Week 9: day 5 - 2014

* easy road (solo) run = 1 mile
* easy walk with dogs = 3/4 mile

In the spirit of doing this challenge, I did my one mile run. It was raining all day long, but it stopped long enough so I could do my run. I did my last run on Tuesday and I couldn't go more than two days of no running (I also had to run at least three days a week...my next one will be on Sunday), so I had to put in my run today.

And because it was raining all day long, it was hard to put in a one mile (or more) walk with my dogs. I didn't want to be in the rain long enough to get sick. I just got lucky when I went running.

Week 9: Day 2 - 2014

* recovery walk/run with one dog = 1.2 miles, time = 14:07, pace @ 11:46
* easy walk with 2 dogs = 1 mile

Now that I'm not training for a race, time to work with my dog, Jubee and getting her to run with me. I think it was a good thing that I finished a 10K run/race and not a half marathon over the weekend. I probably would have needed more than two days of rest and I can't miss a Tuesday run as I'm participating in this challenge. I have 70 more running days left and I don't want to give up just yet. For some reason, I'm happy to run for fun now because I don't feel like puttig in more than two miles for one run.


Week 8: Day 7 - 2014

* road run = 10k race, time (official) = 1:11:04, pace @ 11:24
* easy walk with dogs = 1 mile

Total Weekly Mileage: 21.86
Total Monthly Mileage: 50.34
Total Yearly Mileage: 104.40
Total Current (old) Shoe Mileage: 493.87
Total New Shoe Mileage: 1.35

I woke up with slightly sore quad muscles this morning. I felt fine during the bike event yesterday, but didn't realize that I would get sore from it.

I somehow pressed the stop botton on my stopwatch during my 10k race this morning when I stopped to take some photos. Whoops. So I don't know my unofficial finish time. I am actually surprised at my finish time. It's good considering that I had to walk a little bit and stopped a few times for some photos. I knew that there would be some challenging hills to run on this morning. I ran most of the time, but had to walk on some inclines. Most of the uphill running killed my quads and made me feel more sore. Although I feel fine now with some slight soreness in my right hip.

Now that I'm not training for any races now, I can retire my current/old shoes and start running in my new shoes. I ran in them for a short distance on Tuesday and they felt good on my feet. My feet feel better now that I'm running in new shoes.

Week 8: Day 6 - 2014

* bike ride = 20 miles; time = 1:40:01, pace @ 12mph
* easy walk with dogs = 1 mile

I did my bike ride race today in Chinatown-Downtown Los Angeles. I didn't realize that half of the time, we would be sharing the road with vehicle traffic. It was mostly fun, but we had an impatient motorist who just wouldn't let us get out of his way before making his right turn. I did time my bike ride, but the time included stopping at red lights because we had to obey traffic laws like that. I think I'd like to do this bike event again next year.

Tomorrow, I do my 10k run in the same city.

Week 8: Day 5 - 2014

* trail/road run = 5.3 miles, time = 1:00:40, pace @ 11:24
* easy walk with dogs = 1.7 miles

Whoops, I forgot to update on Tuesday. I did do an easy run on Tuesday morning.

I'm ready for this weekend: the 20 mile bike ride (tomorrow) and 10k run (Sunday).

http://www.firecracker10k.org

I can't wait for this weekend to be over so I can just run for fun.

Week 7: Day 7 - 2014

* trail/road run = 2.5 miles, time = 28:06, pace @ 11:14
* easy walk with dogs = 1.5 miles

I have runner's block. I don't want to run anymore, but I must keep running. I have one more week of training for my 10K race.

Since I am participating in this "100 Days Of Miles Challenge", I still have over 70 days left to run. After the race next weekend, I'm cutting back on my miles and will be doing a one mile run/walk with one of my dogs. I hope I have enough motivation to finish this challenge.

Week 7: Day 6 - 2014

* easy bike ride = 22 miles
* easy walk with dogs = 1.5 miles

I did a bike ride with a bike meetup group. The last bike ride that I actually did was two weeks ago with a different bike meetup group (which was 16 miles).

I'm trying to get myself to do more of these group bike rides. It's hard to find some motivation to do a bike ride alone.

Anyway, this morning's ride was easy and relaxing, but it wasn't as super easy as the last group ride. Everyone was able to keep up the pace with the group leader and we didn't take frequent stops. I'm actually sore now...so that must mean that it was a good work out.

Week 7: Day 5 - 2014

* trail/road (solo) run = 6.25 miles, time = 1:15:21, pace @ 11:44
* easy walk with dogs = 1.5 miles

I need new running shoes, but I have to finish training for my 10K race before I can run in them. I can't wait for this training to be over with. At least, I only have to wait one week.

I hope and wish for cooler/cold temperatures on race day. Nice, warm weather is good when I don't have to run in it. I tend to do better when it's cooler/cold out. Too bad, we didn't get a lot of those days. I think we only had three or four days like that since November.

