A breath of fresh air

It was only two, but felt like a tough six.

It was a great run considering two months ago I could barely walk down the hall of the hospital.

If Wednesday's run seemed like a tough six, today's run seemed like a totally out of shape half marathon.  Terrible, terrible soreness on the upper inside part of my thighs.

I wasn't sore at the beginning of the run.  But, the soreness increased constantly during the run in the same spot--the upper part of the inner thigh.

The weather was wonderful.  My husband said he'd hang out with Will while I went for a run.  But Will really wanted to come with me.  It never occurred to me that Will would miss our runs.

We had a great time.  Will wanted to go longer, but my body can still only handle two.

It was awesome to be out running again with Will and the jogging stroller.  Definitely my best two miles yet.

(I was sore after this run too, but not in my thighs.  My lower abs were incredibly sore the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday after this run.)

This two mile run also felt good.  Next week, I plan on running 2 miles three times.

The weather is beautiful.  I tried to talk Will into going with me in the jogging stroller.  No luck.  Went solo.  Two miles feels a lot easier.  Maybe that's because today's course was relatively flat.  And I think my other two mile courses are closer to two and a half miles.  So today's run felt relatively easy.  And that's a nice feeling.  Eventually I'll work my way back to easy five or six mile runs.

Finding time to squeeze in a run is stuff between taking care of my son at home and my son in the hosptial.  So I decided to bike to the hospital for my visit this afternoon.  It's about a four and a half mile bike ride.

I biked again to the hospital (4.5 miles total).  I feel like I am working my legs pretty good.  The hills help a lot.

I biked to the hospital again (4.5 miles). I can really feel my legs as I am climbing the six flights of stairs to my baby's room.

I ran in the snow.  My feet were soaked but I loved the white scenery.

I was sore during the run today, but glad I went.

I was very sore during today's run, but I enjoyed the warmer weather.  I tried to stretch a lot--pretty tight.

I jumped rope and did abs (plank, cruches, etc.).  My calves were sore the next couple days.

I ran with Katrina and pushed Will in the stroller.  It was nice to be back out running with her.  We're going to run the 2011 Top of Utah together, if we remain injury-free and if we're not pregnant.

I ran with Katrina again.  We ran lots of hills.  I am going to miss the hills when we move.  And of course I'll miss Katrina.

What a warm and sunny day!  A wonderful 71 degrees with a breeze.  Spring has finally reached Iowa.  I think.  I hope.

I saw my first snake of the year--a little grey one.  And I swallowed my second bug of the year.  I swallowed the frist one last week. 

The run felt good.  I was a bit tight at the beginning in my hips.

I ran with Katrina. She brought her double jogging stroller for Will and her son, Cole. They did well until the last half a mile when they started a "mine" war. But, it wasn't too bad since we were almost done.

I ran with Katrina.  No kids today.  We had a slightly quicker pace.  It felt good.

I did three intervals.  It felt good to go "fast." 

I don't remember many of my runs this month.  I know I got in 3 miles a few times but don't remember when the others were.  Oh, well.  Running was not the main thing on my mind.  After my brother's wedding, I was all about packing and getting ready for our move to Boise.

Katrina and I ran our favorite route together (the university medical schoo route starting from her house) one last time.  It felt good even though I hadn't run more than 4 since early last fall.  We hope to run together again in Logan at The Top of Utah in 2011.

We made it to Boise.  We're slowly unpacking and getting settled.

Will and I checked out the bike path that's behind our house, but chose the wrong way.  We ran out of path after about a block or two.  So we ended up on the sidewalk.  But that didn't last long.  Sidewalks abruptly stopped.  So I chose to run back on the other side of the street only to find that sidewalk didn't exist much on that side either.  Next time we'll head the other direction on the path.

I jumped today.  5 two minute sessions with a minute rest in between.  After I did a five station circuit one minute per station: wall sit, plank, triceps--each side, and extended reverse crunch.  A bit sore the next couple days.

I ran at least that.  I'm not sure how far some parts of the bike path are.  Will was excellent company again.  We stopped briefly on the bridge, at a map, and by the waterfall.  Will loved the ducks he spotted and thought they were silly.  The mallard was flapping his wings and diving into the water.

