Running up the Numbers

Sun- ran 5 miles outside

Mon- nothing

Tues- 3 miles outside, taught suspension class

Wed- 2.25 miles on the treadmill before I went to a Silver Sneakers class with a couple of my favorite ladies from my Active Older Adult class Resistance training class.  I'm attending a few classes incase I ever want to sub.  Then that evening I was Gretchen free and there was a group run at a running store close by so I went for 3.5 more miles.

Thurs-  Had time for 7.25 miles on a trail, taught suspension class

Fri- ran 2 miles on the basement treadmill before Gretchen woke up

Saturday- drove to the gym during childcare time and had time for 4 miles.  Did some speed work on my run to mix it up on the treadmill.

Total = 27 miles, not the 30 I wanted to get but I lot closer than I've been getting.

Goal for this week is 30 miles.  I'm not going to attempt to even write up my schedule for this week.  I didn't really follow my schedule from last week and this week I have even less of an idea about when I might have free time to run outside.  Probably going to have to suck it up and run on the treadmill lots this week.  Also need to add more strength training into my week beyond the suspension class.  Depending on who and how many people are in the class I may do a little or a lot of the workout myself.  Plus I'm kinda use to it and it is only bodyweight, just need to mix things up with some actual weight.

It took me a few days to come to terms with having to buy a new phone.  Gretchen might of had a breakdown at the Verizon store when the employees were less than helpful but we should have a new phone tomorrow.  Which means I can take pictures again without having to pull out the camera.

iphones are breakable and more running

I hear some people go their whole lives and never break their phone.  I am not one of those people.  I drop it constantly.  I just got the super cracked screen fixed 2 weeks ago at one of those places where you wonder it they are stealing all your personal info off the phone while they are fixing it.   I had drop my phone numerous times cracking the screen a little more each time but it still worked.  But this this time I lightly dropped it the screen only cracked a little but now the screen is just black and the only thing I can do on it is receive calls.  I'm really ticked at myself since I'll probably have to waste a bunch of money on a new one. I think they make them so breakable on purpose.

Anyway clearly I need to be running more to deal with this.  My miles have been in the 20- 25 mile range forever now.  Which is so not good.  While getting in all the miles I want requires a bit of time management and time on the treadmill(that I hate) I got rid of my only excuse for not running enough last week so all I need now is a plan.  I'm keeping the plan loose due to my unpredictable free time schedule but basically a slow build up of miles with lots of cross training.  Some of my cross training will be more for socializing with gym members than a workout but whateves.

Need more of this

Sunday- 5.5miles - done

Monday- Run 6 miles, take a class maybe

Tuesday- Run 4 miles, teaching suspension class as well

Wednesday-  Run 10 miles

Thursday- Teaching suspension class

Friday-  Take class, run 3 miles

Saturday-  Run 4 miles

This is all very maybe but based on when I think I'm most likely to have free time to run at the gym or outside.  Days may be switched but if I follow close enough I will hit 31 miles.  If this happens I plan on following the 10% rule till I reach more desirable mileage.

We took a little trip

I picked the perfect weekend to visit my sister in Washington DC and run the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon that was mostly taking place in a national park.

Or not so much.  The race was postponed till November 10th, don't think I'll make it seeing as how I live in Missouri and all.  Here are some pictures of me not running the race.

This is a cute picture of Gretchen and Gwen not of me running.

This is of a guy walking while holding a monkey also not me running a half marathon.

But no matter Gretchen still enjoyed her plane trip.

Riding the Dinosaur train with her aunt Courtney who had our entire visit off work thanks to the government.

We spent lots of time just hanging out.  We visited a  playground, the Building museum where they had lots of interactive building activities for kids and visiting our cousins Dave and Sarah.  Gretchen loved hanging out with their kids learning about fairies and riding a bike.

Courtney was also watched Gretchen for me in the mornings so I could go for a few runs on my own. 

Picture from my running route.  While the national parks are technically closed and signs were posted as such there were plenty of runners and bikers out and the police were cool with it.  Courtney also took me to the YMCA for a workout.  Um this Y is a little nicer than what I'm used to.  We went all out and ran hills on these super cool curved treadmills.

Then rowed it out,

and went for a bike race.

After our tri we hit up the free weights to finish it off.

Fun weekend and still got lots of running in even though I really wanted to run the race but I couldn't of seen this happening when I paid for the race or bought the plane tickets.  First time a race I signed up for didn't happen.

Running or Lack There Of

I originally didn't post because I haven't been running near as much as I want to, and with anything once you quit doing something it is so easy to fall into a routine of continually not doing it.  The last time I hit over 30 miles in a week was back in July the week I ran the 50k.  I've still been running probably enough to maintain my current fitness level along with some light strength training every week.  However this is not where I want to be.  I want a solid 40+ miles a week and I know that means sucking it up and running on the treadmill.  I have a solid preference for running outside, if I'm really getting picky I like a trail but the streets aren't to bad.  My 2nd choice would be running circles around the YMCA.  I'm allowed to run around the building while Gretchen is in childcare.  4.5 laps around = 1 mile.  Way better than my final choice, the treadmill.
 

