Sick...

All of that coughing and waking up in the middle of the night. Turns out it wasn't the smog from Phoenix...three weeks later. So, I went to the doc and got antibiotics for bronchitis...almost done with it.
All of the info online I could find said: Do not train if there is any illness below the neck...so, I laid off last week.
Back on schedule this week. 5 miles today.
I suspect my black mood a week or so ago had something to do with being physically ill, too.

Cheers!

10.5 miles...whew!

On Sunday, I was supposed to do 8 miles but I was feeling good and the weather was great so I did 10.5 instead. I'm a little sore in the knees, but that happens. Today, Tuesday, is 5 miles.

Weight: Am down to 181...6 more to go!

Had dinner with a good friend last evening...am thankful for good friends.

Moving on...

Emotionally, this was a very hard week but I kept to my running schedule.
Running: Sunday, I did 8 miles, down toward Elgin (I usually go north) and the the running/bike path is all torn up so I had to run through the streets which is not very fun, even on a Sunday morning.
Tuesday I did 4 miles and yesterday (Thursday) I did 6.
Pace vs. MPH: In a previous post I said that I was disappointed in my running time. The Run Keeper shows on screen miles per hour but the voiced prompts says minutes per mile. Before I got the Pro version, which doesn't have the voice prompts, I was seeing that I was running between 5.5 and 6 mph. When I got the Pro version, I stopped looking at the screen and just listened to the workout summary and she told me that I was running at a pace between 9 and 10.5 minutes per mile. And I was bummed. Ahhhh, you get it, yes, I was hearing the SAME thing in a different way. Doh!
It is like when the lying liars here in Illinois keep telling people that their state income tax will go up 50% if the Dems get their way, which is true. But the tax rate is about 2% and will now be 3%, a 1% increase doesn't sound as bad and is not as dramatic, huh? Friggin' liars.
Weekend: Am spending the weekend with my dear friends, Iva and Kevin...I'm looking forward to that. This Sunday is an 8 mile day...next week, everything moves up a notch...

Back into a Schedule

Okay, so I'm not good at keeping this blog thing up, however, I'm better at keeping up with my training.

Tuesday: my short run went up to 4 mi. Used the new Run Keeper which must be more accurate than the free version or I was just mis reading it. Anyway, my pace OVERALL is, ah, a lot slower than I had figured (my math skills might have played a part, too). So, I have some room to improve. yeah. Run Keeper has a facility to post and compile run results on a web page.
Wednesday: did the weight workout.

Thursday: went into the office so didn't do my run in the morning as usual so I went after work. It was a lot cooler but I don't like going in the evening...tired and running in the twilight is not as fun. But, one adapts. So, did my middle run of 5.6 miles. Felt good.

Side Stitches: I don't know if my body just got used to the new running but I've started side-stretches BEFORE running (I usually do it as part of the after-run stretch) and I haven't had side stitches since.

Eating While Running: A guy in my office has run three marathons (I know!) and regularly runs 1/2 marathons. He suggests "gel-packs" later in the run...thoughts? He also mentioned the 18 mile wall...anyone also experience that?

Weight: So, I'm down to 183 from 203 (when FPS left in June) but my new goal (it was 180) is 175... I've been reading where 165 is heavy for a runner, but I think that is too low for me to be healthy. But I don't want to have all that weight beating down on my knees and ankles and hips.

I'm back

So, I got back from Phoenix on Sunday afternoon (thank you Iva and Kevin!). Since we left the house at 7:50 a.m. (or 8:15, Ange!) I did my long run on Saturday and did 6 mi. The smog there along with the heat is very hard...I feel like I'm getting over a cold my chest is so clogged up. It was interesting to run through the neighborhood...lots of dead-ends to run down and back...allowed me to run 6 miles s/ crossing the major streets.

Dog: Was kinda chased by a big ole yeller dog on Saturday! I surprised myself by stopping and running AT it. Worked, little mutt ran back to his craphole of an owner who didn't keep him on a leash...he kept coming and I kept having to stop...screwed up my timing. Sheesh... Any thoughts on discouraging dog chases?

Bruise: I think I bruised (not the black and blue sort) the arch of my foot...it really aches...so I didn't do my workout today in hopes that it would heel (ha.ha. a pun for you Iva). I'm increasing my short run tomorrow to 4 miles.

Spo and Someone: Went over their home on Saturday...Beee-yuut-iful! Someone picked me up in their sporty BLACK car... very sexy...and we had a delightful luncheon of salmon and homemade cheesy potatoes! Swam in the delightfully refreshing pool and sat in the hot tub (I know! but my foot hurt) and then back in the pool...It was great time with two great guys, er, people, er, pals, er, humans... :-)

Thanks for all the support of my friends and relatives during this trying time. Especially: Joe Nash and Aunt Mer.

Here's a treat for you (treat not healthfood):
The Lillian Blanche Krodel Laudone Memorial Cookie
Mix:

1 c sugar

1 c light corn syrup (Its a grandma treat, what did you expect?)

in a sauce pan and gently bring to a boil (be careful not to burn).
Take off the heat and add:

1 c peanut butter (Gram only used smooth but I don't think chunky would be a prob)

2 T vanilla
Mix until peanut butter is all smoothed out and melty. Pour over

5 c Special K (here's to your health!)

and mix until cereal is coated. Spoon out onto sheets of wax paper to cool by the tablespoonful.
Caution: Eating before the cookie cools can result in a really painful burn in your mouth...not that I'd know first hand or anything.

