My Week In Running

2012 is almost over and this blog is making a comeback in 2013 but I figured I'd finish the year up.

November 26th-December 2nd

Monday:  did nothing

Tuesday:  Ran 7 miles on the treadmill at the gym.  Added 100 sit-ups and 50 push ups at home

Wednesday:  Ran 5 miles on the treadmill

Thursday:  Ran 7 miles on the treadmill at the gym.  Added 100 sit-ups and 50 push ups at home

Friday:  Ran 3 miles on treadmill before YoPi

Saturday:  No run

Sunday:  4 miles outside pushing Gretchen in stroller on trail

Weekly total:  19 miles

December 3rd-9th

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday: Bootcamp

Thursday:  Ran outside.

Friday:  Ran on treadmill before YoPi

Saturday:

Sunday:

I didn't write anything down this week.  I know I ran between 22-29 miles but I can not remember exactly.  Need to write things down.

December 10th-16th

Monday: 3 miles on treadmill

Tuesday: 4 miles on treadmill

Wednesday:  Bootcamp

Thursday:  10 miles outside my house while I was without Gretchen

Friday: 2 miles on treadmill, YoPi class

Saturday:  7 miles out and back on BB hwy, 3.5 miles good last 3.5 miles running straight into wind tunnel

Sunday:  Did nothing.  Body reminded me why I need to work out everyday.

Weekly totals:  26 miles

December 17th-23th

Monday:  5 miles on the treadmill

Tuesday:  5.5 miles outside while I was apart from Gretchen

Wednesday: .5 on treadmill before bootcamp class

Thursday:  4 miles on the treadmill

Later that day Gretchen thought we should run laps around the rug.  I'm sure we did a mile.

Friday:  3 miles on the treadmill and yoPi class

Saturday:  out on BB hwy 10 miles.  First 3 with my sister then I went on for 2 more without her before turning around to head back to the house, Weather was great and low wind.

Sunday:  Ran 3 miles outside

Weekly Totals:  31 miles

December 24th - 30th

Monday:  Extremely cold outside.  Did a 30 min. Nike app strength training workout with my sister.  Later on ran .5 miles on treadmill to warm up then went outside for 3.5 miles.

Tuesday:  Christmas day didn't get anything done in the morning.  Eventually around 5 pm I ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

Wednesday:  Ran 5 miles on the treadmill

Thursday:  Ran 4 miles on treadmill.

Friday:  Back home I was without Gretchen and ran 7 miles outside in the 28˚ temps.

Saturday:  Went to the gym and ran 7 miles on the treadmill.  Realized because of New Year's there would be no childcare at the gym again till Wednesday.

Sunday:  It's been 2 weeks since I took a complete day off of exercise or running.  Including today I have 3 days in a row of no childcare at the gym because of New Years.  It's probably too cold for Gretchen to be riding in the stroller on a run.  I picked up the mess around the treadmill in the basement but can really only use it if Gretchen is sleeping. I generally like sleeping while Gretchen is sleeping.  I did a Jillian Michael's power yoga dvd today.  It is one of her easier videos but I had Gretchen trying to climb on me while I did it.

Not my favorite place to run.

Weekly total: 31 miles

Running Wish List

1) before/after workout jacket  2) compression socks 3) sweat wicking running socks 4) running snacks   

5) running hand held  6) hydration vest 7) foam roller  8) running shoes 9) before/after workout pants

Wish lists, everyone is doing it, so I am too.  If you wanna buy me a present feel free to buy me one or all of the above.  I need new nicer go to/ leave the gym clothes to wear over my workout clothes.  Always need new sweat wicking socks and running shoes.  Not sure that I need compression socks but I kinda wanna try them out.  I have a hydration waist pack but a vest holds more and a want to try holding my water with a hand held.  I love gummies as running snacks and you know a foam roller for all my sore muscles.  

My Week in Running

Monday:  I managed to get to the gym before 10.  Just before but I'm trying to get in earlier so you know step in the right direction.  I ran 4 easy and boring miles on the treadmill.  At home I added 100 sit-ups and 50 push ups to my routine.  See if I can make it stick.

Tuesday:  At the gym just before 10 again, meant to get there earlier but Gretchen has no sense of urgency.  I ran 2 miles on the treadmill went to Zumba class then ran another 3 miles on the treadmill.  At home I did 100 sit-ups, 50 push ups and 25 squats.  If you were wondering I am not doing these strength exercises all at once usually done all throughout the evening.

Wednesday:  Kind of had a busy morning but was able to squeeze 3 miles in at the gym.

Thursday:  Out at my parents for the Thanksgiving weekend.  Did 7 miles out and back on BB hwy.  The first 3.5 were pretty good but there were some strong winds at my back so when I turned to come back is was a little rough coming back.

Friday:  Did 4 miles out and back on BB Hwy. It was pretty cold out and I wished I had brought a pair of running tights.

