To Half, or not to Half

There is a half marathon here this weekend, it's the race I did last year. Not the most exciting course, but for the $40 price tag, it's not too bad, basically running around Downtown Orlando.

I can't decide if I should run it or not. I have not signed up yet, honestly, I have been logging small mileage lately, so I just hadn't thought about it much. My average runs have been around 3-6 miles for the past month or two, have not done many "big" mileage runs lately.

This morning, I did 10 miles, and felt good, it was the longest run I have done in quite some time. It got me to thinking about the half, and wondering if maybe I should go for it? I don't feel confident that I'll do better than last year (2:11), but I also hope that if I finish in more than that, that I'm not bummed about it. So, I just can't decide what to do, I don't want to struggle out there, I want to enjoy it, if I think I'm going to struggle, I'll just do some more longer runs and do a half in a month or two down the road.

But, I keep thinking about this darn race, as it's been a year since my last half, and I'm itching to do one. I figure, if I felt good after running 10 today, that hopefully I can handle 13 without it being too hard? This is the race that I signed up for on a whim last year. I went out for a run on Thanksgiving morning, and when I realized I had run 12, I went home and signed up for the race, which was a week away.

Oh, what to do, what to do!

Oh, Yay !!

I have been wanting a Garmin forever, just haven't wanted to spend the money. I just ordered a 305, it'll be my Christmas present from my mother, I told her about it and she told me to go ahead and order it. $150 through Amazon, I never thought I'd get one for that price!

Just had to share - I am so excited! I think running will be a bit more fun now...

A New PR......

Well, sort of. I have run only two 10K's, and I am very, very happy with the way this last one turned out!

I'm too lazy to do a full report of the race, it was a standard race. Run last Sunday, in a town near Disney World that I used to live in, so it was nice being back there, such a pretty place for a run. The goal I had going into this race was to hopefully finish it in under 1 hour, because the only other 10K I have done (2 years ago) I finished in just over 1 hour.

Weather was perfect the morning of the race, low 50's, sunny, just perfect for running. I passed by the 3 mile mark at 27 minutes, and realized that maybe I could make a new goal to finish this thing in under 55 minutes. Wasn't sure it would happen, but I was just thinking as I ran along.

As I neared the finish line, I could see the clock said 54 something. I thought to myself that I need to get in under 55, so I sprinted to the finish, and I did it! Finishing time was 54:25. Awesome race, so glad I did it. Here's some stats, I am thrilled about them, because typically when I race, my pace is around 9:30-10:00 miles:

Finishing time: 54:25
Placed 357 out of 905 runners
Placed 15 out of 66 for my age group
Pace: 8:45 per mile!

Yay, yay, yay!! I am so happy about this race!

Rough Week

I've run twice this week, yesterday and today. Yesterday, did a 6 miler that was a lot more challenging than usual. Then today, did 3, and that felt even harder than yesterday's 6! I have been sleeping terribly all week, so I'm assuming that's the reason for the tough runs. About a week ago, my daughter suddenly started waking up in the middle of the night, then getting up very early in the morning. Something seems to be scaring her, we're still trying to figure out why this is suddenly happening. She's almost 5, and this is the first time we've gone through something like this with her for so many nights in a row. So, needless to say, mommy has been missing sleep every single night for the past week.

During this morning's 3 miler, something happened that has only happened twice (that I can remember) in the 12 or so years that I've been running. I tripped and fell. The first time it happened was almost 2 years ago, approaching the finish line of a race at Disney. That was fun, since there were lots of spectators to watch my face plant. Today, of course it had to happen on a somewhat busy road, cars were going by. I was on the sidewalk, but how embarrassing, I'm sure some of those people had stories to tell of the silly runner falling flat on her face.

I am doing a 10K on Sunday, and after today's run, I am no longer looking forward to it. 6 miles is typically pretty easy for me, but with today's 3 feeling so difficult and tiring, I am starting to wonder if I can even handle a 10K right now. If I don't start getting some sleep, I can't see how I'll do well at all. For example, I was up at 4am for the day this morning, this was after going to bed at 11pm and being up with the little one at 12:30 for a bit. This has been the routine for a week, and I'm not liking it much!

