Week 35: Day 3 - August 30, 2017

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (semi-easy ride) = 14.69 miles; time = 1:24:14; average speed @ 10.5 mph

I did this route that I hadn't done in a few months. The hill had a 9 % grade. I did this route in March until I discovered an 11% grade hill (I would go up the 11% grade hill first and then come down the 9% grade hill). The first few times that I went up this hill with a 9% grade, I struggled to get to the top. It took me a few rides to finally make it to the top without stopping. I did pretty good this morning and I didn't stop at all. I made it to the top without stopping. I did stop at the top for a water break, but that was all. I probably would have done okay going up the hill with an 11% grade, but I'm not quite mentally ready for it. Maybe in a few weeks? Maybe sooner than later? I just wanted to a hill with a 9% grade because I was curious how long it would take me to get to the top and how many times I would have to stop on the way. My LogYourRun account is being wonky right now, so I can't check my cycling history to compare my rides.

I'm donating blood tomorrow, so the only exercise that I'm doing is walking my dogs.

Week 35: Day 2 - August 29, 2017

• easy RUN (solo) = 3.8 miles; time = 49:38; average pace @ 13:04
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I decided to run without my dog. I started my run in half light (half dark, half light)...I wanted to start a little bit early so I could have enough time to run, shower (wait 15 minutes for my sunblock to dry as per instructions on the bottle), and walk my dogs before heading to work. It didn't help that the weather and my almost retired shoes made me run awfully slow. I really struggled with the weather during my run. I was also a little worried about coyotes while running in half light, so that was why I didn't take my dog with me. I think I will run solo for the rest of the week so I can start earlier, in half light, so I don't have to worry about coyote attacks....and it will be ridiculously hot all week! I can't wait for summer to be over!

Week 34: Day 7 - August 27, 2017

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 18.58
Total Monthly Mileage: 72.52
Total Yearly Mileage: 650.61
Total Shoe Mileage: 280.75

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 45.65
Total Monthly Mileage: 83.57
Total Yearly Mileage: 931.56

I'm mainly just updating my mileage. Except for walking my dogs, I didn't do any other work outs. I originally had thought that I wanted to get a ride in tomorrow morning, but at the last minute (this morning), I found out that I have to work in the morning. I could ride in the afternoon after I get home from work, but that is a BIG maybe.

Week 34: Day 6 - August 26, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.13 miles; time = 1:05:47; average pace @ 12:49
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Yesterday, I said that I would wait until Sunday (tomorrow) to do a run. I did a run this morning instead. For the next few days, starting tomorrow, it will be insanely hot around 100 F degrees. Summer was mild for a few weeks. Hot days came back with a vengeance. I definitely will not be doing a run tomorrow since I did one today. I want to get a "long" walk with my dogs in the morning early as possible (without being in the dark) followed by two short walks later in the day. Since my dogs have fur, it's harder for them to be out in the heat. I am not really sure if I will do a bike ride tomorrow. Maybe Monday morning. I can handle 80 to low 90-something F degrees on a bike. I am not sure what I'm going to do about Tuesday. Skip a run so I can walk my dogs earlier in the morning?

Week 34: Day 5 - August 25, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.29 miles; time = 44:02; average pace @ 13:23
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling = 20.50 miles; time = 2:03:45; average speed @ 9.9 mph

I've decided that I'm going to continue running in my current shoes until next weekend to make them to almost 300 miles before retiring them even though my legs and feet are not having it and really need to be in new shoes. I thought about taking a "vacation" from running next week, but decided that I wanted to just finish running in my current shoes so I can be done with them forever after next weekend.

I went for a bike ride on a totally new route. Well, technically I did the first three miles as part of my 19 mile ride last week. The first 11 miles, I've done many times and then decided to add to it. Anyway, in today's ride...I was starting to regret doing the ride after the first three miles when I noticed that I was going on a never hill, but I kept riding. I knew that most my ride would be hilly, but I didn't know how tough or for how long. My ride finally got easier after 11 miles, but I kinda forgot about how tough my ride was six miles into my ride when I realized how scenic it was. It was scenic during the entire ride. I kinda knew that before heading out for my ride because I did a satellite imaging when I was figuring out where I was going. I am not sure when I will do this route again, but I'd like to do this route again in the future. My ride was tough enough that I feel like I don't need to do another ride tomorrow. I don't plan to run tomorrow, but I will on Sunday. I'm slightly sore right now, but I am probably going to be a bit more sore tomorrow!

I have NO plans to do a full marathons, but I guess I have three routes for a few runs in lengths of 19 to 22 miles if I ever so choose do a marathon!

