Runners UNITE! We've graduated C25K, so let's keep on going!

[katerkat]

OK, pics!

The boys waiting for their race - my Russ is the one in overalls and my friend's son is in the COLLEGE shirt

Russ and his ribbon

The crowded start

The beautiful shady downhill

The end - me and my friend, who walked it with her son - I look way sweatier than her!!

 

[kimwim8]

YEAH for pics!! Thanks Kat!! You guys are awesome for taking pics while running a race. (and it's good to have a visual of you now, Kat!) Congrats again on the great job!!

Yes, my ankle is fine now. I didn't run in the pouring rain today (even I have my limits) but I'm shooting for tomorrow or Wed. Tomorrow is a gym day so I'm not sure if I should run & do the gym in the same day and then rest on Wed, or if I should gym it tomorrow & run on Wed. toughie.

Colleen - great job getting to week 8! Can't wait til you join us graduates!

Corinna - hill-girl. Sorry it's almost time to go home. Probably bitter-sweet, huh? I think I'd definitely be ready to go home by that point. PLUS, you have your next getaway to get ready for!

Keep up the great work, girls!

 

[katerkat]

I have been really slacking on the running right now - it's just been hot and I don't have anyone to watch Russ in the early hours when it's cool enough. But, DH comes home in about a week so I can finally get into a decent workout schedule. I started swimming, too, when I get a chance. Running the mile to the pool, swimming for 30 minutes and then running home. It's actually a pretty fun workout!

And the good news! (Better than DH coming home. ) I booked our hotel for the TOT race and I have the form printed out and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. I decided it wasn't worth waiting to see what DH's schedule would be like. He has two training things he could go to, or he could be deployed again by October, so... For all I know, I could be flying to this from Spokane, or from my parents' in New Jersey, or driving from Alabama with DH actually coming down for the race portion. Gotta love the military!

 

[corinnak]

Wow, Kat! Those are some great pictures! I can't believe how big Russ has gotten. I mean obviously, that is what happens, but it's a big change from your last trip! You say that it was about 80? I see a woman in your photo running in pants - what's up with that? I would have melted for sure, I think.

I'm so excited that you have your room for October. It is going to be SO much fun. Humid, though, as you say.

I had a busy week packing up and getting out, but I did get 2-5 miler's in on Monday and Wednesday last week. We were expecting to be home late Thursday and I thought I'd run on Friday, BUT our flight was cancelled, giving us another day in Michigan, and making us arrive on Friday. I did not get to run until Sunday morning. It was warm and good heavens, my neighborhood IS incredibly hill-laden (didn't I always say) and I left my water-bottle-belt in Michigan, figuring I would get one for here as well. Well, I really needed it yesterday. I ended up walking up about half of the hills and detoured to a local park where a softball tournament was going on, where I got a nice drink of water from the fountan and washed my face down in the restroom. I felt human again after that.

I ended up with a total of 6 miles plus another half mile cool down walking. The 6 includes a good bit of walking up the hills and walking to the drinking fountain, though. I was out for about an hour and a half. I'm not sure what the rest of the week holds, aside from mad re-packing.

 

[corinnak]

I treadmilled today for the first time in over a month. I got through it, but it is so much mentally harder than running outside in some ways. Much cooler inside today than out, though, so that was helpful. I still sweated plenty. I did the first half the podfitness workout with some faster running and recovery periods and then jogged after that was done for a total of 4 miles plus warm up and cool down. Oh, that crazy treadmill.

 

[kimwim8]

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey girls!!

I have finally gotten back into the "zone". I don't know what my problem is, as far as STAYING in the zone, but I'm gonna try my best to stay for a while. I have challenged myself to run 30 miles this month (but secretly am challenging myself to SURPASS that challenge ). Keep me on track if you see me waiver, k?

I'm sorry Corinna, but in my chaotic mind I forget when you leave. If you're still around, let me know. If not, then you're off jetsetting around the world and enjoying a lavish, run-filled vacation.

Hey Kat...has the weather still been killer? It's just insane here (the humidity). Where are your parents in NJ? I'm way south by Atlantic City, but if you're gonna be around here.....maybe we need to meet up!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I thought I'd peek in here to see how things are moving. Looks like you've got good steps in and that it is all progressing well.

I'm so PROUD to see you still at it and making it work!

 

[katerkat]

My parents are up near Wayne, Kim. The weather hasn't been bad - I forget about humidity because it's so very dry out here! Of course, I haven't been running because my neighbors have been out of town/had guests/has bad morning sickness all day. And DH isn't coming home now. It probably won't be much longer, but right now he's there "indefinitely."

