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

[ScoJo15]

Wow! What an absolutely incredible run! 770 ft elevation change?? Holy smokes that is some MAJOR hillage there. I bet it was awesome learning and chatting about running and training with your friend....feel free to share some tips with us 11mpm is fantastic...you should be very proud of yourself!! And to think that 8 miles is just shy of a third of a marathon!

Way to go Amy. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

 

[kimwim8]

What a GREAT run, Amy!! You are doing so great. Pretty soon, we'll be hearing this from you...

"oh, I could only run 15 miles today...not my usual 20. It was a slow day".

It's great that you met someone that can continue to challenge you (as if you don't already do that to yourself ). But you know what I mean. She's an awesome source of information and partnership for you!

Keep on going girlie...

 

[RunningLilo]

Hey Amy!
I have a question for you. Are you still using Galloway's training program? I was checking out his training schedule online here and it says to XT or Walk on alternating days. But it doesn't give any times with it. Do you know how long it's supposed to be? Or have you found a training program you like better? I need something fresh to get me motivated again.

Thanks girl!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Dena!

You know, that is really the only problem w/ Galloway's plans, they aren't very specific about anything LOL. I think that may be why Kim switched to the cool running plan...right Kim?!?!

Anyway, I am still using his plans as I train for my 5 mile trail run using his 10K plan. I think your cross-training or walking should progressively get longer as you continue with the plan. For the 5K he says to do 30 minutes but now that I"m in 10K training I can do anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I actually go a little longer b/c my KBX class is 60 minutes...but not all of it is cardio so I think I'm ok.

 

[kimwim8]

You know, that is really the only problem w/ Galloway's plans, they aren't very specific about anything LOL. I think that may be why Kim switched to the cool running plan...right Kim?!?!

Yup, that's why I switched. Here's a link to the cool runnings program:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I definitely needed more structure in my training. Although, I don't know about cross-training. I didn't go that far. I was kinda winging it, since I am training for a 5K and not a marathon. I do some light weigh workouts (Biggest Loser DVD) and some eliptical workouts here & there.

Take care, ladies!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Monday, May 29th

Since I skipped my run yesterday, I figured today would be a good day to run. So I got up, did some house work, played on the computer for a while and finally around 1 pm decided to run. And it was HOT HOT HOT at 1 pm.....like over 90 degrees hot....which is actually all my fault. The other day, when I was wearing a coat to watch my DD play softball, I said "I want it to get hot....so hot that I'm sweating and needing air conditioning...". So there you have it....I wished this heat on us (sorry guys). Back to the running, so I still decided to give it a try b/c the truth is that I'll have to run in the heat at some point and this way I could test my endurance for the heat and humidity on a shorter run. My oldest DD decided to ride her bike with me as I ran. We did ok...she had a few issues such as needing to stop to walk her bike on the big hills....and a bug flew in her eye so we needed to extracate it....and she got some allergy coughing fits so we had to stop. I actually did fine though. I paced about 10:30 mpm and we went for about 3.4 miles. Overall not too shabby (but I did cheat and stop my Garmin when I had bug detail).

My lap(mile) averages are as follows:

Mile 1: 9:29 mpm/148 bpm
Mile 2: 10:39 mpm/165 bpm
Mile 3: 10:49 mpm/171 bpm
Final .4 mile: 9:59 mpm/172 bpm

I'm quite happy with my HR readings considering the heat! The only problem is that today my feet/ankles hurt and yesterday after the run I had some severe lower back/sciatic pain. But I iced up and took some advil and that resolved itself. This morning I still have foot/heal pain so I'll take it easy and see what happens. It just may be time to replace the old sneakers...they've got probably about 120-150 miles on them and I wore them in all kinds of rain, mud, snow, ice etc. So that could possibly be the issue....we'll see .

This week my schedule looks like:

Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: KBX
Thursday: 40 min. run
Friday: MAYBE KBX (maybe rest day)
Saturday: 5K Race!!!
Sunday: rest day!

 

[AmyBeth68]

okay...i promised a picture of us dressed up at the wedding here it is! And sorry they are so BIG...that is wayyyy too much of me to look at LOL!!!

So my girls were whisked away from us all day and the photographer took tons of pics. I only have one little picture of them... But here it is...

Thanks for looking!

 

[RunningLilo]

AMY!!! OMG! You look beautiful!!! And your daughters look like little angels! What a great looking family.

Thanks so much for the help. I'm thinking of trying the cool running thing. I'd love to be able to RUN a 5K. That would be awesome. But who knows, I'll figure something out that will hopefully get me back out there. Thanks again!

 

[toystoryduo]

You look beautiful, Amy! Your whole family looks wonderful!!

Way to go on getting your run in in this sweltering heat! How are your feet and ankles feeling today?

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[ScoJo15]

Beautiful, beautiful family there Amy!!!

Nice work on the running...and thanks a million for jacking up the heat everywhere. Got some kind of Heat Miser fetish or something?? LOL!

You are gonna do awesome Saturday on your 5k!! You are heat conditioned, looking good and primed to finish in a new personal best!! I'll be thinking about you Sat morning and can't wait to hear how it went!

later gator...

 

[kimwim8]

Amy - what GREAT pics!! You are a skinny minnie!! You're whole family looks great! You must've cried seeing your girls all dolled up like that. I would've been a mess!

And, I personally am glad for the heat. Bring on the summer clothes!! I get so tired of wearing the same things, and seeing the kids in the same clothes. I'm ready for a change!!

I'm proud of you for getting out there & running in the heat!! I probably would've bagged it. Thank God for those early morning runs...or else I'd have to quit running all together in the summer .

