Too much running

I think this running schedule is too much for me. I did some research and after reading this article, I definitely think I'm trying to get in too many miles. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--12021-2-1X2-3,00.html

I'm going to switch plans for less mileage during the week. Hal Higdon has never done me wrong during any of my half marathons, so I'm going to give his plan a shot. My back is a disaster already and my knees and hips aren't much better. I don't want to be ruined before the actual race comes :) I also would like to have some time for other workouts!

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

I hope you guys are training well!

Ow

I'm hurting once again. This running schedule is nuts. Ashlee, where did you find this thing? Some prison website? I tried to mix it up this week by doing my 2 6m runs in my neighborhood. Some of you know well the "ups and downs" of my neighborhood. Killer....my calves are on fire and my hip flexor not any happier. So, this weekends long run will fine me on the treadmill in the media room of Kinetix in Macon. There will be a good movie on as I struggle through my 9m.

By the way....has anyone noticed what happens after the week of Labor Day? 7 & 8 mile runs in the middle of the week....those arent even our long runs. What did I get myself into??

Cross Training

This morning we got up early and went kayaking for 4 hours along the coast! What a great way to start the day, and it was a beautiful day as well! Now my whole upper body hurts and I can't wait to take a nap! It's supposed to thunderstorm this afternoon which will make for excellent napping opportunities. Tomorrow is another running day, we'll see how I tackle those hills again. My guess is: not well. Hope everyone is having a terrific week, mine is fabulous!

Lobsters and Jags

It just doesn't get any better than a nice, cool run along the coast of Maine first thing in the morning; checking out the fisherman as they head out in their waiters with loads of gear and cups of coffee. I went 4 miles this morning, which was a lot more difficult than it sounds thanks to the rolling hills (training in Florida is NOT good for you unless you race in Florida!) I did see a baby snake, a few mice, and lots of dogs. Not to mention a ton of people lazily milling about, talking to eachother and loading up their kayaks. What a relaxing place to live!

Last night was lobster night (and steamed clams and shrimp of course) which means I ate waaaaay too much. We also took the Jag for a test-run and made it about 70 miles roundtrip, so that's a good sign. I'm also sleeping a lot more here, I think because of the fresh air and cool temps. It's fantastic! Hope everyone is having a great running week, wish you all were here!

Big House, Big Heart

Lisa did it last year, but I want to join this year - the Big House, Big Heart run is in Michigan at the end of September. It's a scheduled 5k which ends on the 50-yard line of the Big House (aka the University of Michigan football field). The cool part is that the local running outlet (Running Fit) tries to entice additional runners with their Obsessed Runners club they add a few unofficial miles to the beginning of the course, allowing you to run a 10k or Half Marathon on your own. At least you get a cool t-shirt that says Obsessed Runner! So, if anyone is in the Ann Arbor area the last weekend of September, come and join us! I am planning to do the 10k!

Running Buddy for Hire

Since I am not really training for anything right now and am even in between tennis seasons - I have fallen into a supporting role in Jen's marathon training. Matt thinks I am a little crazy for volunteering to get up before 6am to run before work. That is just part of the job.

Other roles include:
- light, fun conversation during the first 40-50% of the run (conversation optional after that)
- keeping a strong 9:30-10:00 pace (and sprinting to beat Jen at the end :))
- never cancelling on the morning of the run, no matter how much I want to
- constant encouragement during the week

I only ask for a little shout out when Jen crosses the finish line. (The call-outs in the blog are great too!!)

Keep it up, girlies!!

5m down, 24 to go

I walked my 5m on the treadmill this morning because I thought my uterus was going to fall out when I tried to run. Oh the joys of being a woman! I hope no men read this blog... :)

I recruited Nancy to run 6m with me tomorrow before work and Ashlee is running 9m with me Friday before work. All runs before work this week....I'm going to be useless!

Jamie - have fun in Maine. Have some lobster for me!!

Fit or Insane??

This is what the back of my new running tank says, thanks to the Tour de Pain! It was such a blast, but I’m definitely feeling sore today. Friday was a 4-mile beach run that began immediately after a terrible thunderstorm rolled through (there was a waterfall coming off Ashlee’s roof!) We got lucky though, the bad weather left quickly along with the humidity so we were able to run in cool, misty weather. I felt good for the first 3 miles, then got a career-limiting side cramp and had to walk for about 0.2 miles. Then I picked up the pace again and managed to finish before the rain came back!

Saturday morning we got up and ran a nice 5k in semi-hot weather but luckily the course was pretty shady. I did ok there too, ran to the water station, stopped to drink some much-needed H2O, then jogged back to the finish line where my 3 favorite fans were waiting! After a brief nap and lots of water, we headed downtown for the 1 mile sizzler. This year they changed the course so that we did 2 laps around a city block, which made me nervous because I certainly didn’t want to get lapped by the winners!! The route was pretty nice, and half shaded which helped since it was 3pm on a 92 degree day. I discovered that I basically have one running speed, because I ran the mile at the same pace as all the other races!

This week I’m heading north, so it will be great to finally run in some cooler weather. I might need to wear short sleeves instead of sleeveless tanks!!

MIAMI HOTEL UPDATE: I booked the Courtyard Marriott on Miami Beach today, it looks very relaxing and a terrific place to spend the weekend! Looking forward to a terrific race weekend!

Look who's not bloggin now...

Big running week ahead! Ick! 5, 6, 5, 4, 9....I need to try and run them M-F because I won't be able to run this weekend. Will be tough. Hope you guys have a good week!

Jamie says I'm not blogging enough...

Last week I was on a bit of vacation. I had worked some remote and did the tour de Joe Burney. I rode with him through his coastal Georgia territory. It was great. I had some business lunches with him and rode with him on his car days and on the other days got to play around in Savannah and St. Simons. I wish I could do that more often. We even got all of our runs in that week. I woke up every morning with him and ran and sometimes I took a nap after breakfast while he went to work. haha

On Saturday I attempted to make up the 8m that I didn't make the previous Saturday. Damn, it was hot. I almost heat stroked and it was only 9a. I got it done though.

This week has been off to a good start too. I've been on the treadmill at home before work. It's an easy week thankfully. I'm off to Orlando this weekend for Jen's baby shower, so I need to figure out a way to get my 8m in earlier. I think I will go Friday morning and work from home. We'll see how it goes.

Along with Jamie, I'm trying to watch my nutrition this week. I have been HORRIBLE lately. Last week Joe and I ate out so much and at fancy fatty places. I'm sure I consumed 3k calories a day...between the food and bottles of wine. So far I've been good this week with the exception of tonight. Our monthly meeting was at a tapas place tonight...fried calamari and fried potato things for me. Geez! I'm up early to do another 4m on the treadmill tomorrow though. I guess that is our one saving grace. :)

Alright my running friends....off to bed for me.