Today was a jam-packed fun day. Except for the GPS hiccup this morning.
Today was the long run. It was six miles, which I've done before and wasn't worried about doing again. I ran through the Zachary neighborhood twice and then my usual neighborhood loop twice. Before I started running I checked the time on my phone to make sure I would have enough time to do the run and get back with enough time to clean up and meet Angela for brunch. The phone said 7:00. I knew I'd be OK, so I started out and hit the start button on the GPS. I felt a little sluggish at first (probably the cupcake from yesterday) but not bad. I thought I was doing pretty well.
I finished the six miles and hit the stop button. The GPS showed 1:05:42. I started walking back to the house. A minute or so later I got a text message. I checked it and it was from Angela confirming the time we were to meet. The clock on the phone said 7:58. Huh? It should have said at least 8:07. Now I have doubts about my training to date. Did I really do sub-10s the other day? Did I do six miles today? Weird. I'm going to look into getting a new one. I'm currently running a test, the GPS vs the phone. I have the timer on the phone set and started the GPS at the same time. I may have an answer in 30 minutes. I'm concerned because this could be the difference between 11 minute miles and 10 minute miles. To me that is a big deal.
I met Angela and family at the Scenic Diner. The food was excellent! The coffee was a little weaker than I like it, but my brunch was yummy! I ordered the Portobello Sunrise, a portobello cap with spinach and scrambled eggs on top. It also comes with red peppers, but not for me. I got a side of potatoes and onions and they were so good! I would rank them above Waffle House's hash browns any day.
After brunch Angela and I went to Kohl's to go shopping. She insists that my pants are too big and I look bad. She is right, but I hate shopping for clothes. I knew Angela would give me an honest opinion, as in "yes, that does make your butt look big". We picked out five or six different pairs and tried them on. I have confirmed that I dislike "at the waist" jeans because the look bad on me. But I did enjoy this shopping trip because the running has made a huge difference in my body for the better. I had to drop a size. Woo hoo! I also saw a cute little lightweight cardigan and I grabbed the large size. Too big! The medium fit perfectly. There was a cute little sweater dress. What the heck, I'll try it on. I took both the M and L into the dressing room. The M fit great, except the cut of the fabric didn't work with my body shape. I felt really good about that. I got three pairs of jeans and the sweater. I think I will look fabulous in the new (smaller) pants.
After dropping Angela at her house, I came home and got ready to bottle the Malbec. Hal and family showed up with the corker. What a cool machine! It went fast. I filled thirty bottles, although the last bottle was not completely filled. It will probably oxidize and be lousy, but I didn't want to just pour it down the drain. I did take a sample because I was really worried about the significant amount of water I had to add after the primary fermentation. It tasted like it had potential, so I'm encouraged. It might just need a lot of aging.
As I write this post I am watching the GPS. It is sitting on the couch, yet it is indicating that I have gone as far as 98 feet. Now the distance has been going back down and is at 31 feet. I find it odd that it would register any distance. Even if it had a satellite signal, it should indicate that I am stationary. There is no pace registering, but the distance is. Strange.
So that was my day. Busy yet fun. Tomorrow I have to set up Skype at the shop connected to the TV so that I can ensure the videoconference Friday night will go well. I'm also going to look at GPS units and I have to go to the grocery store. There's also laundry and cleaning to be done. Thankfully it is a rest day from running.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Walking in a sea of pink
Today was the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Mall to Mall Walk. We walked around three miles from University Mall to Cordova Mall. Team Yarnside Gathering did a great job of raising money for the cause. I think the final tally is around $2,300.
It was quite inspiring being around all the survivors and all the people who support the cause. There must have been thousands! I guess it gave me a little preview of the number of people who will be running the Disney Half Marathon. It'll take a while just to cross the start line!
The team and I did the 2.72 miles in an hour and eight minutes, give or take. It was quite leisurely and we all were able to stick together. I really enjoyed the camaraderie. Here are some pictures:
It was quite inspiring being around all the survivors and all the people who support the cause. There must have been thousands! I guess it gave me a little preview of the number of people who will be running the Disney Half Marathon. It'll take a while just to cross the start line!