I no longer have any goals for this race, if I do it, I'll just be happy to finish the darn thing at this point. The other 10K I did I finished in 1 hour, so I would like to finish this in a few minutes less than that, but I'm not listing that as a goal. We'll just have to see if I can handle it, can I finish this strong at all, and hopefully there won't be any falls for me this time!

Enjoying some outdoor runs again..

It is finally fall here in Florida, and I could not be happier! Last night, we had temps in the mid 40's, and tonight we're going down to the low 40's. Highs for today and tomorrow are in the 60's, which to me is just perfect for this time of year!

On Sunday morning, I went for my first outdoor run in quite a while, and it was spectacular. The temp was in the upper 50's, which is pretty much perfect for running, in my book. It felt great to be able to run off the treadmill for a change, and I look forward to many outdoor runs in the coming months. Today after I dropped Ava off at school, I decided to go for a run, even though it was about 48 degrees, but they said it felt about 44 with the wind chill (it was pretty windy out there). It was good, but not quite as great as Sunday's run. Only got in about 3 miles, but I came home and mowed the lawn, so I figure, that was still sort of exercising, right?

I have decided to do a 10K race in a couple of weeks. It's a really nice course, and the $25 cost is right up my alley. This will be my first race since the half marathon I did last December, that's a long time between races! I don't have many goals, I really never have goals going into races. If I finish under an hour, I'll be happy. I don't see why I shouldn't finish in that time, but you never know.

I'm starting to consider getting a Garmin. I have always been interested in getting one, but lately I feel like I really want one. Just starting the search, as I don't know a lot about them. I have heard that the 305 is good, any Garmin users out there have any suggestions?

Not a lot to write about

It's been a few weeks since my last post, and there isn't all that much to write about (can I be more boring?!).

Been plugging away at the gym, at 5:30 each weekday morning. I have been slacking in my running big time, I have been running only 2-3 times a week lately, all of it on the treadmill, and usually only around 5 miles. The weather here in FL still isn't good enough for me to run outside, I do look forward to the cooler mornings ahead, when I can go out for a nice long run on a weekend.

Been doing Spin class 2-3 times a week, which has cut into my running. I love the class though, such a good, challenging workout!

Husband and I spent the weekend at Disney last week, just the two of us. We live about 45 minutes from there, so while we are there quite a lot, it felt so nice to be there without Ava. We missed her, of course, but we needed the time away. Going back again this weekend, as we have family coming down from NY, Ava is so excited to get some play time with her cousins.

I'm not running the Race for the Taste 10K. It was something like $50, and I just don't feel like paying that to run 6 miles right now. As fun as that race is, I know I will be sad on Sunday morning, but I can always do it next year. Plus, we're spending the day at Disney on Sunday, and I wasn't going to drive 45 minutes back home after the race to shower, then drive back, so I guess it all works out for the best. Now I don't have to walk around the parks all sweaty for most of the day.

There is a 10K I will do next month that's right down the road from Disney. In a town I used to live in, a really pretty place, so running a race there will surely be fun. And, I like the $25 cost a bit better, that'll be a little easier on my wallet.

In a bad place with workouts this week actually. I was too tired from our weekend to workout on both Monday and Tuesday. I then did a spin class yesterday, and I was up half the night with a cold last night, so I opted out of the gym this morning. Assuming I make it there tomorrow, and try to squeeze in a run on Saturday, it'll be a 3 day workout week, so I guess it's not the worst thing. Why is it though, that I feel guilty if I don't get to the gym at least 4-5 times a week?!

Spinning, Sickies, etc

For about a year now, I've been saying that I want to try out a spin class. Just thought it would be something different to cross train my running, maybe even something a little fun. I joined a new gym last month, and I had not really taken the time yet to look at their class schedule (except for the kid's fitness class for Ava, she loves it!).

So, I'm running on the treadmill on Monday morning, was just about to hit the 30 minute mark, when an instructor came running through the gym asking if anyone wants to try out a spin class. It was a rough morning, I was just about to quit and call it a day after just 30 minutes. But, I decided to try it out, and I loved it! I looked around the room a few times, wondering it I stood out as the newbie, was I doing everything right? The guy next to me asked if it was my first class, and when I told him yes, he told me he was surprised, because I looked like a "natural". Okay, maybe I wasn't doing so bad after all!

