and Waverly. And I got to meet Jon's wife :)

Here are my latest runs:

August 6 - Total miles 1.78, Total Time 20:00
Mile 1 - 9:54
.78 - 10:06

August 8 - Total miles 2, Total Time 22:52
Mile 1 - 10:15
Mile 2 - 12:37

August 10 - Total Miles 2.32, Total Time 28:49 (with neighbor partner)
Mile 1 - 11:13
Mile 2 -12:08
Last .32 walked to cool down - 5:28

August 11 - Total Miles 2.5, Total Time 30:43 (with neighbor partner)
Mile 1 - 11:03
Mile 2 - 11:07
Last .5 to cool down - 8:31

Misc Ramblings

2006-08-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

I'm getting the hang of this blogging thing and it seems like a good enough place to just put your random stupid thoughts on too.

Our girls went to cheerleading camp last week and learned a silly cheer. We got online to see if it was out there somewhere or if our cheerleaders were crazy enough to come up with it on their own, believe it or not it's already out there! It's Peanut Butter and Jelly Time!!

Also today was my second treatment from my chiropractor. I'm going 3 days a week now to see if she can help my poor old body get back to a healthy state . . . . a tough job I know :) But hey, anyone who tells me I NEED a massage once a week for 6 weeks I'm going to listen to. SHe has this cool new machine called a ProAdjuster, it's Chiropractic meets NASA. The adjustments don't hurt at all, you don't have the familiar popping and cracking from regular chiro adjustments, just a few tap taps here and there and you're better. It's really so cool!

I've had trouble with my camera clicking hand, it's been swollen and sore, I thought maybe I had Carpal Tunnel or arthitis, but she checked it and said no to both. She's been treating that with acupunture. Edwin gets the heebie-jeebies thinking about it, but it really doesn't hurt. Feel like little scratches as the needles are smaller than the lead from a mechanical pencil. I found some images on google that shows how tiny they are. It's supposed to trigger your brain to send healing to the little scratched areas. She used 4 in my hand, two on my arm and two on my shoulder. Itched a little after she removed them, but it seems to be working.

I'm going running tonight so I'll post about that later.

Another 5k Day

2006-07-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

OK - this could start getting mundane to read. But I ran another 5k training distance tonight. I really need to run in the daylight. It's kinda scary running when you can't see your feet the whole way.

NOTE to new runners: When running in the dark (no streetlights around), when you see a cars headlights coming at you, lower your head and close your mouth. Otherwise, the bugs will flee from the light and try to land in your eyes, nose, mouth. And no matter what anyone says, THAT kind of protein is not good ;) I gagged on a few bugs tonight.

I feel like I'm getting some stamina built up though. I ran 1.85 miles non-stop tonight. And it's not terrible to go 3 miles. If you had told me 3 months ago that I would willingly go run 3 miles I would have laughed my butt off! But I really forgot how good exercise feels. Even if you are worn out and really stinky when it's over.

Here's the stats according to Pedro:
Mile 1 - 10:07
Mile 2 - 11:37
Mile 3 - 12:31
0.19 - 2:28

Total time: 36:44 I looked at my watch at 3.10 miles and time was 35:48. Splits were not impressive though. I'd like to get under 35 minutes before RTW HRB vs SHRC.

Almost 3 miles in the rain

2006-07-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

OK OK, Edwin has been on me to post my last run. I didn't even know he READ my blog.

So my last run was Wednesday I guess - I ran 2.77 miles in 31:12.

mile 1 - 9:58
mile 2 - 11:35
last .77 - 9:38 (12:27 pace)

I wanted to make it 3 miles but it started raining pretty good and I was scared of the lightning starting up so when I saw my street I headed home, didn't make another loop to finish the 3 miles. Not bad. And I did my first mile in under 10 minutes so Woo Hoo to that!

I went to Lufkin to visit my mother in law - it's so sad to see her deteriorating so fast. And my cousin got married so I photographed her wedding. She's a doll :)

I'll start running again tonight after I get back from a beach session. I have to get ready for the RTW 5k in two weeks! My first race since my running habit has started . . . .

