Week 35: Day 7 - 2014

• easy walk with dogs = 1.3 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 7.6

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 46.98

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 330.01

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 200.72

I didn't do a run or any "real" work out today. I just wanted to record my running mileage for the week/month/year/shoe.

I also wanted to mention that I signed myself and my two dogs up for a dog charity 5K walk event. It'll be like a giant dog park with lots of dogs and people everywhere. Participants can run the event if they wish, but since I have one dog who isn't trained to run, we'll be walking it instead. It isn't timed which is why I want to bring both dogs and we can take our time. This will be the first event that I'll be doing with my dogs.






"Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart."

-- Gene Tunney

Week 35: Day 6 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.3 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.3 miles

I wanted to put in a run yesterday morning, but I got home from work late Thursday night and I was so tired in the morning. I also think that I should schedule my runs and "make appointments" in a calender/on paper with them even though I'm running for fun now. I was thinking about this and how it had worked for me when I trained for all of my past half marathons. I'm more likely to stay on schedule and run when they're written down on paper even if I may miss a run (more likely will happen less often) or rearrange my schedule/work outs around. I think if I don't "make appointments" with my runs, I'm more likely to skip more days because I don't feel like running.

Week 35: Day 4 - 2014

• easy bike ride = 7.35 miles 
• easy walk with dogs = 1.3 miles

I tried to go run at a local state park (it was called "Chino Hills State Park"). The gates were wide open so I assumed that it was ok to enter. I got stopped by a ranger about 1/4 mile into the run and he told me that the park was closed. The park is closed for an "Improvement Project". So I turned around and went back towards my car that was parked in the street, near the entrance. A minute or two later, another ranger stopped to tell me (again) that the park was closed and told me that I would get cited a fine if I come back in again during closure. Neither ranger told me if the park was closed on certain days (I checked the park website after I got home that the park was closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) or if it was closed everyday until March 2015. I hadn't been to this park since May 2013 (over a year), so I had no idea what was going on. I sorta want to come back during the weekend, but I don't want to waste another trip to find out that it really is closed everyday of the week. (Based on yelp reviews, I think it is closed on the weekends because people are complaining about the closure). The second ranger also told me that dogs weren't allowed in the park. Since when???? When I was here in May 2013, I saw a lot of people (hikers/walkers and runners) with dogs. I didn't run with a dog last year, but I am this year. I'm not sure if I want to come back to this park for a run if dogs aren't allowed here. I had plan to come here while training for my next half marathon, but I have to change my training plan. My race is in February 2015 and the park reopens in March 2015. GGRRRR!

So since I didn't get my run in this morning at a certain time, I went on a bike ride. ()@))!*$ One of the streets that I was riding on had only one lane open (the right lane and bike lane were closed for street repavement). Luckily, there was a trail (same exact distance and level of difficulty as far as hills go) right next to the street and the tires on my bike can handle all terrains. I didn't want to share a lane with traffic in case there was a grumpy motorist who wanted to run over cyclists because it was a major street. If I had waited until tomorrow, the street would have been just fine for bike riding with all lanes opened.

Week 35: Day 2 - 2014

• hilly trail run with one dog = 1.1 miles
• warm up walk/jog = 1.1 miles
• cool down walk/jog = 1.1 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.9 miles

I have a half marathon to do in 22 1/2 weeks (on February 1). I start training for the race on first week of November. I've come to realize that if I want my running buddy (dog) to do six miles with me, I have less than 12 weeks to get her up to speed. I hope I can do it. I don't plan to make her do my long runs of longer than seven miles with me as long as she can do up to six or seven miles non-stop. I can do the long runs alone. I'm a little nervous for her even though I think she will do fine running six miles because we are actually doing fine with four miles non-stop now.

"Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

-- Muhammad Ali

Week 34: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 4 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.3 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 11.1

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 39.38

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 322.41

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 193.42

After next weekend, I'm taking another break from running. I think I'm bored because I didn't really want to run this morning and I didn't enjoy it. It also didn't help that I didn't know that the restrooms at all local parks along my route didn't open until 8am (I left for my run at 6:15am), and I couldn't use the restrooms at a business because I had a dog (not a service dog) with me. I was so uncomfortable and I really had to go.

