TR 26: CW-X = damn!

Momma had some time sand kids and she put it to good use.  House cleaning, car cleaning, and RUNNING. 

Ok, so I got my grove on.  It was under 70* (perfect running weather) with a little breeze that felt ohhh sooo good.  Put on an old jersery style top and my trusty stand-bys...cw-x capris and my brooks.  Nothing special...I promise.  I threw on my GOTR Bondi Band (upside down and all) and hit the road.

See?  Told you.  Why I even mention this is because at mile marker 4.00, a couple of dudes in a car, yell Damn!  Note, this is the second Damn! in less than a month.  Both times, I was wearing my CW-X, theory:  CW-X = Damn!  lol.....

But this run felt GOOD.  I was hitting it, going great, then about mile 5.5 the toe thing happens.  My middle toe on my right foot just kills.  I haven't figured it out yet...but I will.

Cliff Notes Version:  7 miles, 1:10 time, damn good run...and cat called.  What more can you ask for?

TR 25: Back in the saddle

One week to vacation, two weeks till I go back to work....so today, I wanted to spend time with the guys...but I also wanted to run.  How can I do both?  ZOO.  Our zoo, has some hellishly hilly trails (1.5 miles round trip) and it is nothing to do about 4 miles in a trip.  We never stay long.  We have a membership so I don't feel obligated to stay long.  We go in, get the boys some popcorn (bribe) and then mommy hits the trail!  We make it fun by "racing" the zebra tram.  I haven't done it with both boys in the stroller in awhile, but I did today and it was haaaaard!

We ran to "wild Africa" fed the giraffes, speed thru the monkeys, snow leopards, etc. and mommy got her 4 miles in.  It said the max speed was 13.3...going downhill, I imagine, and low speed was 0.0...stopping waiting for the tracker to kick off, with an average of 3.3 miles per hour.  Oh, and the best part of all, the kids loved it.

Well.....maybe not the best part of all for me.  I think that was when a mom that we passed on our way down to the tram station (where the hellishly hilly trail to Africa begins) who we passed again on our way out, said "wow!  you are quick"  Yep, we beat the tram there AND back :) 

So, as I have seen Rhonda put a price on a workout...this one cost about $19  ($4 for a train ride, $8 happy meals, $5 giraffe feeding, $2 ice cream)...LOL!  And the comment "wow! you are quick"  Priceless!  On a side note, the Shermanator is the first race I have been in that has done WOMEN's shirts, thus it is the first one I have gotten that fits!  So, I strutted my stuff in my TRI tech shirt today at the zoo.

NOTE TO SELF:  I really want to do the TRI on Labor Day Weekend....even if I still have a 10 year old mountain bike! :)

TR24: Why rest, when you can run!

So, I finished my TRI on Saturday, took Sunday off.....and then back in again on Monday!  Got my scheduled 4 miles in, in the middle of the day no less!  Brian got home early, the boys were napping and Mommy was RUNNING!  Yeah!  I was hot, but it was great to get a solo run in.

Got home, showered up and I was ready to tame the wild savages!

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/45501886

Back on track....No rest for the wicked! :)

TR....kinda

As I mentioned, I am going light on distance until after next weekend.  I would have loved to do more today, but I know I have a heavy training session in for me tomorrow....mini tri.  So I will be swimming, biking and running.  But even typing this, I feel guilty :)

It felt to get out early and get my run in alone.  I needed the coffee and the endorphins to handle the day :)

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/45470212

TR23: wimpy run (mommy duty calls)

As I said, I am really trying to focus on swimming for the tri, I figure not drowning IS important.  But peer pressure strikes again.  It was a ver legitimate question...Heather, one of my virtual running pals who is coming to Holland to do the Park2Park Half Marathon with Rhonda and I in September, asked how my runs were going this week.  I looked, it was Wed and I hadn't ran yet.  Swam, yes..lots.  Biked, yep...that too.  Running...nada.

So, I did my extra time after Hydration Hustle and ran after getting my swim in today.  It was only 2.5 miles, but I got it in.  I would have done more, but I had to pick up the boys from day care.

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/45342714

TR22: Hydration Hustle Virtual 5k

As time doesn't matter on this one, I invited a mommy gal pal who wants to get into running join me.  Like me, she struggles to find the time to do so.  We have 4 kids between us...a gorgeous day and a zoo with a 5k course.  Can you say perfect?  And FUN!?!?