I did it! I 5k'd

2006-07-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

OK - I finally just went out and did it. I was determined to go the whole 3.1 miles. So I took off about 8:15pm tonight. I had trusty Pedro, HR monitor, mp3 player, plenty of OFF and a last swig of water.

About 0.5 mile I felt a weird cramp-like feeling along the outside of my uppper thigh, weird feeling but it didn't hurt, so I kept going. I was surprised that I heard Pedro beep when I hit my 1 mile mark and had not stopped to walk yet. I saw two ladies running way up ahead of me and I tried to catch up to them to see who they were. I walked for one minute at this time, the one mile mark. Then started running again to see if I could catch them. Never did :) I walked another minute sometime during that second mile, ran a little, walked another minute of that mile and saw I had reached 1.5 miles so I turned around and headed back home. I ran all the way back I think, maybe a quick stop to let a car go thru an intersection but no walking.

Here's the stats! Notice the "negative split" on mile 3. Edwin laughs at me when I use "real" running words . . .

Mile 1 - 10:28 - (ran whole way)
Mile 2 - 12:01 - (walked total of 3 minutes)
Mile 3 - 10:27 - (ran whole way)
0.1 - 2:48
Total Time: 35:44
Avg HR - 184

I'm sure the reason I'm not losing much weight (though I did see a weird 2.5 lb drop yesterday after spending 4 hours at the beach chasing kids for pictures, my weight NEVER fluctuates) is because my heart rate stays too high, I'm not in the Fat Burning rate levels, I don't know how to lower that unless I just walk.

But I DID IT! Another goal accomplished. Weird thing is it didn't even hurt or make me tired. Maybe I can do it every run now . . .

Not much new .. . .

2006-07-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

My sister came down to visit and let me do some headshots for a portfolio and was complaining about her weight so I gave her a pair of tennis shoes (crappy ones though) and made her go running with me at 9pm last night.

She really did good considering she hasn't ran in a while. She never asked to stop running, though we did take a few walk breaks.

I stepped over a baby snake once . . . kinda freaked me out but I didn't tell Shawna, if it had been a big snake I would have screamed but he was only about 6 inches long and too little to bite me so I didn't worry about it.

We did 2 miles in 25 something . . .. . It was hot even at 9pm . .. . ready for winter weather.

Wow! Guess What???

2006-07-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

Edwin went to the track with me tonight - I didn't feel like going. I was tired. I couldn't sleep last night. I need to see my chiropractor/massage therapist because my shoulders and back are killing me right now (I carry my stress there) - so I couldn't get comfortable. I was awake from 2am-6am.

So this afternoon I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. But he dragged me up to the track anyways. I want to see if I can run a 5k, but I haven't made it past 2.5 miles yet. And running 11-13 minute miles at that.

Well, our first mile tonight was .. . . . (drum roll please??) 9:34! I know I walked maybe half a minute at one point, I was just winded. Then he let me walk a lap, 300 meters. Then we finished another mile at 11:12. I didn't feel this lap was any slower than the first except I walked a few more times. I have zero sense of time when running though.

After that, we played "soccer" with the girls for a few minutes. Our 3 year old will make a pretty good player one day, she could do the run/kick very well, suprisingly well for such a little one . . . .

So I'm glad he made me go.

Couple Days on Treadmill

2006-07-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

We finally joined the Rec Center here in town. It's a pretty neat place, though I wish they had a raquetball court. Since my calf has been bothering me I started using the treadmill. Thursday I went 1.5 miles on it, my leg was still tender, so I walked alot on it. I did 4 sets of ab work. Went back on Saturday and did the same thing, but went 2 miles in 26 minutes and did 4 sets of ab work.

It hurts to sneeze now! Running is definitely more boring on the treadmill. Nothing to look at except the clock. There was a TV on but they only have one channel on at a time and it was on sports. I didn't want to watch that, so I had my music, but nothing to look at. I need to get back outside. I've been tanking up on salt tabs, potassium and Gatorade. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

We played a little tennis today. I felt like I had lead in my butt or something. Just drained. I had an outdoor photo session right before that though and it was SOOOOO hot and humid. Maybe that drained me. . . .

