Record-Breaking September

ALMOST a new PR...

What a month it's been so far! And it's not quite over!

First of all, I have LESS THAN SIX weeks to go until I run my first Half marathon!!! I am SO friggin excited!  :)

I had an AWESOME 10 mile run last Saturday morning with the Pooler CREW... my pace was FASTER than both my previous 9 and 8 mile run (which both happened to be just about the same pace) and my legs felt GREAT! I had my first ice bath afterwards. Which might have been a minor FAIL because I only got 2 bags of ice and had to supplement with the ice cubes in my freezer because my tap water wasn't cold enough. I think it worked though. It wasn't so bad for my first one! I need to do it more often!

It was also the second time running my longest distance EVAR of 10 miles. And I kicked that previous time's ass!! By about 16 minutes! Well, the first time I did it, there were multiple HUGE hills that I was not ready for...

Ice bath! (I know... I need a new pedicure)

I started putting my distance PRs on my "Completed Races and PRs" tab... to keep track of my fastest times for each mile distance. If you look at the page, almost ALL of the 4-10 mile PRs happened this month! That PDR is about to change too... the long run on October 6 is 11 miles...

We had a mock 5K race last Thursday morning... It was cool and dark, but I was ready to run! I have not run that fast since 2009 when I did my current 5K PR in the Race for the Cure that year (27:49), but if I remember correctly, that course was a bit short, so I the time that I posted in the photo above is truer. 9 minute miles, for 3.1 miles! I didn't think I was going to see a 27 at the end of my run...

And then this morning, I kicked even MORE ASS running 4 miles in 36:32! That's only a slightly slower pace than that 5K last week!

I attribute these record times to the cooler weather and running with a group. Running with people that are at your pace or slightly faster definitely helps push you to go faster than you would naturally go if you were by yourself. Plus the (huffed) conversations while running help with your lungs and also just helps to keep things less boring! It's a good distraction. :) I don't think I would have been able to train like this all by myself, I am SO thankful for my group!!!

That's not all... last week, I achieved my highest weekly mileage: 27 miles (Sunday, Sept 16 to Saturday, Sept 22)!

And to top it off, I am on track to complete another record monthly mileage total of: 78 miles for September!! Woohoo!!

New PDR - 10 Miles!

A view of DC on the Mount Vernon Trail

For my long run this last Saturday, I did TEN whole miles! I probably shouldn't have, but I was scheduled to do 7 on the training plan, but missed last Tuesday's morning run (I didn't wake up for the run - FIRST time ever missing a training run from oversleeping!) which called for 3.5 miles, so I wanted to combine them to get all the miles in at once. PLUS, no better time to do it while on vacay in the DC area (Arlington)! I'm visiting my BFF who just had a beautiful baby girl. They live right near an awesome bike/running trail - the Custis Trail - that goes on almost as long as you want to go and connects with other trails as well.

I did a 4-miler on the trail on Thursday. I went west on it for about 2 miles and turned around. The trail is mainly a bike path, so runners have to be aware of speedy bikes that fly by. Especially if you need to pass a slower runner/walker... you seriously have to check your blind spot before you pass. I didn't need to do that too many times because I was going pretty darn slow! The trail is very hilly and my Savannah trained body is not conditioned to hills like this. I love it though. Makes things more interesting and challenging. I tried to fly down the hills to make up for my time, but my body didn't let me – well really, my knees didn't like the downhill, so I took it easy. Damn 30s!

The morning of my 10-miler started out cloudy and I expected the clouds to stay and even get a bit of rainfall. Nope. It got sunny! Which was bad because I didn't put any sunblock on my face or tattoo. But even though it was sunny, it never got too humid - not Savannah humid anyway. The weather was awesome. I decided to do a warm up walk to the path (about half a mile) so that I could do a cool down walk back as well to add another mile to my distance (so I covered about 11 miles, but I am not counting the warm up and cool down to my PDR).

I decided to try heading east on the Custis trail this time, because I knew it merged with one of my favorite trails - the Mount Vernon Trail, which runs along the Potomac River. It even hooks up to the Wilson Bridge trail that Joel and I used to run when we lived there (I didn't go THAT far). The first half of my run was awesome and I felt great. Probably because most of it was downhill. I decided into my run that I'd take a 5 minute pit stop at the 5 mile turn around and eat my Honey Stinger chews and stretch. A bad idea. The stopping was good for catching my breath, but I don't think the chews or the stretching helped at all. :( I might have eaten too many, too fast because after I started back up again, my tummy felt weird. (Not so bad that I had to make a pit stop, though) And the stretching didn't help because I started feeling my hips get a bit sore on the way back.