I was out for about the same time as Tuesday, but didn't stop as often and didn't have the jogging stroller.  Boise has at least 15 miles of continuous bike paths and at some points two pathes running parallel on the opposite sides of the river.  Should make for some fun running routes.

Will and I explored another part of the bike path.  I loved that it's marked.  We went north.  We saw a canoe, a hook and ladder truck, a few dogs that were friendly because they were on leashes (Will is very afraid of dogs right now), butterflies, people fishing, bikes and walkers, and the river.  Will loves the rapids in the river.

Twice during our run--out of the blue--Will said, "Momma, I love you so much."  He melts my heart.

Today I wanted to keep our run closer to 3.5 miles, but I couldn't find the bridge I wanted to turn around at.  Will and I were exploring the path on the opposite side of the river.  I was looking for the bridge by the library to turn around at.  I kept looking and kept looking.  Missed it.  We went across the next available bridge which ended up adding another mile onto our run.  I was very hot and tired when I got to the last three quarters of a mile--all up hill--to our house.  Not the run I wanted for today, but I was happy to learn more about the bike path.  So overall a good run.

I've got to start running at a different time.  The afternoon is just getting too hot.  But, it's sooo hard to get up in the mornings.  Maybe I'll endure the heat.

Today Will and I dropped a Father's Day card off at the post office and then turned around on the bike path bridge I missed yesterday.  (I was definitely too caught up in the path yesterday (a tunnel was coming up) and just ran right by the turn off for the bridge.)  I enjoyed today's run.  I had good energy throughout the run.

I took a break from running today and jumped rope.  I did two minute intervals with a minute rest in between five times.  I alternated between normal jumping, running in place, and high knees.  The high knees were intense!

I worked out today.  I did six different exercises for one minute each three times with no rest.  The exercises included the wall sit, the plank, triceps (each side), calf raises, and rowing cruch.

I wasn't excited about today's run, but I did get out the door.  Will and I ran three on the bike path.  I felt very slow and sore.

Accomplishments this week:

1) Ran four times!

2) Exercised all six days!

I don't think I over did it.  I don't remember the last time I ran four times in one week--probably last fall.

For next week:

1) Run four times again.  Stay at the 3 and 3.5 distance.  Look for ways to enjoy the runs.

2) Exercise all six days.  Add an ab workout to the jump session.  Stretch more.

3) Get to bed early.

I worked out tonight.  One minute each--three times--of lunges, the leg lift (abs), push-ups, bent over rowing 10 lbs (back), bent over flies (shoulders), and bicycle (abs). So a twenty-one minute work out.  I'm trying to keep it simple and go slowly.  I want to still be doing circut training--hopefully 15 one minute workouts three times each--in a year and a half. And maybe by then I won't be on my knees for the push-ups.

The run felt so much longer than three miles! I "saved" the run until tonight.  I took Will with me.  He cried most of the last mile.  He kept wanting me to turn around and run the other way.  Really, he was just ready for bed.

We did see a deer.  Well, I saw it.  Amazing.  A deer living, pretty much, in downtown Boise.

Hot!  Lars said when I got home my face looked purple, even after I had showered.  I have one of my race day headaches.  (After a race, I always seem to get a headache that afternoon.)

The run started out great--actually, better than great.  I saw that same deer from yesterday.  At least I think it was the same deer.  Same place just on the other side of the path.  And then I saw a blad eagle gliding in the air above the river.  He looked beautiful.  Suddenly, he dove into the water and bobbed and splashed.  Then he rose in to the air with his catch.  I don't think I've seen anything like that before in person.

The rest of the run, I just survived the heat.

Tonight I went on a bike ride with Will.  Nothing much, just trying to move my legs and sweat a bit.

On one of the bridges we crossed over we saw a fisherman's catch, a rainbow trout.  I thought all the people fishing on the Boise River were always trying to catch carp.  Nope.  I wonder what other kinds of fish are in the river.

I finally went running in the morning!  It was cool enough that Will had a blanket.  It also rained on us, big drops.  The lone rain cloud rolled a long quickly.  Will and I did our first run through neighborhood streets.  I am excited about the possiblities of new routes.