Saturday:  Finally got around to running in the late afternoon and did 5 miles.

Sunday: Back in Independence I had the afternoon without Gretchen.  I told myself I was going to do a long run but I knew I probably wouldn't.  I went for a run at the same time people were leaving the Chiefs game so I got more compliments on my nice ass than usual.  That along with the fact I always feel sick every time I have to leave Gretchen with my ex I cut my run to 5 miles.

Weekly totals:  33 miles, 1 Zumba class, 2 days added strength exercises

Next week goal:  If I run 39 miles I'll hit my goal of 140 for the month but that would be a lot for me.

My Week in Running

Monday:  4 miles on the treadmill featuring speed work.  I did the 30-20-10 plan for 3 repeats sandwiched between a couple of easy miles.

Tuesday:  Had plans to go the gym at night to check out a kickboxing class and to run a few miles before that.  I usually only to the gym in the morning so I didn't know how busy it would be.  I waited 15 minutes for a treadmill then of course really had to pee once I started running so after 1.5 miles I decided to chance it and hope a treadmill would be open when I got back.  Not so much.  I waited another 15 minutes then just decided to give up and go home.  I don't like waiting for a treadmill.

Wednesday:  5 miles on the treadmill.

Thursday:  4.5 miles on the treadmill.

Friday:  YoPi class.

Saturday:  5 miles on the treadmill.  Did 3 repeats of the 30-20-10 speed work plan.

Sunday:  Thanks to my sister Beth being at my house in the morning I got to go for a run outside by myself this morning.  Weather was great and I felt great running the first 6.5 miles.  Then there was a dead dog on the side of the road.  Clearly had been hit by a car then moved to the side of the road.  It freaked me out when I first saw it dead.  I stopped for a moment then ran on.  Then I turned and went back thinking maybe it wasn't dead and just needed medical attention.  No it was dead.  She had been dead for a while.  I dedicated my last 4.5 miles to the dog that won't be doing anymore running.

Weekly totals: 31 miles. 4 miles short of my goal.  Need to quit saving all my miles till the end of the week.

Next Week:  Hope to hit 35 miles.

My Week in Running

Monday:  3 miles on the treadmill.  Planned on running more but apparently my ipod nano decided to quit working for the 3rd time.  This is ridiculous Apple!  The first time it quit working 2 months after I bought it, still under warranty Apple replaced it.  The 2nd time it quit working 11 months later,  just after the warranty was up, I had to pay $56.00 for a new one(it was an old generation at this point.)  That was 5 months ago.  I think there is something wrong with generation 6.  However my old ipod from about 7 years ago still mostly works. What's up with that?

Do pink ipods not work as well as silver ones?

Tuesday:  6 miles on the treadmill.

Wednesday:  5 miles on the treadmill.

Thursday:  4 miles on the treadmill.  Zumba class. 2 more miles on the treadmill.  Breaking the miles up makes them go by faster.

Friday:  YoPi class.

Saturday:  As usual I was behind on my mileage and I didn't think running on Sunday was going to happen.  I ran 10 miles on the treadmill.  Some fast, some slow.  I'd like to thank The Real Housewife's of Atlanta for joining me on my run.  Without them to entertain me I don't think the last 6 miles would of been possible.

Sunday:  3 Freezing cold miles outside.

Weekly total:  33 miles, I'm happy with that.

Goal for next week:  35 miles

My Week in Running

Monday:  No workout

Tuesday:  2 easy miles on the treadmill and a zumba class

Wednesday:  4 medium level miles on the treadmill

Thursday:  Out at my parents house and the weather was great so perfect running situation and I don't feel like running.  This is how it always happens.  I did 4 miles on the road.

Friday:  Meant to get to the gym in time to run before YoPi.  I didn't and just went to YoPi.  Then I did some math today.  If I'm going to run the 140 miles I gave myself as a goal this month for Pile on the Miles I need to average 4.67 miles a day.  Better get on it.

Saturday:  5 miles on the treadmill.

Sunday:  Did nothing.

Weekly totals:  15 miles

Next week goals:  Run more.

My Week in Running

Monday:  Ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

Tuesday:  Ran 5 easy miles on the treadmill.

Wednesday:  Super nice weather and it is supposed to turn much colder tomorrow so Gretchen and I go to the trail for about 3 miles.  Watch GPS is not wanting to work.  When I get home I update my watch hoping that will fix it.  It doesn't so I call support.  Try pressing all the buttons to reset watch to factory settings.  Why didn't I think to do that anyway that fixes it.

Thursday: Did nothing.

Friday:  .5 of a mile on the treadmill then YoPi class.

Saturday:  Run the Burg 1/2 Marathon in Warrensburg, MO.

Sunday:  I'm sore and achy.  Didn't do anything other than walk the dog while pushing a stroller twice. This happens everyday but today it felt like I was doing something.

