Today was my daughter's graduation. The last one so now we will be without our children. I really will miss her but I am also looking forward to seeing her continue to blossom into a wonderful young woman.
I know it won't really hit me until she leaves for college, but this morning as I rose to go to the club run at Redbud, I found myself feeling a little down. I had a hard time getting motivated. I am of course feeling old, overweight, depressed, and lonely. I think these things are normal when your last child is going off. All of a sudden you feel like an old woman (or man).
Of course the run made me feel better, worked out the kinks, and the rest of the day has been such a blessing with all of our family here with us to celebrate her right of passage.
It occurs to me that, for me anyway, running is so much more than just a way to stay healthy, or thin, or in shape, it is a way to release the tension, the stress, the fear that seems to hit me from time to time. The days that I don't run are remarkably different from the days I do run. My attitude is better, my outlook brighter. It really does feel better to get out and do something.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Speed Runs
Today I did 800 repeats. The weather was good, not much wind, not too humid, not too hot. I like it a bit cooler but all in all it wasn't too bad. So why was that first 800 so difficult? I thought I would drop dead. Then when I looked at my time it was 15 seconds faster than my pace is supposed to be! NO WONDER.
Then I was able to let myself slow down just enough to do the others on pace. What this tells me is that the 100 repeats are working in my favor and helping me to do my 800 repeats faster without realizing what is happening.
I hope this will translate to faster in other distances. I know it is supposed to do so, but sometimes I just find it hard to believe until it happens.
Rest day again tomorrow...YEA.
Then I was able to let myself slow down just enough to do the others on pace. What this tells me is that the 100 repeats are working in my favor and helping me to do my 800 repeats faster without realizing what is happening.
I hope this will translate to faster in other distances. I know it is supposed to do so, but sometimes I just find it hard to believe until it happens.
Rest day again tomorrow...YEA.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
100 Repeats after Hills
Yesterday's Memorial Day run was so much fun. Well the running part was tough on those hills, but the socializing was a blast!
Eating too much and food that is not in my normal diet, along with Mimosas and beer is not smart when the next day is a hard run day. Once again I've learned a lesson.
However, I got up early and went to Cooper and did my 100 repeats. The wind was a little bit of a factor although not too bad today, the humidity kills me as usual. Add to that the heaviness of my legs from running up and down hill yesterday and the difference in diet and well...all this things used to not bother me so much. Now it seems to make me feel a little sluggish.
Even with all of that I hit my pace in every 100, it just seemed to take more effort today than last week. I am proud of myself for at least getting up and getting it done!
Tomorrow is a day of rest, YEA...
I've been looking at routes in Granbury and Stephenville. You know it's hilly there! So all of my runs will include hills. I'm excited about this, it should make me stronger if my knee will just hold up!
Eating too much and food that is not in my normal diet, along with Mimosas and beer is not smart when the next day is a hard run day. Once again I've learned a lesson.
However, I got up early and went to Cooper and did my 100 repeats. The wind was a little bit of a factor although not too bad today, the humidity kills me as usual. Add to that the heaviness of my legs from running up and down hill yesterday and the difference in diet and well...all this things used to not bother me so much. Now it seems to make me feel a little sluggish.
Even with all of that I hit my pace in every 100, it just seemed to take more effort today than last week. I am proud of myself for at least getting up and getting it done!
Tomorrow is a day of rest, YEA...
I've been looking at routes in Granbury and Stephenville. You know it's hilly there! So all of my runs will include hills. I'm excited about this, it should make me stronger if my knee will just hold up!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Club Run
WOW. There is so much to say about this morning. I think I can sum it up with three points.
1. Challenging course
2. Great time with friends
3. Great food and drink
Windy, hilly, hot. That was the course. Fun but challenging.
Friends to run with, friends to eat with, friends to drink with. I am really going to miss these people :(
Food, well what can I say? Maria and Chris put on a great party and the food that they made and everyone brought was scrumptious! Just what we needed after a run like that.
