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! 

Not such a great week as far as mileage goes but I'm getting in some great cross-training which I figure can't hurt.   Did some tough ab work and also worked out my calves - haven't actually targeted my calves before so it was interesting to see what I could do.  I was working out with a trainer so you KNOW I was working hard.....he's brutal!  :-)

1 hr of step class, 2 miles on the mill and then some ab work.  Since I'm mostly running inside right now I've decided to keep my mileage to 7 m or less - I'll run longer once the weather and the roads get better; bit of a wimp when it comes to weather.  However, this should be fine for now since I've never run a race before and will be starting off with 5k's in the spring.  Think I'll work on getting my speed up a bit and seeing if I can get under an 8 min. mile.

Fought for every mile today - I looked down after what I thought had to have been a mile and it was only .4, that's when I knew it was going to be a rough run!  However, I was disciplined and did what I intended to do and then some ab work.  Glad I did it now!

3 easy miles and then some light weight lifting; miles seemed to go quick today!

3 easy miles and then some great cross-training on calves, tri-ceps and abs.  It's extremely cold out right now, I can't wait to get off the treadmill and on the road!

With this run I learned just how much of a crutch my MP3 player is - I had no music tonight and man oh man was it a tough run.  I had to pull out every mind trick I could come up with.  There is just something about being able to hear the faster breathing and feet pounding that makes the run seem harder.  Made me think I was working harder than I really was.  After the run I also did some strength training and ab work.  Got home and made sure to charge up that MP3 player!

Three miles and then step class - good hour and 1 1/2 of cardio.

5 miles at varying speeds, tried to do normal speed for half mile and then up the speed for the next half mile.  Felt good at the end - followed up the run with ab work.

3 miles followed up by 1 hr of strength training.

I did 3 miles in 26.43 seconds; not a PR but definitely a good time for me - I've been struggling to be better than 27 minutes lately...after that I did some strength and core training.  Very pleased with my workout!

Crappy run tonight - not a bad time it just didn't feel good.  Felt like I just couldn't get into that smooth groove, I was lurching along.  My legs did feel tired rigtht from the start - during last night's run I did interval training; I guess I'd better start doing that more diligently!!!  After the run I did some strength training and core workouts. 

Only 1 mile tonight and not even all at the same time.  .5 before step class and .5 after.  Step was tough tonight, legs felt heavy about half way through and when I hit the treadmill afterwards it was just not happening.  I was struggling at what is typically an easy pace for me.  So, in light of my lurching run last night, I decided that my body was telling me to take a break.  Friday is a rest day - here's hoping for a good, solid long run on Saturday!

I thought my legs were really tired when I set out but then I realized they were just tight - I felt great!  Then at one mile a side stitch started and kept coming back.   At 2.5 I stopped and did some arm strength training and then started running again.  That did the trick - the next 3 miles were fast and smooth.  Gotta figure out what to do about those side stitches though - what a pain!

3.0 easy miles at 8.36 pace and then some strength training.  Run felt good today.

3.5 miles on the mill; dealt with the side stitch issue again on the first mile so I stopped and did arm strength training and then went back to the treadmill for 2.5.  I think I'll just start doing arm strength and then running.  Seems to work well and help me avoid those side stitches.  Also did some core work and leg strength training.

3 miles at 8.29 pace.  Followed up with strength training and stretching.  I need to get faster!!!  Although, considering where I started just last July I'm really not doing to bad.  It's important to remind myself that last summer I was running a 10 min mile.....so, I guess I should practice what I preach to others: look at how far you've come, not how far you have to go.  CHEESY!!!  :-)

I found a good quote by Peter Maher and have it posted at work to help pump me up for my runs at night: "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day.  It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"

3.25 miles and then an hour of step class - he was tough on us tonight as there were no 'newbies' in class. I don't think I've ever done step at that speed before!  Definitely kept the heart rate in the 85%-90% range almost the whole time.  Whew!

5.5 miles plus strength training.  Quick workout as I had things to do!

No running tonight as the gym is closed and I'm a wimp about running in cold weather.  Broke out the Billy Blanks tapes - no laughing!  Sweating is sweating!  :-)

Injury #2: lower hamstring - I think.  Pain in the back of the leg, just behind and above my knee.  Not debilitating but definitely there.  I was supposed to do 4 miles but cut it to 3 because it was just getting worse even though I was taking it easy.  Elliptical training might be the way to go Tues night, I'll have to see how it's doing.  Injuring myself before I even get to run a race is a poor way to start off my running hobby!  Oy.