The team and I did the 2.72 miles in an hour and eight minutes, give or take. It was quite leisurely and we all were able to stick together. I really enjoyed the camaraderie. Here are some pictures:
Friday, October 29, 2010
Cool run
It was cool today. Around 50 for the morning's run. The humidity is probably in the 70s and the winds are there, but not significant. Big change from yesterday!
I went to Sports Authority yesterday to look for cooler weather gear. I got a pair of tights and a long sleeve tech shirt. I bought a pair of capris and a long sleeve cotton shirt on Monday. I decided to try the tights and cotton shirt today. Oh, and my new hat, which I got when I got Carol's for her birthday. Mine says "Will Run for Wine".
At first I thought I had made a big mistake with the tights. They fit great in the dressing room, but they didn't want to stay up the first half mile today. I thought I would have to turn around and change. Somehow they decided to stay put and the run was quite pleasant. I really liked wearing them. They're very comfortable and they just feel good. I may have to get some more.
I ran through the Zachary neighborhood next door twice. It was a perfect three miles. The weather made a big difference today in my time. I decided not to look at the Garmin today. I wanted to run "naked" and not be driven by the numbers on the GPS, but by how I felt. I paid attention to my breathing and my arm swings and my feet. But I had the GPS to keep track of the stats for me so I could have some hard feedback.
I think I did really well. 3.00 miles in 29:14 for an average pace of 9:44. Splits were 9:28, 9:52, and 9:52. I did all sub-10 minute miles! I'm really excited about that! Believe it or not, that's a minute and a half faster than yesterday, or 30 seconds per mile faster. Sweet!
I think today's run about matches my pace in the Navy Ball 5k (3.04mi in 29:19), my current 5k PR. I am hoping for a new PR at the Wild Turkey Trot in three weeks.
I went to Sports Authority yesterday to look for cooler weather gear. I got a pair of tights and a long sleeve tech shirt. I bought a pair of capris and a long sleeve cotton shirt on Monday. I decided to try the tights and cotton shirt today. Oh, and my new hat, which I got when I got Carol's for her birthday. Mine says "Will Run for Wine".
At first I thought I had made a big mistake with the tights. They fit great in the dressing room, but they didn't want to stay up the first half mile today. I thought I would have to turn around and change. Somehow they decided to stay put and the run was quite pleasant. I really liked wearing them. They're very comfortable and they just feel good. I may have to get some more.
I ran through the Zachary neighborhood next door twice. It was a perfect three miles. The weather made a big difference today in my time. I decided not to look at the Garmin today. I wanted to run "naked" and not be driven by the numbers on the GPS, but by how I felt. I paid attention to my breathing and my arm swings and my feet. But I had the GPS to keep track of the stats for me so I could have some hard feedback.
I think I did really well. 3.00 miles in 29:14 for an average pace of 9:44. Splits were 9:28, 9:52, and 9:52. I did all sub-10 minute miles! I'm really excited about that! Believe it or not, that's a minute and a half faster than yesterday, or 30 seconds per mile faster. Sweet!
I think today's run about matches my pace in the Navy Ball 5k (3.04mi in 29:19), my current 5k PR. I am hoping for a new PR at the Wild Turkey Trot in three weeks.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Still hot
Yes, both me and the weather! :-)
I ran three miles this morning as per Week 1 Day 2 of the "Holy Cr*p! What Was I Thinking?" training plan. It was 79 degrees with 92% humidity. I tried to enjoy it because tomorrow morning will be 30 degrees cooler. Yep, you read that correctly. The high today is forecast to be in the mid-80s and then drop to an overnight low of 49. I guess I should invest in some colder weather gear. I am not supposed to run again tomorrow, but because I have the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, I am doing Saturday's run tomorrow.
Today's run was personally satisfying, not because of time, but because I did negative splits! I got better the more I ran. That's cool! I did 3.00 miles in 30:42, an average pace of 10:14. My splits were 10:22, 10:14, and 10:05.
I took a slightly different route today and ran through the neighborhood next door. It is a nice, neat, and clean subdivision. I ran all the roads and got about 1.7 miles out of it. Then I did a little more than one of my usual loops. It is nice to change up the route and keep it fresh. Then it is a challenge for me to get the distance I want and end up as close to home as possible.
