After Thursday' s workout i felt a little tired. Friday, just jogged 30 minutes with a few strides. It was nice to discover a new route, where i could actually run from my house...cut through a few yards and make it to the greenbelt. A possible long run route? :)
Saturday, i just warmed up and did a few strides on the grass. Gosh, how much rest is needed to get the life back into my legs??
Sunday, thank goodness for fishing poles! My youngest 3 boys' had to wait while Ashley and I ran the relay race (a good 3 hours) and they were having a blast and left me worry free! We got there just in time to encourage Dee (our first leg runner). Never met her before, but she was so cute when we encouraged her and she said "thank you" while running hard...how polite is that? Mel, came in with such a duel with another runner....i thought, she is one tough cookie!! A beautiful girl. Then, there was me....i felt okay, except for the part i was heading up Congress and around the Capitol. I was starting to wonder if i was being punished for living here 4 years and never actually visiting the Capitol?? I was so happy coming down the finish and seeing my daughter, Ashley waving her arms like i won't recognize or see her? She was excited and i could tell. She ran strong, but i think she thought it was tough. Her little face was bright red and she was relieved to be finished. Caroline, our last leg was a galloping gazelle. I would really hate to be next to her during the finish of a race....she is a sprinting machine and will make anyone around her look bad.
It was a great event and especially great when we won the open woman's devision! I managed to hold on to a 6:10 pace and Ashley did 6:43 pace. I am happy with that.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday
I must be looking at the wrong calendar. First, i thought we were supposed to do fartlek and then i read a few of the blogs on the website and saw 800m repeats? I was actually looking forward to fartlek, but thought...oh well....here we go again...track time. It was a weird morning. I was at the grocery store very early and one of the baseball dad's tapped me on the shoulder and started chatting. Well, long story short....he is the manager of several local bands, including Los Lonely Boys'. I was a little rattled, but pretended to stay calm and collected. In the process i lost my debit card, lost the $10 cash back etc. etc. It's a bit early in the morning for me to find out i am talking to someone with such credentials. I am so excited to tell someone about this, and who better than my blog!
I got to the track and did 5 x 800m with 90 sec. rest. 2:44, 2:42, 2:43, 2:44, 2:44. It was difficult and i have to remind myself not to start picking up the pace around the bend...i could feel my hip go out and i could actually see my "not so distant future" having a hip replacement for running around a track all these years! I did cheat though, i was wearing super light shoes, took an advil and had a very strong cup of coffee. Hopefully, next time i can get the job done without any of the "aids".
I got to the track and did 5 x 800m with 90 sec. rest. 2:44, 2:42, 2:43, 2:44, 2:44. It was difficult and i have to remind myself not to start picking up the pace around the bend...i could feel my hip go out and i could actually see my "not so distant future" having a hip replacement for running around a track all these years! I did cheat though, i was wearing super light shoes, took an advil and had a very strong cup of coffee. Hopefully, next time i can get the job done without any of the "aids".
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday & Wednesday
Daniel, my youngest woke up with a fever and stayed home. Running definitely had to wait. Finally made it out to the baseball game in the evening and since i had my running clothes on all day (waiting for the opportunity to sneak something in). I finally, got the chance between innings. I read a quote from Lynn Jennings once, it said that if you are pressed for time - run 15 minutes as hard as you can. I always remember that, it seems to happen quite a bit.
I ran down towards Townlake for about 15 minutes. Went by the mopac bridge stretching station at about 7:15 pm and almost lost my footing off the curb when i saw all the people congregating there. I have to say (maybe, i have just been kept home too long)...Austin has some of the most beautiful, fit people i have seen in a long time. I went by the track and couldn't resist...hopped on and ran 1 mile in 5:50. Lots of people doing lengthy workouts. Then, i got back on the trail to the baseball field and made it back to see my son bat. Great timing, and decent run.
Wednesday, i made it out to the gym. My least favorite thing to do, but today they had country music playing and it was actually nice doing weights with a two-step beat :)
That's it.....no running :(
Start with fresh legs again tomorrow!!
I ran down towards Townlake for about 15 minutes. Went by the mopac bridge stretching station at about 7:15 pm and almost lost my footing off the curb when i saw all the people congregating there. I have to say (maybe, i have just been kept home too long)...Austin has some of the most beautiful, fit people i have seen in a long time. I went by the track and couldn't resist...hopped on and ran 1 mile in 5:50. Lots of people doing lengthy workouts. Then, i got back on the trail to the baseball field and made it back to see my son bat. Great timing, and decent run.
