Week of Christmas.

Santa made it out to the farm and the kids were excited!! Even got a glimpse of him in action :)

After running over 2 hours that Saturday I was a bit sore and couldn't manage more than a mile warm-up and a few very slow strides on Sunday. I wanted to move around a bit before the 4 hour drive to the farm. Monday, we just ran for about 40 minutes with a few strides. Tuesday, I managed to do 50 minutes on the golfcourse with strides on the fairways. It's an amazing feeling having stretches of green carpet under your feet and no one around for miles. I probably should've run longer, but my stomach was calling for a great Christmas meal. Wednesday, was cold and rainy. Ashley and I managed to hit the weight-room and we had a jump rope contest. I feel completely out of shape. I could barely manage 60 sec. It honestly felt worse than reaching the top of Wilke. I guess it's something you have to get used to. It was nice to take the day off and do something silly, but still get the body moving. Thursday, we warmed up (bitterly cold) and did 6 x 1000m repeats on the farm road. Not sure about the accuracy etc., so concentrated on effort, not worried about time. Friday, we jogged 30 minutes recovery. This time, I was prepared for any crazy dogs that wanted a bite out of our legs....found a good stick and carried it along. Wouldn't you believe...no dogs this time!! We drove to Austin and I ran the 10 mile loop of the Barton/Lost Creek loop. Only to find out that I did it according to the old map and thus backwards. My fingers froze and the hills were like climbing Mt. Everest! Too late to gain hill strength now, but I will make sure to rest my legs rather well before showing up next Sunday!!

I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Christmas. Have a great New Year' Eve/Day and may 2008 be the year all hopes and dreams come true :)

Week before Christmas!

Monday was a very busy day at the doctors. Come to find out....my little guy broke the bones in his foot during his stair-climber episode at the Christmas Party. Carrying him around left me with a stiff back and neck. Thank goodness he received crutches. Ashley and I ran from home and did a few strides up the hills. It was about 40 minutes in total. Tuesday, we met with the Gazelles and did 6 of the long hills and 3 short sprints. It was a nice evening and the weather was perfect. Wednesday, I went for a short 30 minute run around Townlake. Got caught up in trying to stay with a few people that passed me and ended up running a little faster. Wouldn't you know, once I caught them...they decide to pull over and stop....geez! Thursday, I could finally start my Christmas shopping! Shopping is definitely not one of my favorite things to do. I get more tired from walking around in a mall than an actual run! Thursday evening we also met with the Gazelles and did a solid 6 x 800m workout with 2 minutes rest. My hamstrings have been bothering me lately and it's really difficult to stride. I managed and average of 2:47. About the same times as I did in the beginning of the year, but it feels a little easier. Friday, was the last day of school and everyone brought a friend home. No running! Saturday, I woke up early and joined the long run group. I was actually nervous for this run. I started really slow, determined to finish this time. I realized that I could not stop for more than a sip of water at the water-stops, because my hamstrings would lock up. In the beginning the group would catch up to me and guide the way, but soon I was following a group that went up to 51st and Red River. I don't think my group went up that way. I ended up at Hancock park and after I saw 2 hours and 13 minutes on my watch, made the fatal mistake of stopping. I stretched a bit, but there was no way I could start back up. I was stiff as a board. So, I started walking. I felt happy that I increased my long run from 1:45 minutes, to 2:13 minutes. That's the farthest I have gone EVER, since one time in 2004. Oh, but it's painful!!
Merry Christmas to all who are bored enough to read this blog :)

Update.

Not sure about everyone else, but for me it's always difficult to get pumped up for running when there's heavy emotional things at home. My oldest boy, 15yr. old went to military school really far away. So, running and everything else was a bit solemn this week. Monday, i ran pretty decent with Duane and Rudy. We did the 7 mile loop and were starting to really pick up the pace toward the end. Tuesday, we did 7 Wilke repeats, with a few backwards etc. It was okay for me. Wednesday, i decided to take the day off. It was cold and rainy. Thursday, we did the 4 mile pace run and i managed a 24:44. It felt nice and comfortable, even though.... all i could think of was my son. Friday, i just ran for 30 minutes comfortably. Saturday, i was supposed to do a long run, but ended up running with Ashley for 50 minutes and then added another 15 minutes with Matthew. Sort of a family relay. Sunday (today) we went to the track and played around. The boys' played soccer while Ashley and I ran a few laps with a few strides. This was definitely an "off" week for me and hopefully i can get my act together again. The Gazelle Christmas party was fun and i wish we could've stayed longer. Unfortunately, my dancing machine...Daniel....got his foot stuck in a machine in the weight room. So, the little guy was in a bit of pain and we made a quick escape through the men's locker room .... the joys' of being a single mom :)

Week after 20 km.