You know it's so hard not to get caught up in trying to run "hard" all the time, but again today I was reminded of how fun it is to fellowship with good friends and fellow runners. And in a pretty setting, with it's own pool :) (Thanks Maria)
Enjoy each other fellow runners, that is what you will remember in the end.
1. Challenging course
2. Great time with friends
3. Great food and drink
Windy, hilly, hot. That was the course. Fun but challenging.
Friends to run with, friends to eat with, friends to drink with. I am really going to miss these people :(
Food, well what can I say? Maria and Chris put on a great party and the food that they made and everyone brought was scrumptious! Just what we needed after a run like that.
You know it's so hard not to get caught up in trying to run "hard" all the time, but again today I was reminded of how fun it is to fellowship with good friends and fellow runners. And in a pretty setting, with it's own pool :) (Thanks Maria)
Enjoy each other fellow runners, that is what you will remember in the end.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Runing with Friends
Today was our club running day. Saturdays are sometimes hard for me. I know that I need to go slow on Saturdays. With two speed days I get tired easy and so Saturday is really a recovery run.
I always find myself wanting to do more than I should. Today was no different.
Then I find myself running with friends and we chat, talk about everything under the sun, enjoy each others company, catch up on each others lives and I realize...running is not just about how far, how long, or how fast. It's about seeing those people you miss seeing during the week and having a great converstion that couldn't be had if you were running faster.
During the week I run alone a lot depending upon what Terry feels like doing, sometimes he would rather go to the YMCA later in the day and work out. That's cool. I enjoy running alone. Those runs are faster, speed days are of course much faster and I enjoy them and feel good after such a hard workout. But when Saturday comes I find myself thoroughly excited to spend time with good friends.
I see others, pushing themselves on what should be a slower relaxed day, I wonder how their week goes. I used to think that every run I had to run hard, I missed out on so much with that mentality. And I am actually getting faster without running hard every run. The body just needs it's rest. Especially at over 40. I'm ok with that.
All of this to say to you the reader; Save some runs for enjoyment and visiting with friends. You actually burn more fat going slower :) always a plus, and this time will come to an end someday and then you will be sorry you didn't let those runs linger.
I always find myself wanting to do more than I should. Today was no different.
Then I find myself running with friends and we chat, talk about everything under the sun, enjoy each others company, catch up on each others lives and I realize...running is not just about how far, how long, or how fast. It's about seeing those people you miss seeing during the week and having a great converstion that couldn't be had if you were running faster.
During the week I run alone a lot depending upon what Terry feels like doing, sometimes he would rather go to the YMCA later in the day and work out. That's cool. I enjoy running alone. Those runs are faster, speed days are of course much faster and I enjoy them and feel good after such a hard workout. But when Saturday comes I find myself thoroughly excited to spend time with good friends.
I see others, pushing themselves on what should be a slower relaxed day, I wonder how their week goes. I used to think that every run I had to run hard, I missed out on so much with that mentality. And I am actually getting faster without running hard every run. The body just needs it's rest. Especially at over 40. I'm ok with that.
All of this to say to you the reader; Save some runs for enjoyment and visiting with friends. You actually burn more fat going slower :) always a plus, and this time will come to an end someday and then you will be sorry you didn't let those runs linger.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Humidity - Friend or Foe?
800 repeats today. Not so windy although not so windy is 17 mph. I think it's so funny how on weather.com if the wind is blowing 20 mph or stronger they say it's going to be windy and they have the word windy in the forecast in italics; windy. If it's predicted to be under 20 mph they don't have windy on that day. Listen folks 17 mph is STILL windy.
However, it is better than the 23 to 33 yesterday. For that I am thankful. However, in it's place was 84% humidity. What's up with that? We have very few lakes, no real rivers, we are nowhere near an ocean. Why is it so HUMID? Sorry for shouting. Humidity is tough on me, trying to run a good pace is very hard when I feel like I am breathing under water.