Week 34: Day 5 - 2014

• easy bike ride (solo) = 7.35 miles, time = 35:45, pace @ 12.3 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 1.4 miles

Did an easy bike ride this morning. I was a little worried that it would be too warm, but it wasn't that bad.

Week 34: Day 4 - 2014

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.8 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.3 miles

The weather is starting to feel cooler...yes, I'm so happy for this change! I hope the weather will keep getting cooler. I'm debating about going on an easy, short (three miles) hike with my dogs next week....

Week 34: Day 2 - 2014

• hilly trail run with one dog = 1.1 mile
• warm up jog/walk = 1.1 mile
• cool down jog/walk = 1.1 mile
• easy walk with two dogs = 2.15 miles

I did a hilly trail run this morning. It was short, but pretty challenging. Since I hadn't done it in awhile, I had to walk part of it.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."

-- Aristotle

Week 33: Day 7 - 2014

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.4 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 11.60

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 28.28

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 311.31

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 182.32

On Friday, I only walked my dogs. I had a blood donation appointment in the morning, so I couldn't do much exercise-wise. I just got lazy yesterday and only walked my dogs.

"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you couldn't."

-- Ricky Rogers

Week 33: Day 4 - 2014

• easy bike ride (solo) = 7.35 miles, time = 36:15, pace @ 12.2 mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 1.3 miles

I was going to run this morning, but I was tired. I slept a little longer and decided to go on a bike ride instead. It was weird riding without my sunglasses. Boo.

Week 33: Day 3 - 2014

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.8 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.8 miles

I wasn't going to tun this morning, but I did anyway. Just mainly to go back on the trail that I was on yesterday to find my sunglasses because I thought maybe I didn't expand the general area enough. Wishful thinking, I wanted my sunglasses back even though I was more convinced that I wouldn't get it back. It really is gone forever and I'm never getting it back. That's sad and too bad.

"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."

--Vince Lmobardi

Week 33: Day 2 - 2014

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.8 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 2.85 miles

I somehow lost my sunglasses during my run this morning. I put it on the strap around my waist that was for my hands free dog leash to fix my hair. I forgot about my sunglasses hanging there and started running after fixing my hair until about half a mile later when I realized that I didn't put my sunglasses back on my face. It was gone somewhere on the trail. I didn't feel it fall off. I was listening to music so naturally, I didn't hear it fall off. I went back to the general area where I could have dropped it after the run. I went back a little bit later so I could walk my dogs at the same time to do a more thorough check. I think someone picked it up, essentially "stealing" it because I couldn't find it. While I got it for free, it was made of cheap material and had no sentimental value, I'm sad and disappointed that someone picked it up. It was a good eye "protection". My eyes didn't squint while wearing it even when the sun glare was very bright and in my face. It also kept debris out of my eyes.

Week 33: Day 1 - 2014

• easy bike ride with group = 15.5 miles, time = 1:10:40, pace @ 13.2mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.37 miles

This morning during the bike ride, I had a wasp fly into my helmet. That was a bit scary. I saw fly towards my head/helmet, then I felt a thump and then I felt something move on my forehead. I took the helmet while still riding and I saw the wasp crawling all the edge of my helmet. Good thing it was on my helmet where I could see it and not on my head! If it was on my head, I probably would freak out because I wouldn't know how to get it off of me without it stinging me a billion times. (I got stung by a bee once and I'm not allergic to one sting...while one sting does hurt a lot, a bunch of stings will hurt way more than one sting.) Anyway...it was hard to flick the wasp off of my helmet while still in motion because I was trying to keep up with the group (I was a little behind, riding alone). The wasp finally flew away, but it was hard to strap on the helmet back on while still in motion. In trying to do that, I dropped my helmet so I really had no choice to stop and put it back on properly. Luckily, we were on a low traffic road.

Week 32: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.67 miles
• easy WALK (solo) to grocery store = 1.32 miles roundtrip
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.41 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage = 10.38

Total Running Monthly Mileage = 16.68

Total Running Yearly Mileage = 299.71

Total Running Shoe Mileage = 170.72

I found this link online about "dog runners". It's essentially like dog walkers (people who get paid to walk other people's dogs), only you're running with other people's dogs and getting paid to do it. I'd like to do this. Where can I find busy people with dogs who need to get out for runs?