Week 34: Day 4 - August 24, 2017

• easy walk with my dogs (@ home) = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (easy ride) = 10.05 miles; time = 45:53; average speed @ 13.1 mph
• volunteering: walk dogs @ pet rescue shelter = 2.25 miles; (9 dogs x 1/4 mile each)

I felt a lot better riding today.

I didn't run today, but I did some volunteering at a local pet rescue shelter and walked some dogs. I am not 100% if I will run tomorrow. I guess I'll have to wait for morning.

Week 34: Day 3 - August 23, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.75 miles; time = 1:03:40; average pace @ 13:24
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (easy ride) 15.1 miles; time = 1:25:10; average speed @ 10.6  mph

I've come to the conclusion that my feet/calf muscular problem is a result of just needing new shoes. While I sorta think that I still need a massage, let's start with the shoes first. I was hoping that I could last two more months with my current shoes, but I think my legs/feet are just not having it. It kinda makes me sad because my shoes hasn't reached 300 miles yet. I had the same muscular problem last year and again in 2013. I did get a massage, but that only helped a little bit and the problem went away when I got new shoes to run in for both times. Maybe I do need a massage, but I probably need a deep tissue massage or sports massage to really work out my muscular problem if it keeps coming back. I have already bought a new pair of shoes, but I'm debating on when to start running in them.....next week or the week after? Definitely not this week. I have to get another pair of shoes in October and train in two pairs until my now new shoes have reached a certain distance....or when my feet/legs start complaining at me. Then I can finish my training with one pair of shoes until the end of February 2018 after my 10k race.

I also got my bike ride in. All of my excitement after getting my bike fixed and riding again finally wore off. I didn't feel very motivated. I don't plan to run tomorrow, but I plan to ride and I hope I'll feel better in the morning about it.

Week 34: Day 2 - August 22, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.41 miles; time = 1:08:01; average pace @ 12:34
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

This morning felt so much cooler and I actually enjoyed my run. I wish it would be even more cooler though. I guess I'll have to wait a few weeks or months for that. I'm not 100% sure yet if I will run tomorrow or wait until Friday (cutting back) to run again.

Week 33: Day 7 - August 20, 2017

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (easy ride) = 8.4 miles; time = 41:36; average speed @ 12.1 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.62

Total Monthly Mileage: 53.94

Total Yearly Mileage: 632.03

Total Shoe Mileage: 262.17

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 37.92

Total Monthly Mileage: 37.92

Total Yearly Mileage: 885.91

My crotch was a little sore at the beginning of the ride this morning, but felt pretty good after a few minutes. My legs felt great despite the 19 mile ride from yesterday. Even though I am always feeling tired and I am not exactly feeling too motivated to run, I feel really motivated to ride my bike now that it is fixed and working awesome! I'm kinda debating taking a break from running for a week or so and then ride in the meantime. Maybe this will make me enjoy my runs again?

I also need to figure out how to take a nap after my run or ride. I used to be able to do this...go for a run (then show), immediately followed by a nap and then go to work (in the afternoon). If I didn't take a nap, I would be struggling to stay awake and I would be dying for sleep at 7pm. I am not struggling or dying for sleep mid-shift at work, but I am always tired and I'm struggling during my runs because I need sleep.

Week 33: Day 6 - August 19, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.8 miles; time = 48:04; average pace @ 12:39
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling = 19.11 miles; time = 1:43:12; average pace @ 11.1 mph

I don't like when someone thinks they know more about my fitness level than I do and act like a know-it-all. According to someone from my cycling group on meetup, I'm out of shape and basically back to square one because I didn't ride my bike for two and a half months and I should do a short, easy ride with the group (9.5 miles, but will take 2.5 hours to complete). Before yesterday, I put in 848 miles on my bike this year and I put in 1,702 miles last year. It had only been two and a half months since I rode my bike. That doesn't automatically make me out of shape. I told the person that I could easily do a 20 mile ride if I wanted to. I got a 19 mile ride in today even though my mind was going back and forth between "Why am I doing this route? I should have picked an easier route." "Just go and do it!" "No, I don't want to!" "I can do it!" "Here is my chance...if I turn now, I can go home now!" My crotch was a little sore from yesterday's ride, but I was fine overall. I am also not sore at all right now after doing a 19 mile ride, although I may regret it and pay for it tomorrow. I don't plan to do a run tomorrow, but I want to do a short ride like eight miles in the morning, but it won't take me more than 45 minutes (time includes stopping for red lights) to complete....not two and a half hours.

