Last run before the move

Tomorrow Andy graduates from Pharmacy school. I know I won't get to run tomorrow morning because we'll be busy getting ready for graduation. Monday is the big the move. I still believe it's finally here. I hoped today's run would eleviate some of my anxiety, and it did. I don't know when I'll be able to run again, which sucks. I finally starting to get back into the groove.

I didn't have time for too long of a run today, because there's still so much packing to do. I did manage to squeeze in 8 miles.

P.S. I am soooooooooo proud of you, sweetie!!! Congratulations!!! :)

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Run time: 01:18:49

Distance: 8.0 miles

Avg. pace: 09:51 / mi
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Mile #1: 10:02
Mile #2: 09:05
Mile #3: 09:28
Mile #4: 09:24
Mile #5: 09:27
Mile #6: 09:46
Mile #7: 10:33
Mile #8: 10:02
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Fair, 73 degrees F
Felt like: 73 degrees F
Dewpoint: 68 degrees F
Humidity: 84%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 30.03 in., rising
Winds: calm
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TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 20

Good morning, bad run

I hate technology. Almost 4 miles into my run, the batteries in my Garmin gave out. I don't blame the watch; it emitted a sharp beep!, which I promptly ignored as a "Weak GPS Signal" warning. It was cloudy (lovely running weather!); it happens. So there I go, running along completely obvlious to the fact that miles #4 and #5 aren't being recorded. Blah!

I ran home the short way and scrambled to find the new batteries we just got for hurricane season. Not only did Andy not buy me the rechargable watch, he moved the batteries!!! Sorry, sweetie.

I have no idea how far I ran...I know I did one lap around the gate, which is exactly 1 mile. Then I ran home as soon as I realzed what had happened. I think that's another 0.4-0.5 miles. My watch says I ran 5 miles, but really it was probably closer to 6.5.

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Run time: ??? (Garmin: 00:47:42; actual time: 00:57:00)

Distance: ??? (Garmin: 5.02 miles; actual distance: 6.52)

Avg. Pace: 09:30 / mi

Best Pace: 06:55 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:27
Mile #2: 09:09
Mile #3: 09:21
Mile #4: ??
Mile #5: ??
Mile #6: 09:36
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Partly Cloudy, 79 degrees F
Felt like: 83 degrees F
Dewpoint: 73 degrees F
Humidity: 83%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 30.02 rising
Winds: calm

Perfect running weather

The weather today was perfect for me. Completely overcast. I love when I don't have the South Florida sun burning down on me at 7 a.m. The humidity felt a little overwhelming, but it was nothing a few extra water breaks didn't take care of. I was still a little tired from Sunday's long run, and I need a couple of walk breaks, too. I've finally accepted the fact that these breaks are helpful and that I shouldn't feel guilty about them...and they really don't affect my time very much.

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Run time: 00:57:50

Distance: 6.00 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:38 / mi

Best Pace: 06:10 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:39
Mile #2: 09:10
Mile #3: 09:48 (1 min walk)
Mile #4: 09:40 (1 min walk)
Mile #5: 09:38
Mile #6: 09:45
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Fair, 76 degrees F
Felt like: 78 degrees F
Dewpoint: 70 degrees F
Humidity: 82%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 30.04
Winds: Calm

My new toy

Faced with the prospect of being stranded in 90 degree weather without hydration, I bought myself a Fuel Belt. I've been lucky at my parents' house, where I can't go very far on my runs (lucky?), so water and Propel are always at least 2 miles away. But now that we're moving up where B&G are, I'll have trails and golf cart paths to run on that extend beyond 4 miles. That's a long time to wait for water if I get thirsty.

So I bought a Fuel Belt. The four-bottle version. I didn't think I'd need all four bottles, so I filled one with water and one with Propel and out I went. Or not quiet. So much for the promise for "no bounce." There was plenty of bounce. I had the bottles positioned on my back, but as I ran, they continued to swing themselves to my front. So frustrating. I finally had to stop and put the bottles in the front. From then on out, it was smooth sailing, if not heavy sailing. I also had to strap the belt on pretty snuggly to stop the bouncing, which was a little uncomfortable. After a while, though, I zone out and didn't notice.

