A breath of fresh air

I ran with my new neighbor today and Will.  She is getting back into running after having ankle surgery in April.  It's not like running with you, Sarah.  But, it helps me feel more at home here in this new unfamilar place.  The run was very easy today.  There are a lot more hills here in Iowa.  I was a bit worn out from the Monday through Thursday runs.  I think I might even have run 5 a couple of the days or maybe it was just 4 miles.  I don't know my exact mileages.  There are two great bike trails and one is marked.  Our appartment is surrounded by lots of lawns and sport fields with wide sidewalks, so I have run around on those this week, too.  Off of the marked bike trail is a cross county course.  I've noticed it is marked by miles and kilometers.  I saw a 1K, a 7K, and a 2 mile sign.  I plan on exploring the course tomorrow without Will.  (The course is grass--you guys probably already knew that.)  Well, it's exciting to start a running blog.  Thanks for putting this together Sasha.  It definately beats paper!

Well, I ran a mile out to the cross country course.  I ran the outside of the course, but I am not sure how far I ran.  I started at the 2 mile sign.  Then I proceeded to pass a 7K, a 1K, a 4 mile, a 3K, a 3 mile, and a 5K/9K sign.  And I even saw a 6 mile sign.  I think I ran about a 2 mile loop around the course--Well, I was just surfing the internet, trying to find more information on the Ashton Cross Country Course and it said that the perimeter was 2,000 meter.  So I guess I didn't run that far--just over a mile.  So I only ran 4 miles instead of the 5 I thought I did.  Shoot.  I felt like I was working really hard and keeping a good pace.  It took me just over an hour to run to the course, run around the course, run a half mile further out on the bike trail (which is very close to the CC course), and then run the mile and a half home.  Next time I am not taking my watch.  I felt like it was a good long run, but with my watch I feel very, very slow.  Oh, well--on to putting up some pictures on my electronic photo album.

Ran an easy three with my neighbor, Jade.  We saw two young deer on the trail.  So far in Iowa, Will and I have seen a toad, a ferret, a cardinal, and now deer.

Will and I explored the marked trail further.  About two miles into the run, we came to fork in the path.  I chose left and ran a half mile in the wrong direction.  However, we did get in another hill.  The run went smoothly again, the trail dodged in and out of woods and small prairies. And then the woods opened up into the shopping mall.  Will and I had about a half a mile left (before we started heading back) and the path turned into a sidewalk which looked like it circled around the shopping mall.  Again, we didn't know to go right or left, so we ran a bit in both directions.  I couldn't find the 3 mile marker, but we ran enough to get in our half mile and turned to head home.  (I checked a map and turning right on the mall sidewalk takes you up the path to North Liberty, the next city above us.)  Highlights of our run, besides figuring out were to turn, are seeing two more deer, another toad, and the state bird (the Easter Goldfinch).  We saw two of them.  They were a yellow and black blur; they flew so fast.

I can tell that was a long, hilly run for me.  My body feels tired.

Will and I ran on the trail again, but went right at the first fork on the trail.  The trail turned into a sidewalk on a busy road and we headed back home.  (I clocked the road portion of the run yesterday.)  It was high seventies with a lot of humidity.  I was covered in sweat when we got back.  Will enjoyed chewing on his shorts' draw string.

Today's four miles seemed very long.  But, Will and I finsihed.  We saw a female cardinal and a couple more golden finches.  I have failed to mention that we see a couple daddy-long-legs everyday.  The spiders cross the trail around the one mile marker.  There must be a good spider community there.

I ran over to the track.  Once the mile warm-up was done, I tried to push myself the best I could.  I wasn't expecting much.  I wanted to get in a couple miles at a 8:30 minute pace (at least).  Here are my quarters:

2:13

2:05

2:08

2:05

2:05

1:58

1:56

1:48

The first mile 8:31, second 7:48.  For feeling worn out form the prior four days of running, I was very pleased with the results.  I was grateful for the different type of run and for my husband watching Will, so I could be by myself for a while.  I think running faster and faster over the course of the race is my style.  I will continue to aim for more consistency, but to know I can get myself to dig deeper can be a strength.

Will and I took it easy today.  'Ran up the trail two miles, then ran home.  We even paused for a moment to look at the very full river.  Will enjoyed that.

Speaking of Will, today was a big day.  Will took his first steps.  He not only took his first steps, twenty minutes later he was wandering around the room, picking up his favorite ball, and pulling himself up to standing position all by himself.  When he is walking toward us, he is practically running.  I guess Will decided today was the day because I think he's been capable of walking for at least a month and a half. 

Ran with Jade and Will.  Mostly talked about religion.

Will and I did another seven!  I think I was a bit nervous about this run.  I woke up tons last night.  I kept looking at the clock.  What am I worried about?

The run went well.  We went up and down the hills and in and out of the woods.  Will did pretty well--he did his new scream a few times, but I can't complain.  We were gone for over 80 minutes.  I did sing to him a few times on the way back.

We saw more runners, walkers, and bikers than usual (about 10).  One runner and one biker we saw three different times.  They were speedy.

This 7 mile run didn't seem as long as last weeks.  Maybe last week's seven was closer to 8 or 9?

Will and I ran the first half with Jade.  This may sound weird--my kidneys have been bothering me in my first mile.  Maybe it's not my kidneys, but an area in the middle of my back fills tight for the first mile or so.  It could be a very strange breathing cramp.  Seriously for the first mile my insides feel like they're bouncing around.  I am glad it goes away after I am warmed up.

The weather is a little less humid today.  It's suppose to rain.

I tried fast miles with the jogging stroller.  I wasn't expecting much.  I warmed up a mile and a quarter.  I did the run on the marked trail.  The first mile was mostly downhill and the second was back up that same hill.  I was aiming for 2:30 a quarter.  I figured I should be able to run at least a ten minute mile with a stroller.  (Now keep in mind, I have a single jogging stroller--not a double.)  Here are my quarters:

2:21

2:20

2:12

2:11

2:10

2:14

2:08

2:10

My first mile was 9:14 and the second was 8:42, for the marvelous total of 17:56.  Will and I were cruising especially the last half a mile.  It was all up hill!  Silly to think I did 2:20's going down it.  But, there is my running theme--slow to fast.

I was going to jog the last half mile home, but I decide to stop by the swings on the way home.  Will was very pleased.

Will and I ran the first half with Jade, my neighbor.  We talked about workout facilities at the universities we attended and about the barbaque Jade and her husband are throwing for our apartment complex.  They bought a lot of food and hope the neighbors come.

I tried to keep the second half at a quick pace.  Will complained more today which is great motivation for running faster.  I think he was cold.  I tried to dress him warm, but his jacket, sweatpants, and shoes weren't enough.  Part of the problem was he kept taking off his right shoe and sock.  (For some reason, he hasn't been able to get off the left one.)  His little foot was freezing.