Amy's "BUT I'M NOT A RUNNER" Journal

[toystoryduo]

Thanks for sharing your special Mother's Day moment! What a wonderful memory to cherish.

You are doing a great job, Amy! I think adding a rest day in will be beneficial for your body.

Have a great day today and a wonderful weekend!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hiya!

Just got back from my 6 miler (longest run ever) and thought about you doing yours this weekend (just looked and saw that it is tomorrow, not today). Have fun with it and you'll do awesome!

Have a great weekend Amy!

 

[ScoJo15]

Happy Mother's Day Amy!

 

[kimwim8]

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

I hope you have a great one!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks SO MUCH for the Mother's Day wishes everyone! So sweet!!! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you mommies out there!!!!

Sunday May 14

Well, the best laid plans....and we know the rest. Saturday night we had dinner plans with friends (my super fast racing friend and her DH to be exact!). We had a lovely dinner, a few glasses of wine and all was well with the world. Except at 4:00 am I became SOOOO sick.....something in the food did not like me one bit and I was sick for hours . I kept thinking....as I had horrible pains in my stomach...there is NO WAY I can run my 6 miler tomorrow. I was SO ANGRY ...I was really looking forward to going the new distance. Plus a friend had loaned me the Garmin Forerunner to take along to see if it would work out. So morning came and I didn't feel great but much better than the night before. I managed to eat a bagel with little consequence so finally at 1:30 I decided I would at least attempt the run. Basically take it easy and see how I felt and how far I could go. My family thinks I'm a bit crazy , after being dehydrated, blah blah blah! . I brought my own version of Sports Drink....had my borrowed garmin and my Ipod....and set out on the run.

It was a cool day...which worked in my favor. The first mile was brutal...my legs hurt...I felt sluggish....but I clocked in around 9:30 mpm. Mile 2 felt better and I think I clocked in around 9:30 mpm again. Now I was on the trail at this point and it's pretty hilly and rocky. I think miles 3 and 4 (primarily on the trail) were around 10:30 mpm. I was doing 5:1 and 4:1 run walk intervals the entire time. So far...the stomach was calm and my legs kept pushing on! The next few miles were tougher....all of a sudden I could feel my energy levels slide....the lack of food and dehydration caught up with me and my splits seemed pretty slow...I'm guessing about 11:00 mpm or slower for miles 4 to 6. I finished with a 10:39 mpm average....which is not where I wanted to be today but all things considered I'm just happy to have finished and to feel pretty good tonight as I type this. I forgot to set the garmin to calculate splits....I wish I knew where it went downhill b/c I was pretty fast (for me) on the first 3 miles. My goal was to finish in 60 minutes or less....but that just didn't occur . Maybe next week with a good night's sleep and less stomach issues I can run the course more to my satisfaction!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy

That was very sweet of you DD to say all those nice things about you....something I am sure that you will cherish forever!!

Sorry to hear that you were not feeling all that well.....hopefully today will be better.

You are doing a great job dispite not feeling 100%. keep up the good work.

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Happy Monday

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - way to go on the 6 mile run!! sorry to hear that you got sick and I hope you are back to 100% now...I know you wanted a faster time but you got out there and did it under non-optimal conditions...and 10:39 is pretty darn good!! Keep your chin up and have a great week!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy~

Great job on the run this weekend! How are you feeling today? I hope you are feeling much better!

Have a great week!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Thanks again to all of you for sticking with me in this journal. I've been a bit remiss on posting in other journals these past few weeks due to being VERY busy with several volunteer projects. I promise to check in with all my journal buddies this weekend!!!!

This has been an interesting week....starting with my Sunday run of 6 miles, which I posted on previously, the day after the food poisoning or whatever it was hit me. I guess starting off the week with some major stomach ailment isn't the best for training LOL...because it really has been a roller-coaster!

Monday: I took the day off from heavy exercise with the hope that it would make my legs stronger for Tuesday's scheduled run. Instead I did a nice 30 minute Yoga for Runners workout. I felt good, my legs were really in much better shape than I expected after Sundays long run, so I was looking forward to getting out there on Tuesday. Haaaa that was the plan....but the reality....

