Week 17: Day 7 - April 30, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.61 miles; time = 56:00; average pace @ 12:09
• group bike ride = 20.30 miles; time = 1:30:32; average speed @ 13.5 mph
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• easy walk ("food run") = 2.05 miles

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 20.56

Total Monthly Mileage: 94.36

Total Yearly Mileage: 331.06

Total Shoe Mileage: 354.33

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 36.08

Total Monthly Mileage: 238.99

Total Yearly Mileage: 815.65

I felt like I didn't want to run this morning. My legs complained at me a little bit, but my legs felt totally fine during the group bike ride after the run...go figure! I had planned to do my training ride on my planned route with the 11% grade hill  this morning, but decided to ride with a group instead. I hope that by riding with other people will make me feel better than fine riding to work tomorrow! I plan to do the full distance ride tomorrow, starting and ending at my house instead of doing the shorter version, commuting to work. Worse case scenario would be that I take the bus during my commute home.

I was going to do a ride after work yesterday, but I was really tired and I couldn't find the motivation when I got home.

Week 17: Day 5 - April 28, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.21 miles; time = 1:00:04; average pace @ 11:32
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I felt great running this morning. Who knew! I would have gotten a bike ride in today, but having to be at work made me lazy. I could have done one because I had the time, but I was feeling tired. I didn't attempt to take a nap though.

Week 17: Day 3 - April 26, 2017

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.46 miles; time = 1:04:05; average pace @ 11:44
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I did go for a run this morning, but out of laziness, I did not get in the car and go for a run in a different area. I felt so much better running this morning. I had know idea what was wrong with me and why all of a sudden I felt so differently about running. Tomorrow is still a rest day anyway.

Week 17: Day 2 - April 25, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.28 miles; time = 1:05:27; average pace @ 12:27
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

My legs really did not want to run this morning! I attempted to take a nap after the run because sometimes a nap will work. I just laid there wide awake with my eyes closed. I've come to the conclusion that I either need to take a break (non-running day) tomorrow or get in the car and go run somewhere else....although a nap sounds like a very good idea! It has been three weeks since I got in the car to run somewhere else. I may just be bored of looking at the same scenery every week because I've basically been doing the same runs. On the other hand, it has been four months since I missed/skipped a planned running day.

Week 17: Day 1 - April 24, 2017

• commute (bike) to work/back to car = 15.78 miles round trip; time = 1:22:28; average speed @ 11.5 mph
• commute to work = 7.89 miles; time = 40:15; average speed @ 11.8 mph
• commute back to car at mall = 7.89 miles; time = 42:13; average speed @ 11.2 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles
• group hike = 6.2 miles

I went to work by bike today and did the shorter commute by starting/ending at the mall because I was on a time limit after work. I am glad that I decided to do this though. On the way to work, I thought that my legs felt sore from the ride and run yesterday and I was tired. It didn't help that it was cloudy and cold this morning. It turned out that my legs sorta didn't want to ride and my legs were just complaining a little bit at me. I was generally slower going to work. I felt better when I got to work, but I did not feel better going back to my car at the mall. My legs were really complaining at me and I was grumpy at any hills that I had to climb, no matter the size of the hill. Maybe it was that I did too many days (three) in a row on a bike. I don't know? I have to check back on the last time that my legs felt like this and I was glad that I did a shorter commute to work. Maybe it is a good thing that I am not doing more rides in the time limit that I have this week. When my legs felt like this last time, I felt fine running the next day. I guess I will find out tomorrow morning if my legs will let me run or not.

Anyway, I did a hike with a cycling group this evening. Also, if you have been following my blog since last week, you would that I lost my keys on a hike last Monday. Someone found them for me and dropped them off at a school near the hike starting/ending point. I went there to pick up my keys today and I wanted to make sure that I got there before the school office closed (I didn't know what time they closed the office for the day) which was why I did a shorter commute to work.

