Cool & comfortable run

I have to admit that there is one distinct advantage to living up here: it's nice and cool in the mornings. Well, cool for Florida, anyway! I got goosebumps as I walked out of the house. My goal today was only 3 miles, but the weather definitely was tempting me to go farther. I just didn't want to overdo it. Instead, Andy & I got to enjoy some sunshine with Buddy on our patio, which is usually hard to bear after 8 a.m.

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Run time: 00:29:31

Distance: 3.01 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:49 / mi

Best Pace: 06:31 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:50
Mile #2: 09:40
Mile #3: 09:43
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Sunny, 67 degrees F
Felt like:
Dewpoint:
Humidity: 91%
Visibility: 2.2 miles
Pressure: 30.08 in., rising
Winds: from NNW at 2 mph

Getting adventurous

We've been here for one month now and I finally ventured out beyond my little "safe" zone. The last time Andy & I were visiting, Gary showed us the trail and said that I would probably enjoy it. We saw it by golf cart, but it looked like fun -- a paved winding path, some hills, and tunnels! Unfortunately, I was so disorentiated when we finally moved here, that I had no idea where the trail was. I thought I saw it every time I drove to the grocery store, but I wasn't sure. So today I finally put on my contacts (a rareity when I run, but necessary to explore new places!) and off I went in search of the elusive trail.

I got to the tunnel, used by golf cart drivers to cross the road without, well, crossing the road. I was skeptical. It looked so short. Would this really put me on the other side of the street? And more importantly, was there any other way to cross the street???? I took the plunge and slowly trodded down the very steep hill. Across the tunnel and out I came, looking at an equally steep uphill. I ran up. Sure enough, there I was, on the other side of the road! Awesome.

I remembered Gary's advice: Just stay on the cart path. So I did. And there it was, just where I thought I had seen it, marked by a golf cart crossing -- the trail. I checked my Garmin: 1.15 miles from home. The path itself is marked in 1/8 mile increments...very handy. Another mile across the trail and I came to what I think was the end of the trail (short trail!), but I can't be sure without more exploring. There was another tunnel, so I went under and turned left, praying I was going the right way.

I ended up back on the main road/cart path and a couple of landmarks later, I knew I was headed for home. The entire trip was 4.2 miles. Not bad. My goal today was 5 miles, so I ran around the house to finish up. I did regret not having some hydration with me...next time I'll take my fuel belt. And maybe I'll find out whether the trail continues...

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Run time: 00:49:15

Distance: 5.0 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:50 / mi

Best Pace: 07:05 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:57
Mile #2: 09:49
Mile #3: 09:50
Mile #4: 10:12
Mile #5: 09:20
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Haze, 72 degrees F
Felt like: 72 degrees F
Dewpoint: 72 degrees F
Humidity: 100%
Visibility: 5.0 miles
Pressure: 29.96 in., rising
Winds: From NW at 3 mph

Anti-anxiety run

My parents are visiting today. I decided to run to shake off some of the anxiety. I don't know why I'm so nervous, but whatever the reason, running helps. I did an OK 4 miler, sticking with my new trusty loop. I've been taking more 1-minute walk breaks lately, to give my legs a break from the hills.

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Run time: 00:39:40

Distance: 4.01 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:55 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:51
Mile #2: 09:36
Mile #3: 09:31
Mile #4: 10:06
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Haze, 72 degrees
Felt like: 72 degrees
Humidity: 100%
Dewpoint: 72 degrees F
Visibility: 8.0 miles
Pressure: 29.95 in., steady
Winds: From N at 3 mph

Avoiding the hills

Finally! I managed to get up early and get out the door for a great run. I purposely avoided the hills and (inadvertantly) found a fun 2.5 mile loop! The bonus: most of it was downhill! I'm excited to get back into my routine...hopefully I'll be able to get up again tomorrow.

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Run time: 00:38:32

Distance: 4.01 miles

Avg. pace: 09:37 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:47
Mile #2: 09:26
Mile #3: 09:56
Mile #4: 09:21
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Fog, 72 degrees F
Felt like: 72 degrees F
Dewpoint: 72 degrees F
Humidity: 96%
Visibility: 2.5 miles
Pressure: 30.06 in., steady
Winds: calm

Befriending the treadmill

Ok, I admit it: I'm terrified of the hills. I dread getting up in the morning to run up those stupid hills. I try to convince myself to just get out there and run around the block (no hills), but the prospect of having to complete 3 laps just to get in a mile (that's 15 laps for 5 miles!!) wears me out. To make matters worse, I'm addicted to the gym. Naturally, when B&G suggested that I use their treadmill whenever I want, I was very tempted. No hills and no pounding pavement! And they have a TV! How could I say no?

I ran Thurs & Fri on the treadmill, two 3-milers. Their treadmill has that nifty EKG sensor on it like the one in the gym. Not sure how accurate it is.

Today we went to the gym for our long workout. I did two circuits of the all the leg machines, hip machine, ab machine, and the seated row. I also did 2o mins on the elliptical, my new best friend.