And I don't plan on using this blog to promote my business, as I have another blog and website for that, but I am having some fun contests and prizes starting tomorrow, all week long. So feel free to check out that blog to see what's going on.

Try and try again

2006-07-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

OK gang, i'm not going to make my first 5k this weekend. I headed out again today for a try at a 5k distance. I got to the same spot as last time and my same leg cramped up in the same spot! Crazy. The cramp wasnt' as bad as the first one, but I knew I'd be sorry if I continued on and then couldn't make it back home. I was able to walk home at a comfortable pace. So 1.5 miles in around 17 minutes.

Oh well - I think I have alot to learn about hydration. I don't drink much water unless you count the water in a Sonic Route 44 tea. If you count that, then I have 44-88 ounces a day of water! I guess I'll start popping some salt tablets and potassium.

Thanks for asking Cassie :)

First Injury

2006-07-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

Man! I left out this morning at 9am to see if I could make it a 5k distance. I want to run the Lunar 5k next weekend but want to make sure I can GO that far. So Edwin told me which route to take that would be just a little over 5k. So I took off . . .

Let me preface this by saying - I went to Lufkin Wednesday evening, was there all day Thursday, so no running those days. Worked Friday, then had Date Night, no running that day. Saturday I had a wedding, so no running that day. By today I was starting to feel the soreness from the LAST run I had done. I guess if you run regularly you don't get that "Bad" sore feeling since you keep working it out.

Back to today . . . . I head out. Have Pedro, have music, feeling great. About 0.5 miles my left calf starts feeling like a cramp is coming on. So I walk a little bit. Then run a little more.

By 0.75 mile it feels like a Charlie Horse but it's not moving, just STUCK there. On the calf muscle. Sore to the touch, can't rub it out.

So I stop and try to stretch it out, flexing my toes against the curb. Feels good to stretch it. But put the foot back down and it cramps up again.

So I turn to head home, trying to jog a little. That doesn't work.

Have you ever put tape on a cat's paw? You know how when that paw touches the ground/floor the cat pulls that foot up and shakes it so as not to let it touch the ground? Yeah, that's how I looked walking home. It hurt to straighten it out.

Took 21 minutes to go 1.5 miles. Maybe I'll try later this week for a 5k.

After that I showered and went to church then spent the day with a girlfriend. THAT was way over-due. No Edwin, we didn't really have tickle fights. But we still had fun. Went and had pedicures & manicures, then walked and talked around the mall. She visited my studio for the first time and we just really had fun hanging out :) I'm hoping she'll start running with me ;)

Going to soak in a minute then beg Edwin to rub some Theragesic on my leg . . . we'll see how that goes.

Got Plant Problems?

2006-07-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the solution for people like me who kill plants. I just found this funny, maybe I"m weird.
Read more or to purchase Click Here.

10 things and more

2006-07-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

I didn't post on July 4 after I ran. But I had everything written out in my head. Here's my top ten list of Things a New Runner Notices, That Didn't Matter Before:

10: Running 2.5 miles after playing almost an hour of tennis is tough but makes you feel great!
9: People shouldn't put their trash and cut limbs on their sidewalk 3 days before trash pick up. It stinks and you have to run around the piles.
8: Not enough people water their yard, there were ZERO water sprinklers to run thru and I looked hard for one.
7: Some neighborhoods are scary to run thru alone.
6: People shouldn't grill outside in their front yard while people are running. That's just wrong! Even if it IS July 4. The smell is SO good.
5: To pass the time you can invent games. My new game was "One foot in each square on the sidewalk, no more." Until I got to the bigger squares in the sidewalk, then it was 2 steps in.
4: Obviously there are no new running games, Edwin said he already knew that one.
3: Never go outside without OFF, the mosquitos are fierce and like sweat obviously.
2: It's rather disappointing when your husband forgets to meet you outside with a waterhose and bottle of water.
and
1: The best part of a run is jumping in a COLD shower immediately afterwards. Ahhhhh :)

I cut 27 seconds off my previous goal. I wanted to run 30 minutes, 2.5 miles. I finished the 2.5 in 29:42! Woo Hoo! I was so excited I stopped running (I was in front of my house at the 2.5 mile mark) so I stopped the watch and ran to show Edwin. Kinda makes me sad that he's there to cheer me on and encourage me and the past few years I haven't taken an interest in his running achievements.