Weekly totals:  24.6

Goals:  Taken it easy the first half of week then getting serious.  Participating in Pile on the miles which is what I need to do also hoping to win one of the prizes.

Run the Burg 1/2 Marathon

Saturday morning I ran Run the Burg 1/2 marathon in Warrensburg, MO.  This is a great small race.  Great swag: technical tee shirt, sports bag, togo coffee mug, chapstick.  There is chip timing and you could show up 5 minutes before start and park a couple of blocks away.  I spent the night before at my parents house so that I wouldn't have to get up before 6, drive an hour to drop the kid and dog off before the race.  I was up at the race 20 minutes before start time.  The race start and finish was conveniently located across the street from my sister's coffee shop so no port a potty lines for me.

It was cold out but no wind and the sun was out so really it didn't feel that bad before and was great after a couple of miles.  There was also a 5k and a 10k and we all started at the same time on account of the cold temperatures.  I didn't love the together start but it probably helped me not go out to fast which I usually do.  

The race is pretty much all up and down hills, more so in the first few miles of the race but the slightly more spread out hills feel just as bad after you have already ran 5 miles of them.  I had to slow it down. Even though I knew the race was hilly(I ran it last year) I haven't been doing any hill training recently.   Also my long runs haven't been that long.  

Female 30 to 34

                                                                                                                    Place    Name                 City           Bib No  Age   Overall       Time       Time  

      
   2    Kristen Weigand     Independence  MO     2612   33       29      1:46:36.2   1:46:36.2

I finished 29th out of 107 total runners and 5th out of 48 females.  I was hoping for a time much closer to 1:40 but I guess I need to run more if that is gonna happen.  I did PR by 1:24 from same race last year.
Today I am probably the sorest I've ever been after a half.  I feel like I ran a whole.

My Week in Running

Monday:  Wanted to start things off right for the week.  I went to the gym treadmill and ran out 6.75 miles with the ladies of The View.  When I'm on the treadmill I like to read the closed captioning on the TV while listening to music on my ipod.
Monday evening went to the trail for 3.25 miles of stroller running.  10 miles out in one day= good start to week.

Tuesday: Cold from last week is still hanging on. Ran 3 easy miles on treadmill.  Signed up for Run the Burg Half Marathon.

Wenesday:  Was without Gretchen in the morning but still wasn't feeling great so I just ran 3 easy miles outside of my house.

Thursday:  Did nothing.

Friday:  Ran 5.5 miles on the treadmill and went to YoPi class.

Saturday:  Ran 3.5 on the treadmill.

Sunday:  Nice weather so I completely ment to take Gretchen in the jogging stroller on the trail.  This didn't happen.  Gretchen took a long nap and I watched an American Pickers marathon on TV.  This took longer than an actual marathon but whatever.

Weekly total:  25 miles

Next Week goals:  Easy miles.  Run the Burg Half Marathon on Saturday.  Hoping to PR it.  My resent running times tell me I can.  My last Half PR was at this event last year with 1:48:00.  I havn't really trained for it so we will see.

My Week in Running

Monday: Ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

Tuesday:  Ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill.  Included 30-20-10 speed work.

Wednesday:  Ran 4.5 miles on the treadmill.  Add the .5 to even the miles out.

Thursday:  Ran 3 miles on the treadmill

Friday:  Didn't do a thing.

Saturday:  Was out at my parents so I went to go run when there seemed to be a break in the rain.  Just a little sprinkling when I left the house, just short of 2 miles out it started pouring which would of been ok if it weren't for the lighting.  I do not like running when there is lightening in the area even though it may not of been that close I had 2 miles back to the house.  I sprinted.  It poured until I had less than half a mile left then back to sprinkles. 4 death defying miles done.

Sunday:  Still out at the parents house.  I felt so tired and not like running all morning finally I went out and did 6 laborious miles.  It was very windy.

Weekly Total:  24 miles.  I had a cold or allergies or probably both all week so I didn't really feel super run like at all.

Goal for next week:  30 miles and sign up for Run the Burg half marathon that is in 2 weeks.

My Week In Running

The last week of September I did run 28 miles but I didn't write it down as I went and I was irritated with not hitting 30 miles so I just didn't post about it.  I'm sorry about disappointing my millions of followers, I mean 3 followers.

Anyway this week:

Monday:  4 miles on the trail pushing Gretchen.  Great weather, Gretchen enjoyed the playground after the run.

Tuesday:  4 miles on the treadmill at the gym.  I did three 5minute sets of the 30-20-10 plan within the 4 miles.

Wednesday:  2.5 miles on the treadmill before going to pilates class.

Thursday:  Did nothing, had some sewing I needed to finish in the morning so I missed my normal gym time, then didn't end up going at all.

Friday:  Made it to the gym in time to do 4 miles on the treadmill before going to YoPi class.

