Week 18: Day 2 - 30 April 2019

• morning run = 4.5 miles; time = 1:09:01; average pace @ 15:20
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I had 7-1/2 hours of sleep last night and I still woke up tired this morning. I'm not sure if it's because I still need more time to catch up on sleep or because of the sleeping aid that I took to help me to sleep (zzz-quil and melatonin)...or both. However, I feel like I'll sleep better tonight?

Week 18: Day 1 - 29 April 2019

• morning run = 4.92 miles; time = 1:07:00; average pace @ 13:37
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I'm back to wearing regular running shoes with the cushiony bottoms. Now I have one more thing to track miles on. I was wearing "barefoot" minimalist shoes - the shoes with the toes and no cushions on the bottoms - for eight months. I tried to look up information on how long barefoot minimalist shoes could last, but I never found anything. I know that regular running shoes can last between 300 to 500 miles, and my feet/legs will usually tell me when it's time to change shoes. I had two barefoot shoes - one had almost 700 miles and the other was a little over 600 miles (mostly from walking) - those are rough estimates according to my Garmin watch (my watch isn't very accurate and I never bothered to keep track). The 700-mile pair had a hole in one of the toes and I had to stop wearing them because it was very uncomfortable to run with sand/dirt and tiny rocks inside my shoes, so I started wearing the other pair for running. I already have a pair of regular running shoes that I had purchased last weekend (not this past weekend). I waited until today to wear them because this week had two months and if I wanted to keep track of the miles on the shoes, I didn't want the shoe mileage to be the same as the total monthly mileage because I'm weird and I like to start running in new shoes at the end of a month/beginning of a new month. Anyway, I never found out how long barefoot shoes could last, but I think my feet were telling me that it was time to get new shoes anyway. One pair already got a hole in one of the toes anyway. My feet were okay most of the time with rocks on trails unless I stepped on a big rock. Tiny rocks were okay. Lately, it seemed like more rocks appeared out of nowhere. I'm sure all the rocks were there this whole time and never moved much. My feet started getting sensitive and would hurt everytime I stepped on rocks. It's hard to enjoy my run when my feet hurt. I can't exactly avoid rocks unless I don't run on trails. The 600-mile pair, I'll still wear it for walking, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be wearing them (there is a tiny hole in one of the toes on that pair too, but dirt and rocks haven't gotten inside yet).

Week 17: Day 7 - 28 April 2019

• morning group ride = 27.6 miles; time = 1:57:52; average speed @ 14 mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 21.26
Total Monthly Mileage: 81.39
Total Yearly Mileage: 236.37

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 55.3
Total Monthly Mileage: 157.16
Total Yearly Mileage: 474.65

Don't forget to make a donation on my charity page, please! Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated!

Week 17: Day 6 - 27 April 2019

• morning run = 3.06 miles; time = 42:50; average pace @ 13:59
• morning ride = 27.7 miles; time = 2:01:20; average speed @ 13.7 mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I woke up feeling a lot better this morning and more alert/awake (less sleepy) for my run. Now I'm going to catch up on sleep this weekend and hope that it doesn't backfire on me where I end up with one hour of sleep tomorrow (Sunday) night.

Week 17: Day 5 - 26 April 2019

• morning run = 4.75 miles; time = 1:10:35; average pace @ 14:51
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Last summer (June/July/August), I had a job where I worked two nights a week until midnight - sometimes later depending on how busy we got and I still went running at 5am. The other days of work, I did the day shift, so I went to bed at a normal hour five days a week. I didn't take any naps before work on nights that I had to work late because my body wouldn't let me. I don't know how I was never tired. I have a 9-5 day job now, so I get to go to bed at a normal hour every night. I keep telling myself to stop this whole going to bed late thing when I didn't have to up late and that is why I'm always tired. Last night, I went to bed earlier than normal. I was still tired this morning, but less grumpy. I'm afraid of catching up on sleep during the weekend because the last time (once...last month) that I did that, I had one hour of sleep on Sunday night.

