Week 67: Day 6

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:45am) = 3.25 miles, time = 34:49, pace @ 10:43

Most of the time, I don't run on Saturdays - occassionally I do - because I have karate training, but clearly...there is no class today.

I think I'm better with the air quality/smog level now that I don't feel sick anymore, but why was my nose runny while I was running? It's usually only like that when I'm getting over a cold and my nose is hypersensitive to the air quality.

Week 67: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:40am) = 2.51 miles, time = 26:21, pace @ 10:30

I didn't run yesterday. I should/could have because when feeling lazy, that would have been the best time to run/exercise. So much for finishing the year on a "strong" note, considering I missed a lot of running days because of a cold. But I should start the new year on a strong note, and on the "right foot". Anyway, I think I'm ready to start increasing my distance....slowly.

Week 67: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:40am) = 2.17 miles, time = 23:51, pace @ 10:59

I don't feel sick anymore, although I'm still coughing, sometimes. I still need to work on my breathing and trying to get used to the morning air quality. I'm breathing like I'm out of shape, but I suppose that's normal when you have to stop excercising for two weeks because of a cold. At least, I still have my endurance and can run continuously.

Week 66: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:40am) = 2.12 miles, time = 23:21, pace @ 11:00

First run in almost two weeks. I got sick last Thursday and I'm finally getting over it. Luckily, our last karate work out for the rest of the year was Wednesday (last week). I attempted to run this morning. While I did better than I thought and ran continuously, I didn't run that far. Normally, I don't have a problem with smog in the morning when it's cold, but since I'm still getting over a cold and just as I suspected, my nose/sinuses were hypersensitive to the smog and my nose/sinuses hurt...but not too bad. So I think I just need to get used to it again. I'm still coughing a bit, but I hope running again will help get rid of that.

Week 65: Day 5

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 12pm) = 4.6 miles

I haven't been sleeping well during these last three nights...maybe like two or three hours each. I sorta felt/feel fine during the daytime, but everything hurts when I try to sleep, and I wake up sore and achy! I think I need a new bed which is causing me to feel like this at night/morning.

Week 65: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

There was a second class, but I did a lot of nothing.

My motivation is fine, but I need to stop being lazy with running.

Week 65: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I sorta wanted to ride the bike this morning, but it had been raining all day and I don't like to ride/run in the rain. The weather forecast calls for clear skies. I hope it's right so I can run in the morning.

Week 64: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 4.88 miles, time = 54:06, pace @ 11:05

Total Weekly Mileage: 9.37
Total December Mileage: 17.85
Total Shoe Mileage: 97.09
Total Yearly Mileage: 517.49

I was sorta worried that it would be cloudy and drizzling this morning. Glad that that it won't rain until late tonight because I woke up to a clear sky and sunshine for my run!

Week 64: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

I don't know what to say! All I can say is that I got my work out done for the day.

Week 64: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 4.49 miles, time = 49:30, pace @ 11:01

Why didn't I just go run yesterday? The weather was perfect in the morning! It was perfectly cold and nice this morning and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Week 64: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I didn't run yesterday morning because laziness kicked in. If laziness doesn't kick in again, I will run tomorrow morning.

Week 64: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 11:30am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Cold weather has finally arrived this season and I can finally enjoy running in it. I hope my hands don't freeze again in the morning.

Week 63: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 4.88 miles, time = 52:07, pace @ 10:41

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.21
Total November Mileage: 35.91
Total December Mileage: 8.48
Total Shoe Mileage: 88.72
Total Yearly Mileage: 508.10

I had been checking the weather all week and heard that it would be very windy today. I'm so glad that it was just a very slight and barely noticeable breeze this morning instead, but it was soooo cold! I really enjoy running in uncomfortably cold temperatures, but it was the first time in a really long time that my hands felt frozen by the halfway point while feeling very sweaty. Is that weird that the back of my hands were cold and frozen but my palms were sweaty? They felt ok by the end of the run though, but I had to take a hot shower immediately after my run!

Week 63: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 3.6 miles, time = 38:03, pace @ 10:38

I didn't run yesterday morning because it was too windy for my liking. There was no wind this morning and it was uncomfortably cold which felt great to me!

Week 63: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It's currently not windy where I live, but I hear that it will be in the morning. I want to run in the morning, but I don't like to when it's windy. I hope it's bearable and not too bad.

Week 63: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 2.73 miles, time = 30:24, pace @ 11:08

I finally got a run in this morning. The weather was warmer than I'd like, but I shouldn't complain about that because I didn't feel bored or unmotivated!

Week 63: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3.4 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I didn't run yesterday. I needed a break. I'm not sure if I'll run tomorrow morning and I'm not sure if I should take a few more non-running days.

Week 62: Day 6

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 5.2 miles

I thought about running yesterday and this morning, but decided to take a break. No work out yesterday and no karate training today (Thanksgiving weekend), but went for a bike ride this morning. I'm probably burnt out on running which was why I felt crappy on my last run. I probably needed a break from running for more than one day. I'm not sure if I will run tomorrow morning, but I'll see how I feel by then.

Week 63: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am): 3.38 miles, time = 36:31, pace @ 10:48

I wanted to do a 5.3 mile run this morning, but after running one mile, my motivation dropped and I felt like I was dragging. I really couldn't get into it and I don't know what happened. I felt fine for my six mile run on Sunday and I took a complete rest day (except for walking my dog) on Tuesday. I had music with me and the weather was sorta nice, so I don't think that was the problem.

Week 62: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I didn't run yesterday morning because my earphones for my ipod shuffle stopped working...although I could have been fine running without music and I could have just done a short run, I decided that I didn't want to run without music. Now that I have new earphones, I will make a point to run tomorrow morning.

Week 63: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It's so cold at night now. That means that I'll actually enjoy the nice and cold weather in the morning for my run!

Week 62: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 6.06 miles, time = 1hr 07min 46sec, pace @ 11:11

Total Weekly Mileage: 15.97
Total Monthly Mileage: 33.18
Total Shoe Mileage: 75.13
Total Yearly Mileage: 494.51

Last night, I sorta knew that the weather would be fine for my run this morning, but I was also sorta concerned that it would be cloudy and drizzly/raining. The weather was totally fine with a little sun and the rain clouds stayed away long enough for me to finish my run.

Week 62: Day 4

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 6:20am) = 5.04 miles, time = 54:40, pace @ 10:51

I hear that tomorrow may rain, but I hope it doesn't in the morning so I can do a run. I don't like the idea of running in the rain because I got sick when I did that last time.

Week 62: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I haven't figured out if I want to do a hilly run or an easy run for tomorrow morning. I usually do a hilly run on Thursday mornings, but I want to change it up a bit. I think I will decided in the morning.

Week 62: Day 2

cardio:

• road run (@ 6:20am) = 4.87 miles, time = 51:13, pace @ 10:31

Going to bed at a reasonable hour so I can wake up for a 6am run, certainly helps. Must remind myself of this!

Week 62: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Did normal stuff during karate. That's all I have to say for now...

Week 61: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 4.8 miles, time = 53:14. pace @ 11:05

Total Weekly Mileage: 9.33
Total Monthly Mileage: 17.21
Total Shoe Mileage: 59.16
Total Yearly Mileage: 478.54

I did go to Karate training yesterday, however, I didn't do any running or exercises on Thursday and Friday. The weather was fine, but I'd go to bed late. Going to bed at a reasonable time does really help if I want to wake up early and feel fine running....but I also think that it's ok to take a break from running for a day or two. So I don't feel too bad,

Week 61: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@7pm) = 1 hour

We had a second karate class, but I did a lot of nothing.

Week 61: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:10am) = 4.53 miles, time = 48:52

Forgot that I would run into some wind during a part of my run, but it wasn't that bad. I preferred no winds at all, but I can't do anything about that.

Week 61: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 11:45am) = 5.36 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It was a nice day for a bike ride. Not sure if I will do another one tomorrow, but I think it'll be a nice and cold morning for a run.

Week 60: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 4.55 miles, time = 51.36, pace @ 11:20

Total Weekly Mileage: 7.88
Total Montly Mileage: 7.88
Total Shoe Mileage: 49.83
Total Yearly Mileage: 469.21

It was lightly drizzling during the second half of my run. It wasn't enough to make me sick or catch a cold, but fortunately I got it finished when I did because it started raining pretty good afterwards. I'm very glad that it didn't rain during my run this morning. I got sick last time I ran in the rain.