So how did the 800 repeats go then? Did I quit, did I toss my banana, did I drop dead from overheating? No, I still ran them on pace. YEA! It was very difficult and thank goodness I didn't have to do more. I've not had a really tough workout like that in a while. I really had to do the self talk business to get finished. But finish I did and now I am happy to have them out of the way until next week when perhaps the wind and humidity will be less and my body will be happier :).
It occurs to me that I don't like running in the wind nor the humidity nor the heat. I really should move somewhere still and dry and cool. Looks like that isn't going to happen. Every day when I check the weather I also check in Granbury/Stephenville, just to see if it's a lot more humid, hot, or windy there than Abilene. So far each day is about the same. Good to know it's not going to get worse!
Tomorrow is the club run, easy 6 with some walk breaks in preparation for next week. I'm looking forward to visiting with club members I've been missing!
Humidity and all, club runs are awesome!
However, it is better than the 23 to 33 yesterday. For that I am thankful. However, in it's place was 84% humidity. What's up with that? We have very few lakes, no real rivers, we are nowhere near an ocean. Why is it so HUMID? Sorry for shouting. Humidity is tough on me, trying to run a good pace is very hard when I feel like I am breathing under water.
So how did the 800 repeats go then? Did I quit, did I toss my banana, did I drop dead from overheating? No, I still ran them on pace. YEA! It was very difficult and thank goodness I didn't have to do more. I've not had a really tough workout like that in a while. I really had to do the self talk business to get finished. But finish I did and now I am happy to have them out of the way until next week when perhaps the wind and humidity will be less and my body will be happier :).
It occurs to me that I don't like running in the wind nor the humidity nor the heat. I really should move somewhere still and dry and cool. Looks like that isn't going to happen. Every day when I check the weather I also check in Granbury/Stephenville, just to see if it's a lot more humid, hot, or windy there than Abilene. So far each day is about the same. Good to know it's not going to get worse!
Tomorrow is the club run, easy 6 with some walk breaks in preparation for next week. I'm looking forward to visiting with club members I've been missing!
Humidity and all, club runs are awesome!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wind Anyone?
Windy...so windy...I did not do my 800 repeats today. I woke up, I was really tired, heard the wind, went back to sleep.
Tomorrow I will conquer the track...in the wind I suspect.
Sigh...
Tomorrow I will conquer the track...in the wind I suspect.
Sigh...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday's Run
Well this day was great! A very hard workout makes you feel such a sense of accomplishment, how I love that feeling.
Terry and I did 10 x 100 at 20 seconds each after a mile warm up and followed with a mile cool down.
This was what I call a comfortably hard run. I knew I was taxing myself and it was hard to breathe but I did them all on pace and felt great afterward, spent but great.
I enjoy Terry going with me to run, it gives us time to talk and visit; our time uninterrupted. It really keeps our relationship close.
Running gives us a lot of opportunities, not just to keep in shape, or to see a beautiful sunrise, but also to have relationships that are meaningful on a higher plane.
Today it is windy, it ruins my mood. I am just hoping that tomorrow is better...
Terry and I did 10 x 100 at 20 seconds each after a mile warm up and followed with a mile cool down.
This was what I call a comfortably hard run. I knew I was taxing myself and it was hard to breathe but I did them all on pace and felt great afterward, spent but great.
I enjoy Terry going with me to run, it gives us time to talk and visit; our time uninterrupted. It really keeps our relationship close.
Running gives us a lot of opportunities, not just to keep in shape, or to see a beautiful sunrise, but also to have relationships that are meaningful on a higher plane.
Today it is windy, it ruins my mood. I am just hoping that tomorrow is better...
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Week so Far
Well let's see. Sunday was a good day off, we slept late because of the Senior Party we had for Taryn. It was a late night after getting up early to run on Saturday. Speaking of running on Saturday, it's very lonely at the park when everyone is gone to a race. But Mike, Joanne, Terry, and I still put in a good run.