I ran three miles this morning as per Week 1 Day 2 of the "Holy Cr*p! What Was I Thinking?" training plan. It was 79 degrees with 92% humidity. I tried to enjoy it because tomorrow morning will be 30 degrees cooler. Yep, you read that correctly. The high today is forecast to be in the mid-80s and then drop to an overnight low of 49. I guess I should invest in some colder weather gear. I am not supposed to run again tomorrow, but because I have the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, I am doing Saturday's run tomorrow.
Today's run was personally satisfying, not because of time, but because I did negative splits! I got better the more I ran. That's cool! I did 3.00 miles in 30:42, an average pace of 10:14. My splits were 10:22, 10:14, and 10:05.
I took a slightly different route today and ran through the neighborhood next door. It is a nice, neat, and clean subdivision. I ran all the roads and got about 1.7 miles out of it. Then I did a little more than one of my usual loops. It is nice to change up the route and keep it fresh. Then it is a challenge for me to get the distance I want and end up as close to home as possible.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Secret's out
Tuesday nights at the shop are usually the most fun. I really enjoy hanging out with the ladies, even if I don't knit a stitch. Tonight was no exception.
Carol is my running mentor and inspiration. She turns 73 on Thursday and she still runs races. She was so happy with her performance this past Saturday in the Garcon Point Bridge run. I think she did the 4.8 miles in just over an hour, which is pretty fast for her. She was an inspiration for me to start running. A few weeks ago she gave me a birthday present, a pale blue technical running shirt. She wanted me to have something other than pink (since I complained that all the gear I found so far was all pink). I wanted to get her something nice for her birthday, since she has been so supportive and inspiring to me.
I found a company called One More Mile. I saw a shirt on someone at a race that said on the back, "Please God, let there be someone behind me reading this". I asked the lady where she found it and she told me she got it at an expo in Virginia, but I could find it at onemoremile.net. I looked at the site and found the perfect item for her. I got her a marathon cap that says "will run for beer"! At my first 5k, the NFCU one this past May, they didn't have beer at the after-party. Carol walked back to her car and grabbed a beer from a cooler she had brought. She loves the post-race beer. So I thought that hat was perfect. She loved it!
So I thanked her for being an inspiration and coach and mentor. I told her that I would need her support as I embarked on a new training program. The official title of this program is "Holy Cr*p! What Was I Thinking?" I said I'm running the Disney Half Marathon in January. She is so excited for me. Everyone at the table was surprised. Carol asked if I had told Bill and I laughed and said that I had. She asked what his reaction was and I said he just laughed and said he wasn't surprised. I laughed and said that was exactly the reaction I expected!
I still think I am nuts to do this, especially when I see the 10-12 mile runs on the calendar. But I am going to do it and I'm going to have fun!
... break break ...
In other news, Rava has been doing beautifully. Her gait has improved incredibly. To the point where my friend Angela commented on it as we left the shop tonight. She is walking like normal! She is a little slow, but doing great. I'm trying to take it easy on her, by making her use the ramp to get in the shop rather than the stairs. She climbed up onto the Kuranda beds in the living room tonight on her own and didn't seem to be in any additional pain. I am thinking about stopping the pain meds, but I don't want her to be in pain. She is on them only for another day or so.
The dog crate in the living room has proven to be a great cat playground. The cats go in there, burrow under the fleece pad and the one who is not under the pad attacks the one who is. They are having a great time in it! I may just leave it up for a few more days to give them some entertainment.
I had t-shirts made for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk coming up this Saturday. Carol and I had a talk and she wanted to pay for half of the shirts. Yarnside paid for the other half. There are eight walkers on the team and we have raised over $2200 so far, which is pretty darn good!
The shirts are a light heathered grey and look like this on the back. They are plain on the front:
I'm pleased with mine. I wore it all day at the shop. Then I spilled a little dinner on it. Into the laundry it goes. As long as it is ready for Saturday, who cares? I'll take a picture of the whole team in them Saturday. I'll need it for the shop web site too.
