8 miles today to mark the end of 12 weeks!

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5 mi

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	12:34 min/mi	00:12:34
2.0 mi	12:29 min/mi	00:12:29
3.0 mi	12:48 min/mi	00:12:47
4.0 mi	12:32 min/mi	00:12:31
5.0 mi	12:05 min/mi	00:12:03
6.0 mi	13:00 min/mi	00:12:58
7.0 mi	13:19 min/mi	00:13:19
8.0 mi	13:31 min/mi	00:13:30
8.2 mi	17:44 min/mi	00:04:21

I started off my run today not sure how far I was going to go. I wanted to try for 6-8 miles today.

8 miles today and yes I am feeling it! My knees are REALLY feeling it.  But a big accomplishment is checked off. When I first started training I never thought I could do it. I think the biggest thing that scared me was the time involved and the commitment to it. I am not going to lie...it is boring, especially without any of my running partner. Kelly and I haven't been able to run together for a couple of weeks now, it makes the time go by so much faster (not to mention more enjoyable) when we do our long run together. 

I did it a little different from when I train with Kelly, I just didn't have the right app downloaded on my phone to train the way we usually do. 

I ran the first 3 miles and then walked for a minute. Ran to the 5 mile mark and walked for a song. For miles 6-7-8 I would run to the end of the mile and song that was playing and walk for the next song and then start running again.  My time only fluctuated by a minute so not too bad. 

I did keep telling myself...if this were FL I would still have 5.2 miles left! Oh, that seems like a looonnnggg way to go!!!!!

The weather was in the mid-70's, sunny and some humidity. I found that if I would have gone any longer I would have run out of water. 

Each week marks off another accomplishment toward my goal.

Whew...tough one today.

1 mi

0.5 mi

1 mi

5 mi

10 mi

DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	11:47 min/mi	00:11:46
2.0 mi	11:40 min/mi	00:11:39
3.0 mi	11:58 min/mi	00:11:57
3.3 mi	13:30 min/mi	00:03:59

It was a tough run today. My legs felt heavy the entire run...never got into the groove so it was a struggle to go 3 miles today. It was humid so maybe that added to it.

Usually my Thursday runs are easier, maybe it was because I ran 2 miles yesterday when I was testing the running shoes.

Well, the good thing is I got my run in and it is over...another day to X off my training sheet. That is always a good feeling and seeing my progress over the last 12 weeks is always an incentive. The visual of seeing the X's is incentive to keep going.

Not sure what I am going to do this weekend. I missed my 8 mile run last weekend (did a 4 mile race) so maybe I will get it in this Saturday before I leave for St. Louis. If nothing else, I will try to get in at least 5 miles on Saturday. So now that I have said it, it is harder to not do it than to do it.

Short run is better than no run

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0.5 mi

1 mi

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	12:18 min/mi	00:12:17
2.0 mi	11:54 min/mi	00:11:54
2.9 mi	11:48 min/mi	00:10:59

Listen to me...short run! Who would have thought 12 weeks ago that I would say 2.9 miles is a short run! It goes to show that progress is being made in a short amount of time. Week 12 and I consider anything under 3 miles a short run. However, my run was only about 2.5 miles before I stopped running and started walking.

Went to the fabric store today to purchase some fabric for my "Princess" costume. I want to start looking and trying different options to see what is best. I know I have lots of time, but it is a good motivation. I have been looking at RunDisney sites, blogs and pictures lately to keep me going in the right direction.

Tomorrow I am signed up to "test" some running shoes for Mizzuno...haha, again...12 weeks ago who would have thought I would be interested, let alone actually doing it.

Some slight pain in my left knee and foot today. I might go see Angie's massage therapist to see if he can help. She says he is great and helps her with some of her aches and pains. I just don't want any set-backs so I will see.

First 4-mile run/race and Week 11

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	11:03 min/mi	00:11:03
2.0 mi	11:24 min/mi	00:11:23
3.0 mi	11:24 min/mi	00:11:23
4.0 mi	11:15 min/mi	00:11:13
4.1 mi	14:15 min/mi	00:00:43

So after my 5K last weekend I felt pretty good at the end so I decided to try a 4-mile run/race today that Angie H. told me about. It was in Eureka for yet another good cause for  Heart House Shelter for homeless and domestic violence victims. Not a big race participant wise but I like running for different causes.

Overall,  I am very happy about today. I met some really nice people who inspired me. One gal, in the 70+ age division has been running for 31 years. Another gal, is on her weight loss journey and has lost a lot of weight and her goal was to finish in under an hour...I am pleased to say she did it! I met another younger gal who just started running in June (mother of 3 little ones) and she was running in the 10K...her first.

It was a little dis-heartening when I had just passed the mile marker and the leaders of the 4-mile were already on their way back passing the other way! But then again, this is probably a warm up for them.

I am pleased to say that I placed 2nd in my age division...unfortunately there were only 2 in my age division. :-) But as I told the one gal who said she was going to finish last, you are going to beat the person who is sitting on the couch!

