89 days to go - Speed kills...I mean, Speed drills ;)

Tonight was a scheduled 3 mile run, but instead Coach David had a really crazy plan to have us work on our speed. We met at the usual spot then trekked on over to the school track...I knew I was in for it then! The goal was to run the straight aways faster than we usually run and then walk on the curves and then run even faster on the next straight away. I did pretty good on my running. I just pretended I was Flo Jo :) I ate dinner at 6 before we met up at 7...wishing I hadn't. It wasn't sitting well with the sprints. Note to self...eat 2 hours before we run...at least if I know we are doing speed drills. My legs were hurting pretty good the next day though. Not fun. I will live though.

Daily mantra:
I am Flo Jo, I am Flo Jo...

92 days to go - Singing in the rain

I ran my first 5 mile run today. It was a great run. We had light drizzle and the temps were in the cool 70s. LOVED it! I have come to the conclusion that I run better in cooler weather...I know...it's not rocket science...but hey, hot days are not conducive to great running. At least that is the case for me. I feel great, my legs feel great, my knees feel great...overall, I am just great! I never in a million years would think that I would describe my morning as saying...just got through running 5 miles...those were words I never thought would be in MY vocabulary. I can now say that I AM A RUNNER! I think I am getting that runner's high thing. I feel good after my runs now and feel excited about upcoming runs and added miles. I have logged 59 miles to date...when its all over with, it will be 268 miles. All these steps are helping people...I feel so privileged that I have been introduced to the Team in Training Team and I am so blessed that I can do something that will help so many people.

Daily mantra:
Rain is fun

94 days to go - Rain, rain go away

Today was my 3 mile day, I had to run at the gym again on the treadmill. It wasn't horrible, but I much prefer the good old pavement. For 2 reasons really...1. you have to go the distance, you can't quit when you are out there...you have to come back. 2. It is nice to see scenery and run on hills and watch nature. The gym smells like sweaty men and it is really boring to run on a treadmill. The treadmill had a cool lap feature though, so I would get excited to see myself running around the little track. I was the dot that was going round and around. I would start running faster whenever I got closer to a mile point or .25 mile point. I guess that was pretty cool and I watched reruns of Grey's Anatomy. I ran a 14:30...which was way better than last night...I made myself run faster tonight and I think I will up my speed the next time to 5.0. I have run 10 miles already this week and I feel awesome!!! Nothing hurts...I can breathe clearly, my legs feel great, my knee pain is a thing of the past. I am becoming a runner...I have endurance....I have stamina...I actually look pretty strong when I saw myself in the mirror. I had nice form and I didn't feel like I would keel over. My heart feels healthier too. Roy has noticed that all this running has had a slimming effect on me as well. Who knew that doing something for a good cause would in turn change me as a person...change me for the better and make me want to be a do gooder!

Daily mantra:
I am unstoppable

95 days to go - Treadmills are so fun - NOT!

Tonight I had to run my 4 miles at the gym on the treadmill. I am not a fan of the treadmill to run on generally, but it really wasn't all that bad. I used a different kind of treadmill that is designed for running and it allows me to have a full stride...I do have long legs that always had a tendency to get in the way on a regular treadmill. I always felt too closed in or something when I ran...sometimes I would even hit the front panel...very annoying. Anyway, I digress, I ran a horrible time tonight. It was a whopping 15 minute pace! Pathetic, just pathetic...I really need to get my speed up...I am just trying to pace myself and not burn out early...slowly but surely the tortoise wins the race remember :)

Daily mantra:
Comparing oneself to a turtle IS therapeutic

96 days to go - It's still HOT?!

When will it cool off already?! Tonight was a 3 mile run...my second day of 3/1 intervals...I was feeling pretty good out the gate, but I started getting hot. It was 99 today, so I think it was still in the 90s when we ran at 7! I was not feeling as confident with my run today...I felt like I was dragging...I think all that talk about it being easy on Saturday jinxed me! Yep, I was talking smack...getting all cocky... I know, I know...I deserved that didn't I? Well...the Saturday run was tremendously cooler...so I blame the weather. That's my story and I am sticking to it!!!

Daily mantra:
Lie to yourself if you have too (it's not HOT...really!)

99 days to go - Hills shmills!

I had one of my best days since I started training. I have been sick all week and I just knew I was going to really struggle with my run today. Two things were changing today - I was changing my intervals to 3/1 and I was running my first 4 miles run. I really thought I was going to be dragging and as it turned out, I actually had my best day ever! My speed wasn't the fastest I have run before, but I was not huffing and puffing when I was done and the hills I encountered were just a blip on my radar...my heart rate only maxed out at 176!!! I have been exceeding 185...that is when my watch would beep at me and tell me, hey girlfriend, slow your butt down or your heart will explode soon. Well, I know that the lack of 100 degree temperatures is surely affecting my heart and my ability to adapt and overcome. I felt so proud of myself today...I was even thinking that it was almost too easy today. I was really expecting to be putting up a fight, but I prevailed and I am so excited about my upcoming training week. I just have to run a measly 3 miles on Tuesday...that is gravy now! I remember in the beginning...3 miles seemed like eternity. Wow, what a difference 6 weeks makes! Half marathon...here I come :)

Daily mantra:
I'm feeling good...da, da dum, da dum, da dum, da dum da dum...

101 days to go - I am barely breathing

Today is the fourth day of being sick. I started feeling a scratchy throat come on over the weekend that has managed to wrangle my whole head into a complete sinus war. I can only breathe out of one nostril at a time. Knowing all of this, you must know this too, I haven't run since Saturday : I know, I know, I feel like a complete loser and that I am failing the team. I will prevail though, I think I can muster the energy to walk 3 miles tonight....hopefully. I have a nice nagging cough too now...so lovely. The good thing is, I know I will get better and I will be healthy again...but for the people that I am running for...they don't know that. That is something out of their control and even if they want to get better, they may not. This is why I must train and must run...I am barely breathing today, but I know there is a promising tomorrow.

Daily mantra:
Just keep breathing, just keep breathing...