A monumental run!!  Vince went for his first run in the jogging stroller!  He seemed to enjoy it.  He only complained while I was adjusting the seat belt from Will-size to Vince-size.  We ran through the neighborhood, sticking close to home just in case.  Vince fell asleep during the second mile.  And like a good baby, Vince woke up when I stopped running.  (Will always use to do that.)  During the run, I was constantly looking down at him watch his reactions closely.  I also kept moving the canopy to help keep the sun out of his eyes.  Hopefully the ride didn't over stimulate him.  He is so light in the stroller compared to Will.  With Will, I don't think twice about bumps.  Of course for Vince, the normal road is plenty bumpy.  So I avoided any and all bumps today and slowed down when they couldn't be avoided.

I'd love to get a double jogging stroller.  Well, that wouldn't be so light, but I could get me runs in whenever.  I think I'll check out Craig’s lists.  There probably won't be anything I want, but you never know.

I made it out the door thanks to my husband.  He volunteered to hang out with Will and Vince while I went running.  I was grateful.  I didn't think I was going to get a run in today.

Will and I had a good run.  Will didn't complain and I enjoyed the breeze.  We saw a very big, wiggly worm.  Will was disappointed that we didn't see him again on the way home.  We also saw some type of heron.

Will also sang a song during our first mile.  My favorite line from his made-up song was "I can't reach the moon."  He repeated this line at least four times before moving on to sing about the sky and river.  At breakfast this morning he was singing about a butterfly.

Will fell asleep on the run today--during the first mile.  I enjoyed looking at the variety of houses in our neighborhood: new, remodeled, old, old and run-down, the kept vs unkept yards.  I really like our neighborhood.  My favorite street to run on, so far, goes right a long the bluff the neighborhood is on.  I like how it winds.

I did the circuit work out.  One minute of plank, sumo squats, superman, shoulder front raises and side raises, v-twist (abs), and forearm squeezes 3 times each.  Then I did a few more minutes of abs: reverse crunch, leg lifts, bicycle, holding the V, and side planks.

I ran on my in-laws treadmill.  I did one minute intervals of 6-7-8-9 intensity again and again.  Near the end I did a couple 10's.  I had a good time.  I watched Serena Williams's advance to the finals at Wimbeldon.

While on the treadmill, I thought about some things I want to put on my "100 things to do before I die" or my bucket list or whatever you want to call it.  (I don't have an official list.)

Take tennis lessons

Play in a women's tennis league

Take swimming lessons to improve my freestyle

Compete in a half-iron man

Be in a women's golf league

Win the Idaho Women's Golf State Amatuer

Compete in the National Public Links Golf Tournament

I jumped rope again.  Same work out as last time.  I wonder if the high knees bother my back.  Or maybe it's the extra abs I'm doing.  My lower back isn't feeling so great.

I ran during "the heat of the day" as my mom would say.  This run went better during my last 3 pm run when Lars told me my face looked purple.  I kept more to the shade.

I did yoga today to see if that could help my back.  I worked up a pretty good sweat during the first half.  I didn't realize I was sore in my quads.  When I was finished I felt more balanced--more together.

I'm off to do my five minutes of abs.  I'm 4 for 5 so far this month. I think I might have over done some of the workout.  I'm going to keep it simple tonight.

I figured out where the back pain is coming from... doing high knees during jumping.  So today I stuck with normal jumping and running in place.  Felt good.  And hopefully my back will feel better soon.

Did my 5 minutes of abs.

5 minutes of abs. That's it.

5 minutes of abs

I got up early and ran!!  The air felt so good and cool.  I ran down the road that goes along the bench.  There were a lot of fun houses to look at--unique and at least 20 or 30 years old.  Turns out this road dead ends into the sidewalk that leads down to the bike path!  Mystery solved!  I was wondering what road connected that sidewalk.  And now I know!

With my new knowledge, I can also create some fun loop routes.

I got up early again! Will and I ran the newly discovered bike path/neighborhood loop.  However, the run wasn't as fun as it might have been... the jogging stroller had a flat.  Luckily it was just the front tire, so Will and I could still go.  I ran the three miles trying not to put any pressure on that tire.  My arms got a good workout.

5 minutes of abs

Yeah!! Back on the wagon!

I am determined to get as many runs as possible while it's still light before seven.

Today was successful.  I definitely want to add a bit on to my run.  I want to run 3 or 3.5.  But, right now I'm happy that I'm waking up and getting the run in.  I want to keep this up and get up to six days a week.  Right now I'd love 4 days a week.