06/16/06

Run time: 00:34:00 (Run 30 mins; cool down walk 4 mins)

Distance: 3.25

Avg. Pace:

HR: 144-155
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Mile #1: 09:46
Mile #2: 09:31
Mile #3: 10:16


06/15/06

Run time: 00:35:00 (Run 30 mins; cool down walk 5 mins)

Distance: 3.25 miles

Avg. Pace:

HR: 142
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Mile #1: 10:17
Mile #2: 09:54
Mile #3: 10:16

Gym run

We went to the gym again today. Best deal for five bucks. I ran on the treadmill. The guy on the machine next to me turned to the woman on the machine next to him and said: "If this lady were on the road, she'd be half way to Ocala by now." Too funny. I wasn't even going that fast, but I must have looked like I was doing light speed next to the old folks. We rounded out my workout with the ab machine (love that thing!) and some cable crossovers.

I started the machine at 5.5 mph, then bumped it up to 6.0, 6.2, and finally 6.4, which was the most comfortable pace for me. The only thing I don't like about treadmill running is that I feel as though I'm running downhill. I set the incline at 1%, and that seemed to take care of the problem. Having a HR monitor on the machine was cool, too. I have no idea if I was going too fast, so I'm going to start reading up on what my HR should be for an "easy run".

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Run time: 00:31:10

Distance: 3.10 miles

Avg. pace: 10:20 / mi

Incline: 1%

Avg. HR: 152 (140 after I stopped)
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A triathelete in the making

I am finally learning how to swim! Andy has made it his mission to teach me, and I am scared to death but willing to learn! We went to the pool for the first time this week. I suck, but I'm not going to get discouraged. Andy once said that if I only I could swim, there be no stopping me...I'd be out doing triathalons. He's right. I just need to learn how to relax in the water, a place I am a complete stranger to.

Andy and I also discovered our little community gym, which rocks. I remembered suddenly why I love lifting weights. Great, here we go again, I thought. I'll start lifting and forget about running. It was fun to do something other than run, though. I used the stationary bike, which was a great workout. And I used all the leg machines I could to strengthen my running muscles. Then I discovered my new best fried: the ELLIPTICAL TRAINER! Wow. What an awesome workout. I know Andy saw it written all over my face: we have to get one of these! So much fun.

I did 30 mins on the elliptical this week, and 15 mins on the bike. The rest of the time Andy put me through grueling machine workouts. I love having a workout buddy, though (except for running! That did not work out well!); especially Andy because he actually knows what he's doing and what I'm doing wrong.

Doubles

Today's workout was a good idea, in theory, anyway: I'd run while Andy biked alongside me. After his one-and-a-half-miler the other day, we both realized that running is not good for my sweetie's hard-working heart. Biking seemed a better option. The only problem (which I, unfortunately, didn't foresee...but should have!): HILLS! I chugged up the hills while Andy plowed ahead on his dad's bike, then down he went at 20 mph while I still chugged downhill at the same pace. It would have been ok if (1) I had my own hydration (Andy carried the water); (2) it's wasn't 8 am and 100 degrees; and (3) I didn't have PMS. I got mad at him for going ahead of me, when I thought the whole idea was for us to exercise together. By the time I hit mile #3, I was dying of thirst, and he (and the H2O) were nowhere in sight. Blah. Not a fun run.

I don't know how those people who go for noontime runs do it. I was dying at 8:00 in the morning. Too much sun and too many hills makes for a cranky Buddy's mama. I still managed an ok 4 miler and beat yesterday's pace. Note to self: sunset runs with Andy ONLY.

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Run time: 00:39:36

Distance: 4.00 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:41 / mi
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Mile #1: 09:20
Mile #2: 09:16
Mile #3: 10:31
Mile #4: 09:38
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Haze, 73 degrees F
Felt like: 73 degrees F
Dewpoint: N/A
Humidity: 100%
Visibility: 5.0 miles
Pressure: 29.90 in., steady
Winds: From SSW at 6mph
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TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 11

My first run after the move

It's official, we're retired. Well, not really, but everyone else here is and it's starting to feel like we are, too. I finally ventured out on my own for a run. I did a short 2 mile run with Andy (who only ran 1.5 of the the 2 miles) the other day. I'm still sore from the hills. After running for 6 years on relatively flat terrain down south, I'm a wimp when it comes to even the smallest hills. I'd better get used to it, though, because they're everywhere up here.

I've finally mastered the golf cart path rules of the road (stay on the left), but my route has been limited because I have no idea where I'm going!!!! Gary showed me the "trail" but I have no idea where it is. All I know is, when I've hit the polo field, I've run 4 miles and there's no more cart path (i.e., time to turn around!).

Anyway, I did a decent 5 miler. With Andy home, I have a feeling it's not going to be easy getting out of bed this early every morning.

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Run time: 00:48:46

Distance: 5.03 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:42 / mi

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Mile #1: 09:42
Mile #2: 09:27
Mile #3: 09:56
Mile #4: 09:38
Mile #5: 09:41
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Sunny, 70 degrees F
Felt like: 70 degrees F
Dewpoint: 71 degrees F
Humidity: 94%
Pressure: 29.90 in., steady
Visibility: 3.0 miles
Winds: from SSW at 5 mph