Week 26: Day 5 - June 30, 2017

• trail run @ Chino Hills State Park = 5.48 miles; time = 1:09:53; average pace @ 12:45
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I went running at the Chino Hills State Park this morning. It felt cool and I needed a change of scenery. I did not feel better than Wednesday morning, so I think I need a break from running...maybe for a week, but after this Sunday, so I can finish the week with a run. Maybe I'll feel better about running on Sunday because I had a change of scenery this morning. I don't know, but I guess I'll find out on Sunday. I took a break five days in a row in May 2016. That was the last time that I took a "long" break from running. I guess it's time.

I had thought about signing up for the Long Beach half Marathon, but training would have to start next week. I think I need a break before I start training for a big race. I opted for the Surf City *half* Marathon. The race will be on 04 February 2018 in Huntington Beach, CA. I start training during the first week of November (technically Halloween week because Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year). For some reason, I thought I had to start training in September. I don't know where I got that idea from, but I don't think I can handle two extra months of training. Five months seem too long to be training for a half marathon anyway. I also plan to do the Firecracker 10K race to be followed two weeks after the half marathon. Anyway, my bike is still broken...after more than two months. It took a back seat because other financial stuff took priority, but I have three to four months to get it fixed and I hope to get it fixed before I start training for my half marathon race.

Week 26: Day 3 - June 28, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 6 miles; time = 1:19:15; average pace @ 13:14
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

This morning was cooler than the last few days, although I didn't really feel better than yesterday. I did feel better than Sunday though. I walked a little bit near the end of my run because I was talking to someone, so my overall time and average pace were slower.

I guess I really need a change of scenery for my next run. Or I just need a break/rest from running for a week. I don't plan to run tomorrow, but I plan to run on Friday morning.

Week 26: Day 2 - June 27, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.10 miles; time = 1:01:14; average pace @ 12:10
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Felt a little unmotivated to run this morning, but felt much better than Sunday. I felt even better during the second half of the run like nothing happened. The temperature was still the same as the last few runs, but this morning didn't feel as humid or muggy. I think that kinda helped.

Week 25: Day 7 - June 26, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.56 miles; time = 1:10:52; average pace @ 12:35
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 19.76
Total Monthly Mileage: 76.83
Total Yearly Mileage: 497.03
Total Shoe Mileage: 127.17

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 0
Total Monthly Mileage: 0
Total Yearly Mileage: 847.99

I can't tell if I'm unmotivated and grumpy from running because I'm bored/burnt out and need to take a few days (more than two) off from running or because of the weather. It was so warm this morning that I took lots of rest break. I really, really struggled to run this morning. I also didn't think of braiding my hair so it got stuck on any exposed sweaty skin. I don't like my hair sticking to my sweaty skin. I will have to get in the car and go run in a different area on Tuesday. I hope I'm just being grumpy and unmotivated because of the weather! It's going to be a very long three (maybe four) months! June is normally not that bad and July/August are our worst summer months, but my body is really complaining! I thought about signing up for a half marathon in October. I'm glad that I didn't because I would have to start training next week...week of July 3rd! The weather is already driving me nuts!

Week 25: Day 4 - June 22, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.8 miles; time = 1:00:32; average pace @ 12:37
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

It was cloudy/overcast this morning. It did feel a little cooler this morning compared to the last two days. I was tempted to walk/rest, but I didn't take any breaks during my runs during the last two days. This morning, the temptation to stop was strong and I took one at 1.6 miles into the run. My motivation crashed. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster during my run because I felt unmotivated when I was going up any hill, no matter how small or easy it was. All the hills that I did this morning...I had done them many thousands of times. My motivation felt okay when on flats and downhill. I think it is a good thing that tomorrow and Saturday are non-running days. My motivation would continue to crash and I need the break. I probably just need to run in a different area so I don't "crash".

Week 25: Day 3 - June 21, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.9 miles; time = 1:00:00; average pace @ 12:15
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Today is the first day of summer, the longest day of the year. This means that cold days are coming! But can cold days come sooner and not later??!?! I'm bursting into flames from the heat/weather today!

Week 25: Day 2 - June 20, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.5 miles; time = 54:53; average pace @ 12:12
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

So warm this morning! Is summer over yet? Does anyone know how to turn off the heater? I'm bursting into flames!

Week 24: Day 7 - June 18, 2017

• easy trail/road RUN with one dog = 5.64 miles; time = 1:09:43; average pace @ 12:22
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 21.61

Total Monthly Mileage: 57.07

Total Yearly Mileage: 477.27

Total Shoe Mileage: 107.41

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 0

Total Monthly Mileage: 0

Total Yearly Mileage: 847.99

So warm this morning! Is summer over yet?? June gloom lasted one week. What happened to that? I thought that it would last the entire month! I don't like summer and I hate hot weather!