Played volleyball tonight.  It was fun to run a few steps here and there.  I enjoyed digging the serves.

5 minutes of abs.

Circuit work out: lunges, plank, abs-bicycle, back-superman, side leg lifts-each side.

1 minute each, three times

When I run in the morning by myself, I'm scared and nervous the entire run.  When I run in the afternoon, like today, I'm not scared.  But, I feel I'm near heat stroke.

Circuit workout: calf raises, side planks each side, triceps, back-alternating superman, and hand-grippers (?) that work the forearms.

one minute each, three times

I ran in the afternoon again.  The weather was wonderful--62 degrees, breezy, and light rain.  I wasn't thinking--well, I guess I was thinking that it was cold... that didn't make much sense, 62 cold?--and wore a long sleeve shirt.

The run felt long.  It might be a while before I say or type the words "five miles and easy" in the same sentence again.

I checked out a book on triathlons from the library.  I'd like to try it--when we have enough money to justify getting a pool membership.

I ran in the middle of the afternoon again.  Hot, but not as bad as other 3 pm runs I've done this summer.  My knees felt weak at the beginning, but that feeling went away after a while.

Circuit workout: wall sit, plank, triceps, superman, and leg lifts--abs.

one minute each; three times

I loved today's run.  I think because it had been a few days.  The weather was wonderful.

Circuit work out--jumping jacks, side plank right and left, calf raises, push ups, triceps, and alternating superman.

one minute each three times

My neighbor goes walking with a friend at the track.  I thought I'd go with them and run while they were there.

I tried it this morning.  It's not going to work out.  They don't go early enough for me.  And running in circles isn't very exciting. 

So in some ways the run was good.  I did feel good during my run.  My energy was good.  My pace felt strong.  It was definitely under 12 minutes.  I don't know how under.  I didn't want to spend a lot of time looking at my watch.  I wanted to enjoy my pace and I did. I wasn't stressed about strangers.  The weather was nice and cool.  But, it wasn't quite early enough for me.  And I wasn't a fan of the circles.

I'd like to go running at 6 or 6:15, but it's pretty dark.  Saturday I'm going to meet up with a local club and see if I can't meet a group to go running with during the week.

My husband was home for a couple hours this afternoon.  I enjoyed this run too.  About a mile into the run, I past a sprinkler.  I was intending to get a little wet.  I got drenched!  I'm sure the surprised look on my face was hilarious to the people driving by.  I had to smile after that. 

I also saw a deer again by the canal.  I heard her as I ran by.  It took me a second to find her. She was sitting down in some bushes/under brush.

My knees felt weak again at the beginning--like they're not use to the impact from the road.  And definitely that could be.  I don't get out that much.

Will and I ran to the library to get our week stash of books and pick out 1 movie.  (This next week we're studying the sun, the color yellow, the letter H, and the number 8.)

The run was very entertaining.  There was a six (?) year old boy riding his bike with training wheel on the path.  Whenever, I went to pass him he'd always speed up.  I tried at least four times before his mother knew what was happening and helped us get pass him.  So a lot of sprinting and walking during that stretch of the run.  I had to smile at him because I did the same thing as a kid.  What I didn't like was Will saw the boy stick his tongue out at us and started sticking his tongue out at bikers and runners going the opposite direction.  We talked about that.  It is not nice to stick your tongue out at people.  I think the talk went over well because I haven't noticed him sticking his tongue out since then.

 The run home from the library was very interesting.  We saw a huge parade of costumed bikers--everything from the Incredible Hulk to a pharaoh to beach bums.  Will liked the parade a lot.  He called them all "super heroes" and was disappointed we didn't go to the park to see more of them.

My husband, Lars, was home for a little while this afternoon, so I got in a run while the boys were sleeping.  Business has really picked up for him.

I loved my run.  It wasn't too hot.  I felt good.

A whole bunch of nothing last week.  We go for walks when we can.  Well, Will rides his bike and usually I put Vince in the baby bjorn.  But, lately I been putting Vince in the jogging stroller.  Will flies on his BootScoot bike, so I have to walk super fast or jog to keep up.  Vince really enjoys the stroller and I can move a lot faster with it than the baby carrier.  So, I started thinking about a double jogger again.  And now that's business is up, a double jogging stroller can become a reality.

