Week 31: Day 4 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.15 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.1 miles

A few weeks ago, I bought a hydration camelbak that I can put on my waist. I like the idea of having a hydration pack in a form of a bag around my waist than a hydration pack that goes on my back. I have tried the water bottle pack that goes on the waist, but I didn't like it that much. I didn't like how I had to fumble around trying to put the water bottle back in its holder while I was still in running motion. My new pack has a tube that goes from the pack to my mouth, so I can run/exercise and drink water at the same time. Today was the first time that I tried it out. I'm a little bit clumsy with the tube part because I have no idea how to work with it so that it will stay in place. I think I need to figure out how to make it stay in place. It's a good thing that I don't have anything to train for right now, so I have time to figure out what works. It's also summer and it's hot. Now is a good time to train/practice with it. I also bought this camelbak  because I think it can carry more water (1.5 liter) than those water bottled pack things (I'm not sure on the quantity on those things).

Week 31: Day 2 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.8 miles

Now that my dog can run three miles, I need to think about other 3 mile routes that we can do so I won't get bored doing the same one over and over...then eventually, I can slow add some distance. I think my dog can run farther than three miles. I don't know what her limit is since we haven't just kept running until she forces me to stop for a break. I have just been too lazy to just keep running to find out.

Week 30: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.78 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.4 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 7.78

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 20.88

Total Yearly Mileage: 276.88

Total Shoe Mileage: 147.89

I generally don't eat anything before I run and I usually do fine on my runs. I was a little grumpy and sluggish this morning on my run. It was the first time in awhile that I felt hungry during a run. I did eat last night, so I don't know why this morning was different than past runs. I guess I should eat a little something before I head out for a run.

Week 30: Day 5 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.5 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 1.3 miles

Is summer over yet? I never complain about cold weather (I love cold weather!). This heat and high humidity level is driving me nuts. I'm practically drowning in my own sweat. It makes me feel grossed out and so uncomfortable! I can't wait for summer to be over! I also can't wait to take semi-longer walks with my dogs in the middle of the morning/day. On the other hand, I'm glad that I'm not training for a race of any distance this summer. For now, I'll stick to four miles or less. It's also not that bad in the morning at 6am. A little humid, but tolerable.

Week 30: Day 2 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.5 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 2 miles

I didn't get to do any work outs yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment which kinda messed things up, but that's ok. Sometimes I need a rest day (no exercise except for easy walk with the dogs).

Week 29: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.3 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 6.9

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 13.10

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 269.10

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 140.11

My last run was on Thursday morning. I just simply walked my dogs on Friday and yesterday. I also purchased a "hands-free" leash so I could run with my dog...a hands-free leash is basically where the leash is on the dog on one end. The other end is attached to a strap that is around the person's waist. I got this so I could run hands-free easier as my arm and shoulder holding the leash for my dog was always getting tired. I was always stiff and had limited mobility (very limited arm swinging) to keep my dog under control. I always feared that my dog would accidentally run or cross my path in front or back of me, causing me to kick her by accident when I used the hands on leash. I was a little worried that the leash was a little too long (I can't make it any shorter than it already is) when it was attached to my dog and my waist, but we did better than I thought, to my surprise. I will continue running with my dog, using the hands-free leash.

Week 29: Day 4 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.3 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.5 miles

I like the fact that we're having "June Gloom" in the middle of July. Overcast (yet slightly humid) in the mornings which is not actually normal weather for us in July, but I'm ok with this because it's better than hot, humid and sunny even at 5:30am or 6am.

Week 29: Day 3 - 2014

• easy bike ride (solo) = 7.35 miles, time 36:30, pace @ 12.1 mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.3 miles

I like how it's overcast in the morning. I was going to go for a ride really early this morning (6am), but it was overcast until 10:30am or so. I went out for a ride at 9am, so I slept in a little bit and it felt nice. I hope it will be overcast tomorrow morning for my run.

