Glory Be!

Glory Be - MIKE showed this morning. What a wonderful way to start the morning! I know that there will be a lot of other runners (Jill) who will be disappointed they missed his appearance. I didn't feel so neglected when even his cousin had a hard time recognizing him!

Sandy has taken over lead responsibilities. She has become a speed demon - thanks to interval training (hint, hint to all you whiners). We had a nice quick run of 8:43 this morning. I am sure the cool weather helped too!

Mike's appearance game me such a warm and fuzzy that I think that I need not say more.

First Day of School

I think today was one of the hottest days this summer! The news just said that yesterday was the hottest day of the summer! It WAS a mild summer!

The hot morning and first day of school made it a hard, hard run, but we did it. I noticed that no one was wondering why we weren't doing intervals..... and I sure wasn't going to bring it up!

Good Luck to all the moms trying to get kids out the door for the first day.
Good Luck to all the teachers in the group!
Good Luck to the kids who have to endure a very hot first day of school.
and THANKS to Jill, Arnie and friends for a great party to end the summer!

Girl Power

Sorry for the delay in posting to my blog this morning. I know that reading it has become part of your morning routine. Today other responsibilities related to God (Sunday school) called. Since my soul is more important to me than providing your morning reading material, I delayed my blog work. I know you are shocked that my world does not revolve around you all, but also realize that I am helping your soul too since you were actually working while at work for once! See! I am always looking out for you!

I think Larry was channeling through me this morning. For at least for a minute I felt that I might be feeling a level of enthusiasm close to his. While we were running there was a point where I saw 7 (yes, count’em SEVEN) female (We MISS you Mike!) shadows running along with me. Something about that just sends a chill through my spine. I think it just awesome that all of us are out there running TOGETHER. I hate to say “GIRL POWER” but it is kinda like that. Of course, we are more ‘mature’ and enlightened “girls”. Plus, all the great friendships we have developed as a result! It just sends a warm fuzzy right to my soul!

Plus we had another surprise this morning. AMY showed up! I was wondering who it was as she got out of her car. (another NEW runner?) I didn’t get a chance to talk with her and find out how her knee is holding up and if she is training for anything. GREAT to have her back!

I can hear Jill now, “You didn’t get to talk to Amy because you were running too darn fast”. Yes, Jill – You are right. It was a GOOD run. I think I was enjoying not running with my Garmin (low batteries). No pressure. But of course as soon as we were done (actually before) I asked Wendy what our pace was – 8:33!!! Whoo Whoo! Wendy – two words: Interval training. Which reminds me of the face Wendy gave me when I mentioned doing intervals this morning. Not one of her better looks, but the meaning was clear! Please note everyone – this was requested by Evil Jill. She tries to be sneaky by sending me an e-mail before our run asking to do them. But does she pipe up when everyone groans when I say “How about intervals?” NOOOOOOO. She stands there quietly. In fact, I think she even groans too. She is SNEAKY, be warned!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Getting Better!

We continue to improve our interval pace. Today was 8:33. Now, I know you feel like we do intervals all the time - and so did I - but looking back at my history the last time we did intervals was on August 7th. So, don't call me a Slave Driver - Gol' Darn It!.

I think our new runners are enjoying the benefits of running with others... in other words - running faster. Yesss, this is a benefit, not a torture. I heard Elyse and Katie going on and on and on about how fast I was running the last part of the run (post intervals). Hmmmmm, I must point out that they were close enough behind me that I could hear EVERY SINGLE WORD, so I wasn't the only one running a 8:31 pace that last 1.2 miles! Way to go girls!

Looking at our pace during the intervals, we significantly improved the pace during the fast portions. During our 8/7 interval, only one of them was below a 7:30 pace. Today all but two were below a 7:30 pace and those were the first too. All of them were below a 8:00 pace! Excellent!!!!

And WENDY and JENNY weren't there - even though they were signed up to be.....

Cruisin'

Normally I dread my first run after vacation. I don't think I have ever experienced a "good" run in that situation. When we got home from vacation I checked my e-mail (does that surprise you?) and there was one from Wendy wondering if I wanted to run that afternoon. I was up for it, but wasn't sure Jim would be thrilled with me heading out after just getting home. I caught Wendy and she hadn't left yet. I checked with Jim and he was fine with it - the benefits of having a husband who runs!

I had energy for the run, but wasn't looking forward to 1. the post vacation run 2. running in the afternoon (my body rhythms just aren't used to it anymore) 3. running in much hotter weather than usual 4. Running with speed demon Wendy.

So, we started out and I felt like I had expected - post vacation run - lead legs, felt off balance and like I had never run a day in my life. Plus I was looking at another 5 miles of this in hot, sweaty weather - not a situation that brings a smile to my face.