Week 60: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 12pm to 1pm
• second class = 1pm to 2pm

I didn't get to run yesterday because it rained sporadically throughout the day. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning...at least, not before 8am. With the weather being so cold in the morning lately, I think I'm going to enjoy my run tomorrow morning.

Week 60: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:45am) = 1.1 miles, time = 13:55, pace @ 12:36
• warm up/cool down = 1.1 miles (each)

It was pretty windy yesterday with the Santa Ana winds. I actually forgot that it might still be windy for my run until I went outside this morning at 6am (not for a run). I wasn't looking forward to running against the wind and dirt blown around everywhere. Although I preferred that there was no wind at all when I went out for a run, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought.

I hadn't ran on any challenging hills in a month or so since I got sick from the dramatic weather change. I did better than I thought.

Week 60: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

On Sunday, I thought about running on Monday morning because I didn't have karate training on Monday evening and I'd figure out what I felt like doing yesterday morning when I woke up. I didn't run on Monday morning because I decided to use it as a rest day and run yesterday morning. We had dense fog yesterday morning instead, so I never bothered to run. Should've, would've, could've went running on Monday morning...

Week 60: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 11:15am) = 3 miles

There's no karate training tonight because it's Halloween and most likely no one will show up for class. I thought about running this morning, but decided to sleep in and just do a short bike ride instead.

Week 59: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/raod run (@ 6:40am) = 4.44 miles, time = 50:59, pace @ 11:29

Total Weekly Mileage: 12.48
Totaly Monthly Mileage: 38.45
Total Shoe Mileage: 41.95
Total Yearly Mileage: 461.33

I was disappointed with the temperature/weather this morning. I prefer uncomfortably cold, but it was uncomfortably warm for me this morning instead. What can I do anyway? I live in an area that usually doesn't get uncomfortably cold during the Autumn and Winter seasons, but I suppose I will have to accept it because I don't think I will like running on icy/snowy roads and trails.

Week 59: Day 6

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

I finally found the motivation to do a short bike ride on Saturday mornings. I like the idea of doing some light exercise as a warm up and showing up to karate with properly warmed up legs.

Week 59: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 4.36 miles, time = 46:13, pace @ 10:36

Is Summer over yet? Has Autumn finally arrived? Can I now have my 40-something degrees running weather in the morning? It feels like it and I'm enjoying my runs in uncomfortably cold temperatures.

Week 59: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 3.68 miles, time = 37:26, pace @ 10:10

This morning felt so much cooler/colder than past days/weeks/months and I loved it! It felt so good to run in cold temperatures and I seem to run faster when it's uncomfortably cold. I hope tomorrow morning is the same, temperature-wise!

Week 59: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles,
• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

Ahhh, it was slightly drizzly yesterday morning. That made me want to go back to bed, so I actually didn't run yesterday. Tomorrow's weather looks better and it doesn't look like it will be cloudy and/drizzly. I have more motivation to run when it's sunny.

Week 59: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 11:15am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

With it being overcast in the morning lately, let's hope that I actually find the motivation to run. Cool, overcast mornings make me want to sleep more.

Week 58: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:40am) = 3.15 miles; time 35:24; pace @ 11:14
• bike ride (@ 10:30am) = 3 miles

The weather this morning wasn't as bad as I thought. I felt ok with the run, although I ran slower than I thought.

Week 58: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 12pm to 1pm
• second class = 1pm to 2pm

Today was hot. I think the AC was on during karate training, but it didn't feel like it.

I plan to run in the morning, but I'm not looking forward to the morning weather. The overnight low is 57 and that's still considered warm for me when I go out for a run.

Week 58: Day 5

cardio:

• road run (@ 6:40am) = 2.17 miles, time = 23:44, pace @ 10:56
• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles

I finally stopped making up excuses for my laziness with running.

Week 58: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

I didn't get my run in yesterday morning. There was a dense fog and it was too dense for me. It was even hard for me to breathe it when I was walking my dog! I don't like to run in dense fog because the "smoke" is hard for me to breathe. I didn't run this morning and while it was foggy, it wasn't as dense as yesterday morning. If it's foggy tomorrow morning and it's not too dense, I'll make an effort to run.

Week 58: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I got a hair cut with layers over the weekend. It's still long enough that I can still do stuff with it. I desparately needed a cut with layers because my hair would get tangled and knotted up while I ran. Hopefully, the new cut will help my hair out tomorrow morning during the run without it getting tangled and knotted up.

Week 57: Day 7

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 3pm) = 3 miles

My running schedule got derailed again this week and this time, it wasn't because I was sick. With the weather being as crazy as it was and being so hot that I never got any cool air circulating in my room (from the outside), my sleeping habits got out of whack. I think I was sleeping on Wednesday and Thursday nights because I didn't remember hearing noises that I would normally hear (newspaper guy, delivering mail, etc), but it also felt like I was awake too. Last night was the worst. I was wide awake the entire night and I finally fell asleep at 6:30am. I was going to wait a little longer on the sleep and run this morning at 6:30am, but sleep finally kicked in and I felt so sleepy.

I wasn't going to do anything else for the day, but decided that a three mile bike ride to do some errands was better than nothing and it was nice weather out too.

Week 57: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning's weather or running in it. It's suppose to be hot tomorrow and it feels pretty warm now at almost 11pm. I don't like running when it feels warm and muggy.

Week 57: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 3.2 miles, time = 35:41, pace @ 11:09
• bike ride (@ 9am) = 3 miles

I felt ok during the run this morning. No hypersensitive anything.

I was going to do my bike ride at 10am, but figured it might be slightly warmer than 9am. I was more motivated to ride a bike at 9am anyway. I felt ok riding a bike somewhat shortly after my run since my run wasn't strenuous enough. If I ran 5+ miles, I would rethink riding a bike in the same morning. I like to idea of "evening" out my leg muscles. Running uses the hamstrings while bicycling uses the quads.

Week 57: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I think I'm getting better. I hope I'll feel ok for the run tomorrow morning.

Week 56: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 3.15 miles, time = 35:27, pace @ 11:17

Total Weekly Mileage: 7.60
Total Monthly Mileage: 12.45
Total Shoe Mileage: 15.95
Total Year Mileage: 435.33

Since I got sick on Wednesday, my running schedule got derailed. I desparately needed to sleep. While I'm not 100% better, I do feel better than Wednesday and Thursday.

I figured I would feel ok for a run this morning and try to "run off" any remaining cold that I had. I don't exactly feel any different now. I actually felt ok during the first half, but my nose, lungs, and throat went into hypersensitive mode when I was faced with running into the wind during the second half of the run. I don't know what it was about running into the wind that made everything burn so much.

Week 56: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

So we did have a second karate class except I didn't participate. Since I got sick from walking my dog in the rain today, the second class involved grappling and that meant getting in each other's personal space and directly breathing on them.

My dog won't do her business in the house or in the yard...the only way she would was by being walked. So in the rain, we went so she could do her business.

Week 56: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.45 miles, time = 49:14, pace @ 11:04

It was mostly overcast when I went running this morning, but I had a glimpse of the sunrise with the red and orange-y color in the sky which made my morning and run more enjoyable. It didn't look like it would rain, but now that I got my run out of the way this morning, it really looks like it'll rain.

Week 56: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It was a nice day for a bike ride, so I took it out to do some errands. Tomorrow may be a different story because I hear that it may rain. I hope it doesn't rain in the morning so I can go out for a run.

Week 55: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 4.85 miles, time = 53:04, pace @ 10:56

Total Weekly Mileage: 15.89
Total September Mileage: 38.50
Total October Mileage: 4.85
Total Shoe Mileage: 8.35
Total Yearly Mileage: 427.73

I usually can handle a mild dehydration because afterall, I don't drink water when I'm sleeping and I can only drink so much in the morning before I head out for a run. I think because I was pretty busy yesterday that I didn't hydrate myself very well that I had more than mildly dehydrated for my run that I got a headache halfway through my run. Strangely, it went away during the second half of my run because I didn't notice it anymore and it was bearable when I did notice it. I didn't bring water with me or stop for a drink while passing through a park during my run. I know that I was more than mildly dehyrdrated, but I probably wasn't too dehydrated if that was the case.

