16 Miles Completed!!!

Pre- 16 Mile Run

Today, I have a 16 mile run, the longest run I have done is a 14 mile run. I have been using the Galloway Marathon Training and this weeks run is actually a 20 mile run that I know I am not ready for, nor would I want to do 20 miles alone.  I have been pretty inconsistent in running since the beginning of December, that's another reason I chose to run 16 miles versus 20 miles.

So as I started my day off,  I decided to eat something with some substance to sustain energy levels while out there running. I had a peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwich followed by an 8oz. glass of milk.  I wanna say that's roughly 450 calories.  The last time I ran a long distance it was either 13 or 14 miles my glucose levels dropped. I got the shakes around  8.50 miles it wasn't good.

Uncle George is also in town(my period) he popped in yesterday, so this is his 2nd day of visiting.  It just SUCKS to do any kind of exercise when Uncle George is visiting(oh yeah, if there are any male friends of mine reading this blog, What were you expecting? You knew eventually the word "Period" would come up in a woman's blog, LMAO,  Come on stop acting so squeamish)  Well it's time for me to roll out!!!  Be back in a few hours...

 Post-Run

 I survived the 16 mile long run today!!  I am very proud to have it completed.  There were many times in my run that I asked myself, "what the hell are you doing"?  I started off out of my house headed West on Swenson, South on Lone Star, West on Carl Stern, North on 685,and  then West on Hwy 79.  I ran 8 miles out and 8 miles home.  The weather was perfect, I think it was 47 degrees when I left my house, I wore a tank top, 2 long sleeved shirts, capris (which I had put on backwards, LMAO) a bandanna, and sunglasses(I have a funky, raccoon sun burn/ sun tan).  By the time I got back at home I was just wearing the tank top, I ripped the other shirts off and tied them around my waist.  It was absolutely Gorgeous out there today.   I ran the first 3 miles straight and then from there on I did the Galloway Method-intervals of 3 minutes running and 1 minute of walking. 

It was H-A-R-D work!!!

 I made several stops along the way:

• bathroom breaks 
• water refill breaks
• breaks where I realized OMG, I put my pants on the BACKWARDS! NO JOKE!
• tie my shoe breaks
• peel off a layer of clothing breaks
• stretch breaks
• OMG do I want to call Brian and have him pick me up breaks, LMAO, just kidding, No not really!

 In the beginning I was concerned about my time, I wanted a good time, whatever that would be. And, after really thinking about it, I took into consideration some factors. Like, the fact that the longest run I have done was a 10 miler on January 2nd. Before that long run was the San Antonio  Rock and Roll Full and Half marathon where I ran the half marathon, so I got comfortable real quick with the idea of just finishing my 16 miles in whatever time it took me.  Come on, I am not a professional runner, I am not a marathon runner, I don't even have a love for running like many people I know. Long distance running/endurance running is a challenge to me, it's an area where I have not really excelled(at least that's what I think), and I am OK with it.  As soon as I accepted it,  everything was in perspective. It was still a hard run, but I was going to be happy and proud to complete my 16 miles just like I will be happy to complete 26.2 miles in LA. Who am I kidding? I am still gonna be worried.  I don't know how I will run an additional 10 miles once I reach the 16 mile marker during the LA Marathon, and I'm terrified.  I say that with a BIG Kool-aid Smile on my face!  LMAO!!! 

The bottom line is today I really needed someone there at mile marker 13.  The last 3 miles were pure torturous hell for me. I needed someone to encourage me not to quit, because that's exactly what I wanted to do is QUIT!!!  I know I am going to have my crazy, little, energetic, buddy Megan with me at the LA Marathon, but I'm worried about my body just giving up, and my mind following suit and giving into my weakness.  I don't really think I am mentally a strong individual.

  I have a tendency to be like "whatever, I have nothing to prove to anyone"! Really, I don't, but still.  For many years I spent an endless amount of my time and my energy trying to prove myself to people. I mean, the attitude it can be a good thing, but it can also bite you in the A$$!  I can be a stubborn and prideful woman,  but I don't know if that's gonna be enough to get me through those last 6 dreadful miles my friends  warn me about in a marathon. I will be doing a lot of praying until race day!  Needless of all my belly aching and concern,  I am very happy about my 16 miles. My mom and Brian think I'm nutty, for running alone, but I'm a happy Nut!! 

Yet Another 3 Miles!!!

