S April 30, 2006 run 8 miles
Time: 11:00 am Temperature: 50° Precipitation: none,
Length: 8 miles 90 minutes
Route: House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 11:37
MP 2 to MP 3: 11:00
MP 3 to MP 4: 10:57
MP 4 to MP 5: 11:50 new terrain that I wasn't used to
MP 5 to MP 4: 10:59
MP 4 to MP 3: 11:16
MP 3 to MP 2: 11:23
MP 2 to MP 1: 11:05

so I ran in the morning today, this it new for me. I didn't really exert myself on this run, it was a nice easy 8 mile run. I played soccer again on Thursday. I don't really want to do that again. It felt like I pulled my quad a little just kicking the ball in warm up. We didn't have any kind of a game, just a 4 on 4 situation with cones for goals. It would have been fun if the teams were mixed but it seemed like everyone with soccer experience was on one team and all others were on the other team. Since that was the team that needed help when I arrived, that is where I went. It wasn't fun. Just at the end I tried to to turn quickly and jammed my toe nail. I think running straight ahead is challengeing enough for me for now. Maybe in the future I could work in some ball. I should start working on going faster. I also need to work on actually signing up for the race. I have not yet done that. small detail.

Tuesday April 25, 2006 ( and Sunday April 23)
run 5 miles 53:42 minutes
8:00 pm Temperature: 48° Precipitation: none,
Route: House to MP 1: walked
Gate to MP 1.5: 4:30
MP 1.5 to MP 2: 5:23
MP 2 to MP 2.5: 5:15 10:38
MP 2.5 to MP 2: 5:19
MP 2 to MP 1.5: 5:27 10:46
MP 1.5 to MP 1: 5:08
MP 1 to MP 0.5: 5:29 10:37
MP 0.5 to MP 0: 5:25
MP 0 to MP 0.5: 5:28 10:53
MP 0.5 to MP 1: 5:24
MP 1 to Gate: 0:50 10:44

I have no idea why I listed the half miles, I guess because I trying a new route. I wanted to see if my longest half mile would be different if I put it at the front of the run instead of on the way home. My run felt terrible today. It took me two miles to get into it and by that time it was dark and I was nervous running by myself. At one point on the trail there was a guy on the next to a camp fire in the grass. Weird.

Sunday April 23, 2006
run 7 miles; 1 hour 17 minutes
Time: 7:00 pm Temperature: 55° Precipitation: none,

MP 1 to MP 2: 10:37
MP 2 to MP 3: 10:47
MP 3 to MP 4: 10:36
MP 4 to MP 4: 11:00
MP 4 to MP 3: 11:15
MP 3 to MP 2: 11:15
MP 2 to MP 1: 11:26

Here is my deal. I played soccer like I planned. It was almost the death of me. I am in my 40's what business do I have playing soccer. This is a group of women who play against each other because playing on the co-ed teams isn't that appealing. Well on Thursday they orgainized a pick up game against the PA under 16 girls. It was nice to have some semi competition but I really overdid it. I was sore from moving muscles I haven't used in two years and I got blisters on my heels. I was worried that I ruined my running momentum. I could hardly walk on Friday and Saturday but by Sunday I felt better. So, to answer your question about my shin, it was just an ache turning into a pain. I have had shin splints before and it felt like I was on my way to getting them again but I haven't felt it since last week. We will see if it comes back after another 8 mile run. Andrea and I went for a short bike ride on Monday because I was getting sore again. We should have done that on Saturday to alleviate some of my pain.

I am thinking of playing soccer again this week. I have some really great blister pads to keep that from happening again and it won't be a game situation so I can won't be as fanatical. We will see if it fits into my work schedule.