Wednesday, i made it out to the gym. My least favorite thing to do, but today they had country music playing and it was actually nice doing weights with a two-step beat :)
That's it.....no running :(
Start with fresh legs again tomorrow!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday & Monday
I couldn't resist this picture, because i am not sure i have my youngest boy in the right sport...i am thinking, maybe boxing?
Sunday, i ran 35 minutes.
Monday, i was a little confused and decided to warm-up 10 minutes and run on Austin High School track for a few half-mile repeats. I know the schedule said 2000m repeats, but i knew i was going to have a difficult time holding a decent pace on those long intervals. And, i am running the 10 km leg in the relay race on Sunday. As i was about to start my half mile repeats at AHS, the entire football team came running out. There was no way i was going to run around the track with them in the middle. I had to make a very quick change of plan. Went back on the trail and came across the Zilker fields (next to the mopac bridge)...loaded with barrels and a nice little loop. Did 5 x 2:30s hard intervals with 90 sec. rest. It was perfect!!! So, perfect...that i went back later this evening with Ashley and had her do 60 sec repeats with a little break while i jogged 30 minutes with a few strides.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Friday & Saturday
Finally made it to Waco leaving in the middle of Friday afternoon rush hour traffic. Jogged 30 minutes and did a few strides.
Saturday morning, i had Ashley run her first real cross country race. It was the Baylor Invitational for high schoolers. The coach was really nice and let her run unattached. I haven't really been back to a cross country race since 1990, (i think it was nationals at Tennessee that year) and it was a very familiar feeling warming up with my daughter for her race. She ran in the Varsity race and placed 11th, about 60 sec. behind the winner. I wasn't sure which race she should run. Not really sure what the term varsity or junior varisty means, but i think we made the right decision. Based on the results she would've won the junior varsity by a minute and i always think it's better running a race with better competition, than placing first with less competition. She really enjoyed it and learned alot. Her analogy was that the girls went down the first hill like a pack of cayotes fighting over a chicken bone. Interesting, but funny. She was happy with her medal and looking forward to high school cross country oneday.
Made it back to Austin and i went for an 80 minute run. It's nice to know that my legs can still carry me all the way from my house, around townlake and back home. My favorite part was cutting through the Zilker soccer fields. I am so tempted to take a bottle of baby powder out there and measuring out a 1000m loop or something. The grass is quite flat after the ACL stampede and you can actually run pretty fast without twisting your ankle. I always dread running on roads.
Saturday morning, i had Ashley run her first real cross country race. It was the Baylor Invitational for high schoolers. The coach was really nice and let her run unattached. I haven't really been back to a cross country race since 1990, (i think it was nationals at Tennessee that year) and it was a very familiar feeling warming up with my daughter for her race. She ran in the Varsity race and placed 11th, about 60 sec. behind the winner. I wasn't sure which race she should run. Not really sure what the term varsity or junior varisty means, but i think we made the right decision. Based on the results she would've won the junior varsity by a minute and i always think it's better running a race with better competition, than placing first with less competition. She really enjoyed it and learned alot. Her analogy was that the girls went down the first hill like a pack of cayotes fighting over a chicken bone. Interesting, but funny. She was happy with her medal and looking forward to high school cross country oneday.
Made it back to Austin and i went for an 80 minute run. It's nice to know that my legs can still carry me all the way from my house, around townlake and back home. My favorite part was cutting through the Zilker soccer fields. I am so tempted to take a bottle of baby powder out there and measuring out a 1000m loop or something. The grass is quite flat after the ACL stampede and you can actually run pretty fast without twisting your ankle. I always dread running on roads.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday
Since it was "open house" at school i once again had to do the workout alone. It's starting to get very lonely and i really miss running with my group. Hopefully, i will be at a few organized workouts next week.
I warmed up 10 minutes and i was very happy that my dad was in town and came with me to the track. He walked a few laps while i did the workout. I did 4 x 1200m with 2 minutes rest. I decided to go a little faster and do fewer, because i have to run the 10 km next weekend at the relay race and i need my legs to get used to a quicker turn over. I managed 4:21, 4:20, 4:21, 4:21. It felt comfortable, but it was hot out there.
I ran towards home for about 20 minutes and luckily my dad felt sorry for me and picked me up with the car along the way. Nice, but i probably need to run home next time and add a few more miles.
I warmed up 10 minutes and i was very happy that my dad was in town and came with me to the track. He walked a few laps while i did the workout. I did 4 x 1200m with 2 minutes rest. I decided to go a little faster and do fewer, because i have to run the 10 km next weekend at the relay race and i need my legs to get used to a quicker turn over. I managed 4:21, 4:20, 4:21, 4:21. It felt comfortable, but it was hot out there.