Week 17: Day 4 - 25 April 2019

• morning run = 4.64 miles; time = 1:11:35; average pace @ 15:25
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Last summer (June/July/August), I had a job where I was at work until midnight - sometimes later depending on how busy we were - twice a week. The other three days that I was there were during the daytime. On days that I had to work late, I still went running at 5am the next morning. I didn't take a nap before work for working a late shift because my mind wouldn't let me. I went to bed like a normal person for the rest of the week. I don't know how I was never tired all summer. Lately, I had been going for a run at 5:20 - 5:25 (this morning was at 5:17). I've been gradually waking up earlier so it didn't feel like a shock to me when I'll be running at 4:30 or 5am for this summer. 6am in the summer is too late and humid. Running makes me hot and I can easily tolerate cold (preferably 40 degrees) weather. I have a new job and it's during "normal" wake hours like 9-5, so I get to go to bed at a normal hour, but I feel like I'm always tired! I tried to catch up on sleep during the weekend once (last month) and I ended up with one hour of sleep on Sunday night. So I'm a little bit afraid that if I try to catch up on sleep during the weekend, I'll end up with one or three hours of sleep on Sunday night.

Week 17: Day 3 - 24 April 2019

• morning run = 4.31 miles; time = 1:01:37; average pace @ 14:17
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I was going to do a bike ride after work today. I changed my mind when I got home because it was windy. It seems harder for me to go out to do my own ride (alone) because I'll make up excuses ("I'm tired." "It's too hot." "It's too cold." "It's too windy.") There is always something. It was a little bit windy when I got home and it probably wasn't that bad, but the last time that I thought it seemed a little windy, it was worse during my ride.

Don't forget...please find it in your heart and pay it forward with a donation on my charity page. Any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated.

Week 17: Day 2 - 23 April 2019

• morning run = 4.5 miles; time = 1:02:34; average pace @ 13:54
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I decided to use yesterday as a rest day and slept in an extra two hours. I much needed that even though I wished I could have slept longer, but I had to work in the morning. I probably would have felt fine running, but sometimes I need some rest. I felt less tired this morning.

Don't forget to visit my charity page and make a donation. 

Week 16: Day 7 - 21 April 2019

• morning run = 4.06 miles; time = 57:37; average pace @ 14:11
• morning group ride = 20 miles; time = 1:34:05; average speed @ 12.8 mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 20.42

Total Monthly Mileage: 60.13

Total Yearly Mileage: 215.11

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 47.5

Total Monthly Mileage: 101.86

Total Yearly Mileage: 419.35

Don't forget to make a donation on my charity page and together, let's fight kids' cancer!

Week 16: Day 6 - 20 April 2019

• morning group ride = 27.5 miles; time = 2:06:18; average speed @ 13.1 mph
• walked dogs = 2.5 miles total
• hike = 2.4 miles

I did a group ride with my clips for the first time. I almost fell off my bike...because I crashed into one of my bike friends. I was riding directly behind her and I guess I wasn't paying attention when she stopped? I braked right away and I almost didn't unclip. I didn't to unclip, but my right foot just came out randomly/suddenly. Good thing I was going slow. I also didn't panic. Not panicking helped? But after that, I got a little scared when there were two or more people riding in front of me because I didn't want to crash into them and not being able to unclip right away. If there was one person in front of me, I learned my lesson not to ride directly behind that person and I would be fine. I think in general, I have to let go of fear, whatever fears I may have - like crashing into someone (bike person or car) or falling off - so I wouldn't have any troubles riding.

I also attempted to do a hike this afternoon. I found this hike in my hiking book and then when I got to the area, I realized that I completely forgot that I had done a hike in the same area with some people (bike friends) three years ago. I remembered the streets/neighborhood, but we started on a trail up the street and I didn't remember where it was exactly. My original plan was to hike five miles (loop), but I didn't get very far into my hike. There were so many junctions/trail splits that it was hard to follow the directions from my hiking book and I got scared of getting lost. So I turned around and went back the same way I came. If I do this hike again, it will be with other people. To do this hike alone again? Probably not. All of my other hikes, that I did alone, had been very straightforward.

Speaking of riding/bikes, I'm not doing any athletic events this year (maybe a 10k in October), but I've decided that I'm taking part in the "Great Cycle Challenge" to fight kids' cancer. So I created a charity page to help raise funds those affected by cancer and support the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Please find it in your heart to make a donation on my charity page...anything helps. $5, $10, $25 or more. While I don't start my challenge until June, you can make a donation anytime (like now) if you wish.

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/AnastasiaC

Week 16: Day 5 - 19 April 2019

• morning run = 4.25 miles; time = 56:44; average pace @ 13:20
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Just updating this...that is all....