These were cross-training miles on the elliptical.  I started out on the mill but within two minutes I realized my hamstring just wasn't going to tolerate it.  Switched to the elliptical and cruised away pain free.  The plus side is that I also got in a good weight training session.

1.5 miles tonight and my leg felt good!  Decided not to press it by doing too much or too fast although going faster felt better than slower.  1 hr of step class also, that kinda hurt.

Not a great run, my leg injury was definitely burning by 2.5 miles.  Finished it out though.  Strength training afterwards.

Felt good today - leg injury burning at the very end.  Strength training afterwards. I'll be backing off on the mileage a bit for the next several weeks and concentrating on strengthing my legs/glutes/hips.  Hopefully this will help with my first running season! 

Had a session with my trainer tonight, so not much mileage.  These next several weeks I'm going to concentrate on becoming stronger and then hit the running training hard. 

Actually a rest day today but my 7 yr old wanted to go for a run so we went, what fun! 

Just one mile - trainer was really rough tonight!  I did get to box though and had forgotten how much I enjoy it - as far as how it contributes to my running: good cardio and good core workout.  He also worked my glutes, quads, and hamstrings. 

3 miles in addition to 1 hr step class - starting to get very sore from last night's boxing session.  Legs are also tired, last mile after step class and both calves were wanting to cramp up. 

Did some glute, quad, hamstring strength training and then one fast mile.  Still hurting from the boxing session, hurts to breathe deeply or laugh but it's a little less than yesterday.  Cut the workout short though - feeling mentally burned out.

Good run today!  Felt good and upper body just slightly sore still - then strength training and ab work.  Will I'm working on getting stronger I've got to find a way to keep my mileage up - it's suffering....

1 miles and then a PT session - he was rough tonight; no breaks, keep the heart rate and cardio up.  Whew!

Rest day today so I took the opportunity to run with my 7 yr old again - 1 mile.  He ran the whole way and even had enough leftover to sprint the last part!   It's fun to share this hobby with him and hopefully I'm setting him up for a lifetime of active fun!

Bad workout - not feeling well and mentally worn out.   The mile was just a warm up due to the session with a trainer last night.  He could tell I was tiring out easily and not very focused...lots of core strength training and some running drills.

Three miles and 1 hr of step class.  I love Thurs nights - even though they're tough to get through it helps me to learn what to expect when my body is fatigued.  I usually run two miles and then it's step class; by the end of class my calves are wanting to cramp and then it's one more mile to run, while fighting through my calves.  They don't actually cramp, just tighten up suddenly and then relax.  Interesting....

Beautiful day for a run!  Ran 5 miles, first mile was 7:30 and third mile was at 25:30.  Better than my treadmill time!  Woo hoo! 

Great run again today followed up with strength and core work.

2 miles and then strength training with a trainer.  Worked on upper body, arms and core.  Ow, ow, ow!  :-)

One mile and then strength  training. Lots of core work....

No miles,  but did core workout, step class and zumba.

Zumba class then I ran three miles, ran another three later in the evening with the hubby and kids (they were on bikes).  I'm not getting in the mileage that I would ideally like to but I am working a lot on strength with a trainer.  There's not enough time to do both nor do I necessarily think I could - the trainer works me pretty hard.  So I figure this is time to get physically and mentally prepared for a summer of RUNNING!  Can't wait to get back at it!

1 mile and PT session  - love boxing!  What a great all-around workout!

Not exactly motivated to go out since my legs were pretty fatigued from Monday night's PT session, but the hubby helped push me out the door.  Family event, boys on bikes, baby in jogger, husband and I ran.  Sometimes this goes well, sometimes not.  This run was the latter - I've never taken so long on our 3 mile loop but we must have stopped at least 15 times and all that starting and stopping sure wore me out!  For amusement later, I'll record the stops as best as I can remember them:

• boy #2: tie shoe
• boy #1: reprimand him for crossing the street before I say it's ok
• boy #2: tie other shoe
• boy #1: doesn't get going fast enough, I almost run him over
• boy #2: heads off in wrong direction
• baby: her blanket flies off
• baby: throws book out
• baby: throws security blanket out
• baby: throws toy out (at this point I remove all extras)
• boy #1: running him over again
• boy #2: falls off bike
• boy #1: reprimand for arguing with his brother the ENTIRE way
• boy #2: reprimand for not taking turns with his brother being 'first'
• boy #2: heads off in wrong direction AGAIN (must be first but has no clue where he's going...)