Saturday:  Was without Gretchen for the afternoon so I went to the trail for 7 miles. It was the first cold day this fall.  I always forget how to dress for running when the weather changes.  I went for a long sleeve shirt with shorts.  It worked, could of used a stocking cap but I was fine after the first mile.

Sunday:  Went out to BB Hwy so I had my mom to watch Gretchen during my run.  I went for 8.5 because that is exactly what I needed to hit 30 miles for the week.  I stopped for a few pics during the run.  I started out at my aunt's house that is .5 miles up the road from my parents, ran out for 4 miles turned and ran to my parents house to shower.  I was a little late for the football and food at my aunt's house.

The turnaround at mile 4.

Rolling hills at mile .80 or 7.20.

Just past the start or at 8.20.  I had to shower before they would let me in for lunch.

Hit 30 miles for the week.  Hoping to go higher next week.

My Week in Running

Monday:  The weather this week was perfect for running outside so Gretchen and I did a bunch of stroller running this week.  It was much easier with the aired up tires.  Ran 4 miles on the trail with the jogging stroller.

Tuesday:  Ran another 4 miles on the trail with the jogging stroller.

Wednesday:  Didn't do anything.

Thursday:  Ran another 4 miles on the trial with the jogging stroller.  Ran my fastest stroller mile in 8:08 thanks to this muscly younger guy who started out ahead of me.  I was slowly gaining on him till I was pretty close then I  went for it and passed him.  After I passed him I had to keep up the pace, couldn't have him catching up with me.

Friday:  I was by myself in the morning.  I took off from my house and ran 8.38 miles.  I was aiming for 8 but wasn't paying attention and ran a little over.  I was planning on going to YoPi class after but was running (ha ha) late so I didn't try and make it.

Saturday:  Went back out to the trail for another 4 miles with Gretchen.  Near the end of our run there is a sharp turn or sharp for a jogging stroller.  Well I must of been running to fast because as I was turning the whole front wheel popped off.  At first I didn't know what happened other than  the stroller stopped on me.  I realized the front wheel was missing but I had to looked around for a couple of minutes wondering where it went before I found it wedged in between the back two tires.  Luckily it was fine and I popped it right back into place  and we finished our run.

Sunday:  Ran 10 miles on the trail by myself.  Run went smoothly other than my water pack was leaking but whatever.

Weekly total:  34.38 miles

Next week goals:  35-37 miles

My Week in Running

Monday:  Had a long morning.  I have no idea how it took 3 hours to walk the dogs, make Gretchen breakfast then get her ready to go but it did.  Got to the gym later than planned so I just ran 3 miles and was done.

Tuesday:  I have never really tried any kind of running plan or training other than run lots of miles as fast as I feel I can that day.  I followed a plan when I was training for my first marathon but it was mostly just run a lot more miles every week so that when the marathon happens you'll be able to finish.
I've been able to improve my times a lot this year by just doing this.  But I'd like to drop my 5k into sub 22 minute territory.  I thought I'd give this plan I saw in the October issue of Women's Health ago.

It's the 30-20-10 plan.  You run fast for 30 seconds, faster for 20 seconds and fast as you can for 10 seconds then take a 2 minute walk or easy jog break.  Then repeat.  It says you should to this 3 times a week.  I only did it once this week but I'm aiming for twice a week.  It does make the treadmill time go by faster with all the button pressing.  This made for 4 miles.

Wednesday:  Didn't do anything.

Thursday:  Had time to run outside by myself this afternoon.  Wanted to run 12 but I was feeling off or my stomach was feeling off.  Anyway I ran a 5.5 mile loop from my house stopped back at the house for some water.  Went back out for 2.5 more miles.  It started pouring which would of been fine except I didn't wear a hat so the rain was carrying the sweat into my eyes it burned and I was done.

Friday:  Went to the gym and got 3 miles in on the treadmill before I went to YoPi class.

Saturday:  Went to the gym and knocked out 7 boring miles.

Sunday:  Didn't feel like running especially since my only option was with the jogging stroller.  But I got Gretchen and I ready, drove to a gas station with free air to air up stroller tires.  Waited 5 minutes or so and decided the guy was just pretending to air up his tire for fun or he didn't know how so I left and drove to another gas station with free air.  Gretchen was asleep.  I went ahead and aired the tires up.    Gretchen didn't wake up so I decided to go back home and put her in bed.  Here's the thing if Gretchen falls asleep in the car I can put her in her bed and she will sleep for at least an hour or more but If I wake her up that's it.  No more napping for the day which also means no free time.   I like my free time.  I planned to head back out for a run once she woke up but while she was sleeping I realized a had 25 papa points which equals a free pizza from Papa John's.  Point being I never got around to running.

Weekly total: 25 miles, not as much as I wanted but I was feeling a little off all week

Next week goal:  33 miles

My Week In Running

Monday:  Ran 6 miles down BB hwy.  Was tired and my glutes were sore from the strength session the day before so it felt a little tough.