Week 55: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:30am) = 1.1 miles, time = 14:06, pace @ 12:49
• warm up = 1.3 miles
• cool down = 1.1 miles

Went running in my new shoes this morning. Finally no discomfort or pain in my right shin, but I got a bruise on my left thigh from karate last night. It was uncomfortable to run with it, but luckily a warm up "fixed" it because I didn't notice it during the actual hill running.

Week 55: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

I finally purchased a new pair of running shoes. I didn't run today and even though I technically didn't really need to break them in, I broke them in anyway with a few short walks with my dog since I got the shoes. I can totally feel the difference with the extra cushiony heels. I suppose that is what happens when you wait too long to get a new pair. I hope to finish the rest of the year off on a good note. I don't know if this will help my motivation or how long it will help, but it feels nice to have new shoes.

Week 55: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.54 miles, time = 48:38, pace @ 10:43

I think it's time to get new running shoes, so I plan to get a new pair this afternoon. I was getting shin splints in my right shin before, but it was just discomfort and tolerable. That has turned into pain. It felt fine after one mile into the run this morning. My left knee was hurting too. I don't know if that has anything to do with shoes being old, but it was definitely hurting during the run today. It was almost tolerable, but it was weird that I was getting knee pain from running. This was the first time that I got any sort of knee pain or knee problems from anything. It's ok now that I'm not running.

Week 55: Day 1

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10:15am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I finally took out the bike and went for a ride. This was what I kept telling myself to do every week, a few times a week, but I got lazy. The hot and humid summer didn't help much. Now only if I can keep this up on a more regular basis and even get myself to do pilates or something.

Week 54: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.74 miles, time = 54:06, pace @ 11:25

Total Weekly Mileage: 9.17
Total Monthly Mileage: 30.46
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 411.84

Although it was overcast this morning and the temperature felt cool, it didn't really feel as cool as Friday morning. It did drizzle a bit during the second half of my run. It didn't help me run faster, but it felt nice. I'm so patiently waiting for when the weather/temperature drops below 50 degrees because that's when I'll run faster.

Week 54: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

After sitting here for ten minutes, trying to think of what to write about, I have nothing. I'm trying not to complain about some people because complaining isn't going to fix anything.

week 54: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 4.43 miles, time = 48:41, pace @ 10:59

I wanted to do a run yesterday morning, but I had a terrible night and I'm not sure if I slept. I think I did, but it also felt like I didn't at all. I slept ok last night and I felt normal for my run this morning.

This morning, I ran on a fairly, newly created road. It had been created a few months ago and I drove on it a few times now, but I finally got a chance to run on it this morning. This helped my motivation because although I didn't go to a different city to run in different sceneries, this road was actually nice for a change. The trees along the road were/are still young, but that was ok because the road was still pretty scenic which helped me feel less tired and motivate me to run. In a sense, it was a change of scenery because the road (for running/exercising) was new to me.

Week 54: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first class = 7pm to 8pm
• second class = 8pm to 9pm

I was going to run this morning, but slept in instead. I'll run tomorrow morning if I don't get lazy.

Week 54: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I don't have anything to say except I got a work out in today.

Week 53: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.14 miles, time = 46:44, pace @ 11:17

Total Weekly Mileage: 14.90
Total Monthly Mileage: 21.29
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 402.67

I didn't feel any discomfort or uptightness in this morning's run like the last run that I did, but I also thought that I would run a similar pace like the last run. It felt cooler this morning than Friday morning.

I'm also trying to make myself get in the habit of stretching after every run. So far for this last week, I've been good at keeping up with it.

Week 53: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

So the people who worked at our karate training place decided to paint or prime the walls in some near by rooms in the building. I usually get a headache when I smell paint, but it wasn't that bad today either because the paint smell wasn't that strong or because I was so well hydrated that it didn't bother me so much. Yes to being well hydrated!

Week 53: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 3.83 miles, time = 40:44, pace = 10:38

My pace is getting faster? I didn't feel any different than all my previous runs, but it's nice! I was almost dreading going out for a run this morning because it was slightly windy. Windy enough that I could feel it while walking or standing around. I only like slight winds when I'm actually running. When I don't feel anything while waiting on a street corner for a traffic light to change colors, it feels good to feel a slight breeze once I start running again. Anyway, it wasn't that bad.

During the first mile of my run, my back, lower legs and feet felt uptight. I had no idea what I was doing to feel uptight like that. I know that I should do a warm up everytime I go out for a run, but I didn't feel like that before...at least, not in a long time. I stopped and did some stretching at the one mile point and I felt fine with the rest of my run.

Week 53: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:20am) = 1.1 miles, time = 14:16, pace @ 12:58
• warm up/cool down = 1.1 miles (each)
• walk (@ 12pm) = 1.3 miles, time = ?

I wasn't expecting it to be overcast this morning...or maybe I just didn't pay attention to the recent weather forecast.


I hadn't done any running on challenging hills in awhile, but I wanted to anyway. Surprisingly, I did better than I thought. I think this helped boost my motivation for awhile longer because that was a nice surprise.

Week 53: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Have nothing to say today, except that I got my work out in for the day.

Week 53: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 3.63, time = 39.17, pace @ 10:49

Wow, I felt like I had some extra energy during the last mile of my run. I don't know if my overall energy was better than before and made me running a little faster, or if it was just towards the end. It was nice to feel like I actually had more energy than I did before.

Week 53: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

The weather today actually wasn't that bad compared to last week. I wanted to ride the bike to run some errands, but I got lazy.

Week 52: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:40am) = 3.25 miles, time = 35:49, pace @ 11:01

Total Weekly Mileage: 3.25
Total Monthly Milage: 6.39
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 387.77

This morning didn't feel as cool as I wanted, but it was so much better than the last time that I did my run. It also helped that it was overcast this morning, so at least, the air was easier to breathe in.

Week 52: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

Today felt cooler than the last few days. I'm hoping for a cooler morning tomorrow for my run.

Week 51: Day 7

cardio:

• trail run (@ 6:25am) = 3.14 miles, time = 34:46, pace @ 11:04

Weekly Total Mileage: 8.79
August Total Mileage: 40.51
September Total Mileage: 3.14
Yearly/Shoe Total Mileage: 384.52

I felt better about running this morning than during my last run. I'm not sure what happened or what made me feel so grumpy with the last run, but that short break helped. It's starting to feel cooler in the mornings, so that helps too.

Week 51: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

I didn't do a work out in the last two days. I'm hoping that these two days of no exercise will help me feel better about running tomorrow morning. If it doesn't, I'll be sad and disappointed.

Week 51: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Today felt cool and tolerable enough that I wanted to take the bike out and ride a few miles to run some errands. It was actually nice weather for a bike ride too.

Week 51: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:25am) = 3.14 miles; time = 36:25; pace @ 11:36

I don't know what's wrong with me. I took a break for a week recently...that really wasn't that long ago, almost two weeks ago. Not only am I still bored and unmotivated, I'm running slower. That's not good if I'm running slower than all of my previous runs. I want to run with other people, but at the same time, I don't really want to. I'd like to enter some races, but I'm also unmotivated to do that too. I'm bored and unmotivated, but I don't want to stop running!

Week 50: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 2.51 miles, time = 28:56, pace @ 11:28

Weekly Total Mileage: 8.91
Monthly Total Mileage: 34.86
Yearly/Shoe Total Mileage: 375.73

I almost didn't run this morning. It wasn't because I had no motivation, but I knew that it would be uncomfortably warm this morning, even at 6am, because the overnight low temperature would be 75! I figured if I did a short run, I would feel ok. Plus, I also wanted to log in my total mileage for the week, month, year/shoes, and I needed a run for today to give me an excuse to log and update that kind of info.

Week 50: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

It's too hot...I suppose I have an excuse to drink two gallons of water and have some ice cream today! Perhaps I should have gone swimming today too, but I took a shower before I thought of that. If tomorrow is much like today, I'll make myself remember to go swimming!

