I completed my first second annual race on Thursday - the 8K Gallop and Gorge! And I beat my record from last year - down to 49 minutes+/- from 53 minutes+/-. That's better than a 10 minute mile!
I took a break from running on Friday and did a 3-miler in the hood today. Tomorrow: 9 miles!!! Yikes!!!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
oh wow
I haven't written here in a while. Quick recap of most recent runs:
Sunday, 11/8 - another 8 mile run. First run through Carrboro, starting from home. I was running by myself and it was boring. When I was done, I had the bizarre ammonia smell in my nose. My internet research tells me that's due to either not enough carbs or not enough water - both possibilities.
Sunday, 11/15 - after a week of feeling crappy, I managed 2 loops of the pumpkin trail. It felt really good. It was very warm and the sun felt great. I was glad to be running again.
Weds. 11/18 - nighttime run with buddies in the hood and to VW - very nice run.
Sunday 11/22 - today! Ran 8 miles again with a running friend. A fun run though I admit I felt winded throughout, but I feel great now! Yea!
This Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Gallop and Gorge 5 mile run. Last year I did that for the first time; it was the first time I'd ever run as far as 5 miles. Wow - I've come 3 miles in one year. (Ha).
Sunday, 11/8 - another 8 mile run. First run through Carrboro, starting from home. I was running by myself and it was boring. When I was done, I had the bizarre ammonia smell in my nose. My internet research tells me that's due to either not enough carbs or not enough water - both possibilities.
Sunday, 11/15 - after a week of feeling crappy, I managed 2 loops of the pumpkin trail. It felt really good. It was very warm and the sun felt great. I was glad to be running again.
Weds. 11/18 - nighttime run with buddies in the hood and to VW - very nice run.
Sunday 11/22 - today! Ran 8 miles again with a running friend. A fun run though I admit I felt winded throughout, but I feel great now! Yea!
This Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Gallop and Gorge 5 mile run. Last year I did that for the first time; it was the first time I'd ever run as far as 5 miles. Wow - I've come 3 miles in one year. (Ha).
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
"tempo"
(In quotes.)
A tempo run is supposed to be fast. First though, I ran one mile at a comfortable pace as a warmup (ah, the 11-12 minute mile) and then after that, a "tempo" mile.
My "tempo" mile was about 9:30. That's not fast, at all. True, what I thought was a mile was actually a bit more than a mile but still. But - it was fast for me and I guess that's what matters. Sigh.
A tempo run is supposed to be fast. First though, I ran one mile at a comfortable pace as a warmup (ah, the 11-12 minute mile) and then after that, a "tempo" mile.
My "tempo" mile was about 9:30. That's not fast, at all. True, what I thought was a mile was actually a bit more than a mile but still. But - it was fast for me and I guess that's what matters. Sigh.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
longest run yet!
It was not a good morning for a run, yet I did it, and finished 8 miles!
It was a rainy, cold (50's) and slightly windy Sunday morning after Halloween. I bundled up in my new running pants (from Dad and Luisa - they have a slight fleece layer on the inside) a few tops and my waterproof rain jacket. I also wore what I believe to be my best socks - wool. Despite all these protective measures, I ended up soaked but I managed to finish the run, only stopping to wait for traffic at road crossings.
I used my running buddy's 8 mile route on walkjogrun (not nearly as convoluted as my own 8 mile route, but similar). The only thing I don't like about this route is that it ends on the greenway, which is a boring end to a run. I've come to really dislike running on the greenway. Other than that, it's similar to the gimghoul run.
Yea for 8 miles!
ETA: I carried a paper with me that indicated each mile of the run so I could track my pace - I did 11 or 12 minute miles but by mile 5 or so the paper was so wet I gave up on tracking my pace.
And, the Wednesday earlier this week, I ran the pumpkin x 2.
It was a rainy, cold (50's) and slightly windy Sunday morning after Halloween. I bundled up in my new running pants (from Dad and Luisa - they have a slight fleece layer on the inside) a few tops and my waterproof rain jacket. I also wore what I believe to be my best socks - wool. Despite all these protective measures, I ended up soaked but I managed to finish the run, only stopping to wait for traffic at road crossings.
I used my running buddy's 8 mile route on walkjogrun (not nearly as convoluted as my own 8 mile route, but similar). The only thing I don't like about this route is that it ends on the greenway, which is a boring end to a run. I've come to really dislike running on the greenway. Other than that, it's similar to the gimghoul run.