Tuesday:  Did nothing.

Wednesday:  6 miles on the treadmill at the gym.  I had someone to talk to on the treadmill next to me for  the first 3 miles so it made the miles pass pretty fast.

Thursday:  5 miles on the gym treadmill.

Friday:  Day before race so no running.  I went to YoPi class.

Saturday:  Helen Gold run, 10k, went great.  Later that afternoon I mowed the lawn and ran another 3 miles down the street from my house.

Gretchen hydrating and stretching it out after our Sunday run.  That's water in the gatorade bottle if you were wondering.

Sunday:  Needed 4 more miles to hit 30 for the week so Gretchen and I loaded up the jogging stroller and went out to the Blue Trace Trail.  It wore me out, one of the tires was a little flat but I didn't realize this till we were out there and running.  So we just ran anyway I stopped each mile for short rest but did all 4 miles.

Weekly total:  30.2 miles

Goals for this week:  33 miles, no races this week so hope to do a long run maybe 12 miles, we'll see.

Helen Gold Run

Saturday I ran the Helen Gold 10k in Overland Park, Kansas.  The race is put on to raise money for Parkinson's disease research.  My grandmother had Parkinson's and my aunt Betty offered to pay for the run if I wanted to run it.  I am considering this my first sponsored race.  I'm also accepting future sponsorships.  I promise to run my best.

Female 32 to 39

Place  Name             City               Bib No  Age   Overall  Time  

1      KRISTEN DAVOLT   INDEPENDENCE  MO      202   33       13   45:29.5

I placed 3rd female out of 53 and 13th overall out of 95. Above underneath place it says 1 for first in my age group not overall.I'm happy with my results of course 1st or 2nd would be better, they won prizes, but I PRed by 3 minutes so good times. The 2nd place girl beat me by a minute and a half so it wasn't one of those beat me at the very end kind of situations that make me feel like I should of beat her.The race was 2 laps around basically a huge shopping center with mild up and down hills all the way around. The 10k started at 8:00. The 10kers were sent down the street to start. The 5k started in the start/finish area and started 5 minutes after us.
They sounded the horn and we were off. I try not to pay to much attention to who is running ahead of or past me and pay more attention to how I feel and what the the pace says on my watch. I want to make sure I don't have to slow down or walk later. While I don't want to pay to much attention I do pay some attention. One girl was way ahead from the beginning, she ended up winning. Other than that there were 3 girls either ahead of me, beside me, or right behind me the first couple of miles. Right after mile 2 the girl who had been right behind me ran past and she placed 2nd.  The other girls had fallen behind me, no 10k girls past or caught up with me during the rest of the race. Most races are put on to raise money for something but this race seemed to have the largest amount of walkers purely doing the race to support the cause. Could of just been that we had to loop around the walkers on the second loop while other races they are behind you the entire time. While thefirst loop there were just the 10kers the 2nd loop we ran into all the 5k walkers. While this is great that all these people wanted to come out and walk to support the cause I just hadn't experienced trying to run throughhuge groups of people causally walking before. It just made things a little interesting winding around the groups of people who weren't expecting me. 

Apparently while I was off running Betty and Gretchen went for a drive.  I don't know what these two were thinking.  Gretchen said it was all good.

My Week In Running

Monday:  Had a few free hours in the afternoon.  My legs were a little worn from the 13 miles yesterday and it was 90˚+ out but figured I needed to do something and ran 3 flat miles on the streets around my house.  Then I mowed the backyard with a push mower so it counts as a workout.

Tuesday:  Went to the gym and jumped on the treadmill for 4 miles.

Wednesday:  5 miles on the treadmill at the gym.

Thursday:  3 miles on the treadmill at the gym.

Friday:  No running, rest day before the Chilhowee 5k race.

Saturday:  Chilhowee 5k - finished 1st women in 22:36, Success!

Sunday:  4 recovery miles with my sister Courtney then she led me in a 30 minute Nike strength training session.  Made my glutes sore.

Weekly Totals:  Only did 22 miles so we will call this my easy week.  Did get a new 5k PR.

This week goals:  It is already Tuesday night.  I ran 6 miles yesterday and did nothing today.  I have a 10k race on Saturday.  The Helen Gold in Overland Park.  Hope to work in 30 miles total this week.

