Week 17: Day 1 - 20 April 2020

• morning run = 3.35 miles; time = 53:20; average pace @ 15:53
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total
• jump rope = 3 min jumping (10x) + 1 min rest

I am really trying to get into the habit of jumping rope. I'm not sure how it helps my bike legs, but it definitely feels like it will help my running legs which in turn will indirectly help my bike legs.

Week 16: Day 7 - 29 April 2020

• midday ride = 48.21 miles; time = 3:44:38; average speed @ 12.9 mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 16.19

Total Monthly Mileage: 51.58

Total Yearly Monthly Mileage: 224.52

Total Shoe Mileage: 78.10

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 64.74

Total Monthly Mileage: 168.15

Total Yearly Mileage: 911

Total Bike Mileage: 276.84

I was originally going to run this morning, but I felt too tired to try. Slept in a little and finally got out for a ride. I was tempted to sleep the day away, but made myself get up for a ride, and I'm glad that I did. I didn't need the sleep to backfire on me where I would end up getting three hours of sleep tonight. I did the ride that I was supposed to have done yesterday. I was a little worried that I would get a bit bored, but it was fun and I was fine.

Week 16: Day 6 - 18 April 2020

• morning run = 3.03 miles; time = 44:34; average pace @ 14:39
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total
• morning ride = 19.53 miles; time = 1:34:14; average speed @ 12.4 mph

I was going to do a longer ride today, but realized that I didn't have directions to parts of the ride, so I ended up doing a different route with a different distance.

Week 16: Day 4 - 16 April 2020

• morning run = 4.72 miles; time = 1:08:47; average pace @ 14:37
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

So I placed an order online for a bike trainer so I can ride indoors and stop complaining about the weather when I don't like it. I should get it in a few weeks because it's backordered. I planned to do a ride after work today, and I decided it was too hot and too windy, even though it technically wasn't that bad.

Week 16: Day 3 - 15 April 2020

• morning run = 4.24 miles; time = 54:28; average pace @ 12:50
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

So I'm going to complain and make up excuses. I was going to ride after work today, but it was hot and windy. I'm sure it wasn't that hot or that windy. It just felt that way and I'm a big baby.

Week 16: Day 1 - 13 April 2020

• morning run = 4.2 miles; time = 1:04:14; average pace @ 15:18
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I was going to do a ride after work, but it started drizzling before I left work and the streets were a bit wet when I finally left. In my mind, the streets would be a little too slippery, even though I probably would have been fine if I actually went out.

Week 15: Day 7 - 12 April 2020

• morning run = 3.3 miles; time = 50:28; average pace @ 15:17
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 19.96
Total Monthly Mileage: 35.39
Total Yearly Mileage: 208.33
Total Shoe Mileage: 61.91

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 31.08
Total Monthly Mileage: 103.41
Total Yearly Mileage: 846.26
Total Bike Mileage: 212.10

A few days, I originally thought about doing a ride today until I saw the weather forecast that called for a 40% chance of rain. There was barely any at all today. I felt very tiny bits of rain (not enough to get anything wet) on my face when I was out walking my dogs and running errands, but that was all. I was a bit disappointed by the amount of rain that we were supposed to have gotten today because I wanted to ride. But luckily, I can go back to my regularly scheduled walks with my dogs starting tomorrow. It doesn't look like any rain in the forecast for awhile...at least for two weeks. Since I'm working part-time (until further notice), I will be doing some rides of my own after work as well.

Week 15: Day 6 - 11 April 2020

• morning run = 4.4 miles; time = 1:02:55; average pace @ 14:18
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total
• midday solo ride = 31.08 miles; time = 2:31:14; average speed @ 12.3 mph

I've finally got out for a ride. It had been raining since last weekend and it feels nice to get out on a bike again. I'm actually now considering an indoor trainer, so I can ride my bike indoors for "virtual" rides in case of bad weather (rain, too hot). I just need to figure out space (making room for an indoor trainer with my bike) and make it work. I also think this may come in handy during the summer when I'm training for a half marathon and "Finish The Ride" simultaneously because I plan to do a long run on one of the weekend days (leaning towards Saturday) and use the other weekend day (Sunday) for outdoor rides. Also on the same days as my long runs, I think I may need to do some training rides after the run, but not when it's really hot like a million degrees because that's what it's like in July, August, and September.

Week 15: Day 4 - 09 April 2020

• morning run = 5.36 miles; time = 1:13:08; average pace @ 13:39
• afternoon run with some hill training = 3.86 miles; time = 53:27; average pace @ 13:51

I forgot to mention that we finally got a break in the rain yesterday and I was able to walk my dogs. Lots of rain today and tomorrow, so no walk today. I'm not sure if I will be able to walk my dogs tomorrow, but it depends on what's happening after work. I did a run this morning and there were some light rain (mostly none) and wind. There was some headwind in one direction and it wasn't as bad as I thought. 7mph wind sounded worse in my head. It was raining heavily after I got off work this afternoon, so I got dressed and wanted to go for a run in the rain. I was expecting downpour when I was finally ready for the run, but it was light rain the whole time. This was probably a good thing in the end. I have only one pair of running shoes and while they were somewhat wet at the end of the run, they'll be dry if I choose to run tomorrow morning.