Week 50: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 3.2 miles; time = 35:44, pace @ 11:10

My leg is not sore anymore from the muscle cramp on Wednesday night. However...though...I really need to start stretching after I run. I used to do that before when I went to the gym after my runs. It should be easy to do it once I get home because I don't go to anywhere immediately, right? And the best time to stretch is immediately after a run when the muscles are "warmed" up and most pliable. My issue is that home has a lot of distractions like wanting to get in the shower right away. I'm not sure if the infrequent stretching had anything to do with the random, out of nowhere, one-time muscle cramp from Wednesday night, but whatever, I know that I should stretch after a run everytime...perhaps, try to stretch everyday.

Week 50: Day 4

I usually don't update my blog on days that I don't exercise, but I felt like making a post today anyway.

I didn't get a run in this morning. My right calf muscle still feels kinda sore from cramping up last night. That kinda dampened my motivation. I used my ipod on Tuesday, but I forgot to turn it off and it drained the battery. I didn't realize it until this morning when it wouldn't turn on because there was no battery power. That made me lose motivation completely. If my ipod dies (and needs to recharge) in the middle of the run, I have no choice to finish my run without music.

I suppose it's ok...I won't die because I missed a running day.

Week 50: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I got a calf muscle cramp during class. It was the first time that I got one while doing some kicks. I don't know what happened or what I did (or didn't do) before because it never happened before. Two hours later and my right calf is still sore. I think I'll be fine for a run tomorrow morning, but that's so weird that it would happen while doing something that never used to cause muscle cramps.

Week 50: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 3.2 miles, time = 35:43, pace @ 11:10

The weather condition wasn't as bad as I thought it would be this morning. I still preferred extremely cold temperatures and I didn't run as fast as I would have liked, but it was still cool enough this morning that it didn't feel humid/muggy or uncomfortable. Now this afternoon may be a different story as I saw the weather forecast on tv that it would be 98 or 99 degrees!

Week 50: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I'm not looking forward to running tomorrow. I don't know what the overnight temperature will be, but tomorrow will be 98 degrees. Surely, tomorrow morning at 6am will be warm, muggy and a bit humid. I'm trying not to be lazy and skip running by sleeping in.

Week 49: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 3.21 miles, time = ??

Weekly Total Mileage: 3.21
Monthly Total Mileage: 25.95
Shoe/Yearly Total Mileage: 366.82

I stopped my stopwatch when I was taking a restroom break during the last one mile of my run. I switched my watch to clock mode to check the time, and I forgot to switch it back to stopwatch mode, so I have no idea how long it took me to finish my run. It's ok, I don't think I want to know. I took a break for a week from running. I still feel bored and slow. I even felt kinda sleepy during my run.

Week 49: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

I haven't ran all week. I needed the break. Hopefully, I will feel better about running tomorrow morning.

Week 49: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I donated blood this morning. I was told that I shouldn't do heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. I thought that I would be ok for karate since I didn't think it was strenuous enough. There was a second class for karate, but I had a slight headache at the start of it so I did a lot of nothing and took it easy. I think it was mainly because I didn't eat enough today. Between 1pm to 7pm is a long time to go without eating, especially when you had just donated blood earlier in the day. I usually don't donate blood on days that has karate and I purposely take a rest day off when I donate on other days.

Week 50: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I want to run tomorrow morning, but I also know that I need a break from running for a few days. If I don't run and if I'm not lazy, I'll do a different kind of work out tomorrow.

Week 49: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 2.2 miles, time = ??

For whatever reason, I stopped my stopwatch during my run, so I didn't record how long it took me to finish. I usually feel like I should time my runs because I always feel like I would easily quit if I didn't keep track. Luckily, I had my music with me. Otherwise, I would have really quit before I run 1/2 mile.

I think it's time to take another break from running. I felt tired and really unmotivated, and it's getting to the point that I feel like I HAVE to run instead of feeling like I WANT to. It seems normal that I would run into this problem every four to six weeks, sometimes eight weeks, especially when I'm not training for a race.

Week 49: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

I didn't do a run yesterday. I think I should be fine for tomorrow's run since we didn't do anything difficult in karate that would make a muscle group sore.

Week 49: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:30am) = 1.1 miles, time = 13:44, pace @ 12:29
• warmup/cooldown = 1.1 miles each

I'm getting faster on the hill run...now only if that can happen on the flatter runs.

So I was reading the San Gabriel Valley Tribune (local newspaper for certain cities only) and I saw this article about a dude attacking women and teenage girls walking/jogging....all in West Covina which is a neighboring city near me and I actually do occassionally run there, though not in the last three years. Most of them were attacked almost ten years ago and hasn't attacked anyone in a long while for various reasons (he left the area or was in jail for other crimes) until recently...as recent as March of this year. Based on the description that these victims gave to WCPD, all the attacks were by the same guy. So...if someone wants to attack me while I'm out running/jogging, bring it on because I'm ready.

Week 49: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I was at the post office today. An uniformed sheriff deputy who was there dropping off some mail asked why I didn't run. I usually see several sheriff patrol cars driving around when I run and even though I usually can't see who's driving (they drive too fast (usually over 30mph) for me to see), I think I saw him driving around before. He's used to seeing me running and apparently he didn't see me running this morning because today is my non-running day. It's nice to see cops all the time when I run, but I also think it's time to change my route, not that I'm worried that a cop will follow me home.

Week 49: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 4.84 miles; time = 52:18; pace @ 10:48

June gloom in August? I thought August was usually the hottest month of the summer? It's ok, I rather put up with an overcast morning with cool temperatures than a sunny, muggy/humid morning.

Week 49: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@7pm) = 1 hour

I've figured out why my quads were sore yesterday. We were doing lunges and one other exercise that involved the quads in Karate training on Saturday. I'm not old enough afterall.

Week 48: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 4.5 miles, time = 49:40, pace @ 11:02

Weekly Total Mileage: 12.40
Monthly Total Mileage: 12.40
Total Yearly/Shoe Mileage: 340.82

I think I'm getting old. I didn't run on Thursday because I needed to take a rest day and sleep in. I think because I took one day off to rest, it made me have a delayed reaction to get sore or achy quad muscles. My muscles were fine yesterday, but I woke up with them sore this morning. This seems to happen when I'm used to running a certain days per week for awhile and then take a day off from running for a much needed rest. My quad muscles are ok now that I've went running.

My right shin is getting a bit achy and I know this has to do with my shoes and I think it's time to get a new pair of running shoes. They're old and have racked up enough miles that it's time to retire them.

Week 48: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

Why am I so tired? I managed to make it to class, even though I wanted to keep sleeping.

Week 48: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 4.3 miles time = 47:37, pace @ 11:04

This morning felt a bit cooler or less humid. Although I am drinking my fair share of water, I wasn't drenched in sweat everytime I had to stop (for red lights, etc). I'm looking forward to the cooler temperatures/months when I can run without feeling uncomfortable!

Week 48: Day 2

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:15am) = 1.1 miles, time = 14:11, pace @ 12:54
• warm up = 1.4 miles
• cooldown = 1.1 miles

The last hilly trail run that I did, I wasn't exactly continuous. Took a short break at the halfway point, but I think my endurance is getting better since I didn't stop or slow down this morning. I also think it's time to change my hilly course. Not necessarily more difficult, just longer.

Week 48: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

First week as a non-gym membership user. Feels strange because when I have this urge to go to yoga class, but I know that I can't unless I pay up.

We had some new students today in class. I'm not sure if they will still be around after this month, but they are signed up for classes three times a week. It's going to be a long month with these kids. I must see it as a good challenge though.

Week 47: Day 7

cardio:

• road run (@ 6:15am) = 6.01 miles, time = 65:57 (1h05m57s), pace @ 10:58

Weekly Total Mileage: 20.33
Monthly Total Mileage: 66.46
Shoe/Yearly Total Mileage: 329.42

It was a bit sprinkly for the first two miles of my run. I was a bit concerned during these two miles because I didn't want it to get worse and be forced to cut my run short. Luckily, it stopped by mile two and I finished the remaining four miles without any moisture/rain. Mother nature decided to start up on the rain again after my run which was nice. I think I would prefer heavy rain overnight and stopping right before I headed out for a run because it might feel cooler with much fresher/cleaner air?

