Consistent Improvement

Fartleks today - 4.0 miles in 35 minutes. Within that time I did three fartleks for 3 minutes each.  Good workout - did a little ab work at the end.  My entire body is still sore from Thurs night's workout.

Hard getting up the gumption to go to the gym today but I didn't have any reason no to except that I didn't want to leave the warm bed after my nap.  So, out I went: 4 m, 35 minutes, then some arm toning with weights and ab work.  Good workout overall even though I wasn't very motivated.  :-)

Another four miles tonight but at 1.5 miles my posterior started to cramp on both sides.  I slowed down and took it easy but it didn't let up.  By mile I was pretty sore.  Not sure if I'll run tomorrow night, I'll have to see how I feel.  But I'm very pleased that I stuck it out!

No running tonight; it's a rest day so I did ab work and weights.  Gearing myselft up mentally for a long run on Sunday.  6 miles.  While it won't seem far to most runners it'll be the furthest I've ever gone.  Woo hoo!  Hopefully this will seem like a short run in a couple months to me also!

3.0 miles and then to 1 hr step class.  Good cardio workout!

I ran six miles at once for the first time today!  Woo hoo!  OK, I realize I've got a long way to go but this is a great confidence booster.  Those last five minutes were pretty tough though!

Today is a non-run day so I only did two miles and then moved on to strength and core training.  Saw a friend at the gym and it's amazing how much working out with someone else can keep you going.  Good workout today!

Ran four miles and then my trainer pulled me for a surprise workout.  OUCH!!!  Definitely earned my rest day today!  Right now I'm reading Runner's World Complete Book of Running and there is a lot of good information and motivation in there.  I love the section talking about how your mind is a big part of success.  Ex. Roger Bannister breaking the four minute mile and then within 12 months several others had also broken the four minute mile.  He did what was thought to be impossible and once he had broken that thought it left room for others to do it also.  If that doesn't prove the power of the mind, I don't know what does.

4 miles and then some core training.  I was surprised that I was still feeling a bit of fatigue from Monday night's run and workout.  The good news is that the 4m run is feeling easier and I was even feeling energetic around the 3rd mile so I upped the speed for awhile.  I've been reading about Yasso 800's and might give those a try next week. 

Good run tonight, the distance seemed easy.  After the run I went to an hour long step class - love it!

Last week was a disappointing week mileage wise - the family schedule was just not cooperating.  However, it's a new week!  4 miles today and then some ab work.  Hoping to do 7 miles during the next workout.

Woo hoo!  7 miles, the furthest I've gone yet!  I was definitely fighting every mile though - my body felt fine it was my head.  Everytime I lengthen the mileage I start doubting myself.  Running is teaching me a lot, not the least of which is mental discipline.  Tonight when I would be thinking that I'm probably not going to make it I just started taking an objective look at how my body was feeling.  Shoulders? A little tight, need to loosen up.  Core? Pull it in. Hips? Good.  Legs?  Feeling fine.  Feet? Good.  At that point I'd realize I'm just fine - keep it moving!

Not the best run tonight, but it was a good learning experience for how food affects the body.  My boss took the team out for lunch to Fogo De Chao's, on Tuesday, which is a Brazilian steakhouse.  The salad bar is awesome and so it the meat.  But waaaayyyyy to much meat!  It was sitting in my stomack like a brick, still, after 24 hrs!  So I ran 2m but it was getting uncomfortable so I lifted weights and then came back for another 1.5m.  Also had a good core workout with my old trainer.  He can still kick my butt!  :-)

Also still feeling Monday's longer run - muscles are not sore, but they are fatigued.

I'm getting a little frustrated with trying to find time to run and feeling like I need to be faster so that I can get in more miles in less time.  Sigh.  OK run tonight, I'm still feeling a bit sluggish and can't tell if it's the mental battle or I'm really fatigued.  I'm thinking it's mental since once I step off the treadmill I'm wanting to get back on.  Tomorrow's a rest day but I might just go run a couple miles tonight - I'd like to get back up over 20 miles a week.....

Finally, a good run!!!  After a week of feeling like I'm fighting for every mile this was a welcome respite.  It seemed easy and I even felt quite joyous at times and wanted to sprint.  I did end up sprinting a bit but not for long - I didn't want to play myself out before the 5 miles was done.  After running I did some weights with my arms, ab work and stretching.  I feel great!

No running tonight - I was introduced to my IT band this weekend and can I just say, "OOWWW!"  So, half hour of stretching last night greatly improved things.  Tonight I went to an hour long aerobics class and then did another half hour of stretching, concentrating on both leg's IT band.  I think I'll try running again on Wed. night and see how it goes.  Also did core training tonight.

Rough run tonight after several days off.  Did some sprint work, hips started to tighten up around mile 3 so then I was so worried about my IT bands flaring up again that I didn't enjoy it.  Also did some weight lifting, core work and stretching.

My mileage this week is really sad, however I have had some really good cross-training happening.  I was intending to run last night after step class but a personal trainer grabbed me for a session and I'm not about to pass up a free session!  He had me doing lots of squats and core work - I think I'll be sore later today.....tomorrow will be running for sure.

I love my Saturday runs!  It's the one time during the week that I get to run first thing in the morning rather than after a long day of work and family.  Great run today followed up by some arm strength training and a good session of stretching.  Exactly 45 min to do the 5 miles.

Did some fartleks while running today, felt good.  Then some weight training, lunges, core workout, and stretching.  Good all around workout today.  Planning to go for another 7 miler on Saturday.

Did my 8 min mile tonight, felt good and will go for 1.5 miles at that pace next week.  Also had an execellent strength training session.  Tomorrow is a rest day!