Did it again on Wednesday morning, loved it even more (liked the Weds instructor a little better). It's such a great workout, but man is it hard on the legs! My legs were very sore Thursday and again today, bad enough that I skipped both days of the gym. :-( It's funny how I can run, do the Elliptical, etc., but doing a different cardio workout just works the muscles differently I guess. With the way my legs felt yesterday, I felt like I had just started working out. The best part is that the class is at 6am three times during the week. I like to get to the gym when they open at 5:30, so it's nice that I can get 30 minutes in of running, then do the 45 minute spin class, feels great after all of that!

My husband has strep throat, and guess what I found out I have today? Yup, good ole strep. Fun times. I rarely get sick, so this just stinks, but what can you do. At this point, I'm just hoping that Ava doesn't get it, I'd hate to see a 4 year old have to deal with something like that.

Not much else new going on here. I have a few races in mind for the upcoming months, but have not officially registered for any of them yet. A 10K at Disney next month that I did a couple of years ago, it was a fun race. One or two local 5K's I am considering, but just not sure, I never feel motivated to sign up for a 5K for some reason? I'm thinking about a 13K at Disney in November, need to check to see if it's full yet actually. It's pricey, I just can't decide if I feel like paying the big tab for it. And, I'm hoping to do a half in late November too. We shall see.

Double Dip

It's not often that I go for a run twice in the same day, in fact it's been long enough that I can't remember the last time.

Yesterday, I went to the gym at 5:30am and ran 4 miles on the treadmill, at around a 9:15 pace (my typical pace). After that, I carted Ava back and forth to her 2 preschools, and after I dropped her off at the afternoon class at noon, I had the urge to run again. I got home, threw on the gym clothes, and hit the gym again. This time doing a 4.5 mile run, at an 8:30 pace! That's big for me, I'm the person who mainly runs around the same pace all the time, and just increases it toward the end of the run, for the last mile or so. In fact, during yesterday's morning run, I had done the first few miles at the 9:15 pace I mentioned, but for the last mile, I jacked it up to a 7:30 pace, only one mile of that, but it felt great! Did a short 3 miler at the gym early this morning, the hubby had to leave early this morning, so I only had time for 3 - but kept up the fast pace, did the 3 at an 8:30 pace again.

So, I'm working on getting faster, and I'm really enjoying those runs. Not a lot new going on over this way, we're getting used to the school routine again (I love it!). Ava loves school, it's going great. We used 2 bad weather days last week due to Fay, in the first week of school. But, what can you do, at least we didn't suffer any damage over here, I know of too many flooded areas, I can't even imagine.

Sorry that I haven't blogged much, when I get a more interesting life, I'll have more to blog about!

Ahhh, this feels good

I am finally starting to feel like I have my groove back with running, after feeling a bit out of it the past few weeks. Had some great workouts this week, and I feel back on track, which just feels great.

I mentioned in another post that I was considering quitting the gym, as it would be easier to just run outside, and use my Elliptical at home. I have sent in the paperwork to quit, but there is a new plan now, I think we're going to join the local YMCA, as it's about 1/2 mile from my house, much more convenient than the current gym (5-6 miles away). I literally pass by the Y every time I come in and out of my neighborhood, so this makes sense. Plus, for what I am currently paying for just Ava and myself, I can do a family membership, husband included, for $7 more. Seems like a decent deal.

So, I'll probably stick to the early morning workouts, around 5:30 when they open, just a good time of day for me. I'm excited about it, it's a small gym, but still very nice, and did I mention so conveniently located?

Been busy around here, school starts in just 9 days, and Ava is so excited, she loves school. I am really looking forward to it too, just another step closer to summer being over, and the Florida heat letting up (that part is probably another month and a half away, at a minimum).

