12 Great Miles

I just now ran 12 miles outside at a 7:55 pace and it was the most PERFECT weather ever!!! I wish it was always like today. It was in the mid 50s and had a cool breeze. Ahhhhh I loved it! I actually finished with 15 minutes of abs.

20 Miles Yesterday

I finally got to wear shorts yesterday and I ran 20 miles outside in 53-56 degrees, thus completing February's Ten More Miles! Challenge. I finished in 2:55, an 8:45 pace.

The run was surprisingly harder than I expected. Even though it was warm out the winds sucked. My legs were actually sore at the end of my run and even today. I can't remember the last time my legs were sore from a week of running (not including race weeks). It was a good feeling!! I ate a PBJ sandwich, blocks, and a banana in an effort to train the stomach to take whole foods.

10 Miles...finally outside

The temps were finally higher today and I was able to run 10 miles this evening at the canal. I ran them in 1hr 17:50 minutes...so about a 7:50 pace. How come I can't do that on the treadmill??? Anyway....glad I went running because I had debated just waiting until tomorrow.

13 Miles on Treadmill

Miles 1-5: 8:45 pace
Miles 6-10: 9:01 pace
Miles 11-12 9:20 pace
...walk a couple of minutes
Mile 13 9:03 pace

I was planning on running 15 miles today but I wimped out and told myself I was tired. I kept telling myself that this is the time I need to get used to running and keep going, when I really don't want to...but it didn't work.

There are mirrors in front of the treadmill and so I kind of get to see how my stride is. I've noticed that since I've been running slower on the treadmill, my legs get lazy and I barely lift up my knees. Dang those treadmills! And we just got 4 more inches of snow today...what's a girl to do.

15 Miles on Treadmill

Well after not running much last week, eating a ton yesterday during the Super Bowl, and then eating FOUR big cookies (I'm ashamed of myself) today at work, I decided I better get my butt in the gym and get a good run in.

I ran 15 miles at about a 9:00/9:05 minute pace. Every other .25 miles or so I'd add in some sprint/hill workouts. During the very first mile, my ankle and shin killlled me and I had no idea why. I wonder if the soreness was from my snow run the other day. I made myself run slower for the first 3 miles and then luckily the pain went away. One month ago I never would have thought I could last for 15 miles on the crappy treadmill. Luckily it wasn't that hard to do so today.

I hope to go home and do 15 minutes of abs (I've been slacking on those!) and then call it a day.

February's Goal

All right...I forgot that I was going to try for 45miles/wk starting in February. Wish me luck! Maybe my last week of only 20 miles was good preparation/tapering for what's to come. I'll hopefully run 10-15 miles on the treadmill this afternoon.

10 Bad Miles Outside

:( I was supposed to run 20 miles today but only made it 10. Dangit, I'm disappointed. I had brought my Camelpak, a PB&J sandwich, pretzals, an orange, music, extra clothes...I was ready for the long haul. It took me about 1 hr 55 minutes to run the 10 miles. HOPEFULLY I can somehow make myself run 20 miles tomorrow, but it's looking doubtful.

It was a very hard run because of all of the snow. I'm surprised/lucky that I didn't break an ankle or knee. It was good technical running practice. I couldn't wear my yaktrax either because every other 100 feet was a plowed walk with no snow on it...so I just carried them the whole way.

10 Miles on Treadmill

Woohoo! 30 more miles to go.

Excuses

• Monday = too tired
• Tuesday = tired, and I have 5 other days I can run
• Wednesday = darn snow storm, 12 inches! not at work to use treadmill. does sledding with my niece count?
• Thursday = didn't get home from work until 8:30pm...too tired
• Friday = I better the heck run 10 miles
• Saturday = I better the heck run 20 miles
• Sunday = I better the heck run 10 miles
• Weekly Mileage = 40 miles. Saved myself (KNOCK ON WOOD!).

Bop to the Top and 10.5 mile run

*Updated: Look at these pictures. They're hilarious! I like to smile for the camera guy. :)

Well the Bop to the Top went well and I finished in 6:57 minutes, which is about what I expected. After the first 7 flights I had to start walking. In the beginning I wasn't using the rails to help me until I saw the guy behind me doing it. I felt like I was cheating...but everyone was doing it. Although I enjoyed myself, I probably won't do it again. I'm surprisingly/thankfully not sore at all but perhaps I will be tomorrow.

After the race I went and ran 10.5 miles outside at a 7:55 minute pace. It felt pretty good. Then I did 15 minutes of abs.