A little warning to everyone. Unless I ask, don't offer fitness advice to me. I may become argumentative and I definitely will not listen to you. I'm sure people have given me unsolicited advice about other things in life, however, I don't remember them because I usually ignore people and I generally don't get unsolicited advice about other things that often.

Week 33: Day 5 - August 18, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 3.29 miles; time = 44:07; average pace @ 13:25
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total
• easy bike ride = 10.41 miles; time = 49:40; average pace @ 12.6 mph

I think I can't blame the weather anymore. It felt nice (not perfect in my mind, but good enough) this morning, but I felt like I needed to catch up on sleep. I'm always tired.

I finally got around to getting my bike fixed and I got it back this afternoon. Guess what the first thing that I did after I got it back? Go for a 10.4 mile ride! Okay, I actually went home and then ate first. But I was so excited to get it back and I couldn't wait to go for a ride! It had been sitting at home, broken, for two and a half months since I crashed on May 1. I've lost some endurance/strength (although not completely) in my running because I hadn't been riding for two and a half months. Riding a bike really does/did help with my running. With new parts on my bike, I felt like I didn't lose any endurance in my riding. It was like I had been riding this whole time. I even felt stronger riding than before! I put in 1,702 miles on my bike last year. As of now, I did 858 miles this year. I have a lot of catching up to do if I want to match last year's bike mileage. I guess I will be extra tired because I won't be sleeping. Who needs sleep?! Sleep is overrated anyway! I start training for my half marathon during Halloween Week (or first week of November). I get to start "pre-training"...lots of solo rides and even rides with my friends!

I guess bikes are like cars to an extent. You get flat tires on a bike and bikes can break like cars do. You also have to obey traffic laws. The difference is that a car is faster (more expensive and makes you fat). You can't call AAA if you get a flat tire on your bike or get a tow if your bike breaks down somewhere. (If your bike breaks down somewhere, you're basically tough out of luck. You're not tough out of luck with a flat tire as long as you have a spare tube and you know how to change a flat.) I hope I don't get into more crashes this year.  I also hope that this is the year that I don't get anymore flats!

Week 33: Day 3 - August 16, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.86; time = 1:02:25; average pace @ 12:51
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

While I am still going to blame the weather until it changes to much cooler/cold temperatures, I think I'm going to blame lack of sleep for how I'm feeling a bit unmotivated. I'm always tired and I am not getting enough sleep because I'm working late. To make things worse, I seem interested in going online checking facebook or email until 1am knowing that I want to go for a run at 6am. I need to stop this habit!

I finally took my bike into the bike shop to get it fixed. It has been sitting broken in my garage since May 1. That is 2 1/2 months! I finally thought to myself, screw it! It needs to get fixed and it won't fix itself! I will get my bike back on Friday. I hope it feels good as new!

Week 33: Day 2 - August 15, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 5.67 miles; time = 1:13:48; average pace @ 13:22
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

While I still do need to get a massage, my muscular problem didn't bother me this morning. It was overcast/cloudy this morning. While I was really interested in sleeping in, I told myself that I should get a run in so I could say that I did it. But I really struggled to run this morning. It was like my legs didn't want to go out for a run, but I felt better at around two miles.

Week 32: Day 7 - August 13, 2017

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 19.03
Total Monthly Mileage: 36.32
Total Yearly Mileage: 614.41
Total Shoe Mileage: 244.55

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

I had every intentions to do some stadium stair steps/climb and jumping rope at a local high school. I walked to the football stadium/track only to find out that the gates were locked. I had enough motivation to head out and it helped that it was a bit cool and overcast this morning, but it got killed when I got there. Well, too bad.

Week 32: Day 6 - August 12, 2017

• trail run (solo) @ Chino Hills State Park = 5.44 miles; time = 1:13:06; average pace @ 13:26
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I didn't run faster, but I felt like I did. I felt so much better running this morning since I ran in a different scenery. It felt cooler this morning.

Week 32: Day 5 - August 11, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.93 miles; time = 52:21; average pace @ 13:21
• kayaking = 3.8 miles; time = 1:41:32
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Between the weather and needing a massage, I didn't really enjoy my run this morning. I really can't wait for summer to be over with! This year's summer definitely feels more humid than last year and I'm glad that I didn't sign up for any races in October. I get the feeling that October will be pretty warm this year too. This will probably not help, but I plan to get in my car and take myself somewhere else for a run in a different scenery. I need a different scenery to run in once in awhile anyway.

I also went kayaking with a kayaking group from meetup this morning after my run.