THANK GOODNESS WE'RE HOME!

No miles but I wanted to log that I worked out - 1 hr of strength training, boxing and ab work with the trainer.

3 miles, step class and upper body and calf strength training.  Whew - I'm tired!

And workout with trainer.

Slow miles - got lost in Appleton WI!  Lesson learned, don't head out without a cell phone! 

And step class.

Also arm strength training and  ab work.

3 miles loop around my house - once on my own and then again with the family!

Just 1.5 warm up miles and then training session.

One warm up mile and then training session, legs extremely sore and fatigued.  Lesson learned: do not have long run and then the next day a session with the trainer.  OWWWW! 

Just warm up miles due to session with trainer tonight.  Two more weeks and then I'll ramp up the weekly mileage.  CAN'T WAIT!!

YES! Ran the 3.1 in 24:51; first mile in under 7 minutes.  OK, no much under 7, but under 7 nonetheless!!  :-)  I've been in such a rut - this feels wonderful!  :-)

1 warm up mile plus boxing and ab work

miles then step class

3.2 mid-tempo miles.

Lesson learned today - do not do strength training BEFORE run.....oy.

Speedwork then strength training.

Warm up miles then last day of strength training with trainer.  Time to start the serious training for running!

Tough run today - not many miles but the wind was killer!  Kinda disappointing....

Two runs today since I was unable to get in yesterday's....1st run this morning was 2.25.

Actually writing about the second run the next day.  Second run was good, ran comfortably hard with a few intervals and strides thrown in (was feeling a bit bored).  This morning my legs are tired and a bit achy.  Struggling with the temptation to work on speed rather than endurance.....Saturday will be a six mile run, we'll see how it goes!  I have a 10K scheduled for the end of June - if I can come in betwee 55 - 57 minutes I'll be pretty happy!  I figure that this summer I'll work on endurance and race experience and then over the winter I'll work on speed and come out strong in the spring!  Woo hoo! 

Haven't run 6.0 in quite awhile - took me 54-55 minutes, I'm good with the time.  I keep reminding myself that this year is more about endurance, not getting faster....

3.0 on the mill and then some arm strength training.  My right 'hip' keeps tightening up - I say hip but I think that somehow my glute is involved.  I'm thinking a foam roller will help but who wants to pay $25 for a foam roller???

Three miles of intervals - they felt good!  Then triad training, ab work and stretching.  Just can't seem to figure out what's going on with this hip though - I'm sure it's a recurring cramp of some sort....I tried paying extra attention to running form last night but it didn't seem to help.  Started out with hip feeling good and it just gradually tightened up.

3.0 miles, hip bugs me a bit during the run but really starts bugging me afterwards....

Off day today so I cross-trained.  Worked on arms, abs; bike ride to and from gym then a few miles with my oldest son - that was fun!!  :-)  Zumba class in the evening with a friend.  Getting a little anxious already about Saturday's 10 miler....

3 miles, tempo run: 26.09.  Then a long stretching session - between stretching and some ointment my hip is feeling much better.

3.0 then step class

Writing this the next day.....legs and hip are sore!!!  Last night was six half miles split up between reps of strength training.  One legged-squats and step-ups with 24 pounds really killed my quads.  Running was difficult after that as my quads were all balled up - that's the only term I can think of to describe how they felt.  I tried to break into a sprint to loosen up a bit but it just wasn't happening....good work out though.  

I headed out for a run last night not quite sure if it was a good idea - still very sore from Monday night's workout.  I was definitely hurting after the run and legs are still sore today but no more than yesterday.  There's a long run scheduled for tomorrow but as my legs are still sore I think I'll push it off a day and keep the runs short for now.  Sigh.  I need to build strength in my glutes and legs but making them sore like this is sure cutting into my training....

3 miles in the morning and then Zumba in the evening.  Morning miles were kinda crappy - feel like I'm in a slump I just can't pull out of.  Also, my legs STILL hurt from Monday night's workout...only when I do squats though so I guess it's an improvement but I'll have to remember this for the next time I do that workout - need to scale back a bit....

Not much time tonight, 1.5 miles, arm toning and ab work

Treadmill is BORING!  2 miles on the mill and then 1 around the track - sprinted the last couple laps and man oh man did that feel good!  Only problem is that the gym track is so small that I'm running into the wall on the corners....then some arm and ab work.  Good workout tonight!