Week 16: Day 3 - 17 April 2019

• morning run = 2.5 miles; time = 35:03; average pace @ 13:57
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

My original plan was to head out for a run at 5:20am. I was tired and gave myself permission to have a rest day, but I couldn't go back to sleep and stared at the walls/ceiling for 30 minutes. Doing something more productive with my time like doing a short run sounded better than staring at my walls/ceiling. I felt better and wide awake after my run. It was a good thing that it was cool and not humid at 6am. I'd complain if it was warm/humid...or stay in bed to continue staring at my walls/ceiling.

Week 16: Day 2 - 16 April 2019

• morning run = 5.11 miles; time = 1:09:18; average pace @ 13:33
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

So, while I don't like to start my runs so early (5:20am today), the good thing about starting that early is that it has also been getting light earlier. This also means that I get more time to run a little farther. I was getting bored of running the same distance/routes that I was doing in February and March. I'm trying to get used to waking up and getting out for a run really early in the morning to prepare myself for the summer when I'll be running at 4:45 or 5am to avoid running in the heat. I used to hate running in the dark. I am running in the dark, but only in the beginning for about ten minutes and I'm running near streets so there are street lights. If I choose to run on trails which are dark because they're not near any streets and lights, it's light enough that I can see ground and where I'm going by the time I get to the trails...it's not light enough for me to see obstacles like pine cones, rocks, fallen tree branches or people who are also not carrying flashlights (like me). After the summer this year, I think I may consider getting flashlights - the kind that I can tie to my shoes - because what if I'm training for a half marathon or 10K next February? There is a challenging hilly trail that I like to run on for training, but it's very dark there. Even for a half marathon, I think I need to start some of my runs at 5:30am (and sunrise will be at 7am).

Week 16: Day 1 - 15 April 2019

• morning run = 4.5 miles; time = 1:01:22; average pace @ 13:38
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I was going to do a bike ride after work today, but backed out because it was windy. Why is it only windy in the evenings and late afternoons? I walked my dogs during my lunch break at 1pm, and there was no wind.

Week 15: Day 7 - 14 April 2019

• morning hike = 5.25 miles; time = 3:12:11
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total
• afternoon ride = 15.28 miles; time = 1:13:45; average speed @ 12.4 mph

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 19.3

Total Monthly Mileage: 39.71

Total Yearly Mileage: 194.69

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 15.28

Total Monthly Mileage: 54.36

Total Yearly Mileage: 371.85

I went on a hike this morning on a trail that I attempted last month. When I did this hike last month, it was right after rain, so the trails were very muddy and slippery. I also thought that I would do fine with my minimalist shoes. Yeah, I needed actual trail shoes with traction for this hike. So I bought a pair of trail running shoes that I will be using for all of my hikes from now on (unless the hikes don't have so many rocks or not so challenging). I decided to do the hike again when the trails were dry and I had better shoes (meant for trails/hiking). I enjoyed the hike better this time around.

My bike seems to act better this morning. I did some practice rides on Friday and Saturday in a church parking lot. It had a tiny hill and my bike didn't act the way it needed to on this tiny hill. I took it into the bike shop yesterday who did some adjustments. I did a "test" ride this morning in the same parking lot and my bike was a lot better. So I took it out for a real ride. It's too bad that my bike was acting up a little bit (like it was in the parking lot the last two days) during the ride. I guess it's not so bad, so I'll deal with it?

Week 15: Day 6 - 13 April 2019

• morning run = 4.8 miles; time = 1:08:14; average pace @ 14:12
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I took my bike back to the bike shop to get it looked at (I also had a tune up done on my bike, so something happened during the tune-up). Something to do with the rear crank/derailer and the chain when I'm using a certain gear going up a hill (a very small one) like I'm changing gears, but I'm not....which was mainly why I kept falling yesterday. Out of frustration, I forgot that I didn't have regular pedals anymore and I couldn't just simply get off...another time was from starting with the wrong foot. Like when you're 100% unclipped, you need one foot (whichever is your stronger side and feels the most comfortable) clipped in to start a ride so your other foot can clip in. I did a practice ride this morning and it went better. I think the bike shop people didn't believe me. They did some adjustments, but it didn't fix the problem. They put my bike on a "bike stand" to look at my bike, and it didn't act unusual...of course, it's not going to act unusual when it's off the ground because no one is actually on the bike and riding up a hill. So, I don't know. A little disappointed and frustrated. My bike didn't act weird before. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I feel like abandoning my bike, but I spent so much money on the tune up, a new chain and getting cleats/clips that I can't abandon it...and it does help with my running (I had the shoes for awhile...they just needed the cleats to go on the bottom).