Hello... It's 4:55am, I'm sitting here before my 3 mile run, and I wondering "why do I do this to myself"?  What, you ask? LoL...  I have planned a 5:20am run with my cheerful and bubbly friend Heather Vaughn in this cold weather... Ugg... I know I'm just complaining right now, but I can't stand the cold... And, I am up at the crack A$$ of dawn... blah blah blah...I thought these days were over... I have to give my runner friends credit where credit is due.  They have BOOBIES of STEEL(of course they are all women).   I have to credit their dedication for  getting up EARLY, I mean real EARRRLY, I'm not talking 7am, I'm talking 4 to 5am, so they can go run, get their miles  in for their marathon training. I'm talking about running in the cold, the rain, the sleet, thunder storms, blizzards,hurricanes, tornadoes (ok ok, I know, I am being extreme  now, but you get the picture, LMAO).  And, for that my friends I bow my head and give you a CURTSY!!

Well I'm going to cut it short for now, I have to go and freeze my bunnies off... 

Be back in a few to continue!

Whooo... Hoooo... Hey I'm slowly back on track... Two, 3 mile runs this week... LMAO!!  Yeah, I'm blowing my own horn.  Today's 3 mile run wasn't as bad as I had anticipated... It was cold, I think it was like 31-32 degrees outside(that's cold to me) but it wasn't all that bad.  I will say I need to get something thinner, and lighter to wear, other then my Old Navy hoodie, but something that will keep me warm.  Not to mention,  I need to really buy some running/compression tights, I could probably use them for cycling as well. One thing I don't like about running in the cold is the BULKINESS of all the clothing layers, plus all the additional crap you carry on long runs.  Most time I feel like Pack Mule, Hee Haw, Hee Haw!!!  Yeah that would be me, the JACK ASS with all the stuff... I carry lots of stuff, but that would be mainly for long runs...

This would be me on a long run!!

Anyway, I think I am rambling now!!! (o:

I ran the same route as I did on Monday, it took me 1 minute and 17 seconds longer, and I ran it straight.  Now, I have considered a number of things: cold, heavier clothing, just being slow, not  keeping myself at a consistent pace, all sorts of stuff, I just think its kinda funny, because I thought I was doing good just running straight.  Imagine my surprise when I looked at my Garmin and it took longer!   Funny Ha Ha!!   It was good run, my calves and legs still felt heavy, but nonetheless a good run... Conversation and company are always a great thing to have on a run at least for me it is...   I will give this run a THUMBS UPPERS!! ~The best part of running is the finish line!

3 Miler Galloway Method

Well, I was unable to make it to swim class today, because I subbed up at Hutto Baptist, I guess I could have gone to the 5:30am class, but that would have meant Brian would work a longer day, and get home later so I opted out.   Excuses, huh?? Lately I have been taking the Monday and Wednesday RPM/SPIN classes, but today it was a toss up between the opportunity to run outside or the RPM class.  I chose to run outside.  Let me tell you how nice it is to have Kace back, one of the many perks is having a trusted babysitter.   I know, I know  it's selfish of me, but it's true.
So having Kace back, gave me the opportunity to run outside this afternoon around 3:30ish.  It was a beautiful day, may I add. Blue, Blue, Blue skies. Not just one shade of blue, but multiple shades I have to say.  At one point in my run, I was running east on Carl Stern, the sky gave off the illusion of mountains.  I was convinced I was running towards the mountains, then I was rudely awakened by the honk of a car, LMAO!!  It sure was pretty. Weather was nice, too. I actually was able to run in shorts, and a long sleeved polyester type of running hoodie, I'll just call it.  
Well, back to the run. It started off kinda rough, my legs felt like lead,right from the start,  so I thought I would take this opportunity and use the Galloway method to make comparison.  I will say that my pace wasn't all that off.  I was kinda impressed with the Galloway method.   Now, I'm not all that fast, well now I'm NOT, when I was running consistently I had a better pace, but now I'm like a tuuuurtle, LMAO, I have lost all that I gained endurance wise except for may be just weeeee bit, LMAO!!!Yeah, that's me, SEXY, HuH!!!! LoL!

Getting back to my comparison, I looked through my other 3 mile runs, and I had just about the same pace running 3 minutes and walking 1 minute, then I did just running straight.  I found that to be really really interesting.  I did notice though that my shins bothered me more this run then on other past runs where I was straight running,I am assuming because of the faster pace during the 3 minute interval.   Today, was a tough but good run!!!  The best part of running is the finish line! LoL.  I will give the Galloway method a THUMBS UPPERS!!!!