Week 16: Day 7 - April 23, 2017

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 6.24 miles; time = 1:15:37; average pace @ 12:07
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• training (bike) ride = 22.72 miles; time = 1:46:54; average speed @ 12.8 mph

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 20.73
Total Monthly Mileage: 73.80
Total Yearly Mileage: 310.50
Total Shoe Mileage: 333.77

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 73.21
Total Monthly Mileage: 202.91
Total Yearly Mileage: 779.57

Today felt so much cooler than yesterday...by about 10 to 13 F degrees. I was mentally complaining to myself that it was so warm at 8am yesterday.

I am riding to work tomorrow, but a shorter version, starting and ending at the mall (halfway point between home and work). I don't want to completely skip a ride, but I'm also on a time limit after work. On today's ride, I went to the mall to make up for not doing that portion of the commute tomorrow. Next week will be my shortest week in terms of mileage for cycling. Between an extra day at work and a photography group meeting, I don't have a lot of time to fit in cycling. Perhaps, I will skip a run like on Wednesday and do a ride instead?

Week 16: Day 6 - April 22, 2017

• training (bike) ride = 13.35 miles; time = 1:13:14; average speed @ 10.9 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.7 miles

I decided at the last minute to do a ride with hill training this afternoon after work. I have decided to do a different (longer) ride/route tomorrow because I'm doing a shorter ride (from the mall...halfway point between work and home) to work on Monday. I am picking up my keys on Monday after work before I go on a hike with the cycling group. I didn't want to skip a ride completely and something for training is better than nothing....

Week 16: Day 5 - April 21, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.49 miles; time = 1:05:19; average pace @ 11:54
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

Summer is basically here....NO! It was so hot today...and it will be hot again tomorrow. I felt okay during the run this morning, but I was melting during the daytime. I could have been okay riding in 80 or 90 something degrees and I had planned to ride, but I was lazy! Monday will be the coolest day next week....the rest of the week will be warm! 80s and higher! Maybe I shouldn't be complaining so much. It's not even humid. Humidity drives me more insane.

Week 16: Day 3 - April 19, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.5 miles; time = 56:22; average pace @ 12:33
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

It was overcast/cloudy this morning, but there were like pockets of blue sky, so the air wasn't as "stuffy" as yesterday. I'm also not sore anymore...finally. Reminder to self: don't try to be overly ambitious with distance or hills on the day before riding to work....

Week 16: Day 2 - April 18, 2017

• trail RUN with one dog = 4.5 miles; time = 56:27; average pace @ 12:33
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

I did not enjoy my run this morning at all. It was overcast/cloudy and when it is like that, it feels like being in a stuffy room with no AC or opened windows. It took me 20 minutes into the run to realize this. Having sore muscles (still) was icing on the cake and didn't help very much. I still have sore muscles. I hope they are better tomorrow.

Week 16: Day 1 - April 17, 2017

• bike commute to work/home = 37.14 miles total; time = 3:03:20; average speed @ 12.2 mph
• commute to work = 18.60 miles; time = 1:31:34; average speed @ 12.2 mph
• commute home = 18.54 miles; time = 1:32:46; average speed @ 12 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles
• hiking with group = 6.3 miles; time = 2:15:05; average pace @ 21:27

I didn't realize that I was sore until I started riding to work this morning. It must be from yesterday's ride or a combination of the ride and the run. I don't think I would get sore just from the run. The ride was longer than usual and had some pretty decent/good hills throughout. I wouldn't doubt that my soreness was just from yesterday's ride alone. I didn't notice any soreness from walking after riding, although I didn't walk on any obvious hills. But anyway...I didn't exactly feel thrilled to ride home today, but I felt better than last week.

I went on a hike with my cycling group this evening. I'm not sure if hiking is good for cycling, but I know that it is good for runners. But I also wanted to get in my daily step goal. On days that I don't run (three days a week), I barely put in 10,000 steps which is pretty low compared to days that I do run. I don't like to walk for general exercise. (I think I may have lost my keys at the hike location...let's hope that I left it in the restroom and that they are still there....and not lost on the trail somewhere.)