OK, I'm ditching  the watch for awhile.  Running is becoming to much about time and less about fun and becoming what I didn't think I would ever be.  So, this morning I headed out at the obscene hour of 5a to get in a short 3-mile run.  Felt great to just run and not worry about time and since I didn't have my  nose in my watch every 30 seconds I actually saw a fox this morning!  And wow, have I turned into a city girl - I was actually a little scared!  :-)  Hoping to go for a second 3 miler tonight....maybe without the fox though....here's how it went down:

• Fox: bounds cutely in front of me and enters tall grass
• Me: Holi cannoli that’s a fox! Oh crap, I just read that article about a rabid fox attacking a runner and I don’t even have my cell phone.  I’m going to have to limp 1.5 miles home with that stupid fox hanging off my leg or what if some sicko decides to take advantage of my weakened state after the fox bites my leg????  Crap, crap, crap.
• Fox: still staring
• Me: Isn’t that thing supposed to be scared??  Definitely rabid, I’m going to yell at it.  “AHHHHH”
• Bird: stops singing and wonder what the heck is up with the strange human. 
• Fox: still staring
• Me: well, at least I scared the bird….I’m going to keep running and pretend that I don’t know Mr. Fox is there and still staring
• Fox: STILL staring
• Me: sneak peak behind me and can just see the tip of his tail.  Keep on running, running, not to fast, don’t want him to think I’m prey…..

I am SUCH a city girl! 

Evening run: 3 more miles.  Not very fast as Mom took my son to soccer practice and got lost.  Had to stop running so I could talk her home over the phone.  Never a dull moment at my house!  :-)

3 miles on the mill and then strength training for arms and core.  Running on the mill is boring but it felt good to be at the gym and get a well-rounded workout in.  I didn't run full-out on the mill but I did push a bit and my legs are tired the next morning - so good run!  I also worked quite a bit on my form since the mirrors are right in front of the treadmills; seemed to help my nagging hip.  I think there's a couple problems happening: I'm not tracking through and my feet tend to come down in front of one another though I think the tracking is the bigger problem.  Really concentrated on that the past couple nights and my hip has been getting progressively better.  Hmmmm, I guess we'll see!

Run wasn't great - never is when I'm pushing the stroller!  However, when I run without it I tend to have great times...  :-)  Time to talk goals;  I set a goal to run a 1/2 marathon this year and so.....time to get to it.  Life has been getting in the way but I came across a 10 week training plan that will put me in perfect position to run a 1/2 in Sept.  Training starts now - I'm going to get that 1/2 in if I have to get up every morning at 4:30a!  Well, maybe not 4:30.....:-)

Went to the gym so I could get in some strength training - 3 miles then arms, legs, and abs.  Good all over workout and man oh man did it feel GOOD!  It's been hard getting to the gym lately, everything I can do just to get in a few 3 milers during the week....

Fine run, weather was perfect.  The only issue I'm having is finding TIME!  I need to get in some longer runs but geesh - with the three kids I'm sure having a hard time fitting in runs. 

XT day today - love step class!!  I haven't been there for over a month and the trainer has gotten new music, whew was it fast!!  Definitely a good cardio workout!

Temp: 85, dewpoint: 81, humidity: 94% = one heck of a hot run!!!

I live in MN where it's so VERY HOT and SAUNA like so I decided to hit the gym instead of running outside as the heat index was reading 110 degrees.  Bad move - the gym was worse than outside!!!  I quit after 1.5 and did some arm toning and then went home to finish my run outside.  Still hot but at least there was the occasional light breeze and the humidity didn't feel quite as bad.  Then back home for some ab work in the lovely air conditioning.

Short run this morning, this heat wave is draining me!  Hopefully another short run tonight....

Weather: dewpoint was high, temp 73.  Decent run though legs were feeling tired for some reason less than half way through.  Though I did do some speed work for the first half so maybe that had something to do with it.  :-)

OK, so I'm having problems fitting in the miles - trying to train for a half marathon in Sept but I don't want to be an absentee parent while doing it.....sigh.  4am is just to darn early to run so I ran last night between the kids events (which never seem to end!).  Only able to fit in the short miles as I had to stop my run to fix my kids bike!  :-)

Cross-training night - one hour of step class then a bit of core work.  Whew, the trainer really kicked our butts in step class! 

Lesson learned on this run: when running is getting frustrating and makes you feel as if you're falling behind and missing the mark do something new.  I had a great run, slow, but since I had not run 8 miles yet it was great!  The weather was nice and cool and besides some technical difficulties with my music and headband everything went well and I did much better than expected.  I can definitely tell that doing more 5 milers has helped and am looking forward to this weekend's 9-miler!!