A word of advice - if you really love someone, be active in their interests, get to know their friends, whether you understand or not. Now go tell someone you love them, and you're sorry that you have not been supportive or understanding of their needs :)

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On a different note, I just got back from visiting my mother in law. It was good to see her. She's very frail, but sharp and pleasant. She's doing much better with all this than I am. And my father in law. He's so sad, it breaks my heart to watch when he just watches her, or brushes her hair aside. He's hurting and he's trying not to show it in front of her.

It was nice to be there to fix them lunch and just take care of them a bit. Visit and talk. I had to help pick out her burial clothes and that was very tough, but she wanted me and my sister in law to decide which of two choices would be best. And now we know then the time comes what she wants. So strange . . . .

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I took my kids to the Aly & AJ concert tonight. I guess they are still too young. Though they love to watch them on Disney channel, after one hour of concert they said "OK we can go home now." I said are you sure? Ashton, the oldest, said "Yes they sang my favorite song and it's too loud. We can go now."

So we did. It was beautiful walking thru downtown at night, though the fountain across from Verizon Theater was roped off with police tape.

But they liked it. So that's all that matters.

Sad Day

2006-07-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we got some sad news today about Edwin's mom. I'll let him share that when he's ready. But I've been crying all day. I worked from home today as I didn't want to deal with any clients with tears on the brink all day.

I just have to say a big thank you to my wonderful photographer friends around the country. I 've had 4 people, very talented and wonderful photogs, email/call me to say if I needed them to cover anything from sessions to weddings to running my studio for me that they would fly in to help me out. How can you find better friends than that? These people live in Florida, Dallas, Utah etc and would drop what they are doing to fly to Angleton, Texas to help a friend in need. That just brought more tears.

And to know that so many people have dealt with family members and cancer and can empathize with you and prepare you for what comes next. What invaluable friendships those are. I've only met these great ladies once in person, we chat alot online and are on some forums together. One of them I've not even met yet IRL, yet she volunteered to help me out. I love you guys!

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Edwin talked me into going out to eat since we didn't feel like cooking, not like we do much of that anyways. So after a Quesadilla Explosion salad at Chili's he encouraged me to run. I set out for 2.5 miles in 30 minutes. I missed it by 9 seconds. But still I did it! I walked alot. I think you have to wait more than one hour after eating, even a light meal, and DON"T drink half a bottle of water right before you go out. I'm learning the meaning of staying hydrated. Running is no fun when you feel the water sloshing around in your belly. Makes for pains in your side.

Here are the splits:
Mile 1 - 11:16 HR 164
Mile 2 - 12:45 HR 169
last .51 - 6:13 HR 174

Avg HR 168

Run after the rain

2006-07-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

I was kind of looking forward to going with Edwin to West Columbia for his speed training with his buddies, I was just going to run the track and maybe the bleachers. But I took a nap while it rained instead :)

I went out about 8:30pm - Pedro's battery was dead so I just took a stop watch. I ran 28 minutes and walked 2 for a total of 30 minutes. I know I went more than 2 miles but don't know exact mileage.

I put lots of OFF on before going out, the mosquitos are HUGE and just attack you! I still got a few bites even with the OFF.

Then got home and did 100 crunches. Gotta flatten this belly. I'm thru having babies so now have no excuse to keep a belly. No weight loss this week, that's kinda depressing. Not one single pound. I don't weigh myself every day. I actually have to MAKE myself step on a scale. Hate them. But I got on it today and not one single pound since last week. Ugghhh.

But I feel like I'm looking better. Maybe it's because I'm not hiding behind my "Winter Clothes" as Edwin calls my everyday blue jeans and black shirts I normally wear.

I did clean out my closet last week and threw out 4 of my black shirts. If you know me, you know that I wear black probably 5 out of 7 days. So that's a big step for me on my road to the New Me.

