Week 35: Day 3 - August 31, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.88 miles total; time = 1:16:34; pace @ 12.4 mph

I think I'm getting bored with cycling. I'm not riding as fast as I used to. Maybe I'm just tired of riding the same route? I didn't do my morning ride before work like I had planned/wanted because I was tired and wanted to sleep in. I couldn't get my mind into riding to work. I was okay once I got to work and riding back to my car. I don't know what I'm going to do. I have a bike route that I want to use while I am training for my half marathon because I know it will help with my endurance/stamina. Maybe I will ride with a group from meetup, but not the one that I don't wish to be with though. A different one that I haven't been with in awhile. I just have to get them to agree with a day (preferably Friday) and time (preferably midday).

Week 35: Day 2 - August 30, 2016

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.15 miles; time = 53:20; pace @ 12:51
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I start training for my 10k and half marathon next week. September and October will be two very long months with warm weather, and I am not looking forward to that. I will be happy and surprised if October is actually cooler or cold, but I won't hold my breath. I really am looking forward to the cooler/cold weather.

Week 35: Day 1 - August 29, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.82 miles total; time = 1:16:58; pace @ 12.3 mph

Instead of doing my planned morning ride before work, I slept in today until it was time to get ready for work. I felt like I needed to catch up on sleep. Perhaps on days that I don't have to work, I should take a nap using melatonin and 5-htp.

Week 34: Day 7 - August 28, 2016

• trail RUN (solo) = 5.46 miles; time = 1:08:56; pace @ 12:38
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.4 miles

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 18.14

Total Monthly Mileage: 50.41

Total Yearly Mileage: 568.80

Total Shoe Mileage: 334.43

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 62.87

Total Monthly Mileage: 224.58

Total Yearly Mileage: 1295.46

So I did not do a bike ride on neither Friday or today after my run. Laziness kicked in. At least, I got a run in this morning. I think it helped that I got in the car and went to a completely different area in a different city for a run. Apparently running at home is getting to me, mentally. I guess I will have to do this (run in a different city once a week) while I'm training for my half marathon. It is a good thing I signed up for a 10k run in October, so that will help a little bit.

In the meantime, I am doing a little experiment. I have a lavender scented candle for my room. Supposedly it is a mosquito repellent and a stress reliever. (My windows don't have screens, so when my windows are open, mosquitoes feel they are welcome to come in and eat me alive.) I also read that lavender oil/scent helps with insomnia. I am hoping that it helps put me in the mood for bed/sleep so I can feel better for my morning runs because I'm always tired! So far, I think it is helping because while it is not lit, the scent is making me tired.

Week 34: Day 5 - August 26, 2016

• trail RUN with one dog = 3.91 miles; time = 52:04; pace @ 13:19
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

It was cloudy/overcast this morning. While I do appreciate that kind of weather, that kind of weather makes me tired and sleepy. It doesn't help that I was already feeling like I needed to catch up on sleep. It also felt like I was in a stuffy room with no AC or opened windows because the clouds basically trapped in the warmth. Oh well. At least, I got a run in.

Week 34: Day 4 - August 25, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.98 miles total; time = 1:21:15; pace @ 11.8 mph

I didn't do my morning bike ride before heading to work. I was tired and slept in a little longer. I was still feeling tired going to work and I had a hard time feeling ok going to work on a bike. I felt better once I got to work though. I hope I feel ok to run tomorrow morning. I may do a bike ride after my run tomorrow. I also think that next week will be my last week going to work on a bike. It's getting darker earlier and I don't want to ride in the dark, even if it is during the second half of the ride.

Week 34: Day 3 - August 24, 2016

• trail/road RUN (solo) = 4.27 miles; time = 59:06; pace @ 13:50
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.88 miles round trip; time = 1:15:55; pace @ 12.6 mph

The temperature this morning was the same as yesterday morning, however, it felt a little more humid this morning. Or maybe it was my imagination. Because I was struggling with my run this morning and I felt totally normal during yesterday's run. I really can't wait for the cooler seasons to be here!

Week 34: Day 2 - August 23, 2016

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 4.5 miles; time = 58:07; pace @ 12:55
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

My legs felt a little achy and sore. Must have been from the morning bike ride yesterday. But I think I felt better after about ten minutes into my run because I forgot that my legs felt achy and sore.