Week 15: Day 5 - 12 April 2019

• morning run = 3.44 miles; time = 45:36; pace @ 13:15
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Earlier this week, I had my bike at a local bike shop for a tune up and to change out the regular pedals to clips, so that my bike shoes (that I got awhile ago) can "attach" while riding. I did a practice ride around a church parking lot to get the hang of it. I still need to practice more before heading out to the "real world". I only did two miles before I finally called it quits, but after falling a few times. The good thing was the I got bruises. Because I've got scars from falling on busy streets surrounded by cars. Bruises will go away. My ego is more bruised than my body.

Week 14: Day 3 - 10 April 2019

• morning run = 4.17 miles; time = 1:01:24; average pace @ 14:43
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

So tired. I'm not looking forward to summer when I have to run at 4:30am or 5am because it's too warm to run at 6am. On the other hand, I get more time to run a little longer/farther during the week because I get more daylight before I walk my dogs and get ready for work.

Week 15: Day 2 - 09 April 2019

• morning run = 3.88 miles; time = 55:57; average pace @ 14:26
• walked dogs = 2.5 miles total

Just updating this...that is all.

Week 15: Day 1 - 08 April 2019

• morning run = 3.01 miles; time = 41.20; average pace @ 13:46
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Just updating this. That is all.

Week 14: Day 7 - 07 April 2019

• morning run = 5.6 miles; time 1:06:15
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 20.41

Total Monthly Mileage: 20.41

Total Yearly Mileage: 175.39

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 39.08

Total Monthly Mileage: 39.08

Total Yearly Mileage: 356.57

I went running at the Chino Hills State Park this morning. I really needed a change of scenery for running and I can only do this on the weekends. During the week, I'm very limited on where I can go run because I'm on a time limit. I also think I have to go back to wearing regular running shoes. My feet hurt wearing minimalist shoes on rocky trails. My feet seemed fine wearing the same shoes when I went running here before, but I think it's just one of those things when your feet/body is telling you something (like getting new shoes?).

My bike friends didn't have any group rides scheduled today. I was going to do my own ride, but I felt sore after my run, so I opted out.

Week 14: Day 6 - 06 April 2019

• morning group ride = 26.63 miles; time = 2:38:00
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Just updating this....

Week 14: Day 4 - 04 March 2019

• morning run = 3.29 miles; time = 44:32; average pace @ 13:32
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Just updating this. That is all.

Week 13: Day 3 - 03 April 2019

• morning run = 3.42 miles; time 49:59; average pace @ 14:36
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

My legs are feeling better this morning.

I was going to say something else, but I forgot. Oh well.

Week 14: Day 2 - 02 April 2019

• morning run = 4.22 miles; time = 59:43; average pace @ 14:09
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

After my ride yesterday, my calf muscles in both legs were randomly cramping. On most days, I drink one gallon of water a day and I'm usually fine. However, I think my general diet may be a problem because I'm not eating the right foods or enough (like potassium, more sodium (?) or anything else that's causing muscle cramps). I've been eating kinda bad lately. I wasn't going to run this morning because my legs felt sore, but I figured if it was that bad, I would know within a minute or so, and I could just stop. I actually felt fine during the run. My legs are not exactly feeling normal now, but better.

Week 14: Day 1 - 01 April 2019

• morning run = 3.85 miles; time 52:07; average pace @ 13:32
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total
• evening solo ride = 12.45 miles; time = 55:14; average speed @ 13.5 mph

It was a bit warm during my run...or it felt warm at 5:40am. It got cold when I took my dogs out for a walk after my shower. It feels like Spring...oh wait, Spring started two weeks ago. I'm not looking forward to Summer. I don't like summer and I hate hot weather. Have I mentioned that before?

I mustered up enough motivation to go for a ride after work. I think next time I plan to ride after work, I will wear my bike shorts under my pants for work and prepare my pre-ride meal way ahead of time. I originally had planned to head out at 6:30pm, but didn't get out until 6:45pm. Even though I had a tail light and a headlight, and it wasn't completely dark when my ride ended, I preferred not to finish when it was semi-dark or mostly dark.