Proud of myself for going and pushing myself.

5.1 miles on my 51st birthday!

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	11:25 min/mi	00:11:25
2.0 mi	11:35 min/mi	00:11:34
3.0 mi	11:33 min/mi	00:11:32
4.0 mi	12:06 min/mi	00:12:05
5.0 mi	11:54 min/mi	00:11:53
5.3 mi	12:58 min/mi	00:03:59

Who would have thought 11 weeks ago I would run 5.1 miles on my birthday... Not me! But I did today.

Not sure what type of training to do this week...kind of a crazy week for training so I am winging it. Which gave me the idea of trying to run 5.1 on the day I turn 51.

First of all, I am signed up for a 4 mile run on Saturday and I have never run 4 miles without walking so I wanted to see if I could do it. Then I realized I won't be able to do my long run this weekend since we will be travelling back from Chicago from a wedding. I will get some sort of run in but not sure if it will be 8 miles. I decided that I would try for 5.1 today. I ran 5.1 and then had my cool down walk so that's why it reads 5.3. Again my 5.1 ended at Mom and Dad's house.

I was determined to go 4 miles today, but wasn't sure if I would make my 5.1 goal. I kept reminding myself to go slow and steady. When I reached 4 miles...I pushed myself to try to go 5....my routes were a little off so I wasn't sure when I would hit 5 miles, but it turned out it was pretty much on target.

It was a gorgeous day out today and I am so glad I was able to get out and run today. Now I won't feel so bad going and having a great dinner out tonight and maybe dessert too! :-)

Hmmmm...still a difficult Tuesday

Distance	Pace	Elapsed Time
1.0 mi	11:23 min/mi	00:11:23
2.0 mi	11:00 min/mi	00:10:59
3.0 mi	11:16 min/mi	00:11:15
3.3 mi	15:19 min/mi	00:03:51

Well, I thought I had it figured out about how if I walked or waited until later in the day my legs wouldn't seem so heavy...not the case this week. I was not able to run until after work today, 3:30, so I figured my legs would be o.k., not the case, they still seemed heavy my first mile, but got better as the run progressed.

Angie H. ran with me today...she rocked it out! Her first run in years and she nailed it today. Though she is an avid 4 mile walker, she wasn't used to running and kept up the running pace. Not sure how that makes me feel after 10 weeks of "training", but then again, I was basically starting from nowhere.

I made my run a priority so I wouldn't miss it. I knew I had a lot to do and if I put it off I would not get it done. I am proud of myself for doing that. So often I put off what I want/need to do and put others needs ahead of mine. I think that is progress...especially when it come to running...I have to remember, no excuses!

Overall, good day running. Who knew I would be writing this 10 weeks ago! Progress.

OH...and when I got back from my run, Karen had texted me saying she had one of her best 3.1 mile runs. Yay!!!!!

Woo-Hoo Week 10!

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	15:49 min/mi	00:15:49
2.0 mi	15:30 min/mi	00:15:28
3.0 mi	15:21 min/mi	00:15:20
4.0 mi	15:46 min/mi	00:15:45
4.5 mi	16:00 min/mi	00:08:26

A little different "long run" today. I was supposed to do 3 miles with a Miracle Mile, but instead I did a 4.5 mile walk with Karen and Kelly. It was great having both of them today so we did a lot of talking so a walk was just better.  Plus...I am a slow walker and this helped me pick up my walking pace a bit. 

I can feel a difference physically when I walk also this gave me a good perspective of time when Kelly and I do our run/walks. The minute walking intervals really don't slow us down as much as I thought...good to know. But again, Kelly keeps my walking pace up so when she is not with me I will have to remember that.

I registered for a 4-mile run this coming Saturday...we will see if my "burst" of energy from this week will carry on to next week. It may be a little more difficult to run this week since I am working again this week. NO excuses!

Note the Princess Aurora sticker...that is in honor of Karen coming in to run this week!

She gave me an early birthday present which was Princess themed...topped off with my very own tiara! Fun!

Race for the Cure 5K with Karen

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DISTANCE	PACE	ELAPSED TIME
1.0 mi	11:07 min/mi	00:11:06
2.0 mi	11:04 min/mi	00:11:03
3.0 mi	11:27 min/mi	00:11:26
3.3 mi	11:21 min/mi	00:03:12

Today was so much fun. Karen and I ran our first 5K together. It was a great morning for a run. cool and sunny. 

Karen and I ran separately, but made sure we crossed the finish line together. She had her personal best time today and she kept thanking me for that. I should be thanking her for challenging me to start running...I feel good about my accomplishments so far and just overall feel good. :-)

Our times were good and I am happy with them. I even felt as if I good kick it in the end (mayble last 1/10) a little, but we didn't really...it was just a good feeling knowing that I could. 

Happy about this today and looking forward to the next time we run together in a race...that will be a 10K... YIKES!