Yea for 8 miles!
ETA: I carried a paper with me that indicated each mile of the run so I could track my pace - I did 11 or 12 minute miles but by mile 5 or so the paper was so wet I gave up on tracking my pace.
And, the Wednesday earlier this week, I ran the pumpkin x 2.
Monday, October 26, 2009
back in action
After my last, ill-fated 8 mile "run" I took an 8 day break from running.
My next venture was on Sunday the 18th, and it was an enjoyable PWTR plus pumpkin, which I rounded up to 7 miles.
Weds. the 21st I did a 5 mile run in a buddy's hood in Carrboro.
This past Saturday morning I went back to my running roots and ran Wesley circle and onto VW, a hilly but fairly short 3.5 miles.
This afternoon after school I headed out to the pumpkin trail on my own. I ran it two times, at exactly 10 minutes per mile for each loop. (The loop is 2.4 miles and each time it took 24 minutes). That felt like pushing it for me. I wonder if I'll ever be able to run faster than that. I ran the second loop in the opposite direction, which is the first time I'd ever done that. It wasn't as freaky as I expected. Having done that loop so many times over the last few months, and ALWAYS going the same direction, I had believed that going the other way would be odd feeling. It really wasn't!
I want to try again for 8 miles this Saturday. I'm giving some thought to doing a half marathon in Austin in January. If so, I need to get going!
My next venture was on Sunday the 18th, and it was an enjoyable PWTR plus pumpkin, which I rounded up to 7 miles.
Weds. the 21st I did a 5 mile run in a buddy's hood in Carrboro.
This past Saturday morning I went back to my running roots and ran Wesley circle and onto VW, a hilly but fairly short 3.5 miles.
This afternoon after school I headed out to the pumpkin trail on my own. I ran it two times, at exactly 10 minutes per mile for each loop. (The loop is 2.4 miles and each time it took 24 minutes). That felt like pushing it for me. I wonder if I'll ever be able to run faster than that. I ran the second loop in the opposite direction, which is the first time I'd ever done that. It wasn't as freaky as I expected. Having done that loop so many times over the last few months, and ALWAYS going the same direction, I had believed that going the other way would be odd feeling. It really wasn't!
I want to try again for 8 miles this Saturday. I'm giving some thought to doing a half marathon in Austin in January. If so, I need to get going!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
time for a rest
It's not been the greatest week for running.
Monday's run was just ok.
Wednesday's run was the best run of the week. I ran with my buddies and did the 5 mile gimghoul route. It was refreshing - the weather was good (cool and breezy) and I felt good afterwards. But running that route at 6:30 on a weeknight put us in the midst of a good bit of traffic, making it hard to have conversation.
This morning I attempted my 8 mile run, mapped out several weeks ago on walkjogrun. I've been looking forward to trying this route ever since I mapped it. But I had a weird feeling before I even headed out this morning. The weather was strange - cool yet very muggy. I just didn't have the energy to sustain a run. I did a lot of walking and made a few short cuts. Nothing hurt and I didn't have my low blood sugar feelings (although I did eat 2 chomps in the hopes of gaining some energy) but I just had no energy. I probably completed 8 miles today, since the original route was about 8.5 miles, and I'm guessing I cut off about a half mile in my short cuts.
Oh well. Good excuse for a rest week.
Monday's run was just ok.
Wednesday's run was the best run of the week. I ran with my buddies and did the 5 mile gimghoul route. It was refreshing - the weather was good (cool and breezy) and I felt good afterwards. But running that route at 6:30 on a weeknight put us in the midst of a good bit of traffic, making it hard to have conversation.
This morning I attempted my 8 mile run, mapped out several weeks ago on walkjogrun. I've been looking forward to trying this route ever since I mapped it. But I had a weird feeling before I even headed out this morning. The weather was strange - cool yet very muggy. I just didn't have the energy to sustain a run. I did a lot of walking and made a few short cuts. Nothing hurt and I didn't have my low blood sugar feelings (although I did eat 2 chomps in the hopes of gaining some energy) but I just had no energy. I probably completed 8 miles today, since the original route was about 8.5 miles, and I'm guessing I cut off about a half mile in my short cuts.
Oh well. Good excuse for a rest week.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
monday
I ran the 5 mile gimghoul route. Felt tired and not energetic but good afterwards. I plan to run Wednesday (~5 mi.) and Saturday (8 mi.) and then perhaps the following week, I'll do a little rest week, with just a couple shorter runs.
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