Week 34: Day 1 - August 22, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike ride (local/training) = 15.03 miles; time = 1:19:25; pace @ 11.4 mph
• bike commute to work = 15.98 miles; time =1:14:24; pace @ 12.9 mph

I didn't ride with a group this morning. I chose to do my own riding instead and went on a route that I didn't do last week. Because it included a challenging hill and I didn't do this ride last week, I could tell that I lost a little bit of strength. I've decided that I need to do this ride as part of my half marathon training because I know that it will help my endurance and strength when I do hill runs. And I know that when I regularly do hill training/running, I can run faster and I will do pretty good at the event.

Week 33: Day 7 - August 21, 2016

• trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.52 miles; time = 1:10:14; pace @ 12:43
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.3 miles

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 13.86

Total Monthly Mileage: 32.27

Total Yearly Mileage: 550.66

Total Shoe Mileage: 317.29

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 70.67

Total Monthly Mileage: 161.71

Total Yearly Mileage: 1232.59

During my run this morning, I went on a trail that passed by two backyards. One had an aggressive dog and it was between medium and small in size (it was shiba inu, so it wasn't tiny like chihuahuas, but big enough to cause concern if it was actually out and running loose). Even though it didn't bother me because it was in the backyard and it wouldn't ever figure out how to get out of it, I used my stun gun (for the noise only) to see if it worked and made the dog stop barking and snarling at me and my dog. I even put my stun gun really close to the fence. The dog did not back off or run away! Now I'm worried that my stun gun won't work on a really big, really aggressive dog that is out running loose! I think if I actually have to use it on a dog (zapping electricity into it), it is too late and the dog will most likely bite me or my dog because stun guns are meant for very close range...within arm's reach. I have to find pepperspray and hope that the wind doesn't use it against me! I think I'm more afraid of an aggressive dog than an aggressive coyote because I have almost been chased down by a very big, very aggressive dog (stray/homeless) before. I just got lucky that two city workers in separate trucks were randomly driving around at the right time and saw me trying to get away.

Week 33: Day 4 - August 18, 2016

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 4.79 miles; time = 58:51; pace @ 12:17
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.89 miles round trip; time = 1:14:01; pace @ 12.9 mph

Normally, I would do some sort of work out (bike or run) on Fridays, but I am donating blood tomorrow morning, so I have to take a rest day and I will only be walking my dogs.

Week 33: Day 3 - August 17, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.81 miles round trip; time = 1:15:20; pace @ 12:6 mph

Today felt a little cooler than yesterday. I plan to run tomorrow morning and since it will be a little cooler tomorrow (compared to today), I may go to work on a bike part of the way.

Week 33: Day 2 - August 16, 2016

• hilly trail RUN (solo) = 3.55 miles; time = 47:36; pace @ 13:25
• easy WALK with threw dogs = 2.5 miles

I didn't want to run this morning. Boredom, laziness, and lack of motivation were all kicking in. I got a little worried because I hadn't started training for my half marathon yet and it's in December! I felt better once I started running and I didn't need any walk/rest breaks...except towards the end of the top of a very long hill. It was only a short walk break and I took one break. I hope boredom and lack of motivation doesn't kick in until after the race.

Week 33: Day 1 - August 15, 2016

• group bike ride = 23.15 miles; time = 1:39:47; pace @ 13.9 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.82 miles round trip; time = 1:13:00; pace @ 13 mph

I did a bike ride with a meetup group this morning. I don't think I am going to ride with this group anymore...or for awhile. Call me overly sensitive with a bruised ego...I don't care. Awhile ago, I had my one gallon of water jug in a bag that I thought would be helpful during a bike ride. I used this bag one time because I didn't like it. Someone mentioned to me that my bag that I was using for my one gallon water jug thing for today's ride was not good and I shouldn't use it anymore. I also should not carry so much water. My bag and the amount of water compromised my balance. My bag from today? It was used many, many times before and I carried one gallon of water in it many times before. I never had a problem before. I don't like people who think they know what they are talking about and know better than I do. I don't like being told that something is bad when it hasn't caused any problems before. What do they know?