Week 7: Day 4 - 2014

* trail (solo) run = 3.25 miles, time = 36:52; pace @ 11:24
* easy walk with dogs = 1.3 miles

I hadn't ran on a Thursday in a month. I've been trying to get in the habit of running on a Thursday, but it's hard work late night (until almost 12 midnight) Wednesday and then having to go back to work at noon on Thursday. All I wanted to do was sleep in until the last possible second/minute before getting dressed for work. I didn't work last night, so it was nice to finally get up and run on a Thursday morning.

Week 7: Day 2 - 2014

* trail/road run = 1.2 miles
* easy walk with dogs = 1.5 miles

My motivation was low and I was being lazy, but I couldn't miss a Tuesday run, so I did an easy 1.2 mile run this morning. It was better than nothing.

Week 6: Day 7 - 2014

* trail/road (solo) run = 6.7 miles, time = 1:15:20, pace @ 11:15
* easy WALK with dogs = 1.7 miles

Total Weekly Mileage: 18.28
Total Monthly Mileage: 24.28
Total Yearly Mileage: 78.34
Total Shoe Mileage: 482.36

I have a dilemna. Between the 16 mile bike ride and the 6 mile run (not on the same day) last weekend, my right hip became sore. At first, it was just sore when I walked up some stairs. Now it is sore anwhere I walked or ran. It's just sore and it can be "fixed" by simply resting up (no running) for a week or so, but I have a 10k race and a 20 mile bike ride event (same weekend, but not on the same day) in two weeks. I also accepted the challenge by running 100 days of miles (which does not include rest days). I just finished Day 20. After my 10K race, I still have over 70 days of running for that challenge. I don't want to stop running yet. I bought SalonPas gel (I was so happy to see this product as a gel). I got Salon Pas patches awhile ago before the gel version was sold in stores and it did work after a run for shin splints. It just didn't work during a run because it couldn't stick to sweaty skin. I used it on my run this morning. My hip feels "stiff", but it certainly felt better than yesterday. After the race, I'm going to cut down on my running miles and only do three days a week. I still want to do my 100 days of miles challenge and work with my dog, Jubee, on running (alternating between walk and run until she can run for one mile without stopping). I don't know if cutting down on my miles with help with my hip issue, but I don't want to stop running and I don't want to keep buying Salon Pas to "fix" my hip. I hope it does.

Week 6: Day 5 - 2014

* trail/road (solo) RUN = 5.28 miles, time = 56:44, pace @ 10:44
* easy WALK with dogs = 1.1 miles

I almost didn't want to run today, but I did. Even though it was mid-afternoon and not in the morning as my ususual time, but I still did it. I feel so accomplished and so much better.

Week 6: Day 3 - 2014

* trail RUN (solo) = 3 miles, time = 34:13, pace @ 11:24
* easy WALK with dogs = 1.9 miles

My right hip is feeling sore now. I didn't think much of it on Sunday and yesterday because it would only bothered me a little bit when I walked on stairs (up or down). Now it's sore when I run or walk anywhere. I'm going to get a massage and I hope it will work. I don't have a foam roller and I can't massage it myself.

Week 6: Day 2 - 2014

* very hilly trail RUN = 1.1 miles, time = 14:09, pace @ 12:44
      - warm up = 1.1 miles
      - cool down = 1.1 miles
* easy WALK with dogs = 1.7 miles

I had planed to do a "warm up" by taking my dog, Jubee for a walk/run before doing my hilly run. Laziness kicked in. I almost didn't want to run at all, but I made myself do one. I had to remind myself that I was doing the "100 Days of Miles Challeng" and one of the rules was to never miss a Tuesday run. At least, one mile is still one mile and that's better than nothing at all!

Week 5: Day 7 - 2014

* trail/road (solo) run = 6 miles, time = 1:04:57, pace @ 10:50
* easy WALK with dogs = 1.8 miles

Total Weekly Mileage: 14.13
Total Monthly (January) Mileage: 54:06
Total Monthly (February) Mileage: 6
Total Yearly Mileage: 60.06
Total Shoe Mileage: 464.08

It's finally nice and cold (and sunny) in the mornings. This is what I call perfect (perfect in my mind and my most ideal) running weather for me. I do so much better when I run in it. Too bad, it doesn't last forever, but at least, I'll have it for a month.

Week 5: Day 6 - 2014

* bike ride = 16 miles
* easy WALK with dog = 1.5 miles

I didn't record my time during my bike ride. I went with a bike meetup group this morning and this was the first time that I did a group ride with anyone. We went at a leisurely pace..for me, it was easy and the route was mostly flat. While I've been slacking off with the bike training and I've signed up for the 20 mile bike Firecracker Chinatown-Downtown LA event, I think I will do just fine at the event. The route at the event will be mostly flat and I felt pretty good this morning after the ride. I still think that I need to get out on the bike more often though.