Corinna, Russ is getting big! He couldn't reach the light switches just a month ago, then one day suddenly the lights were flipping on and off.

I went to Mount St Helens with my MIL this last weekend and I'm proud of myself! DH and I went two years ago and I could barely walk to the top of the viewing hill without getting totally out of breath. This time, I had Russ strapped to my back and it still wasn't a problem, and we even hiked almost a mile out toward the mountain.

Carrying Russ was interesting - I've lost almost 25 pounds now, so I got to experience carrying the weight I had lost. Of course, my weight wasn't concentrated on my back and wiggling in the carrier.

 

[C_leen]

Hi Corinna, Kat & Kim-

I finished C25K in Michigan this past weekend. I was COLD running Saturday morning in Michigan. I ran for time on an asphalt bike path as it wasn't really marked from where I started on it.

The great part was when I got done, the Farmer's Market was in full swing so I bought Michigan cherries, blueberries, strawberry preserves and cinnamon break home to everyone for breakfast. I was tickled to get one quart of Michigan cherries into my summer.

I've had 2 more runs since my graduation run, and as I lope along sometimes I can't believe it's me in my body! The weather is awful here in MO so I just need to survive August!

Strong stride and happy feet!

Colleen

 

[kimwim8]

Hey TL - THANKs for stopping by and offering the always-needed encouragement!

Kat - I know the Wayne area (went to William Patterson U for one semester ). Sorry you won't be closer. Also sorry your neighbor hasn't been available for child care. That's one of my biggest struggles too. Maybe only a couple more years & I'll be able to leave my kids home alone while I run for less than an hour (they'd be 10 & 8...think that's old enough? I honestly don't know). HUGS to you while waiting for DH's return. Did you take any pics of the mountain? I'd love to see it.

Colleen - HAPPY GRADUATION!! What an AWESOME accomplishment and a great thing you've done for yourself! No one can ever take that away! Stick with us and keep us updated on your runs!

As for me, still plugging along. I'm hoping to get a nice 4 mile run in tomorrow. I haven't done anything over 2 or 2.5 in a while and it's getting frustrating to me mentally. WISH me luck!

 

[corinnak]

Well, we are having an exhausting time. I'm sending things to some friends mostly via email to avoid long downloads of photos etc. If you are interested in an email update, go ahead and PM me your email address and I will send you some email with photos.

It looks like you are all doing great - way to go Colleen! I'm so glad we can count you among the graduates!

Kim- way to get back in the saddle! 4 miles - I hope you totally rocked that today!

Kat - it sounds like we have had similar kid- carrying experiences. I haven't lost quite what Justin weighs, but it is a dramatic thing to experience carrying that weight for a long period of time.

As for me:

Running? What's that? No - Just kidding, really. I did run yesterday morning, bright and early. Got up and went to the fitness center at 5am. I ran all the way to Sicily! Really, I only ran about 3.25 miles, but it was better than nothing. My physical prowess has given me some advantages and allowed me to do some interesting things that I might not have managed before. Most notably, the power went out in the elevator of the apartment building where we stayed in Barcelona on the last day. We were on the 4th floor - 5th, really, as there was an extra unnumbered floor at the bottom. So we had all these bags, no elevator and an unairconditioned stairwell. I told my husband, who is prone to miserable sweating and likewise his father that I would put on my running clothes and schlep everything down if my FIL would stay with the bags at the bottom and DH would stay with the boys in the apartment. That way, I could rinse off, change clothes and no one would end up a sweaty mess. I carried bags down and dashed back up the stairs I am not sure how many times. 4? 5? Anyhow, my Father In Law for some reason I can't fathom, decided to do another trip himself, which made no sense to me, but whatever. The photos of us before getting on the ship, the whole top of his shirt is visibly soaked.

I also carried DS4 all the way up this longish hill to the temple at Segesta. It was quite a climb and a warm day, but aerobically, I was totally up for it and outpacing those who weren't carrying 35 pounds of scrawny man-cub.

We are getting tired, though. And there is SO much food. I need to get back on the treadmill again soon. I can not believe that we are coming up on 6 months of running, friends!!!!

Take care!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Corinna!! Glad to hear you're having a good time! I'll be PMing you my email because you know me and pictures!! (LOVE THEM) Thanks so much for poppin' in!

Isn't it just the best feeling to actually FEEL or SEE how far we've come in becoming healthier, girls? I just love reading your experiences of how things are easier and I love it when it hits me when I'm doing something.