Running around this building better than 

running on this but not near as good as

running on this.

What's Been Up

Scout Strong Half Marathon  May 11th

1:41:36 Half Marathon PR

Overall 34/347, Female 6/161, Age 30-34 2/35

No Picture

Ran Hospital Hill Half Marathon

1:46:04

Overall 621/4285, Female 124/2307, Division 30-34 female 33/443

Went to Colorado and rode a bike down a mountain.  I was SCARED to ride the ski lift up the mountain and ride a bike down but I took the beginner class and the instructor was super helpful, informative and patient.  I rode down twice, no injuries.

Back home I did some trail running in preparation for a 50k.

Family fun with a 4th of July 5k in Warrensburg, MO.

We picked up some medals.

Ran the 5k in 22:25 PR

Placed 2nd female, 1st in my 18+ age group female

Spent the 4th on the farm.  There was a skid steer rodeo competition

and a tire flipping competition.  My sister Beth has a hold on the farm competitions.

The next weekend I ran a 50k on my birthday.  I gave myself the gift of fitness.

I got a huge cramp all the way down both my hamstrings and calfs around mile 23.  I remember it feeling super painful and thought I couldn't run anymore, but after refueling at an aid station and slowly walking about a mile the pain went away and I was able to pick up the running again.  I'm guessing the cramping was all salt/ hydration related.

Finished in 6:28:47 PR

Overall 30/67, Female 8/20, Age Group 30-39 3/9

Medals

The Next week I went and took the ACE personal trainer exam.  I passed and I'm now a certified personal trainer.  My actual certificate should be here in 2-4 weeks.  Hire me if you would like to get in shape.  I'll probably make you run.  

Running April 26th - May 2nd

Friday April 26th:  Ran 4 miles on the treadmill at the gym.

Saturday April 27th:  Did nothing, race tomorrow

Sunday April 28th:  Trolly run, PR'd by 38 seconds so not bad.  Probably could of done better with a proper nights sleep but still.

bib number:	240
age:	33
gender:	F
location:	Independence, MO
overall place:	509 out of 6899
division place:	15 out of 647
gender place:	83 out of 4032
time:	29:10
pace:	7:18

My phone was about to die so I only took this pic of free food at the end of race.  I was having trouble carrying it all but I can't resist free food.

But I store this picture from my sister off of Facebook. 

After this race they have a kids run.  I signed Gretchen up for the second year in a row and I'm sure she will run it one day just as soon as they get rid of the terrifying mascots.  She is not a fan and there is no way she is going to run towards them.

Monday April 29th:  4 miles on running path across from Y pushing jogging stroller

Tuesday April 30th:  5.5 miles on Y path

Wednesday May 1st:  1 mile warm up, strength exercises, 3 miles on path with jogging stroller, later in the day 4.6 miles on streets near my house.

Thursday May 2nd:  Title Boxing club kickboxing class.

Friday May 3rd:  Ran 6 miles on gym treadmill.

Saturday May 4th:  Ran 8 miles on gym treadmill.

Miles since last post:  40 miles

Not Much Running Going On March 29th - April 25th

This is kinda an exercise post dump since it has been almost a month since my last post and I need to get caught up.  I injured my ankle most likely from running too much.  I've been taking it fairly easy waiting it out for my ankle to feel better.  It is almost there.  I've still been working out but not as much and not near as much running as I would like.

Friday March 29th:  Noticed ankle was bothering me a little but ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill before bootcamp class.

Saturday March 30th:  Ankle was definitely bothering me so I didn't workout at all.

Sunday March 31st:  Ankle was still bothering me but I ignored it and ran 12 miles because the weather was perfect and I have BB HWY pretty much to myself at 7 on a Sunday morning.

Monday April 1st:  Ankle was really bothering me so I didn't workout.

Tuesday April 2nd:  Ankle still annoying me so I didn't workout again.

Wednesday April 3rd:  Went to bootcamp class but rode a bike whenever the class did an impact exercise.

Thursday April 4th:  Tried out this machine called an elliptical for 4 boring no impact miles.

So your what they call an elliptical trainer.  I am not pleased to meet you.

Friday April 5th:  Went to bootcamp class and kept it no impact with the bike when needed.

Saturday April 6th:  Ran the Cameron YMCA 8k and won with a time of 38:06.  Clearly this no running thing is working for me or there were not that many people in the race.  Who's to say.  But I beat the out the men  too and it's not my fastest 8k time.

Ya I'm a winner

Sunday April 7th:  Ankle bothering me more since I ran on it yesterday so no exercise.

Monday April 8th:  Taught AOA water fitness.  This was the last week of the Independence Y being open.

Tuesday April 9th:  bootcamp class

Wednesday April 10th:  Taught water fitness class

Thursday April 11th:  Taught 2 water fitness classes.

