new year, new resolutions

1. deliver a healthy baby
2. lose the pregnancy weight by Labor Day
2. run a sub 1:50 half marathon in October (new PR)
3. log 600 miles (I'll have half the year at best)
4. start training for an early 2008 marathon

November: 9.25 miles

I remember the days just this last summer when running 9.25 miles in a single run was effortless and felt great. I haven't officially thrown in the towel just yet, but it has been two weeks since my last run. I may not run again until next summer. Call it a winter hibernation.

At any rate, I doubt there will be any posts on this blog until late June or early July. See ya then! Good runs to all.

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly run any slower...

I went out and ran twelve minute miles. I admit there was some walking included with that *run* to get that pace, but yowzers! I'm not even sure if that pace is still considered running.

I felt really great the other day and decided to go for a run during the afternoon. I can't remember the last time I ran in the afternoon. I took the baby with me in his jogger so this was quite a big deal for me. Not only was I out running in the afternoon, but I was also pushing my close-to-30 pound baby in the jogger, too! It wasn't a long run and it was pretty slow, but I felt awesome afterward.

I felt so good that I decided to rake the back and front yards. While raking the front yard, a friend in the 'hood ran by. She was pushing her son in the jogger and running with her two large dogs. Did I mention she is 13+ weeks pregnant?? Holy smokes. It totally burst my bubble and I really wish I hadn't seen her. Of course, she smiled and waved to me as they passed. Ugh.

I'm not an overly competitive person, but man oh man do I have my moments. That was one of them. I must keep running, no matter how slow the runs become...

October: 29.5 miles

My goal this month was to log at least 40 miles, but I just wasn't feeling it. I haven't run in over a week and my last run was horrible. I had gone out for 3 miles but stopped after 2.25 and walked my tired a$$ home. I haven't felt well these last four weeks and the cold mornings are not helping to motivate me. We'll see what happens in November (if anything!). I may need to go into hibernation and not run for awhile...

slowing down

Wow, did I run slow this morning...

M and I have been running together (with the jogger) for several weeks now but this morning he and our son stayed in while I went out in the 40 something degree weather for a little run. I decided to run an old favorite loop that is approximately 4 miles. This particular loop was a staple during marathon training. If nothing else, I made sure I got in this loop as a minimum. The first 2.25+ miles of it I used to run in less than 20 minutes. This morning it took me 24 minutes and I didn't even run all of it. I took a little walk break up the big hill to slow down my heart rate and another one later on in the run. My total distance was 3.34 miles and I averaged just over an 11 minute mile pace. Good grief. Wasn't I just running 8:20s not that long ago??

Portland Marathon

The next best thing to running in a race is being a spectator at one. We spent this morning cheering on friends at the Portland Marathon. For some, it was their first running of Portland but I think all had run at least one prior marathon.

We first staked out a spot near mile markers 7 and 11. It is the dreaded out and back portion of the course that takes you two miles down the industrial (read: non-scenic) part of Portland and back. Not so much fun for the racers, but great for the spectators because we get to catch them twice and we also get to see the elite runners as well as the 5 hour runners. Thomas wore his Halloween costume, a purple dragon, and it was definitely getting some attention from the runners. We also held up signs for our friends, waved pom-poms and rocked out with a cowbell. It was great fun!

After seeing the last friend pass mile 11, we jumped back into our car and drove across the river to the next viewing/cheering point. We found ourselves on the bluff in North Portland around mile marker 20. Again, we cheered on our friends as they each passed us by. They all did a fantastic job out there this morning! They were confident, strong, relaxed and looked to be having a great time. One friend even ran a Boston Qualifier this morning -- kudos to Carolyn! She totally rocked it. Another friend's husband finished in 2:37 and some change, also a BQ. Do you realize how fast one has to run (and sustain this pace for the entire 26.2 mile duration) in order to finish in that time?? I can't even run a single mile in 6 minutes.

I haven't run Portland, but it's on my list to run someday. I love that we are the same age, Portland and I. Maybe in two years when we are both 37 years old we'll meet up for a 26.2 mile run around town.

September: 61.5 miles

This was my lowest mileage month since last August 2005. Wow. Many reasons, but the short of it is that the miles just weren't there. I have a new game plan for October.

August: 82.75 miles

I wish I could have run more this month, but it's good enough. The 82.75 miles is still more than some people and better than those who don't run at all. Or so I tell myself.