We set out, took our time, visited exhibits, hauled butt to Africa (an exhibit that has a 1.5 mile walking or in our case running path with a huge hill in it)  She did great, the kids had fun and we got our 5k in in under an hour.  As she hasn't run in forever, or ever, not sure which is the case, we did kind of a couch to 5k style workout!

This was supposed to be my day "off" from training.  We did the zoo and then I took the kids for ice cream and the park.  As I was feeling guilty about the ice cream AND a little puppy was missing, the boys and I went on a 1.5 mile dog searching mission, so I got an additonal little run in :)

TR21: Effin Hot

Work blew, needed to run, was scheduled to run.  So, at 4 pm, on the hottest day to record of the year, I ran.  It wasn't pretty, lost my breath pretty much, but I did it.  I felt better, but it took me about an hour, even after a cold shower, I was still sweating.  2.5 miles of hell.

TR20: WTF was I thinking?

This morning I made the mistake of running when it is good for others, not me.  I was supposed to do 8 miles.  There was no way in hell (as in that is how hot it was) that I could do that.  I was hoping to make 5, but, OMG.  I seriously had to walk to prevent from passing out/getting sick.  I ended up walking more than running in the end.

When I left the house, I swear the temp on my phone said it was 71*, when I got back, some 48 minutes later, it was 84*.  It was just plain awful.  I looked it up...not only was it 84*, but it was also 87% humidity...ugh.

TR19: Hot Three...

Today, I took advantage of the offer of a child-free run from Mom.  It was great.  Of course, it was later than I normally would have went, which of course made it hotter, but still got it done.  Followed by 15 minutes of lap swimming.

So I have a few observations from my run today:

Despite the fact it said 71* running at 12:40 is not for me.  Holy hotness. 

Athens, a small (redneck/hillbilly infested) blinker town, has no GPS signal (missing sections of my map showed me this)

I run so I can look like something a redneck/hillbilly might want to say "G Damn" to...yes, I guess he liked my Cw-X... lol  Only in small town USA would a shirtless dude working on a roof cat call loud enough that said small town can hear it....all over the town!

My runkeeper app went in and out so many times, it shows 3 separate entries on my activities page.  So I had to manually map it...here it is:

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/43226437

Note:  Corner of North B Ave and E Mill - catcall location

TR18: Back to Back Virtual 5ks (plus .8 miles) or a 7 miler, you pick!

I signed up for two 4th of July Virtual 5k's and I was so sore from my 5 mile run that I really didn't get into it until today...and what the hell, when you have 7 miles to do, that is at least two 5ks!!

Ok, so I got up EARLY this morning...left the house before 7am as we had family zoo plans today.  I was blessed that my hubby got up early too, so he watched the guys while I ran.  I have never been happy to be snubbed by my kiddos till today...when the little guy refused a stroller ride with mommy.  A solo run, the first since last week...made me smile!

First 5k:  I started out for a routine training run, 7 miles.  Doing my now standard JG program.  I had used mapmyrun to plan exactly where my first should end as well as my second would end.  When I hit the end of the first, the Freedom 5K sponsored by Running Mate, I paused my running app and looked.  Holy hell, 27:12.  For me that is HUGE.  I ran my fist 5k in May.  I finished at 31:01.  After that, the fastest I got was 29 and some change.  So, PR baby!

Second 5k:  After celebrating, dropping an F bomb and starting running again, I began my second 5k, The Independence 5k at 28:00 into the run, hosted by Let's Move it Mommas.  I tracked my run, all going great until about 6 miles into the run when I noticed my middle toe on my right foot throbbing like a new blister was forming.  UGH, why?  So after my super strong first 5k, my second was rather uneventful, with a 30:27.

But how many folks can say, "I ran two 5ks in one day"?  ME!  :)

It was a great run.  Jeff Galloway is rocking my times faster and faster...and I love his technique.  The overall time was 1:04, which I am stoked about.  I maintained my 5k/5mile time for 7 miles and that is awesome!

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/40641580

TR17: Just not feeling it

Yesterday, I ran my 3 miles (should have been 4) but I couldn't get my head into it.  It was the first day running since my 5 mile race and the first day that I was feeling physically able to do it. My quads were so sore for two days there was no possible running.

I spent mile one cursing myself thinking "wow, this sucks", mile two thinking "when can this be done" and mile three thinking "I am probably mind f-ing myself by thinking all these negative thoughts".  It was pretty much ugly.

But the reason I have document the ugly along with the good is that even though I felt like it was a crappy run, I got the most supportive comments from other mommas who know how hard it is to just get a run in!