It was hard, but not too bad. We ended up with an 8:36 pace which I believe is the fastest so far! So THANKS Wendy for getting my butt out there!

I am now done with ME, ME, ME and on to WENDY, WENDY, WENDY. Here it is folks - for the record. I direct quote from her: "I think this winter I am going to adjust my temperature barrier to 10 degrees". Whoa! Hold the Presses! You know it is now because now it is in writing on the Internet and we all know that everything we read on the Internet is true! I didn't mention to Wendy that the Farmer's Almanac, which claims an accuracy rate of 80 to 85 percent for its forecasts, predicts at least two-thirds of the country can expect colder-than-average temperatures this winter and above-normal snowfall for the Great Lakes and Midwest, especially during January and February. I know that Wendy is always up for a challenge!

Did it!

Yes folks, I did it! 3 hours ALL BY MYSELF. If you had asked me if I was going to do this last night or 3 hours ago, I would have said no. In fact, I was ill prepared. I had my fuel belt and Gu, but no visor or sunglasses. Luckily, the weather cooperated with me - humid, but overcast. I have to admit that in all reality I did the 3 hours because it took me longer to run the distance due to hills (YES hills again!!!) and because very early on in the run I didn't take a turn when I was supposed to resulting in a longer route. I ended up with a 9:42 pace which is slower than usual, but given the hills and it was just me and my Ipod, I will take it.

I did call Jim at one point to come and get me. It was near the end and I came to an intersection without road signs. I wasn't completely confident in my location as it was. I only had 15 minutes to go, but was out of water and didn't want to be out there for another half hour or more. Well, it turned out that I was exactly where I thought I was which turned out to be about 1.5 miles from the campground. I had 8 minutes to go so STUPIDLY I told him I would keep running now that I knew where I was at. 8 minutes later I was regretting that unwise decision. (I can admit when I am wrong -sometimes) Why my husband of 10 years could not say to me, "Maybe you should just get in, 2 hours and 52 minutes is close enough, especially on vacation." Apparently, he does not have my best interests at heart. A topic for a future discussion with him....

It was a long mile walk back to the campground. I became delirious at one point seeing a Diet Mtn Dew can floating head of me - kinda like when you see water mirages on hot roads. I never got closer to it. When I was about 50 feet from the camp store where I knew my precious Diet Dew awaited me, I saw my dear husband approach in his vehicle. He wondered (a bit late in my view) if I wanted a ride the rest of the way (where were you .8 miles ago???). I think his true intent was to get between me and my Diet Dew - you know how jealous he can be.

But now I am in happy bliss - on my SECOND can of Diet Dew and done with my run!

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

I feel your pain

Just so you guys know, I submit myself to pain even when I am not running with you. I decided to do an interval run this morning. Of course it was the worst day ever to do so, because it was the HILLIEST course EVER! I should have just turned off my interval program and realized I was doing a hill work out. But no, I couldn't let you guys down. So, I did it. Not pretty, but I did it. I figured you guys would say it would be pay back for doing a roller coaster hill during a long run. This run was like doing intervals on roller coaster hill x 10! No exaggeration. I know we will be hearing enough exaggeration when Mike and Bryan return from Canada - so no need to dish it out now!

So you guys were heavy on my mind this morning.. in addition to the interval training from HE double hockey sticks.... I encountered a very LARGE and very LOUD dog. He did not have an electric collar on. Luckily his owner was awake and said "Leave her alone". Apparently he listened. Of course I got to dread repeating that encounter on the way back, but the running Gods decided they had dealt me enough challenges and the dog was inside on my return pass. Whew! Not to be out done though, the Gods made me do my last interval ALL up hill.... no lie.

Trail Running

The great thing about vacation is being able to run in places you have never run before. When I am at a State Park, I like to do trail running because it lets you see the park in a completely different way than from the road (A surprise, I know). Plus it lets me preview any trails we might take the kids on. Plus when I am trail running I am more accepting of a slower pace. I justify it by the fact that I need to be more careful about my footing and am constantly checking to see where I am on maps - even if I know where I am at (map = rest). I also figure that since I am running on my VACATION that I automatically get 2 minutes/mile handicap on my pace. I call it my vacation run pace.

So, even though Lake Wissota has a 3 mile long road and I could get 6 miles in by running up and down it, I opted for a route that had more trails. And it was great, beautiful, relaxing until that moment when my toe caught a tree root and I went sprawling on the trail. A nice road rash on my knee and shin. Of course, I did this on the most flat and smooth part of the trail. Remember what I said about being careful about my footing?

What amazed me about the whole experience was how quickly the mind and body respond - first to trying not to fall, then by easing the impact, third by assessing injuries and fourth - did anyone see me? This all happens with in 1 second. No worries - I am fine. Just another lesson in humility. I know how much I need that!