Today I ran 6 miles. My legs were stiff and I felt like they were made of led. I hope it's just a bad run day. I don't like it when I have those days and I worry that I am going backwards instead of forwards in my progress. I need to quit the worrying :)
Not much else to report. I am tired, hoping for a good nights rest for my 100 repeats tomorrow morning.
Anyone want to buy our house? I am not joking....
Today I ran 6 miles. My legs were stiff and I felt like they were made of led. I hope it's just a bad run day. I don't like it when I have those days and I worry that I am going backwards instead of forwards in my progress. I need to quit the worrying :)
Not much else to report. I am tired, hoping for a good nights rest for my 100 repeats tomorrow morning.
Anyone want to buy our house? I am not joking....
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Catching Up
I haven't posted in a few days...been so busy I get behind. I am doing my runs though so never fear!
Wednesday was a great day off, I really enjoy my rest days. Taryn (18 year old daughter) went to visit her brother (20) in Austin. His girlfriend and a friend of hers flew in from South Carolina and some other friends drove up to Austin to meet them as well. Their plan was to hang out in Austin on Wednesday night and then float the river on Thursday. About 11:30 on Wednesday night we get a phone call. Austin had terrible storms and the wind and hail (baseball size) busted in a window in Tanner's apartment and hail, rain, and glass got everywhere. And they lost power so there was no way to clean up. We talked to them off and on until about 3:00 am watching the storms on the internet.
Finally they drove 10 minutes south and got a cheap hotel. Six of them in one room! The next day they had to clean up and the river was too high and fast to float so they came here to Abilene.
We have a houseful of wonderful young adults. They keep us laughing and that is a good thing.
Ok back to running, needless to say Thursday morning after getting to bed at 3:00 am, I slept in until I had to stumble to the coffee and computer for work. I am so glad I work from home, people don't know I am stumbling and in my PJ's :) .
So Friday I go to the track to do my 800 repeats. They were tough that day it was humid and I think that really hurts my breathing. But I did them and all were right on pace which is a good thing.
Today Terry and I got up early and went to run with the club. Only a few of us were there most were in Comanche but it was a good easy 6 mile run.
Now we are back home enjoying our children before a big graduation party tonight.
Tomorrow I rest and Monday I am back to it.
I've also decided that my upper body is looking flabby, so starting Monday I am going to the gym three times a week to lift and do core work. I do some at home but I am not disciplined at home like at the gym. We will see how that goes.
Off to visit some more....
Wednesday was a great day off, I really enjoy my rest days. Taryn (18 year old daughter) went to visit her brother (20) in Austin. His girlfriend and a friend of hers flew in from South Carolina and some other friends drove up to Austin to meet them as well. Their plan was to hang out in Austin on Wednesday night and then float the river on Thursday. About 11:30 on Wednesday night we get a phone call. Austin had terrible storms and the wind and hail (baseball size) busted in a window in Tanner's apartment and hail, rain, and glass got everywhere. And they lost power so there was no way to clean up. We talked to them off and on until about 3:00 am watching the storms on the internet.
Finally they drove 10 minutes south and got a cheap hotel. Six of them in one room! The next day they had to clean up and the river was too high and fast to float so they came here to Abilene.
We have a houseful of wonderful young adults. They keep us laughing and that is a good thing.
Ok back to running, needless to say Thursday morning after getting to bed at 3:00 am, I slept in until I had to stumble to the coffee and computer for work. I am so glad I work from home, people don't know I am stumbling and in my PJ's :) .
So Friday I go to the track to do my 800 repeats. They were tough that day it was humid and I think that really hurts my breathing. But I did them and all were right on pace which is a good thing.
Today Terry and I got up early and went to run with the club. Only a few of us were there most were in Comanche but it was a good easy 6 mile run.
Now we are back home enjoying our children before a big graduation party tonight.
Tomorrow I rest and Monday I am back to it.
I've also decided that my upper body is looking flabby, so starting Monday I am going to the gym three times a week to lift and do core work. I do some at home but I am not disciplined at home like at the gym. We will see how that goes.
