Week 53: Day 4 - 2015

• easy road run (solo) = 4.97 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 41.85

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 485.35

Yes, last run for the year! Tomorrow starts a new year!

Last year (year 2014), I ran a total of 690.24 miles. The year before (2013), I ran a total of 553.09 miles. I missed many days of running this year. Last year, I did the following challenge (or plan):

1.) Never go three days without running

2.) Run at least three days a week

3.) Never miss a Monday (...or Tuesday)

4.) Never give up!

I clearly did not follow that plan this year. Starting on Monday, I will start up on that plan again! I did a lot of one mile run/walk with my dog last year because I was teaching/training her how to run.  Now that my dog can run up to seven miles, I will aim for 800 miles by end of 2016. I think as long as I follow the above mentioned plan, 800 miles by the end of the year is doable.

Week 53: Day 3 - 2015

• hilly trail RUN with one dog = 1.1 mile
• warm up = 1.1 mile
• cool down = 1.1 mile
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I plan to do a run tomorrow morning and on Friday morning. Let's hope that I'm not lazy and I actually follow through for both days! Because I want to end and start the year with a run!

Week 53: Day 1 - 2015

• easy bike ride = 7.35 miles
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.7 miles

I went out for a bike ride this morning when it was partly (half) cloudy/sunny. At first, I was cold because it really was cold out, but I was fine and warmed up after five minutes of working up a sweat. This afternoon, it got cloudier and started to drizzle/rain. I was so glad that I went out for a bike ride when it was still sunny enough. Because I will not ride in the rain. While I like to run in the cold, I think I like to ride my bike when it's warm or hot (but not humid). I think because cycling is a bit easier and less vigorous than running. I don't get that hot and grumpy when I ride a bike. I do get hot and grumpy if I run in warm weather...like I'm melting. A slight breeze feels good during a bike ride. It does not feel good when I run!

Week 52: Day 7 - 2015

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.75 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 10.80

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 32.85

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 444.23

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 136.23

A few more days left until the end of the year. Then I can start the new year better!

Week 52: Day 4 - 2015

• hilly trail RUN with one dog = 1.1 mile
• warm up = 1.1 mile
• cool down = 1.1 mile
• easy WALK with four dogs = 2.5 miles

Lately, all of my runs had easy hills. I hadn't done any runs on super hilly trails that I lost quite a bit of endurance and I had to take some walk breaks during my run this morning. I plan to do some hilly training runs more regularly now to prepare myself for my next 10k race (February 21) which includes a challenging hill in the beginning!

Week 52: Day 2 - 2015

• easy trail/road RUN (solo) = 3.75 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I decided to run alone without my dog this morning. It was a little misty (rain) when I headed out for my run. I'm glad that I was actually able to get out for a run when it was cloudy and wet because I would usually hibernate instead. Anyway, I was totally fine running in misty weather, but didn't know if it would turn into a drizzle or actual rain. I just didn't want to take my dog out if it was more than mist or drizzle.

Week 51: Day 4 - 2015

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.2 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles

Yesterday morning was so cold. This morning was less cold. I was kinda disappointed that I didn't get a run in yesterday instead using today as a rest day. Oh well.

Week 51: Day 2 - 2015

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.2 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2 miles

Yay for cold mornings. That is all.

Week 50: Day 7 - 2015

• easy WALK with MY dogs (at home) = 2.2 miles
• easy WALK with rescue dogs (Priceless Pets Rescue) = 3.2 miles

Total Running Weekly Mileage: 6.95

Total Running Monthly Mileage: 14.65

Total Running Yearly Mileage: 411.38

Total Running Shoe Mileage: 103.38

I've basically stopped doing these walks with rescue dogs since I did the two 10k races in the same weekend in October. Mainly because I was lazy, didn't want to drive and wanted to sleep in (the walks started at 8:45am). It's hard to do a run and the rescue dog walks in the same morning because it's still dark until 6:45am. I don't like running in the dark for a lot of reasons...like for my own safety (cars can't see me, a criminal lurking in the dark, I'm clumsy and will trip on something I can't see...) and for my dog's safety (my dog is small and will unintentionally attract coyotes)....and darkness also makes me want to sleep anyway. I have to wait a few more months before I can do a run and the rescue dog walk in the same morning.

Week 50: Day 6 - 2015

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 3.75 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles

Cold mornings are back! But I'm still being lazy and wanting to sleep a lot. Boo.

Week 50: Day 2 - 2015

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.2 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles

It was so warm this morning and I didn't want to run! I am hoping that it was the weather and not lack of motivation. It's December now...what happened to the cold mornings that we were getting??

Week 50: Day 1 - 2015

• bike ride = 7.35 miles
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles

I have a pet peeve...when some people assume that I quit running because they don't see me running for a few days or weeks. Maybe I'm taking a break. Maybe I'm running less days during the week. Maybe I'm running at a different time of the day. Here is a little known fact about me: I have liked running since I was 11 years old and I have been running (on and off) since then. Some people only notice that I run with my dog. I have been running longer than my dog has been alive and my dog has only been running for one year and ten months. My dog is 3 1/2 years old and I did my first half marathon in 2007. I've been running up and down the same area since 1996. It's one thing if some people lived in the same area less than two years, but for the other people who lived in the area longer than two years, what have they been looking at if they didn't know that I had been running on the same streets for ten or fifteen years? If I had been running since I was 11 years old, why would I be quitting now? Only lazy people who don't exercise at all would assume that I'm a quitter.

Week 49: Day 6 - 2015

• easy trail RUN (solo) = 4.5 miles
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.1 miles

My regularly running schedule will resume next Tuesday! I made an exercise planner for myself. I stopped using it after October. I have to start using it again because apparently, writing down my runs whether they are for fun or for training, it helps me stay on track.

The last two or four runs that I did was 3.2 miles each. I had mild shin splints during the last one mile of my run today. It went away when my run was over. It was a good thing I didn't do a longer run because I was really thinking about doing a five or six mile run.

Week 49: Day 2 - 2015

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.2 miles
• easy WALK with two dogs = 2.5 miles

So far, I feel ok running. I hope I feel ok running until the end/start of the year.