Week 15: Day 7 - April 16, 2017

• trail/road RUN with one dog = 6 miles; time = 1:13:07; average pace @ 12:11
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• training ride (bike) = 18.23 miles; time = 1:34:11; average speed @ 11.6 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 21.07

Total Monthly Mileage: 53.07

Total Yearly Mileage: 289.77

Total Shoe Mileage: 313.04

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 49.90

Total Monthly Mileage: 129.70

Total Yearly Mileage: 706.36

Laziness was kicking in and I almost did not want to go for a training ride. I think I just didn't want to do any training on challenging hills, but I did it anyway and I felt better afterwards. On the hill with the 11% grade, I made it up .3 miles of the way before taking a break. Then I took another break .1 mile later after that. The total distance just for this hill was .9 mile and I made it up the rest of the way after the second break. This means that I'm getting better/stronger. My next goal is to make it up the hill a little further before taking a break. My ultimate goal is to make it up the hill to the top without stopping and I know I will get there in due time. Anyway, I did a longer than normal ride today to make up for the missed miles from Monday because I took the bus during the commute home. I didn't have a runner's high, but I felt like doing a six mile run this morning.

Week 15: Day 5 - April 14, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.06 miles; time = 1:00:51; average pace @ 12:02
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

Between having to work this afternoon (covering for someone else) and being lazy, I didn't get a bike ride in today. I was going to do it yesterday after work, but I was feeling very tired (I almost fell asleep at work). It was too windy yesterday anyway. I'll just done one on Sunday after my run.

Week 15: Day 3 - April 12, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.18 miles; time = 1:03:23; average pace @ 12:14
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

It was nice and cold this morning. I enjoyed being the weather. The run was okay, but I wasn't feeling unmotivated at least.

Week 15: Day 2 - April 11, 2017

• easy RUN (solo) = 4.83 miles; time = 59:21; average pace @ 12:14
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles

I felt a little better this morning. I did a run this morning on a trail that I hadn't done in awhile. I usually only do this trail for fun, although I could use it as training for a 10k. It had a lot of rolling hills, but they were some good hills that would work for running legs. I didn't take my dog with me on this trail. The last time that I did run this trail, it had (still has) lots of rocks. It also passed by a lot of people's backyards and someone was making a new wall for his/her backyard, so there were a lot of nails. Except for the rocks, it looked cleaner this morning, although I don't trust my own eyes and am still concern for my dog's feet getting cuts and injuries.

Week 15: Day 1 - April 10, 2017

• commute (bike) to work/home = 31.67 miles total; time = 2:43:09; average speed @ 11.7 mph
• commute to work = 18.66 miles; time = 1:32:35; average speed @ 12.1 mph
• commute home = 13.01 miles; time = 1:10:34; average speed @ 11.1 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• hike with cycling meet up group = 7 miles; time = 2:23:09; average pace @ 20:27

I didn't want to ride/commute to work this morning, but I went anyway because I wanted to put in the miles for training. I figured I would feel better when I got to work and I did, but I did not feel better going home. I was very tired/sleepy, a little grumpy, and my legs didn't want to ride. Attempting to ride home was very slow...slower than usual. So, I took the bus as part of the commute. I didn't even enjoy walking with my dogs when I got home, however, I felt better when I went on a hike this evening with a group! Funny how that works. I hope I feel better (motivation-wise) tomorrow morning for my run!

Week 14: Day 7 - April 09, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.75 miles; time = 1:09:21; average pace @ 12:04
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• training (bike) ride = 15.44 miles; time = 1:10:08; average speed @ 11.5 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 21.12

Total Monthly Mileage: 32.00

Total Yearly Mileage: 268.70

Total Shoe Mileage: 291.97

Cycling:

Total Weekly Mileage: 66.27

Total Monthly Mileage: 79.80

Total Yearly Mileage: 656.46

The last two rides that I did on a hill with an 11% grade, I had to take several rest breaks on the hill. The first time had about seven to eight yet short breaks. The last time had about five to six yet longer breaks. I guess that evens out the breaks between both of the rides? I took two breaks during today's ride. They were a bit long, but I still only took two breaks up the hill. This is progress! The "Finish The Ride" event is in six weeks. I have six weeks to master this hill. I will conquer it in that time frame and will get to the top without stopping for any breaks!

