Weekly update.

This was a fun and busy week. Monday, i was able to find another "late sleeper" to run the 7 mile loop with me. It was amazing how much cooler it got when that cold front finally made it's way through. It was windy, but we managed to run the loop in about 49 minutes. Tuesday, i did not feel like running. I went to the gym and did a few weights, then to Mt. Bonnell and jogged for about 15 minutes. My legs felt like bricks. I decided to run the stairs a few times and jog down the path. There was a few sightseers who thought i was a bit crazy. At that moment i felt good, even though i didn't want to run...i thought "wow" it's a great feeling to be able to be healthy enough to run these steps. A few weeks ago, when my aunt from South Africa came for a visit, she could not make it up the steps and could not see the beautiful view. Sometimes, we have such a desperate desire to get faster that we loose focus of just how in shape we already are.

Wednesday, i was extremely sore and just jogged 35 minutes very easy with a few strides. We headed out to Burnet for district cross country. The course actually surprised me....they did mow and mark the trail. The wind was just extremely strong and i thought Ashley was going to have a very difficult time compared to the stronger runners. Well, she surprised me. A year ago, she decided to drop ballet and start running. Ballet is great, but we all know that it doesn't compare to playing soccer or swimming etc. I thought she would have a lot of catching up to do. And, here she was racing to the front. No one challenged her and she finished way ahead. I was proud, but i also know that she never missed a workout this summer. A good pay off for all those hot summer afternoon runs. She felt so good and was so appreciative of not falling, getting lost, or even having a cold during this particular race.

Thursday, was an extremely busy day with flu shots, parent/teacher conferences...but, i once again managed to find time to fit in a quick workout during lunch time with someone who decided not to work that day...lucky for me. Being the little rebel that he is and so super focused on this distance challenge that it scares me, i decided to just be quiet and do whatever he needed to do. We did 1 mile in 5:47 (he left me in the dust), then 5 x 800m in about 2:55. The wind was awfully strong again, but i managed to have time for a 1 lap cool down and i was facing a teacher 10 minutes later.

Friday, i got the kids off to school and decided to jump back in bed and SLEEP! Saturday, i finally did my first real long run. I am proud to say that i ran 2 x 7 mile loops at Townlake. The first loop with Ashley, nice and slow and then the second loop on my own. I don't remember the last time i ran so far, but i was nervous about all the pounding of the road and stayed on the trail. There was a huge rowing competition going on, so plenty of entertainment along the way. I still can't believe i actually finished 14 miles. I am thrilled, even though it was very slow. Today, i might just make it out to Zilker with a stroll around the soccer fields. Should be painful.

Weekly update!

This week i had to alter a few things, because i was trying to fit in as many runs with Ashley as i could. She has district cross country on Wednesday and is really excited for it. We drove all the way to Burnet today and looked at the course. I jogged with her (after i did the IBM) and felt pretty good. I didn't tell her this, but i thought the course was horrible and it would be very difficult to run fast. It's basically a farmer who mowed a piece of ground and made 2 x 1 mile loops out of it. The footing is so rough. Oh well, we will see what happens...can't be worse than the IBM 10 km today :)
So, Sunday i just ran 30 minutes with her. We went to the Zilker fields and ran a few loops. Monday, we did fartlek around Townlake. Two sets of 3, 2, 1 with one minute recovery. I was very surprised. She stuck to me like glue. I couldn't go any faster. Tuesday, i went off on my own and did the Stratford run. 2 miles out and 2 miles back. I tried to go a little faster than just a normal run and managed around 6:30 pace. It felt all-right, just had to dodge a few cars. Wednesday i was off on my own again into my old neck of the woods. City Park. I just jogged a bit and looked at my old house and did 2 x 1 mile repeats in about 6 minute pace. It felt good, but it was only two :(
Thursday, i waited on Ashley and we ran to the track from home. We decided to work on our turn-over and did 6 x 400m with 60s rest in 76-78s. I let her take the lead and it felt weird being mom and running behind, tucking in behind my "little girl". In a few months from now...(i thought), it will all be over with. She will be running circles around me. I guess, i better move up in distance.
Friday, i rested. Then again, i did run through the Austin Zoo. I was in charge of a small group of kids (including my own) and they decided to run through the Zoo, instead of walk. Good thing, i was wearing running shoes :)
Saturday, a warm-up with strides and Sunday the BIG RACE!! Yikes, a little confusion here at mile 2-3, dampened my spirits a little. I was just settling into a nice pace when BAM...we had to turn around. I did say a few bad words....YES, i have a fowl mouth every now and again, but all in all, it was pretty funny. It was difficult to get back "into" things and i did struggle on the back loop. Two women passed me and all i could say was "good job"...gosh, i wish i could have that competitive spirit again and want to beat them, but i don't...i just run with a smile. Hopefully it will come back, i don't know. It's going to be a busy week. I will take it one day at a time.