Benefits of Middle Age

One of the benefits of middle age is that researchers LOVE to study you! A couple studies have come out recently that once again prove the benefits of running. It is so nice to have studies backing you up when for the umpteenth time someone (a non runner) tells you:

• You are ruining your knees (or some other joint below the waist)
• You are going to have a heart attack training for or during a marathon
• Running will kill you before your time
• The only reason to run is if someone is chasing you.

The only real risk is skin cancer, but of course we have that one beat too since we run before the sun shines! We might have to start lathering each other up (with sunscreen! - get your minds out of the gutter!) before we start our runs! This may also get more male runners in our morning running group - I am sure Larry will start showing up!

On to the more mundane stuff. Yes, 12 mile pace run this morning. Sandy gave Kwik Trip Gal and I a nice surprise by showing up at 4:00 to run with us. I have to admit that when I agreed to run with KTG I thought that 4:00 wouldn't be any different then running at 4:15, which is true until you realize you have to set your alarm clock to go off BEFORE 4:00. Yeah, insane. I wonder if the studies of middle age runners ever look at our sanity or insanity levels. Hmmmm the news might not be good there.

So, we did two 6 mile loops, picking up Elyse, Katie and Kristi at 5:00. We did the first loop a bit fast - at 8:33 pace. Did I mention something about insanity before? The second loop we held our own and ended up with a 8:41 pace. And all but the mile 7 were well under 9:00 - most were between 8:45 and 8:35. Pretty good considering how fast we started out. I must say that it gave me good practicing keeping those negative thoughts under control. Only 4 miles to go, not bad. Only 3 miles to go - I can do that - especially if we don't have to do the hill on Meadowview. 1.5 miles to go, gotta go up Chester, but not Margaret - so Okay - I can do this. 12 miles!! Sandy we are done. SANDY! We are done! SANDY! WE ARE DONE! WOULD YOU STOP????.

Now I am at home, lovin my Diet Dew.

Internal Debates

I am fighting a cold, so I had the age old runner debate - to run or not to run. If I didn't run I could go back to sleep, but I was pretty wide awake and it would mean running on Thursday. BUT if I ran on Thursday then I could help Christy out since she is the only one signed up. BUT I would be running the day before my pace run (no rest) AND what if I was even sicker? I would feel more obligated to run since Christy would be by herself, so it wouldn't be as easy to leak out as today. AND if I ran today, I could sleep late tomorrow. The deciding factor - I was wide awake from all the internal debate, already had my running clothes on (Of course, that still didn't mean I had to go) so I might as well go.

The debate continued on the whole drive to the pool and the first half mile where for 5 seconds I seriously considered stopping and going back to the car. BUT I reminded myself that the first mile always sucks, even if Mike isn't there (hee hee).

AND it turned out to be a good run. Once I was warmed up I didn't feel too bad and we ran a 8:45 pace! I wasn't even leading the group! So, way to go you fast runners!

Poll

Well, luckily for me my fellow morning running companions feel they can still show up to run even if they haven't filled out the poll! I was supposed to run with Wendy this morning (we were the only two people on the poll), but she called at 4:56 a.m. and said she wouldn't be there. She did say she knew Sandy and Kristi M would be there. Plus, Jill had told me she was going to come too. Well, it ended up being Sandy, Katie, Mike and Christy. And just to reward those who did come, we did NOT do intervals.

It was great to have Mike back in the fold. New stories! I don't think there is ever a worry about us gals sharing a fishing story which again shows the diversity Mike brings to the group beyond being the only male!

A good 5.67 mile run at 8:53 pace.

2:45

It's done - time to enjoy the weekend.

Back from LHP. On to SW

Well I have returned from my mother-daughter (my mom, me and my daughter) bonding trip to Little House on the Prairie sites. It was a good trip. I think Grace was more interested in the pool at the hotel, but she had fun and that is what counts.

Today Nate, Ben and I are off on our mother-son bonding trip to see the Star Wars in St. Paul.

So, on top of all of this bonding, I bonded with Sandy, Christy and Katie this morning by running a 8:39 pace! Good job! As my mom would tell Grace - "Strong Women!"

Working Hard?

Kwik Trip girl was kind enough to put up with a slow, slow run this morning. My legs felt like they were filled with cement and the feeling never went away. Luckily for me Jill as in her "happy place" (probably because I didn't greet her with "let's do hills"). The conversation was lively and funny and helped very much to keep negative thoughts at bay (thank you, thank you).

I don't know if it was my body reacting to the interval training and pace work or the fact that we started running 2.5 hours later than normal. I am hoping it is the intensified training. Another way your body shows the training is pushing me.

Currently, I am sitting in a sweltering pool watching Grace and friend go down a water slide. Yes, I know, I could go in, but.....

I hope to be back to my running form on Wednesday morning.... wish me luck!