My husband and I have realized that we're in dire need of a weekend away, just us, no kid. So, it looks like we'll be going on a roller coaster trip in October, and I couldn't be more excited! Before we moved to FL and had a child, we used to travel all over the country to visit different amusement parks and ride different coasters. The taller and faster, the better, we just love them. We will be going to a place that has fall weather, so I have a feeling getting back on that plane to come back to FL is going to be very hard, as fall weather is a huge thing I miss. But, I'm excited that I have a chance to spend a couple of days at my all time favorite amusement park, and enjoy some nice weather, and just some nice time away. Love that child of mine, but I could use a couple of days away from mommy-hood.

How can 3 be harder than 8?!

Had a tough run this morning, and it was all of 3 miles! This happens to me once in a while, I'll go out for what I think will be an easy 3, and it'll feel more tough than a 7 or 8 mile run.

I think the problem may be that I went to the gym with the plan of doing just 3. I guess it's a mindset thing, because when I go in with a plan to do say, 7, then 3 usually doesn't feel so bad. I hadn't run in a week before today (but I had worked out on the Elliptical a few times), but usually just a week off doesn't set me back much at all, but today was just hard. I didn't have to stop to walk or anything, it just felt tiring, I just wasn't all that into it. I ran it at a pace of about 9:15, which is pretty typical for me. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

I found a cool site, where you enter your name, and it shows you all the races you've been in. I had never heard of it before, yet I have a feeling that everyone else already has heard of it - I'll share it anyway, just in case. It's fun to see your name listed in all the races you've done, you can always stalk other people I guess too, if that's your thing! http://athlinks.com/

Not much else new going on here. Just waiting for summer to wind down, only a couple of months to go before we start to feel some relief around here. By relief, I mean October, where it's usually in the mid 80's instead of 90+ everyday!

How many of you do not belong to a gym? I am considering giving up the gym, just haven't decided yet. I have been going for about a year and a half now, and I have always enjoyed it, I love that Ava goes to the daycare there, makes it so much easier to get those workouts done. But, now that she'll be in school essentially all day starting next month, it might be easier for me to work out on my Elliptical at home, and do my running outside. Not sure that the gym will be worth the money anymore, as getting there between dropping her off and picking her up at two schools every day is going to be challenging. We'll see, still thinking that over, I have some time to figure it all out.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! We're off to the beach this weekend for a few days, guess it's sort of a "Stay-cation", is that what they're calling it?

Back into the swing of things.....

And, it really feels great! I have had some great runs this week, and am so glad to be back on track. I ran 7 on Monday, 6.5 on Tuesday, did the Elliptical on Wednesday, and ran 7.5 today. It has been feeling great, and I've been averaging about a 9:15-9:30 pace, which is good for me.

This time of year, it's hot as heck in Florida, so my runs are mainly done on the treadmill at the gym, which is fine with me since I can drop the little one in the daycare there and have the time to myself. I would typically still aim for at least 1 outdoor run per week in the summer, I'd just schedule it for 6am or so, before the part of the day where I'd melt out there running. But, we have a rapist on the loose here in Orlando, not far from where I live. Even though the attacks (unfortunately, including one murder of a runner) have been happening about 6 or 7 miles from my house, that's still too close to home. And, what really freaks me out is that they've been happening at what I'd consider to be safer times of the day to run, like 6 in the evening. When I run at 6am, there's no one around, so that can't be too safe. Just crazy that we have to worry about this stuff. So, the runs are definitely staying on the treadmill for a while. So, girls, be careful out there, regardless of where you live! My husband and Ava wanted to take a bike ride last night around 7pm, and I decided to run along side them - wow was I dripping after only 1 mile, it was too hot for me!

Not a lot new going on, just staying busy, school starts in just 39 days (yay!). As much as I love having Ava home for the summer, it will be nice to get back to the school schedule next month.

Looking at races for the fall, have not decided on anything yet, but definitely want to do another half, I think I mentioned that in a previous post. I am really looking forward to the time of year when it starts to cool down a little bit here - that would be Oct-Nov. Long way to go!

Gotta get back on that wagon!

Haven't been around in a while, does anyone still read this thing? I don't blame you if you don't, I really should post a wee bit more often, shouldn't I.