I did notice that I was drinking 4 ounces of liquid a time, and one bottle holds only 6 ounces. Hmm...maybe I'd need all four bottles after all. I ended up refilling my water twice. I'll try all four next week, but even just two bottles were sooo heavy. I might have to take two bottles of water and skip the Propel. Maybe I'll stash a GU in the pocket of my new toy.

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Run time: 01:50:00

Distance: 11.0 miles

Avg. pace: 10:00 / mi

Best pace: 06:48 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:29
Mile #2: 09:09
Mile #3: 10:04
Mile #4: 10:09
Mile #5: 09:39
Mile #6: 10:06
Mile #7: 10:21
Mile #8: 10:13
Mile #9: 10:17
Mile #10: 10:18
Mile #11: 10:13
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Fair, 71 degrees F
Felt like: 71 degrees F
Dewpoint: 66 degrees F
Humidity: 84%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 30.03 rising
Winds: From NNW, 3 mph
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TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 25

Sleepy & slow

I need to start going to bed earlier, instead of staying up until midnight with Andy. He's the first to tell me so, too, and then proceeds to engage me in some discussion about ________ <insert latest thing that Andy wants>. Sorry, sweetie...you know it's true!!!! ;P Sadly, bedtime is the only time we seem to have some peace and quiet where we can talk about whatever. Inevitably, I end up staying up way past my bedtime and then I'm too sleepy to get up and run. I've been doing great lately; running more has been motivating me to get to bed earlier. Yesterday, though, was another story. I set my alarm for 6:15 and didn't get up until 6:40. Yikes. Needless to say, I was very slow today! Although, looking at the numbers, I wasn't nearly as slow as I thought. I thought for sure I was doing 10 minute miles.

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Run time: 00:38:05

Distance: 4.01 mi

Avg. Pace: 09:30 / mi

Best pace: 07:16/ mi
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Mile #1: 09:49
Mile #2: 09:07
Mile #3: 09:23
Mile #4: 09:38
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Fair, 67 degrees F
Felt like: 67 degrees F
Dewpoint: 61 degrees F
Humidity: 81%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 30.00 rising
Wind: From WNW, 3 mph

No tempo?

How is it possible that I ran yesterday's 6 miler faster than today's 4 miler, when I thought I was hauling ass???? Go figure. I really thought I was running at my 10K pace today, between 8:40 and 8:50 per mile. Guess not! So weird. I guess it pays to look down at your watch every now and then.

My goal today was 5 miles. Feeling a little too lethargic and sleepy, I told myself to at least do 3. As usual, 3 turned into 4. It works out ok, though; I was supposed to do a 3 miler tomorrow, but instead I'll just do 4 to make up for the extra mile. Or, if I feel really energetic tonight, I'll try for a quick second run, which I've been dying to do, but never get a chance. We'll see what happens. Usually I end up on the couch with Andy flipping channels. I still need to walk 2 laps after dinner today if I'm going to meet my goal of 10 laps this week. There are never enough hours in the day.

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Run time: 00:37:23

Distance: 4.01 miles

Avg. pace: 09:20 / mi

Best pace: 06:37 / mi
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Mile #1: 9:25
Mile #2: 9:12
Mile #3: 9:20
Mile #4: 9:33
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Fair, 67 degrees F
Felt like: 67 degrees F
Dewpoint: 57 degrees F
Humidity: 70%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 29.92 rising
Wind: Variable, 3 mph

Don't rain on my parade

South Florida weather gives new meaning to the saying "when it rains, it pours." There's nothing worse than getting stranded in a Floridian downpour. The signs were there this morning: ominous dark clouds, low-flying birds, a few drops on my forehead here and there. My goal today was 6 miles, but I told myself I'd be happy to just get in 3 miles, and that I'd just have to make up the rest later this week. I felt great today. My legs finally felt rested and I knew I was running faster than usual.