Cheers kids!

Training in Phoenix

So I went out early to do my medium run (4.68 mi) at 6 it was already 82 degrees. It wasn't bad. It is dry heat. Ha. Ha. The smog would give me cancer if I lived here. It was neat to run about my Gram's neighbourhood. The new Run Keeper Pro app is VERY nice with audio cues and integrated iPod. The warmup is integrated into the total workout pace and I don't like that and even though the work ends it keeps recording so have to stop at that point because that warm down is also recorded.

Brother, being the original wit that he is, calls me Forest Gump. Since he couldn't run block and only then if someone had a gun to his head, I just laugh. I'm going to SPO and Someone today I think. The a/c in my Gram's house died spectacularly and it was a hot night but not in the good way. The A/C repair guy is here. Praise be!

Didn't workout at all yesterday.

Tuesday: Short run

So, I broke down and bought the "pro" version of RunKeeper app for my iPhone...gives audio cues to mileage or time...helps since I go out and come back don't do a circle.

Did 3.2 mi @ 5.9 mph...same songs....

Tomorrow am off to AZ for Gram's funeral so won't bother with the weight training but am taking my running toggs and plan to run on same schedule (Thur: 4 mi and Sunday 6.5 mi).

Probably won't have access to computer for a bit...thanks for keeping up.

btw: the new shoes are the bomb! My legs are so much better.

So, I'm not very good at this blogging thing...

In order:

Friday (9/4): I went into Chicago to see my friend Satish and went to a running store, Fleet Feet. They have folks there who watch you run and help you select a good shoe. I have flat feet so overpronate, no surprise there. Of the three shoes I tried, the Mizuno was the most comfortable (more on that later). I don't like a lot of crap all over the shoe (prefer basic black) but they all look like they stepped out of the Ginza, so, when in the Ginza... Also bought a some sweat wicking socks, and running shorts, and thru the mail a new supporter. My friend Satish bought me a technical shirt for good luck (thanks, my friend) also at Fleet Feet...As my friends know, if I spend cold, hard cash (or the plastic equivalent) that means I'm serious.

Before I went to Chicago, I ended up going to the gym for my weight workout and am glad I did. My knees actually felt better after than before...who knew "work it out" wasn't a lot of high school coach bull-crap?

Saturday (9/5): My beloved Gram, Lillian Blanche Krodel Laudone, 95 (would have been 96 in October this year) died. Now you are with Gramps, my Gram. God bless you!

Lest you think me uncaring or hard-hearted for blogging in my mourning, we'd been expecting this for several weeks since she broke her hip and declined quite quickly. She also had the Alzheimer's and had lost the will to live since my Gramps died almost 16 years ago. She was a WONDERFUL grandmother and most of my good memories of childhood include her. She's the only person who ever gave me unconditional love and that is something everyone should experience. Thank you Gram! I love you.

Sunday (9/6): (Note to self: Do NOT pray the Rosary on your knees before you go running.)

Did my long run today: 6.32 miles @ 6.01 mph. Now that is only a little faster than last week (I'm not going for speed I'm going for the distance) and I was wondering if it was because today I had a playlist of music that was intentionally fast beat music vs. the audio book I listened to last week (Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag). Or, was it the new shoes? Or a combo? Idk...

So, running with the new gear...everything but the hat was new...and I felt like a runner (there's a reason the military wears uniforms). The shoes did feel good, I was getting a blister on the little toe and had NO rubbing today. The guy at Fleet Feet said that the shoes, because they were more supportive, would feel different. They did, but in a good way...the inside of my knees felt it.

I also have an inversion rack (bought for a heartless POS -- "paging 'bitter' party of one!") and have been using that a few minutes after each run to help, I hope, counter act the compression of running. I also do crunches while hanging, including side crunch.

Speaking of sides...does anyone know anything about how to prevent side-stitches? That wonderful book, Running Injury-free is completely mute on the subject. When I feel it coming on (and it only seems to be on the right side) if I tense my abs the discomfort abates but, alas, it makes breathing considerably more difficult. Another case of the remedy is worse than the disease. Any thoughts on the subject are welcome!

So, have been icing my knees and they are now completely numb...not what I was going for...until later my blogging friends...

Off Today

Knees are a little sore. Am taking the day off.

Training: Run

Thurs: 4.5 mi @ 5.95 mph. Use this great app for the iPhone: RunKeeper. Maps your path and logs your prog and pace. Works great. Also did 20 hanging crunches.

Started

So, I started training last week following the suggestions on this site: http://www.marathonrookie.com/, the 16 week program.
I'm NOT training for the Chicago Marathon mostly because I'd die.
There's one in Ann Arbor, MI in April http://www.martianmarathon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=62 that I think I can make...if i like it (and don't die) I may shoot for Chicago next year (but I'm a little ahead of myself there).

So, on Tue, Thur, and Sunday I run on hardscape Tue 3 mi, Thur 4 mi, Sunday (after Mass) 6 mi.
On Monday, Wed, and Friday I do regular weight machine training.

Went to the doc last week (after I'd already started) and asked if he thought I should do this. He said yes (he's a marathoner, too -- kinda like asking a junkie if you should try a joint, perhaps) and he saw no "contra indications" don't ya love medical lingo?

So, last Sunday I did my 6 miles and didn't die, hence this post. My knees were, ah, not happy with me but I went to the gym on Monday and by Tuesday I was running and today (Wed) I can still walk. I may be able to do this.

Wed: 10 min on elliptical; weight machine training (legs, chest, arms)