Hilly route during son's tutoring session....20mph gust that of course had to happen while going up the steepest hill - 'whew' is all I can say!!

Cross-training night: step class!!  Probably not the best cross-training for running but I do like it so much....my legs are a bit tired today though....not sure how the run will go this evening....

Long run yesterday so tonight was just cross-training.  Arms and abs......

4.3 miles while son was in tutoring....hilly route - hills are tough but I'm finding that I really enjoy them; a little something to break up the monotony...  :-)

3.2 miles at 4:45a.  Legs were feeling a bit heavy, not fully recovered from yesterday evening's run and abs are STILL sore from Monday night!!  :-)   I would just like to state that 4:45a is REALLY early and I'm not to crazy about running in the dark by myself.  But with kids and stuff I think this is going to have to become my new running time - maybe I'll have to look into getting some pepper spray to carry with me....hopefully I'll be doing another run tonight after son's soccer practice...

Great run!!  Even though I was PMS'ing like crazy (can I say that on a family blog??)  the run was great.  And as an added benefit it relieved my PMS symptoms also!

4.3 hilly miles and 17mph winds while my son was in Learning Rx and then another 2.2 miles when we got home.  Those hills, while already hard, were absolute murder with that wind!  Whew!

Ran while son was at soccer practice....starting to get creative with finding time to run!  Why sit in waiting rooms or lawn chairs when I could be getting in some miles??  Hopefully I'll inspire the other parents to rethink how they spend their time carting around kids....

Helped out a trainer at our gym by going to one of his step classes at another gym.....cut into my miles this week though....sigh. 

Step class night!!!

Short run tonight as I was having a hard time keeping it slow....actually planned a 6 miler but for some reason, even though I felt terrible, I was running faster than I wanted.  So I decided to go with it!r   Tonight is hills so it should be no problem keepin' it sllllooooowwwww.

Wanted to run 5 miles but I had to get my daughter home and to bed...so that's life I guess!  But she was an absolute doll last night during the run, even a bit of a trainer.  If I slowed down she'd sit up in the stroller, turn around and say "Here we go!" 

Speedwork at the gym on the treadmill and then some arm toning and ab work.  Allergies are driving me nuts, no way I would have been able to breathe through an outside run!

No running, just a tough step class!!!

The run felt great last night!  Love this cooler weather!

No miles, it was a cross-training night - love step class!!

Wow, my legs were tired!  Not sure if it was the warmer weather or what but I just couldn't get in a groove for this easy 3 miler....

step class

Windy as heck!

Raked all day - allergies were to bad at the end to attempt any running....

Nice, cool run tonight. Felt good! I'm really starting to feel like I'm coming along as a runner - every once in awhile I hit my stride and feel like I'm gliding along effortlessly. Last night I had quite a few of the moments but man oh man were my legs hurting during the night. They definitely got a workout!

2 easy miles in addition to step class.  Good news is that I'm finding that my 'easy' speed is faster than a few months ago.  Woo hoo!

Dug out the Tae Bo Bootcamp DVD - not a bad workout!

3.2 SLOOOOOOWWWW miles....just not feeling it....

1.5 miles before step class, 1.5 after.  He worked us during class and my legs were very heavy for the run afterwards.  Then a good session on the abs.  Over the winter I'm going to stop worrying about mileage and work on speed.  3 miles every run but pushing the speed a couple times a week.  I'd like to come out running a 5k in under 23 minutes by spring.....totally doable, I think!

Short run - it wasn't even cold but I'm discovering that I am NOT a cold weather runner!

3.0 tempo miles and then some strenth training. 

3 miles at a good pace, then some leg strengthening.  No a whole lot of time to get in a good workout...

2 miles then step class

personal trainer app

I was expecting a terrible workout, not feeling well or motivated, but it was surprisingly AWESOME!  Just 3 miles and I decided to do intervals; they literally flew by!  Followed up with abs and arm toning.

I really have been running I was just trying out another way of logging in runs and workouts - and it was terrible.  I really appreciate the simplicity of this site. 

Miles were tough - I'm at a new gym and not enjoying their treadmills.  Felt like I was working very hard even though I know I wasn't.  A bit of ab work after the run.

No miles - one hour of intense step class and then 20 minutes of abs.  OWWW!

Loving this mild winter!  3.2 outside, not a great run but it was good to be out.

GREAT run today.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this weather!

EAsy run

90 minutes of cross-training: hi/lo class and then step class.  Definitely tired...

Lovely outdoor run!

Felt good!