Week 47: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

We didn't have enough people for the second class, so we only had one class today. We barely had enough people for the first class, but that was ok.

Week 47: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 5.6 miles; time = 61:41; pace @ 11:00

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

My gym membership expires tomorrow, but today is the last day at the gym because I don't go to the gym on the weekends. During these two years, I have never been to the gym on the weekend. I'm not sure if I will renew later on. Since the pilates teacher/personal trainer was promoted to "fitness manager" for a gym in a different city, I'm even less motivated to renew. However, I will miss yoga with the crazy teacher.

Week 47: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:15am) = 5.22 miles, time = 56:44, pace @ 10:54

It was cloudy during the first half of my run and it started to slowly clear up during the second half. I actually felt so much better running during the second half than the first half because the air felt cooler. Although summer is great when you can spend some time near a body of water (pool, lake, ocean), I can't wait for the cooler/cold seasonal temeratures to run in.

Week 47: Day 2

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:20am) = 1.1 miles, time = 14:06, pace @ 12:49
• warmup = 1.3 mile
• cooldown = 1.1 mile

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour
• yoga (@ 8:30PM) = 1 hour

This week is the last week for the pilates teacher teaching pilates, other classes and being a personal trainer. He is being promoted to "fitness manager", working primarily at a gym in a different city. This makes me even less motivated to renew my gym membership if I ever decide to later on. My membership expires this week and there are various reasons why I'm not renewing it. I'm not sure if I AM going to later, but I kinda feel less motivated to. I'd miss Monday 12pm and Friday 9:30am yoga classes though.

Week 47: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I did a little bit of practicing on my forearm balance (balance only on your forearms with feet up in the air) right before yoga started. I usually just laid around until the class started, but decided to make better use of my time while I waited. I still need work, but I feel happy about myself with the forearm balance.

Week 46: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 5.04 miles, time = 56:36, pace @ 11:14

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.6
Total Monthly Mileage: 46.13
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 309.09
Yesterday, I was at the beach for a volunteering event which required light exercise for five hours. I debated about doing a run this morning. I wasn't sure if I would need to sleep in and feel more rested from yesterday's event. I ended up wanting to run this morning anyway. I woke up with slightly sore calf muscles, but the soreness wasn't so bad. I didn't notice the soreness after 10 to 15 minutes into the run.
Even though I'm running slower than I want and the weather isn't as cold as I like, I shouldn't be complaining because I generally felt fine and had a mini-runner's high.

Week 46: Day 5

cardio:

• road run (@ 6:10am) 4.85 miles; time = 52:35, pace @ 10:51

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost hit my "dolphin" pose (balance on your forearms only) in yoga...so close! So happy, yet sad at the same time. My gym membership ends next week and I don't think I'm renewing it. Except for the headstands because I know I can do them and I like to show off, I don't do yoga exercises/poses outside of yoga class. I don't think I can get the "dolphin" and stay in it for more than a few seconds by the end of next week. It'll be great if I can, but I don't know. We'll see.

Week 46: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6am) = 1.1 miles, time = 14:05, pace @ 12:48
• warm up/cool-down = 1.1 miles each

I ran on a hilly trail this morning. I hadn't done a run on one in awhile. The last few times that I attempted a hilly trail run after a long break from such a run, my breathing was out of whack, my throat/lungs burned and I'd have to stop completely sporadically to catch my breathe because I wasn't used to it. It was overcast this morning and I think that helped me run better. Nothing burned and my breathing was ok, so I didn't feel the need to sporadically stop to catch my breathe. It was nice.

Week 46: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I was going to run this morning, but took a rest break to sleep in instead. I really needed the extra sleep. I think the yoga class last night helped me with that.

Week 47: Day 2

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6AM) = 4.51 miles, time = 48:45; pace @ 10:49

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30AM) = 1 hour
• yoga (@ 8:30PM) = 1 hour

So I decided to go to yoga tonight. The hardest part was finding the motivation to get out and head for the gym. Going to yoga for this one particular teacher tonight helped me become sleepier because I'm now very sleepy and I was wide awake an hour ago.

Week 47: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

My left arm was sore from something this morning. I didn't want to go to yoga, but made myself go because I wanted to make the most these two last week at the gym since I won't be renewing it after the month ends. My arm made it through yoga and is surprisingly not sore anymore.

Week 46: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:10am) = 4.51 miles, time = 48:36, pace @ 10:47

Total Weekly Mileage: 11.06
Total Monthly Mileage: 28.53
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 291.49

It wasn't overcasted this morning, but because the weather/temperature was below average for July/summer, the air quality was fine. I think it's a bit warmer with the sun out because the sun was out and it tended to make things warmer, but it wasn't "stuffy" or felt like the heat/warmth was trapped underneath all the clouds. I seem to get hotter and drip in sweat from running when it's overcast.

Week 46: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

While we did have a second karate class, I didn't stay for it because I had to take off and take of some stuff. I did get in my work out today...just not the whole two hours worth.

Week 46: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:10am) = 4.35 miles, time = 48:10, pace = 11:04

Sometimes I want it to be clear and sunny in the morning, even if it means that I have to run in direct sunlight. I think the overcast is trapping all the warm temperature and the warmth can't go anywhere...like it's stuffy and there's no air circulation. However, at the same time, the overcast does help with the air quality and the air feels cleaner. I really shouldn't complain about the temperature because at least, I can breathe better without the smog and air pollution going into my lungs.

Week 46: Day 3

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:45am) = 2.2 miles, time 23:38, pace @ 10:45
• karate (@ 7pm) =  1 hour

Decided to go running this morning. Finally got myself to leave before 6am for the run, though I don't think it really made a difference with the overcast. Although it was nice that there was no sun out to make me hotter, sweatier and more uncomfortable, I think the clouds trapped in the warmth so it was still uncomfortable.

Week 46: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Slept better last night. Almost didn't want to go to pilates, but made myself go anyway.

Week 46: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I didn't go to karate training tonight. I thought that I would, but I was so tired because it was really warm last night and I didn't sleep too well.

Week 45: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 4.27 miles, time = 45:36, pace @ 10:41

Weekly Total Mileage: 12.09
Monthly Total Mileage: 17.47
Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 280.43

It was overcast this morning and it kinda felt nice. It didn't exactly help me run faster because it didn't really feel cooler in temperatures, but because the sun wasn't out, I wasn't unusually uncomfortable with the temperature and the sweaty-ness. Too bad, I can't have overcast mornings for the rest of the summer.

Week 45: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

There weren't that many students in the class today. Where was everyone else, at the beach? On summer vacation?

Week 45: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 3.8 miles, time = 41:22, pace @ 10:53
• bike ride to yoga + some errands = 5.25 miles total

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I told myself that I would go run at 5:30am. Instead, I went at 6am. Today is still warm, but definitely feels cooler than all week.

Week 45: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 3.25 miles, time = 36:14, pace @ 11:04

I survived the run this morning. I found some sprinklers on and running during my run, but they weren't spraying over the running path and there were bushes/trees in the way so I couldn't run through them. It would have been nice. I think I need to start running earlier, like at 5:30am, even though it doesn't really feel better, but at least, the sun won't be higher than the trees, buildings and hills until after 6:10am. After that time, it's warmer than I'd like because the sun is warming things up more for being up, making me so uncomfortable.

Week 45: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Today felt warmer, muggier and more humid than yesterday. I'm going to attempt a run in the morning and I hope I do ok with it.

Week 45: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from pilates = 4.21 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Today feels cooler than yesterday. Has it really gotten less muggy and humid?

Week 45: Day 1

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 2.77 miles, time = 30:38, pace @11:04

Happy birthday to the USA!

No karate training tonight. Though the gym was opened today, there were no classes there today either because today is a holiday.

This was the first run on a Monday that I did in over four years. I almost wanted to sleep in this morning. I felt tired when I woke up. I told myself that if I, at least, got a short run in this morning, I could go back to sleep and I would feel better. It was also warmer than I liked. Yesterday morning felt cooler than this morning. If I got to run through some sprinklers during my run, that would be the highlight of my run and I would actually look forward to running wherever there were sprinklers on in this warm weather.