Just as I started out for mile #6, it started to rain. At first it felt good; a light drizzle, almost like mist. Then I remembered, this is Florida--run home now! Of course, I didn't listen. I rounded the bend to come home and it started to rain a little harder, then a little harder. By then I was almost home...and at 5.75 miles! Forget it. I wasn't going to let a little rain keep me from getting in my 6 miles! I managed to finish and ran inside. Note to self: Hurricane season is around the corner; dust off your rain gear and get it on standby.

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Run time: 00:55:42

Distance: 6.00 miles

Avg. pace: 09:17 / mi

Best pace: 07:10 /mi
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Mile #1: 9:34
Mile #2: 9:15
Mile #3: 9:43
Mile #4: 9:31
Mile #5: 9:00
Mile #6: 9:34
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Cloudy, 70 degrees F
Felt like: 70 degrees F
Dewpoint: 68 degrees F
Humidity: 93%
Visibility: 6.0 miles
Pressure: 29.75 steady
Wind: 8 mph from N

Post cheat day run

Cheat days are overrated. I felt like a beached whale today after downing two chocolate chip cookies, 2 pieces of chocolate, and a bacon cheeseburger (no, not together). That's a lot of junk food in one day for me. That's a lot of junk food for me, period! I never eat that much junk on my cheat days, which are usually just one cheat meal on Saturday, but I think I might have been a little too good lately, and it backfired. My brain was whispering: where's the chocolate? I want chocolate!!!

My goal today was to run 5 miles, because I skipped Friday's run. I felt pretty good after the first couple of miles (once the cheat day induced jelly belly melted away). I knew I would at least try for 8 miles, to get in my 20 for the week, but I really wanted to do 10. I ran the first two miles, and then my body was craving a walk break. Overall it was a great run, and the walking breaks definitely help. So does hosing my legs down afterwards with cold water from the garden hose! Weird, but it works!

I didn't make my goal of walking 10 laps this week. I managed a miserable 5. That's about 3 miles (or 3.5, depending how my Garmin feels).

I've also now made it a habit to check my blood pressure every weekend. Hey, I'm at the grocery store anyway, and it's free! This Saturday, my stats were:

Blood pressure: 99/59 (low??)

Resting HR: 65
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Run time: 01:40:17

Distance: 10.0 miles

Avg. pace: 10.01 / mi
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Fair, 68 degrees F
felt like: 67 degrees F
dewpoint: 63 degrees F
humidity: 87%
visibility: 10.0 miles
pressure: 29.99 rising
wind: calm
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TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 22

Smoke inhalation

Yikes! Visability was almost zero this morning as a thick layer of smoke covered much of South Florida, thanks to more wildfires burning (including in the Everglades near our community) . One of our neighbors actually pulled up alongside me in his car and told me I shouldn't be running because the smoke is bad for me. I didn't even realize how bad it was gradually becoming until he said that. I didn't stray far from home, trying to follow yesterday's 2 mile loop. My goal was 5 miles; I did 6. I wanted to do 7, but my knees had other ideas. I rarely run two longer runs on consecutive days, but I have to plan in advance for the "red zone" this weekend! My legs were already so tired from yesterday's run, but I still pulled through, despite feeling a little wobbly.

I did feel my right ankle starting to bother me, just a little. I don't know if it's because I upped my mileage (probably), or if I need new shoes (true anyhow). I have to try to follow the 10% rule next week, or I'll be sidelined again.


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Run time: 00:58:15

Distance: 6.00 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:42 / mi

Best pace: 07:37 /mi

Tuesday's easy run

I ran the easiest 6 miler in history today. I don't know where the time went! I figured out a new route, which amazingly enough, didn't involve running on the parkway in speeding traffic or on concrete sidewalks! This was a 2-mile loop, which I did 3 times, and pouf! Six miles done. Amazing. I was definitely slower today, and I felt it, but I still felt good and light. All in all, a great run.

