Week 43: Day 7 - October 30, 2016

• long training RUN (solo) = 10.19 miles; time = 1:57:11; average pace @ 11:30
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 25.73

Total Monthly Mileage: 105.33

Total Yearly Mileage: 768.30

Total Shoe Mileage: 180.70

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 0

Total Monthly Mileage: 170.90

Total Yearly Mileage: 1477.84

While I did have my garmin watch with me during my run, I also had my regular watch used for the timer. I like to compare timers even though I know my garmin watch is a little faster. However, I thought I pressed the start button on my regular watch and I didn't realize it until I was at 5.6 miles when I finally had to stop (for a red light to wait and cross a street). Whoops. So I don't have two finish times to compare, but my garmin watch is only a few seconds off anyway. It's a good thing I have a record of my run on my garmin watch and it was downloaded to my garmin account.

Week 43: Day 4 - October 27, 2016

• trail/road RUN (solo) = 6.71 miles; time = 1:15:45; average pace @ 11:17
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles

I did my run this morning without my dog. While my dog could run the distance just fine, part of the run was near a junior college. Because there was school traffic from students (driving in cars) trying to get to their first morning class, I just felt that my dog should stay home. I did this run last week and I was a little horrified for my dog for some reason. I feel fine and safe with college student drivers and college traffic when I'm running alone. The traffic wasn't better or worse between last week and this morning, but I didn't feel safe for my dog for some reason. I guess my dog doesn't need to run with me during the rest of my half marathon training anyway. The next 10k run/race that she will be doing with me is in February and we don't need to start training for that until after the holidays (Christmas/New Year's).  I will be doing some of my half marathon training runs (once a week) at the Chino Hills State Park, starting after next week and I don't plan to bring my dog with me when I go run there.

Week 43: Day 3 - October 26, 2016

• hilly trail RUN (solo) = 3.5 miles; time = 42:08; pace @ 11:45
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles

I went for a run on a hilly trail this morning. Last week, I took a few breaks because I didn't have the endurance/strength to run up the hill (1.4 miles) continuously. I took some breaks from this morning's run, but I did much better today.

I also need to do a better job at tying my shoes. I don't know what was wrong with me today, but I had to tie my shoes four times (twice on each shoe). I never had to tie my shoes so often. I guess I should start double knotting my shoes....

Week 43: Day 2 - October 25, 2016

• trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.3 miles; time = 1:03:08; average pace @ 11:55
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I need to make myself go to bed early like at 10 pm. I'm always complain that I'm tired all the time.

Okay, I don't know what to say so I'm just rambling.....

Week 42: Day 7 - October 23, 2016

• Santa Monica Beach "FUN" Race = 15 K (9.32 miles; solo); time = 1:33:47; average pace @ 10:04
• easy walk with friend's dog = 1.5 miles
• easy walk with my dogs = 2.1 miles

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 25.13

Total Monthly Mileage: 79.60

Total Yearly Mileage: 742.57

Total Shoe Mileage: 154.97

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 0

Total Monthly Mileage: 170.90

Total Yearly Mileage: 1485.06

I did a "beach fun race" 15k run this morning. There were other distances that other people could do like 5k, 10k or half marathon. I got second place for female in the 15k distance, but too bad it was by default. There were seven people (four men, three men) who signed up for that distance and I also got 6th place. Meanwhile, the 5k had 50 participants, the 10k had 39 participants and the half marathon had 27 participants. Does no one like doing 15k distances??? Since the race was at the beach on the walk path, the course was pretty flat, but I need to be better at turning on my gps from my garmin watch if I want an elevation profile and for the course to show up on my garmin account. Because I wait too late to turn on the gps and the race announcer sends us off to run before my gps can locate a "satellite".

Week 42: Day 4 - October 20, 2016

• road/trail RUN with one dog = 6.76 miles; time = 1:19:04; average pace @ 11:42
• easy WALK with four dogs = 2.5 miles

I can't wait for this week to be over. It has been warm all week! Sunday will be cooler. Looks like the weather starting Sunday will look nice with some chances of rain...the rain won't affect my running, so I think I'll be fine, although I think I will be okay with a little mist or drizzle during a run.

Week 42: Day 3 - October 19, 2016

• hilly trail RUN (solo) = 3.53 miles; time = 41:29; average pace @ 11:45
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles

I did a run on a hilly trail that I hadn't been on in a few months. Since I hadn't been doing my bike work out on my route with the challenging hill on a regular/weekly basis, I lost quite a bit of endurance/strength on the run. The last time that I did this run, I was able to continuously run 95% of the way in the first 1.4 mile which was all uphill and pretty challenging. I had to stop for some breaks a few times during that 1.4 mile uphill battle. My run from yesterday wasn't that challenging, so I don't think that run affected today's run. This means that I need to do this challenging run and my "challenging" bike ride regularly/weekly, so I can get some of my strength back.

Week 42: Day 2 - October 18, 2016

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.52 miles; time = 1:05:18; average pace @ 11:50
• easy WALK with four dogs = 2.5 miles

While today was nice, this week will be pretty warm. I hope it is only for this week and it will start to get/feel cooler next week..for the next few months. I can't wait for cooler/cold weather!