 I checked out Play It Again Sports.  Their doubles met 2 of my 4 criteria. 

1) at least 16 inch rims

2) stationary front tire

3) individual visors

4) the visors must be able to come down very low

 The one at Play It Again Sports didn't have 3 or 4.  I'm going to try Craig's list next.

Circuit workout: wall sit, plank, calf raises, leg lifts--abs, tricep extensions, and superman alt.

one minute each; three times

A bit hot, but not too big of a deal. I enjoyed the bagpipes that were playing.

Tuesday night at church I met Piper.  Finally, I met someone who wants to run with me!!  I was a little fast for her, but my faster pace might be because I was so excited to run with someone.  We met at 6:30 am to run on the Greenbelt.  The run was over before I new it.

Piper also has a Garmin.  Turns out all my runs on the Greenbelt (the bike trail) are about a half a mile longer than what I recorded.  I'm glad I was under-estimating rather than over-estimating.

Piper and I set out for a 3 mile run.  Again my mile-gauging is off, but it was a fun loop.  Will came with us.  With the jogging stroller, I felt like Piper and I were a perfect fit pace wise.  Piper is also getting over a cold, so that might be slowing her down too.  It was a very enjoyable run.  Will seemed to have fun, too.

I ran with Piper again.  My stomach was upset.  (It might have been from the high sodium rice.  I put too much soy sauce in.)  But, running with Piper I was distracted from thinking about it.  We talked about one of my favorite subjects: Dominic.  Just saying his name makes me smile.

Today I did my first western trail run.  I ran on a trail in Ohio back in 2005, but it was more a worn dirt path in the woods.  This trail run was in the foothills--in the wild.  Piper and I started pretty early in the dark.  We didn't know what was rustling in the bushes.  Every rock in the path looked like poop.  The sun came up.  I loved the view of the trees and buildings way behind us and the valley that snaked back and forth in front of us.  The hills just kept coming.  Kind of like this, but we were in the valley.  I loved how running on the trail used all sorts of muscles that the blacktop doesn't.

I played volleyball for about 40 minutes.  When the action was slow I'd do lunges or jump in place.  The other girls playing thought my extra movement was due to excitement.  Mostly I just wanted more of a work out.

Later, I jumped rope with my neighbor.  3 minutes sessions five times with a minute rest in between.  I did my first cross-over ever, but couldn't continue to keep jumping.  I think I'll work on the cross-over and try the double unders again in the future.

Vince woke up at 5:30.  After I nursed him, I stayed awake and did a circuit workout: hip abductors each side, plank, squats, abs--leg extension side to side, shoulders--bent over rows, back--alternating superman, and tricep extensions each side.  One minute each; 3 times.

Will and I went on a five mile bike ride.  It took just over thirty minutes.

After we rode over our turn around bridge, I suddenly stopped!  I was so shocked and excited to see giraffes.  I couldn't wait for Will to notice them.  I knew the path went by the zoo, but I didn't think we'd ever see anything.

When we got home, I told Will to tell Daddy what we saw.  He said, "Ducks!"  They were fun, too.  I guess to a 3 year old, who has penguins, deer, Slimmy--the worm, kittens as friends that he interacts with everyday, seeing a giraffe isn't that big of a deal.

Piper twisted her ankle during volleyball Tuesday night.  So we didn't run together Thursday morning.  But, she thought she could run Saturday morning if we did a flat route.

I wasn't expecting much.  I thought we'd be walking a lot.  But, our pace was pretty normal.  Piper said her ankle was fine.

My favorite part of the run was jumping a fence.  We cut through a church's parking lot.  Turned out their grounds were fenced in.  The fun of hoping the fence was increased by the darkness and the cemetery as the backdrop.

Ran with Piper again. Our run seemed long this morning.  Maybe because the whole thing was in the dark.

It was our maiden voyage of our new stroller.

The BOB Ironman Duallie

Will fell asleep.

Vince didn't know what to think.  It's only his second run.  He would cry out every once and a while.  So I kept the run short.

I loved our run.  Will asked me a mile into the run if I was tired.  (I was a bit breathing hard.) I told him no, but I was enjoying my workout.