Life was a bit busy there for a bit, end of school year stuff going on, then we were in NY last week. It was awesome to be home, the weather was wonderful, it was nice to see family. This was the first trip where Ava seemed to understand more that everyone really does live far away from us. As we were leaving, she cried that she didn't want to leave her cousins, her aunts, etc. Sure made me cry, I just did not want to come back to Florida. If I could afford it, I'd be looking at real estate on Long Island right now, I really want to be closer to family. One good thing about that though, one of my sisters is moving to North Carolina this summer. I have been looking into a move there for the past year or two, so this will be great that I'll have family there if I do make the move. A few other family members would be likely to follow too.

I did have one amazing run in NY though, it was only a 6 miler, but every second of it felt great, and the weather was absolutely perfect for running, it was around 57 degrees, ahhhh just so nice. It was seriously one of the highlights of my trip, running through the streets of where I grew up, enjoying the large trees (we have itty bitty trees here in Orlando - boring). Running outdoors in FL this time of year is brutal, so being able to run outside in June and enjoy it was just so nice.

So, coming from the land of boring food, and going to a place where there are so many delights that I just miss having around, boy does that not help the waistline. I have not been on a scale, but I'm sure a couple of pounds have found their way to me, I ate too much good food last week! Thankfully, most of my clothes still fit fine, but I can just feel that I need to buckle down and stop eating badly, and increase my workouts. I miss the days of long runs and 6 days per week of workouts. Only a few months ago, I was always at the gym, 6-8 mile runs were normal for me, with up to a 10-12 mile run on a weekend. I so need to get back there, the past few weeks my workouts have consisted of shorter runs, and less frequent, averaging 2-3 times a week. I do plan to buckle down now though, I can still do the longer runs, it's not like I'm unable to handle them, it's just the desire is not where it was a few months ago, I need that motivation back I guess. I'll get there.

I'll try to update this a bit more often now, if I have anything exciting to talk about. Now that we're back home and it's summer vacation, it's pretty boring and uneventful around here.

Summer Vacation..

Starts tomorrow here. Ava has her last day of school, then it's about 10 weeks of summer! At first, I was a bit worried about having to keep her entertained aaaalll day long, every day, since she is my only child. But, I am starting to embrace the idea of having her home all day, and I am going to try hard to make this a great summer for her.

We are going home to NY in less than two weeks, I am really looking forward to being there, visiting with family, etc. Haven't been back in a year, so it's long overdue. Looking forward to a lot of relax time, and we'll also do a day in Manhattan, and a day at Yankee stadium. Then in July we'll hopefully go to a gulf beach here in Florida, probably the St Pete area, do a long weekend there. Other than that, just lots of day trips planned, Disney, zoo, beach, parks, lots of time at the pool, playdates with friends, etc. I have to say, I will enjoy not having to rush at the gym for a while. As it is now, we go in the early morning, because she doesn't have to be at school until 11:30, so it always winds up being rushed. I certainly will not miss that, it will be nice to have pretty much unlimited time at the gym this summer.

On the workout front, not a lot new going on, I am so boring! Since it's now over 90 each day here, I am running outdoors much less frequently, and I have no races planned, just not the season for races here. I hope to do another Half in the late fall/early winter, I would love to beat the time of the one I did in December (2:11) and Disney has an evening 13K race at Hollywood Studios that I definitely want to do this year. I missed it last year, but it sounds too fun, need to do that one.

So, I've just been doing my daily runs, elliptical machine, stuff like that. I have started using my home elliptical every now and then when I don't want to drive to the gym. Bought it 3 years ago, but stopped using it when I joined the gym. So, it's nice to get some use out of that.

Break out the Roller Blades

I've had them for probably 10 years, but haven't used them in at least 2. I dug them out of the garage last week, I take the little one down the street each day to play with all the neighborhood kids, and I figured if I have to be out there, I may as well squeeze in some extra exercise, right?

When I took them out of the garage last week, the buckle part was broken on both of them. Probably the Florida heat melted them, I figure. But, they're still usable, so I'm throwing them on each afternoon, yesterday I scooted around on them for 2 hours, and this was after a 7 mile run earlier in the day - yay! I love finding ways for extra exercise.