Chilhowee 5k

This weekend was the big Chilhowee fair.  You've never heard of it?  How strange.  The whole fair was kinda rained out but the Saturday morning 5k race went on.  It was great running weather.  Overcast and a little drizzly to sprinkles.  The race had 36 finishers, 14 of them women.  As I predicted I was able to dominate the race but not with out a significant amount of effort.  My main competition was Mikendra  Young who I've been in races with  before.  She beat me in the last 1/2 mile of a 5k a few months ago so I was worried the same would happen today.  I tend not to have any extra push at the end of races and get beat in the end.  I knew Mikendra was right behind me from the start so I tried not to concentrate on that and focus on keeping my pace steady on my watch.  She caught up with me right after mile 2 but I managed to keep up with her.  I just keep thinking she was going to zoom off at any moment and it was to early to try and run past her so I just kept up then with about 1/2 a mile left she had to slow it down and I was able to maintain till the finish.  Mikendra is super nice so she might of just let me win but I don't think she is that nice.

My sister Courtney and I in our matching shirts showing off our sweaty selfs after the race.  I placed first for the women in 22:36.  I was 4th overall.  A new PR, my new goal is to shave off those 36 seconds.  Courtney pulled it out for a third place overall women in 24:28.

My super fast cousin is super pregnant with twins this year otherwise I would of had even more competition.  She won the race last year.

 The winning guy and me holding our new trophies.

My Week In Running

Monday:  Didn't do a thing.

Tuesday:  5 miles on treadmill at gym.

Wednesday:  5 miles on treadmill at gym.

Thursday:  5 miles on treadmill at gym.

Friday:  Planned on getting to the gym in time to run 5 miles on treadmill before the YoPi class but only had time for 1 mile before class so that's what happened.

Saturday:  5 miles on treadmill at gym.

The last 5k we ran together on the 4th of July.  

Sunday:  10 miles out on hilly BB hwy.  I left my parents house that morning knowing I needed at least 12 miles for the day to hit my goal of 33-35 miles for the week.  I knew I'd be running another 3 miles later in the day but wasn't really feeling like 9 hilly miles were in me today.  I haven't really done any hilly runs lately.  I went out and after getting the first few starter miles out of the way it was going well but I hadn't brought any water with me so I was thinking of turning around at 3.5miles out but then I met a super friendly dog who wanted to run with me and did not want to go back to her house.  While I normally pass very few cars out on BB Sunday mornings there was suddenly 6 cars driving by and the dog wanted to go out in the road to greet each car.  Not a great situation so I ran the dog back to her house and found her pen, she went right in.  After my little break I decided to go ahead and run out another mile and a half to hit 10.  I spent the last few miles dreaming of water and was drenched with sweat when I got back.  I changed into some dry running shorts and top then headed to Chilhowee with my dad and sister to help finalize the 5k route for next weekends race.  This is the 3rd year my sister Beth has put on a 5k race for the Chilhowee fair.  After finalizing the new route for this years race we ran it,  I dominated the run just like I plan on doing this Saturday morning at 7:30.

Weekly Totals:  34.1 hitting goal of 33-35 miles.  Didn't do any stroller running but was able to meet mileage goal without it so I'm fine with that.

Goals for this week:  Anything above 30 miles is good.  I'll be spending end of week out at the parents so I shouldn't have any problem hitting this.  I'll want to take it easy on Friday so I can dominate on Saturday.  Saturday goal time = anything under 22:55 for a new PR.  Buy Gretchen some new running shoes so she can dominate the 1 year old age division.

My Week In Running

Monday:  Back on the trail.  Seemed a little better than yesterday, I think due to it being about 10˚ cooler and overcast today.  Ran 2 miles out, took water break and 2 miles back, average pace 8:54.  Gretchen did streches with me after the run.

Tuesday:  No run.  Went to state fair with family had a pork burger with fries, 1/3 of a funnel cake, ice cream cone, and pizza buffet on the way home.  Spent an hour looking for my watch charger, never found it.

Wednesday:  Was with out Gretchen for a few hours in the morning.  Had a bit of a food hangover but with the cool temps wanted to hit double digits with my run.  I went out to Blue trace trail wearing two watches since I never found my power cord I knew my watch would die during my run.  I wore my regular watch to keep track of time once that happened.  The watch made it 7 3/4 miles,  I made it 10 miles.  My longest run since my 50k.

Thursday:  Wasn't into running for the day but what else was I gonna do with my morning.  Went to the Y and hit the treadmill for 3 miles and I was out of there.  Found out I left my watch charger at my parents house, glad I didn't lose it.

Friday:  YoPi day at the Y.  The Y I attend doesn't have many classes that fit my fitness level and child care needs.  Most of the classes are for people who are significantly older or less fit than myself and they only have childcare during certain hours.   I not complaining for the price to have great childcare while I'm on the treadmill is fantastic.  Another plus: Gretchen always seems excited to be there and hang out with the other kids.  Anyway the YoPi class is the one I try to attend each week to get myself stretched out and relaxed.  The Y does have straight up yoga but I feel like it might be to boring for me.  Running is my yoga.
The YoPi class starts at 10:15 so I try to get to the gym in time to get a few miles in before hand.  Somedays that happens somedays it doesn't.  Today I made it in time for 2.5 miles before class.