So I went about 3 miles on the Custis Trail and 2 miles on the Mt Vernon Trail. On the last 3 miles of the Custis Trail is where I pretty much fell apart / gassed out / wanted to stop. The beginning of the 8th mile was ALL uphill. I tried to just keep a running motion – even though I felt like I was going super slow – but my thighs were not feeling it. So at some points I had to slow down and walk. The uphill didn't really let up until the beginning of the 9th mile where there were some declines and somewhat level ground. I ran out of water at this point, so I stopped my watch and mooched some A/C and water from a Giant that was on the trail. I started the watch again when I got back on the trail and had one more mile to go. This one wasn't so bad, although at the VERY END was a huge ass incline. On the uphill I was chanting to myself, "dig, dig, DIG!" Then finally I heard that sweet Garmin "BEEP" and reached the top of the hill and stopped my watch for T-E-N miles!! WOO!!

Despite my crappy last miles, I am pretty damn proud of myself for accomplishing this distance!!! I even had negative splits on the great first half of the run! Then it was all uphill from there. It really was an AWESOME trail. I would LOVE to train on this trail. I actually overheard one girl in a running duo say to her partner, "So we've done at least 13 miles, right?" And they just kept going and chatting as they passed me. I ate their dust. Awesome. I want to be able to run an EASY 13 miles and be able to have conversations while doing it! ONE OF THESE DAYS!!!

It's taper week next week with the training group. I sure as hell NEED it! I also start a 5-week CrossFit class on Wednesday... looking forward to getting my ass kicked! :)

Mid-July Update (sorry my subjects are not exciting)

It's the middle of the month of July and I have already logged 35 miles! Woohoo! I have at LEAST another 27.75 left for the month - which is what I have scheduled with the training group, but I always like to to go a little above the set schedule each week (or so has been the trend), so I'm sure I will do more. So if I just did the scheduled distances with the group, my total monthly miles for July will be 62.75 miles! Let's see how much we can add to that...

I've been out of town this past week in Atlanta for work. I managed to get my miles in as well as do a 4-mile race with my friend/coworker, Justin. Our boss threw a shindig at her lovely house the night before and we ate and drank and had a great time. We of course left way later than we should have and definitely ate more than we should have, but it was all so good (we had home made mac and cheese AND lasagna)! So on little sleep and full carby bellies, we went out and did the race the following morning. Not too bad for me - there were hills of all sizes on this course. A shock for my body, but I liked the challenge. I ended up finishing in 41:03.

7.2 miles into my new PDR!

Jen running through the beautiful Isle of Hope neighborhood

On the 4th of July, some of my running mama buddies and I did the Watermelon Crawl at Lake Mayer/Isle of Hope put on by our local Fleet Feet. There was a choice of a 6-mile or 8-mile course, and I did the 8 mile with Jen (thanks for popping my 7.1 cherry, girl! LOL). This was a new personal distance record for me!! The previous longest distance I had done was 7.1 miles (recorded by Nike+ in 2008). The Isle of Hope is an awesome place to run.

I'm testing out some new inserts for my flatass feet. I tried them on the 5-miler today, well one insert in the right shoe only. I tried both on last Sunday's 5k and my left foot started feeling funny (in a bad way) during the run. It says you have to get used to them, but today, I didn't feel like getting that foot discomfort on a long run, so I only used an insert in one shoe (right). I might just wear them both around the house or something to break them in more. I don't know. Or I might ditch them altogether. I guess "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" My arches/feet have not been bothering me at all, but I read that if you over-pronate due to flat arches, it can cause back problems and knee problems. My knees are pretty bad (thanks Dad!), and I get back aches sometimes after runs (which I figure is due to my scoliosis), so I figure I'd give it a shot. They make my feet feel like they are being pushed to the outside of the shoe. A weird feeling. We'll see.

Happy running!

I ran a half marathon!

