on the way to work at 7:30 am, it was noted at 21 Degrees. Currently at 12:53pm it is 38 Degrees.
Um...yeah, I won't be running outside today. Will be Treadmill bound, if I run at all.
Feeling like I'm coming down with something. Very Fatigued.
I hope not.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Me & My Shadow
from last week
Tuesday/ 35:55/ 4 miles/ treadmill
Thursday/ 57:55/ 6.2 miles/ treadmill
Saturday/ 2:32 (2 hrs, 32 min)/ 14.5 miles/ outside
Sunday/ 40:12/ 4.1 miles/ outside
One of the things I am able to do while training is really get to know my body and what i think it can do, what it can't, what makes it feel better, what doesn't, etc... I am my own experiment. The roads are my laboratory. There is always something to learn and then, of course, something I can't explain away by logic and reasoning. It becomes my best guess.
The treadmill runs were very good. I was aided by being lucky to catch Roger Federer one day & Serena Williams the other day as they competed at the Austrailian Open. Watching them helped me stay focused. I felt very solid both days on treamdill as I opted for the gym instead of the cold, windy conditions outside.
Friday I took a vacation day and did basically nothing except venture over to the famers market. Had not been grocery shopping in like forever so i got a few things...especially items i knew i'd want after the weekend runs. Other than that, I rested, read, napped, hung out at the coffee shop....read some more. A nice, stress free day. By the time Saturday AM rolled around, I felt good enough to tackle the long run instead of waiting for Sunday. I headed out and was able to run some of the real marathon course. I was solid and strong. I had my IPOD, water and a Powergel. I had a second-wind and then a third wind...it was definitely nice to feel good and not be in horrible pain. I was in a very focused and serene groove. It wasn't until the last 2 miles when i started to think, "Man, I have been running for a LONG time." And then, it was over. Another solid run under my belt.
The Birmingham Half-Marathon is in 14 days. Looking forward to the challenge!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
your guide thru Atlanta
Long Run Report
After running Saturday, I made sure I ate enough and took in enough calories for remainder of day. I did not want a repeat of the previous Sunday when I felt I had very little energy at all.
Got great sleep Saturday night and felt good as I headed out my door early Sunday on a cold and gray day in Atlanta. It even looked like it might rain(which it did, but after I had already funished, thankfully)
I was all bundled up and had water and a Vanilla PowerGel. I made my way up the street and over passed an area called LITTLE 5 POINTS, which is an area I don't like. It's very grungy, dirty, and filled with people who are poor and homeless or PRETEND to be. Even on a vacant Sunday morning, it's not a thrill to be there and lucky for me, I whizzed thru. Next, I ventured thru another area that is not so hot, but it is "up and coming" as they say here. Edgewood is filled with shody, smaller older homes, but it seems like now the area is the tear-downers dream. Tear and build and it looks sooo nice. The biggest lift to the area has been a huge new shopping complex complete with Target, Ross, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy & a few other local favs like Willy's burrito joint. I gotta hand it to the developers as they did a very nice job with this creation.
Next, my legs took me thru more shoddy, neighborhoods called Reynoldstown and Cabbagetown. Both have more homes that are dumpy than nice, but if you bought property here 5 yrs ago, you have a hefty gain.
Passing next by one of the oldest cemetaries in the country, Oakland Cemetery
I see the tall pillars of headstones peeking out and over the red brick wall. Lots of famous people are buried here, including Margaret Mitchell and many Civil War soldiers. I always feel a sense of calm and respect as I run by this land…
Next is a nice stretch of a nice sloping downhill as I make my way into downtown…I see all the highrises in the distance and Turner Field off to my left…home of THE ATLANTA BRAVES and a bit of excitement rushes thru me for the start of baseball season is near….
I zig-zag my way thru the dark downtown streets, passing many people who seem to be just loitering around on this cold, near raining day. I pass by The Georgia Dome-Home of ATLANTA FALCONS and our lovely team who seem to filled with negative press these days. Whizzing by Phillips Arena I think of the THRASHER hockey games with TRIN and how much fun it is to go together. I have just passed an hour mark on my watch and am trying now to outline the rest of the route in my head….
