I have been running.....

I haven't posted in forever - but I have definitely been running. The week of Thanksgiving got me a little offtrack - but it was nice to take a mini break from running. I feel much better having rested a bit. Last weekend, we had a 11 miler around Atlanta that was very cool. We ran downtown and it was just more scenic than our normal runs. I got a massage on Friday night to help me with my shoulder pains that I have been having on my runs. The masseuse did some weird shoulder techniques to release some of my tension...and and my shoulders felt much better on the Saturday long run. I'm still going to have to get another massage soon (as if that's a bad thing)...the knots were too big to be worked out in one sitting. Last night we did .26 mile repeats at the track and I was able to stick to my goal pace the entire time. Saturday we have a 14 miler and I'm actually looking forward to it. The weather here has been crazy and for the past week its been in the 70's. I hope it just stays nice for Saturday's run. I love running in shorts and a t-shirt in December!!

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a long time....

My cat, Charlie, has been feeling under the weather....so I have been slightly distracted. After spending about 600 in vet bills - I'm still not sure what exactly is wrong with him. He wouldn't eat from Tuesday until Saturday am. The vet said that it wasn't just a common cold or frustration from the new cat. They ran a multitude of tests, but we still don't know what's wrong with him. (He's 13 btw) He did eat on Saturday am - before I left for my long run. He's been more perky lately...and he even woke me up at 5:30 this am...so I know he's feeling better!! The newcat is still driving me crazy...if I could just sleep thru one night - I would be so happy.

As for running - we had a 7 mile run on Saturday...which was actually 7.22...but who's counting. M, D, S, and I all stuck together and had a fun, laid back run. I didn't run on Sunday or yesterday because I have been getting ready for the arrival of my parents. They are on the road somewhere from Baltimore to Atlanta, and should arrive by Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing them and frying some turkey!!

Week Catch up and MMRF Run/Walk

Thursday- I had intervals at the Oval. We did eight 200 meter repeats....I felt fine...and I hit my goal pace each time. However, the whole time I was really focused on getting out of intervals and going home to meet my new cat.


Saturday AM - After two nights of barely sleeping (new cat vs. old cat)- I met the group at the gym for our 6 mile run. The 6 miles were a lot of fun....the group stuck together and it was an enjoyable time. I finished with an average 10.20 pace.

Sunday AM - I met D and E near the gym for the Multiple Myeloma Race for Research. My co-worker was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about a year and a half ago. Her team for this race raised over 50,000 ....incredible!! My whole company (it's very small) came out to support her. D, E, and I ran the race.....D and E both placed in their age groups with awesome times! My co-worker walked the race surrounded by her family....she is such a strong person...and is determined to fight the disease. Sometimes when I run I think about her and how I take things for granted - even running.

Pace Test & Vo2

Tuesday night - we had our 2 mile pace test....fun stuff. It was very dark...and hard to see. My first mile was 9.04 and my second mile was 8.53 - total time 17.57. I was 13 seconds slower than my last time doing the pace test - but I will take that. This time - I did have a negative split...so at least I'm learning to slow it down on the first mile. It was dark and cold, but fun. Afterwards we did some other drills...and then headed back to the gym to stretch.

Last night - I had my Vo2 max test. My vo2 max went up to 52. And my Aerobic Base shot up. I attached my little AB graph below.


So I'm excited to be training for my first marathon....although 26 miles appears to be a lot further than 13!! I wanted to do a couple more halfs before the year was over - but I may change my plans and do some smaller races instead. But there's always the Atlanta 1/2 on Thanksgiving...to run or not to run?

Back to Running....

After a mini hiatus from running (to get better from my cold)- I start training today for my first marathon! I'm very excited (I think). I am meeting the group tonight for our first training session (of the new program). This time my long runs will be much longer - Yeah!!

Tomorrow - I have my "after" Vo2 max test at the gym. I'm really not looking forward to having a mask on my face while I run on the mill, but I am curious to compare my initial test results to the new results.

I also bought some new running clothes to put me in the spirit (they were also a necessity as it has gotten a tad colder since my hiatus begun).

And for more ever-so-exciting news - I signed up for the ING GA 1/2 Marathon at the end of March. Hale won a free entrance into the race when she was at the Marine Corps marathon - so she will be coming to town. DW and MH signed up - so its going to be a blast.

Will post more about Day 1 - Napa training - later on....

Happy Halloween!

Check out my little Raven....Charlie loved his Halloween costume!

Silver Comet Half - A lesson in congestion

Note to self: never try to run when you are congested in your chest. I did not have a very successful half marathon on Saturday...but I thought that if I didn't go to the race and stayed home I would have regretted it more. All week I had felt a mix of nausea, hot and cold flashes, and congestion. Friday night I took some NyQuil and went to bed. I woke up at 6am on Saturday morning and stayed in bed as long as I could. I met the group at 7am at the packet pick-up (small 1/2 marathon). It was around 43 degrees at the start. I should have known that this was not going to be a fun race for me when my shoe lace came untied during the first mile (it was a sign). I was fine for the first two miles (of course they were downhill), but by mile 3 I started feeling dizzy and wanted to get out of the race. I thought that maybe if I stopped and took a Gu that I would start to feel better. I stood on the side of the trail for a couple of minutes trying to take the Gu. A friend of mine, from boot camp, saw me and asked me if I was ok. I guess my balance looked a little off when I was standing there. I started running with her at a slow pace - she told me to take it easy and jump out if I felt dizzier. I stayed with her for about six more miles...just taking it very slowly. The whole time I just felt like my balance was off and my chest was just not feeling right. Thank goodness the entire course was flat - or I would have had to figure out how to leave the course because I don't think I could have handled any elevation changes (there were no medical tents or any race officials really around the course). At one point - I started getting paranoid and I swore that I wasn't sweating at all (I think this was all in my head). I left her at mile 9 because I really wanted to get to the finish line and be done with the race. Mile 9 thru 13.1 are kind of a blur...I just don't really remember much since I was so focused on not falling over and just finishing. I finished in 2:24 - not my best time. Can't say that I will ever run a 1/2 when I'm feeling under the weather again.

On a postive note:

While I did not have such a successful race- my friends had great races. MH and DW pr'd - they both finished in 2:07. I am so happy for them - they are so strong. They are awesome!!

Congrats also to Hale - who ran in the Marine Corps Marathon - Way to go!!


As for future running activities - I think I'm going to take it easy this week and not run until the weekend. I spent most of the day in bed and I would love to get rid of my chest cold before I hit the pavement again.

Time for Team Hale!

AH is running in the Marine Corps Marathon tomorrow morning! I'm all ready to track her from Atlanta! She is such a strong runner and she is going to do amazingly well!

GO TEAM HALE!!

I have not run at all this week....

I'm starting to feel a little better....just a little...I still plan on running the Silver Comet tomorrow. I just got some race pictures from Baltimore back last night...I posted them below.






And also - I was given a picture from the 80's party...a better shot of the Rainbow Brite attire.