...in the course of one week! :) It's a record for me, anyway. 13.6 miles to be exact (really more like 14 miles - see below), from Sunday to Saturday.

I'm excited to have started my official RnR half training with the Fleet Feet CREW Training Group! I had my first run with them last Saturday morning, which was a 3.75 mile course though some neighborhoods in Pooler. There was a little confusion as to which way the course was headed. I thought I studied the course pretty well before I left, but I ended up following the 2 leaders (maybe about 1 minute behind them) and they seemed to get a bit lost! I caught up with them for a while and we realized that we were off course and already reached 3.75 miles with a little more back to the start! I decided to break off and stop my watch at 4, and just slow to a jog to cool down instead of going with then to the end. I was probably pushing myself harder than I should have to keep up with them, coming off of my injury. That's one of my weaknesses... pushing myself too hard. I'm too stubborn and I think I can get back to my 9-10 minute/mile pace right off the bat. 2-3 weeks off from running really regresses the training. :(

Anyway, the course we ended up doing was a total of 4.44 miles! Next run is Tuesday for 2. Then Thursday for 3 and the long run on Saturday for 4 miles. I hope I stick with the course this time!

image via This Princess Runs

In other news, I found an awesome etsy shop that makes running costumes! This Princess Runs makes custom running costumes out of Under Armour... I ordered myself a Wonder Woman one! I love a good running costume and I plan to wear it for the RnR in November! And maybe again for the bridge Run in Dec. She is a fellow mother runner who mainly makes princess costumes - I think she started by making herself a princess costume for the Disney Princess Half. Check out the other costumes she has made!I am pretty darn excited about mine!

New Running Friends and Update on my Hip

The last part of April and beginning of May, I decided to start moving up to 6 miles for my weekend long runs. My weekday 5Ks were getting a tad bit slower, from averaging in the 29 minutes to now back to the 30 minute range. It's getting hotter so I wasn't too worried.

During this time, I ran many 2012 PRs (thus far):
6.2 miles at 01:04:32
4 miles at 38:34
(non-race) 3.1 miles at 29:06
and 1 mile at 8:40 (listed below as 8:35, but it was also short according to my watch, so we will go with 8:40)

Hip Update:
During my last 4.25 mile run, I seriously felt pain after the 4 mile mark - it was supposed to be a 6+ mile run, but I had to end it early. I guess all the running on the bum hip caught up with me and it just flared up on me at that point. It sucked. I had to walk back home.

I went to an orthopedist the week before who referred me to a Physical Therapist who told me that my hip injury was due to a tweak during a treadmill run... I knew those things were EVIL!! He recommended rest and very light, non-repetitive activity (including running and even elliptical) for 2 weeks. It would probably need a full 4-6 weeks to heal. He wasn't able to pinpoint exactly what was causing my strain, and also told me take Ibuprofen twice a day for 2 weeks - which sounded crazy. So at the advice of my new friend Jennifer (read on below), I went to see another trusted PT, who runs marathons. He told me that it was my IT band. He pretty much said to take it easy, do other forms of cardio in the meantime, but it would take about a month to heal. He told me to use a foam roller on it, which we have, and to do a few of the same stretches that the other PT told me to do. I also got a chance to try out the Alter-G treadmill which takes off some/most of your body weight so it doesn't impact your joints when you run. It was awesome.

So for now, I'm going to try to give it a rest for maybe a week or two more and slowly get back into running. I want to join the RnR Half training group soon!!!

Let me tell you, it SUCKS not being able to run, especially after I meet some new awesome running buddies!!

My first new friend I met through Dailymile.com. Cori lives quite a way from me, but luckily she was willing to drive 40+ minutes to meet me at Tom Triplett Park one morning to do a 5 miler. It was nice to have someone to run with that is around my pace. Chatting away while running makes the time go faster and more enjoyable! She has a blog, Workin' on my Fitness, which I will be adding to a blog list on the side of this blog soon...

Cori then introduced me to a Savannah Mothers Running group on FB (momsrunthistown.com Savannah Chapter), where I met a few more awesome potential running buddies. Hope to have another meetup again soon!

Jennifer and I after the Savannah Mile

Through this group, I met Jennifer, who just so happens to be my 2 doors down NEIGHBOR!! LOL She has a 12 year old who runs as well - and is quite FAST! We did the Savannah Mile on Saturday, and I hope to do some runs with her as soon as my hip is healed. She has a blog too: Running, Our Way.