Thanks to the shoes, my achilles felt decent, but the blisters on my left foot put me through some serious torture. Monday i managed a very easy 30 minute run around Townlake with Matthew and Ashley. It was Ashley's first run since falling and slicing her leg open. We saw quite a few gazelles, but none seem to look like the race even had any effect. Tuesday, was circuit with 400m inbetween. It was good, just seemed to take longer than usual. Wednesday, i ran 45 minutes recovery in hilly areas. Thursday, we did 1000m repeats with 2 minute rest. We had a nice group going and ran a decent pace all the way through. I think it was about 3:45, 3:44, 3:35, 3:33, and 3:20. It sure was funny how everyone hammered the last one...felt like we were a bunch of silly kids re-living our competitive youth. Friday, i managed a 30 minute very easy run. I was wondering if running a long run the following day would be a good idea, or do i need to postpone it till Sunday? I have been running the longer runs on my own, and it is very boring, so i decided to push ahead and show up with the group on Saturday morning. Big mistake. Forgot to take advil, had a big steak for dinner and was extremely tired still from all the running this week. My hamstrings tightened up at every stop and it was very difficult to get going after stopping. I should've turned back, but somehow i thought a miracle will happen and take all the pain away. At about 9 or 10 miles i left the group. Found a nice clean motor repair place and used the bathroom. How embarassing. I was in there quite a while, just relaxing and washing my face. The guy must've thought i fell in or something. After that, i started jogging again....long story short, i managed to panhandle 50c, hopped on the metro and rode past a lot of runners (chuckling) and got dropped off somewhere around 8th street. More walking/jogging to the car. I made it though. Started at about 5:45 am, got in the car around 8:30 am. Not bad for an adventure around downtown. I did come to realize that i am the best judge of what i am physically capable of and i need to pay attention. I am also not a spring chicken who can bump up the mileage and do 2 long runs a week. Today, my body is reading....no running, get a good book, a good church and pray for recovery.

Quick Update.

Thank goodness we made it through the cold, rainy weekend of Thanksgiving. The week before the Decker 20 km i managed to do the mile repeats on Tuesday. We did 5 x 1 mile and averaged around 6 minute pace, with the last one at about 6:09. This was also my 11 yr. old boy's first workout. He did 3 x 1 mile and was so excited that he could hardly sleep that night. The kids are planning on the Festival of Lights run, so they are pumped.
Thursday, i did the 7 mile loop with the group and we did 1 minute medium, 1 minute easy. Even though it was supposed to be easy, i struggled a bit towards the end and couldn't see at all. Somehow i just didn't feel very rested with quick turnover. I felt rather slow and sluggish. So, Friday and Saturday i kept busy with other stuff besides running. Put the Christmas tree up...that is a weight workout! I was so glad Sunday morning arrived, because i felt as if i just added so much weight from going wild on a sweet tooth craving! I decided to try out my new running shoes, since they felt good on my sore achilles. Bad mistake! The first mile of the race my left foot was on fire. I had no idea how bad the hills would be, but decided to take it really easy the first 6 miles, only thing was...i felt horrible. Everytime someone passed me that i knew, i wanted to stop and cry. I wish i could let out a cry at the time, but i was too exhausted to even squeeze out a tear or too fearful thinking how in the world am i going to manage another 6 miles feeling like this? My foot, completely numb, and me wanting to go home. Then, i went into a weird zone of just going with the motions and the pain and i started gaining on a few people who passed me...hope! Then, i made it to the 11 mile mark and was so happy. Searching for the finish and i knew i was getting close...only with an extreme disappointment of realizing the end is NOT at the 12 mile marker. My legs were buckling, because i really thought it would be over at 12 miles...geez...that last bit almost put me over the edge. I was so happy to see Gilberts friendly face and all i could murmer was that i am very tired. My foot a complete, blood blister mess! But, i am so excited that i won my little $50 and happy that it covered the cost of my race. I treated the kids to Waffle House afterwards!
I am relieved it's over and have a new admiration for ultra distance people.