Can't believe 10 days has flown by since I last posted!
So, I've been keeping up with the slower but faster running. I love it. I don't want my run to end! That's the way it should be all the time. I just got too ambitious. I have to love running where I am and push slightly against my comfort zone to stay motivated and challenged.
The fam and I went to the Hoover Dam Bridge public opening yesterday. You can read all about our trip here. But with that trip, I made my final decision. I'm going to run the Calico Racing Hoover Dam Half Marathon on Oct. 30, 2010. I am hoping to hit that 2:30 but I don't really mind if it takes longer. As usual, I'm set up to volunteer afterwards, so that's incentive to keep my butt moving!
Tomorrow's crazy busy. But I'm working on carving out time every Tuesday for a longer run. I think it's working out to be a better day for the long run of the week. I just need to get in the routine of it.
Time for bed!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Go slower to get there faster
What an interesting concept.
Last week I was working on trying to keep a faster pace with longer distance. In the end, I only ended up with a slower overall average pace because of all the walking I was doing between my miles. What I consistently found out was that by the 3/4 or whole mile my cardio ability was shot. I was panting, tired and mentally exhausted. My legs were feeling great though. So I'd walk for a few minutes and then take off again.
This week, I decided to run slower and just run for time, not distance. A training tip I've read many times online and in Runner's World. So I went out and did just that. I ran at a comfortable pace, and held it for a while and then I looked at Judy (my Garmin watch) to check how I'd been doing. Already I had noticed that mentally and physically, I was feeling awesome. I felt like I could run that way forever. So what does Judy say? Dontcha know she says I'm doing high 10 to low 11 min miles. These are my averages when I'm pushing to run in the low 9 minute miles, but then I'm walking so much because I'm exhausting myself. It felt much more enjoyable to run at a steady soft pace and I ended up at a same if not faster average!
Oh and guess what? I looked forward to my next run. This is a feeling I've been missing. I know I love running, I know I will do it, but I've missed that love affair I used to have with it. I thought it was just the heat. Well even though the heat played a HUGE factor, it was also how I was running. At this rate, if I can hold that comfortable pace for my long runs (going to try 10 miles this weekend), then I know I can definitely achieve the 2:30 goal!
So now I know, I need to slow down to go faster! Saving speed for 400m laps and speed work. Sometimes we make things harder than they have to be. The LOVE of running should always be highest priority, when you feel you've lost it, find it.
Last week I was working on trying to keep a faster pace with longer distance. In the end, I only ended up with a slower overall average pace because of all the walking I was doing between my miles. What I consistently found out was that by the 3/4 or whole mile my cardio ability was shot. I was panting, tired and mentally exhausted. My legs were feeling great though. So I'd walk for a few minutes and then take off again.
This week, I decided to run slower and just run for time, not distance. A training tip I've read many times online and in Runner's World. So I went out and did just that. I ran at a comfortable pace, and held it for a while and then I looked at Judy (my Garmin watch) to check how I'd been doing. Already I had noticed that mentally and physically, I was feeling awesome. I felt like I could run that way forever. So what does Judy say? Dontcha know she says I'm doing high 10 to low 11 min miles. These are my averages when I'm pushing to run in the low 9 minute miles, but then I'm walking so much because I'm exhausting myself. It felt much more enjoyable to run at a steady soft pace and I ended up at a same if not faster average!
Oh and guess what? I looked forward to my next run. This is a feeling I've been missing. I know I love running, I know I will do it, but I've missed that love affair I used to have with it. I thought it was just the heat. Well even though the heat played a HUGE factor, it was also how I was running. At this rate, if I can hold that comfortable pace for my long runs (going to try 10 miles this weekend), then I know I can definitely achieve the 2:30 goal!
So now I know, I need to slow down to go faster! Saving speed for 400m laps and speed work. Sometimes we make things harder than they have to be. The LOVE of running should always be highest priority, when you feel you've lost it, find it.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Quest for 2300
The weather outside is frightful.... HA! Not even close, but it is getting cooler... some days. I've jumped on any chance I've gotten to run before or after midday. I'm so over the heat running and would rather workout inside at home than go out running in the midday sun anymore. By next summer I'm sure I'll be ready to go at it again in the heat... so I'll save that enthusiasm for 2011.
So this week I've put in about 10 miles so far.
Tuesday: 5 miles
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 2 miles
Friday: 2 miles
Saturday: 3 x 400m sprints
Sunday: rest
It feels AHHHmazing to get out on the road more consistently. A run every once in a while always feels better than not doing it at all, but I miss having new goals everyday and every week. I know that I will only see endurance and speed increases with consistent training.
Cross training is a MUST. There's so much more to do than just strengthen your legs and running ability. Cross training will help a runner improve any distance, so this is a must-do while training or even recreational running. Cross training will help reduce injury and make you feel better during and between runs.
Although I'm not ready or trained for it, I believe most people can run/walk distances way beyond what they think they can. Yes, I believe I could do a marathon, a 50-miler, and even a 100-miler. One day, I probably will do them. For now, I'm focusing on distance commitments I know I can handle with kiddos, a husband, work, kids' sports, and volunteer responsibilities. Breaking PRs and doing it for His Glory are some exciting things I look forward to as I embark on this goal of a 2:30 Half Marathon time.