See Jane Run

Ok Ladies... I am thinking I may do the **See Jane Run** half marathon/5k... yes this is coming from the girl who doesn't love running... I did enjoy the Half Marathon training... So I have added it to my list of events... It might be a little premature being that it is January, and this event is in October... I will do this half marathon,  provided it is not on the Chosen Half Marathon's day... I know I am being a little over zealous, but I am kinda fascinated with the name "See Jane Run".  I also am very excited that it's an *All Womens* half marathon!   I am hoping by June I will be ready to start training again for the See Jane Run, the Chosen, and the Rock N Roll half marathons. These will be the only runs I will do for 2011, besides the LA Marathon in March of 2011.   For now, I am just barely gonna make it through the  Marathon training, then I am done running... unless of course it's for this triathlon season which only requires running a 5k!

http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-AUSTIN-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx

Duathlon Saturday!!! LoL...

Ahhhh.... Today was a beautiful day... The weather was cold, but the sun was out shining bright on everything!!!  Started my day off with a run, it was suppose to be a 6 mile run but I only ended up doing 4.60 miles.  I just didn't have it in me to do the full 6 miles. I think it was mainly because I didn't have company!!  Anyway,  I left my house did about 2.20 miles, hooked up with Shelly and Amy, ended with a 2.40 miles W.O.G (combination walk/jog)  or Galloway Method.  http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/beginners.html  Great method of running... Check it out.

After our run, Shelly and I headed out on our bikes... It was Shelly's first ride... Yep she's not a  VIRGIN any longer, LoL.  OMG!!! It was just an AWESOME ride.  It just felt sooo good to be back in the saddle.  I can really tell how out of shape I am just by riding my bike. The last time I rode my bike was in August, at the Sweet and Twisted Triathalon.  http://www.redlicoriceevents.com/events/ .  So, I am really, really, totally out of shape. I huffed and puffed, like the "little train that could."  I enjoyed every minute of it though!!!  Shelly seemed to be enjoying herself, too.  We rode some back roads heading up to Starbucks.  We stopped at Starbucks, because that's one of my favorite things to do on a bike ride, we had some coffee, and the we headed back home on Hwy 79.  On our way back we did have a JACK ASS moment, combined with a Stand By Me, the movie moment, LMAO!!! We headed into Hutto  down 79, and the shoulder ends, in a  relatively busy and somewhat dangerous stretch of road, there is absolutely no shoulder. It's unfortunate but some of the people driving cars have  no sympathy or respect for cyclists, we wanted to avoid this stretch of Hwy,  so we stop, get off of our bikes and  decide to carry our bikes through the grass so we can just hop over the railroad tracks,and get on the other side of the road. Oh yeah well there wasn't  another side of the road, there is a ditch, and then like a miniature creek that we could not cross over, so the only other alternative is to get on the railroad tracks,and walk over the bridge.  Mind you I don't like heights, I was kinda nervous! You had to be there, it was just one of those things where you ask yourself, "what the hell am I doing"I'm not 12 years old..." It was kinda funny to us...

Anyway, we did our 15.30 miles it was a good workout... It was a GOOD day!

Jump Starting Meee Arse!!!

I had a really nice run with Gina this morning.  I woke up at 4:30am, made my coffee, ate a peanut butter toast, checked my Google reader, then I was off to Gina's for a 30 minute run. It felt good to get up that early, well let me take that back, it was a comforting feeling, it was just like old times when we first started this 1/2 Marathon/Full Marathon training.  The run was a leisure  type of run just my speed for right now, otherwise I would have died if we ran any faster. It was just what I needed to jump start my A$$. My last real outdoor run was January 2, it was 10 miler that I barely made.  I've been pretty  inconsistent with running lately.  Because I don't have a love for long distance running, I've mentally and verbally  given myself permission, (...not to mention I think I just got burnt out on "TRAINING"), I have given myself the permission to stop running, even though I have an upcoming marathon in Los Angeles.  So as of today, I need to get back on track, get back into training, so that when I get out to Los Angeles in March,  I don't pass out and collapse before the finish line, LMAO!!!  

Anyway, today, felt really good.  I needed the accountability!  Thanks Gina!! :o)

P.S.  47 degrees wasn't bad at all.