Now that I got my run in this morning, I feel better and I don't want to go back to sleep! I also don't feel like going to the gym to finish my work out either.

Week 44: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 3.81 miles, time = 40:26, pace @ 10:37

Total Weekly Mileage: 9.19
Total June Mileage: 19.07
Total July Mileage: 5.38
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 268.34

I shouldn't really care about my pace, especially since I'm not training for a race. After the first mile of the run, I started to enjoy the run. Now only if I can do that everytime I go out for a run.

Week 44: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

We did have a second class for karate training, however, I did a lot of nothing.

Week 44: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 3.15 miles, time = 34:06, pace @ 10:50

Feeling good for the run, but why am I running slower now? I'm not bored! It was kinda warm this morning, but still...

Week 44: Day 4

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 6:15) = 2.23 miles, time = 23:59, pace @ 10:18
• bike ride for errand runs (@11am)  = 2.8 miles total

It was a bit too warm for my liking this morning, but I somehow managed to do well for my run. I think that three week hiatus really did help because the 50 to 60-something degrees temperature doesn't seem to affect my pace (that I usually do) too much, although I still prefer below 50 degrees tempeture. I think I was more bored than I thought I was afterall (before the hiatus).

Week 44: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Feeling so lazy, but made it to pilates. I'm trying to make myself go to pilates every week. If I'm going to stop going to gym after July, I want to remember a lot of the exercises from pilates so I can do them on my own time. I probably won't remember anything from yoga though.

Week 44: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• bike ride to/from yoga + some errands = 5.34 miles total
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

So much for a regular weight/strength training routine at the gym. I think this is because my gym membership is coming to an end soon (expires on July 31) and I don't think I will be renewing it, so it's making me less motivated to do anything else at the gym besides yoga and pilates. In a way, I just don't want to go to the gym anymore. Perhaps if I was to sign up for a race, particularly a half marathon, I may be a bit more motivated?

Week 43: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:10AM) = 3.31 miles, time = 33:26, pace @ 10:06

Total Weekly Mileage: 5.48
Total Monthly Mileage: 16.84
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 259.15

This three week running hiatus has made me feel so much better about running. I felt kinda slow, but I felt so much better than three weeks ago. The temperature was in the low 60s thought I still preferred below mid-50s, but it still felt so nice to run in it.

This morning was the first time in a month that wasn't overcast/cloudy. That means no more June Gloom. I'm not looking forward to the rest of summer because that means it will warm up later. I don't like running when the temperature is above mid-60s.

Week 43: Day 5

cardio:

• bike ride = 1.4 miles round trip

strenth training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I was riding the bike on my way to yoga class when at 3/4 mile, I realized that I forgot my yoga mat. Instead of just going straight to the gym for yoga and used the mats that the gym provided, I turned around and went back home to pick up my YOGA mat. I wanted my mat and I wanted a yoga mat for the class. The mats at the gym aren't very good for yoga....too small/short and moves around too much. Yoga mats are more ideal for yoga and pilates because they stick to the ground so you can do your moves and you can do your exercise properly/beneficially without the mat moving around on you.

When I got back home, I didn't have enough time to get back on the bike to ride to the gym. So I took the car. At least, I still got a light warm up done.

Week 43: Day 4

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 6am) = 2.17 miles, time = 24:00, pace @ 11:04

Finally decided to get out for a run when I felt ok. It was time to get off of hiatus anyway.

Week 43: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I didn't go to the gym this morning even though I was "well" enough to go, but I was in a total crappy mood with people for the things they did or didn't do. I don't know if going to the gym and taking it out on the weights would have helped, but I'm feeling a bit better now that I've spent the majority of my day alone.

Anyway, I went to karate training. I was wearing my GI (karate uniform), but not my belt. I usually wait until I get to class to put on my belt. A 10 year old kid was just standing around and looking at the students who were waiting for class, thought that I was wearing my belt and got excited that I was a black belt. The fact that he just assumed that I was a black belt made me smile. Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid!

Week 43: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to pilates + errands = 7.2 miles round trip

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I'm debating if I want to go to yoga tonight. I'm not 100% sure or 100% motivated, although I'm kinda am. I won't be riding the bike to yoga though since I really don't like the idea of riding in the dark afterwards.

Week 43: Day 1

strength training:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I slept terrible last night and I don't know why. I think I was asleep, but I also felt like I was awake at the same time. So I didn't bother to work out this morning because I felt blah and couldn't get my mind into it.

Week 42: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

So now that I took two weeks off from running, let's hope that I have the motivation to run tomorrow morning.

Week 42: Day 5

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

So now that I'm feel like I'm sleeping better by making myself go to bed at 10pm-ish, I'm going to make myself get back into my regular work out schedule...starting on Sunday.

Week 42: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I washed my car this morning, but I'm not sure how to categorized that kind of "exercise". My room is clean mostly...now I need to clean out and re-organize my closet.

Week 42: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Debating if I want to go to yoga this evening. I probably won't because I kinda don't want to. Debating if I want to go run tomorrow morning. I'm still thinking about it because the weather has now been getting kinda warm in the morning and we don't have June gloom anymore. Whatever happen to June gloom??

Week 42: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I cleaned out my room during the day...can I count that as my daytime work out since it involved walking back and forth between my room and outside (for trash), bending down, bending up, lifting/carrying stuff, pushing a vacuum around, moving stuff around, etc? I'm going to count it.

Week 41: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Nothing to say today...

Week 41: Day 5

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Didn't take the bike out for yoga. It was too cloudy and cold, and it looked like it was going to drizzle on me. I needed to put gas in my car anyway.

Week 41: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from pilates + some errands = 5.34 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I did some minor errands after pilates. I almost didn't want to do them because I would be showing up in my exercise clothes and pilates/yoga mat on my back, but I figured going right after pilates would be the best time to do errands when I had the most motivation and I wouldn't in the place of businesses for too long anyway. I wouldn't have had the motivation to go this afternoon. I got a few looks because I showed up in all my exercise gear, but I get weird looks from people when I park (or pick up) my bike at the gym. So whatever.

Week 41: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I've come to a conclusion that the cause of me feeling unmotivated to run or do any other sorts of execise in the morning is the fact that I don't go to sleep at a reasonable time. Because I insist on listening to the radio until 11:30pm or so, I don't get enough sleep and I don't feel rested which causes me to feel unmotivated. If I want to get out and get my exercise/run on at 6am, I have to act like an old person and be in bed by 10pm. I should know this because I always tell myself to go to bed early and I'd feel better about running/exercising in the morning. I still think that I need to take a break from running for a week.

Week 40: Day 7

cardio:

• road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.85 miles, time = 52:00, pace @ 10:43

Total Weekly Mileage: 11.36
Total June/Monthly Mileage: 11:36
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 253.67

I think it's time that I take a break from running...at least, for a week. I know that I'm not overtrained because I only run three times a week and don't total more than twelve miles a week. Even though I don't enjoy running in slightly warmer tempurature, I don't enjoy running (in general) anymore and I think I'm getting bored. Waking up in the morning is fine for me, but it's getting harder and harder to drag myself out the door for a run. Getting out the door is harder than waking up and getting dressed. Having my running clothes ready, next to my bed and getting dressed doesn't even help.

Week 40: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Did some katas and some techniques in the second class. Sometimes it's nice to do something different once in awhile.

Week 41: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:10am) = 1.1 mile, time = 14:06, pace @ 12:49
• warm up/cooldown = 1.1 mile (each way)

I really wasn't in the mood to run this morning and I don't think the weather had anything to do with it this time. I felt ok before I headed out, but I struggled with the warm up and walked a bit. I usually don't like taking walk breaks during a run or warm up. At least, I was continuous during the hill run this time and didn't take a "breather" (complete stop/break for a minute or so) at all like before.

Week 41: Day 3

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:50am) = 3.18 miles, time = 34:29, pace @ 10:51
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I've been feeling lazy for the last few days. There was no karate training on Monday and the YMCA was closed because of the holiday. The gym was opened though, but I wasn't motivated to go there on Monday morning. I wasn't feeling very motivated to go yesterday either.

I almost didn't feel like running this morning either because I was feeling lazy. One of my runner friends on facebook mentioned this morning that today was National Running Day and this helped me get off my lazy butt for a run. I felt much less lazy once I started running and I felt so much better when I finished!