Week 32: Day 7 - August 14, 2016

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.51 miles; time = 56:53; pace @ 12:37
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles
• walk to Panera Bread (for knitting friends) = 3.2 miles round trip

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 8.26

Total Monthly Mileage: 18.41

Total Yearly Mileage: 536.8

Total Shoe Mileage: 303.43

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 20.73

Total Monthly Mileage: 91.04

Total Yearly Mileage: 1161.92

I think the massage that I got on Friday really helped my heel/foot soreness. My foot wasn't actually worked on, but my calf was. My calf was the main problem for my foot/heel soreness because my calf muscle was super tight even though I thought that it was mostly ok. My foot/heel didn't feel sore or hurt at all during the run this morning. I'm still getting a dull soreness, but it's tolerable. The only time that it feels really sore is when I'm sitting for a long time. Weird, but I can now start my 10k and half marathon training, feeling more confident.

Right when I left my house to start my run with my dog this morning (I had just barely stepped out of the door), I saw a coyote quickly pass by. I had my stun gun in hand and out of curiosity, I used it just for the popping sound. The coyote was really spooked by the sound and sprinted off. It was kinda hilarious and I was also relieved at the same time...not that I didn't believe it wouldn't work.

Week 32: Day 5 - August 12, 2016

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.75 miles; time = 49:28; pace @ 13:11
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I went for a run this morning. I had wrapped up my right heel so I could run. That helped as my heel didn't feel sore during or after the run, but I don't think I can do this for every run, especially for the next four months when my half marathon race is over! Anyway, I didn't feel very motivated to run and felt out of shape, like I hadn't ran in a long time (my last run was last weekend). I also had a full body massage by a local massage place. They didn't do much on the bottoms of my feet, which made me a little sad and disappointed, but they did work on my legs. My "bad" heel/foot felt really sore after the massage, but it feels totally fine now. I hope that my heel/foot problem was more of a problem that came from my calf. It felt a little sore from trying to walk on my heel when my heel felt really sore like I was walking with my heel up.

I finally fixed up the flat on my bike and got a spare tube just in case for my front tire (knock on wood, I hadn't had a flat tire in the front yet). I also purchased "tuffy", which is a tire lining suggested by my boss, to prevent future flats. At the rate that I'm going (one flat each month or every other month), I had to get it because I'm tired of getting flats. I hope it can prevent a flat from a nail. If it doesn't, my boss won't hear the end of it.

Week 32: Day 1 - August 08, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• group bike ride = 20.73 miles; time = 1:35:34; pace @ 13 mph

So much for doing any cycling for the rest of the week. I went on a ride with a meetup group. After a few miles into the ride, I crashed into another ride. It wasn't that bad as we both got away with minor injuries. She got mostly bruises, I think, while I have a scraped elbow, a scraped area on the back of my knee and some bruises. She landed in the grass while I landed in the street which was why she only got away with bruising only and I have a few scraps. It could have been worse like getting broken bones from the same crash or getting hit by a car. And then just my luck, I got three flat tires. On the last flat, one of the other riders just picked me up in his car...the ride is normally 23 miles. My bike still has a flat tire. Since my bike group was the one who changed the flat, I think it was put on wrong. I can fix it by taking it apart and putting it back on correctly, but I don't have a spare and I've already learned my lesson not to ride without a spare. I have already gotten so many flats from just this year alone that I can't risk getting a flat somewhere, especially between work and my car/home and being completely stranded because I can't go anywhere. So I won't be riding for a few days until I get a new inner tube as a spare. My legs are also pretty banged up so I probably shouldn't be riding anyway. The good thing is that my legs still work because I need my legs to do a 10k in October and a half marathon in December and training starts at the end of August!

Week 31: Day 7 - August 07, 2016

• trail/road RUN (solo) = 6 miles; time = 1:16:19; pace @ 12:43
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike ride (local) = 15.21 miles; time = 1:18:41; pace @ 11.6 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.15

Total Monthly Mileage: 10.15

Total Yearly Mileage: 528.54

Total Shoe Mileage: 295.17

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 70.31

Total Monthly Mileage: 70.31

Total Yearly Mileage: 1141.19

I've decided to sign up for a pet charity 10k run and a holiday half marathon. The 10K run is for The Race For The Rescues which will be held in Pasadena, CA on Saturday, October 15. I did this run last year with my dog, Jubee. We (Jubee and I) will be doing it again this year. I also created a charity page to collect donations that will go towards helping animals from local pet rescue shelters. The funds will save them from euthanasia, providing the community with important programs like shelter intervention, free and low cost spay/neuter and assistance with vet bills to low income families. Please consider making a donation towards my race. Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated.