Week 14: Day 5 - April 07, 2017

• hilly trail RUN (solo) part 1 = 3.9 miles; time = 47:06; average pace @ 12:05
• hilly trail RUN (solo) part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 14:13; average pace @ 12:55
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• training ride (bike) = 15.86 miles; time = 1:14:49; average speed @ 12.7 mph

I got lazy and did a training ride (bike) on a not so challenging route. I think maybe I got overambitious with running on challenging hills this morning that my legs weren't up for more challenging hills on a bike....even though I don't really feel sore right now. Maybe I will do my training ride on my challenging hill route on Sunday.

Week 14: Day 3 - April 05, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.3 miles; time = 1:03:11; average pace @ 11:55
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I did a run this morning and went through a school zone during prime "rush hour" to finish my run. I knew that I should not have done that...one kid was walking to school and was looking up (most kids are looking at their phones when they walk to school), but he didn't see me because he was staring into space. He almost walked into me, but to avoid crashing, I got too close to a chain link fence and my shoe got caught in that, causing me to trip in front of everyone. I was mad. I knew that I should have changed my route to avoid prime school traffic, but I didn't listen to myself. I thought I would have been okay. For a long time, I had been good about avoiding the school zone during prime time....to avoid kids looking at their phones and to avoid getting hit by a parent in a hurry to go to work, ignoring foot traffic (there have been a few kids who did get hit by someone's parent because the parent was only paying attention to car traffic and ignoring the many kids walking to school).

Week 14: Day 2 - April 04, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.07 miles; time = 1:02:12; average pace @ 12:14
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I didn't feel like I caught on sleep last night. I woke up feeling a little sore and a little tired/sleepy. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing? Maybe it's a good thing that I really had a great work out day yesterday? Maybe I'll sleep better tonight?

Week 14: Day 1 - April 03, 2017

• bike commute to work/home = 36.97 miles total; time = 2:59:37; average speed @ 12.3 mph
• commute to work = 18.57 miles; time = 1:30:30; average speed @ 12.3 mph
• commute home = 18.40 miles; time = 1:29:07; average speed @ 12.4 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles
• hike with meetup group = 6.44 miles; time = 2:20:21

I almost didn't want to ride to work this morning. I wanted to sleep in an extra hour because I didn't get enough sleep. I told myself that I would feel better once I got to work, and I was right. I felt fine going home.

I am tired...so tired that I can fall asleep easily right now! Riding 37 miles in a day doesn't seem to make me sleepy and tired like it used to. I went on a 6.4 mile hike with a meetup group. Even though it is technically a cycling group, one of the "event hosts" wanted to start hiking.. I'd like to hike more often. It has been a year or so since my last hike...let's hope that all this work out from today will help me sleep better tonight!

Week 13: Day 7 - April 02, 2017

• trail RUN (solo) @ Chino Hills State Park = 5.44 miles; time = 1:06:05; average pace @ 12:09
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles
• training ride (bike) = 13.53 miles; time = 1:12:32; average speed @ 11.2 mph

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 19.14
Total Monthly (March) Mileage: 75.68
Total Monthly (April) Mileage: 10.88
Total Yearly Mileage: 247.58
Total Shoe Mileage: 270.85

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 76.81
Total Monthly (March) Mileage: 337.4
Total Monthly (April) Mileage: 13.53
Total Yearly Mileage: 590.19

With all the extra rain that we recently had in the last three or so months, it was nice to look at a pretty scenery. I used to complain about rain like it was in the way of life and made life uncomfortable. But being a nature person who likes to run outside, I learned to appreciate rain so I can look at a green, "flowery" scenery. Too bad this scenery will look brown and yellow in the summer.

I also took a nap yesterday afternoon. It was really much needed. I came home from work and as soon as I laid down, I fell asleep. Why can't I do this all the time? I'm always tired and a nap always sounds like a good idea!