Passing by the new GEORGIA AQUARIUM, I see lots of people in line and in cars waiting for their adventure. I momentarily feel guilty that I HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN YET. Quickly, the guilt passes.
Next, I wander on streets I have never been…streets by Georgia Tech. Not too much else to say about that. This slowly leads me to Mid(gay)Town and by what seem to be newer and newer highrises that cater to the mid-upper/upper class or those WHO THINK THEY ARE. The buildings are gorgegous and I imagine have every latest ammenity inside. AHHHH…What views they must have!!
As my legs begin to tire, I am finally on a stretch of peachtree that will be just a bit downhill for the next mile. I pass by my gym and plow on through one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Atlanta….the ANSLEY area. Wide rolling streets, beautiful large custom-built homes, and a sort of coziness that always makes me feel welcome.
Now onto my final stretch, I have to duck into Caribou Coffee for 5 seconds and grab some more water. I'm faced with a bit more uphills than I would like, but I keep pressing forward and land back into my neighborhood…back to where I started in Virginia-Highlands.
12.5 miles strong
2 hours, 6 minutes
After running Saturday, I made sure I ate enough and took in enough calories for remainder of day. I did not want a repeat of the previous Sunday when I felt I had very little energy at all.
Got great sleep Saturday night and felt good as I headed out my door early Sunday on a cold and gray day in Atlanta. It even looked like it might rain(which it did, but after I had already funished, thankfully)
I was all bundled up and had water and a Vanilla PowerGel. I made my way up the street and over passed an area called LITTLE 5 POINTS, which is an area I don't like. It's very grungy, dirty, and filled with people who are poor and homeless or PRETEND to be. Even on a vacant Sunday morning, it's not a thrill to be there and lucky for me, I whizzed thru. Next, I ventured thru another area that is not so hot, but it is "up and coming" as they say here. Edgewood is filled with shody, smaller older homes, but it seems like now the area is the tear-downers dream. Tear and build and it looks sooo nice. The biggest lift to the area has been a huge new shopping complex complete with Target, Ross, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy & a few other local favs like Willy's burrito joint. I gotta hand it to the developers as they did a very nice job with this creation.
Next, my legs took me thru more shoddy, neighborhoods called Reynoldstown and Cabbagetown. Both have more homes that are dumpy than nice, but if you bought property here 5 yrs ago, you have a hefty gain.
Passing next by one of the oldest cemetaries in the country, Oakland Cemetery
I see the tall pillars of headstones peeking out and over the red brick wall. Lots of famous people are buried here, including Margaret Mitchell and many Civil War soldiers. I always feel a sense of calm and respect as I run by this land…
Next is a nice stretch of a nice sloping downhill as I make my way into downtown…I see all the highrises in the distance and Turner Field off to my left…home of THE ATLANTA BRAVES and a bit of excitement rushes thru me for the start of baseball season is near….
I zig-zag my way thru the dark downtown streets, passing many people who seem to be just loitering around on this cold, near raining day. I pass by The Georgia Dome-Home of ATLANTA FALCONS and our lovely team who seem to filled with negative press these days. Whizzing by Phillips Arena I think of the THRASHER hockey games with TRIN and how much fun it is to go together. I have just passed an hour mark on my watch and am trying now to outline the rest of the route in my head….
Passing by the new GEORGIA AQUARIUM, I see lots of people in line and in cars waiting for their adventure. I momentarily feel guilty that I HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN YET. Quickly, the guilt passes.
Next, I wander on streets I have never been…streets by Georgia Tech. Not too much else to say about that. This slowly leads me to Mid(gay)Town and by what seem to be newer and newer highrises that cater to the mid-upper/upper class or those WHO THINK THEY ARE. The buildings are gorgegous and I imagine have every latest ammenity inside. AHHHH…What views they must have!!