Wow another month gone

2006-06-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

I can't believe July is here tomorrow. I didn't run tonight - Friday night is usually Date Night for us, but we took the girls out to see Cars tonight. Great movie. Larry the Cable Guy really makes that movie :) If you haven't seen it, take your kids (or borrow someone elses kids) and go see it.

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I'm glad I took a week off for a vacation, but man, it's tough getting back in the swing of things at work. I have two weddings and a couple of sessions that people keep calling about. I know they are just excited to see them, but I haven't gotten to the point of giving up my control over proofing yet, so I'm doing it as fast as I can myself.

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Running has been good for me. I forgot how good it feels to have a little soreness in your legs, but it wears me out! I want to go to sleep earlier now. Which I guess can be a good thing since my sleeping habits are horrible.

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It's been interesting reading everyones blogs. I've read a couple of them here & there since Edwin has met other runners, but I have been checking out all the HRB members blogs and it's kind of neat to get to know everyone thru their thoughts. Plus it lets me know who I would be able to run with if ever given the opportunity.

Questions

2006-06-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

OK you seasoned runners. A couple of questions for you.

1. Is it more important to run your miles as fast as you can or run continuously for as far as you can??

Tonight I decided that I need to run for 30 minutes, regardless of how far I went. So I ran slower on purpose so that I wouldn't get tired. I also wore a heart rate monitor so I would know how much work I was doing. Not that I fully understand that yet either.

Mile one, continuous running - Time: 11:30 Avg Heart Rate:172
Mile two, walked first 30 seconds, ran continuously rest - Time 12:28, Avg Heart Rate: 179
Walked one minute - ran 0.43 mile, Time: 5:03, Avg Heart Rate: 179

Total time 30:01; 2.43 miles

Question 2:
Someone explain where I want my heart rate. I'm mostly wanting to be in fat burning mode right now and everything I've found online says my heart rate should be lower, but I can't run and keep my heart rate out of aerobic mode. So confused . . .

Anyone care to help me understand? I'm 31 if you need to know that.

Gooooooaaaaaaallllllllll!!!!!

2006-06-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Too much soccer in the background I guess :) Anyways, tonight I reached my first goal. I ran one mile continuously. I know all you seasoned runners think "Big Deal". But it IS a big deal.

Pedro was hiding tonight so I couldn't run in the neighborhood. I got Edwin's watch instead, as it can keep track of Laps, and went to the track. Took me a while to figure out how to use the darn thing. I've got so much to learn about the technical gadgets of running.

I ran with his mp3 player on and it was easier than running with no music. When Nellie came on it was easier to run faster, though I had to try hard not to start dancing, as the track had about 15 people running/walking. It's tough when "Shake your tail feathers" comes on to keep running in a straight path.

First mile (did I mention I ran the whole thing??): 10:18

Second mile: 11:43

I'm doing pretty good making this a habit, but summer is slow in my business, only 3-5 sessions per week, I hope to make this a good strong habit by the time my fall/winter rush hits.

I forgot to post on Monday. I ran two miles that day too, but much slower. Mile one, 10:46. Mile two 11:54.

Next goal is to go out for 30 minutes - run/walk.

I need a female running buddy . . . . .

Back to the real world

2006-06-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it home from a week long vacation today around 6pm. We took the time to unpack, start laundry, pick up some Sonic tea (which I've missed terribly!) and mexican food, then I started my 2 mile run. I can't wait for the day I can run the whole thing. I went a different route tonight. I stopped at the end of the block to talk to our neighbors who went to the same vacation spot we did but we never met up with them. THen started my run. First mile was 10:43, second was 11:33. I"m finding out some very interesting things about running.

First I can run a mile faster if I walk a little more in there. When my legs would get tired, I'd walk fast for 30 seconds then start running again. My second mile I realized if I took longer strides, I could run for a longer stretch. Don't know why, but even running more of the mile I was slower than taking the 30 second walk recoveries. Strange ..... but what do I know?

I realized that several years of listening to Edwin talk about fartleks, speedwork, overpronators and other things that I wasn't really interested in at the time, some of the things came to me as I was running and finally made some sense. I"m definitely an overpronator, meaning unless I really focus and pay attention I just look like a duck running out there, with my toes wanting to turn out. So especially when a car would come towards me I would focus on bringing my toes forward so I didn't look stupid. I think you have to "look" like you know what you're doing out there too, try not to look like your dying or out of breath.