Speaking of the FL heat, it's hot here. I decided the other day to run outdoors while my little one was at school - at 12 in the afternoon. Temp was probably in the low 80's, which is about 20 degrees above my maximum running temp. I don't know what I was thinking, but it wasn't all that bad, I think I thought it would be worse. Humidity has been on the low side, so it was more do-able than I thought it would be. But, I think my occasional outdoor runs are not going to happen again for quite some time, unless it gets done at 6am. Otherwise, the treadmill it is.

Sometimes it's just the little things

So, I posted recently about not feeling like much of a runner lately, which I know is silly, as I am still running most days of the week. But, I wanted to share a little thing that happened, that lifted my spirits a bit.

I was at the gym, running on the treadmill, at about mile 5 of a planned 6 mile run. I have runs where I'm all into it from the second I start, I feel great, crank up the speed a bit, etc. Then I sometimes have runs like the one on this day, I just wasn't into it. I felt okay, but just didn't feel like completing the run, but I kept going. A lady had been walking on the treadmill next to me, and when she got off she said something that I thought was so nice. She said "hey, I just have to tell you, you're doing great, you're here every day running, and I think it's great that you're dedicated like that, great job". I thanked her, and she was off on her way. It gave me a little boost, and I was able to increase my speed for the last mile to an 8 min/mile pace (I usually run faster for the last mile, I know it's not exactly official "training", but it works for me).

It was such a little thing, this random lady saying something to me, but it really lifted me for that day. I really appreciated that.

Skipped the gym yesterday, my little one had a school field trip to the zoo and I chaperoned. It was fun, and tiring, it was close to 90 degrees (yuck). Today I'll run while she's at school, just didn't feel like dealing with the crazy traffic around here this morning to get to the gym at our usual 8am time. So, I'll arrive at her school to pick her up all gross and sweaty, but it'll be worth it.

Not feeling like a Runner Lately..

I can't believe it's been more than two months since I have updated this thing. Life has just been busy, and maybe a little boring too, I haven't had all that much new to update about.

Workouts have been the same really, nothing new to report. I am sort of at a standstill with my running, I have not done anything big lately, just doing the same ole. I go to the gym 5-6 days a week, and I run on average, 6-8 miles each time.

Summer is really starting here in FL, so my weekly outdoor run will probably not be happening for a while. I may be able to squeeze in a few more before it gets too hot, but typically I don't run outdoors in the summer, even the mornings can be too warm and humid for me. Thank goodness for the gym!

I will try to keep up with this blog more often now, maybe I'll start to have some exciting stuff to write about, who knows! No races on the horizon for me, I was toying with the idea of doing a 15K at Disney next month, but talked myself out of spending the $50, I am just not wanting to spend big money on races right now. I have not done a race since my Half back in December.

On to the reason why I'm not feeling like a runner lately. I had joined a message board over at Runner's World, and I made my way over to a women's section that mainly has moms on it. I am floored at the workouts these ladies do, it's amazing! It makes my daily 6 mile runs feel like nothing. Most of them have done marathons, a couple of them even ran Boston yesterday. I find it amazing, I think part of me wishes I had the desire to do a marathon, but I just don't. I loved the half, and will do another one, but at this point in my life, the desire to train for a full just isn't there.

Maybe it's time to take that "Runner" license plate frame off my car, I just don't feel like a runner lately, makes no sense really, since I still run almost every day!

Spirit of the Marathon

So, I discovered tonight that this movie is playing right down the road next week. I missed it the first time around last month (I was away on a cruise that weekend) and now that I see it's coming back I'm wondering, should I go?

I'll be honest here. It is very likely that I will never run a full marathon. I loved doing the half, and will probably do more, I love that distance, nice challenge, etc. However, I just don't see myself as a marathoner, as much as I love running, I just don't think I want to train for a full at this point.

With that being said, I am intrigued by this movie though. I love hearing about other people doing the full 26.2, even if I don't think I'll be one of them someday.