I like the stroller--very light.  It will take a little bit to get use to visors.  They are big and bulky when they are pushed up.  It hits Will's head.  However, he doesn't seem to mind.

Will, Vince, and I ran to the park.  Will loved playing with his friends.  He was dry the entire trip and no accidents when we got home either!  (Will started potty training Monday.)  Vince enjoyed the run.  No complaints from him.

The run back was good, too.  We even did a detour to stop by a friends house to get some of her garden tomatoes.  Yum-yum.

Piper and I ran almost the same route as Monday, but in the opposite direction.  Felt great.

Will, Vince, and I ran to the library.  To help Will leave the library, we usually pick out a DVD right before we check out our stack of books.  I found a Sesame Street DVD that Will has seen before, the 25th anniversary musical celebration.  Will calls it, "The La-La Movie."  During the movie, Big Bird is looking for La-La-ers to sing.  Anyway, I handed it to him and told him we could check it out.  Will looks up and says, "Oh, sank you, Library!"

Vince enjoyed the entire hour and a half outing from the stroller. I think he likes people and tree watching.

Piper and I are more compatible running partners than I thought.  Our pace the past five runs has been perfect for me.

And I asked Piper today what temperature is too cold for her to run in.  She said, "Below zero."  I was very pleased.  We'll be running together through the winter!

However, I have noticed my increase in mileage last week.  I am more tired during the day.  It will probably take a couple weeks to get use to it.  I'd like to throw in some tempo runs and strides.  But, I think I'll work on the mileage for right now.  Probably after the Barber to Boise 10k, I start those workouts.

Will, Vince, and I ran down to Vince's orthotics appointment.  The helmet fetting went okay.  At first the helmet went too far down--covering his eyes.  Tonight it still seems like it's too low on his left eye.  I'll call tomorrow.

As for the run, both boys enjoyed it.  And I felt great too.

Duallie--15.6 miles

I know I said that I wouldn't do tempo runs for a while.  Well... I changed my mind.  I kept it short.  So here's the brief report.

8:50--At first I didn't know if I was going to do both miles, but I kept going.  When it felt tough, I'd try to relax.  That helped.  I don't think my paced dropped when I did that.

8:40--I was surprised how even my run felt.  Again like the first mile, I'd tell myself to relax--focusing on my tight shoulders. 

It felt good to increase the pace for these 2 miles.  I really enjoyed the heron at the turn around.  The river was beautiful.  And I loved the crisp weather.

It was colder this morning.  Wore a beanie.  I loved how crisp the morning felt.  I was talking about all the pumpkin treats I'd like to make over the next two months: pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin frenchtoast.  Well, we'll see if I really make all of that.  Anyway, it was great talking to Piper during the run.  I learned more about the adventures of being an ENT (ears, nose, and throat) nurse.

I ran with Piper again.  I love the high you get from running in cooler weather.  It was a lovely 44 degrees.  We ran the library route.

Will, Vince, and I tried a new route around the cemetery.  We had to run a portion of it on a busy road (no sidewalk).  The cars made me a little nervous.  I'll run this route again, but next time without kids.

Duallie--19.1

Will, Vince, and I ran down to Vince's Orthotics appointment.  Vince's helmet is fitting much better.  On the way back home, Will was talking.  It's really hard to hear him when we are by traffic or the river.  I had to stop, so I could hear what he was saying to me.  But, he wasn't talking to me.  He was talking to his "friend" and sharing pretzels with him.  I shouldn't have been surprised.  He plays with imaginary friends often.  Today his "friend" was Barney; other times, it's a dragon, penguins, Cookie Monster, a cat, a dog, deer, Thumper, etc.

Circuit workout: sumo lunges--each side, plank, calf raises, side plank--each side, tricep extensions, shoulder--bent over flies.

1 minute each.  3 times.

Ran with Piper.  We did a route by her house.  I enjoyed looking at a new neighborhood.  I felt good--not fast, but energized.

circuit work out again

Will, Vince, and I ran down to the library.  A nice, uneventful run.

Duallie--23.1

Ran with Piper again.  I felt fine.

Will, Vince, and I did our Tuesday run down to Vince's orthotics (helmet) appointment.

