Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Awesome run today!

This morning was fantastic! The running is still hard but I have to admit I do enjoy my canine training partner. We started later today and I think Chyenne was convinced we weren't going out this morning until I grabbed her leash then she believed me! She loves it so much! The temperature was just a little nippy at first so I started out with a warmup jacket ... a light sprinkling of rain started about 10 minutes into the run. I figured as long as it didn't thunder (translation: no lightning!) we were ok. The lights rain stayed with us about 15 minutes then stopped, by then I had given up the jacket. As I am re-adjusting the jacket around my waist I see the most awesome sight, a beautiful rainbow overhead! Looked like the rainbow was just for us at the park!

I am still struggling with running without walk breaks. I haven't figured out how to get my breathing on track so it's not such a battle. I try to keep the walk breaks to aprox one minute and then run some more. I keep working at it, surely I will eventually "get it" and manage to run consistently for more than 5 minutes at a time! When I ran on the treadmill I seemed to do better with the breathing and running... I could run for 20 minutes solid on a treadmill before taking a walk break... Outdoors is much harder for me but I won't give up!!!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Friday was short run

Had a late start on Friday morning with my canine running partner... we barely had time for 30 minutes including warm-up and cool-down... Once again Chyenne proved to be good companion on the road. She is loving it, she can barely contain herself when she sees me lace up my sneakers first thing in the morning.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Go Dog Go! (or runs with canine)

Another runing day today... again with my canine training partner. Went pretty well, it was cooler this morning and I started with a light jacket. About 15 minutes into it, I tied the jacket around my waist. There is one issue I need to figure out, lighting is a problem - in my neighborhood less than half of the streets have streetlights so I have to bring some sort of lighting with us. I have a headlamp but it gets uncomfortable after awhile I guess I need to wear a headband or something for the lamp strap to go over. Also, I need to get a blinkie to attach to the dog's collar. I am enjoying her company and I know she enjoys getting out and having fun with me. A win-win situation!

Monday, October 22, 2007

different running partner today

Today I ran with Sam's dog -- 90 pound labrador retriever named Chyenne. She loved it! Was nice having such a big dog with me at 5am. It is very dark but I just felt a little safer with Chyenne by my side. She has to learn how to give me a little more space when she 'heels' -- she is so close it is hard for me to get my stride. She got better and she was very tired when we got back ... she did not even ask for her breakfast right away. (There's a reason she's 90 pounds) I will try to work with her more often and we can get in shape together. :-)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

rainy day workout

Today is a running day -- Raining cats, dogs and more this morning so off to the gym to find an open treadmill. As I usually arrive before 6am I have no trouble finding an open machine. I dialed in the treadmill fairly steep for over half of my run... gives some semblance of an outdoor run. Sweating pretty good by the end. My energy levels were great for the class I taught this morning... workouts really do help fight fatigue!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Running partner

well, I now have a running partner once a week -- T & I have run/walked a few times but called it off with scheduling conflicts... we are going to try Monday mornings and see how it goes. I really want to build up some stamina and maybe a little speed. I may always be sloooow but I am willing to try. T is getting married in January so this partnership is short-lived for now. That's okay, I hope with a few more miles under my feet I will get the confidence to meet up with the local running club. I know I am not the only 'turtle' out there :-)

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

My Next Race...

Well, looks like I am going to try another 5k in November — on the 17th is the Draggin’ Tail in Sunny Hills — Supposed to be pretty challenging. Actually, the main race is 18 miles — I am nowhere near ready for that many miles — I still find 5k tough enough. The weather in November can be pretty decent for running so I guess I will give it a shot.

Last night I had dinner with friends @ Beef O’Brady’s (wow, what a loud place during Monday night football!) One of the group is a runner — she & I could talk about it, but the others found it boring — oh well. Running is hard work and I like being able to share that with someone. I really need a running partner.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Happy birthday to me!

Well, I finished the run for the cure 5k and this time I ran more than I walked... I actually placed 3rd in my age group. I'm happy with this, this race thought me some important lessons --- Drink gatorade at the end of the race... listen to my body -- terrible stomach cramps through the second half of the race... so much pain! Tylenol at the end of a race and better stretching... I am so stiff right now.
All in all pretty decent way to celebrate my birthday! I have decided to keep going with it, try to run couple more 5k races and then next October go for the 10k! Should be a interesting path!