Monday the 31st

Not my finest day of running. My shins are really bad from the run on Saturday, and I'm still sick with my cold. My cold's not too bad, but it makes me dizzy & today has been the worst. We ran for a little less than a mile & then streched & walked. As soon as I dared to suggest we run again, dizziness hit me hard & I decided I'd better just stick to walking. This cold has got to go away!! Thanks for sticking with me, Janell. Yes, sometimes I'm a wuss.

Running: approx. .9 mile, about 11:00/mi

Total: 2.95 miles, 46:28, 15:46/mi--I guess I really did force us to go slowly! Yikes!

Wahoo!!

8 miles, 1:31:15, 11:24/mi

My entire goal today was just to finish it, even if that meant walking. However, my prayers were answered: my lungs didn't bother me, my legs felt good, I had enough energy, and I didn't need to use the bathroom mid-run. It sure helped having Janell run along side me and music on the Ipod, too.

Janell and I ran the first 4 miles (well, we technically walked the first tenth of a mile getting our Ipods set). When we hit 4 miles, we walked for .25 while I ate my special jelly beans. I knew I needed to eat something before I felt my energy was drained. (I also ate toast & juice before running. I normally don't eat before.) After that, we pretty much ran the rest of the way, except for a really short bit when my ear buds got tangled up while getting water. We even (slow) sprinted to the end! Ha ha.

I honestly can't believe how good running felt today! So, so glad to have Janell to run with & so, so glad that my prayers were answered. If all runs felt this good, I could do it for a living....err, okay, maybe not. :)

Wednesday the 26th

Running: 27:30.44, ,2.43 mi, 11:19/mi.

I'm not sure on my totals. My Garmin had a really hard time finding the satellite this morning, so I started without it. At one point, it said my pace was much faster than we were going, too, so I'm not sure about that. The time and the mileage were the same as what Janell's Garmin said, though.

I still feel like I'm having a really hard time. Extra weight + being sick are what is making it tough, I think. I just hope I can do better for my Saturday run. By the way, Janell's going to go with me. Hooray! She seems to be doing much better at this running thing than I am. She did another 1/2 mile today when I was done. I'm having a hard time not being down on myself about my runs, but at least I'm getting out. I sure hope my cold is gone by Saturday...that just might make things easier!!

Monday the 24th

Running (w/ a few walks): 29:31, 2.56 mi, 11:31/mi

Total: 37:40, 3.06 mi, 12:18/mi

I felt pretty sluggish today, but by the end I felt like I could keep going. I've been mildly sick with a cold that just won't go away, so my lungs don't feel 100%--especially when I try to chat while I run! Janell's smart. She just listens to me while I talk myself out of breath.

I just tried doing the air squats that Ollie recommended. So nice to have a video to show me! They actually felt good to do! I wonder if they will help my back out, too, because I can feel it in my lower back--in a good way. I can hardly imagine running without shin pain, but I can't wait for some results!

All in all, I'm feeling good. I'm just gearing myelf up mentally for my 8 mile run on Saturday...and praying that Janell will do it with me!

Friday the 21st

Today was my/our first day timing our "Magic Mile". (See jeffgalloway.com)

Magic Mile--1 mi, 9:56.27, which is a...9:56.27 minute mile. Brilliant, I know.

Total (included a good dose of both running and walking): 2.99 mi, 37:14, 12:28 min. mile

My shins still hurt to run, but they hurt WAY worse when I walked. I guess as long as I can keep running I should be okay! I iced them after my run & also took some ibuprophen and I feel good tonight.

Shins

I thought my shins were going to fall off after my run today. They hurt SO, SO bad. Now my calves hurt. I must do lots and lots of stretching so that I can run again on Friday. And, yea!, Janell was able to run today! Apparently, she had been chasing me on Monday, but I didn't double back like I normally do, so she was never able to catch me. Sorry again!

Running: 2.64 mi, 29:16, 11:06/mi

Total: 3.05 mi, 36:09, 11:52/mi

I kept running anyway.

I sure felt like walking today. I especially planned to walk at my halfway point. But just before I got halfway, Chad (one of my many running neighbors) came up behind me. He said he'd been trying to catch me for a mile. So, that did it. I kept going. Instead of doubling back, I decided to follow him on his loop. He quickly moved ahead of me, but I could see him, and that kept me going. In fact, I'm pretty sure it made me run faster. When I wanted to stop and walk, I just make myself slow my pace a bit. Oh, and I passed my cousin, Courtney out for a walk. She said some encouraging words, too. That helped a bunch. And I made it!

One question: Are all of my runs as difficult as the last two? I'm not sure if all runs are unpleasant...but just have the reward of what I've done at the end...hmmm. I think my brain lets me forget from one day to the next.

Running portion: 25:46, 2.48 miles, 10:23/mi

Total: 35:21, 3.07 miles, 11:31/mi

Not too shabby for me wanting to walk!

Friday the 14th

SOOOO glad to get back with Janell today! I've put on about 5 pounds and since I haven't run in 8 days, it was a little more difficult. I'm just glad to be out again...and determined to stop eating so much crap!

Ran 2.62 miles in 31:17.73, which is 11:56/mi.

Total with warmup and cool down was 3.1 miles in 39:43, 12:50/mi.

Wednesday the 5th

I did 2.55 miles in 28:52, 11:19 avg. I only actually ran 2 miles. I meant to reset my Garmin when I started running, but I forgot. I'm pretty sure that I averaged 10 minute miles or less when I was actually running. I was pooped. I know that's not fast for a lot of people and it feels slow running it, but it was actually pretty fast for me. I hope to work up to being able to run a 10 minute mile for longer distances, though. And Janell, I need a running buddy again!!

Back in my running shoes again

I've been feeling depressed lately & I can't believe how much running did to lift my mood! I ended up running alone, but I should have a running buddy again after today. I did 2.77 miles in 30 minutes. That's a 10:50 minute mile average. I worked hard, but it felt good. In fact, I'm aching a bit today. So glad that I was able to get myself up & go.