Training commences....

We'll it's official...I am midway through the first week of half-marathon training.  Have to say...pretty anti-climatic so far.  Only one run completed at this point...and it was a 5k...much like every other early morning 5k we've been doing all along.  Won't be long before we're amp-ing up, however....so I should be grateful for the familiar while it exists...

Not doing so well with the whole 'rest' concept, however.  Monday was actually a rest day.  No running, no cross training... Yet, I spent my lunch hour doing squat jumps, plie squats, walking lunges, rowing machine, a bunch of core stability exercises and sprints on the treadmill.  Hmmm...perhaps not what was intended by the word "rest".  Oh well...will likely do the same next week.  And though I will be spending my lunch hour doing a different circuit training workout today...I'll also try to figure out 30-40 minutes of cardio to do...Because today is cross-training day :)

Running 6.5k after work tomorrow then another 6.5k on Saturday (sooo relaxed after a summer of 10k's) and an easy 4k Sunday...  Ahhh....  relaxing almost :)  In just a few weeks I'll be wishing for these days back, I'm sure :)

I Weigh WHAT???

So, just back from my big vacation for the year.  A three-day trip with Heather and Nicole to Wallace Idaho.  Was to be two days of biking - so some good exercise.  Ended up being one afternoon of mostly coasting downhill - lol!  Beautiful coasting - amazing sights along the Route of the Hiawatha.  Went through some very cool (and one FREEZING COLD) tunnels - including the almost 2-miler that was a bit creepy. 

Got home late last night and got on the scale this morning.  Three days of bad eating, beer drinking, and almost no exercise sure catches up with you quickly!  Holy crumb!  Wish I could LOSE that much weight that quickly...

So, fun-time is over.  Work-time is back.  Ran this morning - 5k and 10 sprints.  Leg workout at the gym and then a nice long walk planned with Colleen for tonight.  Gym (and a walk?) tomorrow and then Loop the Lake on Saturday...  Time to getter done!

Some are great running days....and then there was today...

Today's run felt like a struggle from start to finish.  My iPod died at the 20 minute mark.  I had made ok time at the half-way point but needed to pick it up if I was going to make it in under an hour....but rather than have a faster second half, I slowed down a little and finished in 1:02:07.  Six seconds faster than last week...but still over 2 minutes slower than I'd like.

Oh well...will keep plugging away at it...  It will come eventually. 

Even though every part of me protested mightily....I still completed 10 sprints as well...

Now I think I might have a nap before heading to Fernie.  Seems like a great plan to me!

One Down....

I did it!  First 10k of the season and it is done, done, DONE!  And it was pretty great too.  I thought briefly that I might be able to make it in under an hour - but it wasn't to be.  Still pretty darn happy with the 1:02:13 time I got though.  A sub-hour 10k definitely seems possible....down the road.  I gave it all I had today, though.  Ankle gave me a little trouble and at one point my left hamstring had a couple moments of seizing up...but otherwise it was a great run in the sunshine.  Oh...still having iPod trouble too.  Checked last night and it said battery was at 75% so didn't bother re-charging it.  About 15 minutes into my run, it died....  Would have been nice to have had music the rest of the way but was fine without it. 

Tons of people on Rails to Trails today.  Not sure if that is because it is a rare nice weekend, a long weekend, or the combination of the two.  Finished off my 10k with running 10 sprints and then some stretching.  A group that seemed to have biked from Kimberley came while I was stretching.  One of the guys told me when I was done that I "look pretty limber".  Not quite sure what that meant...

Almost tempted to do a bike ride today too...but think perhaps I'll sit in the sunshine with a book and a beer instead :)  I <3 Summer!

Sometimes You Need A Push

Great 9k today.  All three of us were finally back together....Colleen, Gerilee and I.  Yay!!  Whether intended or not, having Gerilee running beside me pushes me to do better so I was able to take another minute off of my 9k time from last week!  Getting 10k done in under an hour might just be possible some day after all.

Followed the great run with some sprints and stretching.  Think my quads might protest somewhat tomorrow.  Still enjoying the running thing so much more now, though.  Amazing what pain-free running can do for you :)