http://www.racefortherescues.org/participant/jubee

I will be doing a holiday half marathon in Pomona, CA on December 11. This will also be the day before my birthday. This will be the first race that is ten miles from home! That means that I get one extra hour of sleep! All of my other half marathons are located 30 or more miles away! Anyway, this event will have a few charities for runners/walkers to choose from, however, the selection is very limited and poor right now. There are only two current charities listed as of now to which I don't exactly want to raise funds for. I'm sure there will be more charities that will be listed soon, but I don't like to raise money for a charity when there is less than three months before an event. I like to have lots of time, regardless of my goal amount, to collect donations. I start training for my half at the end of August with my 10K run as part of training. Most likely, I will not create a charity page while I'm training for my half. However, if anyone is feeling generous and wants to make a donation on my behalf, please visit my pet charity page.

http://www.runholidayhalf.com

I signed up for a 10k run and a half marathon because I am getting bored of running. I need a goal to work towards, so I can keep running. However, I'm not sure what happened, but my right heel is sore and sensitive right now. This problem started during my run this morning. I had this problem during some of my runs before, but it didn't feel too bad and it went away after my runs were over. My heel is still sore many hours later after I finished my run from this morning. As much as I don't want to, this calls for rest (no running) in the next few days. It's a good thing I can afford to rest now and miss a few running days. I am still going to ride my bike so that I don't feel completely lazy and useless.

Week 31: Day 4 - August 04, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.89 miles; time = 1:18:42; pace @ 12.1 mph

I didn't do a work out (except walk my dogs) yesterday because I thought that I would do a BIG work out today by commuting to work, starting from my house...and not from the mall which meant a 39 mile commute round trip. I tried to get in some extra sleep yesterday morning before going to work because I didn't do a run in the morning and I had an extra hour of sleep (by not going to work on a bike from the mall). I had a hard time getting some extra sleep yesterday morning. I felt tired like I needed more sleep this morning. I probably would have felt okay or better if I did the whole commute starting from home, but I parked my car at the mall and went to work from there instead. I felt better once I got to work. I felt a little better during the ride, but not that great and I was slower than usual.

I try keep track of all of my bike rides - distance, time (how long it takes me from start to end) and average pace. The only time that I didn't was on a few rides from this year because the battery died on my pedometer/speedometer and I didn't get a new battery for awhile like a month or so. When I do keep track of the distance, time and average speed, I log them to LogYourRun (it's like MapMyRun) so I can compare and keep track of my progress. During a group ride recently, someone told me that I was carrying too much extra weight (I had a 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water jug because I am a camel who drinks lots of water and can put it away) and it was unnecessary because it was hold me back and the reason why I was as slow as I was (she was a faster rider than I was). So I checked my account on logyourrun to compare my rides. All of my rides are consistently the same with the same average speed/pace, whether I am carrying extra weight or nothing at all. When I'm going to work on a bike, I have my 1/2 gallon of water on my back in a small backpack, and a bag with my work clothes, cleaning stuff, and a small camera bag. THAT bag is FIVE (5) POUNDS! Even with all of that extra weight while I'm going to work, my pace/speed is actually the same or slightly better than my rides where I carried less or no extra weight. I don't like people telling me that I'm doing something wrong when I'm really doing just fine.

Week 31: Day 2 - August 02, 2016

• trail RUN (solo) = 4.15 miles; time = 52:12; pace @ 12:35
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles
• bike commute to work = 15.89 miles total; time = 1:15:34; pace @ 12.6 mph

This morning, I did a run in an area where I didn't want to bring my dog to because a coyote followed us three different occasions. During the run, I remembered that I had (still have) a stun gun and I recently got a new battery for it. I need to start bringing it with me for my own self-defense against another person. I also know that the popping sounds scare dogs and I don't have to be near them. I think and I hope that the popping sounds will also work on coyotes.

Week 31: Day 1 - Aug. 01, 2016

• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• group bike ride = 23.32 miles; time = 1:48:57; pace @ 12.8 mph

I was going to go to work on a bike starting at the mall, but I felt tired after my morning ride with a meetup group. I don't know why. Maybe I would have felt better if I just went to work on a bike. Maybe I needed to eat and I would have felt better. Maybe I really do need to catch up on sleep.