Week 41: Day 7 - October 16, 2016

• long road/trail run (solo) = 9.13 miles; time = 1:49:28; average pace @ 11:59
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles
• local bike ride = 15.12 miles; time = 1:20:00; average pace @ 11.3 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 23.38

Total Monthly Mileage: 54.47

Total Yearly Mileage: 717.44

Total Shoe Mileage: 129.84

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 30.87

Total Monthly Mileage: 170.90

Total Yearly Mileage: 1485.06

My legs felt a little heavy this morning, but I did not feel sore at anytime though and that was a good thing. I'm guessing that it was because I did a run yesterday and I don't normally do a run on Saturday mornings (it has been awhile since I've done a Saturday morning run) because I'm at work (my boss knew that I was doing a 10K run in the morning).

I've signed up for a Beach Fun event, 15K run. It will be next Sunday morning because it works/fits well into my training schedule and I need/want to do another 9-ish mile training run. Even though I had just done a race yesterday, I somewhat want to make sure that I get another race in as training for motivation and to avoid getting bored. After all, I have another eight weeks of training left until half marathon race day. It is the only way I will run with other people. The half marathon is on Sunday, December 11. I found another 15k race event on Sunday, December 04. I did not sign up for that yet as it is questionable if I will do it (most likely, I will) because that one fits into my training schedule and that is when I start tapering.

Week 41: Day 6 - October 15, 2016

• Race For The Rescues 10K run with one dog = 6.21 miles; time = 1:06:16; pace @ 10:40
• easy walk with three dogs = 2 miles

I did my pet charity 10k run/race this morning. I did the same last year and it was warmer last year. Although I would have preferred blistering cold this morning, the weather was nicer and more tolerable than last year. I don't think I will do this race again though. I paid an extra $15 to have my dog run with me in the race. On the website, it says that "registered" dogs (people who paid extra to bring their dogs) get something as well. I didn't get anything for my dog last year or this morning. So I feel like I'm being cheated or robbed. If I do this race again, I will still bring my dog, but I am not paying the extra $15. But at the same time, I'm probably being greedy and selfish because it was a charity event for animals in need.

I told my boss yesterday that I was running the 10k with my dog (who is little) in the morning with her longest run being 7.2 miles. Then she said "As she croaks" ("she" being my dog). This really bugged me because I spent three years training with my dog so she could do these 10K runs with me. She has already done four 10k races (including today) with me. The longest run that my dog has done is 7.2 miles and she has 6.6 miles many times with me. I am not making my dog run at full speed. I do not know how fast she can run at full speed, but I will never find out (or am willing to find out) because I do not like speed work (sprinting, tempo run, etc). She is running at a casual easy pace with me even though I don't feel like I'm running that easy. My average pace is 6 mph and I know she can run way faster than that at full speed. I told all of this to my boss. My boss automatically assumed that I was making my dog sprint the whole way and just because she (my dog) is small and has shorter legs than big dogs, she can't run. Dogs, regardless of size and breed, are like people. They need to train and learn how to run so they can reach a certain distance. It really bugged me when my boss thought that my dog would die from running six miles or seven miles after she has done four 10k runs, a 7.2 mile run, and many 6.6 mile runs in three years.

Week 41: Day 3 - October 12, 2016

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 4.74 miles; time = 56:46; pace @ 11:59
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I feel so much better today and woke up much rested. While I had only six hours of sleep, it was a quality sleep. It was overcast/cloudy this morning and normally, this would make me feel lazy and sleepy, I was happy to go for a run. Tomorrow is a rest day because I have a 10k on Saturday. I will probably not be riding part way or the whole way to work on Friday because the weather calls for cloudy/overcast. I'm weird when it comes to bicycle weather vs weather for other reasons, especially for running. I like sunny (or clear skies) and a little warmth.

Week 41: Day 2 - October 11, 2016

• hilly trail RUN with one dog = 1.1 miles; time = 14:32; pace @ 13:15
• warm up = 1.1 mile
• cool down = 1.1 mile
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

Yesterday, I felt tired and mentally struggled during my bike ride. I've finally figured out why I don't feel rested even though I've actually feel normal during my last few runs. My bedroom is being remodeled (it is done now). Believe it or not, I purposely do not have a bed or a mattress. I sleep on the floor and I have actually been sleeping well like this. So while my room was being remodeled for a few days, I had been sleeping on the couch with a futon which was made with springs and that was uncomfortable. I felt more rested on the floor! Except instead of carpet that used to be in my room, I have hardwood floors now. I may have to stop by Bed Bath & Beyond soon to pick something up to make it feel like I'm still sleeping on carpet. I can finally catch up on sleep! I felt fine during my run this morning, but my lack of sleep and rest is finally catching up with me.

Week 41: Day 1 - October 10, 2016

• bike commute to work = 15.75 miles total; time = 1:22:04; pace @ 11.5 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles

I was going to start from my house for my ride to work, but I wasn't feeling it. I decided to drive to the mall, park my car there and go to work by bike from there. I felt better just for simply doing some sort of exercise, but I still mentally struggled with the ride. My average bike speed was slower than normal. I really think that I need to catch up on sleep.