Anyway....speaking of running with dogs, my dog, Jubee, can now run 3.7 miles without stopping. I think she can run up to four miles without stopping, but I'm sorta lazy to keep going to find out. I'm actually going to try it out in the next few days. I think she will do fine.

"Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period."

-- Lou Holz

Week 32: Day 5 - 2014

• easy bike ride = 7.35 miles, time = 37:05, pace @ 11.9mph
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.35 miles

I used to share images on here that I found on the internet. I stopped doing that because I got tired of trying to find new ones. I think I'm going to start sharing inspiring quotes instead until there aren't any new inspiring quotes that interest me.

The summer isn't technically/officially over yet, but it's nice that it doesn't feel like summer anymore. Bring on the cold weather.

"Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you." -- Arnold Palmer

Week 32: Day 4 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.52 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.65 miles

The weather has actually been nice lately. Warm and very little to no humidity. I hope the humidity part has actually ended last weekend. I couldn't stand it.

Week 32: Day 2 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.19 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 2.25 miles

 It was less humid this morning. I did sweat during my run this morning, but I didn't have sweat dripping everywhere and my clothes weren't too badly soaked. The weather was nice for once.

Week 32: Day 1 - 2014

• easy bike ride (with meetup group) = 20.9 miles, time = 1:37:09, pace @ 12.9mph
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.24 miles
• easy WALK to Panera Bread (knitting group) = 3.2

Last year, I wasn't a part of a cycling group. I had just gotten my "new" bike and was just trying to build up my base miles (for cycling) and endurance before joining any groups. However, I sorta gave up and didn't ride all of last summer. It was too hot and I had a hard time trying to find any motivation to train for my October half marathon. I'm currently not training for any races right now, but I'm glad that I'm part of some bike groups. This one group in particular has several easy "short" rides as well as rides that are longer and/or more challenging. Most of the rides are regularly scheduled. For example, I always meet up with the group on most Monday mornings when it's not raining or when I don't have other obligations. The rides are mostly flat and usually between 14 to 22 miles depending on the people riding. I have done much with other cycling groups because most of the rides there are longer and/or stronger riders (stronger as in can ride 15+ mph...my average speed is between 12 mph and 13 mph). I think if it wasn't for this one group, I probably wouldn't be riding at all this summer. It's too hot and I have no motivation to ride alone. Because if I show up to these group rides, someone will always tell me to come back for the following week.

Week 31: Day 7 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.09 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.4 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 12.45

Total Running Monthly (July) Mileage: 6.15

Total Running Monthly (August) Mileage: 6.30

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 289.33

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 160.34

I wanted to run a little farther this morning, but I was under a time constraint (meeting for work at 8am). I could have done a run after the meeting, but by that time, it would be too warm and too humid for me. There were also some dark clouds that looked like it would rain this morning...it did rain a little last night. I was a bit scared to get rained on. I got sick last time I ran in the rain (in 2011). I can't dress appropriately for running in the rain. I have to wear shorts and a t-shirt (or tank top) when I run. I get hot very easily when I run even when it's 39* F. When it's really raining, I have to overdress with long pants and several layers of shirts, sweaters, and a hooded jacket to avoid getting sick. The same year that I got sick while running in the rain, I didn't dress as I mentioned, I got sick a few times while walking my dogs in the rain. So there it's a lose-lose situation for me.

Anyway, I'm glad that it didn't rain this morning for my run. I did feel a few drops of rain on my head and saw a few rain drops on the ground, but nothing significant to have any affect on me.

Week 31: Day 5 - 2014

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.21 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 1.73 miles

I finally filled out my application for Big Brothers Big Sister Program and send it off. I'm a little scared now, but I think I'll do fine. I have a "dream" of being matched up with a youth who likes doing outdoors-y stuff. At minimum, I'll like for the youth to like hikes in hiking areas and going for walks around the park so we can do some fun events like "Bubble Runs", and charity dog walks (along with wanting to learn karate and have an interest in other general easy physical activities). I'll like for the youth to eventually like or enjoy running so we can do 10k races together.