I'm gonna copy today's post from my WISH journal:

Well, I did it. I got out there this morning around 8:30. It was stinkin BEAUTIFUL!! The temp was in the high 60's and the sun was shining. I decided I'd mix it up and just see how I felt out there while running a new course around the ol' neighborhood. About 1 mile into it, my Garmin battery petered out. So I had no idea of how long (time) I was running or how far. I did a big loop and figured it had to be longer than 3 miles. I came home and grabbed a beach towel and drove the route in my car (can't get the new car all stinky with sweat ). Turns out it was exactly 4 miles and it took me right around 50 minutes. So not bad!! I took 2 short walk breaks, which I'd estimate at about 2 minutes each.

I made b-fast for the family and then went upstairs and did an On Demand 8 minute squat program and then hit the Beaner and did some arm weights. I swear I literally could have taken a nap in the shower I was SO tired!! After I finally got some food in me, I felt much more energetic.

(end copy)

Tonight - I'm SO tired. Not gonna be staying up too late. But what a GREAT feeling inside to know I had a really good workout day.

Hope you're all having a GREAT weekend.

 

[corinnak]

Hey guys - I got in a run this morning. I don't know exactly how much - the treadmill reset when I went off to the bathroom about 15 minutes into the run. Gotta hate that! Anyhow, I did something over 5 miles. I'm skipping Rome today. My 4 year old gets too tired and requires too much carrying from me. It gets old really fast. The food situation continues to be way out of hand here, I'm afraid. Nice work on that run, Kim! You are back into the groove now!

 

[kimwim8]

Anyhow, I did something over 5 miles.

AWESOME job, girl!!! (and what's that about a potty break once you've started? That's classic!)

Thanks for the kind words. I'm gonna try to get out there tomorrow morning since I can't run again at lunch.

The Federal building I work in found Ecoli in the water supply. They say it's safe to wash our hands with, just not drink, cook with, etc. I think I'll skip the gym until it gets straightened out. I can't imagine showering in that water right now.

 

[corinnak]

Hi ladies,
It has been a few days, eh? I ran the day before yesterday - a slow 3 miles after a morning in Marsailles with DH - fantastic morning, draggy treadmill run. I didn't feel up to running today, though.

Kim, that is just yucky about the Ecoli in the water - I don't blame you for wanting to avoid showering there! Is that still going on or is it still in process?

I think I have put a couple of pounds back on. Not 10, but a couple. Looking forward to getting back to normal VERY soon. Have a great day!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Corinna! Sounds like you're getting the miles in while on vacation! I can only hope I can do the same on my trips in Sept (work trip) and Nov (triple-top-secret WDW trip).

I copied this from my journal, because I'm THAT lazy.

I did run this morning. B-E-A-utiful (line from one of DD's favorite movies ). The weather was in the 60's with a slight breeze. I ran what I thought would be a 3 and 1/2 mile course but it ended up being 4 miles exactly. My time was 46.07, which is GREAT. I had to walk for 4 minutes at the 1.75 mile mark, but once I started running again - I felt really, really good.

The part of running I'm struggling with is keeping a certain pace. When I started today, I was at 11.15 mpm. Which is probably where I should be at this point. But the next time I looked at my garmin (probably right around 1 mile) it said 9.54!! So I slowed down again and found myself around 12 mpm. It's just hard, I guess since the course is hilly. But I really think that 9.54 caused me to have to walk. If I had stayed around 11 mpm I think I could have kept on running at that pace. I'd love to have my long-ish runs slower than my regular runs, but at this point I can't seem to keep any pace for any run.

Hope you guys are doing well.

 

[C_leen]

Hi Kim & Corinna-

This past weekend was my 10 mile long run. I probably ran about half of it intervaling for the heat. I haven't set a 'walk-run' pace. I'm a bit worried that I am not being scientific enough. Anyway, since Sunday night my arches are hurting. I think as I got super tired (the last 2 miles), I changed my gait somehow.

So this morning I had a 4 mile run but I only ran a little over 3. Since it was lightning out, I wandered up to the gym and did the run on the TM. I must say I ran 3 miles in just over 32 minutes.

Tomorrow DH getting up at 4 am to fly to Boston for a job interview. I think I'll get up and run my three in the dark. Kind of crazy, but it will be 78 already at that time.

So I am pushing thru the heat & actually quite excited to only have two big weeks left of marathon training.

Safe travels!