Hood to Coast

The annual Hood to Coast relay was this weekend. It is the largest relay in North America and the 12 person teams cover a total of 197 miles. Each member runs 3 legs of the race which range from 3+ to almost 8 miles. It kicks off Friday morning atop Mt. Hood and finshes Saturday in Seaside, Oregon.

Friday night we stood at a nearby park to cheer on the runners. I realized then that it was my first time actually cheering for runners and not being somehow involved in the running. Kind of a cool experience. My 15mo clapped, blew kisses and waved at the runners. One guy even stopped to give him a "high five". It was fun but I stood there feeling envious of all these runners and not being a part of it myself.

However, when I crawled into bed that night I was glad to not be on some gravel road in the dark running by myself or trying to catch a few zzzzs while traveling down the road in a van full of sweaty, smelly people... Maybe next year.

Happy Feet! - part deux

Happy Feet likes the new shoes! Got out for a second short run today -- 3 miles at a 9 minute mile pace with one of my dogs. Bela is totally wiped out.

Happy Feet!

I bought new NIKEs today and I'm so excited to try them out. They are the same shoe as before, but a half size larger and in a new color. In honor of the new shoes, I thought I'd post a toenail update. There are additional photos in the archives (May 2006) if you want to see just how far this toenail has come.

May 2006
The pointer toenail was purple. No soreness or lifting at this point, just an undeniable color change in the nail. The big toenail is disgusting. Having fallen partially off, it's a mess. Original trauma was in February and some of the new nail has come in, but I wasn't able to cut all of the old nail off because it started to bleed. Yuck.

August 2006
The pointer toenail has fallen off and a new toenail was waiting below! It's shorter than I'd normally keep it, but it's a toenail! Complete and absolutely normal. The big toenail is also looking good. There is a ridge about halfway down the nail. The cuticle side of this ridge is totally normal and smooth; the other half of the nail is bumpy and still weird. But, it's growing in and it appears that it'll all look normal and healthy in the end. [Note: I say this because M also lost his big toenail during a marathon and it has not grown back in normally. It's been six years.]

July: 89 miles

This is the second month in a row that I did not log 100 miles. So what's a girl to do? Change her goals! I didn't say it, but my goal this month was to actually log around 75 to 80 miles. It's tough to get the miles in when you aren't running long runs anymore so somewhere around 75 to 80 miles is a more attainable goal for me right now. Yes, no long runs. My runs are generally between 4 and 6 miles these days. This is the sort of mileage I'd like to continue running for the long haul just to keep the blood pumping and myself healthy so when when I'm like 80 years old and my grandchildren want to run the local 5K, I can run it with them.

my addictions: running & coffee

I love running. I love coffee. My favorite way to start the day is to have a good run followed by a hot cup of coffee. Very little beats this. It really sets the mood for everything else I do that day. We were on vacation this week in the high desert of Central Oregon and where we stayed wasn't conducive to either running or grabbing a cup of coffee from a local coffeeshop. I was only able to get in one *run & coffee* this week while away. And I had to drive 20 minutes to get there.

As much as I enjoy being *away from it all*, it sure feels good to be home where I can step out the door for a run and Starbucks is just six blocks away.

My sub-5 minute mile!

So what if I wasn't running this sub-5 minute mile!?

I had planned to go out for a short run this morning with the jogger. I had everything ready to go only to find the jogger seat full of water. A sippy cup sat in the seat, leaking all night long. Not wanting to sit the baby in a pool of water and really wanting to get some exercise this morning, we went for a bike ride.

This morning's ride was only 8 miles, but took us all over the neighborhood and several miles were on the local rails-to-trails path along the river. On that path, there are mile markers every half a mile so I decided to time myself. With the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic last weekend (we saw some cyclists finishing Saturday evening -- 200 miles in 10 hours!) and the Tour de France going on, I wanted to see how *fast* I could pedal a mile.

So I timed myself and my one mile was cycled in under 5 minutes. Granted, I was on a mountain bike and pulling a 2-seater Burley with my 27+ pound baby riding along. But maybe 5 minutes is okay. It surely sounds fast.

However, those STP riders we saw finishing in 10 hours were averaging 20mph or 3 minute miles. That's a pretty good clip and to sustain that for such a long period? Amazing. I also can't help thinking that some people actually run one mile faster than I can bike it. Wow. I think my neighbor down the street is one of them and maybe J.P.'s spouse. Yowzers.

recovery run

Last week I ran a half marathon on July 4th and the next day went out for a short 3.25 miles with one of my dogs. It's called a recovery run. They are meant to be shorter in distance, slower in speed and they provide a great stretch following a big effort. I felt amazing on this recovery run. Every part of my body felt really strong and I felt like I could run forever. It was the first time I had run the day following a race, but definitely something I will do again.

