5 weeks left!

Geez, I realize I haven't posted anything since 3/19! I've been pretty good at sticking to my training regimen, although I didn't get my long run in this past weekend. I flew to IL for work and returned Saturday afternoon - very quick trip. The jet lag was hard for me this trip - not catching up on my sleep with that 2 hour time difference. I was so beat when I got home and also felt I was coming down with a cold. My throat was scratchy and I was exhausted. I only slept 5-6 hours Thursday and Friday nights and also experienced jetlag with the 2 hour time difference. So I didn't run on Saturday and also skipped my cross-training workout today since I wasn't feeling 100%. I plan on going to my team track meet tomorrow night and will continue with my scheduled workout routine throughout the rest of the week. I can't believe - only 5 weeks left 'til the half marathon! I have $900 left to raise.... eek!

Run in the sun

Today was such a beautiful day! The sun was shining so bright and it felt like it was 70 degrees. During my lunch break, I headed to the San Mateo waterfront. I was feeling really sluggish during my run today. My knees were (are) still sore from Tuesday's run so I think that made me more sluggish too. Once I got a few minutes into my run and stretched, it got more comfortable. I ran today for 45 minutes. During the run, I only walked 4 minutes (two 2 minute intervals) and my legs were pretty sore afterwards. I had to rush home so Oscar could leave for work so I stretched and did my core exercises once I got home. Tomorrow is a rest day which I always look forward to (and so does my body, I'm sure!). =)

Yoga Day

This is a quick entry before I go start a movie - but I did an hour of yoga today and it felt great. My knees are still bothering me a bit so I am going to lace up my shoes tomorrow and see if that makes a difference during my run.

Track - St Patty's Day

Tonight was team track night which are typically fairly short runs that switch up from week to week. The team met at the College of San Mateo track at 6:15pm sharp. We jogged a 3/4 mile warm-up and then stretched before our run.

Tonight's run was broken down two segments:

1) Strikes: We learned that a good "event" pace (marathon or half marathon) is to have your feet hit or "strike" the ground 180 times/minute. Regardless of whether or not you run faster or slower, you want to take smaller strides so that your feet strike the ground 180 times per minute.

We ran for 8 minutes around the track. Partway through the 8 minute run, Coach blew the whistle which meant to begin counting our individual foot strikes. We'd count every time our right foot struck the ground, then multiplied that number by two to get the total # of foot strikes per minute. After the minute, he blew the whistle again which meant to stop counting. I was at 184 strikes/minute. We ran for a couple more minutes and then Coach blew the whistle again. This meant to start counting again and if you weren't at 180 strikes/minute during the first round, try to pace yourself and take shorter strides so that you'd end up at 180 strikes/minute at the end of this round. This time I was at 174 strikes/minute.

2) The second part of the track run was broken down as follows:

200 meter run (at event pace)
100 meter walk (to recover)
400 meter run (at event pace)
100 meter walk (to recover)
200 meter run (at event pace)
100 meter walk (to recover)
400 meter run (at event pace)
100 meter walk (to recover)
200 meter run (at event pace)
100 meter walk (to recover)

We did this for a total of 20 minutes. We then walked 2 laps (1/2 mile) to cool down.

After the run, we stretched and did our regular core exercises, crunches, and push-ups. It was really, really cold at this point (after 8pm) so everyone was ready to head home for a hot shower! This is exactly what I did.

I noticed my knees bothering me a bit during my run and they are sore right now. I just iced them. I think my shoes were not tied tight enough tonight. I haven't untied them for a couple runs and just slip them on and off. I noticed that my feet were kind of sliding a bit to the sides which is why I think this might have affected my knees. I had no problems on or after Saturday which was my long run. So I plan to lace them up tighter for my run on Thursday and hope that's the end of that.

Tomorrow is a cross-training day so until then ... goodnight!

Cross-training

Yesterday was a rest day and today was a cross training day. I went to the gym during my lunch and did 50 mins on the elliptical machine. I did the "cross country" workout that had a lot of inclines. It was good. I always catch up on the latest in news and politics when I use the elliptical - the TVs are in front of the machines. After the workout, I stretched and did some oblique exercises before heading home to shower and get back to my workday.

Awesome Run

Today, the team was scheduled for an "on your own" run versus a "team" run. We were supposed to run for 60 minutes. When Oscar got home from work a little after 5pm, I left for my run. Although it was cold and windy, I went down to the San Mateo waterfront. It's nice because it's so close to home - less than 5 mins away. The weather actually felt good while I was running - by body kept warm.

My run today was supposed to be 60 mins and I made sure to remember the watch this time. I started off jogging a 12 minute warm-up then stretched before continuing on the 60 minute run. I wanted to run longer intervals today so I decided to run for 8 mins followed by 2 mins of walking (although I ran the final interval for 15 mins) - taking me to a 63 minute run (not including the 12 minute warm-up). My arms were red because it was so cold out and my skin was frozen to the touch but my core was warm from the run and it felt good.

After I cooled down, I did my regular core strength exercises on the grass. I always do these when I run (plank, side planks, bicycle) and also did a whole lot of stretching. It felt good. Running is such a natural high - it trips me out what it does to the body and its chemicals.