Now I just need my own iPod .......

First beach run experience

2006-06-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday I had my first beach run. I waited until 8pm to run thinking it would be the best time to go. I didn't realize you have to be careful running out there when it's getting dark - dodging sandcastles, jumping over motes, watching out for people just strolling along not paying attention to you.

It's a good thing Edwin brought "Pedro" - a GPS watch/mileage tracker thingie I bought him for Christmas - I would have passed our hotel if not for Pedro as it was dark by the time I completed my 2 miles.

My times were much much slower. Don't ever run after a day of sun, a drink and a sunburn. Not good combinations. Plus the wind blowing in your face feels good but it's hard to run against.

My first mile was 11:53, second mile 13:46. I know, terribly slow, but hey I"m just starting out. It confuses me because I've always been somewhat athletic, up until maybe 3 years ago. Cheerleading, tennis, basketball, raquetball, aerobics. Not saying I was good at any of it, but I could do it and enjoyed it. So now something that should be simple like running - heck my 3 year old runs everywhere! And it's kicking my butt!

I am c0nsidering some races - just to see if I CAN do them. I've done one 5k in my life. It was pretty sad :) I think it took me 40 minutes or so to run the 3.1 miles or whatever a 5k is . . . . I even offered to pay a police officer $100 to drive me to the finish line. He just laughed at me, the nerve . . . .

Anyways, vacation is going great. We wish we could live here and not have to go back to the real world. It's so nice just being a family and doing fun things together, hanging out at the beach, the pool, playing tennis (we bought the girls little raquets too), went to Schlitterbahn today. We haven't been much of a family lately so it's nice to remember how to do that. And the girls have been so good, not fighting or anything like that. Nice.

I'm officially a spitter now

2006-06-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I've officially crossed a "line" today. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've actually SPIT in my life. I'm such a girlie girl. I may wear a ball cap alot, and not wear dresses often, but I'm still a girlie girl. But today I had to spit while running. Several times in fact.

I drank a ton of water an hour before we headed to the track but still, this Texas heat even at 5:30pm just makes you feel gross. I told Edwin later and he just laughed. But I found myself having to spit every lap or so.

I made it 2 miles in 22.5 minutes. My first mile was 10:09. Not a bad time for me. But after three laps on my second mile I told him I can't go any more. He told me to walk 30 seconds, run 30, walk 30 etc. I was able to finish out the second mile, but much slower than the first
mile. Second mile was 12:18.

I really don't see how people can continuously run 26.2 miles! Marathoners have a new found respect from me. Well, I think they are crazy, but I still respect their stamina.

I wish I had another woman close by who could run with me. Edwin does his speedwork at the track, so we are at the same place at the same time, but not actually running together.

Good news is I've lost about 3 pounds in the past week. So that's encouraging!

Off on vacation tomorrow, headed to Padre Island for a whole week, so I'll get to run on the beach for the first time!

Another day, a better run

2006-06-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

I ran 1.81 miles in just over 20 minutes. I actually ran most of that way, i found that once I was tired, it was actually easier to keep running at a slow pace than to start walking, walking hurt . . . . weird . . . .

Going to do some ab work.

Goal: to get back in a comfortable 8 again, a 6 would be nice. Maybe by Christmas?? 20 pounds is the ultimate goal.

My first post

2006-06-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

First of all I'm not a writer. Never have been.

Second I'm not a runner. Never have been.

But life had gotten mundane, marriage rocky, my physical self out of control. It's time for a change. I started running - if you want to call struggling to go one mile running. With a marriage that is taking on a new, better direction, and the need to drop 20 pounds I guess I'll try anything.

Plus if it gives me and my husband something to do together I'm willing to try, although I really hate running.

Today I went 1.5 miles at the track. Walked first lap, ran one, walked 100 meters, ran rest of lap and so on until I finished 6 laps.

Then off to the pool to cool off. I tried to swim laps, I'm so out of shape though that 4 laps killed me.

Maybe I'll start doing situps tonight too.