This morning's run was also a recovery run of sorts, but not the same as last week. This morning's run was 2 miles and felt very slow. It was work. This recovery run though wasn't the day following a big running effort. Instead, it was the day after a bike ride so I'm not sure if that's really a recovery run. Different muscles and all, you know?

I took my 14mo son out yesterday afternoon for a 10 mile bike ride. I hadn't pulled the bicycle trailer before and it really wasn't bad except for hills. One climb in particular was pretty steep. In fact, the ADA signage posted at the bottom of the hill indicated the grade to be greater than 12%. Gears were shifting and my heart was pumping, but I pulled him up that hill. That was work in the 2:30pm sun.

Using those different muscles yesterday made the run this morning tough and it was only a 10 mile ride! This weekend is the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. Two hundred miles. On a bicycle. I've known people who've done it in the past and my neighbor is riding it this year. Two hundred miles. On a bicycle. Color me impressed.

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon

This morning I ran the Flat Half Marathon out at Sauvie Island. I ran this in 2003 but it was a much smaller race that year. This year's event included a full marathon as well as a half marathon for walkers. Friends and I ran the half marathon. I knew it was going to be a good race for everyone and that there would be many PRs. I think every one of us got a PR today. The weather was perfect for running and the course is super flat.

I haven't seen official chip times yet, but by my watch I finished in 1:54:40 (in 2003, I finished in 2:32 -- full sun and a hot day made for slow conditions!). Not a huge distance PR for me (I finished the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in April this year around 1:57), but it's still a PR and I'm happy to have run under the 1:55 mark. Maybe next time I'll go under 1:50. I knew my friends would all finish somewhere around 1:45 to 1:50 so I had planned to stay with them as long as I could, but they were ahead of me after half a mile. I passed the 4 mile mark in 33 minutes and knew I needed to slow it down. The 7 mile mark was passed in 58 minutes flat. Not slow enough. I knew there was no way I could maintain that pace and after mile 10 I began to incorporate some short walk breaks. It was a tough finish, but it felt awesome knowing I had a new half marathon PR. Also, the plus to finishing after all your friends is that everyone is there waiting for you!

M and our little guy were at the finish (along with other spouses and babies) and we all sat in the grass and ate some island strawberry shortcake. It was a great way to stretch, catch my breath and enjoy the start of a nice 4th of July day.

This run ends my streak of races this year. Since the baby was born last May, I have run a 10K, a 15K, four half marathons and a full marathon. My times have greatly improved over the last year and though I plan to continue running in the coming months, my mileage will likely decrease. I'm playing things by ear, but I have no other races planned at this point for 2006. Just lots of good easy runs for awhile...

[ETA: Official chip time of 1:54:21 for an average mile of 8:43. I finished #161 out of 506 total females and #35 out of 107 in my age group. I'm very pleased.]

June: 97.25 miles?

I'm always a bit disappointed when I don't log 100 miles for the month. I have been sick all week so I haven't run since Monday morning. I got out for 4 this morning, but they were slow and painful. I was coughing so hard at times that it just wasn't much fun. I'm a little concerned about a half marathon I have coming up, but maybe this forced taper is a good thing. Sometimes they are and can result in a PR so who knows. I just need to lose this cold first!

If I can find the energy, I may go out for the extra 2.75 miles later today. I just hate being so close...

summer sizzle

Got out for 14 good hilly miles this morning with the marathon training group. This is good for several reasons. It got me out there to do the miles. I got it done before the weather is too warm since we're heading for 90 today and 100 tomorrow. And I got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in months. All in all, a very good run.

Ahhh, now I can kick back and enjoy this warm, sunny weekend...

1000 miles!

It has taken me almost exactly one year to reach 1000 miles, but this evening's run put me over that mark at 1005.25 miles. I remember my first run after having our baby. It was five weeks post-delivery and the total duration of my "run" was about 15 minutes. This wasn't even a continuous 15 minutes of running. It was something more like 4 minutes of running alternated with 1 minute of walking. It was painful. It was slow. But I had missed running all those months and just couldn't wait to get moving. It sure feels great to be regularly running again!

[I even found a $5 bill on the sidewalk tonight! I don't think I've ever found something of value while on a run.]

Happy Running!

Running makes me a happier person. No question. I hadn't run since the half marathon, but got out this morning for a quick 3.5 miles in 31:13 (8:55 pace). It felt great to get a good stretch and feel the sweat drip from my ponytail...