As my legs begin to tire, I am finally on a stretch of peachtree that will be just a bit downhill for the next mile. I pass by my gym and plow on through one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Atlanta….the ANSLEY area. Wide rolling streets, beautiful large custom-built homes, and a sort of coziness that always makes me feel welcome.
Now onto my final stretch, I have to duck into Caribou Coffee for 5 seconds and grab some more water. I'm faced with a bit more uphills than I would like, but I keep pressing forward and land back into my neighborhood…back to where I started in Virginia-Highlands.
12.5 miles strong
2 hours, 6 minutes
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Lucky 7
Crushed 7.5 miles this morning. Ran up and down Peachtree Rd. Again, all bundled up due to temps approximately in the low-mid 30's. A clear, beautiful morning. Saw several other runners out there today. This particular stretch of Peachtree is fairly popular on the weekends with us runner types.
Tomorrow, I'm shooting for the long ball again.
Cheers!
Tomorrow, I'm shooting for the long ball again.
Cheers!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Recognition
I have been unable to get out of office this week for lunch. Tuesday, I ran at the GYM and then Wednesday, I ran outside. I was actually looking forward to it even though temperatures were pretty chilly. I got all bundled up and had my ASICS fleece cap on and headed out the door. The cold air and slight wind was SOOOO refreshing on my face. There were not too many of us runners out on the streets that early evening, but those of us who were passed one another and gave nods of acknowledgement: yep, I know who you are. You are just like me.
I love it.
I love it.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Monday Report
Last Week's Training
Tues/ 39:06/ hills
Thurs/ 58:09/ 6 miles/ hills
Sat/ 1:14/ 7.5 miles/ hills
Sun/ 1:55/ 11.4 miles/ hills
**Sunday's run was BRUTAL. Suppossed to run 15. Made it to only 11.4. That's not really gonna cut it. What went wrong? I think the biggest culprit was that I did not eat nearly enough on Saturday, especially after running 7.5. All week was with hills and that probably made it even tougher. I have got to be more diligent about eating enough/taking in enough calories. I was toast yesterday after about 8 miles and struggled the rest of the way.
Tues/ 39:06/ hills
Thurs/ 58:09/ 6 miles/ hills
Sat/ 1:14/ 7.5 miles/ hills
Sun/ 1:55/ 11.4 miles/ hills
**Sunday's run was BRUTAL. Suppossed to run 15. Made it to only 11.4. That's not really gonna cut it. What went wrong? I think the biggest culprit was that I did not eat nearly enough on Saturday, especially after running 7.5. All week was with hills and that probably made it even tougher. I have got to be more diligent about eating enough/taking in enough calories. I was toast yesterday after about 8 miles and struggled the rest of the way.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Recap
Recap of Previous Week
Tues/ 4 miles/ 38:41/ road hilly
Wed/ 5 miles/ 47:00/ treadmill
Thurs/ skipped run
Fri/ badly needed MASSAGE -- a wonderful massage by a new person. I have been having much pain in my left hamstring and cannot figure out the source. Still in some pain, but not nearly as much. She did a great job! Sore and tight as hell, but loosening up some. Calf muscles are tore up!
Sat/ 7.3 miles/ 1:11
Sun/13 miles/ rolling hills, very tough..in a heavy drizzle
**Best run was the long run on Sunday. I ran in a new place cause I went away for the weekend. I was in unchartered territory and when that happens, I am always a bit nervous that because I don’t know my surroundings I will cut the run short. But, I didn't. And even though it was a tough with the rolling hills, I hung in there and felt pretty good. There was a steady heavy drizzle, but it was not cold out…I only had a short sleeve dri-fit shirt on, biking shorts, & my trusty Adidas Cap. There were very few cars on road and beautiful surroundings. Ran in an area that encompassed 3 golf courses and a huge lake. Gorgeous. Bring it on!