Week 40: Day 7

cardio:

• "stadium run" (@ 8am); time = 3:13
• track run = 3 miles; time = 31:39, pace @ 10:33
• mile 1 = 10:20
• mile 2 = 21:00
• mile 3 = 31:39

Total Weekly Mileage: 12.42
Total Monthly Mileage: 49.36
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 242.31

Out of pure laziness, I almost didn't want to run this morning. When you're feeling lazy, that's the best time to exercise. I told myself that if I did a short run, I gave myself to go back to sleep as a reward for running/trying. I debated between a 2.5 mile run (road/trail) or a 3 mile run (high school track).  I went with the 3 mile run on the track because I would be doing a 1/2 mile warm up and cool down (each) and I always do the "stadium run" everytime I run the track. The "stadium run" consists of running up and down the aisle. Up and down one aisle was one time, up and down second aisle was two times, etc and there were six aisles, so....I don't know the exact distance for doing this, but I'm guessing it's about 1/4 mile to do all six aisles. I struggled with the warm up to the track. Partially because of the weather (windy and too warm for my liking) and partially beause I really wasn't in the mood to exercise/run. Once I got there and did the stadium run, I felt normal to run the track.

I hadn't done track runs in over a year and I don't do track runs very often when I do mainly because you're essentially running in place/circles and I find that boring as well as making so many left turns wasn't really good for your running muscles. Technically people should be running in both directions for every so laps to avoid running injuries and muscle imbalance, but I don't like having to stop/slow down just to turn around and run in the other direction.

Now that I did my run, I can go back to sleep...although I don't feel like going back to sleep now!

Week 40: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

I did go to second class and helped some students with their katas, but I did a lot of nothing while standing around.

Week 40: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 4.64 miles, time = 48:02, pace @ 10:21

Felt nice on the run this morning.

I was going to yoga this morning, but I won't be going afterall. Had a bike accident about 1/4 mile from my house and I'm now scrapped up. This is the first bike accident I've ever had and I think my ego may be more bruised than my body.

Week 39: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.5 miles, time = 48:27, pace @ 10:46

Total Weekly Mileage: 12.16
Total Monthly Mileage: 37.22
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 230.17

It was overcast and very, very lightly misting this morning, though I'm glad that it didn't rain! I suppose a mid 50s temperature and overcast-y like weather is better than mid-50s temperature and sunny weather. It feels cooler (not cold enough for me though) and the air is cleaner like that anyway.

Week 39: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

I felt so lazy today and I almost didn't want to go to karate, but I went anyway. We didn't have enough people for a second class, so we didn't have one.

Week 39: Day 5

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 7am) = 3.24 miles, time = 34:32, pace @ 10:40/mile
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I originally had planned a challenging hill run for this morning, but I didn't feel like doing it, so I opted for a run with easier hills because I still felt like running.

The last few yoga classes that I went to (all were with the same teacher) had been kinda boring. Today in yoga was more fun, but I suppose it was because we did a many headstands which is something that I enjoy doing in class or to show off to other people.

Week 39: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:15am) = 4.42 miles, time = 44:18, pace @ 10:01/mile

Didn't feel like going to the gym after my run. Feeling a bit unmotivated, but my soreness didn't help either. I don't know where I got this burst of energy and the weather/tempurature wasn't painfully cold as I would've like, but it was nice to run faster than before. I've missed having this as my normal average pace and it would be nice if it was like this everytime I go out for a run.

Week 39: Day 3

strength training:

• lower body + abs/lower back (@ 8am)
• squats on smith machine = 2 sets x 15 reps x 50lbs
• deadlifts with barbell (no weights) = 2 sets x 15 reps
• hip aDductors (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 175lbs
• hip aBductors (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 175lbs
• calf extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 120lbs
• back extensions = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one 10lb weight plate)
• side bends = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one 10lb weight plate)
• prone leg curls (weight machine) = 2 sets x 12 reps x 55lbs
• leg extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 55lbs
• cable twist (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15lbs
• leg lifts on stability ball = 2 sets x 10 reps

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I finally did some weight/strength training after a long hiatus of laziness. My abs are sore now and I'm sure it's from the leg lifts on the stability ball. I didn't ride my bike to the gym like I normally would have because of the chances of rain and I don't like riding in the rain. It's already dangerous to ride when it's dry, sunny and clear!

Week 29: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@12 pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@7pm) = 1 hour

Wanted to get a work out done really early this morning, but I got sick from running in the rain yesterday. I was so sleepy, but felt ok enough for yoga. Didn't ride the bike to yoga because it was cold and windy.

Week 38: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7am) = 4.33 miles, time = 45: 15, pace @ 10:27

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.85
Total Monthly Mileage: 25.06
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 228.01

Started the run with very light drizzle/mist. With 1.7 miles left to go in the run, it started to rain, drizzle heavier. It was enough concern that I put my ipod and earphones away in my hip bag because I didn't want either to die trying to finish the rest of my run. I didn't have a choice to finish the last 1.7 miles of the run and being sopping wet by the end. I think I would have enjoyed running in the rain more if it was below 45 degrees and painfully cold. Believe me, I really do enjoy/love running in painfully cold and below 45 degrees temperatures!

Week 38: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm
• bike ride for errands (@ 4:45pm) = 3 miles

Somewhat cloudy, but still nice for a bike ride. Eventually I will ride to karate training. I need to have a conversation with myself about that challenging hill at the half way point between home and karate. The hill is pretty challenging in both directions and I think it may take me an hour and half to ride 6.5 miles (or 13 miles roundtrip) because of that hill. I think the best way to "conquer" it is by trying, though I'm not brave enough to try or I'm just being lazy. Someday.

Week 38: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 4.2 miles, time 45:11, pace @ 10:45
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I debated whether I wanted to run or not, but I feel better now. I now feel like doing something productive outside all day long because the weather is nice.

Week 38: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 7am) = 1.1 mile, time = 13:05, pace @ 11:54
• warm up/cooldown = 1.11 mile (each)

I've decided that I don't want to do turbo kickboxing anymore because I'm bored of it. Instead of TBK, I've changed my running schedule a bit and will be running on Thursdays. I'm somewhat bored of running, but I actually enjoy it more than TBK class though.

Week 38: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 1 hour

I need to stop procrastinating if I want to do some kind work out in the morning. Procrastination is very evil. I did wake up and got dressed. Decided to cuddle with my dog instead even though that could have waited until after.

Week 38: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to pilates = 4.2 miles round trip

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

It was somewhat windy this morning, but it wasn't that bad while riding to and from the gym. The sun was out and it wasn't blowing like crazy, so I enjoyed the ride.

Week 38: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It had been windy all day. I don't mind cold temperatures, but I don't like wind. Wind is just harder to work/deal with. I hope it's just windy today and the rest of the week is fine. We're also having "June Gloom" in May. I'm not sure what to think of it. A cloudy sky makes me lazier, yet it seems to make the air cleaner and better for running.

Week 37: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 8am) = 3.61 miles, time = 38:15, pace @ 10:36

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.53
Total Monthly Mileage: 14.21
Total Shoe Mileage: 217.16

It wasn't cool enough, but it was overcast this morning. It also started sprinkling/drizzling during the second half of my run and it seemed constant. It wasn't enough to cause any concerns/malfunctions on my ipod or earphones, but I loved it. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed a constant flow of drizzle/sprinkle. I didn't run as fast as I wanted, but it made up for the fact that it wasn't as cold as I wanted.

Week 37: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Did our usual stuff in karate training.

Week 37: Day 5

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 6:10am) = 3.75 miles, time = 40:29, pace @ 10:48
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost didn't want to run this morning because it was overcast/cloudy. Cloudy sky makes me lazy and unmotivated, but I got my run in anyway. It was cold enough, though at least, the air quality was much better and I shouldn't complain about that.

The sun came out just as I got ready to ride out to the gym for yoga. It was actually quite nice for a short ride.

Week 37: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6am) = 1.15 miles, time = 13:41, pace @ 11:45
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

During the last hill run (last Wednesday), my lungs and throat felt like they were burning while breathing. This morning, my throat and lungs felt like they were burning, but not as bad as last time. I'm hoping/guessing that it's because of the somewhat smoggy air quality and slightly warm temperature that were bothering me...even at 6am. I like Spring weather for regular outdoor stuff...just not for running.