Tuesday: It all started badly. It was very chilly and pouring rain. I couldn't wear my Ipod, I set my running watch incorrectly, I knew I was running late for a meeting already but waiting for the rain to stop delayed my run. So....I set out to run, didn't warm-up and just started to go. It was AWFUL! Holy Cow my legs just hurt, I felt like I was running in quick-sand....it was really weird. I kept telling myself that the kinks would work out and I'd get into my running groove soon. Ummm...at 1.5 miles I knew that was NOT going to happen. I was supposed to run 4 miles but at the point where I needed to decide what I was going to do I took a turn back toward my house and did a sluggish 2 miles in 20 something minutes. I didn't even care how slow it was...I was just glad it was over. Later though I was frustrated, angry, and wondering WHY I even want to run LOL! Fortunately (and not for them but for me) I read that everyone was having the same kind of week. Many runners had difficult runs this week so I'm chalking it up to some strange environmental phenomenon and moving past it.

Wednesday: I did 60 minutes of KBX which included weight training. It was a great, difficult workout. But I had no issues and felt 100% better afterwards. So I guess I worked the kinks out....we'll see....Thursday was my scheduled 4 mile run.

Thursday: I geared up with my Ipod and my Garmin and headed out into the beautiful sunny and cool morning. My first mile was a bit tough....the legs were still stiff and I had a nagging soreness in my ankle? But I pushed on b/c my breathing and heart rate felt fine. As soon as I got to mile 2 my legs felt great and my pace kicked into gear. I ran 5:1 intervals for approx. 40 minutes and completed 4 miles. According to the Garmin I avg. 10.17 mpm and my best mile was 9:17. My first mile was pretty slow so somewhere in the middle I had a nice quick pace going. I'm just happy to have completed the distance and that the legs finally settled down. I wish I knew what the stiffness was from though . I think the trail running might be hard on my legs and ankles....my weekday runs are all street but my long runs tend to be on the trails. I might have to rethink that just to see how I feel afterwards without the trails.

 

[ScoJo15]

whassup Amy?!?

Just wanted to say that I'm glad to see your run this morning was successful, especially after that tough run on Tuesday. Looks like maybe things are back on track finally!

have a great day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy~

It sounds like today's run went quite well for you! Way to go! Keep on keeping on! You are doing a great job!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

Glad to hear that your run was better than the other day....Must have been something funny going on!!!

You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

Have a great weekend

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy!!! I'm so sorry it's been a while since I stopped by. Time just flies, doesn't it?

You're doing great. I know that those bad runs get us down, but as long as we remember they are only the exception, not the norm...we'll be ok!

Just look back to where you started, and where you are today. It's a truly amazing accomplishment...and only you are to thank for it!! You have continued to push yourself and challenge yourself, and you should be SO proud of that!! We're all proud of you!!!

Keep up the GREAT work...you're an inspiration to so many of us here!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi guys. Oh wow....I have been a lazy journaler! So here I am!

Well, last week ended with a much better run on Thursday and then unfortunately I was unable to go to KBX on Friday b/c my DD got the virus that has been going around . She's all better now I'm happy to report!

Saturday 5/20: Today is typically my rest day but I decided to run instead since I had a class scheduled for Sunday. The weather was cool and I was really looking forward to bettering my 6 mile time! Overall the run was excellent....aside from one of those weird twilight zone moments that I had. At one point, and you'll see it in my splits below, I was in a very quiet neighborhood and I noticed this huge dump truck behind me. It was driving slowly and appeared to be "tailing" me! So I go and make a turn and the thing, still RIGHT behind me, makes the same turn. Then I turn again and sure enough...this guy is still following me. So the whole time I start running faster and faster LOL. I get to the little trail that connects that neighborhood to my neighborhood and I sprint through it...totally winded now! I had to stop for a second to get my breath and there was that &*#@! truck stopped idleing on the other side of this short trail. I said to myself....if that thing comes barrelling through the woods I'm going to freak out. But he didn't . It was just plain WEIRD! But on the good side I did record a pretty fast split!

Here is the breakdown of that workout, with avg mpms (I got my new Garmin so it's fun to see actual mile splits!). I finished in 62:06, avg. 10:21 mpm.