Off to visit some more....
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Been Awhile
I haven't written in my blog for a few days. Not intentionally, just no time! Now I will catch up.
Friday last week I ran 6 pretty easy miles. My legs were tired after 800 repeats on Thursday. It was a good run. Saturday no running, we went to Lake Brownwood and enjoyed a hot Saturday on the water. It was very relaxing even though we had 12 teenagers with us!
It was cooler at the lake on Sunday and quite a bit more wind. But even then coffee in the morning out by the lake wrapped in a warm blanket...is there anything better? What a great morning shared with long time friends.
Clean up of the lake house went fast and home we came only to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening cleaning out the cabinets in the kitchen. Getting ready to sell a house is not a lot of fun! Anyone want to buy our house?
Yesterday, Monday, was a 6 mile natural pace run. I felt good and used my new shoes for the first time, boy I needed them. I waited way too long for shoes this time. Listening to my ipod I got lost in the music and the run went by quickly. I also stopped to visit a friend who lives on my route, she just had knee surgery.
Today was 100 repeats at the Cooper track. Felt GREAT! It was humid and windy and we still had a tough time doing the repeats in the time the coach gave us...we did them faster. That is a good thing until he increases the number from 10 to 20! I think I could still hold that same pace but we will see.
Ok that is it for now, just a quick catch up with no pretty words. Now it's off to work.
Friday last week I ran 6 pretty easy miles. My legs were tired after 800 repeats on Thursday. It was a good run. Saturday no running, we went to Lake Brownwood and enjoyed a hot Saturday on the water. It was very relaxing even though we had 12 teenagers with us!
It was cooler at the lake on Sunday and quite a bit more wind. But even then coffee in the morning out by the lake wrapped in a warm blanket...is there anything better? What a great morning shared with long time friends.
Clean up of the lake house went fast and home we came only to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening cleaning out the cabinets in the kitchen. Getting ready to sell a house is not a lot of fun! Anyone want to buy our house?
Yesterday, Monday, was a 6 mile natural pace run. I felt good and used my new shoes for the first time, boy I needed them. I waited way too long for shoes this time. Listening to my ipod I got lost in the music and the run went by quickly. I also stopped to visit a friend who lives on my route, she just had knee surgery.
Today was 100 repeats at the Cooper track. Felt GREAT! It was humid and windy and we still had a tough time doing the repeats in the time the coach gave us...we did them faster. That is a good thing until he increases the number from 10 to 20! I think I could still hold that same pace but we will see.
Ok that is it for now, just a quick catch up with no pretty words. Now it's off to work.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Perfect Day
Wow, is this the perfect day or what? I got up to a beautiful still morning. 5:15 am and still dark but nice and still. I walked outside, perfect temperature. Not hot, not cold, perfect.
Went to the track ran my 800 repeats on pace, as well as my warm up and cool down, then did sit ups and stretching at the track.
I simply did not want to go inside. Running is so easy when it's a perfect day. The sun coming up over the baseball field at Cooper felt like something from a high school sports movie.
Now at home I am working (yes I have wireless) outside. It's so nice to telecommute.
I am struck by how vivid colors seem today. The flowers and the grass, even the sky. It's one of those days when things look, well....vivid.
And now the hammock calls me, alas I am working. Bummer...maybe a nap in the hammock later.
Went to the track ran my 800 repeats on pace, as well as my warm up and cool down, then did sit ups and stretching at the track.
I simply did not want to go inside. Running is so easy when it's a perfect day. The sun coming up over the baseball field at Cooper felt like something from a high school sports movie.
Now at home I am working (yes I have wireless) outside. It's so nice to telecommute.
I am struck by how vivid colors seem today. The flowers and the grass, even the sky. It's one of those days when things look, well....vivid.
And now the hammock calls me, alas I am working. Bummer...maybe a nap in the hammock later.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
100's at the Track
Rain, wind, lightening, thunder...that is what I woke to yesterday at 5am. I planned to hit the track and do 100 repeats early because my day was full and I would not have time later in the morning.