Weekly update

Definitely a better week. After reading about the Chicago marathon and knowing what the people in Kona are going through, i thought of my week as pretty easy! Monday, i ran the 7 mile loop at Townlake and i managed to run at 7 minute pace, i tried to think of the firecracker run and push myself a little. The weather was so much better. Staying on the trail has made a difference in my achilles. Tuesday, i did the 10 Wilke hill repeats. Wednesday, another 7 mile loop around the trail...this time, pretty easy. Thursday, i finally made it out to the group. It was so nice to see everyone again, that i felt just like socializing instead of running, but oh well....We did the 2 x 2000m around Zilker in about 7:30-7:20 minutes. Then, 3 x 1000m in 3:30's. Thank goodness for Erine running with me. Friday, i barely made 30 minutes very easy. Saturday, i couldn't run. There was a cross country race in Georgetown for Ashley and a school carnival for the boys'. Ashley had a good run and felt strong, but unfortunately took a wrong turn. I guess, i should've taught her to navigate :(
She got 5th and started smiling after i told her that i got a whole race lost in high school cross country....we all walked back and they canceled the race. How can people honestly expect to put a blond out on a course with very limited markings? Lesson learned....know your course!
Anyway, i also had a fun girls night out in downtown Austin!! We stayed until everything closed and i must say...walking on high heels through the streets of downtown and up a 3 level parking garage, definitely counts as a workout! That was my once a year outing...just kidding!

Week Update

Wow, it was a crazy week! After Sunday's relay race i really had a difficult time going for a run on Monday. I ran about 75 minutes, but my achilles was so sore. After an hour i still had about a mile left to get to the car and i was thinking what i would give for new feet with new achilles and while i am at, toss in a new hamstring as well.
Tuesday, i didn't run. Wednesday i ran 35 minutes with Ashley and we did a few strides. Thursday, i went for an hour run in the hills and i was dragging. My mind is just not in it this week, and i really wish i could just go out and jog slowly sometimes. For some reason, i always find myself needing to go faster and then on days like this.....i wonder why i am even doing it? It would be so much easier just pulling up a lawn chair and watching my kids. Have all these years of running, left too much wear and tear on my body? When i wake up in the morning i can barely walk.....then, Friday i did the wonderful 1000m repeats. I knew it was going to be tough, but i thought of it as long strides....nothing more. I did 4 with 90 sec. rest and after the last one was 4:15, i thought it's time for me to shuffle to the car. I did the 1000m's by Barton Springs Pool, where we do the mile repeats and it was wonderfully marked out. That was one good thing :)
Saturday, i didn't run...had too much sports going on. Ashley ran a wonderful race. McNeil cross country and her interview and video of the race is at www.Flotrack.org They have her last name spelt wrong though, but she is in the Jr. High School 2 mile race. She has a fever now, so i am hoping it won't spread through the house. I barely watched her finish and drove to soccer on the other end of town in 20 minutes! Then, another soccer game after that. Today, baseball.....i am going to try and have better focus this week.