If you go to the link above, you'll see that I'm now part of a running team that will not only motivate people to get in shape together and share in the love of running together, but we will all be running to raise funds and awareness to what God has been doing and continues to do in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. My great friend, Jackie Perez, back when she was still Jackie Douglas, decided after a few mission trips down to the DR and Haiti, that she would go there to be a full-time missionary with G.O. Ministries! It was an exciting time in her life and although we were all sad to see her go, we were SO excited that she was getting to fulfill her heart's desires and God's plan for her life. While there, Jackie met a wonderful man, Alan, who also has a heart for Christ and what He is doing in Haiti and the DR. They were married and then just this past May, Jackie gave birth to twin girls here in the US with Alan by her side. Alan and Jackie both love running, so they decided that along with a bunch of us friends who also love running we could create a team of runners from all over the world that would run for His Glory!
I personally give all my accomplishments to God. Without Him by my side from the beginning, I would not be where I am. Maybe I would have lost weight, maybe I would have gotten healthier, but I wouldn't feel as free, as healthy or as disciplined as I am. I have survived almost 2 years of running, triathlon and other activities with no real injuries. Rather than focusing inward on what I want and desire or how much I've accomplished, I've turned that success outward and share it with others. I have wanted so badly to run for something that had worth and substance, and could work toward a bigger goal than just my PRs. This running team is that for me and for the God who has given me all I have and is all I am. He is my strength, my running partner, my confidant, my personal trainer and life coach. He is my purpose. And I want to give back anything and everything I can.
Please put some thought and prayer into how you can be apart of this. Do you want to make a monetary donation? Do you want to be apart of this running team and raise funds of your own? Do you want to be on the next mission trip down to the DR and Haiti? Please put serious thought and search your heart for how you can help and then get a hold of me. Call, text, email, Facebook, comment here... whatever! Just let me know.
My next race is the Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon on December 5, 2010. My monetary goal for this race is $2300 (as a way to represent the 2:30 race time I hope to get!). I can accept any amount of donation that you want to make. Everything helps! I am also putting out a request for 2 major commitments. I want to make this goal of a 2:30 Half Marathon more than just my own PR accomplishment. My prayer and desire is that in addition to the $2300 I hope to raise, I'd like 2 people who are willing to commit to $10 for every minute I take off my current PR (2:34). If you'd like to do that, let me know!
Have a great Saturday and more updates are to come! In the meantime, head over to our team blog and meet the runners!
Love, Joy, Peace and Happiness to all
=)
So this week I've put in about 10 miles so far.
Tuesday: 5 miles
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 2 miles
Friday: 2 miles
Saturday: 3 x 400m sprints
Sunday: rest
It feels AHHHmazing to get out on the road more consistently. A run every once in a while always feels better than not doing it at all, but I miss having new goals everyday and every week. I know that I will only see endurance and speed increases with consistent training.
Cross training is a MUST. There's so much more to do than just strengthen your legs and running ability. Cross training will help a runner improve any distance, so this is a must-do while training or even recreational running. Cross training will help reduce injury and make you feel better during and between runs.
Although I'm not ready or trained for it, I believe most people can run/walk distances way beyond what they think they can. Yes, I believe I could do a marathon, a 50-miler, and even a 100-miler. One day, I probably will do them. For now, I'm focusing on distance commitments I know I can handle with kiddos, a husband, work, kids' sports, and volunteer responsibilities. Breaking PRs and doing it for His Glory are some exciting things I look forward to as I embark on this goal of a 2:30 Half Marathon time.
If you go to the link above, you'll see that I'm now part of a running team that will not only motivate people to get in shape together and share in the love of running together, but we will all be running to raise funds and awareness to what God has been doing and continues to do in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. My great friend, Jackie Perez, back when she was still Jackie Douglas, decided after a few mission trips down to the DR and Haiti, that she would go there to be a full-time missionary with G.O. Ministries! It was an exciting time in her life and although we were all sad to see her go, we were SO excited that she was getting to fulfill her heart's desires and God's plan for her life. While there, Jackie met a wonderful man, Alan, who also has a heart for Christ and what He is doing in Haiti and the DR. They were married and then just this past May, Jackie gave birth to twin girls here in the US with Alan by her side. Alan and Jackie both love running, so they decided that along with a bunch of us friends who also love running we could create a team of runners from all over the world that would run for His Glory!
I personally give all my accomplishments to God. Without Him by my side from the beginning, I would not be where I am. Maybe I would have lost weight, maybe I would have gotten healthier, but I wouldn't feel as free, as healthy or as disciplined as I am. I have survived almost 2 years of running, triathlon and other activities with no real injuries. Rather than focusing inward on what I want and desire or how much I've accomplished, I've turned that success outward and share it with others. I have wanted so badly to run for something that had worth and substance, and could work toward a bigger goal than just my PRs. This running team is that for me and for the God who has given me all I have and is all I am. He is my strength, my running partner, my confidant, my personal trainer and life coach. He is my purpose. And I want to give back anything and everything I can.
Please put some thought and prayer into how you can be apart of this. Do you want to make a monetary donation? Do you want to be apart of this running team and raise funds of your own? Do you want to be on the next mission trip down to the DR and Haiti? Please put serious thought and search your heart for how you can help and then get a hold of me. Call, text, email, Facebook, comment here... whatever! Just let me know.
My next race is the Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon on December 5, 2010. My monetary goal for this race is $2300 (as a way to represent the 2:30 race time I hope to get!). I can accept any amount of donation that you want to make. Everything helps! I am also putting out a request for 2 major commitments. I want to make this goal of a 2:30 Half Marathon more than just my own PR accomplishment. My prayer and desire is that in addition to the $2300 I hope to raise, I'd like 2 people who are willing to commit to $10 for every minute I take off my current PR (2:34). If you'd like to do that, let me know!
Have a great Saturday and more updates are to come! In the meantime, head over to our team blog and meet the runners!
Love, Joy, Peace and Happiness to all
=)
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