So even though I can't or shouldn't run for a while, I really can't wait to get back into it. These girls are really motivating and supportive. I just wish I could get out there dammit!

For now, I am going to try to work on my strength (full body), make my hips stronger, continue to go to Bikram (just have to save up for another month session) and MAYBE start working on my diet... I also need to break out the rowing machine at some point. Just have to clean out that damn garage first!!! :)

Happy belated Memorial Day!

Getting Faster

So the screencap above are my latest runs from March up until my last run a couple days ago. The two runs at the top (my last two) are starred because those are my fastest paces for 4 miles (9:37 pace) and 3.1 miles (9:24) for the year!! It seems like after I broke my 30 minute 5k time, I have been keeping up with it! It's a good feeling. I am trying to increase my distance slowly - by adding a few more 4 milers in during the week (although doing 4 around the 'hood is one of the most boring runs EVAR!). I was going to do my usual 5k lunchtime run today, which I was seriously going back and forth multiple times as to whether I would go or not... I was about to put on my running gear when I changed my mind at the last second NOT to go. My left shin has been a little achy and my right hip (which has been bothering me for the past 3 weeks) is still tight and sore. I'm not running a race any time soon, so I decided that I need to give my body a rest and NOT push it today. Plus it's over 80 degrees out there. Ugh.


I want to calculate my month to month progress (average pace) and report it here. Garmin's website does it, but it doesn't show the time, it shows the average speed (like 6.0 mph, etc). For my purpose, I will need to break out the calculator! I'll try to do it on my next post.

I also want to schedule a physical therapist consult to see if they can help me with my hip issue. I don't want to make it any worse. Icing helps, but it comes right back.

I signed up for another 10 classes of Bikram (which I have to use in 30 days). I went yesterday and I will probably go tomorrow night. I also got one of my friends to do the other yoga classes with me! We will go to that one every Saturday morning (if our schedules and families allow). I went for the first time in over a month and even though the poses were not as physically demanding as Bikram, I still got a great stretch. And it's more fun with a buddy!

I REALLY need to start working on strength training. So far, the yoga has DEFINITELY helped with running and knee pains. So I am sure that with the extra strength training, I will reap more benefits. I really need to work out my core and flabby arms. Once we get our home gym set up in the garage (Our shed will be built this month - come hell or highwater!!! The shed is where everything in the garage will eventually be stored), I will be able to cross train on my rowing machine and use Joel's weight bench. Then maybe after I get the strength training down, I will finally work more on my diet!! One step at a time!!! :)

Up and At 'em

So I'm getting back into somewhat of a groove of getting my fitness on! I've got 2 different types of yoga (fusion yoga and Bikram) in addition to my running, so I am feeling great about that!!!

photo from http://bikramyogasavannah.com/

I started my Bikram yoga classes (26 yoga poses and 2 breathing exercises in a 105 degree room), on a whim... it was mentioned in one of my fusion yoga classes and the idea of it just got me interested. The Bikram studio here in Savannah offers a $25 ten-day unlimited introductory period and I went 4 times in my intro span. The first 3 classes were awesome and I felt great --- thinking  "hey, this isn't so bad! I could do this multiple times a week if I had the time!"), but the 4th class last night was very challenging. I don't know whether it was my first PM class (the first 3 - I went in the morning) and had a kind of heavy lunch... or what. Because I was getting dizzy, almost to the point of blacking out, and felt just plain WIPED OUT! I really wanted to leave at one point, but they are really against leaving the room in the middle of the hour and a half class, so I fought through and tried to focus and do the poses to the best of my ability. I am glad I did.

The heat isn't so bad, but the sweat is the gross part. What I like about hot yoga is that because you are sweating, it feels like your body is working really hard. Also, I've had noticeably decreased body aches since I started.

Anyway, other than that, I've been running as well. Instead of listing my progress like I have done in the past, I will just post this screencap from my garminconnect.com profile which pretty much sums up the last number of runs since I last updated. My DailyMile.com profile has the FULL fitness training log.

The starred run is my 5K PR for this year so far - 30:12. I hope to break 30 minutes on March 9th. I signed up for the Savannah Shamrock 5K Run. I've run it a couple times before - it's a flat easy course, so I should be able to do it! I also just signed up for another 5K at the end of March. Woohoo!