Week 32: Day 3 - August 09, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.66 miles; time = 1:00:59; average pace @ 13:05
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

I think I need to look into sports massage. I think I can't blame the weather this time. My calf muscles felt tight and my feet were a tiny bit sore running this morning. My feet were a tiny bit sore because of my calf muscles. I know this because I had this issue before. I did get a massage a few months ago and it did help, but the massage place doesn't specialize in sports massage and my issue is coming back again. I really need this problem worked out....even if it comes back later on, it'll be good for me anyway.

Week 32: Day 2 - August 08, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5 miles; time = 1:05:12; average pace @ 13:05
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Turned out that I became sore from my Sunday morning work out, but it was mainly from running up and down the stairs/steps at the high school football stadium. My quads were sore. If I tried a little harder, I might have been sore in other places from jumping rope? My house is two stories and my bedroom is upstairs. I had a hard time going down the stairs yesterday morning. My legs felt a little better this morning, but my legs wanted to give me troubles during my run anyway and acted heavier.

Week 31: Day 7 - August 06, 2017

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• stair step/stadium run = 10 minutes
• jump rope = 10 sets of 3 minute jumping + 1 minute rest in between

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.29

Total Monthly Mileage: 17.29

Total Yearly Mileage: 595.38

Total Shoe Mileage: 225.52

Cycling:

Total Weekly Mileage: 0

Total Monthly Mileage: 0

Total Yearly Mileage: 847.99

After I walked my dogs (2 miles) this morning, I had enough motivation to head to a local high school football stadium for some stadium stair stepping and jump rope (the football stadium + track is open to the public for use during the weekend...during the summertime, I think it is open to the public on weekdays, but I think after a certain time and I'm not sure what time this would be). I had to "run" with it while I had the motivation. I lost count how many times I went up/down the steps/stairs when I was going up on the second time. Since I took me 30 to 35 seconds to go up AND down, I'm guessing I did 18 to 20 stairs. After I climbed the stairs/steps, I jumped rope (ten sets of three minute jumping + one minute rest in between). Running up and down the stairs made me more hot and sweaty than jumping rope. I haven't jumped rope since 2009....maybe 2010. I was okay at jumping rope before (I was probably great at it as a kid), but I am not as good as I used to. I must learn to pick UP my feet when I am jumping rope! I hope to have enough motivation to do this again next weekend! I don't feel sore from this morning, but apparently I wasn't trying hard enough!

Week 31: Day 6 - August 05, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 3.25 miles; time = 43:51; average pace @ 13:30
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

Is summer over yet? This morning wasn't as muggy or humid as yesterday or Wednesday, but I struggled with my run and I'm going to blame the weather for that. I am really looking forward to cooler/cold months and I cannot wait!

Week 31: Day 5 - August 04, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.81 miles; time = 1:02:22; average pace @ 12:58
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

According to my weather app, this morning was more humid (75%) than Wednesday morning (68%), but this morning didn't feel as humid. I didn't struggle so much with the weather, but I started to lose energy at the halfway point and I got hungry. I had two bananas right before my run, but clearly, that wasn't enough "fuel". I was tempted to walk or take breaks, but I was determined to keep running because I didn't want my run to last longer than necessary. I was already running slower than normal because of the humid/warm weather anyway. I also felt great during the run for being on four hours of sleep. I got home from work at 12:45am and finally fell asleep at 1:15am (went for a run a few minutes before 6am). Between Wednesday and yesterday, I did a lot of catching up on sleep so I think that helped. I have to work tonight, but I hope I don't leave late!

Week 31: Day 3 - August 02, 2017

• easy trail RUN with one dog = 4.12 miles; time = 54:35; average pace @ 13:15
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles total

I struggled so, so much during my run this morning and I'm going to blame the weather. It was so humid and muggy, and it's driving me nuts! I am melting! A few months ago when I was hiking with a bike group, someone said that this summer would be hotter/worse than previous years. I also had thought about signing up for a half marathon that would have happened in October this year. I am glad that I did not sign up for that race. I would really be struggling during my training and maybe race day would be unusually warm/hot, humid and muggy this year. Last October had really good weather. Maybe I'll sign up for the race (that I had in mine) next year or the year after.

Week 31: Day 2 - August 01, 2017

• easy trail run (solo) = 5.11 miles; time = 1:05:10; average pace @ 12:45
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I didn't take my dog with me on my run this morning. There was a heavy downpour with lightning and thunder one hour before my run even though that lasted a few seconds. It drizzled a little bit during my run, but I thought that it would really be raining during my run and I felt that my dog didn't need to be in it. I wished that it had downpour during my run. I really struggled with my run and I'm going to blame the weather. It was 70 F degrees, humid and muggy. I felt like I was dragging my feet along and I did not enjoy my run. I still plan to run tomorrow morning, but I am going to struggle.