So, I wonder, should I go and see this movie? I think I should. I am going to see if I can get DH to go with me, I'm sure he will, even though he is not a runner. It's a shame, the one running friend I had here just moved out of state a few months ago (and she just ran a 10 miler last weekend in 80 minutes - hate her!). But, if DH doesn't want to go, I'm thinking of making it a night out alone if I have to.

Not much to report on the workout front today, same ole. I think I did a 6 mile run yesterday, and today I mixed it up a bit, 3 miles on the elliptical, then I hopped onto the treadmill and ran 3.

One of those runs.....

Have you ever had one of those runs, where you just don't feel like getting it done? That was sort of like my run this morning.

Alarm went off at 6:30 this morning, I like to run first thing, I'm just a morning runner. Got out by 6:45, it was just starting to get a little light outside. Weather was perfect, probably low to mid 50's, no wind. I figured I'd do somewhere between 8-10 miles, I just went out with the plan of running until I felt like stopping (pretty much how all my runs go).

I don't use a Garmin, or anything like that, heck I don't even bring a watch with me. This is the cheesy way I figure out the mileage of my runs. I look at the stove clock as I am leaving, and I look at it again when I get back. I also have a few mapped out routes that I do, so that helps too. The only time I know my true mileage is during the week when I run at the gym, when I run outside once or twice a week, I just wing it. It works for me.

Today I took a different route, one that I hadn't done in a while, it was nice having the change of scenery. But, after maybe 45 minutes or so, I just wasn't into it, even though I was feeling pretty good, I could have continued going, I wasn't really tired, I just felt like stopping. Hard to explain really.

So, as I was coming back home, I didn't know for sure how long I had been out, but I was guessing it had been about an hour. I knew it wasn't good when the first thing I heard my husband say as I walked in the door was "wow, that was quick today". I looked at the clock....I had run only about 55 minutes. Oh well, at least I got something done, even if it wasn't exactly the mileage I had planned.

I'm guessing I ran 6 miles today, nothing concrete, just going by the clock again. And, based on the fact that I typically run 9-9:30 miles, and today felt like I was keeping a nice pace. So, now "9 on the 9th" or "9 on the 10th" for me. I'll try next time!

9 on the 9th?

I see that a lot of people are doing this "9 on the 9th" run. I'd like to do it, wonder if I can do it on Sunday, instead?? Tomorrow needs to be my off day, as I've just worked out for 6 days in a row. I love taking Saturdays off, then doing my long run on Sunday mornings, just makes for a great run after a day of rest. Weather should be perfect this weekend for a morning run, 50-60 is typically my ideal running temp.

Last night and this morning, I felt like I was coming down with something, now I feel just fine, go figure. Got on the treadmill with the goal of doing 6 miles, but thought I'd have to stop early. Run went a lot better than I thought it would, and I got the 6 miles done.

Nothing exciting to tell about my workouts since my last post. They've been pretty much the same this week, I think I did about 6 miles each day, with one day being on the elliptical, the other days running on the treadmill.

Todays stats - 6 miles at the gym, in about 54 minutes

Finally getting this thing started!

I have been thinking about starting a blog for quite some time now, and I'm finally getting around to it. Please excuse the "boringness" of this blog, I'm working on getting it all finished and pretty, just going to take me some time. I hope by starting this, I will continue to stay motivated, meet some runners, etc.

I have been running for more than 10 years, but really only got interested in races and increasing speed, mileage, etc., within the past couple of years. Before that, I was probably running 3-5 miles a pop, and I was just happy there. Running just makes me feel great, keeps me in shape, etc. Just something I love to do.

No races planned at the moment. I may do a 15K at Disney in May, I did this race 2 years ago as my first real race, and I loved it. Other than that, nothing planned, but you never know.

Unfortunately, a lot of my runs are done at the gym, on the treadmill. Reason for this is the fact that I have my daughter to look after, so she comes along with me to the gym, has a blast in the daycare there, while mommy gets in her workouts. I do make sure to get in at least one (but preferably two) outdoor run per week, especially this time of year when it's a little cooler here in FL.

That's all for now, need to go pick up the little one at school.

Stats for today -

Elliptical at gym - 50 minutes - 6 miles

Yesterday - 9 mile run outdoors