Posts Tagged "running on asphalt"
Running on Asphalt: Weeks 11 and 12.11
I’ve been majorly slacking on writing my running recaps but seriously, I’ve also been kind of slacking on my running, less from a lack of trying and more from uncooperative weather. Stupid rain. So in two weeks, I was only able to run four times, including my first 5k race of the year. Crazy, I know. Even crazier: I totally failed to properly set my sportband so my mileage for the race wasn’t tracked! Urg!
Week 11
Day 1
Distance: 3.68 mi
Time: 40:09 min
Notes: I had to take my walking break at 3.16 miles because I had stupidly eaten breakfast before running. I usually run on an empty stomach [sometimes I'll have a piece of fruit] but since it was really foggy when I woke up, I decided to wait to see if it would lift before going out since it would be safer. Even though I run on sidewalks, I still didn’t want to take that chance since I do have to cross some streets. Anywho, my mom surprised me with crepes and I went all out. I rued that decision later.
Day 2
Distance: 5.01 mi
Time: 53:59 min
Notes: This was my longest official run! And I ran all the miles, unlike the previous high of 4.6 miles because that included my walking breaks. I took my break at 4.05 miles and felt pretty strong. Since I was so close to 5 miles by the time I made it back home, I decided to just push for the extra 0.20 of a mile and got it! So exciting.
Week 10 stats
Total distance: 8.69 mi
Total time: 1:34:08 mins
Average mile: 10’49″
Weight: 145.7 lb
Week 12
Day 1
Distance: 2.21 mi
Time: 23:06 mins
Notes: This week I intended to take a break on mileage in preparation for my 5k race on Saturday. However, we had rain all week [including the morning of the race] so I wasn’t able to run the rest of the week, which was utterly disappointing.
Week 12 stats
Total distance: 2.21 mi
Total time: 23:06 mins
Average mile: 10’27″
Weight: 146.3 lb
Mileage to date: 96.53 mi
My 5k race was a lot of fun. It was raining before we started and the rain slowed to a drizzle while I was out running. The view was ah-may-zing; overlooking the Artesa Vineyard in Napa and I couldn’t help but get lost in it while running. Its one of those views that you want to stop and take a picture of but all you really want to do is just live in the moment and soak it all in with your eyes and not through some viewfinder:
My official time was 36:44, which isn’t too bad since the course was a bit hilly and we had to run up a hill to get to the finish line. I was pleased that I wasn’t caught too off-guard since my regular jogging routes include hills of some sort so I was actually quite prepared for the final stretch.
The whole race itself was a lot of fun. Since it was raining, the organizers, the Carneros Volunteer Fire Department, had to scramble around to set up the back up plan but did a great job. The atmosphere for this race was unique: they started the race by sounding the fire truck horns and served us a pancake breakfast following, including a glass of white wine [a pinot grigio and something else; I'm not sure since I requested a wine glass sans wine] and everyone was super friendly and excited to be there in spite of the weather. I’m definitely going to keep this run on my calendar for next year. I had such a great experience that I’ll definitely show up for a repeat appearance.
Read MoreRunning on Asphalt: Week 10.11
This week has probably been my best running week to date. I was able to go out three days this week and logged at least 4 miles each time. I am feeling stronger each day and excited about my chances of hitting the 10k [6.2 miles] mark by the end of the year. If I can meet that goal, that would mean I’m nearly halfway to running a half marathon! Disney Half Marathon [World and Land] here I come!
Day 1
Distance: 4.37 mi
Time: 47:31 mins
Notes: Took my first break at 3.44 miles, which was slightly further than I had planned. I was happy letting myself meet my last run’s mark but hey, I’ll take this extra bump. I was really pleased with how even my tempo appeared on the Nike Running site. That even tempo helped extend my run over all. I wasn’t dead tired by the end but maybe could have gone another couple of feet. Maybe.
Day 2
Distance: 4.42 mi
Time: 48:18 mins
Notes: I was feeling off but optimistic about at least meeting my previous run’s mark. That did not happen as I tapped out at 3.06 miles. I was bummed but you know, whatever. I did finish stronger though and I do love that I can easily reach four total miles easily now since I front load my runs now.
Day 3
Distance: 4.32 mi
Time: 46:32 mins
Notes: After the second run of the week, this day was AH-MAZING. Seriously. I felt like I had reached certain areas of my run a bit faster than before and even when I did get a little tired, I was able to adjust my stride and tempo and felt much better. And the best part? I RAN 4.09 MILES before stopping! I hit four miles! I nearly jumped when I realized it and could not stop smiling. I don’t even care if I can’t immediately repeat this feat but man, if I can do it once I know I can do it again!
Week 10 totals
Total distance: 13.12 mi
Total time: 2:22:11 mins
Average mile: 10:50 mins
Weight: 145.5
Mileage to date: 81.59 mi
This weekend I spent some time scheduling some additional 5k races for the summer. I’m averaging one every other month at the moment and I’m excited for them, two of them are trail races so that will be extremely new since I’m a road runner at the moment, and the other will be a return appearance at The Giant Race for another go. I’m hoping to get Pat to compete this year [he better not hurt himself before the race again] and another friend so it should be fun. I can’t wait to get my first race of the season under my belt.