Tues/ 4 miles/ 38:41/ road hilly
Wed/ 5 miles/ 47:00/ treadmill
Thurs/ skipped run
Fri/ badly needed MASSAGE -- a wonderful massage by a new person. I have been having much pain in my left hamstring and cannot figure out the source. Still in some pain, but not nearly as much. She did a great job! Sore and tight as hell, but loosening up some. Calf muscles are tore up!
Sat/ 7.3 miles/ 1:11
Sun/13 miles/ rolling hills, very tough..in a heavy drizzle
**Best run was the long run on Sunday. I ran in a new place cause I went away for the weekend. I was in unchartered territory and when that happens, I am always a bit nervous that because I don’t know my surroundings I will cut the run short. But, I didn't. And even though it was a tough with the rolling hills, I hung in there and felt pretty good. There was a steady heavy drizzle, but it was not cold out…I only had a short sleeve dri-fit shirt on, biking shorts, & my trusty Adidas Cap. There were very few cars on road and beautiful surroundings. Ran in an area that encompassed 3 golf courses and a huge lake. Gorgeous. Bring it on!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
gym report
Went to gym last night cause I was too much of a wimp to run in semi-cool temperatures. When I left the house, I looked in my gym bag to make sure I had everything I needed. However, when I went to change clothes, I realized I was without a sportsbra. OOPS. Obviously, no choice but to get out there anyways in my regular bra. Granted, I look nothing like this from Trin's recent post http://fruit-on-the-bottom.blogspot.com/2007/01/2006-looking-back.html but it was STILL uncomfortable. 5 miles of plodding along on the 'ole treadmill. It was a good thing I had sort of a tight shirt on.
Today, I am sore from the recent workouts. I really need work on my left hamstring which continues to puzzle and irritate me with its pain/soreness…..
Today, I am sore from the recent workouts. I really need work on my left hamstring which continues to puzzle and irritate me with its pain/soreness…..
Monday, January 1, 2007
Monday Report
3.0 miles/ 26:35/ Treadmill/ Tues
5.0 miles(approx) / 48:00 min/ flat, rolling/ Wed
3.0 miles/ 24:55/ hilly/ Thurs
5.8 miles/ 56:00/ flattish/ Sat
8.0 miles/ 1:16/ Treadmill/ Sun
A decent week by all standards. Yesterday(Sunday's) run was the hardest...8 freaking miles on a treadmill. I opted for it to help with my pace and because we had a steady rain in Atlanta. I normally don't shriek away from the rain, but I just didn't feel like being wet for 9 miles. Know what I mean. In hindsight, I should have just run outside. The treadmill is brutal for anything over 4 miles. Needless to say, glad I got the runs in. Also, I have decided to run the Birmingham Half-Marathon in February. This will be a good race to do before the big one. I ran the Birmingham half last year and did well. I hope to finish in 2 hrs. which is better than what i did last year. I had a fun, challenging race last year. It was brutally cold & hilly, but I still had a blast. If anyone is gonna be around them there parts on February 11, please come cheer me on!
5.0 miles(approx) / 48:00 min/ flat, rolling/ Wed
3.0 miles/ 24:55/ hilly/ Thurs
5.8 miles/ 56:00/ flattish/ Sat
8.0 miles/ 1:16/ Treadmill/ Sun
A decent week by all standards. Yesterday(Sunday's) run was the hardest...8 freaking miles on a treadmill. I opted for it to help with my pace and because we had a steady rain in Atlanta. I normally don't shriek away from the rain, but I just didn't feel like being wet for 9 miles. Know what I mean. In hindsight, I should have just run outside. The treadmill is brutal for anything over 4 miles. Needless to say, glad I got the runs in. Also, I have decided to run the Birmingham Half-Marathon in February. This will be a good race to do before the big one. I ran the Birmingham half last year and did well. I hope to finish in 2 hrs. which is better than what i did last year. I had a fun, challenging race last year. It was brutally cold & hilly, but I still had a blast. If anyone is gonna be around them there parts on February 11, please come cheer me on!
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