Week 24: Day 4 - June 15, 2017

• easy road/trail RUN with one dog = 5.29 miles; time = 1:04:53; average pace @ 12:16
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

The weather wasn't that bad this morning. I already miss cold weather.

Week 24: Day 3 - June 14, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.22 miles; time = 1:01:55; average pace @ 11:54
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

This morning felt a little warmer than yesterday, but I did okay with my run this morning. I checked the weather forecast and summer has finally arrived. It will be mid to upper 90s (almost 100) degrees F for the next seven days. That means that mornings will be 60 something degrees and warm. I am not looking forward to this.

Week 24: Day 2 - June 13, 2017

• trail run (solo) @ Chino Hills State Park = 5.46 miles; time = 1:05:53; average pace @ 12:01
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles

Since I didn't have to work today and I actually had time this morning, I went for a run at Chino Hills State Park. Sometimes I need a change of scenery for a run. I didn't bring my dog with me for safety reasons (coyote sightings). The first half of mile was up a hill with a 13 % grade. I could tell that I lost some endurance/strength. Clearly, I had not been riding my ride in two months. I'll get there eventually...in due time.

Week 23: Day 7 - June 11, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.3 miles; time = 1:03:44; average pace @ 12:00
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total
• walk to work (took bus home) = 2 miles

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 20.97

Total Monthly Mileage: 35.46

Total Yearly Mileage: 455.66

Total Shoe Mileage: 85.8

Cycling:

Total Weekly Mileage: 0

Total Monthly Mileage: 0

Total Yearly Mileage: 847.99

I was exhausted when I woke up this morning, but I was determined to go for a run. I just need to get used to working a lot of hours. 

Also...normally when I take my dogs out for a walk, we do three walks...two very short ones (ten minutes each) and one long one. I felt a little stressed out this morning like I had no time to do anything (run, take a shower, walk my dogs) for being on a time limit before work. I wanted to walk to work and I had to be there at 9am. While I was walking my dogs (the longer walk...after running), I realized that I just needed to work on my organizational skills, then I wouldn't feel so frustrated and stressed with my time management. Instead of going for the longer walk with my dogs, I could have done one of the shorter walks first and then do the longer walk later when I had more time this afternoon. My bike is still broken (after two months) because I have other financial stuff that takes first priority. Once I get my bike fixed, I will be able to go to work in 10 to 12 minutes (it's five minutes by car, so bike is not that much slower) versus 40 minutes by walking.

Week 23: Day 5 June 08, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.81 miles; time = 58:21; average pace @ 12:08
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles total

At my last job, I was only putting in 24 hours/5 days a week. At my new job, I've already put in 26 hours in three days. I'm exhausted! I didn't do a run yesterday morning. I had wanted to, but I was tired. Perhaps it would have been the best time? I woke up a little grumpy yesterday morning after five hours of sleep. I had four hours of sleep last night and I was determined to do a run this morning. I did my run on four hours of sleep. I think I'm having trouble sleeping because I'm working longer hours now and my mind is still in work mode when I leave. I can't turn my mind off. Being busy isn't the problem. When you go from four to five hour shifts to eight to nine hour shifts (almost double the hours), your mind is confused and doesn't know how to react...or know what to do! I'm tired, but my mind has other plans! I guess it will take me three months to finally feel okay. Between my mind being in work mode from work and then trying to keep my running schedule (mornings), I'm tired. I'm tired, but I can't sleep!

Week 22: Day 3 - June 07, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.71 miles; time = 57:34; average pace @ 12:13
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.4 miles total
• walk to work (one way) = 2 miles

I walked to work this afternoon and took the bus home. I was expecting to leave work early and wasn't expecting my boss to ask me to stay longer. Naturally, I didn't say no to staying later because I didn't want to blow my chances of getting full time hours. I really need full time hours and I really need the money. In a way I wish I had known that I would stay later because I could have just drove. Then go home during my lunch break to walk my dogs and then head back to work. Work is close enough that I can drive home, walk my dogs for 15 minutes and then head back to work on time. I got off at 9pm. The bus that I needed to take home where the bus stop was 1/4 mile from home...the last bus was at 9pm and I missed it. I waited for the other bus (same bus stop as the other one...near work) anyway because I didn't feel like walking. The bus stop I got off at for that route was one mile from home. I have no one to blame and get mad at. I should have checked the bus schedule because I would have just walked home instead of waiting one hour for a bus ride and still walking one mile to get home.

Week 23: Day 2 - June 06, 2017

• easy run (solo) =  5.14 miles; time = 1:02:06; average pace @ 12:05
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I didn't bring my dog with me on my run this morning. I just felt like leaving her at home this time.