• "sounds like my run on Tuesday! Hoping for a better 4 miler today!"
• "At least you did it...good job!!"
• "This was totally me yesterday. So not interested. You will get back into it! Good job with the 3 mi! You inspire me to get back out there."

So I guess the moral of the srtory is, like I have heard a MRTT say "No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch. ..."

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/42319179

TR16: Firecracker 5 Miler

Just another training run...ummm, NOT.  That was the attitude that I had going into the race.  I was treating it as a training run.  I was going to use the JG program...even in a race.  I was going to do my own thing and have fun with it.  It's just a small town 4th of July tradition...when I looked around there were another almost 400 people around me, I realized, not just another training run!

I was a little intimidated because I was one of about 3 people that I saw with a hydration belt on...I said oh well, "I was going to do my own thing and have fun with it."  At mile 3 when I saw two guys, more avid runners than I, doubled over with medical attention, I was like, yep...glad I have it.  I was also intimidated because there were so many "obvious" runners.  I don't really look like a runner.  But it was good.  Doing my own thing.

Here is the route:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=125868

They had timers at mile 2, 3, and 4.  Mile 2 split 18:something, Mile 3 medical emergency, Mile 4 38: something, Mile 5, finish 48:47 chip time (49:37 with starting lag).

As I said I used the JG plan.  Seeing it in a race made me see the value of it.  I explained it to my husband as this:  "with it, I beat "faster" runners."  I would pass them, they would pass me on the walk and this went on about 2-3 times (12 minutes) then they never passed me back.  I was able to pace my runs with men, who typically run faster than women.  I was able to run at fastest part of my runs 7.5+ mph at the slowest 6.5ish.  Both of these are faster than when I run 5 miles straight.  I usually average 6.2mph on a 5 mile run.

Was I the fastest out there?  Nope, but when I crossed the finish line and saw a sub 50:00 I was STOKED!  I literally came around the corner where I could first see it and said "holy crap"

268   312 Christi Young           36   F Vicksburg       MI   49:37   48:47  9:46

On other notes, I am sore as hell, my quads are screaming at me :)

TR15: Brought to you by Fla-Vor-Ice

This was probably one of the least relaxing runs I have had in awhile.  I had both boys with me, which not only means 75 lbs of dead weight in the jog stroller, but also the incessant chatter of a 5 year old with a bad sense of direction (which he gets from me).  He insisted that we were going away  from home, when we were on the way back.  Insisting in the form of crying, whining, and pouting.  Thank God that just about the time this began, I was hitting an endorphin rush.

It has been a long time since I have had 2 boys in the stroller, so I adjusted my JG ratio to a 2:30 min run to 1 min walk.  I ran just under 2.75 miles in under 28 minutes.  I ran/walked an under 9 minute mile the first mile!!!  So I am thinking that I swear by his method.

It averaged out to be about a 10:27 minute mile, which pushing a jog stroller with 75 lbs in it, it's good with me.  Not sure if it was the rush to escape the whining, trying to beat the impending storm (it was thrundering in the distance) or to get out of the 90% humidity....but I felt good and I know at one point in time I heard my speed announced at 7.2 mph (this was at the end when I was feeling drops)

The run was quiet for the first mile and for that, I would like to thank an unofficial sponsor, Fla-Vor-Ice popsicles...a perfect low sugar bribe to get my oldest into the stroller so I could run!


http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/41521935

TR14: If it blows...hit the trail

The weather report this morning called for 15-25 mph winds from the west.  The west is a flat field that offers NO wind protection whatsoever.  We dropped Greyson off at pre-school and then hit the trail in the 'burg.  It was sooooooo much calmer than at our house, as it is surrounded by trees. 

I adapted the JG run/walk method to the stroller, with a 3:1 ratio, which is pushing it a little, it is hard, especially in 15 mph winds!  As you can see, it really is pictureseque!

We parked at the local grocery store and ran to the trail and hit it.  It is about a 4.5 mile trek.

Here is the trail route:  http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/41216629

I did forget to mention, this was yet another therapuetic run.  I had insomnia last night, was actually awake and online when the mommy of a very special boy posted that he earned his angel wings, after that...no sleep.  I ran because I was emotionally spent, so as we said in Evansville, "running is my therapy" ;)

TR13: Jeff Galloway, I may love you

Ok, so today, I set out for my first 6 mile run in I don't know how long.  Actually, I can say the last 6 mile run I ran was sometime in March.  Yes, I ran longer than that closer to now, but 6 miles, was in March.  Today, I did the Jeff Galloway run/walk training method, based on a 9:30-10 minute mile.  That put me at a 4 minute to 1 minute ratio of walking to running.  I did six miles in less than an hour and I am pretty stoked about that, as is my hubby who watched the kiddos while I ran!