2011 Savannah Bridge Run 5k and Runs since then (sadly, not too many)

The 2011 Savannah Bridge Run took place shortly after we moved back to Savannah. I can't remember if I did a "training run" before the race or not... Anyway, I ran the 5k race in 32:41, honestly it was better than I thought I'd do considering the lack of runs beforehand. This event is somewhat dear to my heart as it is one of the first races I've done and trained for, and is also the race that I have done the most. They have some of the best post-race parties: with yummy Brunswick stew and free beers!! Plus a lot of my friends have run it too. It's a great race. I posted some photos from this race in the Race Photos tab.

I only ran once after that in Dec 2011. And so far 3 times in 2012! My goal is to run at least every other day, with longer runs (eventually) on the weekends. I need to get in half-marathon shape by November!

Since Liam is in daycare now, I can use my lunch breaks to get a run in because I would not be able to otherwise. It's pretty awesome.

+++

1.
Wilson Bridge Trail
November 13, 2011, Sunday
7:46am
4 miles
44:10, 11:02 pace

2.
Savannah Bridge Run 5k
December 3, 2011, Saturday
8:19am
3.1 miles
official times: 37:19 (chip), 10:31 pace

3.
Newport (my Neighborhood in Savannah)
December 14, 2011, Wednesday
12:19pm
3.1 miles
32:03, 10:20 pace

4.
Tom Triplett Park
January 2, 2012, Monday
late morning
3 miles (approximate, I forgot my GPS watch)
n/a time unknown

5.
Newport
January 6, 2012, Friday
12:18pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace

6.
Newport
January 10, 2012, Tuesday
12:30pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace (NOTE: Exact same time as last run!)

4 miles - WIlson Bridge Trail

September 5, 2011, Monday
8:17 am
4 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
46 minutes (approx.)

I improved my time 4 mile time by 4 minutes - the last 4 mile run was in July (50 minutes - approx).

The weather was awesome. It had just rained that night and looked like it was about to rain again: it was cloudy. I took it easy because I knew I hadn't run this distance in a while and I just wanted to be able to complete it, not really pushing myself. I did not have to stop at all, I even tried to pick it up at the hard hill at the end. It also rained a little bit at the end of my 4th mile so that was a nice refresher/pick-me-up.

I will probably do a couple miles at the park tomorrow, and then the 5k is Saturday morning!

Thinking about getting inserts in my shoes, but I don't know if I will have time. I'd like to run in them before the race which means I'd have to get them tonight to use them on my run tomorrow. Maybe next time.

4 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

July 31, 2011, Sunday
7:30 am
4 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
50 minutes (give or take)

Did 4 miles this morning, which meant that we ran on the bridge. It was long and hard. There was a breeze on the bridge, but although it felt nice, it was probably making it a bit harder with the resistance. I had to stop once to fix my shoe - my foot was going numb and started to hurt around my toes, so I loosened the laces quite a bit. I also had to walk twice during the 4th mile at the really steep hill parts.

I was surprised that my time was not noticeably faster than the first time we did this mileage (on July 4th). But I guess my week off (yes, ANOTHER week) did not help!

One great thing is that this is the first run this year that I didn't experience ANY gastrointestinal issues (haha), so that must be some type of progress! I chugged a Metamucil cocktail before we left, so I'm thinking that may have helped.

Also, no knee issues this time, but I am feeling some oddness in my kneepit on my right leg. I stretched, but it still seems to be there. Never felt this before.

4 miles - First Run on the Wilson Bridge Trail

July 4, 2011, Monday
7:30 am
4 miles - not officially measured, just based off Joel's GPS watch (that he wore, not me)
50 minutes

Started on the MD side by the National Harbor. Did not quite make it to VA, the MD part before the actual bridge was longer than expected (over a mile). The bridge section is long (and not shaded - thank goodness for clouds!) - I think the entire bridge is a mile itself! 2 miles out was around the drawbridge's tower. We turned around at that point and went back to complete 4 miles. I ran/jogged up until maybe beginning of mile 3. I had to walk due to some cramping. Ran-walked until back to start to complete 4 miles. There is a steep hill at the beginning that is difficult to climb up at the end!