Read MoreRunning on Asphalt: Week 9.11
I almost had a repeat of last week with only logging one run but thankfully I was able to squeeze in a second run when the rain that was forecasted failed to materialize. I did manage another round of the Nike Training Club [which wrecked my legs again] so it was still a good fitness week. I’m just a few weeks out from my first 5k of the year and I’m both excited and a little nervous. I hope the length of the first mile doesn’t surprise me like it did in my first race but I’m interested to know how my time will be since this will be the first time I ran on a flat track since last year.
Day 1
Distance: 4.06 mi
Time: 42:53 mins
Notes: It had been a while between my run the week before and this so I was predictably rusty. I had hoped to make it to 3.30 miles before my break but I had to stop short at 3.27 miles. Granted, I coming off of a bit of a break so that helped numb the burn from stopping short. I’m working on not being so hard on myself and appreciating what I do manage to do. It’s a long road for this admittedly perfectionist but I’m working on it.
Day 2
Distance: 4.07 mi
Time: 43:45 mins
Notes: I had to adjust my run on the fly to make sure I would be able to extend my run without having to deal with an incline. Too bad that failed, though the incline I did end up running up was at a lesser angle than the one I tried to avoid so not a total fail. And I was able to reach 3.35 miles before stopping for my break. This improvement is incredibly encouraging. I might be able to hit 4 miles in a few months!
Week 9 totals
Total distance: 8.14 mi
Total time: 1:26:38 mins
Average mile: 10:38 mins
Weight: 145.7 lbs
Mileage to date: 68.47 mi
My new weight loss program is going really well. I’ve actually enjoyed counting my calories. Weird, I know, but its eye opening just how many calories are in food and what a few simple switches can do. I’m still feeling my way around the nutrition and I’ve found some nice tricks and cheats. The best part: I started losing weight! Officially, I’ve lost 1.6 pounds since I started last week, but since the Lose It app doesn’t account for decimals like my scale, I clock in at a 2 pound weight loss. Either way, I’m happy with the progress and most importantly, I haven’t been starving at all! I’m still eating wonderful foods, including cookies. I’ve been weighing my food whenever possible [come on, y'all know I like to be exact] and dutifully logging everything. And I haven’t been afraid of eating out either. I’m dieting without feeling like I’m dieting. Go me!
Read MoreRunning on Asphalt: Week 8.11
Point blank: this will be a super short recap.
I was only able to run once: I missed one run due to exhaustion and was rained out of another one. In all honesty, I probably could have gone out to run a little later in the day on that last day but I didn’t. I felt more comfortable in my bed. Oh well. What can you do?
But I did make it out at least once and squeezed in some cardio on one of my off days so fitness wise, all was not lost. Gotta get it in when and where you can.
Day 1
Distance: 3.68 mi
Time: 39:12 mins
Notes: I managed to push myself and hit the 3.26 miles before stopping for my first break. I’m really encouraged by my increased stamina and I’m positive that I’ll be back in 5k shape for my first race of the season in March [eek, March is next month!!]. I went in a different route so I did not have the help from stoplights [well, only the one at the beginning but whatever.]
Week 8 totals
Total distance: 3.68 mi
Total time: 39.12 mins
Average mile: 10:39 mins
Weight: 147.3 lbs
Mileage to date: 60.33 mi
So a few news and notes: first off, I decided to stop focusing on my total distance and work on improving the distance before my first walking break. My goal is to add 0.10 miles each day. Its a slow process doing it this way but I feel it will work for me. Any additional mileage after that first break will be the icing on the proverbial cake. I also started a new total fitness regimen that I’ll go into deeper in another post [I know my slacking on the posts but I'm working on it!] so hopefully this one sticks.
Read MoreRunning on Asphalt: Week 7.11
This week’s running plan hit a few snags. A positive one was that I was able to install the Nike + program onto the behemoth of a computer so I would be able to keep up my progress by doing actual runs instead of simply speed intervals [which, honestly, I really should look into incorporating anyway]. The negative snag was that its been raining all week so I missed one of my runs.
Sad face.
But I was still able to sneak in some running time between breaks so at least this wasn’t a completely lost week. So yay me.
Day 1
Distance: 2.67 mi
Time: 27:47 mins
Notes: I felt so sluggish this day. I had already missed one running session and I almost missed this one but I somehow managed to get myself dressed and out the door. I was struggling from the get-go, having to take my first break at 1.67 miles in. I did do a considerably easier run that usual but I was just out of it from the start. Still glad I went though!
Day 2
Distance: 3.55 mi
Time: 40:07 mins
Notes: Today was an epic day. I took advantage of a small window of opportunity [I think it ended up raining within 20 minutes of me getting home!] and hit the trails. I actually ran one of my first routes I made and I could actually see my own progress. I managed to run up every incline! While I did end up taking it much slower than usual, I am so pleased to say that I managed to make it to 3.1 miles before taking a break! That’s a full 5k! Go me! Though, in the interest of full disclosure, I do believe I was helped along by a couple of breaks waiting for the light to change at some intersections.
Week 7 totals
Total Distance: 6.22 mi
Total Time: 1:07:54 mins
Average mile: 10:55 mins
Weight: 147.3 lbs
Mileage to date: 56.65 mi
I was supposed to run in a 5k today but I decided to push that back, so now my 2011 5k race debut is scheduled for next March [pending on my entering, of course] and now that it’s raining, I’m really glad I opted out of it. I’ve been tracking the weather for the upcoming week and it looks like the rain might be moving out but we’ll see. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some quality run time in. Only a month until the next 5k!
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