Note/reminder to self...because I forgot to mention this before. After four days of gloomy weather in the morning, I realized that June Gloom was normal for where I am at. It stays a little gloomier later in the day closer to the beach and the sun comes out earlier when you are more inland. I don't like June Gloom, but I have to remind myself that this is better than hot weather and I hate hot weather. I should also overprepare by bringing too much water with me for a group exercise (hike, bike, kayaking, etc) no matter the weather condition. The sun came out too early on Saturday morning....before my group hike started. I didn't bring enough for the warm weather, so I got a headache from dehydration by the end of the hike. I had lots of water for the group kayaking even though we were at the beach and it was still gloomy by the time we were done.

Week 22: Day 7 - June 04, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.43 miles; time = 1:05:35; average pace @ 12:05
• group kayaking = 3.8 miles; time = 1:39:54
• easy walk with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 23.72

Total Monthly (May) Mileage: 89.14

Total Monthly (June) Mileage: 14.49

Total Yearly Mileage: 434.69

Total Shoe Mileage: 64.83

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 

Total Monthly (May) Mileage: 32.34

Total Monthly (June) Mileage: 0

Total Yearly Mileage: 847.99

I did my run this morning, followed by a short walk with my dogs and then went kayaking with a group from meetup (I did two more walks with my dogs later in the day, one short and longer). I hadn't done any kayaking since 2011. I am not sore from kayaking, but I am a little sore from yesterday's hike after all. It was overcast and gloomy during the kayak the whole time. I guess when you are at the beach, it stays gloomy longer than being 45 miles away from the beach. I did remember my sunglasses this time, but I put it on my head instead of wearing it like normal people.

Also, this was the first time since 2009 that I did five runs in the same week. It may be awhile before I do this again, not that I didn't enjoy it. As far as I know, I have no fitness plans (hike, run, etc) scheduled for next Saturday morning. I think I will bring some ankle weights (or a weighted vest) and a jump rope to a local high school track. The track is also part of the football field. I want to run up and down the stadium stairs with weights and do some jump rope. Now I need to find the motivation to do this!

Week 22: Day 6 - June 03, 2017

• group hike = 7.2 miles; time = 2:07:25
• easy walk with dogs (at home) = 2.1 miles total

I haven't done anything fun on a Saturday morning in a long while because I had been working. Today was my first non-working day in so many months and it was just nice for once. I did a seven mile hike this morning and this time it was with an actual hiking group from meetup. I bought a pair of "active"/sporty sunglasses on Thursday afternoon, specifically for outdoor fitness stuff. Of course, I forgot it this morning. It was overcast when I left my house, but it got very bright and sunny when I was halfway to the hike area. A few weeks ago, I bought a hiking/walking pole (it can also be used as a monopod for my camera...there is a screw on the top) for hikes. And of course, I forgot that and left in my car (it was in my trunk) when I got there. It was okay that I forgot my walking pole because no one else had hiking poles. I still had a good time at the hike, so I guess that was a success?

I am not sore from the hike, so I plan to run tomorrow morning. After the run (and a short walk with my dogs), I am kayaking with a meetup group. The last time that I kayaked was in 2011...that was also the last time that I did anything with this group. It was because of scheduling...thanks to work that got in the way. I hope to remember my sunglasses tomorrow!

Week 22: Day 5 - June 02, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.56 miles; time = 55:38; average pace @ 12:12
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.7 miles total

I bought a pair of "active"/sporty sunglasses yesterday. It was $20 from Target (I was there because I needed new jeans/pants for my new job..my new job officially starts on Monday). I checked the weather forecast and the tv news and online weather said that it would be 89 F degrees today. I assumed it would be very sunny when I got out for a run this morning because it would be nice and warm during the daytime. Yeah....there was no sun. It was cloudy and a little gloomy. The sun did come out eventually and it did warm up, but I didn't get to use my sunglasses because it wasn't bright enough!

Tomorrow also calls for 90 F degrees weather. I will be going for a hike with a hiking group in the morning. I hope it will be bright and sunny in the morning for the hike, so I can wear my sunglasses!

Week 22: Day 4 - June 01, 2017

• easy trail run (solo) = 4.5 miles; time = 52:18; average pace @ 11:37
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I hadn't done a run on a Thursday in a few months because of my work schedule.

I had planned to do two hilly runs this morning. One (3.5 miles) at a local junior college and one (1.1 mile) off campus, but nearby. I already didn't plan to bring my dog with me on these runs. I forgot that I had planned these runs as soon as I stepped out of the house and started walking down the block. I would have to get in the car and drive to these hilly runs, at least to the campus run (which I liked to do first before the off campus run).

Anyway, this morning was overcast and gloomier than yesterday. I knew that it would be overcast, but I had no idea that it would be misty at all this morning and it was mistier than yesterday. It actually felt a little more "stuffy" though.