Week 40: Day 7 - October 09, 2016

• long run (solo) = 8.28 miles; time = 1:36:30; pace @ 11:39
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 22.99

Total Monthly Mileage: 31.09

Total Yearly Mileage: 694.06

Total Shoe Mileage: 106.46

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 75.86

Total Monthly Mileage: 140.03

Total Yearly Mileage: 1454.19

I've checked the weather forecast just for the upcoming week, mainly for next Saturday because I have the Race For The Rescues 10K run in the morning. The whole week looks pretty good. When I did the Race For The Rescues 10K last year, it was pretty warm and uncomfortable for my dog and I, although I think my dog struggled with the weather more than I did because you know, she has/had a fur coat on. I really appreciate the cooler weather these days now. It is still not exactly where I want it to be, but it is better than hot, humid and uncomfortable like last year. I've been running one minute per mile faster now because it has been feeling cooler.

Week 40: Day 5 - October 07, 2016

• bike commute to work = 37.96 miles total/round trip; time = 3:02:40; pace @ 12.5 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.4 miles

I need to catch up on sleep. Even though I went to work this morning and came home in the afternoon, I wasn't able to take a nap when I came back. It's hard to get a decent amount of sleep if I'm working in the morning because I want to ride to work. I have to be awake by 4:15am to eat something, get dressed, walk my dogs for a few minutes, and pack my stuff onto my bike, so I could leave by 5:20am. Fridays are not my normal work day (I covered someone's shift this morning and I have to do this again next Friday morning), so it is a little harder to fit in sleep because I work on Thursday evenings until 7pm. I need to figure out a way to make myself be in bed by 10pm (or earlier) on Sunday night because I don't work on Sundays or go to bed early on Saturday nights.

Week 40: Day 4 - October 06, 2016

• trail/road RUN with one dog = 6.15 miles; time = 1:12:58; pace @ 11:52
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I don't want to jinx this, but I'm really enjoying the cooler morning temperature/weather these days. Last October, it was uncomfortable and not fun. I didn't do any races during that month, but it was really uncomfortable and ridiculous on Sunday, October 10 with a daytime high of 100 degrees F. There was a local half/full marathon and 5K that day. The full marathon originally started at 6am and the half marathon originally started at 7:30am, but the half marathon changed the start time to 6am or 6:30am for the safety of the participants. The same local race is this weekend and everyone participating will have nice weather to start with, even though I am not doing the race.

Week 40: Day 3 - October 05, 2016

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.26 miles; time = 1:01:22; pace @ 11:40
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.5 miles

I had my vivosmart watch for two days and used it on two runs. I already have some complaints about it. One I can just deal with and made some minor changes to it even though I don't like the change. The other one, I hope it was just a glitch and I hope it was just a one time thing. Otherwise, the watch is good and I like it so far.

Week 40: Day 2 - October 04, 2016

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

I recently purchased a Garmin Vivosmart+HR. It has a built-in heart rate monitor and GPS. It also can detect cycling movements/motion. These features were what sold me on getting this watch. I am still going to map out and plan all of my runs ahead of time because this is what I like to do. I like to know where I am going and how far to run before doing a run. The gps comes in handy for some of my runs because there are lots of trees that cover up the trails/path and I can't see in satellite imaging on mapmyrun. The gps is not that far off (about .05) compared to my runs/routes, so that is good. I had it shipped to my PO Box. Too bad, I didn't have it shipped to my house because I would have gotten it on Saturday (I had to wait until yesterday afternoon to pick it up because I was working all day on Saturday and I had to pick it up at the counter at the post office). I would have tried it out on two runs (Sunday and today) and a bike ride (yesterday). I'll have a better review in a week or so after a few runs and a bike ride or two.

Week 40: Day 1 - October 03, 2016

• bike commute to work = 37.9 miles; time = 3:02:38; pace @ 12.5 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles

My commute to work on bike in the morning wasn't as scary as I thought even though I was riding in the dark for the first hour. It was kinda fun, but I bet some of the drivers thought I was crazy for riding in the dark. I also had to hope that I didn't get a flat tire somewhere. Some parts of my ride didn't have any street lights for a long time and I didn't want to change a flat where I couldn't see what I was doing. I had enough lights from passing cars to light my way on the street.

Week 39: Day 7 - October 02, 2016

• long RUN (solo) = 8.1 miles; time = 1:35:34; pace @ 11:48
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.5 miles

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 22.25
Total Monthly (September) Mileage: 89.02
Total Monthly (October) Mileage: 8.1
Total Yearly Mileage: 671.07
Total Shoe Mileage: 83.47

Cycling: 
Total Weekly Mileage: 12.7
Total Monthly (September) Mileage: 64.17
Total Yearly Mileage: 1378.33

I felt pretty good during the run this morning. I think it helped that it was on the cooler side. I hope that the weather will start to get cooler now and for the rest of my training...or ideally until next March.