Good luck on your 5K on Saturday (as if you really need it) and be sure to tell us all about it!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thurs June 1st

Hey guys. First of all...OMG...you guys are too sweet . Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the lovely compliments about the pics from the wedding. And yes, Kim, I shed many tears that day. For my little angels and for one of my favorite couples...they just seemed so happy. What a beautiful day and beautiful wedding. I'm not a fan of posting pics but you guys have all been so nice to share photos of your special days so I thought I'd do the same. THANK YOU!

On to today's very bad run. Now, apparently I need to re-read all my exercise articles and make smarter decisions. It was hot as heck today....90 degrees and HUMID. Waiting for those storms to roll in this afternoon and the air was heavy and hot. When I began my run at 1 pm, the sky was overcast so the heat wasn't as much of a factor. But by mile 2 the sun broke through and the heat and humidity simply crushed me. Honestly, it felt like a ton of bricks so I had to take it really easy. And literally had to STOP flat out to catch my breath several times. My 1st mile was a nice split but it went down hill from there. You know it's bad when..

A. Some guy driving in his maintenance van yells to me "you shouldn't be running, too hot".
B. My neighbor stops her car and says to me "are you TRYING to have a heart attack. What are you doing running in the heat of the afternoon".

LOL...I must have looked pretty weak for them both to say something. The gasping for air and profuse sweating may have been their first clue! Anyway, I walked a bunch and didn't even manage to hit my 4 miles. Did 3.5 in 39 minutes. Ugh! But I finished...got those steps in...and lived to tell the tale.

So to all you people out there exercising........please trust me.....don't do it in the heat of the day.

 

[kimwim8]

Oh, Amy. Now I'm gonna have to worry about you??! It was CRAZY hot out there today!! Please please please go earlier in the day!!!

 

[RunningLilo]

Or run at night once in a while if you live in a safe area and can get child care. I love running under the moon, and it is sooo much cooler. DH and I were averaging about one shooting star per run. Absolutely beautiful.

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy, it's time to find an indoor place to run!! Maybe we can all chip in a buy you a treadmill

Hey, just thinking about your race tomorrow and wishing you fast feet!! Hope the rain holds off & it doesn't get humid. Can't wait to hear how it went!! (I'll be waiting by the pc, munchin on some Pop Tarts )

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy!

Sending you for the 5K today! I know you will do a great job! I'm cheering you on from Ohio! Go Amy! Go Amy! Go Amy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks guys!!!!

Race went okay! I had a really good time, it was pouring rain, ran with my SIL so that was cool!!!! The weirdest (and most disappointing) aspect of the race was that I actually finished in the EXACT same time as my previous race LOL!. What are the odds? Finished in 29:31....not what I was hoping to do....but got out there and did it! I really wanted to beat my previous time....but i guess it's better that I didn't go slower LOL!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hey guys, I just wanted to give you a little more insight into my race today.

It was great to have people to run with again, but I have to say that the running community is welcoming and friendly even if you are solo. At one point my SIL and her sister were away and I had several people just come to me and chat, wish me luck, ask about my Ipod, my Garmin.. I just have to stress what a GREAT morale booster it is to see people standing in the pouring rain, clapping and yelling...shouting and screaming...not even knowing who the heck I was....as I kicked it out hard at the end of the race. I'm truly not sure, without their encouragement, that I would have given a darn how fast I finished. But seeing them there...just looking genuinely excited for little old me...well...made me want to run like the wind!!! Soon as I caught my breath and grabbed a water, I jumped out there and screamed for the runners who followed me. I didn't care about their time...just so proud of them for finishing the race in the pouring rain on an early Saturday morning. THAT is what this is all about....guts....making new friends....choosing to wake up at 6 am on a rainy and chilly saturday morning to run with a bunch of strangers!!! Jumping up and down like a lunatic for the very last finisher, a woman in her older years, braces on her knees...who ran across the finish line with THE BIGGEST SMILE. Dear God...let that be me at 65!!!! I LOVE it, despite the fact that I was soaked to the skin and turned in a less than desirable performance. Nothing beats those final 10 seconds when you see the finish line clearly in your sights...see the people clapping....see the end of your journey for that day...knowing you gave it your all! I LOVE that I found a pacer....a woman about my age whose kids were waiting for her in their strollers at the end. The woman who kept me going on the hills just by running her race. And in the end, I thanked her for helping me and she in turn said..."no...thank you...woudn't have finished so fast without you!". THAT is why I have come to love running . Right there...a few words...a smile and a wave and off she went with her kids. Maybe I'll see her at the next race .

BTW...another weird moment from this race. As I was looking at my photo (still deciding if I dare post it...drowned rat that I was)....the number I had today was THE SAME NUMBER as my last race. Twilight zone moment for sure....how weird is that? Same time....Same number????

And Scott....Pop Tarts???? Not the best training food LOL! j/k

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy!!! GREAT job getting out there in the rain!! You are my HERO!!

I am just hoping and praying that our August run is nice weather! Although, if it rains, maybe it won't be 100 degrees!! Either way, we're doing it, right? I just can't wait!

Gotta say, it is a little freaky that you had the same number and the same exact time as your last race!! BUT absolutely nothing to be discouraged about!! That time is AWESOME!!!!

Keep up the great work, lady. You inspire us all!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks Kim . I really can't wait to run with you in August either! We are going to have a super time!!!

So runners......found this anonymous quote and it's both humorous and quite applicable. And BTW....I'm definitely a lion LOL!


"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."