I did a 4:1 ratio, which means I ran 4 minutes, walked 1.  The time I ran, I felt stronger and faster than I have before.  The walk break re-energized me and I honestly didn't feel any real fatique set in until after mile 5.  I have to say that is amazing.  I looked uo my times, the last time I ran a 6 mile was in March and now I am 10 minutes faster, which is about a 9:44 minute pace, which again is just way faster than my times in March AND when I was done, I felt AMAZING!  I just may LOVE this man...

Here is my new 6 mile route, that I may never do again....http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/40928725

That pitbull on the invisible chain scared the crap out of me at about mile 2; I swore he was going to break the chain and get me...I LOVED the route, hated the dog.

TR12: I did not want to run

I have a two-year old.  He is technically supposed to be 22 months (thank prematurity) but however old he is, he is getting terrible.  He is soooooooooooooooooo busy I cannot keep up with his naughtiness at times.  So today, the day after my mini sprint, I DID NOT WANT to run.  But I HAD to run.  I needed a shot of the street legal high that makes being a mommy easier.  So, I got my almost 3 in while sweating my ass off in 20 mph winds that wouldn't even let the jog stroller's canopy stay down.  (Running into those on the way home...ugh.)

But when I was done, I felt better and even rehydrated with water (and a glass...or two...of wine)  Mommy all better.

TR11: 3 in a mini sprint tri session

Today, I upped the brick to a mini tri, backwards like.  I ran 3, biked 8.5 and then swam 500m.  I burned a buttload of calories and felt really accomplished when I got it done.  Here is the lowdown.

I had a sitter so I could actually take the hour plus it took to do all of it.  It was all inside, so it would be what you call "ideal" conditions.

I began with 3 miles on the mill.  I ran at about 6 to 6.5mph, got my 3 miles in for half training and the amount of running most sprint tris would require in.

I then jumped on the spin bike, set it on hills plus, so that it wouldn't be just flat race.  I managed to get 8.5 miles in in 30 minutes.  By this time I was sweating at hog status.

So, when I got in the pool, the water felt AMAZING...I swam in the endless pool for 20 minutes.  17.4 minutes is supposed to be .28 miles, so I was a little over a 1/4 of a mile.

I got done and was spent...totally burned off the peanut m&m's I had chowed down for energy!

No cool routes to post since it was all inside...

TR10: HOT (deception, like Rhonda said)

Who would think 68* feels hot?  Me.  When running 5 miles, pushing a jog stoller...yep.  Hot.  Not sure if it was the humidity or the sun or that I may just be a wimp, but it felt hot. 

A few days ago I read Rhonda's blog and she mentioned the trickery of the humidity.  How the temp guage looks doable, but the humidity can be cut with a knife.  I have to think that this was the story this morning.  I headed out before 8 and was done a little after 9am, normally, at this hour weather is acceptable.

I am just glad I got it done.  It has been awhile since I ran 5 miles and I really needed to get it done.

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/39915878

TR9: On the road again....

Tonight I hit the road, first time since the cold and the partied out weekend.  It felt good to run, but didn't have the time or stamina for the full four respiratory wise.  Not to mention on the days I work, I just don't eat enough to have the fuel to run at night. I feel out of energy and pushing a jog stroller didn't help. 

I also blew through the first mile and then had to run back...both ways in 12 mph winds.  Don't get me wrong, it felt good, but a jog stroller is kinda like a sailboat, catching wind and pushing me in the wrong direction.  Occasionally, on the way back the WNW would shift and let me feel more N than W,which gave me a little push, but for the most part it was much more W than N, which hampered my progress both ways.

So, was this run perfect or "great" no.  But was it forward motion in a faster pace than a walk...yep.

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/39714345

TR/W8: All my respiratory system could take

After crapping out on Monday, doing nothing due to nastiness of health and feeling slightly better today, I  decided to "speed walk" my miles as opposed to running them.  I could barely breathe to sit on the couch, much less run, so I thought that was a wise idea.

Gunner and I headed out into the perfect weather...low 70's with a nice breeze and some sun!  I managed to walk my 3 miles in 44 minutes, so that put me at less than 15 minute miles.  Nothing that I would be proud of it I was running, but walking...at about 4+ mph, not bad.  I was literally doing the math...thinking, if I can walk this fast, I better step up the running.

http://runkeeper.com/user/clyoungsey/activity/39442797