My goal this week is to run 17 miles. It's the week before that time of the month, which means I'm sluggish and probably won't be running this weekend. I'll be happy to get in 17 miles before Friday. It works out well this way; 3 weeks of steady mileage increases, and then 1 week of backing off a little. I guess I'll have to really come back strong next week.

My other goal this week is to walk 10 laps, which is 7 miles. I managed 5.6 last week (8 laps). This is definitely working, because I've blasted a whole pound of fat in the last two weeks alone. Awesome. I did one lap yesterday. Nine to go.

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Run time: 00:58:20

Distance: 6.00 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:43 / mi

Best Pace: 06:34 / mi

R/W-ing

My goal today was to do ten 1-mile repeats, using the Runner's World Run/Walk (R/W) program. That is, run 1 mile, walk 1 minute, repeat. I've tried to insert some walking into my runs in the past, without much success. Usually, I just end up running and deciding to skip the walk breaks. Yes, I feel guilty and wimpy. But not after today. I wouldn't have been able to get through today's 10-miler, either physically or mentally, without those walks. Note to self: 1 minute is not that long! It took me long to run ten miles than it normally would, but I didn't notice.

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Run time: 01:48:17

Distance: 10.00 miles

Avg. pace: 10:49 / mi

Best pace: 06:28 / mi

TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 26!

Sad run

I took off like a rocket this morning, and had to remind myself to slow down. My goal was to run 5 miles, and with 5 miles to go, I was looking to wear myself out pretty quick. My mind was distracted by thoughts of a little boat-tailed grackle chick that died on our lawn this morning. My mom spotting him hopping around yesterday, and told me about him. Andy and I checked on him last night, debating what we should do. Put him back in his nest, out of which he had clearly fallen, or wrap him up and take him inside? The last time we did that, with a baby mourning dove, the poor thing died. The nest was too high in our tree for us to reach. We were hoping to at least keep the little guy warm until we could figure out what to do with him. Eventually we left him in the grass, fast asleep. When I went out for my run this morning, he was dead. :( I eased him into our lake, hoping he would drift away peacefully, and have better luck in his next life.

I thought about the poor little guy the whole time I was running, pondering how so many animals can abandon their young. Being a "bird person" myself, it was even harder. Baby birds are so sweet. Such is life...

I did a pretty good 6 mile run...I did mile #3 in 8:53, which is my 10K pace. Not bad.

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Run time: 00:58:56

Distance: 6.31 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:20 /mi

Best pace: 06:10 /mi

3rd mile was in 8:53

Wednesday's run

All of my Wednesday posts seem to have the same title. But what else can you say about a mid-week run? It's hump day and thankfully the week is almost over. My goal today was another 4 miles. Again, some carefully planning allowed me to get out the door just a little earlier (putting out my running clothes the night before works!) and squeeze in another mile and a half. I feel fantastic now that I'm running again, and I'm starting to look forward to my runs instead of dreading them as I had been lately. I don't, however, enjoy the feeling of bruised toenails squished into pointy-toe heels. Ouch! I can't wait to put my flip flops on.

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Run time: 00:52:36

Distance: 5.50 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:35 / mi

Best Pace: 06:55 / mi

Don't drink & run

Yikes. Yesterday somehow turned into my "cheat day", complete with two Bahama Mamas. Ouch. I was so out of it last night that I don't know how I got up this morning. I set my alarm for 6:35 and woke up at 6:34. Then I reset the alarm for 7. Feeling guilty, I just lay there, rationalizing to myself why I shouldn't run (I could use the rest, and would run better tomorrow) and why I could try to squeeze in a weight workout instead (I won't have to go outside!). Eventually, I got up and got dressed and suddenly I was on auto pilot. I put on the Garmin and laced up and was out the door. Surprisingly, I put in an ok run and felt really good! My goal today was 4 miles...I had plenty of energy, but not enough time to log many more miles.

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Run time: 00:40:01

Distance: 4.19 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:34 / mi

Best Pace: 05:50 / mi