Week 15: Day 3 - 08 April 2020

• jump rope = 3 min jumping (x10) + 1 min rest
• walked dogs 2.3 miles total

Trying to get this whole jumping rope thing in and making it into a habit. We'll see how long I last before I get bored.

Week 15: Day 2 - 07 April 2020

• morning run = 3.04 miles; time = 46:49; average pace @ 15:11

Did a run this morning. Took my dogs out for a potty break, but didn't take them out for a walk...again because it was raining today. I wanted to jump rope in the rain because I didn't get any rain during my jump rope yesterday, but I chickened out and it was raining heavily. I'd to try to make jump rope as part of my regular exercise program, but I have to get creative on how to make it into a habit and not get bored of it or inconveniently forget.

Week 15: Day 1 - 06 April 2020

• jump rope = 3 min jumping (10x) + 1 min rest in between

I took my dogs out for a potty break a few times, but I didn't walk them today. Too much rain. Of course, it didn't rain when I was jumping rope and I was hoping that it would because the rain would keep me cool.

The last time that I jumped rope was three years ago. It had been awhile that I forgot that I ever had a jump rope. I think I've only jumped rope five or so times in ten years. I bought a jump rope with the intention that it would help my running in some way and I think it does. I know that running and riding help each other out, but does jumping rope help my bike legs?

Week 14: Day 7 - 05 April 2020

• morning run = 4.87 miles; time = 1:12:07; average pace @ 14:49
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 20.13
Total Monthly (March) Mileage: 63.07
Total Monthly (April) Mileage: 15.43
Total Yearly Mileage: 188.37
Total Shoe Mileage: 41.95

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 72.33
Total Monthly (April) Mileage: 72.33
Total Yearly Mileage: 815.18
Total Bike Mileage: 181.02

So sore today. I was debating on taking a rest day or doing a short, easy run, but I wanted to end the week with 125K steps.

Week 14: Day 6 - 04 April 2020

• morning run = 4.58 miles; time = 1:07:34; average pace 2 14:43
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total
• afternoon ride = 36.21 miles; time = 3:16:59; average speed @ 11 mph

Running on trails in the dark isn't so bad when I carry a light so I can see where I'm going/stepping. I had been afraid to run on trails in the dark for awhile because I was afraid of tripping. I decided to use my old bike light (fine for walking and running, but not exactly for riding bikes at night). I didn't carry a light for awhile because I wanted lights that I could tie to my shoes. I worry about tripping on rocks, holes, and random stuff that fell from the tree. I got lazy about finding those kinds of lights, so I went with my bike light. I quite enjoyed running on trails in the dark now and I don't have to keep running the same three miles anymore.

My original plan was also to ride in the morning after my run and my ride was to go up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR for short as us cyclists like to use). I struggled so much to find the motivation to ride because it was cold and cloudy (it wasn't cloudy when I went running this morning at 5am), but I managed to muster up enough motivation when it was a little bit sunny.  I planned out the ride and figured the distance, but I went into the ride blindly not knowing what the total elevation and I actually underestimated it. I feel like the dad who just throws his kid into the pool for the fastest/best way for his kid to learn how to swim. I'm basically throwing myself into these rides that are pretty hilly because I want to get strong faster, but at the same time, I'm doing too much too soon. It's bothering my back. I did a long ride that was also hilly in January and my back was fine most of the time because I took the time to build up to hilly rides. I feel accomplished yet wiped out and my legs are dead at the same time.

Also during the ride, I felt something crawling inside my helmet. It must have gotten in from the side outside of my peripheral because I didn't see anything fly into my helmet. I immediately stopped (safely) and threw my helmet at the sidewalk. I didn't see anything fly away...must have gone in a different direction. I hope it wasn't a bee. There were a lot of butterflies though and it may have flown into my helmet, but I think I would have seen that easily if it did.

Week 14: Day 4 - 02 April 2020

• morning run = 5.98 miles; time = 1:28:15; average pace @ 14:45
• walked dogs = 2.5 miles total
• morning solo ride = 19.12 miles; time 1:31:37; average speed @ 12.5 mph

Feeling so much better this morning after getting better sleep and more of it. I have to get used to going for runs at 5am now since I start back up with work next week (although part-time and with fewer people...the other people didn't get fired, but they're not obligated to come. I won't know how many people are coming to work until I show up) after two weeks being out of work and starting my runs at 6am (and watching the sunrise). I kinda miss running at 5am even though I miss watching the sunrise. I realize that it's actually easier to see cars before I cross a small side street because I can see their headlights before the car and I both reach the corner. I've never had problems with cars/traffic on the same street as I am, but I always have a lot of problems with cars coming out of the side streets (they don't look right, or they don't pay attention. The cars on the same street, mostly have been fine.

Week 14: Day 3 - 01 April 2020

• solo morning ride = 17.00 miles; time = 1:32:25; average speed @ 11mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I didn't do a run or a ride yesterday, but I did a lot of nothing and a lot of sleeping. This backfired on me and I had only three hours of sleep last night. I wanted to do a longer ride, but I wasn't finding the motivation and I wasn't feeling it. Something is better than nothing, I guess.