 

[corinnak]

Colleen!
Wow - that sounds like a long run to me. I didn't process that you were training for a marathon. Daunting! It makes sense that if that was a leap up from your normal mileage, your feet would be telling you about it afterwards, though. I have had my feet complain after adding as little as a mile at a time, the little whiners! 3 miles in 32 minutes - that is my race pace, sister! Way to go!

As for me, I have not run since I left the ship. Marsailles was my last run and that seems like an age and a half ago now. I have been hampered, sad to say, by illness and to some degree, jet lag, but really, it's been the illness. I don't realy feel up to running when coughing up a lung. Blech. Plus, my good shoes are still MIA and I haven't had a chance to go buy new ones yet. With my older son sick, I don't anticipate being able to do that today either. I may just do a little run on the TM, I guess, in my slightly lacking shoes. Back to the "Better than nothing" philosopy. My coughing is a lot less today.

The TOT 13K is about 2 months away now. I am getting excited and nervous already. I'm nervous that I have lost some mileage and won't be able to pump it back up in time. I wish I had a slightly less hilly place to run, and a person to run with. The good news for me is that it is less scorchingly hot here than it was when I left. Rainier, but less hot!

 

[kimwim8]

HOLY COW, Colleen!! 10 miles!! That's awesome! Sounds like you're gonna ROCK the marathon!

Corinna - FEEL BETTER! Don't give up hope, girl. You absolutely, positively need rest until you're done hacking. If you want to get on the 'mill, do some speed walking or something, but I wouldn't recommend running. pixie dust for a speedy recover for you and your son.

Also, as far as the ToT...you have PLENTY of time. You're not gonna lose much, if any ground during this week or so. Believe me, I've tried to keep up with running when I was sick and it only makes you feel worse. Seriously, I have SO much faith in you. You can absolutely DO THIS!

For me, I'm working on my August challenge, but I had an issue today at the gym with a stinky, sweaty man next to me on the treadmill that caused me to either choose to keep running and possibly puking on the treadmill, or to call it quits after 1.5 miles. My left leg is bothering me a little bit. Not hurting, but I know it's there, if you know what I mean. When I was running, the left leg felt "heavier". Hopefully my next run will be MUCH more successful.

Take care, girls.

Kat - how you doin? We miss ya!

 

[corinnak]

HOLY COW, Colleen!! 10 miles!! That's awesome! Sounds like you're gonna ROCK the marathon!

Corinna - FEEL BETTER! Don't give up hope, girl. You absolutely, positively need rest until you're done hacking. If you want to get on the 'mill, do some speed walking or something, but I wouldn't recommend running. pixie dust for a speedy recover for you and your son.

Also, as far as the ToT...you have PLENTY of time. You're not gonna lose much, if any ground during this week or so. Believe me, I've tried to keep up with running when I was sick and it only makes you feel worse. Seriously, I have SO much faith in you. You can absolutely DO THIS!

For me, I'm working on my August challenge, but I had an issue today at the gym with a stinky, sweaty man next to me on the treadmill that caused me to either choose to keep running and possibly puking on the treadmill, or to call it quits after 1.5 miles. My left leg is bothering me a little bit. Not hurting, but I know it's there, if you know what I mean. When I was running, the left leg felt "heavier". Hopefully my next run will be MUCH more successful.

Take care, girls.

Kat - how you doin? We miss ya!

Thanks, Kim - I am feeling better today and am feeling most of the way through the jet lag as well. We are crashing later each evening and getting up later each morning. This is as it should be. I am still coughing a little, but it's not bad at all, really. Hopefully it will be all but gone tomorrow. No treadmill for me this day, again, hopefully tomorrow. I may get up and run either inside or outside tomorrow morning using my less favored but still acceptable shoes. A nice, easy 3 miles sounds about right. Though it probably won't be easy, eh? For some reason, the first 3 miles are always the tough part. When I get up to four and five miles, I start to feel like it is easy to talk myself into going farther and farther. Not sure if it is extra endorphins or what. I so appreciate your confidence in me. It really helps fill in the gaps when my own is flagging.

Kim, I hear you on the stinky man on the treadmill. There was a man on the ship who started on the treadmill next to me, and I don't think he even smelled that badly, but I actually moved treadmills. How weird is that? I hadn't really gotten started on that one and was having issues with being too close to the speaker, but it was that man's aroma that actually made me decide to change 'mill's. I don't blame you at all for cutting it short, for what that is worth! I hope your leg feels better soon. A heavier leg doesn't sound at all fun to run on.

Kat - are we still on for the 13K? We should plot out a place and time to meet up or something. It's a ways away, I know, but it would be a shame to be there together and not ever see each other!