Mile 1: 9:33
Mile 2: 9:57 (that's where the truck was my best pace was 6:21!! DH said maybe I should have dump trucks follow me all the time!!
Mile 3: 10:12
Mile 4: 11:06 (this is where my big long hill is! YUCK)
Mile 5: 10:18
Mile 6: 10:55

Sunday, May 21: Today was my special 2 hour yoga class. I was a little skeptical but it turned out to be amazing!!! My legs felt awesome afterwards and I was totally stretched. Perfect compliment to Saturday's run!!! The class was a workshop that incorporates gourmet chocolate into the experience. How cool is that . If any of the yoga studios around you offer "Yoga and Chocolate" with this guy Dave Romanelli....RUN don't walk to sign up. Warning though....I was and still am SUPER sore from this incredible workout. It was a serious yoga class and I'm still feeling it all over!!! But well worth it. I would love to somehow incorporate a yoga class into my weekly mix... the DVDs aren't even close to a classroom experience!

Monday, May 22: My little one was still sick so I took the day to rest! I've got a long week ahead so it was actually a welcome break!

Tuesday, May 23: Today was my 40 minute or 4 mile run. I had new tunes on the iPod which really helped PLUS it is absolutely beautiful outside today sunny, cool and crisp! Just perfect running weather. I actually wore my HR moniter to see how I am doing in that regard...unfortunately I'm not sure where I'm supposed to be so I'll do some research after I log the splits!
I ran 4 miles in 41:58, 10:30 avg. mpm, 168 bpm avg.:

Mile 1: 9:41, 161 bpm
Mile 2: 10:24, 168 bpm
Mile 3: 11:18 (that darn hill again!!!), 171 bpm
Mile 4: 10:34, 175 bpm


So that's all for now, my week ahead will be KBX tomorrow, 4 mile run on Thursday, KBX on Friday and then the weekend is up in the air. I have a big wedding to go to so we'll be gone for a few days. I'm planning to try to run on Sunday but that really depends on how much fun we have on Saturday at the wedding . I'll check...and maybe even post some pics of us all gussied up!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy~

You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

That truck following you sounds kinda scary! Please be sure and be very careful, okay? Can you take a cell phone with you when you run?

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - Glad to see the Garmin is working out so well for you!! Don't you just love the number crunching?? I think they sell an add on that will track any garbage trucks in the neighborhood (seriously, you can never be to careful...please stay safe out there)

Have fun in the KBX class today and I saw where you finally signed up for the full marathon...awesome!! You are going to do GREAT!! (off to go sulk in a corner for a while in a jealous rage)

And bring on the pics!! Would love to see you & the family all gussied up!

Have a great day!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!!!

That truck following you would have been a little scary...at least you were not hurt and everything turned out okay!

Glad to hear that DD is feeling better.

Have a great day

ETA: I was just reading Tracy's journal and I noticed that you mentioned being in WDW as the same time as her, so I checked your sig!!! We arrive at WDW Aug 27 - Sept 8 and we are staying at POR!!! We will be there the same time!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hey Jamie!!! That is really cool! We will be there the exact same time! I got Tracy's dates wrong (oops, misread her ticker). But what a pleasant surprise to see we'll be there together . We just have to meet up and say "HI" at some point! It would be awesome to meet you IRL!!!!

 

[eeyore25]

Amy,

I totally agree!!!! I too at one point got Tracy's dates wrong...I was excited when I heard she was going but then realized that we were going to miss each other!!!!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wednesday, May 24: KBX today! 60 minutes, great class

Thursday, May 25: Rest Day!!!

Friday, May 26: Today I ran 8 miles with a woman I met at the 5K I ran in April. She is an experienced marathoner with a few under her belt so we chatted the whole time about running and training, she was VERY helpful! Plus who knew I could talk AND run at the same time! It was a TOUGH course....very scenic but had a 770 ft elevation change over one of the miles. We ran a nice gentle pace, and aside from getting caught in a rain storm, and finding a porta-potty (Thank God for construction sites)....we ran most of the way and took some walk breaks. We finished in 1 hr 30 mins at about 11 mpm pace. I had intended to only run 7 miles but I felt okay and honestly at the end of the run my legs felt great. I wasn't even sore the next day!!! So we went off to the wedding after I got back and it felt great knowing my long run was out of the way so I could enjoy the festivities. I'll post pictures soon!!!!