Week 37: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from pilates class = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I have been going to yoga class for almost two years. I have been going to pilates class for about seven months. Both classes involve stretching, balancing, muscular strength and muscular endurance, and therefore, they seem to go hand in hand somehow. I never noticed anything different when I was just doing yoga. I feel more flexible because of pilates, although I don't feel like I'm getting any better with the actual moves during class....even after seven months. But I suppose this is what happens when I don't do pilates everyday on my own time.

Week 37: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I wasn't going to work out this morning/afternoon. I didn't want to do yoga or anything else, but made myself go. I felt better.

Week 36: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 3.68 miles, time = 39:02, pace @ 10:36

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.38
Total April Mileage: 30.61
Total May Mileage: 3.68
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 206.63

I'm just going to enjoy the cool weather/temperatures in the mornings when I run. Although I'd like knowing how fast/slow I do my runs, it doesn't make sense to try harder for a faster pace.

Week 36: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

We have a karate tournament tomorrow in Glendora, but I won't be going to it. Most of the students won't be going either. We did some sparring (not usually) in class, but mostly the usual stuff.

Week 36: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@7am) = 3.25 miles, time = 33:44, pace @ 10:23
• bike ride to/from yoga class = 4.2 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@9:30am) = 1 hour

I'm finally starting to good running in low 60s temperatured weather. I've never figured out why my mind has decided that anything below 45 was great. I still do enjoy running in extreme cold, but I live in SoCal where it's 60-something degrees during the non-summer months.

Week 36: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 9am) = 1 hour

I don't enjoy TKB anymore. Maybe I'm just bored with it even though lately, I have been pretty sporadic about going to class.

Week 36: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:50am) = 1.13 miles, time = 13:41, pace @ 12:07
• warm up/cooldown = 1.11 miles (each way)
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I used to enjoy running in temperatures of low 60s. I don't know why I have such a struggle with it now and am running slower in that kind of weather. It feels nice, so I don't know what has changed me.

Week 36: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I was so sleepy today. I didn't feel like doing anything but karate today.

Week 35: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run = 2.11 miles, time = 22:36, pace @ 10:43

Weekly Total Mileage: 5.50
Monthly Total Mileage: 24.11
Shoe/Yearly Total Mileage: 196.25

Sometimes I don't mind an overcast/cloudy weather in the morning for a run. Sometimes, I do. When I do, it's hard for me to get a work out in because all I want to do is go back to sleep.

It was a bit misty this morning. It was nice, but at the same time, I wanted to go back to sleep. It was nice to get a run in the morning though and I think I will go back to sleep! I was going to do a longer run, but I only had enough motivation for a two mile run instead.

Week 35: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

We did some stuff in class that we hadn't done in awhile. Felt nice to get a "refresher" course.

Week 35: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 8am) = 1 hour

I was going to take the bike out to the gym, but the weather didn't look nice enough. It sucks because the clouds looked dark and gloomy, and now it's kinda sunny! I don't know why we're having "June Gloom" in April!

The TKB teacher wanted to start class 30 minutes earlier this morning because he was having a baby shower, and provided some drinks and food for us to have after the class. I didn't feel like I worked out harder than usual, but my both of my calf muscles feel sore!

Week 35: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Karate was all the exercise that I felt like doing today. No running, gym, whatever.

Week 35: Day 2

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 7am) = 1.15 miles, time = 13:22, pace @ 11:37
• warm up/cooldown = 1.12 miles (each)
• bike ride to/from pilates class = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I really felt like running this morning. I also think that my endurance and pace is getting better for challenging hill runs, but I don't know.

Week 35: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Didn't feel like doing my normal weight training work out this morning. Didn't ride the bike to yoga this morning. All because it was cloudy, gloomy and a bit drizzle-ly. While I feel ok running in light drizzle and mist, I haven't mustered up enough courage to ride in the same kind of weather because I think a motorist will still find a way to run me over. If it's still misty and drizzle-ly tomorrow morning, I think I'll go running in it. Temperatures below 45 and sunny is THE perfect running weather. Cloudy, misty/drizzle-ly is the next perfect running weather.

Week 34: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 3.68 miles, time = 40:20, pace @ 10:58

I think I need to start doing warmups for every single run, no matter what kind it is. During the first mile of my run this morning, I felt blah and slow. After that one mile, I actually felt better about running and didn't feel slow although it might not have mattered with my pace/speed. I usually only did warm ups for easy track runs and challenging hill runs, but I should do warm ups for all of my runs anyway.

Week 34: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm
• bike ride to do errands (@ 4pm) = 3 miles

So hot today. It's hard to do much with this heat that we're having.

Week 34: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:15am) = 2.75 miles, time = 27:20, pace @ 9:56
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Somehow I don't believe that I'm really running at ten minutes a mile. I felt so slow this morning. I don't know if it was just in my head that I was slow or if I was really running faster than normal.

Week 34: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 12pm) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I was going to run and do strength training this morning. And I wanted to recharge my ipod for a few minutes before I headed out for a run so that my ipod wouldn't die in the middle of my run (it was low, but it probably would have been ok for the whole run), but I accidentally deleted my whole playlist and there were over 200 songs on it! By the time I had my playlist back on my ipod, I lost motivation to get my morning work out done.

Week 35: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• upper body strength training
• push ups (hands on bosu ball, feet on dynadisc) = 2 sets x 10 reps
• bicep curls = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15 lbs (two 15lb dumbells)
• wrist curls = 2 sets x 15 reps x 17.5lbs (one dumbell)
• alternating front/side arm raises = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
• tricep kickbacks = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one dumbell)
• chair dips = 2 sets x 15 reps
• shoulder presses = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
• reverse curls (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 45lbs
• chest presses (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 65lbs
• lat pulldowns (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 85lbs
• seated rows (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 130lbs
• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

My abs are sore from yesterday. I didn't think that they would be because I thought I wasn't trying hard enough or wasn't doing something right. My shoulders are sore now from this morning work out.

Week 35: Day 1

strength training:

• lower body + lower back + abs
• stairmasters = 10 minutes
• one leg squats = 2 sets x 15 reps x 40lbs (two 20lb dumbells)
• kneeling leg lifts = 2 sets x 15 reps
• ball pass (hands to feet) = 2 sets x 15 reps
• wall sits = 2 sets x 1 min holds
• leg lifts on bosu ball = 2 sets x 15 reps
• cable twists (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15lbs
• calf extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 120lbs
• hip aBductions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 150lbs
• hip aDdcutions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 150lbs
• back extensions = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lb (one weight plate)
• side bends = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one weight plate)
• leg presses (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 335lbs
• prone leg curls (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 50lbs
• leg extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 55lbs

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym = 4.2 miles roudntrip
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I need to stop being lazy about the strength training with free weights and weight machines. I stopped before because I got bored/unmotivation. I need to get back into it because I think it's going to help me shape up better as I bike more regularly.

Week 34: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:50am) = 3.2 miles, time = 35.27, pace @ 11:05

Weekly Total Mileage: 9.7
Monthly Total Mileage: 12.38
Shoe Total Mileage: 172.14

I don't know what the problem is. I'm not sure if the weather is the issue or if I'm truly low on motivation because my run was unusually slower this morning. I definitely felt sluggish and slow. Perhaps it's colder at 6:30am and I should start running at that time. I don't know if that will help, but there is only one way to find out on the next run.

Week 34: Day 6

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Eventually, I will be riding the bike to karate training on Saturdays. I want to ride to karate training, I really do! Right now, I just have a slight problem with the distance (6.5 miles one way; 13 miles roundtrip) and a bigger problem with the challenging hill on the way to class/home.

Week 34: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7am) = 3.25; time =33:29, pace @ 10:18
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.2 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost didn't want to run this morning because I didn't sleep that well last night and I was tired. I decided that I would feel better for running. I was right because I don't feel tired right now and I'm ready to take care of business today!

Since I felt ok riding the bike on Wednesday after running, I thought that it was ok to ride again to yoga after my run this morning...and Wednesday's run was much more challenging than today's run.