Angela made a comment that just made me smile tonight. She said that we had to go jeans shopping because these jeans are just too big. I wore my skinny jeans last week and they were a little big. Wow! I haven't lost a ton of weight, but I have lost some inches. The skinny jeans were a size 6. I am almost at a weight that I don't think I've seen since middle school.
And it is not just the weight loss and the clothes. I feel good! I don't get winded walking to places. I have energy. I'm happy with the changes in my body. I hope that I will be able to maintain an enjoyment for running for a while. I don't want to run a marathon, but I don't want the half marathon to be the last goal. OK, I ran it, I don't have to run any more. I hope I'll be able to figure out a way to keep the running fresh and enjoyable.
Thanks for reading this; I know it's been long.
Carol is my running mentor and inspiration. She turns 73 on Thursday and she still runs races. She was so happy with her performance this past Saturday in the Garcon Point Bridge run. I think she did the 4.8 miles in just over an hour, which is pretty fast for her. She was an inspiration for me to start running. A few weeks ago she gave me a birthday present, a pale blue technical running shirt. She wanted me to have something other than pink (since I complained that all the gear I found so far was all pink). I wanted to get her something nice for her birthday, since she has been so supportive and inspiring to me.
I found a company called One More Mile. I saw a shirt on someone at a race that said on the back, "Please God, let there be someone behind me reading this". I asked the lady where she found it and she told me she got it at an expo in Virginia, but I could find it at onemoremile.net. I looked at the site and found the perfect item for her. I got her a marathon cap that says "will run for beer"! At my first 5k, the NFCU one this past May, they didn't have beer at the after-party. Carol walked back to her car and grabbed a beer from a cooler she had brought. She loves the post-race beer. So I thought that hat was perfect. She loved it!
So I thanked her for being an inspiration and coach and mentor. I told her that I would need her support as I embarked on a new training program. The official title of this program is "Holy Cr*p! What Was I Thinking?" I said I'm running the Disney Half Marathon in January. She is so excited for me. Everyone at the table was surprised. Carol asked if I had told Bill and I laughed and said that I had. She asked what his reaction was and I said he just laughed and said he wasn't surprised. I laughed and said that was exactly the reaction I expected!
I still think I am nuts to do this, especially when I see the 10-12 mile runs on the calendar. But I am going to do it and I'm going to have fun!
... break break ...
In other news, Rava has been doing beautifully. Her gait has improved incredibly. To the point where my friend Angela commented on it as we left the shop tonight. She is walking like normal! She is a little slow, but doing great. I'm trying to take it easy on her, by making her use the ramp to get in the shop rather than the stairs. She climbed up onto the Kuranda beds in the living room tonight on her own and didn't seem to be in any additional pain. I am thinking about stopping the pain meds, but I don't want her to be in pain. She is on them only for another day or so.
The dog crate in the living room has proven to be a great cat playground. The cats go in there, burrow under the fleece pad and the one who is not under the pad attacks the one who is. They are having a great time in it! I may just leave it up for a few more days to give them some entertainment.
I had t-shirts made for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk coming up this Saturday. Carol and I had a talk and she wanted to pay for half of the shirts. Yarnside paid for the other half. There are eight walkers on the team and we have raised over $2200 so far, which is pretty darn good!
The shirts are a light heathered grey and look like this on the back. They are plain on the front:
I'm pleased with mine. I wore it all day at the shop. Then I spilled a little dinner on it. Into the laundry it goes. As long as it is ready for Saturday, who cares? I'll take a picture of the whole team in them Saturday. I'll need it for the shop web site too.
Angela made a comment that just made me smile tonight. She said that we had to go jeans shopping because these jeans are just too big. I wore my skinny jeans last week and they were a little big. Wow! I haven't lost a ton of weight, but I have lost some inches. The skinny jeans were a size 6. I am almost at a weight that I don't think I've seen since middle school.
And it is not just the weight loss and the clothes. I feel good! I don't get winded walking to places. I have energy. I'm happy with the changes in my body. I hope that I will be able to maintain an enjoyment for running for a while. I don't want to run a marathon, but I don't want the half marathon to be the last goal. OK, I ran it, I don't have to run any more. I hope I'll be able to figure out a way to keep the running fresh and enjoyable.
Thanks for reading this; I know it's been long.
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