The weather disagreed with me and so back to bed I went. This left the evening..6:30 pm to be exact. And I am NOT an evening runner. Alas, we went regardless of the heat and wind.
And it wasn't too bad. They were actually pretty easy so my coach is now telling me I need to try running them faster (I knew he would :) ) and that's ok with me. It felt good and even the football players in spring football commented that we did a good job! Of course in their minds they are thinking "what's up with this old people?".
That's ok, when they are our age they will remember that day when we were out there working hard to stay in shape.
The weather disagreed with me and so back to bed I went. This left the evening..6:30 pm to be exact. And I am NOT an evening runner. Alas, we went regardless of the heat and wind.
And it wasn't too bad. They were actually pretty easy so my coach is now telling me I need to try running them faster (I knew he would :) ) and that's ok with me. It felt good and even the football players in spring football commented that we did a good job! Of course in their minds they are thinking "what's up with this old people?".
That's ok, when they are our age they will remember that day when we were out there working hard to stay in shape.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Great Saturday Run
It was a great day today, windy (what's new?) and a little chilly. But with friends there to talk to and laugh with time goes by quickly.
My knees felt good today thanks goodness because after Thursday I was afraid something was really wrong. I believe I really need new shoes but RAB's is out of my size until next week :(
Everyone is feeling strong, healthy, and ready to run some races again soon. Wow what a group.
We are moving this summer and honestly the main thing I will miss is this group of people. I love them all and I am going to make sure I stay in touch. It's not often that you find a group of people that you enjoy this much.
Now off to the lake!
My knees felt good today thanks goodness because after Thursday I was afraid something was really wrong. I believe I really need new shoes but RAB's is out of my size until next week :(
Everyone is feeling strong, healthy, and ready to run some races again soon. Wow what a group.
We are moving this summer and honestly the main thing I will miss is this group of people. I love them all and I am going to make sure I stay in touch. It's not often that you find a group of people that you enjoy this much.
Now off to the lake!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
800's in the Wind...OH JOY!
Good morning fellow runners. Today was actually a good run day, regardless of this ridiculous wind.
I woke up to this mild roar, sigh it's windy again. Should I get out of bed? Should I do this regardless of the wind? Is it worth it? Will I be able to breathe? Will I die on Cooper's track?
So I drug myself out of bed, still listening to the roar of the wind outside thinking all the time that this was pure madness.
Going into the wind while doing my warm up was no big deal, but I knew that when I was actually trying to go fast it was going to be like hitting a wall. Oh well, it had to be done, I was here and I was going to do this!.
And so I did, and although it was tough, and I did feel like I was hitting a wall, I did them. All of them, and I hit my pace every time. The effort was more intense because of the wind but that only makes me stronger, right?
And then as I was cooling down the sun poked up from behind the clouds, the rays shining bright. And I was struck with how beautiful mornings are, how much I love them. Starting fresh every day is such a gift of God and every time I see that sun come up I know I have the opportunity to do better today than yesterday.
And so wind and all my run was very good.
I woke up to this mild roar, sigh it's windy again. Should I get out of bed? Should I do this regardless of the wind? Is it worth it? Will I be able to breathe? Will I die on Cooper's track?
So I drug myself out of bed, still listening to the roar of the wind outside thinking all the time that this was pure madness.
Going into the wind while doing my warm up was no big deal, but I knew that when I was actually trying to go fast it was going to be like hitting a wall. Oh well, it had to be done, I was here and I was going to do this!.
And so I did, and although it was tough, and I did feel like I was hitting a wall, I did them. All of them, and I hit my pace every time. The effort was more intense because of the wind but that only makes me stronger, right?
And then as I was cooling down the sun poked up from behind the clouds, the rays shining bright. And I was struck with how beautiful mornings are, how much I love them. Starting fresh every day is such a gift of God and every time I see that sun come up I know I have the opportunity to do better today than yesterday.
And so wind and all my run was very good.
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