T April 18, 2006 run 4.5 miles 48:12 minutes
5:45 pm Temperature: 50° Precipitation: none,
Route: House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 10:43
MP 2 to MP 3: 10:46
MP 3 to MP 3: 10:24
MP 3 to MP 2: 10:34
MP 2 to MP 1.5: 5:43

My cat peed on my running clothes. Not my nice new jacket – lucky cat – but some other stuff. Mostly running bras. Maybe this is her way to tell me that I need new sports bras. My current ones are chaffing in spots. It would be good to get ones of a different design just to move the chaffing to new places so I don't get sores. When we were shoe shopping in the New Balance store I picked up some body glide which has helped some. Helped with the chaffing not the cat pee. Life is beautiful in the Northwest.
My run felt pretty good today. It seemed long but that might just be because I was listening to a book on tape rather than music. I was just trying it out. I think I like music better. Or it might just be that the book is one of those insane serial killer books. I had a dull ache in my left shin but I stopped noticing it at mile three. I am not sure if it went away or I just stopped thinking about it. I want to play soccer on Thursday. I will try to fit a bike ride in on Wednesday. I don't like when things mess up my schedule. Like dinner the other night, I was forced to run fast or change my running plan. I like my long runs on Sunday and I don't like to run the day before or the day after. That is what my entire schedule is based on.

S April 16, 2006 run 8 miles 1:27:48
Time: 5:45 pm Temperature: 55° Precipitation: none,
Length: 8 miles many minutes
Route: House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 11:01
MP 2 to MP 3: 11:00
MP 3 to MP 4: 10:54
MP 4 to MP 3: 11:10
MP 3 to MP 2: 11:08
MP 2 to MP 1: 11:03
MP 1 to MP 0: 10:57
MP 0 to MP 1: 10:35

Well whadyaknow. I just ran 8 miles. That is one of the longest runs I have ever been on. I have almost 2 month to get ready for my race. If I don't hurt myself I think I can actually do it. Here are some things about today's run. My shin hurt in the first 1-2 miles. Just an ache, not real pain. My knee felt tight at he 4-5 mile mark. I don't know what that means.

I had a brush with greatness yesterday totally independent of my running training. I was standing in line at Swain's behind Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis and the News. Of all random things to happen in my life.

F April 14, 2006 short run 4 miles
Time: 7:10 pm Temperature: 55° Precipitation: none,
Length: 4 miles 40:57 minutes
Route: House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 9:49
MP 2 to MP 3: 10:21
MP 3 to MP 2: 10:21
MP 2 to MP 1.5: 5:36*
MP 1.5 to MP 1: 4:49

So Today I found out that I get to keep my job for one more year at least. yippee. and now to go out drinking. Thats what this run was all about. I didn't get out on Thursday so I had to go today but I got home really late and we were meeting friends for dinner and beer. Thus the shorter distance and quicker time. All motivated by beer. * this was that same slow half mile.

T April 11, 2006 short run 5 miles
Time: 5:30 pm Temperature: 55° Precipitation: none, beautiful sunshine.
Length: 5 miles 53:48 minutes
Route: House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 11:22
MP 2 to MP 3: 10:39
MP 3 to MP 3: 10:26
MP 3 to MP 2: 10:26
MP 2 to MP 1.5: 5:40*
MP 1.5 to MP 2: 5:10

Dogs: Many Other Joggers: Many
* this is the uphill section through the water treatment plant. It always seems like my slowest half mile.

S April 9, 2006

Time: 5:20 pm Temperature: 48° Precipitation: drippy but not windy
Length: 82 minutes- 7+ miles
Route:
House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 11:28
MP 2 to MP 3: 12:13
MP 3 to MP 4: 11:22
MP 4 to MP ?: 6:36
MP ? to MP 4: 6:19
MP 4 to MP 3: 11:30
MP 3 to MP 2: 11:13
MP 2 to MP 1: 11:01

Dogs: 1 Other Joggers: 2 Cyclists: 1
Eagles: 0 Dead Mice: 1 Banana Slugs: 30 Great Blue Heron: 1 Seagulls and Ducks: countless.

