LSD, really, really S

Today was LSD day (long slow distance). I ran 7K and it took 59:10. But that's good, cuz that's how slow I was supposed to be. I usually go too fast on LSD day, but I'm starting to get the hang of going really, really slow (NOTE: I usually don't run FAST...I have one pace that I usually go no matter what, which is slow on regular days, but too fast on LSD days). I didn't have any pain in my ankle/calf. Yay!

Tomorrow is an off day. And then my official Running Room Half Marathon clinic starts on Tuesday night. I'm so excited to have people to run with again! Although, I am actually starting to enjoy running by myself, just not ALL the time, like I have been.

I hate colds!!!

So, I've had a cold all this week. I ran my 7K LSD on Sunday, but then didn't run again until today!! I ran 3K today, like I was supposed to, but missed 3 runs between Sunday and today. Today was tough. I'm still really congested and found it hard to breathe, but at least I got out there. I plan on doing my 7K tomorrow, too, come hell or high water.

I've been having this weird pain...well, not really pain, but more of a tightness in my upper ankle, lower calf area. I'm not sure what's going on. It started last week when I ran. I thought I just hadn't stretched enough. But I stretched forever today and it's worse than ever right now. I just finished icing and elevating it and it feels slightly better. I can really feel it when I flex my foot and point my toes up. It feels like it's quite deep inside my leg...massaging doesn't really seem to do anything. I hope it goes away. I'm going to keep an eye on it, though. Strange.

I haven't been doing my pushups, either. I'm going to start back at them tomorrow. I think I'll repeat Day 3 and then start on Monday with Day 4, so I'll be a week behind my sister (we're both doing the Hundred pushups program).

Anyway, gotta run. Going to watch Prom Night!

Running, shooting, pushing up, and Carrie Underwood

Wow! I'm having a busy Saturday!!! First off, I went for a run this morning. I was supposed to do 3K, according to my Half Marathon training schedule which I am now dutifully following. However, I read it wrong somehow and had it in my head that I was supposed to do 4K. So, that's what I did. I went Mapleton Park, which is a park here in Moncton, that has several walking/running trails. So, I started off and had to avoid running over several squirrels within the first 5 minutes. They were everywhere!! And they weren't shy!!! Then there were people feeding chickadees out of their hands. And lots of ducks everywhere too. And it was beautiful and sunny and warm and lots of bright colored leaves on the trees and the ground. Gorgeous!! Anyway, after about 1.5K, I came to an intersection in the trail and wasn't sure what way to go. I had the looked at the map before I left and it didn't look that confusing, so I just went left. Then I came to another intersection. Then another. Then one was blocked due to flooding damage. Then there was a "new" trail. Wow. Then, there was a map. I stopped to look to figure out where the heck I was. It made no sense to me. While I was standing there, I was dive-bombed by a chickadee, so, I stuck my (empty) hand out, and he landed there momentarily! How cute!! Then, I decided to get really basic and look up and see where the sun was. I headed in the opposite direction. Then there were more intersections!!! EEEK! Okay, this park is NOT that big...I can't possibly get lost, can I? Anyway, I came across a lady and asked if I was going the right way to get back to the parking lot. She said I wasn't so I turned around and FINALLY found my way out! I ended up going about 5K, but I only ran 4K. Then I got home and realized I should only have done 3K. OOOPS!

Then Chris and I went to the shooting range. It was fun! I'm surprisingly good! I shot a lot of water bottles! Fun!

Then we came home and I just finished Day 3 of my pushup program. All done Week 1!! It gets easier everytime! Thank god since at first it was really hard. I'm amazed I can feel such a difference after just 3 days of doing it! Cool!

Tonight we are going to the Carrie Underwood concert! I'm very excited! I really like her! Little Big Town are opening for her. I think I know a couple of their songs, but I wouldn't be able to name them.

Tomorrow is long run day. I'm supposed to do 7K (I double-checked to make sure!!). In the afternoon I think Chris and I are going 4-wheeling. And Monday I'm going to my grandma's for Turkey day!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Day 2 of pushups, no running

I didn't run today. It was yukky and rainy and I didn't feel like running on the treadmill. So, tomorrow is supposed to be a day off, but I'll run then and take today as my off day.

But I did do my pushups tonight (day 2)! Man, that is hard!! I could only do 6 for my max and that was really hard!! I'm going to be sore tomorrow! But stronger!

3K in beautiful fall leaves!

Today I ran 3K on the Dieppe walking trails near my house. It was gorgeous! I love fall! I did the 3K in 22:50. I'm very happy with that. I was trying to pick up my pace. I'm doing 3K again tomorrow.

I've also started doing the Hundred Pushups program (www.hundredpushups.com). I started yesterday. I'm very sore today! I'm doing the level one program as I could hardly do 4 complete pushups at first! We'll see how it goes!

Anyway, that's all for now. Bye!

Run for the Cure

Wow! Two posts in one day!

I just got back from Run for the Cure. So, first, the good things about this event. First off, and most importantly, it's for a great cause and raises lots of money for breast cancer research and education. There were a ton of people there, all outfitted in pink (my favorite color!). There were also lots and lots of dogs (many also outfitted in pink!). It's a gorgeous day out today...partly sunny, little breeze, 11 degrees during the run. It was at Centennial Park in Moncton. The course had changed from last year and went all through the woods on the trail system through the park. It was beautiful, with all the colorful leaves, and for a while we ran alongside a pretty little brook. Gorgeous! There were a couple of water stations along the way and lots of food afterwards: bagels, granola bars, apples, bananas, apple juice, and water. And there was a really good band playing too.

So, the not so good things. Well, first off, and this was purely me, no reflection on the event itself, I was not feeling the greatest. My belly was grumbling as soon as I started running and I kept getting a bad stitch in my left side. And I was a little sore from 4-wheeling yesterday. It was a harder struggle than my 10K last weekend!!!

The second bad thing was the fact that the run wasn't 5K! I tracked it on my Garmin and it was only 4.43K from the start line to the finish line! And I hit the button right when I went underneath the banners! That's a little annoying. I know the main reason for the run is to raise money for breast cancer and that it's more of a "fun run" since it's not timed or anything, but still. When you sign up to run a 5K, you expect it to be a 5K. And even if it was just a little short or over, okay, but .57K short? That's a little much. So I was kind of annoyed at that.

So, my time was 34:48. Which is my best time for a 5K yet, but since it was the only 4.43K I've run, I don't have anything to compare it to. ;o)

So, all in all, it was a enjoyable run as it was so freaking pretty. I'm glad I went.

Oh, and another cool thing about it, I realized that last year's Run for Cure was the first event I ever did!!!! So I've been a "real" runner for exactly 1 year! Cool!

10K by the Sea and Run for the Cure

Hey! I had a race last weekend. I did the 10K at the Marathon by the Sea in Saint John, NB. I did it in 1:21:37. I was happy with that since my other 10K was 1:19:57 and I was properly training at that time. I'm really glad I did the race. I've been feeling very unmotivated lately and the 10K reminded me of how much I enjoy running. It was fun!

I have another race today. I'm doing the 5K at CIBC Run for the Cure. It's not a timed event, so I'll have to time myself. I'm hoping for a good time...hopefully about 37 minutes. I'd be happy with that.

My next event isn't until Nov 2. It's the Legs for Literacy 10K. Then Nov 16 I have Clear the Trails 10K. Dec 6 is Santa Shuffle 5K and then January 1 is the Resolution Run 5K. Then...dum, dum da dum...Jan 25 is the Miami Half Marathon!!!!!