800's in Colorado Springs

Well...well...do you know what it feels like to have your lungs burn so bad they feel like they are going to burst right out of your chest? I've felt it before while skiing (even while I was living in the mountains as a kid), and when I did the Pike's Peak Ascent (a crazy half marathon up Pikes), and then again last Thursday when I did 800's in Colorado Springs. The difference on Thursday compared to the Ascent is that I was able to recover quickly in my 200 walks.

There are many things to consider. The "track" was at a Middle School, none of the high schools allow adults on their track but the middle school will. It was dirt, and I don't mean cleachy I mean DIRT...loose dark dirt. Footing was iffy.

The track was about 25 yards short of a 400.

So I did my best running hard around even though I knew it was a little short and then I compared the actual pace rather than the time to what my pace is here for 800's I discovered that I actually ran those 800's at a FASTER pace than I run my 800's here. NO WONDER I thought I was going to die!

When I do them next time I will know to slow it down a bit and maybe it won't hurt so bad!

Regardless I was able to do them and do them well, it felt good and how I love running in the dry cool air. WOW.

I leave again tomorrow for anothe week there, several nights the low is 48 to 49 degress. I just love it and can't wait for my runs there.

800's in High Altitude

It's 4:50, I am up and getting ready to go and do some 800 repeats. I have run here many times but never done speed work. I hope I can do it! I know I may be slower than at home and that's ok. Running in this dry air feels wonderful and it's actually chilly in the mornings.

I had to get up early because the Jr. High I found close by that has a track has practice at the track at 7:30 so I have to get it all in and be gone before they get out there.

I will let you know how it goes!

In the Mountains

I am here in Colorado Springs. I got up at 4:00 this morning to run with my brother in Abilene. I love sharing that with him! He went on to the gym afterward I went home and got ready to fly and then I flew here. Went from the airport to the office right into a meeting. Worked until about 6 or so and of course I was starving!

Came to the hotel had room service and now even though it's only 7:10 I am thinking that I will read and go to bed! After all I need to run in the morning on the beautiful trail that runs on the river behind the hotel. I love running here, it's not only beautiful it's cool and dry.

So all of that to say good night! And I'll let you know how it goes in this high altitude :) .

Today's Run and Other Things

Today is Saturday. My long run was good this morning. I am not going as slow as I know I should but with the walk breaks I enjoy the running part more when I go a little faster :), I may regret this some day.

It was a nice day out but it did get hot fast. I am amazed at how much the rain does for the landscape. Everything seems greener, flowers seem more vivid, it's so much nicer after good rains like we had last week. It really does make running more fun!

We are officially "empty nesters". I was sad at first but now I am excited for her. I am hoping though that the river will not call Taryn all the time because she really needs to be studying. If it were me I would spend my days swimming and laying out by that gorgeous river. Who in the heck decided to put a college campus there? Were they on drugs? I mean really! It is absolutely too inviting with the blue water and the green field of grass with volleyball courts dispersed here and there...tubes for rent, frisbees flying. Sigh, I hope she goes to class :)

My training is coming along fine, my speed work is going really well and I am very pleased. I really enjoy speed work. The next two weeks I will be in Colorado Springs working in the office. Running there is always fun and refreshing, cool and away from humidity. I'll let you know how it goes!

Tough Days Ahead

This blog is not about running, instead it's about my last child going off to college. Today we will take her to schoolo, help her get moved in, and leave her there. I am so excited for her and the fact that her brother is just down the road 30 minutes makes it easier, but the house is going to be so quiet.

We are used to the kids having their friends at our house constantly, no knocking on the door they simply come and go. We never really know who is going to be sleeping on the couch or in the spare bedroom, we are an open house for all who want to be there. And we love it even though it is loud and keeps us up, it is youth and it is wonderful.

Now the house will be quiet. Add onto that Terry working in Stephenville and me being alone with a quiet house. Sigh...how will I handle all of this?

I hope she will be ok, I hope she will have friends, I hope she will make her grades, I hope she will have fun...blah blah...many of you have been through this or will soon. As I worry about her finding friends I hear her say that she already has plans for tonight and tomorrow night with friends she met on her wilderness expedition! So what am I so worried about?

Maybe I am more worried about me, losing one of my best friends.

Long Time no Write

I've fallen behind in writing in my blog. Sometimes it just seems like one more thing I have to do! So here is a quick catch up.

Running is going well, I am advil free most of the time so my knee and my hamstring are healing nicely. I d0 lots of stretching and have been very faithful in doing my strength training. I have now learned to LOVE stretching. After my runs if at all possible I take my swim towel and lay it on the ground or on a picnic table (yes this looks funny but if it's muddy it works great) and I stretch for at least 10 minutes. It is so peaceful.

I am all set for the San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon. I'm not expecting to do anything amazing but hoping to do well and enjoy it. Terry (husband), Tanner (son) are running the half marathon. Tanner's girlfriend, my brother, our niece, and I are running the full marathon. I also have a college roommate who is running the half. And this doesn't include all of the great ARC folks! This is going to be a fun marathon no doubt. I am not sure I've ever looked forward to a race in this way...I just hope I run well and safely.

It rained yesterday, actually it stormed, lots of lightening and thunder between 2 and 9 am. It was awesome but I did put off my long run. And so this morning we went out to run and again it rained but this time there was no lightening and thunder so it was at least safe. I love running in the rain, it was cool and enjoyable, a good long run.

Well this is all for now...I promise to try to be better about blogging.

No Advil!

Training is going well. My runs seem to be feeling better which is good. Maybe it's because my attitude has suddenly changed. I guess we all go through ups and downs in running and right now I feel as though I'm on the way up.

The most exciting thing is that for four days now I have not had to take any advil. I've been taking up to 8 a day for my hamstring, but after several weeks of strenghth training, stretching every day, and doing what the doctor told me to do it is beginning to feel better! I've also added massage therapy. My knee too is finally feeling better and not swelling as it had been. This is so exciting, I hope it continues through my training for San Antonio.

I did learn that I may have to begin traveling every other week to Colorado Springs. I love running there but it is a bit more of a challenge when training for a marathon. But if it has to be done it simply has to be done. We will see how it goes. I am not trying to do anything miraculous for the marathon so the traveling and running should be fine.