I ran towards home for about 20 minutes and luckily my dad felt sorry for me and picked me up with the car along the way. Nice, but i probably need to run home next time and add a few more miles.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday
Thanks so much for the comments on this blog. I really appreciate it and would love to actually meet you too. I am a bit "withdrawn" when it comes to big groups, but "one-on-one", i can talk your ears off!
I am a firm believer in taking a day off of running once a week, or at least one every 2 weeks. I was determined to do just that. Every time the "guilt" feeling would come over me, i would just shake it off. Besides, my eyes saw so much sport action today...that i probably need another day of rest.
Cross country was exciting. The course was tough. Ashley took off like a rabbit, but had that serious, nervous, look on her face. She went flying past me with her teammate right on her shoulder. On the last hill the teammate passed Ashley by and i was glad that she showed determination by "hanging in there" and finishing a strong second.
Gilbert is so right about encouraging us to do strength training. But, i am reluctant to have a 13 yr. old start getting too serious. I didn't lift a drop of weight until i was in college. Too much growth going on in those bones!
I have noticed that i am a terrible spectator...i don't say or yell anything, but the "inside" of me feels every step of pain that my child is going through. I am more nervous watching than actually running....the video camera shakes so much, i might as well leave it in the car. I can't imagine how my parents' did it with me for so many years....and, i had so many bad races! They drove me everywhere and encouraged me, even if i would be LAST and crying my eyes out. Hope i can do half of what they did.
Then, it was a complete change of pace to the other end of town. Who would've ever thought i would grow to love baseball? I grew up with cricket and rugby. Major league baseball?, well it's catchy....done with the boring t-ball stuff...thank goodness (sorry)! It's just different watching your son with their tiny little hips find the strength to swing at those pitches. For some reason i find myself ducking. He did get hit in the head once, but promised me the helmet is well padded....but, he did twirl around a couple of times?....i sure hope those things are padded!
Well, tomorrow its back to running for me....can't wait!
I am a firm believer in taking a day off of running once a week, or at least one every 2 weeks. I was determined to do just that. Every time the "guilt" feeling would come over me, i would just shake it off. Besides, my eyes saw so much sport action today...that i probably need another day of rest.
Cross country was exciting. The course was tough. Ashley took off like a rabbit, but had that serious, nervous, look on her face. She went flying past me with her teammate right on her shoulder. On the last hill the teammate passed Ashley by and i was glad that she showed determination by "hanging in there" and finishing a strong second.
Gilbert is so right about encouraging us to do strength training. But, i am reluctant to have a 13 yr. old start getting too serious. I didn't lift a drop of weight until i was in college. Too much growth going on in those bones!
I have noticed that i am a terrible spectator...i don't say or yell anything, but the "inside" of me feels every step of pain that my child is going through. I am more nervous watching than actually running....the video camera shakes so much, i might as well leave it in the car. I can't imagine how my parents' did it with me for so many years....and, i had so many bad races! They drove me everywhere and encouraged me, even if i would be LAST and crying my eyes out. Hope i can do half of what they did.
Then, it was a complete change of pace to the other end of town. Who would've ever thought i would grow to love baseball? I grew up with cricket and rugby. Major league baseball?, well it's catchy....done with the boring t-ball stuff...thank goodness (sorry)! It's just different watching your son with their tiny little hips find the strength to swing at those pitches. For some reason i find myself ducking. He did get hit in the head once, but promised me the helmet is well padded....but, he did twirl around a couple of times?....i sure hope those things are padded!
Well, tomorrow its back to running for me....can't wait!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tuesday
Wow, i only did 3 sets of 12 squats yesterday with very light weight and i am very sore today. I actually have a difficult time just walking normal. I wasn't really sure whether my workout was supposed to be circuit or "secret" hill, but i knew i needed to do the workout during the day, because my 8 yr. old had soccer practice at 5 pm.
So, i drove out to Robert E Lee and warmed up 10 minutes to the "secret" hill (probably 400-500m) and did 6 repeats. It's always easier physically to do these things by yourself, but mentally it's tough. Just boring, having to jog back for the recovery. I only had a strange looking cat greet me at the top of each repeat, which was kind of cute. The rest of the time i was stuck behind garbage trucks and recycling bins, totally amazed how many liquor bottles were in some of our neighborhood friends' recycling bins. It's nice living in city limits, but i do miss the countryside and forest/mountain trails for workouts like these.