I got us out the door and into the stroller fifteen minutes late.  I decided that I need to run back in and grab my phone.  As I ran back in, I also decided to switch my long sleeve shirt for a short sleeve shirt.  I left my keys on the kitchen counter.  So not only were we late to Vince's appointment, I locked us out of the house.  I called and left a message with Lars, my husband.  He couldn't get back to unlock the door until 2:30.  Vince's appointment was at 11.  So we had some time on our hands.

We played at the park for a while.  Everyone was warm except me.  But, luckily I brought along a beanie and gloves.  I did some jumping jacks too.  When Will decided he was hungry, we left the park.  Will ate apples and pretzels while I ran a couple more miles than I had planned on.  Vince fell asleep.  I stopped so Will and I could watch the giraffes again.  When we go home, we only waited maybe 5 minutes for Lars to pull in with keys.  So all in all a very eventful and bizarrely pleasant morning.

Duallie--28.1

So the dangerous road run I went on last week with Will and Vince is 4 miles not 3.5.  Why am I always a half a mile off when I estimate distances?  Very curious.

I still felt a bit unsafe as Piper and I ran by the cemetery.  That road is pretty busy and there isn't much room.  I'm thinking running this route alone is best or going single file when we get to that road.

Whoa!  I was expecting to run this race at a 8:40 to 9:10 minute mile pace.  I listened to how I was feeling and went with that pace as I made my way through the masses until... the beginning of mile 3.  I heard someone say that the time was 18:15.  I thought, "Oh no! I'm going slow!"  Although I said I was okay with a 9:10 pace, I really wasn't.  I wanted my average to be below 9 minutes.  So I pushed it.

Only as I crossed the finish line and looked at the clock did I realize I had exceeded my 8:40 pace.  By a lot.  When I stopped, my hamstrings were on fire!

This race made me wonder.  Is this how you are supposed to run races?  Have I never really run my heart out during a race before?  Or am I just out of shape?  Or was it the pickle I ate?

Man! What could I do...

if I ran 6 times a week?

if I got my mileage up to 40 miles a week?

Ran with Piper.  My legs were sore, but the run helped loosen them up.  Piper told me that we average 11:30 minute miles.  I was surprised and wondered how I could race at 8:11.  Asked the discussion forum and found out this was normal.  Gotta keep working toward increasing mileage and running 6 days a week.

Will, Vince, and I were late to Vince's helmet appoinment again.  So I ran as fast as possible to not be too late.

After the appoinment, we went to the park.  With the good weather (55 degrees-ish), there were lots of other kids for Will to run and play with.

When we headed home, I ran by the giraffes again.  Such amazing animals.

Will, Vince, and I ran to the playground.  Will played.  Then we ran home.

Ran with Piper.

Piper gave me a wonderful present, a head lamp!  Today we used them for the first time.  So nice to be able to see and be seen.

We were hoping to do trails today, but it was rainy.  We stuck to the streets, instead of getting muddy.

Piper and I ran the library route.  At one point, I screamed out because there was something huge next to us!--just on the other side of the fence.

It was a deer. :)

Jumped rope for 15 minutes.

Ran with Piper.  I found out she likes chocolate and caramel, but I'd bet she hardly ever eats it.

Met Piper at her place.  It was nice to run again.

Ran with Piper.  We did the trail loop.  I tried to keep the pace as quick as possible.  Lars had to be at a customer's house earlier than usual today.  As I hurried up the stairs after the run, I tweaked my knee.  It hurts a little when I pivot off my right foot and it does have a touch of swealing.  My glad my knees not worse.  Lars said if I lifted more I wouldn't have hurt it.  I don't know if I quite buy that.

Met Piper at her place.  I didn't notice my knee during the run.  Although afterwards, Lars said I was limping.  I didn't really notice that either.

Ran with Piper.  I am trying to be kind to my knee.  We ran 3 instead of 4.  And we decided against running trails this weekend.  My knee is a little stiff, but better than the past couple of days.  I notice it more when I squat or kneel than when I pivot.

circuit workout:  plank alternating lifting leg, preacher lung hold, balance posture with bent knee, calf raises, raise hand to foot--abs, rows--abs.

1 minute each; three times

Ran with Piper.  It was light the whole run.  I enjoyed being able to look at the houses we run by.

My knee felt fine.  Just a bit stiff.

Evening: Circuit workout