I returned home 2 hours later enjoyed my shower, tucked Amara into bed, ate some good dinner and am getting ready to watch Mad TV. Goodnight!

More running, less walking

Today was a run day so during my lunch, I headed down to the San Mateo waterfront (it's just about 1 mile from home). It was another beautiful day and the sun was shining bright. I am running more and walking less now so I can tell my body is building up a tolerance for running longer (is that the right way to say that?!). Today I ran for 5-6 mins and would then walk for 1minute. I repeated that for 40 mins.

After the run, I did core strength exercises on the grass and am able to hold some of the poses (planks) longer than I was a week or two ago. I am starting to feel my ab muscles coming back together again after having Amara - I was starting to think that wasn't possible!! After the exercises, I did my regular stretching routine while soaking up a few more minutes of sun and then headed home, showered, and got back to my workday.

Ahhhhh....yoga.....

Yesterday was a cross-training day so I decided to do an hour of yoga - I forgot how great yoga feels. Years back, I did yoga 2-3 times/week and am really glad I'm getting back into it - especially after having Amara. It's feels so good (and rejuvenating!). My calves and quads were very sore yesterday from running hills the night before so yoga felt really good and stretched all my muscles which they needed.

Hills!!

I forgot to update my blog last night - I'm slippin'!! So last night I went to the gym around 8:30pm and did a pretty challenging workout on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes. Afterwards, I stretched a LOT, did an ab workout and headed home for a nice shower.

Tonight was track with the team - 6:15 sharp. We are now meeting at College of San Mateo instead of Burlingame High School. They have such a beautiful track on a hill overlooking the bay. It was freezing!!! But at least it wasn't raining, right? After running a mile warm-up (4 laps around the track) we stretched, did some drills on the football field, and got ready for hills! This was our first time running hills. There was a paved hill near the track and it was steep! Fortunately, none of the hills in my half marathon are as steep as this one but it's good practice.

We ran up the hill 12 times and it was definitely challenging but I ran the entire time. It really started burning about 3/4 way up the hill - but I survived. Half way through our run the moon started coming up over the hill in the distance. It was a full moon and so bright shining on the water. I am also super happy because my knees aren't giving me anymore problems so I think that is behind me now, finally. =)

After the run, we stretched and did our regular core strengthening exercises (plank, bridge, bicycle). It was almost 8:30 and completely dark except for the full moon shining on us (there are no lights at this track). It was also a very clear night (did I mention freezing!?) so the stars were shining bright. It was a nice way to end the day.

4 Miles!

Whew! Saturdays are always the "long run" day. I ran 4 miles today at Sawyer Camp trail at the Crystal Springs reservoir. It was such a beautiful day! Oscar worked until 5pm so as soon as he got home I headed to the trail - I was racing against the sun and good news is tomorrow the time changes so we'll have an extra hour of daylight. I ran more today and walked less - it felt challenging but doable. The trail had a lot of inclines which I never noticed much when I've walked the trail. It was a good challenge. Oh - and I haven't been feeling any more knee pain - let's hope it stays this way! =)

It was such a beautiful run - the sun was going down and the reservoir looked so peaceful and untouched. Just as I was approaching my 4-mile mark (and back to the car), it was getting pretty dark but fortunately there were still quite a few people on the trail so I felt safe. When I got home, I stretched and did my core strength training exercises (but not before kissing my baby girl!). I commented to Oscar, "Running feels good." I told him that for me, the first 1-2 miles are the most difficult - the rest goes by fast (although I'm nothing close to 13 miles yet! LOL). But it definitely helps to get over that hump during the run and then get into the groove. Tomorrow is a rest day so I'll be sure to get in some good stretching. Hopefully the sun is shining again!

Update

Hi all! I've been awful at updating my blog this week - eek! Well here I am on Thursday evening - just wrapped up a day of work. I wasn't great at getting all my runs in this week! Tuesday it was pouring rain and even though we are supposed to run rain or shine, I missed Tuesday's track workout because I didn't leave the office until almost 7pm. I did cross-training on both Monday and Wednesday and also got a run (jog) in today while the sun was out! This time, I ran for 4 mins/walked 1.5 mins for 40 mins in total. I ran down by the waterfront again - I like that there is a trail which is better for my knees. I have a team run in Pacifica at 8am Saturday morning - 4 miles! I hope to make the run but have my annual company party Friday night so we'll see. =) If I don't get my butt up early enough on Saturday, I will be sure to get a 4 mile run in sometime that day. I am almost half way to my goal for fundraising ($1000 so far and my goal is $2400) with less than 8 weeks left - thank you for all your support!

Training Day 16

I am updating my blog a day late but yesterday was another run day (Friday was a rest day). I did the same run I did on Thursday down at the San Mateo waterfront. I jog/walked in 3 min/1.5 min intervals for 35 minutes after a 10 minute warm-up jog. Lots of stretching before and after the run - knees are feeling so much better now too! I am really happy about that. It's amazing how much of a difference I already feel in my core after just running for a couple weeks. The core strength exercises probably have a lot to do with it too. Today was a rest day and tomorrow starts the week off with more cross training. Sorry so short today but have been working all day and it's time to go to bed!