When i got back to the car i felt a tiny bit better and sat on the grass and actually stretched for the first time in a few years. Even did a few push-ups (wow, 2 days in a row)....that means i might still have a chance of remaining the arm wrestling champion in my house for a little while longer.
So, i drove out to Robert E Lee and warmed up 10 minutes to the "secret" hill (probably 400-500m) and did 6 repeats. It's always easier physically to do these things by yourself, but mentally it's tough. Just boring, having to jog back for the recovery. I only had a strange looking cat greet me at the top of each repeat, which was kind of cute. The rest of the time i was stuck behind garbage trucks and recycling bins, totally amazed how many liquor bottles were in some of our neighborhood friends' recycling bins. It's nice living in city limits, but i do miss the countryside and forest/mountain trails for workouts like these.
When i got back to the car i felt a tiny bit better and sat on the grass and actually stretched for the first time in a few years. Even did a few push-ups (wow, 2 days in a row)....that means i might still have a chance of remaining the arm wrestling champion in my house for a little while longer.
Monday, September 17, 2007
First Blog
Well, this is my first blog ever! I thought about it all day. This is the first time in 39 years (yes, i am 39 years old) that i am actually going to write my thoughts down in English. I still think, count and dream in Afrikaans, even though i have been in America since 1986. A long time! SO, to who ever reads this...please be patient.
I have actually been keeping a running log since i was about 13 years old. I hardly ever look back, as we all know the body changes so drastically.
Okay, lets get down to business.
Saturday, 13Th September.....i made it out to Town lake at the same time as my 13 yr. old daughter, Ashley (you will hear a lot about her in my blog, because she has become my "shadow"). It was nice starting the same time as her, since my cousin was visiting from South Africa....i left him in charge of the rest of the boys'. I have 4 boys. Long story!
Anyway, Ashley did a 5 mile loop with the middle school group and i did the 7 mile loop. I have not been to the trail that late (7-8am) and couldn't believe all the people! I felt a little tired from Thursdays' 1000m repeats, so i just did 7 miles.
Sunday, 14Th September....i ran 35 minutes on the cross country course at West ridge Middle school. I showed Ashley the course for Wednesdays' race and we did a few accelerations. They actually have a nice cross country course out there, even though we could only find one or two "arrows", but the possibilities were endless.
Then, today i ran 68 minutes in my very favorite City Park area. I love driving out there (i used to rent a house that backed up to the archery range). It's getting a bit built up, but there are still plenty of really isolated roads and lots and lots of hills. I love running in the hills, because there's always a downhill!! Racing in hills, well...that's a different story! Saw lots of dead snakes and on every hill, i start day-dreaming about climbing my favorite mount Kilimanjaro one day! I made it out to the YMCA later and did light weights. Gilbert told me to work on my strength training, so today was the day. I haven't been to the gym in months. I managed to do sit-ups, push ups, light squats and a few other things. That was enough exercise for one day!!!
I have actually been keeping a running log since i was about 13 years old. I hardly ever look back, as we all know the body changes so drastically.
Okay, lets get down to business.
Saturday, 13Th September.....i made it out to Town lake at the same time as my 13 yr. old daughter, Ashley (you will hear a lot about her in my blog, because she has become my "shadow"). It was nice starting the same time as her, since my cousin was visiting from South Africa....i left him in charge of the rest of the boys'. I have 4 boys. Long story!
Anyway, Ashley did a 5 mile loop with the middle school group and i did the 7 mile loop. I have not been to the trail that late (7-8am) and couldn't believe all the people! I felt a little tired from Thursdays' 1000m repeats, so i just did 7 miles.
Sunday, 14Th September....i ran 35 minutes on the cross country course at West ridge Middle school. I showed Ashley the course for Wednesdays' race and we did a few accelerations. They actually have a nice cross country course out there, even though we could only find one or two "arrows", but the possibilities were endless.
Then, today i ran 68 minutes in my very favorite City Park area. I love driving out there (i used to rent a house that backed up to the archery range). It's getting a bit built up, but there are still plenty of really isolated roads and lots and lots of hills. I love running in the hills, because there's always a downhill!! Racing in hills, well...that's a different story! Saw lots of dead snakes and on every hill, i start day-dreaming about climbing my favorite mount Kilimanjaro one day! I made it out to the YMCA later and did light weights. Gilbert told me to work on my strength training, so today was the day. I haven't been to the gym in months. I managed to do sit-ups, push ups, light squats and a few other things. That was enough exercise for one day!!!
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