Saturday:  I knew I needed 10.5 more miles for the week to hit my 30 mile goal.  The Y has no childcare on Sunday so I thought I needed to go at least 5.5 on the treadmill today and I did just that.

Sunday:  Gretchen left for 2.5 unexpected hours in the afternoon so I used the time for my run.  I went out knowing I need 5 but since I was by myself I ended doing 8 miles.  It was about 80˚ out which after a month of 100˚+ days seems cool even while running.

Weekly Total= 33 miles, goal of 30 miles met and exceeded
Goals for next week= 33 to 35 miles, 5 mile jogging stroller run

4 Jogging Stroller Miles = 8 Regular Miles

Today I broke out the jogging stroller.  I first tried it out when Gretchen was about 4 months old and didn't like it at all.  I was always able to get my runs in without it so I didn't use it.  Now though I'm having a hard time getting as much running in as I would like with the treadmill at the gym that I also don't like. 

I got to the gym late on Friday and went straight to the yoga/pilates class telling myself I would jump on the treadmill at home after Gretchen went to bed but that never happens.  Then Saturday I decided to have a Garage Sale and missed out on child care time at the gym. The garage sale was a waste of time so that was a mistake.  When Sunday showed up I only had 18 miles for the week.  The weather was actually kinda cool this morning right around 80˚ compared to the mostly 100˚ weather we've had.  No child care at the gym on Sundays so Gretchen and I packed up and hit the Little Blue River Trace Trail in Independence.  It is a packed fine gravel trail and big enough so there is not people all around.  I didn't want to worry about running into people with the stroller.   The trail is basically flat.  I did 4 miles.  It was hard running while pushing 30 lbs the whole way.  Gretchen didn't see what the big deal was.  We ran out 2 miles stopped for water.  Turned to come back, ran till mile 3 stopped for pictures.  Ran most of the last mile only walking up the small hills that I never realized were on the trail until today.  

Gretchen enjoyed the ride.  I hated it but guess I'm going to try adding this to our routine in an attempt to up my weekly mileage.  Goal for next week: 30 miles.

Does watching olympic athletes run count as a workout?

Are we watching the Olympics or a broken TV?  

I've been feeling sort of blah about my running since my 50K.  The week after I was a bit sore and ran a total of 11 miles for the week.  The following week I ran every single day but the first 5 days were all treadmill and I never did more than 5 miles a day.  I got to run outside on Saturday with a long run of 7 miles and then Sunday with 6 miles.  This past week I was tired, ran 5 days finishing the week with only 20 miles.  I managed to pick up my excitement level on the treadmill when the track and field events started on Friday.  I gave myself a gold in the treadmill 1500.  My nearest competitor was a 70 year old speed walker (wait we were competing in seperate events.)  I know my running is no where on par with any of the olympic athletes but watching them makes me run faster.  I try to move my legs and arms in the same way they move their legs and arms.  It might help.  This week I'm on track for at least a solid 30 miles.  30 miles is supposed to be my weekly minimum.  Studies show this is what I need to run weekly to keep my nacho and cheesy fry diet under control.  

Glow Run

Glowing

Saturday after running the Psycho Psummer 50K I thought that wasn't enough If only I could get another 5k in for the day.  Not really.  The Glow run isn't the kind of run I would of signed up for on my own especially right after my morning race but a few months ago when I friend asked if I wanted to run it with her it seemed like a fine idea.  

After finishing my morning run just after 3 in the afternoon I was feeling pretty good.  The race didn't start till 9:15 so I showered, ate, laid around and stretched till go time.  Lucky for me I didn't have to drive to the race.  I would not of enjoyed finding parking and then later trying to get out of there.

The race sold out at 5000 participants and there was many more spectators at The City Market, Kansas City race site.  Big party atmosphere everyone decked out in their most glowy gear.  I knew that this was more of a fun run than race and told myself I was just going to take it easy and maybe walk parts of the race but after being smooshed like a sausage in the crowd of people waiting for our turn to go 30 minutes after the first group went out I was just ready to run it out.  They really needed to have a bigger better start corral system for as many people as they had racing.  It was impossible to tell where the back of the line was so we sortof cut in line.  So ya I ran the whole thing, there was a lot of weaving in and around groups of walkers.  I did meet one guy wearing his Psycho Psummer shirt from the morning run so I wasn't the only one doubling up on races that day.  

                                                 Chip         Gun 
Place  Name        Bib No  Age   Overall         Time        Time 

31 Kristen Davolt 1134 33 418 26:24.1 51:13.6

I think I did fine. I know the race was supposed to be more about the glow than the running but I think I prefer the races that are more about the running.

