Archives for April 2006

While on the treadmill, I glanced over at the girl next to me. I hate to be judgemental, but I remember walking over to the fitness center at a much faster pace than she was going on her treadmill. I don’t know why this struck me so much, but it did. Does it even count as exercise when you go that slowly? Would she eventually speed up?

I got tired of waiting for THAT to happen. I had to get going to a meeting that went from 12:00-2:15 p.m. I can’t believe that there wasn’t any other time to have a meeting but during lunch. Food was to be provided, but I wasn’t surprised that there was no food in sight when I arived in the room at 12:01 p.m.

Today, I HAD to get my run in. I didn’t run yesterday. Actually, I didn’t do anything at all. Although the training plan called for a 4 miler today, I only had time to run 3 miles. It was better than no workout at all.

After a 1 mile warm up, I began a set of Yasso 800s. It was no use. My body wasn’t cooperating. My calf muscles were still sore from Sunday’s long run. I did only 3 Yasso 800s and finished off the last bit at tempo pace.

Later at home I helped my son, BoBo, film a “Got Milk” commercial for school. It came out cute. I also gathered family information for a family tree project for YaYa.

All the while the dog kept following us around. I think he is waiting for something. Hmm. Food perhaps?

I cannot believe how the year, and thus my training, has been flying past. Having originally planned to run The Avenue of the Giants, my training for Grandma?s began at the beginning of the year (instead of mid-February). My schedule has had me hovering with my long runs 10-13 miles since the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon. The weekly mileage and the long run distance are now beginning the assent. My mind is more than ready for the challenge. I only hope that my body is too.

In the past 13 weeks, I?ve enjoyed some good running. Blogging about my workouts has been a good way to keep me honest. I?ve been pretty consistent with my running mileage, and have done well keeping with the plan to include some speed work in my training. I?ve run 371 miles at an average pace of 8:52/mile. Although, I?ll have to run consistently 8:47/mile (or faster) during my next marathon in order to hit my BQ, I remind myself that this average pace also includes my long run that are ?supposed? to be done slow. I need to be more consistent with my strength and stretching; I?ve not been good about that. I?ll need to stay motivated, and keep up the speed work for longer workouts.

I?ve done well so far. I will just need to stick to the plan – keeping the pace for my training and, hopefully, that will translate to a successful race day.

Have you ever put more on your plate than you could eat? I think we all have done it once or twice. What do you do when you realize that you?ve taken too much? Do you eat it all anyhow? Do you ask for a container to home to leftovers? Or do you just leave it behind to be thrown out?

I tend to be one who hates letting things go to waste. I?ve sort of always been that way. I am also not one to save just a little bit for later. I?ll wrap up a good size portion, but I?ll finish off any small amount of excess food. When it?s all eaten up, I gently rub my belly and wonder what possessed me. It?s like this with other things too.

Take running for example: Today, I planned a run that was more than I was supposed to do. My schedule said to run 14 miles. I planned a 16 mile run. And although I have been doing my long runs on a flat, paved surface, today I was planning a VERY hilly run. It was a bit much, but I didn?t want to cut short a perfectly good run by turning around with only 1 mile more to the top of the hill. It just seemed a shame to go that far, without taking in the view from the top.

It WAS a spectacular view. Cindy and I came down the hill cautiously due to the muddy areas. We laughed as we went. In the last couple of miles we agreed not to increase the pace, as we usually do, and just finish. With pride for a run well done, we made our way home to the kids, and the weekend chores. As the day comes to an end, we gently rub our legs and wonder what possessed us this time.