Friday April 12th:  Bootcamp class.  Last day the Y Independence  was open, weird day.

Saturday April 13th:  I did get up(barely)  and run/walk A color me rad color run 5k with a friend who puts up with my ridiculousness.

Sunday April 14th:  I went out to the trail with the stroller for 4 miles.  It was crazy windy so it still counts as 4 miles even though I had to walk a little on the 2 miles back.  I make my own rules, but I don't allow walking as running distance unless the circumstances are extreme and I feel this counted as extreme.  I mean Gretchen won't let me pull back her stroller hood while I run straight into the wind.  It's like running while pulling a parachute in the wind.

Monday April 15th:  Confused, Independence Y no longer open, didn't work out but worked my first shift at the Blue Springs Y.  That part went well.

Tuesday April 16th:  Went to the Blue Springs Y.  Ran 4 miles on the treadmill then switched to the elliptical for 3 more miles.  Still watching my ankle that is not all together yet.

Wednesday April 17th:  Went to the Blue Springs Y.  Ran a 1 mile warm up on the treadmill.  Then I worked my arms.  Up until now I had pretty much just be using boot camp classes as my only form of strength training but need to start my own routines.  Ran another 3 miles on treadmill.

Thursday April 18th:  After working at the Y in the morning I met up with a friend who took me to a kickboxing class at Title Boxing Club.  Loved it!  It is just a room with a bunch of punching bags hanging from the ceiling.  You wear gloves and an instructor leads you though a hour long class of punching and kicking along with plenty of sit up and push up exercises.  They are too expensive for my budget especially with no child care but it is a great workout.
After workout went and signed up at another regular gym that is close to my house to try out.  I reasoned that since the new Y that I'm at is a 20 minute drive the gas money and time I would save would make it worth the 2nd gym membership.  But I'm really unimpressed with the place that shall remain nameless on this blog just incase I ever want to work for them.  It is a very large gym compared to the Y so I expected harder classes and more variety in the classes.  There is less variety and the class I took was kind of a waste of time not hard at all.  Then their child care is horrible.  I mean Gretchen can pretty much take care of herself for a 2 year old but I feel bad putting her in there.  I tried expressing my concern to the manager and he just blew me off.  Other than getting to work out with some people I know the place has nothing going for it.  Unless something changes in the next month I'm canceling and deciding the drive to the Y is worth it.

Friday April 19th:  Took lame turbo kick class at unnamed gym.  Got professional massage later that day and was not expecting it to

Saturday April 20th:  Was supposed to run a marathon today.  That didn't happen.  With injuring my ankle my training completely dropped off and I haven't been running much at all.  But the weather was pretty good, I was Gretchenless, and my ankle pain was feeling nonexistent.  I ran 8.5 miles at a decent 8:29 pace.  My ankle started bothering me after mile 5 but not to bad and I spent the day icing it so I don't think I did anymore damage.

Sunday April 21st: Gretchen and I went out to the trail for a 4 mile run.  Didn't realize it was windy until we got out there.  It is an out and back the first 2 miles were good but running back was ridiculous.  I had to walk a little.  When I'm pushing a stroller straight into the wind and have to walk a little I still count it as running.  I make my own rules.

This is what Gretchen is doing while I'm trying to push her straight into the wind.  It's for the best, she can't hear the words coming out of my mouth.

Monday April 22nd:  Went to unnamed gym with Gretchen, had issue with childcare or lack of childcare.  Complained and went home since I wasn't comfortable leaving Gretchen with that mean women.  Did 20 minutes of strength training in the living room while Gretchen watched Sesame Street.

Tuesday April 23rd:  I was Gretchenless.  Went to unnamed gym to meet up with 2 friends to do our own bootcamp style workout.  Great workout.  Then I tried to talk to the manager about childcare, he clearly thought I was the problem and didn't care about what I had to say.  Whatever I guess.
After taking the class at Title Boxing Club last week found a Groupon for a 2 week pass for $21.  I jumped on that and went out  for another kickboxing class.

Wednesday April 24th:  Went to unnamed gym with Gretchen.  Different childcare worker so I left her in but I'm pretty sure there is a watch out for this one picture of me behind the desk.  Had to wait for a treadmill to open up then I ran 3 miles.  I don't know why I didn't realize this before but they don't have TV's on the treadmills.  There was 2 working big screen TV's I could watch from.  My choices Fox News or ESPN, um no thanks.

Thursday April 25th:  After working the morning at the Y I headed over to Title Boxing for another kickboxing class.  Great class again.  At the end of class the instructor had us plank till the last one dropped.  I won.  Wondering if I'm looking to muscular, I had 3 different people comment today on my thighs and how muscular they looked and the instructor at Title said I looked like the twin of this female MMA fighter, Sara McMann.  I looked her up she is more muscular than me but ya we do look alike.

Miles since my last post:  47  I did not count the 3.1 miles from the color run, there was too much walking going on there.