So here is the deal with my numbers. I set out for a 7 mile run, 3.5 miles out and 3.5 back. The first three went fine but then I couldn't find the mile marker so I turned around after 6+ minutes. I found the marker 45 seconds after turning around. 6:36+6:19-1:30=11:25 which is consistent with the 11:28 average of the other 6 miles. I felt pretty good on the run so maybe I shouldn't worry too much about my legs. There is a group of women trying to put together a pick-up soccer game. I am thinking of using this as my cross training if it fits into my work schedule.

Friday April 7, 2006
Time: 6:30 pm Temperature: 52° Precipitation: None
Length: 49 minutes- 4.5 miles
Route:
House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 2: 11:19
MP 2 to MP 3: 22:21 I missed the button, you are going to have to subtract.
MP 3 to MP 3: 10:46
MP 3 to MP 2: 10:28
MP 2 to MP 1.5 5:18

Dogs: 4 Other Joggers: 0 Cyclists: 1
I didn't feel like running today as you know by now if you got your messages. I haven't felt like running due to a slight ache in my shin and knee, and tight calves. I did go for a bike ride again yesterday. My schedule is all messed up. I thought I would just be able to pick up where I left off but I am afraid of both over doing it and not doing enough. And I REALLY don't want to get shin splints. I am hoping the bike riding helps with that. My plan is to rest tomorrow and try a 7 mile run on Sunday. If that feels okay I will just pick up from there. If I am too sore on Monday I am going to just try short runs for a couple weeks, maybe with some bike rides. I love Daylight Saving Time. I should add that I saw the bunny again today, the fluffy, been living on carrots and has a warm place to sleep black and white bunny. It was exactly one month ago that I saw that bunny the first time. There is no question that it is Spring now.

Aren't my posts boring since I have the iPod and do not have to entertain myself. I still entertain a bit. I find myself changing the words to songs, refiguring the themes to be about runnning. So far the best running song for me is Dolly Parton singing "9 to 5". I don't even have to change the words. Maybe I will make a running list for the marathon with that song repeated every fourth song. Or synchronize it to play when I will be tackling a hill.

W April 5, 2006

Cross trained. Rode my bike on the trail up to MP 6. I love my new gears.

T April 4, 2006

Time: 2:45 pm Temperature: 52° Precipitation: None, another beautiful sunny Pt. A day
Length: 70 minutes- 6+ miles
Route:
House to MP 1: walked
MP 1 to MP 1.5: 5:17
MP 1.5 to MP 2: 5:28 10:45
MP 2 to MP 2.5: 5:38
MP 2.5 to MP 3: 5:49 11:27
MP 3 to MP 4: 11:28
MP 4 to MP 3: 11:06
MP 3 to MP 2.5: 5:40
MP 2.5 to MP 2: 5:32 11:12
MP 2 to MP 1.5: 5:45
MP 1.5 to MP 1: 5:36 11:21
and then I ran around for 2:44 just get in the 70 minutes.

This means it took me 67 min 22sec to run 6 miles. I was not worrying about pace. I just wanted to get in a run since I haven't run since March. I attribute the differences in pace to song selection on the iPod. Rather than set up an orgainized list, I put the songs on random. This worked well
As you may have surmised, I didn't run while in Seattle. There was an exercise room which had treadmills and one elliptical trainer. I just never took the time out of my busy day of relaxation and shopping to do anything. I was a little worried about getting hurt. Ever since my 75 minute run I have had more aches. I fear that I am getting shin splints. I thought the elliptical trainer would be good to diminish the strain of impact but just never got to it. So I just gave myself permission to take some time off. And today I was right back on the horse with what should have been my Sunday run. Now that it is daylight savings time I will have any easier time fitting in evening workouts. I also got my bike out of the shop. I got new sprockets to make my gear ratios more usable. I am eager to actually do some cross training on my off days.