Psycho Psummer Trail Run 50k

Overall Place	First Name	Last Name	Bib	Gender	Age	City	State	Class	Class Pos	Gender Place	1st 10 Mile Rank	1st 10 Mile lap	2nd 10 Mile Rank	2nd 10 Mile Time	3rd 10 Mile Rank	3rd 10 Mile Time	Total Pace	Total Time
31	KRISTEN	DAVOLT	2027	F	33	INDEPENDENCE	MO	F 30-39	3	10	47	2:15:43	31	2:18:18	31	2:31:45	13:44/M	7:05:48

Saturday I competed my first 50k trail run. The Psycho Psummer Trail Run at Wyandotte county park lake, Kansas.  I didn't feel like I had done near enough training for it.  Most of my miles recently have been logged on the treadmill and I can't seem to do more than 7 miles at a time on the treadmill on account of it being boring.  That along with my last longish race fail at the Hospital Hill half marathon I wasn't expecting to finish well.  I went to packet pickup the day before asking to be downgraded to the 20 mile run.  She put me on the list but talked about how prefect the trail was this year because of lack of rain and said I could change my mind up till the race started.  

I woke up Saturday morning at 6:15  still on the 20 mile get this over with track thinking I was going to be a mess by the end of it.  I got up dressed and grabbed my stuff trying to sneak out of the house without waking up Gretchen.  I made a stop at the Quick Trip for a special k protein bar so I would have something in my stomach to start.  After a 30 minute drive over to Wyandotte County Lake Park I parked.  It was about 30 minutes till race time and seeing all the other cars I got a little nervous.  I really didn't know how many were there for the 10 mile, 20 mile or 50k.  I stopped in the bathroom line I headed over to packet pickup to take myself off the 20 mile race and back on the 50k.  I decided  I would rather fail at the 50k than just finish the 20 miler.  I didn't realize till the race was about to start and the race director told us that we were free to drop to the 10 or 20 miler during the race.  You still get your metal and you still get counted, cool most races you have to know your distance before you start.

Something went off and the race started it was kind of a run walk up a small grassy hill to the actual trial part being my first trail race I was following everyone else's lead at the start of the race.  We hit the trail and it was single file.  I just let the runners in front of me determine my pace for about the first 5 miles which I think was best as I usually start out to fast at races.  After that the line thinned out a bit and I felt comfortable passing when I wanted to go ahead.  Everyone is super friendly about passing each other and if they are not it is because they have ear buds in.  You just can't see them. 

 There were four manned aid stations along the trail along with the one at the start/finish and unmanned water stations in between.  All of the volunteers at the aid stations were super great and helpful.  I especially appreciated the help with untwisting the top off of my camelbak and refilling it for me.  My hands were too sweaty for untwisting caps off of things.  The aid stations were a real buffet off snacks.  A run down of what I ate and drank on the run(the way I remember it anyway): a ton of water,  gallons of succeed(a Gatorade like drink),  one can of coke, a containers worth of Pringles, 1/4 of a watermelon, 1/2 a orange, 1 banana, 2 gels, 5 pickles, pack of gummy fruit and 6 s-caps.   

The race was divided into 3 laps.  I finished the first lap feeling great.  I dropped off my shirt because I felt like it was weighing me down, had my camelback refilled, grabbed some snacks and went off for lap 2.  I felt like there were about half as many runners around me for lap 2, felt like I was running my own pace, mostly running but walking all the ridiculous uphills.  The race was super well marked.  I was really happy about this as I always fear getting lost durning a race.  It happened once during a half marathon road race but with all the pink flags and straight ahead signs I never even thought I might be going down the wrong path.  Nearing the end of lap 2 I spied my daughter, mom and aunt hanging on the side of the trail.  Seeing Gretchen was a great pick me up but I still wasn't sure if I was stopping at 20 or going again for round 3.  Well I got back to the start and was still feeling good so I figured I'd regret not going for it and out I went.

I defiantly did more walking on the 3rd loop but only because they added all those extra hills on the 3rd loop that I didn't remember from the first 2 loops.  The 3rd loop was I running alone for most of it, where did everyone go?  Really though I felt decent the whole way through.  My legs were sore for sure but apparently I did an excellent job of hydrating because my stomach felt terrific during and after the race.  I finished the race in 7 hours and 5 minutes so thrilled about it since I started the day thinking I was going to barely finish the 20 miler.  I placed 10th out of 24 women and 31st out of 82 overall.  

On the first loop of course in the back wearing lime green shirt.

I believe i'm still munching down on some Pringles in this picture.

By the time I finished the first loop of the course I was feeling bogged down by the sweat filled shirt and had to lose it.  I only recently decided that bra only running was acceptable for myself for a few reasons.  1.  I think I've reached an acceptable level of fitness to go shirtless and I don't want to hear from you if you disagree with me.  2.  I'm running out on the trail where I'll only see other trail people.  I wouldn't try this running on the mean streets of Independence.  3. It's like 100+˚ outside.

Another great plus of this race is the free pictures.  I may need to work on my run face for the picture taking next time.