Run 2/4/09 and a goal

I don't know why, but I woke up with a sore back. No, it's not like I pulled something. It feels more like I did an exercise that targeted my back muscles. Running is all I do. And it's not at all related to running. How do I know? Because I didn't feel anything during the entire 60min run. I guess this means chamomile tea for a nightcap.

Today's run wasn't as enjoyable as the others. But it was still pretty decent. I felt more tired and slower. Of course, I have no stats to measure. But I'm pretty sure I didn't cover as much ground as I did last time I ran 60min. The good thing is that not once did I tell myself to cut it short. Instead, I told myself to slow down. It was just important that I meet today's goal. I figured that I'd be too beat to pick up the pace at the end, but I got energy from somewhere. It actually felt good. My legs are ready for speed. My lungs, on the other hand, are still playing catch up. That's okay though.

So I decided that I have a goal pace in mind. I would like to consistently run sub 9:00 miles. Actually, 8:30 miles would work. Who knows if I'll actually meet that goal this year. I do know that since I've been running (and I'm still pretty much a noob), my pace has improved drastically. When I started the Couch to 5k plan (July 2007), it took about 13min or so to complete a mile. Now the majority of my runs are in the 9:30-9:45 range. And I've had just a couple sub 9:00 miles. I'm thinking that if I continue to run consistently, I should be able to reach that goal. The question is "When"?

Run 1/31/09

So I did it. I spent one hour on the indoor track without losing my mind. And I actually enjoyed it. It was one of those runs where you want to keep on going. I felt strong. Oh, and I wore my IRUNLIKEAGIRL shirt. I always feel like Super Girl or something when I wear it. It's like, "Yeah, I'm a girl, I'm strong, I'm running, and I'll outrun all of you! And what?!?!" Anyway, I'm trying to make it a habit to do a full on run at the end. So I'm running at an pace that I can easily maintain throughout the run, so that I have enough reserved to kick it up a few notches at the very end. I haven't broken out into a full on sprint, but I'm pretty fast. At least I think so. Jamaicans racked up medals in the last Olympics. Maybe it's in our blood. Yeah right, I wish. I don't know anyone in my family known for speed. Heck, I don't think anyone in my family runs. Oh well. I guess I'll continue to train. And maybe one day I'll surprise myself with how fast my easy pace has become.

Anyway, I'm going to read a book. Yeah, it's a wild Saturday night. Enjoy your weekend.

Run 10/25/08

I wasn't in the mood for running. And I was thinking I'd completely skip it, especially with the weather being all crappy (rain). But I sucked it up and took my butt to the Y. It's about time I use my membership for something. Anyway, treadmill running sucked. The good thing is the Y has fancy treadmills that come with wide screen TVs. So I watched part of The Ring. I also spent a big chunk of time watching the fancy monitor. I've run on a treadmill before, but it just seemed harder this time. Where I thought I would have picked up the pace, I just didn't. At least I ran. I'm supposed to run four times a week. But with work cutting into my day (and making me feel like crap), and with the days getting shorter, I'm just not into it. I guess that's what happens this time of year. Someone please tell me that I'm not alone. And on that note, I think I'm gonna treat myself to a fruity rum drink. Enjoy your weekend! Activity Route: Treadmill Elev. Avg: 0 ft Location: Mount Laurel, NJ Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 10/25/08 Up/Downhill: [+0/-0] Time: 04:30 PM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 5.95 miles Time: 1:00:00 Speed: 6.0 mph Pace: 10' 05 /mi Heart Rate: 180 bpm (Avg) Calories: 665 194 bpm (Peak) Notes Incline = 1.0 Cool Down = .12mi

Posted from bimactive.com

Run 10/21/08

I'm tired, so I'm gonna make this short. I ran, I loved it until my fibula started bothering me in mile 3. I think it's that damn track. Track running doesn't agree with me. Luckily, it didn't get any worse. And on that note, I'm gonna watch Family Guy. Night all. Activity Route: Track Elev. Avg: 37 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -4 ft Date: 10/21/08 Up/Downhill: [+104/-108] Time: 06:33 PM Difficulty: 2.0 / 5.0 Weather: A Few Clouds 56 F temp; 33% humidity 56 F heat index; winds NW 10 G 23 Performance Distance: 5.98 miles Time: 1:00:00 Speed: 6.0 mph Pace: 10' 02 /mi Heart Rate: 166 bpm (Avg) Calories: 669 186 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .4mi Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Heart Rate (bpm) Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone Zone 5 180 - 200 0h 25m 42% 2.59 mi Zone 4 160 - 180 0h 33m 55% 3.27 mi Zone 3 140 - 160 0h 02m 3% 0.22 mi Zone 2 120 - 140 0h 00m 0% 0.00 mi Zone 1 100 - 120 0h 00m 0% 0.00 mi (none) out of range 0h 04m 6% 0.39 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 10' 16 +0' 14 5.8 -0.2 117 0 ft 2 10' 14 +0' 12 5.9 -0.1 168 -3 ft 3 10' 06 +0' 04 5.9 -0.1 175 0 ft 4 9' 59 +0' 03 6.0 -0.0 180 +4 ft 5 9' 51 -0' 11 6.1 +0.1 182 0 ft end 9' 45 -0' 17 6.2 +0.2 184 -3 ft Versus average of 10' 02 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Run 10/4/08

Well, it's official. I can run 6mi in less than an hour. I actually ran 6.26mi in 60min, but finished up 6mi in 57:45. That's quite an improvement. The more I do this, the better I get. And it helps that I'm about 10lbs lighter than I was when I started running. I know it's not a big deal to all you speed demons out there. But honestly, I don't want to be a marathoner. Hell, I may never race a 5k. I just want to run because I never could before. And that's a big deal coming from someone who has never been active. The most I did growing up was jump double dutch and ride my bike. But for the most part, I was a straight up couch potato. And it's just awesome to know that 31 year old Christie (soon to be 32) is a lot healthier than 17 year old Christie. So yeah, my goal is just to keep running. Music: Seven Ways to Wonder by Reel People Activity Route: Park Elev. Avg: 32 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -49 ft Date: 10/04/08 Up/Downhill: [+154/-203] Time: 02:04 PM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 66 F temp; 40% humidity 66 F heat index; winds Calm Performance Distance: 6.26 miles Time: 1:00:00 Speed: 6.3 mph Pace: 9' 35 /mi Heart Rate: 178 bpm (Avg) Calories: 701 197 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .65mi Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Heart Rate (bpm) Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone Zone 5 180 - 200 0h 38m 63% 4.01 mi Zone 4 160 - 180 0h 18m 31% 1.91 mi Zone 3 140 - 160 0h 04m 7% 0.47 mi Zone 2 120 - 140 0h 01m 2% 0.14 mi Zone 1 100 - 120 0h 00m 0% 0.03 mi (none) out of range 0h 00m 0% 0.02 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 53 +0' 18 6.1 -0.2 151 -52 ft 2 9' 49 +0' 14 6.1 -0.2 173 +26 ft 3 9' 37 +0' 02 6.2 -0.1 180 -26 ft 4 9' 38 +0' 03 6.2 -0.1 186 +19 ft 5 9' 32 -0' 03 6.3 +0.0 187 -16 ft 6 9' 14 -0' 21 6.5 +0.2 192 -4 ft end 8' 45 -0' 50 6.8 +0.5 196 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 35 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com