Week 29: Day 2 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2.3 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.9 miles

I've come to realize that I had high expectations and I expected to do better on my runs after my "break". I took a break and didn't do any kinds of work outs for a week. I thought I should have gotten better on my runs and felt like I was on a runner's high or something like that. So I just let it all go and ran this morning. I didn't time my run and I probably didn't run faster than any of my runs in the last month or so, but I did feel better this morning compared to my last three or four runs. I usually run on Wednesdays, but I plan to do a non-running day tomorrow and put in a bike work out (solo) instead.

Week 29: Day 1 - 2014

• easy bike ride = 12.72 miles, time = 1:05:53, pace @ 11.6 mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.1 miles

Went on a ride with a bike group. I was a little worried that the weather would be hot (99 degrees) and sunny, but I was glad that it wasn't that bad. 80 degrees, overcast and a little humid.

Week 28: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 1.2 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.3 miles

I was so unmotivated and bored that I took some walk breaks during my run. My legs really did NOT want to get out for a run! I partially blame the weather. It's finally summer and I can't deal with running in warm/hot weather, although I hate being in humidity (it's actually not that humid yet). I also think that maybe I should run in different areas. Running in the same area over and over can get boring....I usually stick to streets and trails near my house. On Tuesday (my next run), I will make myself get in a car and go run in a "new" area.

Week 28: Day 5 - 2014

• easy bike ride = 7.3 miles, time = 37:00, pace @ 11.8 mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.4 miles

I decided to go on a bike ride really early this morning. I almost didn't want to go because I just wanted to sleep the day away until it was time to get ready for work. I feel better now that I got it done and over with.

Week 28: Day 4 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 1 mile
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.3 miles

My run wasn't exactly much better this morning, but I just wanted to get one done so I could say that I did it.

Week 28: Day 3 - 2014

• easy trail RUN (solo) = 2 miles
• easy bike ride (to mechanic to drop off/pick up car) = 6.5 miles round trip
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.3 miles

I did my run this morning. I felt bad. I felt like I was still bored and unmotivated, but I felt worse than my runs before I took a break. Before my break, I was bored and unmotivated, but it wasn't that bad. My legs didn't want to run and I couldn't put my heart or spirit into the run this morning. I don't know why I still feel bored and unmotivated after not running for eight days. I should look up a race like a 10K and sign up for one before my half marathon training.

Week 28: Day 2 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 2 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 2 miles

I went on an easy run this morning. This was the first run in over a week. I did time my run, but I'm not "documenting" it on here (I did record/document it on logyourrun.com ). My time, pace, and speed was very slow. I don't get it. It should have been the same or better than/as my last run. After all, I didn't run for over a week. Maybe the bike ride from yesterday had a tiny bit to do with my run, but I don't think it should have. I'm going for a run tomorrow morning without my dog...I don't think my dog is the reason why I was running so slow this morning, but I don't know.

Week 28: Day 1 - 2014

• easy bike ride = 21.6 miles, time = 1:45:00, pace @ 12.3mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.7 miles
• easy WALK to Panera Bread (for a knitting group) = 3 miles round trip

You know you put in a good work out when you feel tired and sleepy right afterwards. I did a 21.6 mile bike ride this morning with a biking meetup group this morning (even though there were only two of us). The route was mostly flat and easy, but I hadn't done more than 14 miles in awhile. I felt happy, tired and sleepy after the ride. What a nice feeling.

Week 27: Day 7 - 2014

• easy bike ride (solo) = 10.3 miles, time = 48:40, pace @ 12.7 mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.3 miles

I haven't done any "real" work outs since last Sunday. I had only walked my dogs since then. When I wasn't at work, most of my free time was spent sleeping. I'm not sure if I was trying to catch up on all of my lost sleep or because I wasn't in an exercise routine, so I was more tired and sleepy. I think I'm caught up on my sleep and I'm ready to get back into an exercise routine. I think I'm ready to start running again, but I will start on Tuesday.